Digital cameras for more demanding users
What should you look for when buying a new digital camera? Certainly, megapixels should be the top priority. A camera with a four-megapixel capability -- the capability to record more than 4 million dots per image -- is the norm. With this many dots, you would have no difficulty in printing the image on an A4-sized sheet of paper.
A more accurate way of assessing the resolution of a captured image is to keep in mind that there should be around 1200 lines from top to bottom. With an aspect ratio of 4:3, this will keep the dot square, so to speak.
If you are not into point-and-shoot pocket cameras, there are additional features that you need to look at. The Nikon 5700 is a good example. It has to be, as its price is around US$1,200.
First, it uses a sensor-effective five megapixel capability, although the sensor has the capability to record 5.24 megapixels. The effective megapixel rating is always lower than the actual capability of the sensor.
On a film-based camera, there is the ASA rating, which measures the sensitivity of the film to light. A good camera should allow you to use ISO 100, ISO 200, etc. to match the light on the object that you want to capture. The Nikon 5700 offers a sensitivity level of up to ISO 800. Like a film camera, you should be able to combine the ASA rating with the shutter speed to capture a moving object. Again, the Nikon 5700 allows you to let the light into the camera and onto the sensor for 8 seconds or a fast 1/4000 second.
A good camera should also be able to recharge itself quickly so that you can take a few shots per second. The Nikon 5700, for example, can take up to 3.5 frames per second. Unfortunately, you normally have to sacrifice picture quality for speed.
Usually, the built-in flash is not powerful enough to provide enough light if you want to take a picture of a very large crowd at night. So, a good camera should also provide a hot-shoe terminal for an external flash.
If you have a collection of lenses and filters, you may choose a camera that allows you to change the lens. The Nikon 5700 does not allow you to do this, but more expensive models will.
Another good camera to look at is the Olympus C4000. One of the most striking features is that it can enlarge images up to 3200 x 2400, using its Optimum Enlargement Mode in super high- quality or high-quality mode.
The Sony Cyber Shot DSC F717 is another digital camera that people talk about a lot. It is almost indistinguishable from a telescoping video camera. It is rich in features: It lets you focus manually, semi-manually and automatically. It also allows you to record MPEG video with audio. The camera also comes with a histogram that you can use to get the level of exposure that you like. Another very interesting feature found in this camera is its nighttime shooting mode, which allows you to compose your picture -- for example, a city skyline, at night.
As these cameras completely rely on their battery to do their job, you had better choose from models that allow you to use spare batteries -- preferably the type that you can buy at the supermarket. They may cost more and add weight, but your shooting time will not be limited to just a few hundred shots.
Talking about hundreds of shots, you will also want a camera with a more common storage medium like IBM MicroDrive, which is now available from Hitachi. Luckily, although a wide variety of storage media are in use today, most are supported by the all-in- one card readers.
Another important thing to check is the grip. These semi- professional cameras are generally heavy, so you want to make sure you can hold yours in your hand steadily and comfortably. This you will have to do yourself.
Two things are clear about high-end digital cameras. First, you will not find a cellphone or PDA with a camera that offers the breadth of features found in this group. Second, although video digital cameras have become equally sophisticated and can also take still images, they cannot match the capabilities of a great digital camera.
-- Zatni Arbi