Most common mistake people make is buying the
digital camera without buying a memory card. A
memory card is like film in roll film cameras. Most cameras come with 16MB or
32MB of memory. However, that alone will not be enough to take decent amount
of pictures. With a 3MP you may need a minimum 128MB memory card and with 4MP
to 5MP ideally a 256MB or 512MB card would be better.
I get many people being very upset because they
have scratched their newly bought camera because they didn't buy a camera case. If
your digital camera and memory card cost you a total of $500-$600 why not
spend an extra $30 or so to buy a camera case to protect your new investment.
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 i.e., Pentax Optio S5N 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
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.
Don't waste your money on buying a higher mega
pixel digital camera which you may not need.
Furthermore, the higher the mega pixel camera the
more memory you need to save the photos. Some people I have noticed buy a 5
mega pixel camera and use the lowest resolution (640x480). This way, you can
take hundreds of photos on a 32MB card. You will not notice any difference
when viewing on the LCD screen or computer, it’s when you take it to develop
you will notice the REAL difference.
Memory Card Chart - How much memory you
need for your digital camera
JPEG Format (Compressed
Files)
| Camera Type |
4MP |
5MP |
6MP |
8MP |
10MP |
| 512MB |
225 |
145 |
136 |
122 |
101 |
| 1GB |
446 |
279 |
265 |
245 |
204 |
| 2GB |
892 |
558 |
531 |
495 |
395 |
| 4GB |
1784 |
1116 |
1062 |
1000 |
790 |
| 8GB |
3568 |
2232 |
2124 |
2020 |
1594 |
RAW format (Uncompressed Files)
| Camera Type |
4MP |
5MP |
6MP |
8MP |
10MP |
| 512MB |
79 |
68 |
64 |
40 |
31 |
| 1GB |
159 |
136 |
130 |
80 |
62 |
| 2GB |
318 |
272 |
261 |
161 |
120 |
| 4GB |
636 |
544 |
523 |
323 |
239 |
| 8GB |
1272 |
1088 |
1046 |
646 |
484 |
| xD
Card |
6MP |
7MP |
8MP |
10MP |
12MP |
| 512MB |
330 |
280 |
250 |
200 |
165 |
| 1GB |
665 |
565 |
500 |
400 |
335 |
| 2GB |
1330 |
1130 |
1000 |
805 |
670 |
*** The above data is just for reference. Different settings and different
cameras will alter the amount of pictures stored.
4: Functions and how
much control.
Some digital cameras have so many functions such
as digital filters, different shooting modes, movie with sound, 2 in 1 and the
list goes on. Most importantly, check how many 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.
Most entry level camera only have digital zoom,
but on your mid ranged digital camera it will have at least 2x optical zoom
with most having 3x optical zoom. Most small compact cameras have at least 2x
to 3x optical zoom. Mid sized cameras may have up 10x optical zoom.
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 $80-100.
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.
Any way or the other, different people have
different preferences for the batteries.
As mentioned earlier, a camera case is essential
to protect your newly acquired asset. Most digital cameras don’t come with
cases. Only some come with a carry pouch, namely Olympus Mju 300, Mju 410,
C770.
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 only come with
16MB, or at most 32MB, this will only give you a few photos. Most people buy
at least a 128MB or 256MB card.
-
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.
-
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, MimH 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.
