Digital Camera Page

The quality of digital cameras continues to improve ... and so has their prices! Coupled with the amazing results from consumer-priced ink jet printers, we are entering an era in which digital cameras are no longer just for the rich or the technically blessed.

I think that digital cameras shine brightest for display on your computer screen. New applications such as iPhoto 2 help make digital photography quite appealing because once the pictures are in your computer, you can do so many things with them. And producing prints from your digicam is easier than ever too. In addition to your home ink jet printer, many online services enable print orders with just a few clicks -- our current favorite is Shutterfly.com.

In my Digital Photography Pocket Guide, I've rated all the important features in digicams and categorized them to help you find the perfect camera for you. Here are few things I think you should consider:

• Megapixel resolution -- the minimum now is 2 megapixels, and you can get 3.3 megapixel cameras for under $300 and 4 megapixels for $400 and up. If your pictures are primarily for publishing on the Web, sending via email, or components for QuickTime movies, then 2 megapixels should be enough. But if you like to make print enlargements, then look seriously at 4 megapixel cameras and up.
• Optical zoom lens of 3x or more is important so you can "zoom in" for portraits and "zoom out" for landscapes and group shots. Don't confuse "optical zoom," which produces high quality images, with "digial zoom" that degrades your pictures. Always base your camera buying decision on optical zoom specs and ignore the digital zoom function all together.
• Additional memory card to extend picture taking sessions is a must. Cameras usually ship with measly 16 MB cards, which aren't enough for serious shooting. We like memory cards that are at least 128 MBs, and prefer 256 MB cards. Don't skimp on memory! Factor in the price of an additional memory card to your overall camera buying budget.
• Lithium or rechargeable Nickel-Metal Hydride batteries provide the best power. Pay attention to how your camera is powered and recharged. Standard rechargable AA NiMH batteries are the most flexible and affordable. But sometimes you have to settle for a proprietary battery to get the camera you want. If that's the case, make sure it's a good one. And hopefully it comes with a convenient charger too. I recommend that you buy an extra battery when you purchase the camera.
• Image editing software is necessary to sharpen and enhance pictures. If you don't already own a good image editor, then pay close attention to the software that's bundled with your camera. When in doubt, consider Photoshop Elements. You can usually purchase it for less than $80, and it has a wealth of features.
• Card readers for digital media are a nice accessory to help avoid lengthy downloads via camera cables to the computer. My favorite combination is a PCMCIA reader (such as Microtech SSFDC Type II Adapter) and a laptop computer. For desktop computers the portable card readers are very handy too and can be purchased for less than $30. New FireWire models speed up transfer rates considerably.

Electronic VS Print Output

Showing off pictures on a computer screen is easier than via prints because you don't have to deal with "resolution" issues. To publish a picture on the Internet, your image resolution only needs to be 72 ppi (pixels per inch). Using JPEG compression, a 640 x 480 pixel picture can be as small as a 100k file and still retain very good image quality.

To make a hardcopy print of the same image would require much more resolution -- somewhere near 200 ppi with file sizes soaring up to 10 megabytes or more. The problem is that print images require "more dots" than computer monitors.

So when considering a digital camera, think about the maximum print size you would typically want to make, then make sure your camera has enough megapixels for those dimensions. Here's a good rule of thumb:

• 1.3 megapixels produce up to 4 x 6" prints.
• 2 megapixels produce up to 5 x 7" prints.
• 3.3 megapixels produce up to 8" x 10" prints.
• 4 megapixels produce up to 11 x 14" prints.

Should You Go Digital?

When people ask me if they should buy a digital camera, I usually respond by asking, "Do you want 20 prints from each roll of film, or are you shooting for one or two great shots per session?"

Folks who like having lots of prints should stick with film cameras as their primary tool, unless they're also in to web publishing and QuickTime slideshows. Digital cameras are perfect for electronic display and for making the occasional print of your favorite images. Personally, I love today's digicams.

Either way, the most important thing is to practice your craft and have fun -- regardless of the type of camera you're using.

D. Story
Nov. 2003