Digital CamerasDigital Cameras

Demystification

By: Jason Montour

Demystification

By: Jason Montour

SpecificationsSpecifications

Megapixels - is more better? Digital vs. optical zoom. Auto focus, face detection, smile

detection. ISO speeds (for lighting) TYPES - Sub-Compact, Compact,

Prosumer, Professional.

Megapixels - is more better? Digital vs. optical zoom. Auto focus, face detection, smile

detection. ISO speeds (for lighting) TYPES - Sub-Compact, Compact,

Prosumer, Professional.

Compact & Sub-CompactCompact & Sub-Compact

Typical consumer - point and shoot!

Smaller and more convenient to carry.

Less detail than professional. More economical ($70 ~ $400) Fun features like Smile Detection.

Typical consumer - point and shoot!

Smaller and more convenient to carry.

Less detail than professional. More economical ($70 ~ $400) Fun features like Smile Detection.

ProsumerProsumer

More expensive ($400 ~ $800) Introduces SLR/DSLR

Single Lens Reflex Higher quality (even if less

megapixels than point and shoot. Larger casing and less discrete

than compacts

More expensive ($400 ~ $800) Introduces SLR/DSLR

Single Lens Reflex Higher quality (even if less

megapixels than point and shoot. Larger casing and less discrete

than compacts

ProfessionalProfessional Most expensive ($800 ~ $5000 or more) Excellent image quality. Large casing/body. Many more settings and functions for

demanding photographer. Field is almost entirely DSLR Many available lenses, and flashes for

customizability.

Most expensive ($800 ~ $5000 or more) Excellent image quality. Large casing/body. Many more settings and functions for

demanding photographer. Field is almost entirely DSLR Many available lenses, and flashes for

customizability.

Canon 7dCanon 7d

Nikon d300sNikon d300s

Specs to be aware of:Specs to be aware of: Face recognition (good feature for point & shoot) Smile shutter (smile recognition) Sony CyberShot DSC W170, 150,

120 ISO Speeds (higher capacity is good, but should be used sparingly) Image Stabilization (IS) (great feature for the not-so-steady hand) Shutter Speed (Max) (minimum of 1/2000, but 1/8000 is best

available) Manual Focus (pretty standard) Megapixels/Total Effective pixels (8 Megapixels to 12 megapixels for

standard) Focus Delay – How long it takes for the camera to take the photo.

Long for lower level cameras and shorter as you progress into higher level.

Face recognition (good feature for point & shoot) Smile shutter (smile recognition) Sony CyberShot DSC W170, 150,

120 ISO Speeds (higher capacity is good, but should be used sparingly) Image Stabilization (IS) (great feature for the not-so-steady hand) Shutter Speed (Max) (minimum of 1/2000, but 1/8000 is best

available) Manual Focus (pretty standard) Megapixels/Total Effective pixels (8 Megapixels to 12 megapixels for

standard) Focus Delay – How long it takes for the camera to take the photo.

Long for lower level cameras and shorter as you progress into higher level.

ResourcesResources Consumer Reports: Cameras:http://video.consumerreports.org/services/player/bcpid1886192484?

bctid=1564399877 Digital Camera Side-by-side:www.dpreview.com/reviews/sidebyside.asp Best Buy:http://www.bestbuy.com BH Photo:http://www.bhphotovideo.com/ Wikipedia – Digital Cameras:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_camera

Consumer Reports: Cameras:http://video.consumerreports.org/services/player/bcpid1886192484?

bctid=1564399877 Digital Camera Side-by-side:www.dpreview.com/reviews/sidebyside.asp Best Buy:http://www.bestbuy.com BH Photo:http://www.bhphotovideo.com/ Wikipedia – Digital Cameras:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_camera