Digital photography
Instant photography without the film costs
 
People frequently ask us questions about digital cameras. If you are looking into switching to digital, or got an early version of a digital camera, this overview might be helpful to you.

Should I Go Digital?

PROS

CONS

Cost: Digital cameras are more expensive then film cameras, but film and processing cost is eliminated so you can shoot at no cost. You print only the pictures you select.  Printing costs can be as low as $0.17 per 4”x6” photo and you can order your prints online from the convenience of your home.
Instant feedback: After taking a shot you can review your photo instantly on the camera screen, choose to delete it and re-shoot it with the necessary adjustments.
Editing: Digital cameras usually come with software that will allow you to improve and alter your photos, enhance color and contrast, remove red eyes, crop, resize, and even add or remove elements. It's like having a darkroom with the lights on and without the chemicals.
Sharing: You can instantly email your photos, share them on Internet, include them in documents, build slide shows or print them on your printer.
Size & Fashion: If size or appearance is a concern to you, you can find pocket size colorful and fashionable digital cameras that also take short movies.

Shutter lag and image write time: Shutter lag is the delay between the “Click” and when the picture is actually taken, while image write time is the amount of time the camera takes to save the picture in the memory card.  During this time the camera is unavailable to take other pictures, which can be frustrating especially if you are shooting fast action. The newest digital cameras models have little or no delay between shots.

Battery: Unlike film cameras that can be completely mechanical, digital cameras depend on battery power to operate.  The camera's LCD monitor and flash can drain your batteries very quickly so you always need to be aware of the status of your battery. 

Rapid obsolescence: Digital cameras, like PCs and other electronic devices, evolve very quickly. A camera purchased today will be obsolete in 3 to 4 years.

 

If you only take photos occasionally, the investment in a digital camera may not be worth it.  But, if you take photos regularly and like to share them with other people, or if your job requires a quick delivery of quality photos (real estate agent, online sales, website designer or desktop publisher) a digital camera will certainly be an asset. “Digital photography is instant photography without the film costs”.

How do I choose the digital camera that is right for me?

The cost of a digital camera varies from less than $100 to $6000 and more. To choose the digital camera that is right for you, you need to ask yourself what you want to do with the camera.  That will determine what features and characteristics are important to you.

These are the very minimum characteristics to consider when buying:
Resolution: The resolution (number of megapixels) you need depends on the size of print you want. If you print 4x6” up to 8x10”, a 5 megapixels resolution is enough.
Optical/Digital zoom: Optical Zoom is better then digital.
Battery & Charger: Does it use standard or proprietary batteries? How long does the battery last? How long does it take to charge the battery? The best batteries for digital cameras are NiMH.
LCD monitor: Does the Size and luminosity suit you?
Lag time: Does it have low to no delay between shots?
Flash: Is it Integrated? Is it Automatic? Does it have red eye reducer?
Removable media: Does the camera allow you to use external memory cards?
Ergonomics size and weight: Is it easy to use? Does it look & feel good? Does it fit in your pocket?
Accessories:  The most common accessories needed for a digital camera are memory cards, battery and battery charger.

Here are some additional information sources to help you choose your digital camera:

http://cameras.about.com/cs/choosingacamera/ht/selectcamera.htm : How To Select the Right Digital Camera for You
http://photo.net/equipment : How to choose a Digital Camera
http://www.digitalcamerainfo.com : “Digital Camera everything. Digital Camera articles, reviews, ratings, buying guides, and comparisons.”