Discussion Forums > Technology

Digital Cameras.

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rl9009:
D40x? Our school already has 5 D70s lying around the CADD lab!

For the mid level enthusiast, buy the Canon SX100IS. It has a 10x Optical Zoom which makes it really good for long range photography   :o

fohfoh:
For digital cameras, there's basically two types to consider based on the type of zoom. There's the typical one where the lens moves outside of the camera Horizontal from you. And the one with an internal lens. The only issue I have with the normal type of lens is that the plastic shutter can be moved with the hand. Also, if you run out of battery, the lens doesn't close properly and sticks out. (Quite annoying). The internal lens makes the camera more compact but has the lens right on the camera box. For people who aren't used to it, they have an tendency to touch the lens with their finger.

Again as said before Mega Pixels are not important. Even if you have a max of 10 Mega Pixels, you probably wont use it due to the size of the files. Personally I only use 3MP for pictures, maybe 5. I'll only use the max when I want to take a random scenery pic.

You might also want to try the weight of the cameras. Nikon and Canon are ok... but 99% are boring silver in color. It's also damn light which is good, yet easier to drop than a nicely weight camera and also easier to crack.

I personally use a Sony DSC T10. I like how it's black and not silver, how the lens is an internal one and how it's a nice metal setup that doesn't feel cheap and is a nice weight to hold in the hand. (Some of the cameras feel as if the lens is heavier than the actual camera components itself.

Malific:
<<---  Is an Ex Best Buy digital camera salesman.

MegaPixels in relation to photo quality:
3 = 3 1/2 inch by 5 inch photo (what you get when you develop a toss away camera)
5 = 8x10  (That school portrait you hate that's on your mom's wall and she insists on showing everyone.)
8 = 16x20 (The picture of the guy who just died that sits up by the coffin)
10+ = posters  (you hang them on your wall... they usually come rolled up)

Things to know:
Zoom:
You want Optical over Digital, As said above Digital is nothing more than a crop and enlarge and it degrades your photo quality. Don't get higher than x5 unless you plan on using a tripod, or steadying the camera on a stationary object. At the higher level zooms, the tension of your muscles makes it's virtually impossible to take a fully zoomed picture by hand without noticeable blur.

Internal Vs External Zoom:
External is when the lens extends outwards form the camera, and moves in and out as you zoom.  These have little motors and are susceptible to dust getting in the cracks and jamming the works. They are also the most common, if you get one of these get a case to keep the dust out.

Internal, The lens doesn't extend, you find it in most "flat" cameras like the Sony T series. None of the weakness of the Externals, but you'll pay more for them, Especially if they zoom higher than x3.

Cases:
You almost ALWAYS want to buy a case for your camera, make sure it seals to keep out dust, and has good padding. Dust + Dropping = 99% of all Digital cameras going bad. Slim Cameras + back pockets = cracked LCD screens.

Durability:
Not all cameras are built the same, if the case feels plasticy and loose chances are you're camera won't last beyond the first drop. Solid metal feel FTW.

LCD Screen:
It's fluff, the picture you took is almost always better looking than what you see on the screen. Bigger screen = better quality to see it and show friends, but you pay for the size.

Lens Quality
All the mega pixels in the world aren't going to help you if you've just got a polished glass lens in there instead of some high quality stuff. Each company has there own lens supplier: see below.

Memory:
Different Companies use different Cards, so if you have stuff that runs on a certain type, pick that company.

::EDIT::
Missed an option
Battery:
You can usually pick between Cameras that run on AA and Camera's with Rechargeable Battery Packs. The recharges are more expensive, But those are usually the cameras that work better and last longer. 50% of the AA battery Camera's are Pieces of $#!^, so if you go that way try to stay on the high end of the dollar sign with them, or buy a Cannon, Sony, or Kodak ONLY. The exception to this rule are the "fake" SLR type cameras, you'll know them because they have BIG external Zoom lenses (not detachable ones, just big) which usually get between x8 and x12 zoom. These guys are okay to buy and for some reason were still running off AA's when i was at Best Buy... but then they're also in the higher price ranges.
::EDIT::

Break down by Company, General pros and cons:

Kodak: Very Easy to use, Used to be polished glass lenses but upgraded to a German lens a few years back. They do a lot of bundle stuff with printers, EasyShare Printers are actually pretty good and have the longest lasting Pictures I've seen... We taped one to the floor of our department and walked on it for about 2 months before a new cleaning guy threw it away, got a little scuffed but that was it. Had another in a bottle of water, the paper backing dissolved after about 6 months but the picture itself was fine.
Really good software if you have no idea how to do anything with photos on your own.
Durability: B - They run the gambit from loose plastic to solid metal, you get what you pay for.
Lens: A-
Memory: SD cards
Ease of Use: It was made for your grandma.

Nikon: A little tricky to use for beginners, Best lenses out there. Cases leave a bit to be desired on low end models.
Durability: C
Lens: A+
Memory: SD cards
Ease of Use: At least glance through the manual, it's not a pick up and go.

Sony: Pick up and go, Great lenses, solid builds.  I Buy Sony.
Durability:A-B
Lens: A
Memory: Sony Memory Sticks
Ease of Use: Simply menus for learning on the go through the camera itself.

Fuji: A lot like Kodak, but without the insanely simple ease of use.
Durability: B Another gambit runner from good to bad.
Lens: B
Memory: xD cards back when I was in Best buy, but they were planning on phasing into something else at the time.
Ease of Use: Helpful menus. You'll want to check a few things in the manual.

Canon: Good all around. Very durable.
Durability: A
Lens: B
Memory: SD cards
Ease of use: B

HP: *snickers*
They Have Absolutely Beautiful LCD screens...


My basic thoughts.
If you want the very best and are willing to put out big Bucks, Go Nikon, Their top of the line cameras beat everyone elses in the same area, by "top of the line" I'm referring to Professional and Semi Professional grade SLR cameras or the $600+ price range..  After them I'd go Sony then Canon, mainly because Sony has the edge in lens quality. After that I'd take Kodak over a Fuji, because they're very similar, but Kodak uses SD memory which is cheap as hell and is used in just about everything. HP... *snickers* Yeah if you want a really good, gigantic LCD screen to show off your crappy pictures to your friends.. You put out enough money and you'll get a good camera from them, but you could probably get a better one in another brand.. HP just hasn't been in the game long enough to compete yet. If you're going to go bargain basement price, do Kodak their bare minimum cameras are pretty decent, or get a Nikon for the Lens quality.. just don't drop it.

One thing I can't stress enough YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR If you buy cheap you'll get cheap, so PLEASE don't buy that 8 megapixel camera in the sealed plastic package hanging on the hook over there because it's a $100 cheaper than the same thing in a better brand name, you'll regret it hugely. Most of those el cheapos use polished PLASTIC lenses...

kyanwan:

--- Quote from: Malific on March 17, 2009, 08:51:55 PM ---<<---  Is an Ex Best Buy digital camera salesman.

--- End quote ---

;) 

Some people would run the other way hearing you say that. 

You should also have noted - big LCDs eat battery life.   If you want the best of both worlds - DSLR offers you real optical viewfinders - WYSIWYG - when you look through the viewfinder .... plus, the battery life on DSLR is bounds better than the all digital/powered viewfinders.  Not to mention, the largest, clearest LCDs are all on DSLRs.  If you need it, you have it.  But if you don't need it - it turns itself off - so your camera takes more pictures instead of showing them. 

If you've got any seriousness about photography - do yourself a favor and get a DSLR - don't waste money on a point & shoot.   You'll thank (us all) later.  ;)

fohfoh:
DSLRs are nice, but big and clunky. I don't need a DSLR to take pics of myself and friends being stupid while bowling or something. A simple P&S(Yes I know what this sounds like) is good enough.

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