Buyer's Guide and Tips on buying a digital camera.

       1: Ask yourself how much budget do I have?

When considering your budget in purchasing a digital camera, you will also need to consider if you require additional accessories such as memory card, camera case, screen protectors, UV Filters and so on. If you are a first time digital camera buyer, you will need to consider items such as memory cards, camera case and maybe a card reader to make downloading the photos easier from the camera to your computer.

However, if you are upgrading from a previous camera, then you may not need to buy memory cards if the new camera uses the same type of memory card from your previous camera. Most cameras on the market use SD (or SDHC, SDXC cards) and CF cards. If you have an older Olympus, Fujifilm or Sony camera they will use their type of memory card.

Sometimes you may still need to buy another bigger capacity memory card even though you may already have an existing one. Most cameras on the market are much higher in mega pixels and also records videos in high definition. Typically, a 4gb memory card will be sufficient for recording 400 photos on a 12 mega pixel camera. However, if you want to record videos in high definition, you will need a bigger capacity and faster memory card.

To record high definition videos, you will require a class 4 or 6 an above card depending if it's high definition or full high definition. Each 1gb of memory will enable you to record approx 5 minutes of video.

However, if you want to save money, you don't have to buy a camera case. If you have an old camera case lying around why not put it to use. Anyway or the other, a camera case is essential.


 

2: Size of the camera does matter:

Once you have worked out how much you are willing to pay, the next thing is the physical size of the camera. Digital camera comes in various different sizes and colour. If you want to buy an ultra small compact camera and you have huge hands then you may want to reconsider.

Always consider the size of the camera relative to your hands. Ultra compact cameras may be very handy to carry around but if it’s hard for you hold to take photos then you won’t get nice pictures.

 

3: Resolution, bigger / higher  doesn’t mean better pictures.

There is often a misconception that a 5MP or 6MP mega pixel digital camera is better than a 3MP camera. This is only true if you use a 5MP digital camera (set on the highest mega pixel and quality) and use photo editing software to crop the image and then print out to full size then you will notice the difference.

Basically, if you have a 3MP camera you can print out the photo to A4 size without picture distortion. If you use a 5MP digital camera you can print out to A3 size without picture distortion. If you are a graphic designer or regularly print larger size photos or crop and print to full size then you may need a higher mega pixel camera to suit your needs. However, if you normally print 4x6 photos or sometimes enlarge to A4 size then a 3 or 4 mega pixel is more then enough.

Most cameras on the market are now more than 8 mega pixels or higher. The benefits of higher resolution are that you can enlarge if you need to or crop a section of the image and print it out.

Memory Card Chart - How much memory you need for your digital camera

JPEG Format (Compressed Files). JPEG files are the most common file format for digital compact cameras.

RAW format (Uncompressed Files).

*** The above data is just for reference. Different settings and different cameras will alter the amount of pictures stored.

Please note: if you are intending on recording videos, this is a quick summary of how much video can be recorded on a memory card.

• If recording on standard video quality, every 1gb will record 9 minutes of video.
• If recording on High definition quality, every 1gb will enable you to record 5 minutes of video.
• If recording on Full High definition, each 1gb will enable you to record 1.5 minutes of video.
• The above are only estimates and each camera/video camera brand will be slightly different

4: Functions and how much control.

Some digital cameras have so many functions such as digital filters, different shooting modes, high definition video recording, 2 in 1 and the list goes on. Most importantly, check how much OPTICAL zoom not digital zoom the camera has. Optical zoom is when the lens zooms the object in and digital zoom is using software to zoom the middle part of the object and use pixels to fill in the picture. Basically, if you use an optical zoom you will get really nice and clear photos. When you use digital zoom, you will get grainy photos. This is most apparent when you develop the photo or use digital zoom in low light / night time shots.


Other functions to consider is how much manual control you have over the camera. Some point and shot cameras have limited manual controls, but many pre programmed setting such as: night scene, sports, indoor, sunny, cloudy and surf and snow. Most compact digital cameras are only point and shoot with pre-programmed modes and not much manual control. However, if you like having manual control over your digital camera check the camera specifications on how much and what manual controls are available.




5: Battery and what else you need.

Digital cameras eat up batteries very quick. If your digital camera uses AA batteries then it would be ideal to buy a battery charger with rechargeable batteries. Most cameras that use AA batteries don’t come with chargers and rechargeable batteries.

There are some discussions on whether lithium batteries or AA batteries are better. Basically, if you camera uses lithium batteries you save on buying a battery charger and batteries also charging time is quicker. But, if you want to buy an extra lithium battery you may need to pay a further $60-90.

On the other hand, if the camera uses AA batteries, buying an extra set would only cost around $20 for 4 batteries. Furthermore, if you use AA batteries and the batteries go flat you could just buy some batteries from a shop.

In certain situations, AA type batteries will be better such as people who go bushwalking and are not able to recharge their batteries every night. In this case, you can have a few packets of Duracell's AA batteries to use during the time.

All cameras come with the original manufactures one year warranty. You can also purchase extended warranty ranging from 1-4 years.

In terms of camera accessories, you can put them in several categories:

 

1: Essential accessories:

• Memory card. Most cameras do not come with any memory card now. So unless you already own a memory card, it's essential to take photos.

• Camera case: I've seen people with 1 month old cameras with scratches on the outside and some even had keys stick into their lens and ruined the whole camera. A case will protect the camera on the outside and also if you drop it on the ground it will protect it. If you want to save money, remember to store it carefully and not with other articles in your bag such as a separate compartment within your bag.

• Battery: If your camera uses AA batteries, most likely it won't have rechargeable AA batteries and no battery charger. In the long term if you use rechargeable batteries it will save you a lot of money in buying one time use batteries. Always buy the NImH batteries with at least 2100mAh. The higher the mAh amount the more power you'll get, hence more shooting time. Also, NimH batteries don't have the memory effect so even if your battery isn't fully flat and you recharge it will not affect the performance. Most Nimh batteries can charge up to 1000 times.

        2: Prosumer accessories:

• Lens/ Adapters/Underwater cases: If you are an enthusiast in photography, there are a number of lens for your digital camera. Usually, there are wide angle lens, macro lens and tele lens. However, please check if there are lens available for the camera you are buying. Not all digital cameras have the option of adding extra lens. Most digital camera available on the market have an underwater case you can buy separately. Usually, lens/adapters and underwater cases are quite expensive, but worth the money if you're an enthusiast!!

• Tripods: Great for taking night shots.
  

3: Gadgets to make digital photography easy.

• Card reader: A card reader will make transferring photos from your digital camera to your computer much easier. Just slot the memory card into the card reader and you can transfer all your photos onto your computer with just a click. Hence, no fiddling around with cables and inserting cables. If you do not use a card reader, just remember to have enough power/battery in your digital camera before you start transferring your photos. If in the unlikely event the camera battery goes flat prior the transfer is complete, you may lose some photos or have corrupted files.

6: Research, Compare and Buy.

The most important factor in buying the right digital camera is work out what you want from your digital camera and do research on the internet or digital camera magazines. As mentioned earlier, the best advice is to ask friends who have already got one and ask if you could play around with their camera. When you get advice from them you get an unbiased view and true opinion.

Tips on how to care for your digital camera

If you need more information on cameras or advice, please e-mail us on austrend@bigpond.net.au and will get back to you as soon as we can. Or if you prefer, call us on 02-9280 3385. Our trading hours are from 10.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday and 10.00am to 1.00pm Saturday.


Please note: We do not carry all the digital cameras we have on our web site on display in our retail shop. If you want to come and visit us and have a look a particular model of camera, please call us in advance to make sure it is available.