So, you want to buy a
digital camera Buying a digital camera can be a daunting task. Start by making a list of the features you need and a list of the features you want. Prioritize those features making some decisions about what features you can’t live without. Then figure out how much you can afford to pay. Digital cameras range in price from a couple hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. To some degree, you get what you pay for. With your list of features and price in mind, start comparing cameras until you find one that meets your needs. By Bradley Wilson • Photos by Logan Smith
Power Digital cameras require batteries that need frequent replacement or recharging. Compare cameras that take conventional AA or AAA batteries with those that take longer-lasting, but often more expensive, custom batteries. You can save a few bucks on a camera that takes AA batteries and spend the difference in cost over a year just in batteries, so sometimes the more expensive batteries, particularly the rechargeable ones, save money in the long run. Image Digital cameras use a fixed, light-sensitive, silicon chip that comes in two varieties: CCD or CMOS. This chip determines the frame size and the light sensitivity of the camera. Look for digital cameras with larger chip sizes for larger images. Resolution Digital cameras capture files in the range of, on average, 4 megapixels to 8 megapixels or more. More information is generally better. If you need to crop out a portion of a photo, that’s where extra resolution comes in handy, for both printing and Web display. If you started with a 4MB image, but cropped out half of the image, you’ve ended up with only 2MB of information, only enough for a 1.95”x4” yearbook photo. However, if you started with a 7MB image, but cropped out half the image, you’ve ended up with 3.5MB of information, enough for a 3.4”x4” yearbook photo. (Another good reason to remind your photographers to move up close and fill the frame.) So, for most print media work, look for a camera that captures at least 5 megapixels, preferably 7 megapixels. For Web work alone, such high resolution is not necessary.
Viewfinder Digital cameras use a conventional optical viewfinder or electronic viewfinder like that used on camcorders. Especially with point-and-shoot models, however, photographers often find themselves using the LCD that displays the scene. The LCD can be hard to see in bright light and uses a lot of battery power. Storage format Stores images as digital files on reusable memory cards or discs. While Compact Flash is the standard storage medium, alternative forms are available. Be sure you have a reader that can hook up to your computer for when you don’t want to plug the camera in directly. Other storage media that are compatible across many platforms include the microdrive, Secure Digital card or Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) card.