This parameter is measured in megapixels, the number of which is often mistakenly considered by many as almost the main indicator in the question of how to choose a digital camera.
What is a pixel? This is the smallest element of the camera matrix, in other words, the minimum point, having a certain color, from which the image consists. Megapixel is a million pixels. It is natural that the number of pixels determines the quality of the picture - the more the first, the clearer the second. The resolution of the image on the computer screen is the number of pixels in it vertically and horizontally. Accordingly, the quality of the image is the higher, the larger are the values of these numbers.
That's where the marketers start the fishing rod, assuring the ordinary buyer who is in search of an answer to the question of how to choose a good camera, is that the more megapixels the camera has, the better. But everything is not so simple - these characteristics( the number of megapixels) means only the maximum
resolution of photos of , which can be obtained when shooting with this camera. But what kind of quality these photos will be - depends on other parameters( for example, the quality of the lens, the size of the matrix), which are often ignored. Therefore, in an inexpensive digital camera amateur class, an increase in the number of megapixels above 5 will not be seen in the pictures.
Thus, a digital camera with 3 megapixels is enough to view photos on a computer screen and create standard 10x15 cm photos for a family archive. A camera with 5 megapixels will give you the opportunity to print high-quality photos on A4 photo paper, and a 7-megapixel camera - and at all to get small photo posters. The largest number of pixels in a digital camera at the moment is 12. However, chasing only this parameter, trying to choose the right camera - especially if you do not know exactly what you need it for - is not worth it. There are other, no less important indicators, which need to pay close attention.
Matrix
Great value in the matter of how to choose a good camera has the quality of the matrix. It is this device, which is a plate, and contains light-sensitive elements - pixels, on which an image is formed. The more the size of the matrix, the more light gets to each pixel - correspondingly, the better the image will be.
The sensitivity of the is also an important factor that is measured in ISO( ISO200, ISO400).The higher the parameter of this parameter, the better. On cameras with an ISO of less than 100 it is better not to pay attention at all.
You can check the quality of the matrix in the following way. Take a few shots in a row, then take off either an absolutely white or absolutely black background( pointing the camera on a white sheet or closing the lens).When you switch to the image view mode, maximize the last picture. Carefully study it, moving around the entire field: on a black background you should not see white dots, and on white - black. If you find such points, refuse to purchase this digital camera.
Lens aperture
For those who want to know how to choose the right camera, this indicator can be of no small concern. The parameter of aperture indicates how much the aperture of the lens is opened, accordingly, how much light gets inside it. This parameter becomes especially important if the shooting is conducted indoors, in the dark, from a long distance.
The parameter of aperture is indicated as f / number( f / 2.0, f / 4.0), where the number indicates the part of the focal length of the lens to which the aperture is opened. Thus, the smaller the given number, the greater the light intensity, respectively, the greater the possibilities for shooting.
Zoom
Zoom( magnification) of the lens is also a very important parameter and many people often think of it, answering the question of how to choose a digital camera - yes, only in most cases they are confused with concepts.
Zoom is the difference between the minimum and maximum focal length. As for the lens focal length , then the opinion is wrong that the more he is, the better the pictures are obtained. Too much focal length will cause a problem when everything you want to shoot can not fit into the frame. Ideally, the minimum focal length should be no more than 24 mm, and the maximum focal length - not less than 85. However, most modern "digital mammoths" have indicators of 30x90( three times the zoom).
It should be remembered that has two types of zoom: optical and digital .Digital Zoom( in essence) is nothing more than the usual stretching of the picture, in which quality is lost. But optical zoom( Optical Zoom), which is of no small importance, is an increase in the image obtained as a result of changing the focal length of the lens. Therefore, when choosing a camera, you need to pay attention to the optical zoom, and do not use digital zoom at all - you can successfully cut out and enlarge the picture element on the computer.
Lens Quality Having seen the lens data of a camera, however, you still do not get a guarantee that you will certainly know how to choose a good digital camera. After having the same parameters of aperture and focal length( zoom), lenses, nevertheless, can differ quite qualitatively. Pictures taken with a digital camera with a poor lens will be fuzzy and blurry, have painted edges.
Unfortunately, such a parameter as the quality of the lens is not indicated in any instructions to the digital camera. Therefore, in this issue, the most important are the feedback from camera users, which you can see at any forum of photography enthusiasts.
Camera class
All digital cameras are divided into three groups: amateur - up to $ 400, "semi-professional"( for more "advanced" users) - cost from 500 to 1200 cu.and professional - costing from 1000 cu.and almost to infinity, tk.to such cameras are necessarily bought additional professional lenses, flashes, tripods, etc.
Do not start immediately with the purchase of an expensive professional camera - most likely, you can manage it. Perhaps the best option - to start with an amateur camera of good quality, then moving to a semi-professional version. Well, if photography takes you so long that it becomes your profession or the main hobby of your life - you can also look at the third option.
Manufacturer
It is conditionally possible to divide all firms that produce digital cameras into two groups. The first group includes firms of narrow specialization, which produce only cameras( Olympus, Nikon, Canon, Fuji, Kodak, etc.). In the second group, companies engaged in the production of electronic equipment in general( Panasonic, Sony, Samsung, etc.).)
How to choose a digital camera, considering the company-manufacturer? Specialists-photographers recommend choosing cameras from the first group, without denying, however, that individual products of the second group also deserve attention and is able to compete with world leaders in the production of photographic equipment. This once again confirms the fact that you need to focus not only and not so much on the name of the company, but on the characteristics of a particular model of the camera.
Memory cards
In the kit with a digital camera, as a rule, there is a memory card. Pay attention to its volume: it is usually quite small, so you will immediately have to purchase a larger card.
Which memory card size is the optimal? This question must be approached from an individual point of view. It all depends on factors such as the frequency of the shooting, the format and resolution of the pictures, the parameters of the digital camera. Depending on the listed components, on the same 512MB memory card, you can fit both 200 photos and only 50. In general, it is better not to save on a memory card, so that you do not overpay afterwards, buying one more volume,and when you pay attention to cards with a volume of 1 GB - then you probably will not have problems.
type of memory card is also important.There are both universal memory cards that can work in compatibility with several models of digital cameras, as well as memory cards designed exclusively for working with a certain brand. Thus, Compact Flash and Secure Digital( SD) cards are compatible with various camera models, and such formats as Memory Stick( Memory Stick Duo, Pro) and xD-card are designed for use in specific cameras( Sony and Olympus respectively).
When purchasing a memory card, be sure to check it for compatibility with your camera - it is possible that the memory card works incorrectly with this or that model of the camera.
Power supply
Most digital cameras have the ability to eat from finger( battery) batteries - they can be bought anywhere and do not look for an outlet in a place where it's difficult to do. However, there are also such cameras that use lithium batteries - it is not possible to charge them without an outlet. By the way, to check the battery life will also be superfluous - and not only learn about it from the instructions, but also take an interest in reviews on the forums of amateur photographers.
Camera test
Want to know how to choose the right camera for yourself - be sure to arrange a digital camera a kind of test before buying. Hold in your hands, take several pictures in different modes, pay special attention to the operation of autofocus( sharpness and clarity of the picture in motion) and the speed of shooting, familiarize yourself with all the functions that it possesses. Some hardware stores provide the ability to print pictures on the spot - use this offer to evaluate the quality of the image. An important criterion is the convenience of using a digital camera - you should be comfortable to keep it and carry it, press all the buttons, use all the camera's capabilities to the maximum.
If after reading this article you are not yet desperate to find the answer to the question of how to choose a digital camera - take note of all of the above and go for a purchase. Successful shopping and great shots!
The modern choice of digital cameras amazes imagination. Nevertheless, most buyers still do not really know by what criteria it is necessary to choose this kind of equipment, so necessary in each family. Each of us probably heard the magic words "megapixels", "zoom", "matrix", and that's what they really mean - few know. Because of this, many when buying a "digital camera" succumb to various advertising fishing rods and persuasions of sellers. How not to get trapped - how to choose the right camera?
Resolution
