What Makes A Good Digital Camera?
Posted on August 20, 2008
Filed Under Digital Camera Features, Good Digital Cameras |
If you’ve decided to make the plunge into the world of digital cameras you probably have lots of questions. If this is your first digital camera, you probably have even more questions. One very simple but open ended question to ask, and one that’s bound to elicit even more questions, is “What makes a good digital camera?”. Well, hey, I’m glad you asked. Lets take a look at a number of important features that should be considered when looking for a digital camera.
Easy Of Use
Given all the features, menus, and buttons crammed into digital cameras these days, they can be difficult and intimidating to the uninitiated. But, they don’t have to be, and many cameras have a very intuitive layout. The best way to know for sure, is to get your mitts on one. Yep, that means walking away from your computer screen, venturing into your friendly neighborhood camera store and asking the oh-so-friendly sales clerk to test drive one of their cameras. Take your time, and try out as many buttons, dials and knobs as you can. And, most importantly, see if you can figure out or understand what they do without having to ask a clerk, or flip through a manual. My favorite acid test for the intuitiveness of any gadget (digital camera or otherwise), is my ability to do what I want with it, without using the manual.
Megapixels
Here’s my favorite item to pick on when it comes to digital cameras. Megapixels . . . can’t live with ‘em . . . can’t live without ‘em. The most important point to make here, is they really don’t matter that much anymore. Sure, the more the better. But, practically any camera you buy these days will have at least 7 or 8 megapixels, and that’s plenty for just about anyone.
A Little Creative Control
While it’s nice to get a camera that requires as little brain power to operate as possible (especially for guys like me), but having the option to tweak is important as well. You may decide some day to learn all those fancy terms like shutter, aperture, and exposure . . . and what they really mean. You may also decide to try adjusting those features, to see what kind of pictures you can get. Having a camera that includes auto settings, and the ability to manually adjust those settings will grant you that.
Take Me Anywhere
The world of compact and ultra compact cameras has flourished in the last few years, as digital technology continues to endlessly miniaturize itself. What that means is that even those pockets of your favorite tight blue jeans can now hold a digital camera. Be aware though, that you tend to pay a premium for the smaller size, and give up a few features. You also tend to lose out on durability and lens quality. Two features I value. Be sure that before you buy the mini-me version of your favorite camera, that size is really that important to you.
Tuff Enough
If your the ultra-adventurous Indiana Jones type, be sure your camera can keep up with you. There are a number of very durable cameras on the market, that are designed to be drowned, dropped, shaken and stirred. The Olympus Stylus has a number of models that fit this category.
Those are just a few of the basic featues you should find when looking for at a good digital camera. There are plenty more, and you’ll find them discussed here in current and upcoming articles on this site. As always I look forward to your comments and suggestions about this article. Good luck in your hunt for the best digital camera you can find.
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