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DIGITAL SNAPSHOTS
Making sense of the fine print
By PETER WEINBERGER
It's quite easy to get dizzy from the large
amount of technical information camera manufacturers include
with their products. But some of this information is critical
to your purchase. The knowledgeable buyer will have a clear
understanding of these key areas based on their needs, skill
and experience level. Here are some important specifications to
be aware of:
Photo storage media. Compactflash and Secure Digital (SD) are most
common. Stay away from proprietary brands such as Sony's Memory
Stick.
Movie mode. Most
cameras offer video-clip options for short digital videos. Make
sure your choice also offers sound. This greatly enhances your
video experience.
Lens type. Look
at a stronger 8x to 12x optical zoom lens will give you many
more shooting options for nature and sports photography.
Optical and digital zoom. Optical refers to the lens actually adjusting the
focal length and view of an image. A digital zoom only enlarges
an existing image, taking pixels and detail with it. I
recommend turning the digital zoom function off.
Software. The
photo editing software that comes with your camera is getting
better, but does not compare to established brands. For $100,
Photoshop Elements 3.0 is inexpensive, has excellent auto
correction and advanced settings.
Cool stuff. Ultra-compact
designs (Minolta DiMAGE Xt), waterproof cameras (Pentax Optio
43wr); even remote control is offered with some models.
Price. Unless
you are a serious amateur or professional, you can buy a camera
with auto and advanced settings for $500 or less.
The easiest way to find a camera's
technical specifications is to go online to the manufacture's
Web site.
