DIGITAL CAMERAS

With So Many Choices in Digital Photography, There's a Digital Camera For Everyone


Digital cameras offer something for everyone--from the casual photographer who just wants to capture pictures of family and friends, to the serious photographer who is looking for advanced technology and a professional look for their photographs. All models have the option of immediately seeing what you just took a picture of. Gone are the days when you had to print off everything on the roll, good or bad. Now you can select the photos you want and delete anything else that isn't up to your standards. Your digital photos can be edited, stored at home on your computer, emailed to friends, or printed from your computer, your local retailer or online service. You truly have many choices in all aspects of digital photography--from taking the picture to the finished project.

How Will I Know Which Camera Is Right For Me?

First, decide how you're going to use the camera. Are you a novice photographer, and do you want a simple way to catch every important moment? A point-and-shoot camera will do this job. These cameras have an automatic mode, so all you do is "point, and shoot." They are small enough to fit in a purse or pocket. There are also advanced point and shoot models that offer manual settings as well, so you can have the best of both worlds. And if you are an experienced photographer who is used to manual settings on the tradtional camera, you will probably want a digital SLR (single lense reflex) camera. This allows you to to shoot photos in automatic mode as well as manual, and using different types of lenses.

Digital Camera Information Sources

Here are some places you can check for more information, or to purchase your digital camera if you are ready. Digital cameras are available at almost any variety store, as well as camera shops. But it certainly doesn't hurt to do a little homework before you buy.

  • Circuit City has retail stores throughout the country, as well as a web site with more information about digital technology.
  • Best Buy sells a variety of digital cameras. Their website helps you decide which camera is right for you. Shop by type, price range, megapixel or brand.
  • Dell, well known for computer sales, also has a wide selection of digital cameras to meet every need.

Megapixels and Zoom

What are these? Do I need them? Why, yes you do! Digital cameras use little dots of color to make a picture, and the more of them in the picture, the better your picture looks. The number of dots is measured in megapixels. How many you need depends on the type of pictures you are planning to take and how you will process them. If you are emailing your pictures or printing them, you can get by with 3-4 megapixel range. You can enlarge them up to 8" x 10" and they will still look good. If you plan to enlarge photos up to 11" x 17", go for 5-6 megapixels. If you are used to taking more elaborate pictures and doing more with them, go for 7 megapixels and higher.

Zoom options are used when you want to "zoom in" on your subject without being right on top of it yourself. If you're taking mostly family snapshots, you can get by with a smaller zoom - 1x to 4x. This is available on the pocket sized cameras. If you're a soccer mom or dad who wants to zoom in on your child from the stands, you'll want a 5x zoom or higher. And if you're a serious nature photographer who takes shots from across the mountain, look for a 10x to 12x zoom. Don't expect to find this in the small cameras, though. You'll be looking at the larger, more professional-looking sizes.

What Else Do I Need to Know?

For one thing, you will need more than just the camera to be a successful digital photographer. One of the first things you'll need is a memory card. This is where you store the pictures you take. Most cameras come with a small memory for a little photo storage, but unless you plan on taking just a few pictures of an event and hurrying home to download them to your computer, you will need a memory card. Plan on a 256mb card for up to 4 megapixels, 512 for 5-6 megapixels, and 1GB for 7+ megapixels. Be sure to check for more information when you buy your camera. You'll also need batteries. Digital cameras use a lot of power, so they'll use a lot of batteries, too. We recommend getting rechargeable batteries and a charger. Have extra batteries so you're not waiting around for them to charge.

If you want to print photos at home, consider a photo printer. These will allow you to dock your camera to the printer so you can print without going near your computer. You can also get prints from your digital camera at most any local drug or variety store, or online, for around 12-25 cents a copy.

And don't forget the carrying case so you can carry the camera, batteries and memory cards with you. The case will help keep the camera from getting scratched up.

Once you have a digital camera and have used it for a while, you'll wonder how you ever got along without it!

Resource Index

Audio-Video-and-Cameras:
Plasma TV, LCD TV, MP3 Players, TIVO, Satellite TV, Dgitial Cameras, Digital Camcorders, Bose iPod Speakers, Multimedia Projectors, GPS, Blu-ray Disc

Computer and Accessories:
Choosing a Laptop Computer, Computer Memory Upgrade, Copying a Hard Drive, Dual Monitors, Networking Computers, Microsoft Office, PDA's, Cheap Ink/Toner, Color Laser Printers, Multifunction Printers, Scanners, USB Flash Drives, Wireless Printers, Dell computers, Wireless Routers, Wireless G Routers, Wireless N Routers, Laptop Carrying Cases

Computer and Video Games:
Age of Empires III, Battlefield 2

Entertainment:
Online Gambling, Poker, Routlette, Blackjack, Craps and other Online Games, Online Casinos, Movies, Online DVD Rentals, Home Theater Systems , Home Theater Components, HDTV, HDTV Buying Tips, HD Radio, Portable DVD Players, Magazine Subscriptions

Fun-Hobbies:
Tropical Fish, Aquariums, Scrapbooking, Rubber Stamping, Geneology, Geocaching, Soap Making, Candle Making

Legal:
Criminal Defense Attorneys, Tax Attorneys, Lemon Law Protection, Structured Settlements, Investment Fraud, Bankruptcy Attorneys, Personal Injury Attorneys, Family Law

CellPhones-and-Communication
Cell Phones, Cell Phone Carriers, Prepaid Cell Phone Plans, Cell Phone Ringtones, Headsets, VOIP, Cheap Long Distance, iPhone, Blackberry, Bluetooth Technology, SmartPhones

Jobs-Schooling
Online College Degrees, Business Degrees, Home Schooling, Drivers Education, Job Resumes, Online Job Search
Internet:
Cybercrime Prosecution, IE Security, Affordable Web Hosting, Web Hosting, Domain Name Registration, Search Engines, Web Site Design, Internet Mailing Lists, Blogging, Internet Serive Providers, Free Email, Clip Art

Finance and Insurance:
Auto Insurance, Car Insurance Quotes, RV Insurance, General Insurance, Travel Insurance, Business Insurance, Basic Guide to Consolidating Student Loans, Cash Advance Loans, Federal Student Loan Consolidation, Debt Consolidation, Debt Management, Credit Card Debt Consolidation, Free Credit Reports, Home Mortgages, Home Equity Loans, Mortgage Refinancing, Mortgage Rates, Mortgage Companies, Second Mortgages, Mortgage Brokers, Health Insurance, Insurance Quotes, Term life Insurance, Mortgage note buyer, Renter's Insurance, Household Budgeting

Home:
Home improvement, Outdoor Lighting, Kitchen Remodeling, Kitchen Countertops, Espresso Makers, Food Processors, Coffee Makers, Coffee Grinders, Slow Cookers, Popcorn makers, Blenders, Cutting Boards, Refrigerators, Freezers, Washers & Dryers, Bathroom Remodeling, Kitchen & Bathroom Faucets, Bathtubs, House Windows, Closet Organizers, Window Treatments, Hardwood Floors, Carpeting, Home Security, Water Heaters, Water Filters, Carbon Monoxide Detectors, Bamboo Flooring, Portable Air Conditioners, Dehumidifiers, Siding, House Cleaning Services, Home Organization, Vacuum Cleaners, Cannister Vacuum Cleaners, Handcheld Vacuum Cleaners, Upright Vacuum Cleaners, Stick Vacuum Cleaners, Wet-Dry Vacuum Cleaners, Furnaces, Fireplace Inserts, Electric Space Heaters, Pellet Stoves, Wood Stoves, Heat Pumps, Buying a used car



Business-Office-Supplies:
Discount Office Supplies, Home Office, Office Furniture, Copiers, Home Business, Business Cards, Business Brochures, Mailing List Companies, Affiliates, Franchises, Business Telephone Systems, Employment Agencies, Call Centers, Fax Machines
Health and Wellness:
Fioricet for Migraine Relief, Online Pharmacies, Phentermine for dieting, Tramadol for Chronic Pain Relief, Mesothelioma, Mesothelioma Lawyers, Acne Treatment, Contact Lenses, Drug Rehabilitation, Cerebral Palsy, Hair Loss, Hair Loss Products, Human Growth Hormones , Diet Pills, Treadmills, Fragrances, Reducing Cholesterol, Diabetes, Obesity, Arthritis, High Blood Pressure, Heart Disease, Acid reflux, Cialis, Understanding Depression, Unraveling Diet Plans, Erectile dysfunction, Lipitor, Sleep Loss, Viagra, Autism, Asperger Syndrome, Living With Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Seasonal Affective Disorder

Gifts:
Gift Ideas, Corporate Gifts, Gift Cards, Wristwatches, Replica Watches, Sunglasses, Wholesale Jewelry, Jewelry Boxes, Wedding Gifts, Food Gifts, Books, Music, Flowers, Gift Baskets, Candles & Candleholders, Chocolate & Candy

Sports:
Health Clubs, Home Gyms, Treadmills, Golf, Golf Vacations, Golf Schools, Golf Clubs, Fantasy Baseball, Fantasy Basketball

Travel:
Railroad Train Travel, Greyhound Bus Travel, Moving Guide, Rental Cars, Luxury Cruises, Maui Vacation, Spain Travel, Panama Cruise, Mexico Travel, Europe Travel, Disneyland Vacation, Disney World Vacation, Airline Tickets, Las Vegas Vacations, Las Vegas Sights, Las Vegas Entertainment, Las Vegas Dining, Lake Tahoe, Reno Vacations, Grand Canyon Vacation, Alaska Vacation, San Juan Island Vacation, Seattle Vacation, San Francisco Vacation, San Diego Vacation, SeaWorld Vacation, Yellowstone Park Vacation, Los Angeles Vacation, Bed & Breakfasts, Las Cruces New Mexico Vacation, Texas Hill Country Vacation, Columbia River Gorge Vacation, Albuquerque Vacation, New Mexico Vacation, Utah Vacation, Denver Vacation, Carlsbad Caverns, Branson, Missouri, Arizona Vacations, Jackson Wyoming, Skiing Wyoming, Skiing Oregon, Skiing Utah, Skiing Colorado, Skiing California, Skiing Washington State, Skiing Idaho

Yard-and-Garden:
Lawn Care, Patio Furniture, Hot Tubs & Spas, Gazebos, Fences, Decks, Barbeque Grills, Greenhouses, Patios, Sprinkler Systems, Landscape Design, Backyard Ponds, Bird Baths, Hedge Trimmers, String Trimmers, Wheelbarrows and Gardencarts, Lawn Mowers, Lawn Mowers, Lawn Care Tools, Lawn Edgers, Leaf Blowers, Now Blowers, Rakes