The Big Picture
With the rise of smartphones as everyday
photography devices, cameras have had to evolve quickly to compete, and you now
have many more types of cameras to choose from.
Cameras these days include ruggedized point
and shoots, high-zoom pocket cameras, premium compacts, mirror-less
interchangeable-lens models, and full-fledged DSLRs. The best fit for you
depends on your budget, your size requirements, and your shooting style.
This digital camera buying guide will help
you make a purchasing decision based on the specs that you need to examine
closely before you buy.
Which
camera to buy?
The Specs Explained
Megapixel count: For everyday photos, a camera of most any resolution will do. And
in the current market, few cameras have a resolution of less than 10
megapixels.
Image quality: Cameras with larger sensors and lenses normally take better shots,
regardless of megapixel count. You'll pay more for a larger sensor.
If you can’t get hands-on time with a
camera before making a purchase, check the specs for the sensor's size.
Shutter lag and startup time: Shutter lag may prevent you from capturing the perfect photo, in
several ways: a slow shot-to-shot time, a sluggish startup-to-first-shot time,
and a laggy autofocus.
To get a sense of a camera's shot-to-shot
time, confirm the camera’s "burst mode" or "continuous shooting”
count in shots per second. For sports or action photos, look for a continuous
shooting mode of at least three shots per second.
Also check to see how long the camera takes
to power on and snap a first shot. Determine how long the camera's autofocus
takes to lock in on a shot after you press the shutter button halfway down.
Size, weight, and design: To some users, a camera’s weight and pocket-ability may be more
important than its resolution. But slim cameras might have tiny dials and few
buttons, or simply lack manual controls, depending instead on automated
in-camera settings.
Zoom lens and image stabilization: Among the new breed of $200 range cameras are a few pocket
megazooms that offer up to 10X optical zoom. This means you won't have to
magnify your subject and then use software to crop.
A few DSLRs and interchangeable lens
compacts have in body image stabilization, meaning that in camera mechanics
will stabilize your photos.
Fixed lens cameras now offer zoom ratings
beyond 40X. But unless the camera has good image stabilization or a very fast
shutter, you may need a steady hand or a tripod to avoid blurry pictures.
Also, pay attention to the wide-angle end
(lowest number) of the camera's optical zoom range. The lower the number, the
wider angle the lens.
Look for optical zoom, which gives you all
the benefit of the camera's maximum resolution, combined with the ability to
focus in tight on faraway action.
Raw mode:
Many DSLRs, mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras, and premium compact
cameras allow you to shoot in raw mode, preserving all the data in your images
without compression. But file sizes will be much higher.
Manual focus: For close-ups where autofocus doesn't quite cut it, switching to
manual focusing can help.
Storage: If
you have a storage card you want to use with your new camera, make sure it's
compatible. Most cameras today use SD (Secure Digital) or SDHC (Secure Digital
High Capacity). The latter cards, with storage up to 32GB, are pricier and
aren't compatible with standard SD slots.
Nikon’s
D600 24.3-megapixel DSLR is a relative bargain at $2100 for the body only.
Battery life: Typically, brand-new cameras use proprietary rechargeable batteries
that can cost from $25 to $65 to replace. Lower-priced and older cameras use
standard AAs or high-capacity disposable CRV3s (which are around $10 apiece;
some cameras take two).
Battery life and camera cost often aren’t
related: Some inexpensive cameras have great battery life, while some pricey
ones use up a charge quickly.
Movies and sound: Most of today’s cameras can capture 1080p high-def video. For
shooting video, consider whether you can use manual exposure, optical zoom, and
manual focus or continuous autofocus while shooting.
Exposure settings: All digital cameras let you shoot in Auto mode just press the
shutter release for a picture. Some cameras also offer aperture and
shutter-priority modes, in which you adjust the size of the lens opening or how
long the shutter stays open, and the camera automatically controls the other
variable to give you the proper exposure.
Cameras that offer priority modes also
provide full-manual exposure control, in which you set both variables. These
modes make a camera adaptable to almost any situation.
Menus:
Consider how easily you can reach common settings such as exposure controls,
ISO adjustments, continuous-shooting options, and manual focus controls, and
how easily you can play back just-taken images.
LCD and viewfinder: All digital cameras have an LCD screen, varying in size from 1.8 to
3.5 inches. A smaller size limits your ability to review just-taken images.
LCD quality varies widely (many wash out in
sunlight). If possible, try using a camera outdoors before you buy it.
Wireless features: More and more models have built-in Wi-Fi features to help you share
photos more quickly, directly from the camera. Sony, for example, continues to
introduce Wi-Fi cameras that tie into the company's PlayMemories online
service.
Olympus’s
OM-D E-M5 is a compact DSLR, but a top model ($1000, body only).
Buying Tips
Look for low-light excellence: The larger the sensor, the better your low light shots are likely
to look.
Pay attention to the battery: Some newer cameras require charging the battery by plugging the
entire camera into a USB port or wall socket.
Match megapixels to your use: If you intend to make only 4 by 6-inch prints, you don’t have to
shoot at the camera’s highest resolution and you'll be able to fit more shots
onto your memory card.
Disregard digital zoom: Most cameras offer at least 5X optical zoom. But digital zoom
produces photos that are inferior to those produced with an optical zoom.
Try before you buy: Some cameras have commands and menus that are easier to use than
others, which you can ascertain only via a hands-on trial.
Buy a second memory card: Having a spare allows you to keep shooting while the images
download, rather than needing to keep the camera hooked up to your PC. Also,
you won't have to worry about running out of space (and missing your perfect
shot) quite so quickly.
