Recently, the development of digital technology develops very fast. This development also expanded into the realm of digital cameras. Various brands and types of cameras with varying specifications, many sprung up, with prices that vary as well. Of the various types of compact cameras to DSLR camera ... Well .... with many types of digital cameras is, of course, makes people confused as to buy a camera. Digital cameras are already able to say this now affordable. Compare with its price in the previous year. Indirectly, the decreasing prices for digital cameras also caused proliferation of producers launching new models, which began an affordable price.Of the various types of digital cameras, which is right for you? What is the meaning of technical terms contained in the product brochure or specification data on the respective manufacturers site? What are the advantages or usefulness to the user? For that, I want to share a few tips for first-time buying a digital camera. Hopefully can get a little help.
A Few Things You Should Prepare Follows:
First to note, how far you'll need a digital camera. Is just for documentation or coverage of events or trips, family pictures, hobbies, or even might want to become a professional photographer. If only for documentation, and you like the simple-simple, perhaps settingannya pocket camera that is automatic is more suitable for you. But if you want to make as a hobby, or even want to be professional, of course, the choice is a DSLR camera. Or at least ga camera with manual functions for who want to make photography as hobi.Kalo for professional DLSR is certainly his choice.
After knowing your needs for a digital camera, now live determines how the budget / budget would be allocated to buy cameras, including ancillary equipment, of course. But if money is not a problem for you, you can skip this point. Related to price, the price offered is usually the seller's price of the camera only, not including the battery (if its type AA batteries), memory, a pouch, tripod, etc. So it is worth noting. Because if not addressed could be spending will exceed the previous budget.
A Few Things You Need To Know On When Buying A Digital Kamer is:
Megapixel is not the Main
Some argue that the greater the megapixel (MP) who owned a digital camera will determine whether a better digital camera. This opinion is not wrong, but not entirely accurate. Although the case is often used as keywords by the producers, as well as sometimes misleading potential customers.
The quality of a digital camera is not only determined from the resolution that can be generated. There's more variables that determine the quality of digital cameras, such as lens quality and image sensors used. Here we will try to describe what needs to be considered in terms of image resolution that can be generated.
1. Resolution
Digital images created by dots called pixels. This resolution refers to the number of pixels that work together to make a photograph. Usually indicated by a horizontal x vertical. 1280x960 resolution has a total of 1.2 Megapixels. The higher resolution will produce images that are also better.
Adjust the resolution offered with your choice. Usually one camera is available in different resolution options. If you just want to send photos via e-mail, a resolution of 640x480 is adequate. But if you want to print should select a larger resolution, so images are not broken and blurred.
2. Flash (flash)
Average digital cameras equipped with an integrated flash. There are automatic or have to press a button on to run it. Flash is useful as a supporter of light.
Most digital cameras are also equipped with flash lights or also known as flash. What these data mean: a built-in flash, 5 modes, max. 3m. Data are means of the product concerned is equipped with a flash / flash integrated. With five modes of choice, such as auto flash, fill in flash, Slow Synchro, or red eye reduction.
If you intend to further explore your camera and require an additional flash, make sure your camera allows this. Find the digital camera equipped with flash-shoe for external flash site. If you are not a new player in this photography world and already has a first flash, it's worth finding out whether your flash can be installed easily in shoe making available, or still need the adapter anymore? Knowing such information, would make the stuff you had before will still be useful. However, usually this will culminate with the fanaticism of a brand.
3. Self-timer
Self timer is usually able to achieve 10 seconds. In addition to facilitate self-photographed images, this feature is also useful for taking pictures in poor light conditions because it can reduce the shock effect of pressure on the key shots.
4. Battery power
If you do not want the pleasure is lost because of lackluster battery, you need to pay attention to how long it can survive a power source. Choosing a rechargeable battery (rechargeable) are more frugal and wise action.
In the meantime, the best batteries are lithium ion batteries with. Compared with two predecessors, NiCad and NiMH batteries, two batteries of this type has a weakness, especially on the memory effect.
Memory effect or syndrome also known as lazy battery effect is where the batteries can not be filled in accordance with its capacity. Usually this occurs when the process of charging / recharge done when the battery is not completely blank / empty. This effect will be felt on NiCad batteries. While for the NiMH battery is starting to improve, although still inferior to lithium batteries.
Some manufacturers include a rechargeable battery and its charger. Manufacturer Canon for several products include rechargeable lithium batteries. Indeed batteries provided sufficient quality. The only drawback, only the price of the batteries are not cheap when you need a replacement or additional battery. Noteworthy is the date of production of a lithium battery. A lithium battery can only be operated normally for about 3-4 years from the date of manufacture.
Manufacturer Nikon provides NiMH rechargeable batteries along with his charger. Batteries of this type, although not the best, but fairly easily obtainable and affordable. You can purchase additional battery / replacement in accordance with the capacity you need.
If digital camera manufacturers do not include it, it does not need to grieve. Usually this type of digital camera, requires AA size batteries. Suppose you are given the freedom to choose their own batteries as needed.
Note: for most digital cameras still have problems about this catudaya. Digital camera's battery is felt relatively more wasteful than conventional cameras. It is better you have at least two sets of batteries for your digital camera. The goal is to not lose the moment that can not be delayed waiting for the battery is fully charged.
5. Connection
Notice if your digital camera can connect with other digital devices such as televisions, printers, PCs or Macs. You will be helped by the USB cable.
6. Operating time
Choose a digital camera that did not take too many shots after the break. Difference in time four to six seconds just might make you less satisfied with the performance of the lean.
7. Image sensor is used
A compact digital camera with 3 megapixel sensor with a range of prices starting at U.S. $ 150. While other digital cameras with the same resolution are sold with the price range of U.S. $ 200. Why is it different from the price for a product with relatively similar specs? Apparently if you paid attention, the first products using CMOS as its image sensor. While both products use for CCD image sensors used. What is the difference between digital cameras that use CCD and CMOS image sensors? For this you can see in the box "CCD vs. CMOS."
8. Total efective pixel
Although a digital camera has a number of sensors that many (up to millions of megapixels), but that need more attention is the number of effective image sensor. What does that mean?
Image sensors in digital cameras capture light duty. Because of design limitations, then the number of sensors used is not entirely used to produce a captured image. Why, among others, that does not generate an image pixel to pixel barrier is also used to adjust the white balance. For that purpose, to note the number of pixels that produces an image, or frequently used terms efective pixels. This is the number of pixels on the image to be generated by digital cameras. Fortunately, there are some producers who want to admit that the effective number of pixels.
9. Cautious with the use of interpolation techniques
Some product brochure explaining a product capable of producing images with up to 3 megapixel resolution, and is printed with larger font sizes are bold. In fact in the data specification owned the product concerned, this product has the image sensor with an effective pixel number of 2 megapixels. This means the image sensor which is usually owned 1.92 million pixel resolution aka 1600x1200. This is where the prospective purchaser shall be vigilant. Or you confused? Where did the other remaining pixels generated? This is where the interpolation technique performed.
There are additional computational process for adding the resulting difference in image resolution. This process is usually done during the process of downloading images to a PC using the included software interfaces. Or it could be done by the digital camera firmware.
Note: need extra care to find things like this. Usually the manufacturer lists creative enough at the time of product specifications.
The number of resolution that can generated by a digital camera is better tailored to the needs of use. If you need only to be sent via e-mail, to fill a web blog, or if printed not more than the size of 5x7 inches; a 2-megapixel digital camera with actually being adequate. The price for this camera is relatively inexpensive, ranging from U.S. $ 100 price range. Cameras in this class is usually a point-and-shoot digital camera that is easy in use, although most cover the possibilities for experimentation. Most form the small pocket camera and tiny.
If you need more than this, such as to demand a larger print or detail drawings are better advised to choose from 3 megapixels and above.
10. Type of mechanism used to focus the lens
For this one, quite many manufacturers who often hide information regarding the focus that is used. Most inexpensive digital cameras use a fixed focus. However, the manufacturers usually include only information related to this focus autofocus.
What is the meaning of fixed focus here? This relates to the ability of the lens used. To decrease the price at affordable cameras, the lenses used were limited. Very minimal mechanical function that can be done on a fixed focus lens to adjust the distance of the object with a camera. This lens provides focal length range that can be captured well by this lens.
Therefore, with fixed focus camera has a limitation for the resulting picture quality. As a side note, most digital camera web camera is also integrated with the phone using this type of lens.
11. Digital cameras with CMOS image sensors, why not?
Digital cameras that use CMOS image sensors, why not? Once again, adjust to the needs that will be utilized. However, if the picture quality becomes very important point for you in choosing a digital camera, look good.
For compact digital cameras or pocket with no more than the price range of U.S. $ 150, do not expect to be able to produce amazing images. Here, the image sensor CMOS technology is used in order to reduce production cost and selling price.
But it would be a different use for the class of CMOS image sensors of digital SLR camera aimed at professional users. Combined with additional technologies such as say Foveon, CMOS image sensors would be ideal for this requirement.
12. Digital zoom, effects not you think?
Most digital cameras are equipped with the ability of this one. Actually, digital zoom capability is also dependent on the firmware used the product in question. For additional information about firmware, can be seen on the box "Firmware Update".
With this enlargement, the resulting picture quality usually suffers a decrease, compared to images produced without using the digital zoom facility. For that, taking images using digital zoom is often avoided. In other words, do not worry too much influenced by the ability to offer a digital zoom of a digital camera products.
Although some manufacturers (such as Kodak and Sony) have the quality of the picture is better, in terms of utilizing the digital zoom compared to products from other manufacturers. This is because of the enlargement algorithms performed on the image storage process used by the product concerned.
13. Zoom multiplying factor
On the technical data offered in the specification of a digital camera offers a 12x zoom. Though the product itself is only capable of 3x optical zoom. Manufacturers multiplying optical zoom capability with digital zoom.
Total zoom capability is sometimes included with the text font size large enough to attract potential buyers. But like I say, it's good to focus on optical zoom capability. Because in practice, optical zoom capability is more reliable than digital zoom. While digital zoom is only limited use when the optical zoom capability was not able to serve the needs of your shots.
14. Range Macros
Maybe some of you will ask: who wants to know how close the minimum distance from the object of a camera when taking pictures? Most manufacturers usually also does not list this information were large, such as for information or the ability to zoom the image resolution that can be generated.
This information will be useful for prospective users of digital cameras often take close-up shots. The ability of this lens for macro function enough variety. Most digital cameras have a macro capability with the object's distance between 10-50 cm. However, there are several cameras that offer the ability of macros to a minimum distance of 1 cm!
To value these macros, basically the smaller the better. While not all users will use it. Or if necessary, is not something absolute and should be used continuously.
The most important on a digital camera image sensor is used. Coupled with the algorithm used, it will be the resulting picture and we will use it. Not everyone has the same taste, as a matter of white balance produced. Although this is not a problem for some digital cameras.
They are also sometimes equipped with white balance presets that can be tailored to the needs. The best way is to try to find the images produced by the camera in question.
This can also be done by looking at sites that had reviews of digital cameras. But keep in mind, most pictures are taken in countries with temperate seasons. This will take effect for pengambilaan outdoor pictures. A much different atmosphere with a tropical country like Indonesia will produce different colors.
Result images owned a digital camera, not solely based on the type of sensor used. This also will be determined by the filters and algorithms that can digunakan.Anda menganalogikannya brand with the selection of film and print washing place developers on the use of 35 mm film camera. In this process will affect the results of the washed film and printing, including color and luminance images produced. This also happens on a digital camera. The difference is that this process is determined by the digital camera's image sensors and algorithms that are owned.
Conclusion :
To select a digital camera that suits your needs and can truly fulfill all your desires, it is not easy. Especially for a product whose price is not to say cheap. For that, there are some things we recommend before deciding on your choice:
1. Test drive
yes ... as well as a car, it is also possible, before you purchase a digital camera. Quite a lot of the distributors, or shop as a retailer that allows potential consumers to try the product concerned. Here you can directly try to operate it. Good when taking pictures, accessing menus, and so forth.
2. Advice from colleagues
If not get a chance to try the product demos, you can ask for an opinion from a colleague who has the products you want. This is quite effective. More ideal if your partner has a lot in common sense for a digital camera products. Especially if your friend allows you to borrow and try out the product you want to have.
3. Read review
You can try to read a review. Whether it is there in print media or internet. Even some are also providing some examples of shots that can produce relevant products. Only, keep in mind once again the differences in country of origin where the atmosphere is reviewed. This will affect mainly for outdoor pictures produced.
