What’s the Perfect Camera?
1. PICTURE QUALITY/RESOLUTION OPTIONS
Three digital elements that can affect the quality of your photos, include:
1. Resolution (pixel count)
2. Format of the file
3. ISO setting
DO YOU NEED A RESOLUTION?
Simply put, the term “camera resolution” refers to the amount of pixels cameras can capture. Pixels are the geometric “tiles” of colour that make up the entirety of digital images.
Camera resolution is typically measured in megapixels. A megapixel equals 1 million pixels, while 2 millimetres is 2 million pixels, and it goes on.
Megapixels have always been a significant aspect to consider when buying digital cameras, even though consumers don’t know what that is. To print a high-quality photograph of prints of 5×7 inches or more, you must have at least a one-megapixel image. These days, however, many cameras are equipped with no under 3 megapixels and cost lower than 100 dollars. With the proper knowledge of the megapixels and how they relate to images, you could save yourself lots of money, not having to go for high-end megapixels; however, you should choose the ones which are relevant.
The choice of a digital camera with many megapixels is dependent on the ways you intend to make use of your pictures. This list gives an overview of this;
* VGA resolution (640 x 600 pixels) It is the VGA resolution is ideal for when you wish to share your photos or send via email, share it on a webpage or even use it to create presentations. If you’re looking for the highest quality print using the VGA resolution, you’ll surely be disappointed.
* 1 megapixel: With an image resolution of 1 megapixel is an acceptable image, but just for on-screen image use.
2. Two Megapixels. With two pixels, you can make excellent 5 x 7inch prints. You can also print acceptable 8x10s.
* Three Megapixels with this number of pixels, you could create an excellent 8x10s.
* Four megapixels and higher If you are looking for printing prints that are bigger than 8×10, choose 4 megapixels or higher.
It’s important to note that if you’re planning to shoot at a higher quantity of images, you need to find out if your model is able to shoot images with smaller resolutions. The reason is that the higher resolution, the greater the area needed to hold the image file. The top cameras provide two to three resolutions. The three resolutions usually come with names like “Good, Better, Best” or “Fine, Basic, Normal.”
In the end, unless you intend to print huge prints or many close cropping shots, it is possible to be content only with 3 millimetres. This will help you save money when you buy other accessories such as a zoom lens and a high-quality photo printer.
WHAT ABOUT FILE FORMATS?
Like pixel count, which is crucial in digital photography files, file formats also play an essential role in the format used to save your photos. Digital cameras mostly rely on three file formats to save picture images: JPEG, TIFF, and Camera Raw (or Raw, for short). Here’s a quick overview of the three file formats:
* JPEG (jay-peg) The JPEG format is the preferred format for digital camera images. All Web browsers, as well as e-mail software, are able to display JPEG photos, which means that you can access directly from your camera into the world online. JPEG has its own drawbacks, however: when JPEG files are made, they are compressed, an operation that eliminates the image’s data to reduce file size. The smaller files are ideal for putting more images onto the memory card of your camera and also reducing the time needed to share your images online. Although a tiny amount of compression can cause minor damage, a significant amount of compression will seriously diminish the quality of your photos.
* TIFF: Contrary to JPEG, the format keeps all-important image information. It means that you can get the best quality of the image. However, it also means files that are much bigger than JPEG files. You can’t even transfer TIFF images online without opening them using a photo editor and convert them to JPEG
* Camera Raw (or simply Raw) When you shoot with either the JPEG or TIFF format camera, it performs some post-capture editing to improve contrast, colour as well as other aspects of the image. When you shoot in the Raw format, the adjustments are applied. It is raw “raw” data right from the sensor. This format is made for photographers who wish to determine whether and when modifications are made to the image sensor data, similar to how some film experts prefer to print and develop their own negatives. Because there is no compression, Raw files are more significant than JPEG files. Additionally, you need to utilize a particular piece of software known as a Raw converter that tells your computer to convert every raw file into a digital image. It is important to note that certain manufacturers give Raw files a specific label. For instance, Nikon Raw files are also known as NEF files.
It’s recommended to look for cameras that allow you to select between 2 or all three formats for files. There are cameras that offer give you two different versions of the same image (JPEG+Raw or JPEG+TIFF options).
If you’re not the kind of photographer who is demanding and possess the skills for “process” and “fine-tune” images, JPEG alone is just adequate.
2. WORRIED ABOUT MEMORY?
There are still film cameras, and the information on their films are stored in a negative film. Similar to the digital camera. Each photo is stored either in the camera’s inbuilt memory (often known as”on-board memory”) as well as in electronic memory tanks (often called the removable memory card). A few cameras use inbuilt memory, whereas the majority of cameras depend on removable memory cards.
Sincerely, I suggest that you purchase cameras that have an external memory card. What’s the reason I’m saying this? Because going to an in-built camera has the following limitations:
* If you are able to fill your memory card, it will be necessary to delete specific images.
* You’ll need to empty the memory on your board into an electronic device before you can continue to take more photos. Do you know how much amount of time you’ve wasted and the chances you’ve lost? I don’t know how many people are waiting around for you to clear your memory card first before you can continue your shoot. That’s ugly.
To stay on the safe side,
Buy a camera that can support the use of a memory card that is removable. You can purchase an inexpensive accessory known as a memory card reader. This lets you transfer files quickly to your computer.
You can also print directly from your memory card, as certain printers are equipped with slots for memory cards. You could also bring the card to a photography lab to print.
3. DO I GO FOR ONE WITH A MONITOR, VIEWFINDER OR BOTH?
Specific cameras have a viewfinder; some have only an LCD monitor (LCD screen, which is a liquid crystal display) and some with both.
* Viewfinders are small windows that you can look through to compose photos when using a camera with a screen. Viewfinders are available on a lot of cameras and are loved by a lot of people since it provides the stability you need when taking your picture.
* LCD or Monitor can be often seen on new cameras. It offers a broad perspective of your subject and also allows you to look at your subject from various perspectives (there exist cameras that come with monitors that rotate to give the user different angles).
