We had the first of three "mini" courseson Wednesday: namely; digital camerabuying, computer applications, and use of a digital camera, in thatunfortunate out of order sequence due to scheduling problems.
Buying was one hour of solid, packed information, the gist ofwhich was do research first, then look at and handle cameras that youthink you may like. The handling process may serve toeliminate some of your choices. For example, small is "in,"but is the key pad too small for your hamlike finger tips?Can you "read" camera messages and settings without a magnifying glass,etc.? In some cases, larger might be better.
There was so much information given, that my hand was to fall offtrying to keep up with the slide presentation frames andinformation. If I may, I will try to distill some of it forall of you who may be interested. Bear in mind, I may havemissed stuff.
GOOD FEATURES
ROTATING MONITORpermits high/low/close-up shots and protectsthe LCD screen, which is a good thing to do. Should have somekind of "cover" for it.
WHITE BALANCE, preferably with manual over-ride, adjust for different"color temperature" given by various and sundry lightingsources...compensate for neon, florescent, incandescent, etc.
EDITING SOFTWARE enables you to make mundane photos great...equivalentof a "digital darkroom," for any of you who know what magic you canperform in a darkroom. Most all cameras come with some formof this, but some are better than other.
DOCKING STATION enables you to transfer images directly into yourcomputer, without the hassle of USB cables(generally provided), whichapparently are awkward to use...or a MEMORY CARD READER, which remainsin place and you stick your camera's memory card into it for fast imagetransfer...or PHOTO PRINTERS, relatively new on market, but they areprinters that allow you to print right from your camera, as well as doall the the other ordinary printing chores you might call upon it for.
MP's. Three(000) MP's minimum if you're expecting to dodecent 8 x 10's, 4(000)MP' for9 x 12's and 5(000)+MP's forposter size print capability...I assume that also means you have themeans, orcan access the means to print such images.
MEMORY CARDS will be an added, necessary expenditure as those that comewith the camera are insufficient for "normal" requirements.For example, rough guidelines, a camera with 3 MP capability and a 16MPcard will store up to 13 photos; whereas a 128MP card in the samecamera will give you up to 106 prints. Cameras with higher MPrating store less images on a card, but exhibit higherquality; for example, a 6MP camera with a 16MP card willstore5 photos of larger size and quality...I think.Up to three extra memory cards were recommended depending upon how manymany pictures you have a tendency to take. Fewpictures, less, or no extra cards.
BATTERIES. Need a second set, three sets arerecommended, with a battery recharger, preferably an one hour fastcharger.
LENS. Optical is better and more important than digitalzoom. A 3x zoom is equivalent to the "old" 35-105mm zoomlens. Higher the zoom number rating, the "closer" to theaction it brings you.
AUTO SHOOTING MODE lets camera set all the time/exposuremodes to almost guaranteed good photos, but you might want manualover-ride for more creative "special effects"
FLASH VERSATILITY Almost none of the camera "red eye" reduction systemswork. Eliminate "red eye" more successfully with your editingsoftware. Accessory flash(es) nice for some special effects,like "bounce" flashing off ceilings, etc. Look for capabilityto turn flash off when you don't want it.
GENERAL OVERVIEW
DESIRABLE.flash versatility, rechargeable batteries, memory card reader, image preview, rotating LCD monitor
NICE TO HAVE.ISO/film speed choice,"auto-bracketing"for best exposure times, switch mode for panoramic picture,automatic shooting modes.
FRILLS. Movie mode, sound recording, wireless controls,crop/trim/resize in camera, infrared data transfer, digital zoom.
Person teaching thecourse recommended going onlineand determining what features you want and are willing to spend moneyon, then, visiting a place like Best Buy, that will have many of thesecameras on hand and you will be able to handle them to see how they"fit" and feel. Do not go into such a place without having anidea of what you need, or you're apt to walk out with toomany bells and whistles, and hardly no cash left.
Buck