DIGITAL CAMERAS A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words, But First You Need the Right Digital Camera By: Shannon Noce, Staff Writer

THE QUESTIONS TO ASK

........How easy is it to use?

........How many megapixels do I really need?

........What type of lens do I want?

........Is a digital SLR the right kind of camera for me?

........What kind of memory does it use?

........How much do I want to spend?

........What accessories do I need?

HOW EASY IS IT TO USE?                                                                              [ Top ]

The camera with the most features is great for some and a nuisance for others. One of the first things you need to do when searching for a new digital camera, is think about how and when you will be using it.  If you cant see yourself reading the entire manual and learning all of the options, make sure you chose a user-friendly camera.  Ask a sales specialist to recommend which cameras offer great picture quality, but are still easy to use.  On the other hand, if you want to have complete control over the shots you take, there are plenty of digital cameras that enable you to do so.

HOW MANY MEGAPIXELS DO I REALLY NEED?                                           [ Top ]

How many megapixels you need depends on what you plan to do with the pictures you take:

 

2 megapixels or less are what you may want to look for if you desire an inexpensive digital camera. These cameras will meet the needs of more casual photographers and those looking to mainly post pictures on the internet.

 

3 megapixels are ideal for those who find themselves regularly emailing pictures and posting images on the web. When it comes to printing your photos, 4X6 images are sure to look great and most 3 megapixel digital cameras will also produce good 5X7s, and 6X9s.

 

4 megapixels produce photo-lab quality 4X6s and great 5X7s, 6X9s, and 8X10s. For those who desire high quality printouts or plan on retouching photos, 4 or more megapixels are recommended.

 

5 megapixels are ideal if you want to print great enlargements. Pictures printed as large as 8X10s and 11X14s will look amazing. For enlargements 8X10 and larger, a camera that is at least 5 megapixels is recommended.

 

6 megapixels and up will produce the highest quality pictures. The number of megapixels alone should not be you reason for choosing a digital camera, but if high quality images are what you desire, you cant go wrong with a digital camera offering 6 or more megapixels.

WHAT TYPE OF LENS DO I WANT?                                                               [ Top ]

There are several very different lens options to consider when choosing a digital camera. Each has its own advantages and recommended uses.  Take a minute to see which will best meet your needs.

 

Fixed length: These lenses offer no optical zoom, but allow for compact camera designs and are usually less expensive. This type of lens is perfect for those that want a camera that can accompany them on the go and primarily plan on taking close up shots.

 

Retractable zoom: Like fixed length lenses, these lenses allow for compact camera designs. These optical zooms usually offer 2X or 3X magnification, depending on the camera model.

 

Fixed zoom: This type of lens is not usually found in digital cameras with an ultra compact design, but is perfect for those who want to be able to capture a great shot even if they are far away from the action. These lenses typically offer up to 12X optical magnification and often offer more advanced controls as well as more precise zoom and focus options.

Did you know there are two types of zoom?
An optical zoom lens provides true zoom by varying the focal length to make an image larger or smaller.  Generally, the larger the number the more flexibility you will have. A digital zoom, on the other hand, utilizes a computer processor to further expand the image. This is not the same as optical zoom and does not supply results as clear as an optical zoom. A good thing to know as well is that the higher the optical zoom, the more effective the digital zoom will be.

 

Interchangeable lenses: These lenses deliver the best quality optics and offer the most flexibility. Whats more is that you dont have to buy a new camera to upgrade your lens, simply change it!

IS A DIGITAL SLR THE RIGHT KIND OF CAMERA FOR ME?                      [ Top ]

SLR (Single Lens Reflex) cameras are extremely versatile. These cameras are incredibly fast, with a near-zero lag time, making them ideal for capturing the action. They have large image sensors and produce high-quality photos. You can also easily change lenses.

 

An SLR is a good choice for you if you desire professional quality photos and want more control over the pictures you take.  If you dont mind a camera thats a little bigger in size and dont need it to record movies, you may want to consider a digital SLR. An SLR is ideal if you take lots of photos indoors or of subjects, such as pets and children, which are in constant motion. Digital SLRs also allow you to manually control the zoom.

 

Both digital compact cameras and digital SLRs are excellent choices, but if you want to be happy with your camera choice take a moment to decide which better meets your needs.

WHAT KIND OF MEMORY DOES IT USE?                                                     [ Top ]

One of the most convenient things about digital cameras is that you can stores of images and easily delete any your don't want.  while most digital cameras have some internal memory, memory cards allow you to store anywhere from 10 to 1000 images and sometimes even more.  take a minute to learn about the different types of memory cards used by today's digital cameras.

 

Secure Digital cards (SD): The most significant advantages of an SD card are its small size, large memory capacity, and digital copyright security.  One of the most popular types of memory cards on the market, SD cards are also known for their high speed data transfer (up to 10MB per second) and write protect switch that protects your data.

 

xD picture cards:    Developed by Olympus and Fujifilm, this card is found in their smaller digital cameras. This type of card is uniquely designed to minimize power consumption and thus prolong battery life.

Compact Flash cards (CF):   Often preferred by professional photographers, CF cards are larger in size, but offer much higher storage capacity (up to 8GB).  These cards utilize a built-in controller chip and offer very fast transfer rates.

Memory stick: The memory stick is a flash memory device that can store between 16MB to 2GB.
 

MultiMedia card (MMC): The MMC is a flash memory card roughly the size of a postage stamp. This type of card is used in several devices including digital cameras, PDAs and video camcorders.

 

HOW MUCH DO I WANT TO SPEND?                                                            [ Top ]

How much you can and want to spend on a digital camera is clearly a personal choice and one that depends on your individual budget. To save money and get everything you need, take advantage of one of the many bundles offered at 6ave.com. Youll conveniently get everything you need, while saving money.

 

Another thing to consider is the number of megapixels vs. the combination of other features you want and need. Unless you plan on using your prints professionally, you might be best off not choosing the highest resolution (number of megapixels) that you come across. Instead, opt for one with a sufficient number of megapixels to meet your needs that also includes other great options and features you want. This will help you in your search to find a quality digital camera, without emptying your wallet.

WHAT ACCESSORIES DO I NEED?                                                                [ Top ]

Choosing a 6ave.com bundle is always a wise decision.  Our experts know what you need to get the most out of your digital photography experience, and have grouped these items into money saving bundles. To see these great deals, choose the bundle tab on each product page.

 

When it comes to digital cameras, these are the accessories we consider vital:

 

Batteries & chargers  If the camera you choose comes with rechargeable batteries, make sure to add a charger if one is not included.  If its batteries are not rechargeable, make sure you purchase an additional battery so you never run out of power in the middle of a once in a lifetime moment.

 

Carrying case   Protect your camera and bring it with you everywhere you go with the safety and convenience of a carrying case.

 

Memory card  If you plan on taking pictures, youll undoubtedly need a memory card.  Check your camera to see what type of card it needs- popular kinds are Secure Digital cards (SD), xD Picture Cards, Compact Flash cards (CF), and MultiMedia Cards (MMC). The more megabytes the card holds, the more images you can store.  Keep in mind, though, that the higher resolution the camera is set at, the more space an image will take up.

Average Number of Images Stored on Memory Cards

Camera Type	Avg. File Size	16MB	32MB	64MB	128MB	256MB	1GB	2GB
2 Megapixel	900KB	17	35	71	142	284	1137	2275
3 Megapixel	1.2MB	13	26	53	106	213	853	1706
4 Megapixel	2MB	8	16	32	64	128	512	1024
5 Megapixel	2.5MB	6	12	25	51	102	409	819
6 Megapixel	3MB	5	10	20	40	80	320	640
8 Megapixel	3.5MB	3	9	18	36	73	292	585

File size is the average when using JPEG mode. Actual numbers will vary depending on camera model and the complexity of the image.

 

Photo printer  Add even more convenience to digital photography with a photo printer.  Print high quality images as quickly and easily as you take them.  There are several types of digital photo printers to choose from- some connect via a USB cable to your computer, others connect directly to your digital camera, and a third kind enables you to insert your memory card right into the printer. 

 

Dont forget a warranty! Sixth Avenue Electronics takes the worry out of the shopping experience by offering up to 5 years performance protection on our products. Our network of national service technicians means your item is protected no matter how far away from one of our stores you might be. Our warranties are fully transferable, because we are truly committed to servicing our products.

Get it all in a BUNDLE 6ave.com provides bundles, so that you may experience a completely worry-free shopping experience. Our extensive product knowledge and research enables us to provide you with bundles that include everything you need for optimal performance of each product you choose.  By choosing a bundle, youll get all of the accessories you need while saving money.