Digital cameras are a remarkable advance in technology. They can electronically capture images and store them as digital files. They have all the functions a standard camera has, such as, an optical viewfinder, shutter release, a variety of flashes, built-in lens, zoom features, self-timer, manual exposure and focus. However, digital cameras also offer additional features like the ability to view shots using a built-in LCD (liquid crystal display) screen.

When buying a digital camera, the following should be considered.

Image Resolution

Each digital camera uses a certain number of pixels to create an image. This is referred to as megapixels. The more megapixels, the higher the resolution and clarity will be. If the camera has at least 3 megapixels or more, the resulting photograph would be worth framing. test

Optical Zoom

Optical zoom helps bring subjects visually closer or move them further away for wide shots of the whole scene. It does this by magnifying the size of an image through adjusting the lens. Optical zoom, unlike digital zoom, enlarges the subject without giving up resolution. Digital zoom imitates a telephoto lens making the subject appear larger and closer through electronic enlargement.

Memory

Different digital cameras use a variety of different memory flash cards. It all depends on how many pictures will be taken, and how high the resolution is. The higher the resolution the more memory it takes up. Today, the available memory capacities are 16MB to 128MB.

Equipment

When a digital camera is bought, usually all required equipment will be available in the package. On the other hand, extra memory cards or rechargeable batteries would be a great backup.

To manipulate pictures, imaging software is required. Imaging software like Photoshop is quite costly, but it is always good to use the software to crop, erase, add, and edit images.

Other

When traveling, many photographs are taken, and usually a lot more are waiting to be taken. This is where those extra flash memory cards would be useful. However, if only one memory card is available, it’s very easy to reuse. All that’s needed is a computer. Photos can easily be put on a CD arranged in folders, so images can be found easily again. This makes digital cameras very convenient for a traveler. To get the images printed, some cameras have a printer to go with the camera, but photographic paper is needed. An easier way to get photos printed is to go to a retail outlet, where they have machines that assist you through the printing process.

Other things that should be considered is how much money is available to spend.

Digital Cameras VS Conventional Cameras

- Digital cameras have the ability to view images as soon as they have been recorded, whereas for conventional cameras, you cannot see the resulting shot until the film is developed.

- In digital cameras, unsuitable pictures can be deleted and therefore do not have to be processed. In conventional cameras, however, once the photo is taken, you must develop it.

- The digital camera memory can be re-used, because its photographs are stored on a flash memory card. However, the conventional camera has no storage space because all shots are recorded on film.

- There is no need to purchase film in a digital camera, because all photos, as mentioned before, are stored on a flash memory card.

Bibliography

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- Digital Camera Resource Page, 2005 [Online] http://www.dcresource.com/ June 30 2005

- Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2005 [CD-ROM], Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc.

- Fuji Film USA, 2005 [Online] http://www.fujifilm.com/JSP/fuji/epartners/digitalGoingDigital.jsp June 30 2005

- Long’s Electronics, 2005 [Online] http://www.longselectronics.com/camguide.jsp June 30 2005

- Microsoft Encarta Encyclopaedia, 2003 [CD-ROM], Microsoft