| Don't get confusedIf you have made your mind up | | | | then you can discard it and take it again. There are |
| to start using a digital camera, or perhaps upgrading | | | | no costs involved in this.Don't worry about |
| from an existing one, then you can be forgiven for | | | | "megapixels"....There is a lot of fuss made about |
| being confused. There are thousands of digital | | | | megapixels. This can be confusing for the majority of |
| cameras available and they all display a confusing | | | | us. Rest assured that most cameras have at least 3 |
| array of specifications. And digital photography was | | | | megapixels these days and will produce more than |
| supposed to make photography easy, wasn't | | | | excellent results at normal sizes. Only when you |
| it?Luckily, many of the functions that digital cameras | | | | enlarge to 10x8 ins or more will you find the need to |
| have are common to all so it is often down to | | | | invest in greater megapixels. But think back - when |
| personal choice as to which one is for you. How do | | | | was the last time you EVER did that?.... or lensesIn |
| you plan to use your camera? When? How much can | | | | respect of lenses, you should consider buying a |
| you afford to spend?Don't worry about | | | | camera with a lens that will "zoom" - that is get |
| terminologyThe easiest mistake to make is to go for | | | | closer to the action, or further away. If you never |
| the greatest megapixels when choosing a camera. | | | | felt the need before, than trust me, go for a zoom |
| But this won't get you the best camera or the best | | | | lens now. You won't regret it. Luckily almost all |
| shots. Then there is the zoom of the lens to think | | | | compact cameras and all prosumer models have a |
| about - optical or digital? And what type of memory | | | | zoom lens built in and of course you can buy your |
| cards are used? SLR, prosumer or compact? It can | | | | own zoom lenses if you have a digital SLR.Shutter |
| be very confusing.Decide what you want from a | | | | delay is normal on compact camerasOne of the |
| cameraThink what you are expecting from a digital | | | | annoyances you might find with compact digital |
| camera? Will you be using it for family and travel | | | | cameras is that of shutter lag. This is the delay |
| type shots or will you be delving into more complex | | | | between pressing the shutter button and the picture |
| areas such as nature. Sports, portrait or landscape | | | | actually being taken. It is normal. When you press the |
| photography? Buying a digital camera won't make | | | | shutter button the camera goes through a sequence |
| you a superstar photographer or get you noticed by | | | | of checks and adjustments to calculate the best |
| the rich and famous but it can simplify your | | | | circumstances for correct exposure. This can create |
| photography and make you think about what you | | | | a delay before the shutter actually triggers and the |
| are doing a bit more. To be a top class photographer | | | | picture is taken. You won't miss many shots but you |
| takes years of experience.But, there have been | | | | might miss a few especially where fast action is |
| remarkable advances in digital photography in recent | | | | concerned. You can minimise this problem by pressing |
| years and the very least you can expect is an | | | | the shutter button halfway and allowing the camera |
| affordable camera that will produce images as good | | | | to pre-calculate conditions for exposure. In any |
| as you were used to on 35mm film. You will get a | | | | event, the problem is a minor annoyance and is |
| state of the art camera that will fulfil most of your | | | | overshadowed by the tremendous benefits digital |
| expected requirements.What is different about | | | | photography has to offer.Flash is easyMost compact |
| digital?The big difference between digital and film | | | | cameras, prosumers and many SLRs have built in |
| cameras is the ability to see your shot on the inbuilt | | | | flash. This is handy if you want to get that otherwise |
| LCD screen either before you shoot or after | | | | elusive shot indoors or in the dark. But don't expect |
| (sometimes both). This can allow you to see any | | | | quality - external flashguns will give the best results |
| glaring mistakes, improve composition and retake | | | | but the sheer convenience of a built in flash makes it |
| shots that weren't up to scratch.Cost is a big factor. | | | | worth the effort.What are "memory cards"?People |
| Don't be put off by the cost of digital cameras in the | | | | often get confused by memory cards. There is no |
| stores. They may look expensive (although prices are | | | | need. Simply put, a memory card is the equivalent to |
| coming down all the time) but you will save a fortune | | | | film in the older film cameras. The images you take |
| on processing. All images you make with your digital | | | | are stored on these. The main differences are that |
| can be downloaded from your camera onto your | | | | you can store many more than you would have been |
| computer and the memory card in the camera wiped | | | | able to on film and that you can download them to a |
| clean ready to start again. No more buying film, no | | | | computer or print images out at the local store or at |
| more developing and printing costs - unless you want | | | | home and then delete all the images on the card |
| to!And a digital camera will allow you to view your | | | | ready to start all over again!The camera you buy will |
| images on your computer, on your TV or send then | | | | usually take only one type of memory card. Other |
| to friends and family around the world or even | | | | types won't fit. They are easily and cheaply available |
| upload them to free websites and galleries. The limits | | | | both in the shops and online. The come on different |
| are endless!Types of digital camerasCameras come in | | | | capacities (just like film) but typically a 256Mb sized |
| various types. Single Lens Reflex (SLR) cameras | | | | card will be able to store around about 150 images |
| come with the ability to change lenses depending o | | | | taken on a 3 megapixel camera.Batteries are |
| the conditions. They can be complex for the casual | | | | requiredYour camera will need power and these days |
| user and the results are not necessarily better than | | | | it comes from batteries. Not so long ago, battery life |
| those of good compact cameras. They are for the | | | | was very short and consequently, costs were |
| avid enthusiast who knows what spending lots of | | | | relatively high. Now things are better and most |
| cash on a new lens really means.Another type of | | | | cameras give longer battery life. Of course you can |
| camera is the "prosumer" model. These look and feel | | | | use rechargeable batteries and these will last you for |
| like SLRs but they don't have interchangeable lenses. | | | | years if looked after. Many cameras allow you to |
| They are, however, of a high specification and | | | | recharge batteries either with a specific charger |
| produce results that can be indistinguishable from | | | | (often included in the package) or via an optional |
| more expensive models.Compact cameras do not | | | | "dock" in which the camera is placed when not being |
| have interchangeable lenses - but often have | | | | used - this gives a continuous charge and means your |
| additional components that can be attached to make | | | | camera is read for action at all times.Viewing your |
| them function in this way. They are usually smaller | | | | picturesWhen you have finished taking your pictures |
| and easier to carry and handle. The have powerful | | | | you can usually review them on your camera's built-in |
| functions and most have both programme mode | | | | screen. Or, better still, you can download them easily |
| (fully automatic) and the ability to override to a more | | | | to your computer for ease of viewing and can even |
| creative mode when required. They often have | | | | watch slide shows on your TV or send them via |
| between 3 and 6x optical zoom - more then enough | | | | email to your friends. Many people are setting up free |
| for the avid snapper.Enjoy digital!Digital cameras are | | | | galleries online to store their images or developing |
| fun! You can see what photograph you have taken | | | | user-friendly "blogs". With digital, the possibilities are |
| without having to wait days or weeks to finish a film | | | | endless! And, all the software and cables you need |
| or await processing. The images you take can be | | | | are usually supplied with the camera when you buy |
| shared and enjoyed by everyone around you either | | | | it.Now get your camera!Digital cameras are the way |
| instantly at the time of taking the picture or very | | | | to go. They are relatively cheap to run, produce |
| quickly afterwards by email or other medium. You | | | | fantastic results and will give years of pleasure. |
| get instant results and if you don't like what you see | | | | |