Question #1: I’m new to digital cameras. What should I look for?
Answer #1: What do you want to do
with your pictures? A camera's resolution translates into the number of "pixels"
used to comprise an image. For example, a camera with a 640 x 480 resolution has far fewer
pixels than one with "Megapixel" resolution (at least one million pixels). It's
easy to see that more pixels equals more picture quality. If you're primarily interested
in e-mailing pictures to friends and family, posting images on the Web, or creating
"slide shows" on your computer, a low or mid resolution level will suffice. If
the camera will be used for professional applications, choosing a high resolution is
important. Keep these general rules of thumb in mind: For printing 3" x 5"
photos, 1 Megapixel resolution is recommended. For larger prints, 2-Megapixel resolution
is recommended. You can never have too much resolution, and all digital cameras can
capture images at resolutions lower than their maximum ratings. Look for optical zoom
capability. You'll have the same zoom control as with a traditional film-loaded camera.
Plus, image detail is more accurately captured with an optical zoom than with a digital
zoom. Look for a LCD viewscreen on the back of a digital camera. This feature allows you
to preview your picture before you take it. You can also see pictures you've already taken
and re-shoot if necessary. Make sure the camera is compatible with your computer. Many
models are not Apple Macintosh-compatible.
Question #2:
Are the days of photographing with film over?
Answer #2:
The reports of the death of film have been greatly exaggerated. Film is still used by
millions of people for both personal and professional images. It will remain the image
capture of medium of choice for many years to come. But there's no doubt that digital
imaging has become a major force in the economy and in the day to day activities of many
people's life.
Question
#3: What is the difference between optical and digital zoom?
Answer #3: Most digital cameras
have an optical zoom, which increases magnification via lens manipulation The image is
changed before it hits the CCD so each pixel has unique information. Resolution stays the
same when the image is enlarged optically, which means the picture is still crystal clear.
The quality of the optics is important because it determines the final quality of the
photo. A digital zoom is used to multiply the zoom ratio of a fully extended optical zoom.
Because the image is changed after it hits the CCD, pixelization occurs when you enlarge
it. Essentially, a digital zoom isolates a sector in the center of the optically derived
image and blows it up. Since the pixels themselves are enlarged, the image doesn't gain
any actual detail. The picture won't get any clearer, just bigger. In short, a subject's
detail is actually captured more faithfully with an optical zoom than a digital zoom.
Question #4: Why would I want to eliminate
picture files?
Answer #4: Removing unwanted or
poor quality picture files maximizes the data storage capability of your camera. Any
digital camera will give you this option, but the process can be tedious. If you don't
seem to have adequate data storage, consider purchasing flash memory cards for your
camera. Additional flash memory lets you store more images
Question #5:
Why is digital resolution important?
Answer #5:
Too low a resolution results in what are called "jaggies"--a stairstepped look
to diagonal lines and tonal edges. Resolution is important when you begin to figure input
and output numbers (scanning and printing, respectively) in the imaging process. Thus,
resolution is expressed as 150 ppi (pixels per inch), 300 ppi, and so forth. Resolution
can be regarded as a relative number, but it is key to determining image source as it
relates to print (or whatever output) size and quality.
Question #6: Why are the advantages/disadvantages of an LCD screen?
Answer #6:
An LCD screen allows you to see how a picture will look before you take it, and even view
the picture you just took. Many LCDs also allow you to view all the pictures you've taken
so far, sometimes even all at once. This is a very handy feature considering you only have
so much room in your camera's memory, so getting rid of poor/unwanted photos frees up more
room. The disadvantage of an LCD is battery drainage. If you use the LCD a lot, expect to
burn through you batteries quickly. If you have it on all the time, there's a good chance
you'll need a recharge or new batteries before you fill up your memory! The good news: you
don't need to use it when taking pictures. Almost all cameras come with a traditional
viewfinder.
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