Digital Camera Tips

DIGITAL CAMERAS AUGUST 2002

• Match megapixels to your use. One-megapixel cameras are fine if you only plan to display photos on a computer screen. If you want to make prints, get at least a 2-megapixel camera. If you want to produce 8-by-10-inch prints, you'll need a 3-megapixel camera.
• Look for rechargeable batteries and a charger. Disposable batteries don't last as long and start to add up over the long run.
• Get at least 2X optical zoom. Nearly all cameras offer digital zoom, but it results in photos that aren't nearly as good as those produced with an optical zoom.
• Make sure you can use removable storage media. While the camera may have on-board memory, SmartMedia or CompactFlash cards, or memory sticks allow you to expand the storage capacity.
• Avoid cameras that use floppy disks. The disks are inexpensive, but they won't hold many images and the cameras that use them typically take relatively low-resolution photos.
• Try the camera before you buy. Some cameras have commands and menus that are easier to use than others, a comparison you can only make with a hands-on trial. Also evaluate the lag time between when you press the shutter button and when the camera actually takes the picture. Try out the zoom lens--does it operate quickly and smoothly? Find out how long you must wait between taking pictures. And try the LCD viewfinder--in the sun if possible--to determine how easy it is to read.
• Pay attention to the output connection. Most cameras use USB. If your computer doesn't have a USB port, you'll need to add one or get a camera with a serial connection.
• Make sure the camera comes with image editing software. Most cameras come with software such as Adobe Photoshop Elements or ArcSoft Photo Impression.
• Insist on a camera with an LCD viewfinder. It allows you to view your photos on the spot.
• Look for red-eye reduction mode. If you plan to take a lot of photos of friends and family indoors or in low lighting that requires using the camera's flash, red-eye reduction is a valuable feature.
• Don't base your decision on video capability. Any still camera's ability to take moving pictures is extremely limited. If you want to shoot video, invest in a camera dedicated to the job.

Consider investing in a memory card reader. These readers act like an external hard drive attached to your PC, allowing you to download pictures directly from the storage media your camera uses. That saves time and, since the camera doesn't have to be on, saves battery life.