When looking for a Camera/ Accessories

This is just a quick reference guide for people looking
into getting a digital point and shoot / DSLR camera. I worked at Wolf
Camera for about 8 months. I tested and learned
every digital camera we had in the store and even tried out many we
didn't have. Prior to that I was a regular shutter bug, using my Pentax
film camera just about eveywhere I went. As a result I know a thing or
two of what the average consumer should be looking for when purchasing
a digital camera/ Digital SLR.

Digital point and shoot cameras

1)There is more to the quality of a print than just the megapixels.
- Quality of the lens in the camera as well as the quality/size
of the light sensor behind the lens are also important things to
consider.
- In many cases the quality of the light sensor is more important
than the megapixels. Many off brand digital cameras will give you lots
of megapixels in their cameras, but throw in a really cheap sensor
which will result in a bad looking picture.
Suggestion when purchasing : if you stick with a name brand you
generally will not have to worry about this. Nikon, Canon, Sony, Casio,
Olympus, Pentax, and Kodak all use higher end light sensors/ lenses
than you might see in "off brand" digitals that you may think are
better deals.
2) More megapixels does not directly translate to a better quality image.
- The camera has a set size light sensor. Pixels are also
a set size. They take up so much space on the camera's light sensor.
More mp results in more overlap and a loss in quality of the image.
-different gepanies have different philosophies
about what the ideal number of megapixels is before the quality of the
picture starts to dip. Canon thinks it is 6mp (note how every new canon
point and shoot isn't any higher than 6mp) Nikon holds it at 8mp.
3) The average consumer does not need a camera more than 5 megapixels in resolution.
- 5mp from a point and shoot is a high enough resolution to print a quality 12 x16 print.
That average consumer will probably never go larger than an 8x10 or
8x12. 5mp gives you a high enough resolution to crop the image down a
little bit and still lose nothing out of the picture quality.
4) Know what you are going to be using the camera for.
- New with a camera? Just taking family photos? Traveling? An accessory
to your startling fashion sense? Depending on how you respond to any of
these questions will effect what is the ideal camera for you.
- Don't get more than you need. If you're just going to be using the
camera for family events and occassionally going out than you will not
need an ultra gepact camera, or a digital SLR. The medium sized
cameras tend to give you the most bang for the average consumer's buck.

- If you plan on going out of the country with the camera getting one
that runs on AA batteries is going to be your best option. Most cameras
have their own kind of battery, one that if it breaks you have to spend
$30 to replace. And also if you're out of the country you might not be
able to replace. In which case your digital camera just begees an
inert chunk of plastic and silicon. AA batteries are universal, and
though they don't last as long as your "one camera only" batteries you
can always get a set rechargeable AA's and carry multiple for when the
camera uses up the power. And if something goes wrong with them you can
replacements in just about any corner store for cheap.
- If you want a small stylish accessory understand that you are going
to pay for it. Generally speaking you'll end up paying anywhere from
$100-$200 more for the small equivalent of a medium sized camera. You
pay that much extra and all you get is a smaller camera. Also some of
these "medium" type cameras are still small enough to fit in your
pocket.
5) Anti-shake feature is nice, but not necessary by any means.
- There or only 2 situations where you really NEED and Anti-shake feature.
1. in low light situations when the subject is outside the range of your flash.

- average flash range on a digital point and shoot is about 10 ft.
2. If you are moving
around really quickly and don't have the time to stop for 2 seconds to
take the
picture.

- ex. your child is playing soccer and your running
down field to get a quick picture of him.


Your hand is bouncing up and down and you need to
get that quick picture of him when he's

kicking that soccer ball.
This is the type of situation where Anti-shake helps.

Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) Cameras/ Lenses

1) Megapixels on a DSLR are not the same as the megapixels on a digital point and shoot.
- Most DSLR's have a light sensor about 2X the size
of the light sensor on a digital point and shoot. This does translate
to an image resolution significantly higher than the ones you'll find
on a point and shoot.
2) Typical amateur photographer will probably be exceedingly happy with a 6mp DSLR.
- Want to make a 20x30in print? Want to make a
24x36in print? You got it in this camera. Want to crop the picture
down? You have it in this camera. Believe it or not at 6mp you have a
resolution greater than 200 ISO 35mm film.
3) The lens is more important than on a digital point and shoot.
4) Do not sell away all of your old lenses.
- If you have an old autofocus lens you can still
use it on any DSLR of the same brand without any loss in the
transition.
- "Digital Lenses" or DX / G as Nikon calls them. EF
as Canon calls them, have 2 distinct differences that set them apart
from other autofocus lenses.
1. They lack an aperture
ring, which means that you won't be able to use them on old manual
film
cameras. This makes
it cheaper for them to make and cheaper for you as a consumer to
purchase.
2. The opening on the back end is smaller

- Light sensors on DLSR are smaller than the 35mm palettes of film
cameras, so lens makers can

reduce the amount of glass that they use in the making of the lens.
Again this simply translates to a
cheaper lens
for the consumer without any loss in the overall quality.
- Other than that if you have an old AF or
Auto Focus lens it will work just fine on whatever DLSR you decide to
buy. If you doubt me at all just check on Nikon, Canon, or even Sony's
(They now have the Alpha 100) websites. Ask them the question or just
look through their Q and A boards. All AF's work on DSLRs.