Tips on Buying a Digital Camera

If you are looking for compact digital camera at an affordable price, Consumer Reports recommends the Canon PowerShot A630. Their experts tested it and state the print quality is excellent, it weighs only 8 ounces and it was easy to use.

I decided to browse the Internet and see what else I could find about this camera. I found pretty impressive reviews with statements such as:

• “Show-stopping 8.0 megapixel resolution”
• “High performance features previously found only on Canon's higher-end cameras
• 4 X optical zoom
• 2.5” vari-angle LCD monitor
• 21 shooting modes
• Expanded ISO settings
• Digic II Image processor and isaps technology for superior image quality, faster operation and better use of power
• Print/Share button for movie and photo print
• And it comes with the following items in the box

What's in the Box

• PowerShot A630 Body
• AA-size Alkaline Battery (x4)
• MultiMediaCard-16M
• Wrist Strap WS-200
• Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM
• USB Interface Cable IFC-400PCU
• AV Cable AVC-DC300

Pixel Defined

Pixel is a shortened version of the words picture and element. Without enough pixels in our pictures they will appear grainy and the colors will be uneven. The picture is made up of many little dots, for an example a resolution of 640 x 840 contains 307,200 "dots".

So how many pixels do you need/want? Again I refer to the advice given in Consumer Reports. The special report compared 5, 6 and 7 megapixels, stating that it may not be worth the extra money unless one was perhaps blowing their pictures up into poster sized photos. Their advice was that the average individual would be happy with a 5-megapixel camera. For those who want to create posters at least 7 megapixels is recommended.

ISO Defined

For more information on cameras including examples of ISO visit here.

Basically ISO relates to how much light the camera's sensors can absorb. Digitally cameras are commonly found with ISO numbers ranging from 50 to 3200 with 50 making the camera the least sensitive to light. Cameras with ISO settings will allow the photographer to take pictures in different lighting. Four ways that a camera can provide more light to the subject would be:

1. Artificial light, such as a flash
2. Increase the opening of the lens
3. Increase the sensitivity of the sensor
4. Increase the time the sensor is exposed to light by adjusting the shutter speed

Clearer Pictures

The most common related problem to your shutter speed slowing down is a blurry photo. Other problems which can cause blurry photos are the subjects moving or the photographer moving. ISO can do a lot to reduce both of these problems because the shutter does not have to remain open for a long period of time. We get clearer pictures in dimmer light and without a flash.

Keepsakes

So if you are in the market for a new camera, do your homework before making that purchase. Another site that I found extremely informative and helpful was here. Basic terms are defined and good advice offered on where to look and what to look for. Pictures are keepsakes, make yours worth keeping.