Editorials @ Applelust

Photography: Digital Camera Buying Guide

Editors Note: In a bit of an experiment, we assigned two of our writers to the same task: Tell us what we should look for in a digital camera. Tate and Matt obviously have different backgrounds and different experiences... so it's always interesting to see where their opinions have converged.

Should you buy a digital camera? Of course, my answer is a resounding YES. However, you've been hemming and hawing. You're perhaps surprised at the prices and the wide range of features that are available. Perhaps feeling a little overwhelmed and don't really know where to start? I have ten questions to ask you that will hopefully help you make a purchasing decision that you and your pocketbook will be happy with.

Over the past few years I've used a variety of digital cameras, from the original Apple QuickTake to high-end Leaf DCB cameras. Photography is a hobby of mine and I'm always trying to push my abilities and skills. I've also been lucky enough to have shot lots of film and work with some renowned photographers. Given that experience, I consider myself a prosumer, and I don't have pro aspirations. My photographic pursuits are genuine hobby. All of that goes to say that I have a passion for photography and image making.

"And Away We Go!"

1. What kind of features do you want your camera to have?
2. Do you want to share pictures with family and friends online?
3. Will you want to print pictures out?
4. Is it compatible with iPhoto?
5. Is size a concern?
6. Do you have a budget?
7. Will you use it for work, play, vacation?
8. How often will you use/carry it?
9. Do you have a storage media preference?
10. Is this going to replace a traditional point and click camera?

Question No. 1
What kind of features do you want your camera to have?

I've started off with a doozey here. Like most things, the more features something has, the more expensive it will be. This holds true across the entire range of digital cameras. However, within a certain price range, you will find cameras with a range of features. Shop around and you will find a camera with the features you're looking for at a reasonable price. (Reasonable being subjective and all…)

Key features to consider:

Zoom
IGNORE "DIGITAL ZOOM" statistics. Digital zoom simply magnifies pixels; you're better off not to use it at all. Optical zoom is what it is all about. Manufacturers are getting better about equating the zoom on digital cameras to 35mm equivalents. You'll also see specifications like 2X or 4X, that's the magnification of the zoom. Play with the camera to get an idea for how the zoom feels. Is it responsive and smooth or does the zoom feel clunky and slow?

Play Features (LCD, ease of use)
When the camera is in play mode, is it easy to navigate through the images you've captured? Can you easily delete images that you don't want to store? How many clicks or actions does it take? Is the LCD screen clear and bright? Depending on the size of your selection, the LCD can be a variety of sizes. I found the LCD liberating, I don't ever look through the viewfinder on my Elph. It makes capturing images easy. It's also great to share images you've just captured with friends.

Interface (Connection to the computer)
Does the camera connect directly to your Mac by USB? Will you purchase a card reader? When I'm out I use the card reader to download to my iBook to preserve the camera batteries. Some of the high-speed CompactFlash cards come with proprietary card readers.

Other Features
There are a myriad of other features that you may find interesting. White balance lets you adjust the type of light that you're shooting in and is an essential feature in some lighting conditions. Another feature that is very useful is the ability to adjust the shutter speed (exposure). This can make it easier to capture images in low-light or action photography.

Panoramic features let you create 360-degree images and even QuickTime VR. Cameras often have digital effects that let you shoot sepia, black and white, and other effects.

Question No. 2
Do you want to share pictures with family and friends online?

Well, no duh. This is perhaps the best reason to buy a digi cam. Take pictures - lots of pictures. Edit out the bad ones and send on the best. Make yourself a superstar. Oh, I got carried away there a bit. But really, take the time and the exposures to get it right. Shooting digital is actually really liberating, provided you have the storage media and juice (aka: batteries) to keep going. E-mail them to your people, put them on your website. Whadayamean - you don't have a website? You do, its called iTools, and hey, iPhoto can help you get it set up. The secret benefit here is that you won't spend and extra ten bucks a roll on getting duplicates.

Question No. 3
Will you want to print pictures out?

This is a mixed bag question. If you want to print pictures large (I.e.: 8x10 inches), your camera needs to have a high resolution - at least 3 megapixels (MP). That bump from 2 to 3 megapixels will bump your price bracket up. 4MP will do even better. If you will be satisfied to print them smaller, a 2MP camera will do fine. For reference, my Elph (2.1MP) will produce reasonable prints at 4x6 inches on an inkjet printer.

Question No. 4
Is it compatible with iPhoto?

I think iPhoto is great, it's something that I've been looking for, for quite a while. It does have its limitations, but for my uses they're way offset by the benefits. Is your camera of choice on the list of supported cameras? Are you willing to gamble that it'll show up eventually? I imagine (hope) that Apple will support the major brands of cameras and their current/future models.

Question No. 5
Is size a concern?

Are you looking for a compact digital that you can take anywhere or larger model with all of the features? When I bought my Digital Elph, size was a priority. At the time, I spent more to get less resolution and fewer features in a smaller camera. I don't regret it. I love that little gadget. This question is closely tied to No. 8. The smaller something is, the easier it is to carry it, and the more likely you'll use it.

Go to a camera store, or one of the many chain stores that feature electronics and play with cameras in your price range. You'll get a feel for how the camera handles, how easy the buttons are to reach, the size and weight of the camera, and the overall quality. Does the camera fit in your hand? Can you aim the viewfinder/LCD easily? Does it "Fit" your lifestyle?

Question No. 6
Do you have a budget?

Initially, the cost of a digital is going to be higher than a comparable 35mm or APS camera. However, once you've made your initial purchase, the spending stops (generally). No film to buy and no processing to pay for. Of course if you're going to print them with your inkjet that will cost but the overall cost of use and freedom that comes with digital is wonderful.

Decide what you're going to spend. Don't forget storage media, batteries, case, etc. The more resolution your camera captures, the faster your media will fill up. In a typical morning or afternoon outing, I can easily fill a 32 and a 48 MB storage card, as well as drain two batteries on the Elph (2.1 Megapixels). Plan on spending another 20 or 30% above your camera price on accessories. Be happy with your purchase and remember that you'll likely see your digi cam for cheaper eventually, but that is the nature of consumer electronics.

A note of caution: If you find a camera online that is EXCEPTIONALLY cheap, be very wary. Manufacturers fix retail pricing, and if you find a price that's much cheaper it is likely "grey market" or refurbished. Grey market products are normally the same as products made for the USA, however they won't carry the manufacturers USA warranty so you may be out of luck if something goes wrong. Refurbished products may be just as good as a new product, but then again, they may not.

Question No.7
Will you use it for work, play, or vacation?

This question is slightly related to my budget question. If your camera purchase is work related, you may be able to extend your budget or perhaps expense the camera. If your purchase is play, think about durability, and the chances of losing your digi-baby. Or are you going on some exotic once-in-a-lifetime vacation? Do not skimp - you will be sorry.

Question No. 8
How often will you use/carry it?

Back to No 5... The smaller it is, the easier it is to carry it and therefore you'll be more likely to use it. I have some great snapshots of friends from parties and gatherings because the camera was handy, not because I'm a great photographer. The more images you capture, the more likely you'll get good ones. Don't hesitate to take loads of pictures.

Question No. 9
Do you have a storage media preference?

There are a variety of media types out there. CompactFlash and SmartMedia tend to be the two most popular. I prefer CompactFlash for its durability. Your brand selection may dictate what type of media you prefer, or visa-versa. Remember that manufacturers tend to stick to a single storage media. Cannon uses CompactFlash, Olympus and Fuji use SmartMedia, Sony uses their own MediaSticks. If you're replacing an older digi, keep this in mind. Prices also vary depending on the type of media. For example: a 64mb card will cost $35 for CompactFlash, $45 for SmartMedia and MemoryStick and $53 for a MultiMedia card. Not very long ago, these prices were double.

Question No. 10
Is this going to replace a traditional point and click camera?

This question is really related to whether or not you have a decent inkjet printer. If you're used to seeing prints you'll want to buy an inkjet printer that does pictures pretty well. Even some of the low-end inkjets ($200) make really impressive prints from digis. The more expensive printers offer larger formats, more features, and improved quality.

I hope that this has been informative and that it will help you make the best digital camera purchase decision for your needs. If you have any questions be sure to post them in the forum and we'll all be glad to help you out. Also if you have any technical questions, fire away!

And welcome to the digital world. "You're gonna love it!"

- Matt Frederick

And a great apple-lusty link for ya'll: http://www.pixeljerk.com

© 2002 Matt Frederick

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