Buyers Guide: Digital Cameras

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Decent 4-5megapixels point-and-shoot digital cameras start from about £150, while enthusiasts looking for flexibility can buy a new fully featured digital SLR for under £600.

In general, the higher the megapixel count of a digital camera’s sensor – and the bigger the sensor’s physical size – the more detailed the images. Four to 5megapixels is good for 8 x 10in or larger prints. The quoted ‘effective’ pixels
number is the camera’s true megapixel resolution.

Forget digital zoom and concentrate on the optical zoom, which zooms in on the subject and produces a better-quality image. Digital zooms simply crop into the centre of the picture.

Also be wary of interpolation – a technique that mathematically inserts new pixels in between existing ones. It can result in blurry pictures.

The minimum optical zoom is typically 3x; about 35-105mm. If buying an SLR, multiply a lens size by 1.6 to get its true focal length, so a 100mm lens is 160mm when put on a digital body.

Look at the selection of automatic or preset picture modes for standard shots, portraits, night shots and landscapes, plus macro modes for close-up photography.

Movie modes aren’t as good as even a basic camcorder, but are fine for short movie clips to play on your PC. Check how many frames per second (fps) they offer – most are 15fps, but some are 30fps, which means the video will be smoother.

Experienced photographers will want manual controls for aperture and shutter priority, white balance and focusing. Good cameras should also provide quick and easy access to image quality, resolution and format settings.

Built-in flashes are fine for everyday shots, and many include a red-eye reduction mode, but cameras with a hot-shoe for external flashes will allow much greater illumination and control over lighting.

Check start-up time because cheaper models are likely to take longer to be ready from switch-on. And check shutter lag, as there may be a delay between pressing the button and taking the photo.

Many models use NiMH (nickel-metal hydride) rechargeable batteries, but lithium batteries typically last longer. Also, smaller cameras often mean smaller capacity batteries.

Finally, remember digicams must write the image onto flash media before taking the next shot, and the better quality the card, the faster this will happen.

Digital Cameras - recommended models

Compact
Canon Powershot A520
Perfect for those who want a versatile and easy-to-use digicam without spending a fortune
Read review >
Check prices > 

Konica Minolta Dimage X1
8megapixels, image stabilisation and a stylish and compact design, but indoor shots can be noisy
Read review >

Prosumer
Fujifilm Finepix S9500 Zoom
A serious alternative to entry-level digital SLRs
Read review >

Fujifilm Finepix S7000
Great design and loaded with features, this camera performs well and is a delight to use
Read review >

Canon Powershot Pro1
A well-designed camera for the serious user who wants stunning photos
Read review >

Nikon Coolpix 8700
Features an impressive 280mm telephoto lens and 30fps (frames per second) movies
Read review >

Digital SLR 
Canon EOS 350D
This is a hugely capable digital SLR camera that won’t disappoint

Olympus E-500
A decent upgrade of the E-300 that easy to operate, has plenty of features and produces good quality images
Read review >

Kinoca Minolta Dynax 5D
A very usable camera, although it’s a little weighty. Anti-shake mechanism is excellent

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See also:

Google puts photo management in the frame

Picasa 2 offers online sharing of digital images  19 Jan 2005

Don't let megapixel envy distract you

There's more to digital cameras than higher resolutions, so don't be fooled by the marketing hype  22 Dec 2004

Buyers Guide: Processors

The choice of processor is huge, as is the price range, and it's hard to make a decision when you're surrounded by all that jargon. We explain what it all means  01 Dec 2004

Buyers Guide: Monitors

Everyone seems to have an opinion on the best type of monitor but, given a few basic technical requirements, in reality it comes down to what you like the look of  15 Feb 2006

Buyers Guide: Camcorders

For those who want to capture those special moments, digital camcorders offer a wealth of great features and formats. But what do they really mean and do you need all of them?  14 Nov 2005

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