Most digital cameras are built to operate as a self-contained unit. This is especially so at the lower-end, for these cameras usually include zoom lens and flashes that cannot be changed. However, at the highest-end, some digital cameras are nothing but a sophisticated light-sensing unit. Experienced photographers attach these digital "camera backs" to their professional medium format SLR cameras, such as a Mamiya.
* Area array
o CCD
o CMOS
* Linear array
o CCD (monochrome)
o 3-strip CCD with color filters
Linear array cameras are also called scan backs.
* Single-shot
* Multi-shot (three-shot, usually)
Scanning and multi-shot camera backs are usually used only in studios to take pictures of still objects. Most earlier digital camera backs used linear array sensors which could take seconds or even minutes for a complete high-resolution scan. The linear array sensor acts like its counterpart in a flatbed image scanner by moving vertically to digitize the image.
Many early such cameras could only capture grayscale images. To take a color picture, it required three separate scans done with a rotating colored filter. These are called multi-shot backs. Some other camera backs use CCD arrays similar to typical cameras. These are called single-shot backs.
Since it is much easier to manufacture a high-quality linear CCD array with only thousands of pixels than a CCD matrix with millions, very high resolution linear CCD camera backs were available much earlier than their CCD matrix counterparts. For example, you could buy an (albeit expensive) camera back with over 7,000 pixel horizontal resolution in the mid-1990s. However, as of 2004[update], it is still difficult to buy a comparable CCD matrix camera of the same resolution. Rotating line cameras, with about 10,000 color pixels in its sensor line, are able, as of 2005[update], to capture about 120,000 lines during one full 360 degree rotation, thereby creating a single digital image of 1,200 Megapixels.
Camera reviews on the Panasonic TZ3 model are already teeming with high praises from experts and users alike, and yet, Panasonic does not wish to stop there. The brand still manages to give us what we have been looking for in terms of anti-noise algorithm and smoother images with the next installment to its Lumix series, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5.
What more can you ask from a camera that offers 10 times optical zoom with excellent image stabilization? You might be contented with that but how about a remarkable automatic white balance, decent shutter lag even when in long zoom, and a whopping frame rate of six frames per second at 2-megapixels? I’m sure you are already drooling over such technicalities but we are not going to stop with giving you comprehensive gadget reviews. If these specifications do not entice you yet, being a first-time camera user, then how about offering a quick menu system to add to that already user-friendly interface design and a high quality 3-inch LCD display? This, accompanied with 23 scene modes that caters to novice photographers who are still enthusiastic about experimental photography, Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5 is surely a good find.
All these while still maintaining the best print quality we have seen so far, exceptionally fast download speeds and way above the average battery life, Panasonic truly gives us what we wanted from a digital camera that delivers. It makes it easier for camera reviews such as this one to ignore the fact that the upgrade anti-noise processing greatly affects image details compared to what a Canon can offer with the same high-ISO performance. It also falls short when it comes to the quality of outdoor images as it has the tendency to create high contrast outputs especially in harsh outdoor environment but that does not seem to matter. Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5 still deserves our recommendation.
Published At: Isnare Free Articles Directory http://www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=344206&ca=Computers+and+Technology
Friday, September 25, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Security Camera Systems: How These Work to Protect Your Home and Business
The increasing demand for security camera systems goes to show that more people are spending money for their home and business security amid heated debates over the effectiveness of these systems in stopping crimes in real-time. Why the rush for these systems?
Wired and Wireless Security Cameras
On a grander cloak and dagger scale, security camera systems are installed to track and trap terrorists before any bloody harm can be done on an unsuspecting public. All told, public places are outfitted with these systems and people have learned to live with these electronic eyes. Fact is, homes and business outlets are outfitted with these gadgets. You bet, even the tiniest apartment is outfitted with security cameras.
What are security camera systems? The term refers to the different types of security cameras available for business and home surveillance. These are differently designed to achieve different results.
Wireless camera systems have no telling tapes and cables. Posh homes and offices prefer to go wireless since these won't mar the interiors and these can be placed anywhere. The downside?
These cameras have battery packs, which have to be recharged periodically. For non-stop surveillance, you need an extra camera to take up the slack when it's time to recharge the batteries. Except for the battery recharging these cameras work non-stop unobtrusively.
Wired security camera systems need no recharging and there is no video interferences since these cameras are directly hooked to the recording device. The downside? The length of unsightly cables that connect the cameras to the monitor. You can't do covert surveillance with this type of camera but these are perfect to alert people to watch their step.
Smart Cameras
Covert security camera systems are those creatively hidden from view or assume different disguises. These can be inside cuddly teddy bears, a popular choice for nanny cams. There are those that are hidden in computer speakers, clocks, radios, and picture frames. Fun covert cameras parade as sunglasses, ball pens, and even rings, thanks to James Bond.
Non-covert cameras are the usual dome cameras you see in banks and museums. With its dome shape, there's no way of knowing where the camera lens are angled at. In casinos, dome-shaped cameras are larger and their size and obvious presence stop players from pulling tricks on their way to the slots or tables.
There are different security camera systems for different surveillance needs and these are priced to suit different budgets. Overall, these cameras are designed to capture images in black and white or in color, which are fed to a video recorder that transmits the images to the monitor.
Not only are they smart in function, they are also smart in assuming disguises. This way, you can place them in full view without people knowing that they are being "shot at" by cameras hidden in radios and calculators.
They Better Behave
People are wary of hidden cameras and they all suspect that these may be hiding anywhere or just maybe, they are even looking at it. In your business, people have to think twice before they do anything that will land them in hot water.
In the home, the choice of obvious cameras deters any hanky-panky and thwarts plans for a bold break-in. Your outdoor camera sends a message - you have security camera systems planted inside the home. So if anybody wants to break-in, he has to think twice before getting in through the bathroom window.
Wired and Wireless Security Cameras
On a grander cloak and dagger scale, security camera systems are installed to track and trap terrorists before any bloody harm can be done on an unsuspecting public. All told, public places are outfitted with these systems and people have learned to live with these electronic eyes. Fact is, homes and business outlets are outfitted with these gadgets. You bet, even the tiniest apartment is outfitted with security cameras.
What are security camera systems? The term refers to the different types of security cameras available for business and home surveillance. These are differently designed to achieve different results.
Wireless camera systems have no telling tapes and cables. Posh homes and offices prefer to go wireless since these won't mar the interiors and these can be placed anywhere. The downside?
These cameras have battery packs, which have to be recharged periodically. For non-stop surveillance, you need an extra camera to take up the slack when it's time to recharge the batteries. Except for the battery recharging these cameras work non-stop unobtrusively.
Wired security camera systems need no recharging and there is no video interferences since these cameras are directly hooked to the recording device. The downside? The length of unsightly cables that connect the cameras to the monitor. You can't do covert surveillance with this type of camera but these are perfect to alert people to watch their step.
Smart Cameras
Covert security camera systems are those creatively hidden from view or assume different disguises. These can be inside cuddly teddy bears, a popular choice for nanny cams. There are those that are hidden in computer speakers, clocks, radios, and picture frames. Fun covert cameras parade as sunglasses, ball pens, and even rings, thanks to James Bond.
Non-covert cameras are the usual dome cameras you see in banks and museums. With its dome shape, there's no way of knowing where the camera lens are angled at. In casinos, dome-shaped cameras are larger and their size and obvious presence stop players from pulling tricks on their way to the slots or tables.
There are different security camera systems for different surveillance needs and these are priced to suit different budgets. Overall, these cameras are designed to capture images in black and white or in color, which are fed to a video recorder that transmits the images to the monitor.
Not only are they smart in function, they are also smart in assuming disguises. This way, you can place them in full view without people knowing that they are being "shot at" by cameras hidden in radios and calculators.
They Better Behave
People are wary of hidden cameras and they all suspect that these may be hiding anywhere or just maybe, they are even looking at it. In your business, people have to think twice before they do anything that will land them in hot water.
In the home, the choice of obvious cameras deters any hanky-panky and thwarts plans for a bold break-in. Your outdoor camera sends a message - you have security camera systems planted inside the home. So if anybody wants to break-in, he has to think twice before getting in through the bathroom window.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
How to Pick a Construction Camera
2009 will be a highly competitive year for the construction industry as companies compete for a reduced number of projects. The struggling economy has resulted in tighter budgets and delayed spending on many projects, which is leading to increased competition during the construction bid process. For owners who want a higher level of transparency and efficiency, and for contractors who want to differentiate themselves from the competition, the implementation of wireless construction cameras creates an immediate and effective means to meet these needs.
Construction owners utilize construction cameras to provide documentation of project progression. A great tool to give stakeholders peace of mind as well as to better communicate the project status with the entire project team. Below are some general benefits to owners:
- Document the construction project’s progression
- Impressive relationship tool for investors, banks and other funding sources
- Increase efficiencies (improved documentation, communication with project team, reduction of travel time, enforce accountability, obtain image assets for marketing collateral)
The benefits of a construction camera are not limited exclusively to owners of construction projects. General contractors responsible for the day to day operations and progress of the jobsite can also benefit from installing construction cameras. Below are some benefits for contractors:
- Improve scheduling of construction jobsite visits
- Reduction in site visits
- Accountability (Who’s working? How many? What time did they arrive - leave? Is the jobsite clean?)
- Project management improvements translates into more margin per project and protect the margin by avoiding costly delays
Construction Cameras are not equal:
It is important to remember that not all construction cameras are equal. There are a wide variety of variables you need to consider when selecting a construction camera. When selecting construction camera options make sure you are being conscious of the following:
1. Ease of camera setup
2. Reliability
3. Quality of the image
4. Method of data transfer
5. Analysis and Reporting
Ease of Camera Setup:
Too often overlooked is the ease that the camera can be setup. Ask yourself, who will be setting up this camera? Complications in the camera systems can vary greatly from company to company. When possible, look for a company that has a turnkey solution.
Reliability:
The overall package depends on the reliability of the service. There are many factors that can make a camera reliable, which means it is important you try to determine if there is a weak link in the camera company’s solution. Will the photos be captured and archived consistently? Do you have to perform regular maintenance to the camera? Is there a lifetime warranty, so you can invest once and then reuse on other projects. If the weather is not cooperating, will the image quality be sufficient?
Quality of the Image:
A construction webcam, for many is vastly different to what the average consumer thinks of when he hears the word “webcam.” Some of today’s construction webcams are capable of high resolution images. The better the quality image, the more decision making information you will be able to obtain.
Method of Data Transfer:
Jobsites can be scattered in unusual places. Accessibility to transferring the images can create challenges at times. Advances in cellular technology have allowed high resolution images to be transferred through mobile signals. You’ll want to make sure your webcam is reliable and able to transfer images without service interruption.
Analysis and Reporting:
Having a dashboard to manage and monitor the progress of the jobsite is essential. Look for reporting tools such as time elapsed comparisons and communication methods that can inform the project team of progress. For larger projects with multiple cameras you’ll want to ensure your dashboard can facilitate monitoring of additional cameras.
Next Steps: Finding a Wireless Construction Camera Vendor:
Each construction project has its own set of specifications and jobsite requirements that need to be adhered to. Whether you are a construction owner, or contractor, utilizing a wireless construction camera is a sound investment for the construction project. After several years of widespread implementations on jobsites, numerous owners and contractors across the country have obtained first hand experience on the benefits of having a construction camera program for project management. What used to be considered a luxury for some is quickly becoming a requirement to effectively compete just like Smart Phones a few years ago. Can you imagine a project owner or general contractor trying to efficiently and effectively communicate to the entire project stakeholders to ensure success? Incorporating construction cameras into the jobsite is a great way to create an environment of proactive project management and accountability. Contractors looking for an added edge in 2009 have another tool at their disposal to help differentiate them from the pack.
Construction owners utilize construction cameras to provide documentation of project progression. A great tool to give stakeholders peace of mind as well as to better communicate the project status with the entire project team. Below are some general benefits to owners:
- Document the construction project’s progression
- Impressive relationship tool for investors, banks and other funding sources
- Increase efficiencies (improved documentation, communication with project team, reduction of travel time, enforce accountability, obtain image assets for marketing collateral)
The benefits of a construction camera are not limited exclusively to owners of construction projects. General contractors responsible for the day to day operations and progress of the jobsite can also benefit from installing construction cameras. Below are some benefits for contractors:
- Improve scheduling of construction jobsite visits
- Reduction in site visits
- Accountability (Who’s working? How many? What time did they arrive - leave? Is the jobsite clean?)
- Project management improvements translates into more margin per project and protect the margin by avoiding costly delays
Construction Cameras are not equal:
It is important to remember that not all construction cameras are equal. There are a wide variety of variables you need to consider when selecting a construction camera. When selecting construction camera options make sure you are being conscious of the following:
1. Ease of camera setup
2. Reliability
3. Quality of the image
4. Method of data transfer
5. Analysis and Reporting
Ease of Camera Setup:
Too often overlooked is the ease that the camera can be setup. Ask yourself, who will be setting up this camera? Complications in the camera systems can vary greatly from company to company. When possible, look for a company that has a turnkey solution.
Reliability:
The overall package depends on the reliability of the service. There are many factors that can make a camera reliable, which means it is important you try to determine if there is a weak link in the camera company’s solution. Will the photos be captured and archived consistently? Do you have to perform regular maintenance to the camera? Is there a lifetime warranty, so you can invest once and then reuse on other projects. If the weather is not cooperating, will the image quality be sufficient?
Quality of the Image:
A construction webcam, for many is vastly different to what the average consumer thinks of when he hears the word “webcam.” Some of today’s construction webcams are capable of high resolution images. The better the quality image, the more decision making information you will be able to obtain.
Method of Data Transfer:
Jobsites can be scattered in unusual places. Accessibility to transferring the images can create challenges at times. Advances in cellular technology have allowed high resolution images to be transferred through mobile signals. You’ll want to make sure your webcam is reliable and able to transfer images without service interruption.
Analysis and Reporting:
Having a dashboard to manage and monitor the progress of the jobsite is essential. Look for reporting tools such as time elapsed comparisons and communication methods that can inform the project team of progress. For larger projects with multiple cameras you’ll want to ensure your dashboard can facilitate monitoring of additional cameras.
Next Steps: Finding a Wireless Construction Camera Vendor:
Each construction project has its own set of specifications and jobsite requirements that need to be adhered to. Whether you are a construction owner, or contractor, utilizing a wireless construction camera is a sound investment for the construction project. After several years of widespread implementations on jobsites, numerous owners and contractors across the country have obtained first hand experience on the benefits of having a construction camera program for project management. What used to be considered a luxury for some is quickly becoming a requirement to effectively compete just like Smart Phones a few years ago. Can you imagine a project owner or general contractor trying to efficiently and effectively communicate to the entire project stakeholders to ensure success? Incorporating construction cameras into the jobsite is a great way to create an environment of proactive project management and accountability. Contractors looking for an added edge in 2009 have another tool at their disposal to help differentiate them from the pack.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Photography Quick Tips For Taking Great Pictures
When taking pictures, there are a few tips to keep in mind. Although it is possible to take simple point and click pictures, taking pictures with photography tips in mind will improve the quality of your pictures, to the point where you may even be able to submit them to contests. The first tip is to get a sturdy camera. While point and click digital cameras costing $200 or less are fine for the average user, SLR cameras are more of what aspiring photographers should use. They have an incredibly fast processing rate, meaning that you can take pictures extremely quickly.
Once you have the camera, there are some basic photography tips you can follow. The first tip is choosing the correct setting for your digital camera. If you have a basic camera, chances are there are settings like landscape, action, etc. The camera adjusts automatically when those settings are activated, and making pictures correctly.
The second tip is to use the rule of thirds when composing your shot, or framing exactly what you want in the picture. When doing this, make sure to use the Rule of Thirds, which means mentally dividing the frame into three horizontal sections and three vertical sections. Where the horizontal and vertical sections meet is where the most important parts of your picture should be located. Try not to put anything directly into the center of your picture because it will be too glaring. Lines are also a good idea, such as branches or chopsticks, because they can draw people deeper into your pictures
Color is an especially important part of photography. Use warm colors like red, yellow, and orange to convey warmth and closeness, as well as summer, and muted colors like blue and green to convey fall or softened emotions. Be careful not to use too much color because it can take away from the main message of the picture. Distance is another issue to keep in mind. If your subject is relatively close, you don't want too much background noise to distract you from the main meat of the picture.
The use of light is also very important in photography. While sometimes hard to see, light can either work for you or against you. It can be important to think about the angle of the light entering your shot, as well as whether you are shooting outdoors or indoors with artificial light. The longer you expose the shot, the sharper the light you get will be and the more contrast will appear in your shots.
Another great photography tip is equipment. In addition to a camera, you should also get the right lenses. Check with a small camera store, the kind that would have your best interests in mind for the correct lenses, tripod, and memory stick, depending on the size and quality of the images you'll be shooting. For memory cards, make sure they are all in the same format so you can have an easier time transferring the data to your computer.
Once you have the camera, there are some basic photography tips you can follow. The first tip is choosing the correct setting for your digital camera. If you have a basic camera, chances are there are settings like landscape, action, etc. The camera adjusts automatically when those settings are activated, and making pictures correctly.
The second tip is to use the rule of thirds when composing your shot, or framing exactly what you want in the picture. When doing this, make sure to use the Rule of Thirds, which means mentally dividing the frame into three horizontal sections and three vertical sections. Where the horizontal and vertical sections meet is where the most important parts of your picture should be located. Try not to put anything directly into the center of your picture because it will be too glaring. Lines are also a good idea, such as branches or chopsticks, because they can draw people deeper into your pictures
Color is an especially important part of photography. Use warm colors like red, yellow, and orange to convey warmth and closeness, as well as summer, and muted colors like blue and green to convey fall or softened emotions. Be careful not to use too much color because it can take away from the main message of the picture. Distance is another issue to keep in mind. If your subject is relatively close, you don't want too much background noise to distract you from the main meat of the picture.
The use of light is also very important in photography. While sometimes hard to see, light can either work for you or against you. It can be important to think about the angle of the light entering your shot, as well as whether you are shooting outdoors or indoors with artificial light. The longer you expose the shot, the sharper the light you get will be and the more contrast will appear in your shots.
Another great photography tip is equipment. In addition to a camera, you should also get the right lenses. Check with a small camera store, the kind that would have your best interests in mind for the correct lenses, tripod, and memory stick, depending on the size and quality of the images you'll be shooting. For memory cards, make sure they are all in the same format so you can have an easier time transferring the data to your computer.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Tips On Choosing The Right Digital Camera
There are a number of different cameras on the market that can make choosing a digital camera a confusing and difficult process. There are also cameras that are designed for different functions and uses and finding the right one for what you want to be able to do can be difficult.
The first steps to take when choosing a digital camera is to create a list of features that you want. This should be a complete list, so you may want to do a bit of research into the features that are available for digital cameras, in order to get a good idea of what you can do with them.
Once you have determined what you would like to have feature wise for your digital camera, then the next step would be to determine the price range for your camera. You can spend as little as £100 or more for a good digital camera so you will want to be sure to get what you are looking for the first time.
Test the cameras out. There will probably be several that meet the feature list you have created. Make sure that the weight of the camera as well as its ease of use matches with what you want. Even if the camera has all the features you want if it is bulky or hard to manage it is not going to provide you with what you want when it comes to taking pictures.
Canon produces a number of high quality cameras that can provide you with the features you are looking for. Canon has just released its ESO 1000D. This is an SLR camera that gives a 10.1 mega pixel Digital image. It has a CMOS sensor and features that are found on Canon's more professionally oriented models but at a much more affordable rate. It also comes with a 2.5" LCD for Live View Mode and a 7 point wide area AF. These cameras are sold as bodies so you will need to purchase the lens or lenses that you are looking for.
The Canon EOS 450D is another model of SLR to consider from Canon. This camera comes with a 12.2 mega pixel CMOS sensor, 3.0" High resolution LCD screen as well as a new AF system that has a 9 point wide area AF. Due to the fact that is an SLR camera lenses are sold separately.
The Canon EOS 40D is a 10.1 mega pixel camera with CMOS censor, a 3.0" LCD screen with live mode., It is also a SLR camera so lenses are sold separately and it does come with the new AF system. This camera also comes with a 2.0 USB hi speed connection and a Video out interface.
If you are looking for a serious camera consider the EOS 1Ds Mark III. This camera is a premier when it comes to digital photography. It comes with a 21 mega pixel full frame CMOS, High Precision wide area AF along with a 3.0" LCD with live action. You can also get 5fps. It is a SLR so lens kits are separate.
The first steps to take when choosing a digital camera is to create a list of features that you want. This should be a complete list, so you may want to do a bit of research into the features that are available for digital cameras, in order to get a good idea of what you can do with them.
Once you have determined what you would like to have feature wise for your digital camera, then the next step would be to determine the price range for your camera. You can spend as little as £100 or more for a good digital camera so you will want to be sure to get what you are looking for the first time.
Test the cameras out. There will probably be several that meet the feature list you have created. Make sure that the weight of the camera as well as its ease of use matches with what you want. Even if the camera has all the features you want if it is bulky or hard to manage it is not going to provide you with what you want when it comes to taking pictures.
Canon produces a number of high quality cameras that can provide you with the features you are looking for. Canon has just released its ESO 1000D. This is an SLR camera that gives a 10.1 mega pixel Digital image. It has a CMOS sensor and features that are found on Canon's more professionally oriented models but at a much more affordable rate. It also comes with a 2.5" LCD for Live View Mode and a 7 point wide area AF. These cameras are sold as bodies so you will need to purchase the lens or lenses that you are looking for.
The Canon EOS 450D is another model of SLR to consider from Canon. This camera comes with a 12.2 mega pixel CMOS sensor, 3.0" High resolution LCD screen as well as a new AF system that has a 9 point wide area AF. Due to the fact that is an SLR camera lenses are sold separately.
The Canon EOS 40D is a 10.1 mega pixel camera with CMOS censor, a 3.0" LCD screen with live mode., It is also a SLR camera so lenses are sold separately and it does come with the new AF system. This camera also comes with a 2.0 USB hi speed connection and a Video out interface.
If you are looking for a serious camera consider the EOS 1Ds Mark III. This camera is a premier when it comes to digital photography. It comes with a 21 mega pixel full frame CMOS, High Precision wide area AF along with a 3.0" LCD with live action. You can also get 5fps. It is a SLR so lens kits are separate.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
7 Ways to Get the Most From Your Older Digital Camera
Newer digital cameras may allow for faster exposures, larger printouts by taking photos with more megapixels, and increased photographic opportunities with enhanced zoom capabilities. While new digital cameras seem to be released every month, with today's worrisome economy it may not be possible to take advantage of these technological advancements.
Though it may be frustrating when you cannot purchase newer digital cameras, think about this: have you really taken advantage of what you own? There are ways to take better photos with your older digital camera that require minimal or no cost. In fact, here are seven of them.
1. Photo Quality is Not All about Electronics
While advanced electronics are great and can help amateur photographers take better photos, there are some principles in photography that remain the same no matter what digital camera you use.
Experiment with composition - look around your environment for different angles, natural frames, and details you may have previously missed. Try adjusting your lighting by shooting outdoor photos at different times, especially around dusk and dawn. When possible, move existing lighting around indoors to allow for clearer, brighter shots.
2. Clean Your Camera
Dirt and smudges can ruin your photographs, no matter if the camera is a less than $100 compact or a multi-thousand dollar digital SLR. Safely clean your lens with a camera blower brush, lens cleaner, and/or other appropriate cleaning equipment. Wipe your LCD screen and/or viewfinder to make it easier to see when composing photographs. If you are using a dSLR, consider taking your digital camera to a local digital camera store to get a professional sensor cleaning. This can help remove dirt and smudges that may appear in photos, especially when taken with f-stops such as f/16 or f/22.
3. Steady Your Camera
If you just cannot get usable shots in low-light situations without noise or blurriness, attach your digital camera to a monopod, tripod, or other steadying device when allowed. This should allow you to take longer photos at lower ISOs, allowing for clearer images with less noise.
You don't have to shell out hundreds of dollars for a top-of-the-line model, just make sure the one you buy is sturdy. However, in some situations, you may be able to steady your digital camera just by placing it on a beanbag on a sturdy surface!
4. Really Cheap Photo Manipulation Software
Can't afford Adobe Photoshop or Photoshop Elements, or Corel Photo-Paint or Paint Shop Pro to tweak your images? There are a few completely free alternatives that perform much of the same functionality, allowing you to adjust tone curves, sharpen images, perform strategic replacements of subjects, and more. These include GIMP (available for multiple platforms) and Paint.Net (for Windows).
5. Fake Your Megapixels in Printouts
Do you just need a couple more megapixels of detail in your photos to create larger printouts? You may wish to consider software packages such as Alien Skin Blow Up or onOne Software's Genuine Fractals. These programs claim to support more-realistic image resizing than what you may find in the above software or even more expensive applications. Note that your experiences with these applications may vary.
6. Lens Adapters
Some digital cameras support lens adapters, allowing you to attach a telephoto or wide-angle lens to your camera. This can be a less expensive way to increase your zoom capabilities versus spending money on a whole new camera.
For example, the Canon PowerShot Pro Series S5 is (or depending on when you read this article, was) an eight megapixel digital camera with a 12x optical zoom. With a lens adapter, you can attach a teleconverter lens that increases the focal length by approximately 1.5x, changing the original maximum telephoto zoom of 432mm (35mm film equivalent) into one of approximately 648mm. Of course, in these zoom situations you almost certainly will need a tripod or other steadying device.
7. For Those Who dSLR, Switch the Lens
If you're using a dSLR camera, you have a better option since you can switch out lenses altogether instead of investing in a new camera body. If you have a little more cash, you may even wish to spend money on a lens with a wider maximum aperture, allowing you to take faster photos in lowlight conditions without introducing noise. In some situations, you may actually take better photos than those shot with a higher-megapixel dSLR camera with a slower lens.
Newer digital cameras are always being produced, but our incomes may not always match our desires. Instead of fretting about the newest digital camera you cannot afford, think about how you can take advantage of the camera you already have. Learn more about photography basics, keep your digital camera clean, and steady it for more-impressive photos. Use free or low-cost image manipulation application, and consider purchasing high-quality image resampling software instead of plunking down money for a camera with more megapixels. A lens adapter may be all you need to support wider or narrower zooms with a prosumer camera, and for those with dSLRs, a replacement lens may allow you to take better photos than if you purchased a whole new digital camera body. With these free and low-cost ideas, you can get the most out of your current digital camera without spending money on the "latest and greatest".
Though it may be frustrating when you cannot purchase newer digital cameras, think about this: have you really taken advantage of what you own? There are ways to take better photos with your older digital camera that require minimal or no cost. In fact, here are seven of them.
1. Photo Quality is Not All about Electronics
While advanced electronics are great and can help amateur photographers take better photos, there are some principles in photography that remain the same no matter what digital camera you use.
Experiment with composition - look around your environment for different angles, natural frames, and details you may have previously missed. Try adjusting your lighting by shooting outdoor photos at different times, especially around dusk and dawn. When possible, move existing lighting around indoors to allow for clearer, brighter shots.
2. Clean Your Camera
Dirt and smudges can ruin your photographs, no matter if the camera is a less than $100 compact or a multi-thousand dollar digital SLR. Safely clean your lens with a camera blower brush, lens cleaner, and/or other appropriate cleaning equipment. Wipe your LCD screen and/or viewfinder to make it easier to see when composing photographs. If you are using a dSLR, consider taking your digital camera to a local digital camera store to get a professional sensor cleaning. This can help remove dirt and smudges that may appear in photos, especially when taken with f-stops such as f/16 or f/22.
3. Steady Your Camera
If you just cannot get usable shots in low-light situations without noise or blurriness, attach your digital camera to a monopod, tripod, or other steadying device when allowed. This should allow you to take longer photos at lower ISOs, allowing for clearer images with less noise.
You don't have to shell out hundreds of dollars for a top-of-the-line model, just make sure the one you buy is sturdy. However, in some situations, you may be able to steady your digital camera just by placing it on a beanbag on a sturdy surface!
4. Really Cheap Photo Manipulation Software
Can't afford Adobe Photoshop or Photoshop Elements, or Corel Photo-Paint or Paint Shop Pro to tweak your images? There are a few completely free alternatives that perform much of the same functionality, allowing you to adjust tone curves, sharpen images, perform strategic replacements of subjects, and more. These include GIMP (available for multiple platforms) and Paint.Net (for Windows).
5. Fake Your Megapixels in Printouts
Do you just need a couple more megapixels of detail in your photos to create larger printouts? You may wish to consider software packages such as Alien Skin Blow Up or onOne Software's Genuine Fractals. These programs claim to support more-realistic image resizing than what you may find in the above software or even more expensive applications. Note that your experiences with these applications may vary.
6. Lens Adapters
Some digital cameras support lens adapters, allowing you to attach a telephoto or wide-angle lens to your camera. This can be a less expensive way to increase your zoom capabilities versus spending money on a whole new camera.
For example, the Canon PowerShot Pro Series S5 is (or depending on when you read this article, was) an eight megapixel digital camera with a 12x optical zoom. With a lens adapter, you can attach a teleconverter lens that increases the focal length by approximately 1.5x, changing the original maximum telephoto zoom of 432mm (35mm film equivalent) into one of approximately 648mm. Of course, in these zoom situations you almost certainly will need a tripod or other steadying device.
7. For Those Who dSLR, Switch the Lens
If you're using a dSLR camera, you have a better option since you can switch out lenses altogether instead of investing in a new camera body. If you have a little more cash, you may even wish to spend money on a lens with a wider maximum aperture, allowing you to take faster photos in lowlight conditions without introducing noise. In some situations, you may actually take better photos than those shot with a higher-megapixel dSLR camera with a slower lens.
Newer digital cameras are always being produced, but our incomes may not always match our desires. Instead of fretting about the newest digital camera you cannot afford, think about how you can take advantage of the camera you already have. Learn more about photography basics, keep your digital camera clean, and steady it for more-impressive photos. Use free or low-cost image manipulation application, and consider purchasing high-quality image resampling software instead of plunking down money for a camera with more megapixels. A lens adapter may be all you need to support wider or narrower zooms with a prosumer camera, and for those with dSLRs, a replacement lens may allow you to take better photos than if you purchased a whole new digital camera body. With these free and low-cost ideas, you can get the most out of your current digital camera without spending money on the "latest and greatest".
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Questions to Ask When Buying an SLR Digital Camera
In a world of low-priced cameras, it is good to know that are also options for people who take their photography seriously, but don’t have thousands of dollars to spend on a camera. For these photography "purists", there are SLR Digital Cameras. SLR means Single-Reflex
Camera and the digital versions of these cameras allow the individual to take high-quality pictures using a variety of different lens types.
The following are some important questions that every one considering a digital SLR camera should ask before making this exciting purchase.
Auto-Focus or Manual Focus?
Auto focus SLR cameras provide you with a tremendous amount of convenience when it comes time to snap your picture. However, there are several drawbacks to auto-focus cameras, including:
• Auto focus systems are run by electronics, which can fail you at the worst possible time
• Auto focus cameras burn through batteries faster than manual focus models
• Auto focus cameras can be noisy
• Sometimes the lasers that control auto focus lenses see things differently than they human eye
Individuals who like additional control and customization options may wish to choose a manual focus camera. Manual focus SLR cameras allow the user to control shutter speed, aperture and the zoom focus features. Disadvantages of manual focus cameras include the steeper learning curve and the additional time it takes to properly set up each shot.
Can you auto-preview pictures with a digital SLR camera?
Yes. Digital SLR cameras offer all of the convenient features found in standard digital cameras, including the ability to preview pictures on the camera’s screen, cycle through photos and delete unwanted images and easily transfer photos onto a memory card or computer.
What are the Most Important SLR Camera Accessories to Buy?
Everyone who takes their camera on the road with them should have an extra battery always on hand. (NOTE: Be sure to keep your spare battery properly charged at all times.) Also, a neck strap helps you keep your camera handy while on the go. Finally, a tripod is a great choice for anyone who plans on taking posed or stationary pictures with their Digital SLR.
What are Gray Market Cameras?
When you a buy a Digital SLR camera online or at a traditional camera store, you will either be purchasing a gray market or warranty-covered camera. Both are the actual manufacturer’s product, but gray market cameras are generally not covered by a warranty (and are less expensive as a result).
How much do Digital SLR Cameras Cost?
Digital SLR cameras are available at a wide variety of price points, from $400 to $5000. The price of the camera depends upon the features included and the zoom capability of the lenses. Price may also be dictated by the lens package included.
How much Memory is Required?
Although the amount of memory is a personal choice, experts agree that a one gigabyte card is the most appropriate place to start. A one gigabyte memory card will hold hundreds of even the highest quality images comfortably.
Camera and the digital versions of these cameras allow the individual to take high-quality pictures using a variety of different lens types.
The following are some important questions that every one considering a digital SLR camera should ask before making this exciting purchase.
Auto-Focus or Manual Focus?
Auto focus SLR cameras provide you with a tremendous amount of convenience when it comes time to snap your picture. However, there are several drawbacks to auto-focus cameras, including:
• Auto focus systems are run by electronics, which can fail you at the worst possible time
• Auto focus cameras burn through batteries faster than manual focus models
• Auto focus cameras can be noisy
• Sometimes the lasers that control auto focus lenses see things differently than they human eye
Individuals who like additional control and customization options may wish to choose a manual focus camera. Manual focus SLR cameras allow the user to control shutter speed, aperture and the zoom focus features. Disadvantages of manual focus cameras include the steeper learning curve and the additional time it takes to properly set up each shot.
Can you auto-preview pictures with a digital SLR camera?
Yes. Digital SLR cameras offer all of the convenient features found in standard digital cameras, including the ability to preview pictures on the camera’s screen, cycle through photos and delete unwanted images and easily transfer photos onto a memory card or computer.
What are the Most Important SLR Camera Accessories to Buy?
Everyone who takes their camera on the road with them should have an extra battery always on hand. (NOTE: Be sure to keep your spare battery properly charged at all times.) Also, a neck strap helps you keep your camera handy while on the go. Finally, a tripod is a great choice for anyone who plans on taking posed or stationary pictures with their Digital SLR.
What are Gray Market Cameras?
When you a buy a Digital SLR camera online or at a traditional camera store, you will either be purchasing a gray market or warranty-covered camera. Both are the actual manufacturer’s product, but gray market cameras are generally not covered by a warranty (and are less expensive as a result).
How much do Digital SLR Cameras Cost?
Digital SLR cameras are available at a wide variety of price points, from $400 to $5000. The price of the camera depends upon the features included and the zoom capability of the lenses. Price may also be dictated by the lens package included.
How much Memory is Required?
Although the amount of memory is a personal choice, experts agree that a one gigabyte card is the most appropriate place to start. A one gigabyte memory card will hold hundreds of even the highest quality images comfortably.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Advances in Digital Camera Technology: Cool New Features of Todays Digital Cameras
Every month, new models of digital cameras are being introduced. Makers of digital cameras seem obsessed in a Digicam technological race. That is why digital cameras can become obsolete two months after they were initially introduced in the market.
The good news is that prices are also cheaper as technology continue to advance in producing high end digital cameras. This is one of the main reasons why a digital camera has become trendy consumer item.
Below are the features you can find in any advanced digital camera:
Digital Camera with High Megapixel
Today, modern digital cameras can produce image resolutions equal to the quality produced by a 35 mm SLR. A number of the finest digital cameras can have up to 20 megapixel image resolution. This is a long way from the first digital camera with only 1 to 1.5 Megapixels.
The mega pixel feature of a digital camera determines its quality. You can capture well-defined images with the use of high-megapixel digital cameras. The pictures are less grainy and fine since the shades and contrasts are more distinct.
It is for this reason why professional photographers, photo journalists and photo-artists have opted to use modern digital cameras to take pictures.
Powerful Optical Zoom Feature of Digital Cameras
Usually, professional photographers will not use a digital camera because it has no optical zoom capabilities. The first models of digital cameras only have 2x to 3x digital zoom feature. The zoom options will only make the picture hazed and warped. You'll have a lot of pixilated pictures because the zoom function is digitally simulated.
High end digital cameras however have 10x to 15x optical zoom selections. Professional photographers prefer optical zoom since the lens is adjusted mechanically by the camera. That's why you will have an enhanced image resolution even when you zoom-in to take pictures. The outcome of the image is therefore not distorted or grainy.
An All-in-One Media Center Digital Camera
Advanced digital camera has many features making it a comprehensive image processing unit. For instance, you can alter a picture directly from digital cameras or design special effects for your photos. You can also easily connect your digital camera to a photo printer to make prints of the images. You can also upload images to photo sharing sites or e-mail pictures to your friends.
Digital cameras nowadays also have audio and video features. You can take moving images like a movie, then cut and rearrange your video before uploading it to your computer. You also have an option to record audio and video files that you can transfer to a CD or DVD for playback. As a matter of fact, most digital cameras have built-in playback features. Simply connect your digital camera on any television and you will be able to see your pictures and video.
Modern digital cameras have many cool and sophisticated features that are very useful. You can get more value for your money if you buy a high quality and technologically advanced digital camera.
The good news is that prices are also cheaper as technology continue to advance in producing high end digital cameras. This is one of the main reasons why a digital camera has become trendy consumer item.
Below are the features you can find in any advanced digital camera:
Digital Camera with High Megapixel
Today, modern digital cameras can produce image resolutions equal to the quality produced by a 35 mm SLR. A number of the finest digital cameras can have up to 20 megapixel image resolution. This is a long way from the first digital camera with only 1 to 1.5 Megapixels.
The mega pixel feature of a digital camera determines its quality. You can capture well-defined images with the use of high-megapixel digital cameras. The pictures are less grainy and fine since the shades and contrasts are more distinct.
It is for this reason why professional photographers, photo journalists and photo-artists have opted to use modern digital cameras to take pictures.
Powerful Optical Zoom Feature of Digital Cameras
Usually, professional photographers will not use a digital camera because it has no optical zoom capabilities. The first models of digital cameras only have 2x to 3x digital zoom feature. The zoom options will only make the picture hazed and warped. You'll have a lot of pixilated pictures because the zoom function is digitally simulated.
High end digital cameras however have 10x to 15x optical zoom selections. Professional photographers prefer optical zoom since the lens is adjusted mechanically by the camera. That's why you will have an enhanced image resolution even when you zoom-in to take pictures. The outcome of the image is therefore not distorted or grainy.
An All-in-One Media Center Digital Camera
Advanced digital camera has many features making it a comprehensive image processing unit. For instance, you can alter a picture directly from digital cameras or design special effects for your photos. You can also easily connect your digital camera to a photo printer to make prints of the images. You can also upload images to photo sharing sites or e-mail pictures to your friends.
Digital cameras nowadays also have audio and video features. You can take moving images like a movie, then cut and rearrange your video before uploading it to your computer. You also have an option to record audio and video files that you can transfer to a CD or DVD for playback. As a matter of fact, most digital cameras have built-in playback features. Simply connect your digital camera on any television and you will be able to see your pictures and video.
Modern digital cameras have many cool and sophisticated features that are very useful. You can get more value for your money if you buy a high quality and technologically advanced digital camera.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Choosing a Digital Camera - Eight Important Camera Features
Choosing a digital camera can be very confusing because of all the camera features that are available. However, there is a logical way of making your way through all of the choices.
Probably the first thing to think about is how much you want to spend. The price ranges are huge and you will most likely be able to find one that fits within your budget. From the most simple cameras of less than one hundred dollars to the most advanced digital cameras that run many thousands of dollars, there is a camera out there for everyone.
Point and Shoot cameras are typically less expensive than DSLR digital cameras. However, that is not a hard and fast rule in today's market. Intro DSLRs have come down in price and Points and Shoot cameras can be quite sophisticated.
The main difference is that a DSLR camera has interchangeable lenses, while a point and shoot camera lens is part of the camera. So the lens you buy with a Point and Shoot camera is the lens you get. Period. So one of the most important things if you are purchasing a Point and Shoot camera is the quality of the lens and that it will do what you want it to, regarding wide angle or zoom features.
As far as other features go, here are some of the basic options that are offered.
Amount of Megapixels
Many cameras of today will offer 10MP or more. A high amount of megapixels is a good option if you will be printing large prints or doing a fair amount of cropping.
Optical Zoom
The higher the optical zoom number, the closer in you will be able to focus and shoot a subject. Optical zooms can range from 3x up to 24x.
Shutter Speed
Fast shutter speeds (high numbers) are advantageous if you are shooting quick moving objects, such as sports, birds, etc. An example of a high speed would be 1/2000th of a second.
ISO Settings
High ISO settings are typically used when you are taking photos in dimly lit or dark situations. Here is where the quality of the camera is important. Just because a camera offers a very high ISO setting does not mean that the image captured will be noise-free. Noise is tiny specs that appear in a photo. If this is important to you (taking pictures in dark areas), be sure to buy a camera that produces quality photos even at high ISO settings.
Scene Modes
If you like things to be very automatic, be sure the camera you are considering has lots of Scene Modes, where you can set the camera to just shoot, for example, Sports. The camera makes the correct settings automatically.
LCD
This is the viewing screen on the camera. Generally they will range from 2 to 3 inches in size...the larger, the better. Some cameras offer this with or without an electronic viewfinder, which is the small opening you look through when framing a shot.
Flash
Automatic flashes usually work for a specific distance. If you are shooting in situations where you will need to use the flash, check out the flash distance of the camera to make sure it will work well for you.
These are some of the main camera features. There are others also. The best thing to do is to decide what you will be using the camera for and choose one that has features and options that are most important to you.
Probably the first thing to think about is how much you want to spend. The price ranges are huge and you will most likely be able to find one that fits within your budget. From the most simple cameras of less than one hundred dollars to the most advanced digital cameras that run many thousands of dollars, there is a camera out there for everyone.
Point and Shoot cameras are typically less expensive than DSLR digital cameras. However, that is not a hard and fast rule in today's market. Intro DSLRs have come down in price and Points and Shoot cameras can be quite sophisticated.
The main difference is that a DSLR camera has interchangeable lenses, while a point and shoot camera lens is part of the camera. So the lens you buy with a Point and Shoot camera is the lens you get. Period. So one of the most important things if you are purchasing a Point and Shoot camera is the quality of the lens and that it will do what you want it to, regarding wide angle or zoom features.
As far as other features go, here are some of the basic options that are offered.
Amount of Megapixels
Many cameras of today will offer 10MP or more. A high amount of megapixels is a good option if you will be printing large prints or doing a fair amount of cropping.
Optical Zoom
The higher the optical zoom number, the closer in you will be able to focus and shoot a subject. Optical zooms can range from 3x up to 24x.
Shutter Speed
Fast shutter speeds (high numbers) are advantageous if you are shooting quick moving objects, such as sports, birds, etc. An example of a high speed would be 1/2000th of a second.
ISO Settings
High ISO settings are typically used when you are taking photos in dimly lit or dark situations. Here is where the quality of the camera is important. Just because a camera offers a very high ISO setting does not mean that the image captured will be noise-free. Noise is tiny specs that appear in a photo. If this is important to you (taking pictures in dark areas), be sure to buy a camera that produces quality photos even at high ISO settings.
Scene Modes
If you like things to be very automatic, be sure the camera you are considering has lots of Scene Modes, where you can set the camera to just shoot, for example, Sports. The camera makes the correct settings automatically.
LCD
This is the viewing screen on the camera. Generally they will range from 2 to 3 inches in size...the larger, the better. Some cameras offer this with or without an electronic viewfinder, which is the small opening you look through when framing a shot.
Flash
Automatic flashes usually work for a specific distance. If you are shooting in situations where you will need to use the flash, check out the flash distance of the camera to make sure it will work well for you.
These are some of the main camera features. There are others also. The best thing to do is to decide what you will be using the camera for and choose one that has features and options that are most important to you.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Compare Digital Camera Images For Best Buy
Apart from many features that are to be compared while purchasing a digital camera, the image quality is one of the most significant features that should be considered.
Over the last two decades digital camera has been one of the most coveted gadgets for the techno-savvy individuals. With the declining prices of various digital camera models, the gadget is now not beyond the reach of common man. But, still there are various confusions associated with purchasing a digital camera. Although you can find numerous articles on comparing the prices and features of the digital cameras that are helpful for the novice users of the gadgets, there are very few tips available for the experienced users who want to update with the recent technologies of the camera.
Apart from the features, size and weight of the device, the image quality is another aspect that influences the decision of the buyers. Some of the major aspects of the image quality are discussed below.
Image quality on the a digital camera LCD:
The most practical reason why people are opting for a digital camera is the image quality. However, all digital cameras are not able to produce the equal image quality. Hence, while purchasing the gadget you must remember that image quality differ for all brands of cameras. The LCD monitors of the cameras are not the yardstick to judge the picture as the contrast and color on the LCD are rarely accurate. The real assessment of the image can be done when the pictures are transferred to a computer. For that you can take a memory card to the store and collect some images with the camera that you want to won and see them on your computer screen.
You can also visit the sites that offer reviews on the digital camera models where they post full-resolution image from the unit. While evaluating an image think about the final output of the image.
Color in the picture:
Color is the most prominent part of image quality and it plays a crucial role in the image. Hence, it is the best idea to know about whether the digital camera has any color tendency. Color casts, bad white balance, chromatic aberration, inaccurate colors are some of the color issues with digital cameras. Problems like chromatic aberration are not visible in the print and not difficult to remove but removing a bad white balance is bit difficult. Most digital cameras come with automatic or manual bad white balance. So, while evaluating the image quality give a special attention to the color reproduction.
Exposure to difficult lighting:
While analyzing the image quality, one of the most important you need to judge is the performance of the digital camera in difficult lighting situations. Look at the images taken in low light, with flash and in mixed lighting with lots of dark and bright in the scene. These days, the cameras are available with good light meters. If you are a skilled photographer you can adjust your images in the adverse lighting situations.
Sharpness of the image:
The sharpness of the picture depends on several factors such as camera resolutions, camera lens and the built-in sharpening routines of the camera. However, assessing the detail in an image is a tricky thing. Unless you compare the images of the same scene taken with different cameras you can’t compare the sharpness of the images. It is the sharpness that greatly affects the quality of the images and you should pick the digital camera that produces images with different degrees of sharpening.
Basically, you find satisfactory result from digital cameras when the image quality is considered. Still some cameras can produce better images in terms of sharpness and in difficult lighting conditions. But it can’t be denied that the image quality is also dependent on the quality of the cameras. While comparing the digital camera images make sure that you compare the cameras that are comparable with their features and prices.
Over the last two decades digital camera has been one of the most coveted gadgets for the techno-savvy individuals. With the declining prices of various digital camera models, the gadget is now not beyond the reach of common man. But, still there are various confusions associated with purchasing a digital camera. Although you can find numerous articles on comparing the prices and features of the digital cameras that are helpful for the novice users of the gadgets, there are very few tips available for the experienced users who want to update with the recent technologies of the camera.
Apart from the features, size and weight of the device, the image quality is another aspect that influences the decision of the buyers. Some of the major aspects of the image quality are discussed below.
Image quality on the a digital camera LCD:
The most practical reason why people are opting for a digital camera is the image quality. However, all digital cameras are not able to produce the equal image quality. Hence, while purchasing the gadget you must remember that image quality differ for all brands of cameras. The LCD monitors of the cameras are not the yardstick to judge the picture as the contrast and color on the LCD are rarely accurate. The real assessment of the image can be done when the pictures are transferred to a computer. For that you can take a memory card to the store and collect some images with the camera that you want to won and see them on your computer screen.
You can also visit the sites that offer reviews on the digital camera models where they post full-resolution image from the unit. While evaluating an image think about the final output of the image.
Color in the picture:
Color is the most prominent part of image quality and it plays a crucial role in the image. Hence, it is the best idea to know about whether the digital camera has any color tendency. Color casts, bad white balance, chromatic aberration, inaccurate colors are some of the color issues with digital cameras. Problems like chromatic aberration are not visible in the print and not difficult to remove but removing a bad white balance is bit difficult. Most digital cameras come with automatic or manual bad white balance. So, while evaluating the image quality give a special attention to the color reproduction.
Exposure to difficult lighting:
While analyzing the image quality, one of the most important you need to judge is the performance of the digital camera in difficult lighting situations. Look at the images taken in low light, with flash and in mixed lighting with lots of dark and bright in the scene. These days, the cameras are available with good light meters. If you are a skilled photographer you can adjust your images in the adverse lighting situations.
Sharpness of the image:
The sharpness of the picture depends on several factors such as camera resolutions, camera lens and the built-in sharpening routines of the camera. However, assessing the detail in an image is a tricky thing. Unless you compare the images of the same scene taken with different cameras you can’t compare the sharpness of the images. It is the sharpness that greatly affects the quality of the images and you should pick the digital camera that produces images with different degrees of sharpening.
Basically, you find satisfactory result from digital cameras when the image quality is considered. Still some cameras can produce better images in terms of sharpness and in difficult lighting conditions. But it can’t be denied that the image quality is also dependent on the quality of the cameras. While comparing the digital camera images make sure that you compare the cameras that are comparable with their features and prices.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Searching For A Best Buy Digital Camera
Buying the digital camera can be difficult, lots of models and manufacturers to select from, each with its own characteristics so you may end up getting actually the one you didn't really wanted to get at all. It can be a big problem especially for first time buyers because they are offered too many alternatives and they can't know what to look for exactly.
So, what do I need to know about digital cameras?
If you think you are going to carry your digital camera everywhere and anywhere, you best bet is to pick out a handy and light one. It is also essential for you to feel good holding the digital camera while photographing. See if it's adequate while holding and trying it before you buy it.
Take a few shoots first and determine the resolution of camera. Pick the model with higher resolution so you will be able to magnify your photograph without messing the picture quality. Digital cameras with higher resolution makes higher quality pictures so as you enlarge your pictures you won't get out-of-focus images with blurry colors.
Select a digital camera with greater optical zoom. The bigger the better. Most digital cameras have both digital and optical zoom and a higher optical zoom is of course better than a higher digital zoom. Optical zoom makes the content closer by setting the elements inside the lens of the digital camera and digital zoom just enlarges that photo by digital processing.
Cameras consume battery power pretty fast. It is better to check if the digital camera comes with rechargeable batteries so you could recharge them. Rechargeable batteries are handy and more economical than purchasing every now and then disposable ones. Digital cameras with AC adapter are best choice so you can just plug it in and attach the digital camera while viewing the photos or while uploading them.
If you love to take pictures a lot, you need to be sure that you have plenty of memory in your digital camera to shot all the photographs. When you purchase a digital camera, it is best to see if it is capable of outside storage by having a memory card slot. This way you won't have to care that you will take all of space on the camera while shooting pictures.
These are only the classic things you should be looking for in a camera when you want to buy one. There are some specific characteristics that you would like to consider in making your purchasing selection. Naturally the most important factor is how much many are you willing to spend. Your budget will play a huge part in deciding the type of digital camera you'll buy.
But keep in mind that the greatest digital camera is the digital camera that best suits your lifestyle. Never purchase a camera only because it is the latest or the most modern model in the market. Get the digital camera you are certain you will enjoy and definitely use.
So, what do I need to know about digital cameras?
If you think you are going to carry your digital camera everywhere and anywhere, you best bet is to pick out a handy and light one. It is also essential for you to feel good holding the digital camera while photographing. See if it's adequate while holding and trying it before you buy it.
Take a few shoots first and determine the resolution of camera. Pick the model with higher resolution so you will be able to magnify your photograph without messing the picture quality. Digital cameras with higher resolution makes higher quality pictures so as you enlarge your pictures you won't get out-of-focus images with blurry colors.
Select a digital camera with greater optical zoom. The bigger the better. Most digital cameras have both digital and optical zoom and a higher optical zoom is of course better than a higher digital zoom. Optical zoom makes the content closer by setting the elements inside the lens of the digital camera and digital zoom just enlarges that photo by digital processing.
Cameras consume battery power pretty fast. It is better to check if the digital camera comes with rechargeable batteries so you could recharge them. Rechargeable batteries are handy and more economical than purchasing every now and then disposable ones. Digital cameras with AC adapter are best choice so you can just plug it in and attach the digital camera while viewing the photos or while uploading them.
If you love to take pictures a lot, you need to be sure that you have plenty of memory in your digital camera to shot all the photographs. When you purchase a digital camera, it is best to see if it is capable of outside storage by having a memory card slot. This way you won't have to care that you will take all of space on the camera while shooting pictures.
These are only the classic things you should be looking for in a camera when you want to buy one. There are some specific characteristics that you would like to consider in making your purchasing selection. Naturally the most important factor is how much many are you willing to spend. Your budget will play a huge part in deciding the type of digital camera you'll buy.
But keep in mind that the greatest digital camera is the digital camera that best suits your lifestyle. Never purchase a camera only because it is the latest or the most modern model in the market. Get the digital camera you are certain you will enjoy and definitely use.
Monday, September 14, 2009
The Nikon D80 DSLR Camera Review
The Nikon D80 digital SLR camera is perhaps not exactly what Nikon fans were expecting. It’s meant to replace the D70, yet it’s strikingly similar. This brings to mind an interesting issue. All companies, electronics or otherwise, are under constant pressure from their shareholders to release new products. Even you produce the enormously popular “super widget” your stock holders will darn well expect you to produce “super duper widget” in the next fiscal year. In this sense, the D80 might be Nikon telling us that the D70 was a great camera that needed few improvements.
The D80 offers a new "kit" lens, the 18-135mm f/4-5.6G AF-S ED DX, and a new vertical grip, the MB-D80. The kit lens is, by definition, fairly low-end, made to keep the price of the camera affordable to the photography newbie. The zoom has a considerably slower shutter speed than the D70 – 1/4000 compared to the previous 1/8000.
I was happy to discover that there were also some welcome improvements. The D80's viewfinder is larger and brighter than the D70's, and the sensor has around 30% more resolution.
The sensor in the D80 is an ICX493AQA CCD made by Sony. The same sensor is used in the Sony Alpha 100 and Pentax K10D. 10.2 megapixels translates as 3872 x 2592 pixel images, enough to produce straight-from-camera prints up to about 11x16" without resizing. The base ISO of the CCD is 100, with third-stop increments up through ISO 1600. You can also boost ISO one more stop, up to an effective ISO 3200.
Noise in the D80 sensor stems mainly from three design elements: the APS frame size, the smaller overall size of the photosites as compared to the 6mp sensors, and the lack of in-sensor NR electronics. That said, Nikon has integrated a number of things into the D80 to address the potential for increased noise over the previous consumer cameras. For example, once again data is kept in 12-bit space right up until the final compression to an 8-bit JPEG. Second, the internal digitization engine has a noise reduction component in it. All in all, low light images are easily comparable quality to the D70. This is perhaps primarily due to the larger CCD sensor.
The camera body is technically slightly smaller in all dimensions compared to those of the D70s, but current owners will find the design very similar. Most of the buttons are the same and in the same places, and there are dedicated buttons for many commonly used functions. For example, a cluster of buttons next to the shutter let you change metering mode, exposure compensation, drive mode, and AF mode. Meanwhile, the buttons to the left of the 2.5-inch, 230,000-pixel LCD screen let you change white balance, ISO, and image size and quality settings without diving into menus. About the only function without its own dedicated control is AF zone selection, though the camera's programmable function button can be programmed to cover that if you so choose. The default for this button is to display the current ISO setting.
Three dials adorn the camera body. The mode dial lets you choose between program, aperture- or shutter-priority, full manual, full auto, or any of six preset exposure scene modes. The other two dials, located on the front and back of the grip, let you change aperture and shutter speed. Together, they make full manual shooting quick and easy, with a menu system that is easy to use.
For the most part, Nikon has negotiated the quality trade-off well in order to offer a DSLR camera for under $1000. It’s still slightly pricier than comparable Canon or Petax models, but with Nikon’s imaging reputation, it can easily charge a touch more without anyone blinking a eye.
The D80 offers a new "kit" lens, the 18-135mm f/4-5.6G AF-S ED DX, and a new vertical grip, the MB-D80. The kit lens is, by definition, fairly low-end, made to keep the price of the camera affordable to the photography newbie. The zoom has a considerably slower shutter speed than the D70 – 1/4000 compared to the previous 1/8000.
I was happy to discover that there were also some welcome improvements. The D80's viewfinder is larger and brighter than the D70's, and the sensor has around 30% more resolution.
The sensor in the D80 is an ICX493AQA CCD made by Sony. The same sensor is used in the Sony Alpha 100 and Pentax K10D. 10.2 megapixels translates as 3872 x 2592 pixel images, enough to produce straight-from-camera prints up to about 11x16" without resizing. The base ISO of the CCD is 100, with third-stop increments up through ISO 1600. You can also boost ISO one more stop, up to an effective ISO 3200.
Noise in the D80 sensor stems mainly from three design elements: the APS frame size, the smaller overall size of the photosites as compared to the 6mp sensors, and the lack of in-sensor NR electronics. That said, Nikon has integrated a number of things into the D80 to address the potential for increased noise over the previous consumer cameras. For example, once again data is kept in 12-bit space right up until the final compression to an 8-bit JPEG. Second, the internal digitization engine has a noise reduction component in it. All in all, low light images are easily comparable quality to the D70. This is perhaps primarily due to the larger CCD sensor.
The camera body is technically slightly smaller in all dimensions compared to those of the D70s, but current owners will find the design very similar. Most of the buttons are the same and in the same places, and there are dedicated buttons for many commonly used functions. For example, a cluster of buttons next to the shutter let you change metering mode, exposure compensation, drive mode, and AF mode. Meanwhile, the buttons to the left of the 2.5-inch, 230,000-pixel LCD screen let you change white balance, ISO, and image size and quality settings without diving into menus. About the only function without its own dedicated control is AF zone selection, though the camera's programmable function button can be programmed to cover that if you so choose. The default for this button is to display the current ISO setting.
Three dials adorn the camera body. The mode dial lets you choose between program, aperture- or shutter-priority, full manual, full auto, or any of six preset exposure scene modes. The other two dials, located on the front and back of the grip, let you change aperture and shutter speed. Together, they make full manual shooting quick and easy, with a menu system that is easy to use.
For the most part, Nikon has negotiated the quality trade-off well in order to offer a DSLR camera for under $1000. It’s still slightly pricier than comparable Canon or Petax models, but with Nikon’s imaging reputation, it can easily charge a touch more without anyone blinking a eye.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Latest Technologies Used in Digital Cameras
Digital cameras are the trend these days. Because of these cameras, more and more people are getting hooked to and practicing the art of photography in today’s modern society. This is a good idea, since photography is an art that expresses one’s thoughts and abilities of conveying a story through a still photograph. True, there are rules that govern the practice of photography; however, these rules are not cut and dried. Some photographers actually break the rules and can still come up with a decent photograph that pleases the general populace.
There are several advantages that one can enjoy from a digital camera. Here are some of them:
Ease of Use. Most digital cameras are easier to use than the traditional film camera. Just like a film camera, you can just point and shoot in order to capture your image. However, the viewfinder in both digital and film cameras let you see only about a certain percentage of the actual shots. In digital film cameras, however, you can see the final shot in your LCD. You can also frame shots better with the LCD than with the optical viewfinder.
Instant Results. Because it is digital, you can now see how good your shots are. You can then delete those that you do not want to have in your collection.
More Pictures. The storage media used by digital cameras have generally higher capacities than a film camera. In a film camera, you can take as much as 36 shots per film with a lot of it sometimes wasted in erroneous shots and exposure problems. In a digital camera, however, you can take as much as a thousand shots (depending on the resolution setting) with the advantage of having only the best ones remaining in the batch.
The Evolution of Digital Cameras
Just like today’s technology, digital cameras have also undergone evolution. The first digital cameras were only capable of low resolution images that were at most just 4 megapixels in size. The earlier ones also lacked a very crucial feature in today’s photography equipment: motion stills and blur reduction.
In the old days of digital photography, you need to have a steady hand in order to be able to shoot good photographs. This is good training, however. You learn to control the tremors in the shooting hand using older cameras, and then operate the newer ones with ease.
The latest digital cameras, however, are better than those that preceded them. Here are some of the latest technologies and improvements that you can find in digital cameras.
Improved Autofocus
As digital cameras evolved, their creators had in mind to put into them a very important feature: the autofocus. The autofocus helps an aspiring photographer to focus on a certain subject digitally: most point-and-shoot cameras (even the earlier ones) can autofocus on something that interests the photographer using preset algorithms. These have worked in the past, but crudely; sometimes the camera focuses on the wrong subject resulting in an erroneous photograph, or something that the photographer did not intend.
Most camera manufacturers nowadays have improved not only their autofocus capabilities, but also the camera’s capability to distinguish between an object and a person. Sony Corporation was the first to introduce this capability, and other companies have followed suit. This is the face recognition system, an improvement on the automatic focus capabilities of digital cameras that is useful especially when one is shooting portraits or shots that predominantly feature human faces.
In fact, Sony Corporation’s “W” series of their Cybershot point-and-shoot cameras have introduced a new feature that built up on the face recognition feature: the smile shutter. This feature requires any one of the subjects in the frame to smile before the shutter fires.
Improved Sensitivity to Light
One of the biggest problems of both DSLRs and point-and-shoot cameras in the past were their lessened sensitivity to low light. Older cameras require that you use flash in order to clearly capture the scene at low light, but later cameras can now allow their users to shoot at low light. Some current point-and-shoot cameras also have the capability to shoot at ISO 3200, the higher sensitivity rating so far in digital photography.
There are several advantages that one can enjoy from a digital camera. Here are some of them:
Ease of Use. Most digital cameras are easier to use than the traditional film camera. Just like a film camera, you can just point and shoot in order to capture your image. However, the viewfinder in both digital and film cameras let you see only about a certain percentage of the actual shots. In digital film cameras, however, you can see the final shot in your LCD. You can also frame shots better with the LCD than with the optical viewfinder.
Instant Results. Because it is digital, you can now see how good your shots are. You can then delete those that you do not want to have in your collection.
More Pictures. The storage media used by digital cameras have generally higher capacities than a film camera. In a film camera, you can take as much as 36 shots per film with a lot of it sometimes wasted in erroneous shots and exposure problems. In a digital camera, however, you can take as much as a thousand shots (depending on the resolution setting) with the advantage of having only the best ones remaining in the batch.
The Evolution of Digital Cameras
Just like today’s technology, digital cameras have also undergone evolution. The first digital cameras were only capable of low resolution images that were at most just 4 megapixels in size. The earlier ones also lacked a very crucial feature in today’s photography equipment: motion stills and blur reduction.
In the old days of digital photography, you need to have a steady hand in order to be able to shoot good photographs. This is good training, however. You learn to control the tremors in the shooting hand using older cameras, and then operate the newer ones with ease.
The latest digital cameras, however, are better than those that preceded them. Here are some of the latest technologies and improvements that you can find in digital cameras.
Improved Autofocus
As digital cameras evolved, their creators had in mind to put into them a very important feature: the autofocus. The autofocus helps an aspiring photographer to focus on a certain subject digitally: most point-and-shoot cameras (even the earlier ones) can autofocus on something that interests the photographer using preset algorithms. These have worked in the past, but crudely; sometimes the camera focuses on the wrong subject resulting in an erroneous photograph, or something that the photographer did not intend.
Most camera manufacturers nowadays have improved not only their autofocus capabilities, but also the camera’s capability to distinguish between an object and a person. Sony Corporation was the first to introduce this capability, and other companies have followed suit. This is the face recognition system, an improvement on the automatic focus capabilities of digital cameras that is useful especially when one is shooting portraits or shots that predominantly feature human faces.
In fact, Sony Corporation’s “W” series of their Cybershot point-and-shoot cameras have introduced a new feature that built up on the face recognition feature: the smile shutter. This feature requires any one of the subjects in the frame to smile before the shutter fires.
Improved Sensitivity to Light
One of the biggest problems of both DSLRs and point-and-shoot cameras in the past were their lessened sensitivity to low light. Older cameras require that you use flash in order to clearly capture the scene at low light, but later cameras can now allow their users to shoot at low light. Some current point-and-shoot cameras also have the capability to shoot at ISO 3200, the higher sensitivity rating so far in digital photography.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
10 Steps Achieve Picture Perfect Shots Via Digital Photography
Gone are the times when photographers had to take several shots of an image and develop them to find out if a fine or even perfect image was taken. Several photographers of this art form refer to this technique as “trial and error”.
Nowadays, there are a numbers of photographers who have decided to shift from regular point and shoot and old SLR models to digital ones. Through DSLRs, they can get more time to concentrate in taking those great pictures since images that are not par with their standards can simply be deleted away.
SLR stands for Single Lens Reflex. The name implies the use of lenses and a mirror. Mirror reflects light entering the lens up into the viewfinder. Thus, a photographer can estimate how the image will likely appear when it is developed. Moreover, a SLR camera uses separate lenses that can be interchanged depending on the resolution needed. Hence, this camera can be used to capture image with varying depths.
Likewise, a digital SLR or DSLR camera uses lenses and mirror. But instead of a film that records the image, a DSLR camera uses light sensor chips and digital memory. In other words, a DSLR camera is the computerized version of the traditional SLR camera.
However, the functions of these models are rather different so it is suggested that users spend time getting familiar or acquainted with these gadgets. Owners should use that “trial and error” technique by taking a few shots and storing better pictures. Sooner or later, users can surely hack these models.
Individuals who decide on using these types of cameras should really invest on memory cards and lenses. Thus, if they happen to become professionals someday, additional equipment will surely keep them busy for choosing photography as a career.
Here are some helpful tips that will definitely aid owners of DSLR cameras in capturing a perfect image using the new art of digital photography.
1. Normally, people take full body shots against a background. However, it is more appropriate to take a shot from shoulders up or an upper body one because image of those in the picture really appear small.
2. If doing the above technique happens to be difficult for the user, he or she can take a shot of the person with him or her at one side rather than at the center. Then the owner can just zoom in so the person appears to be at the center.
3. The law of optics remains the same whether using an old or a digital camera. For instance, if the sun is behind an image, the picture will be silhouette. If light is in front of the image, the picture will appear squint unless there are sunglasses on.
4. Use your sunglass to act as a polarizer to take away unnecessary reflections from glaring objects.
5. You can also use a sunglass to increase the exposure of objects.
6. When using a polarizer, be sure that the source of light is perpendicular to the object.
7. Change your white balance setting from auto to cloudy when shooting bright landscapes and outdoor portraits.
8. Do not use the flash mode when the setting is already sunny.
9. Zoom in to emphasize a certain asset or characteristic of the subject being captured.
10. Practice. Practice. Practice.
It suffices to say that the techniques in getting the perfect shot have not changed. However, using digital cameras and employing this new art of digital photography have simply improved photo shooting by making capturing pictures easy for everyone.
In other words, practice is what really makes perfect shots!
Nowadays, there are a numbers of photographers who have decided to shift from regular point and shoot and old SLR models to digital ones. Through DSLRs, they can get more time to concentrate in taking those great pictures since images that are not par with their standards can simply be deleted away.
SLR stands for Single Lens Reflex. The name implies the use of lenses and a mirror. Mirror reflects light entering the lens up into the viewfinder. Thus, a photographer can estimate how the image will likely appear when it is developed. Moreover, a SLR camera uses separate lenses that can be interchanged depending on the resolution needed. Hence, this camera can be used to capture image with varying depths.
Likewise, a digital SLR or DSLR camera uses lenses and mirror. But instead of a film that records the image, a DSLR camera uses light sensor chips and digital memory. In other words, a DSLR camera is the computerized version of the traditional SLR camera.
However, the functions of these models are rather different so it is suggested that users spend time getting familiar or acquainted with these gadgets. Owners should use that “trial and error” technique by taking a few shots and storing better pictures. Sooner or later, users can surely hack these models.
Individuals who decide on using these types of cameras should really invest on memory cards and lenses. Thus, if they happen to become professionals someday, additional equipment will surely keep them busy for choosing photography as a career.
Here are some helpful tips that will definitely aid owners of DSLR cameras in capturing a perfect image using the new art of digital photography.
1. Normally, people take full body shots against a background. However, it is more appropriate to take a shot from shoulders up or an upper body one because image of those in the picture really appear small.
2. If doing the above technique happens to be difficult for the user, he or she can take a shot of the person with him or her at one side rather than at the center. Then the owner can just zoom in so the person appears to be at the center.
3. The law of optics remains the same whether using an old or a digital camera. For instance, if the sun is behind an image, the picture will be silhouette. If light is in front of the image, the picture will appear squint unless there are sunglasses on.
4. Use your sunglass to act as a polarizer to take away unnecessary reflections from glaring objects.
5. You can also use a sunglass to increase the exposure of objects.
6. When using a polarizer, be sure that the source of light is perpendicular to the object.
7. Change your white balance setting from auto to cloudy when shooting bright landscapes and outdoor portraits.
8. Do not use the flash mode when the setting is already sunny.
9. Zoom in to emphasize a certain asset or characteristic of the subject being captured.
10. Practice. Practice. Practice.
It suffices to say that the techniques in getting the perfect shot have not changed. However, using digital cameras and employing this new art of digital photography have simply improved photo shooting by making capturing pictures easy for everyone.
In other words, practice is what really makes perfect shots!
Friday, September 11, 2009
The Canon EOS Rebel XTi Digital Camera Review
The Canon EOS Rebel series might possibly be the most widely known SLR camera series of the past ten years. The Digital Rebel XTi is the updated version of the Digital Rebel XT. Priced at $899 with the kit lens, this model represents Canon EOS tradition of providing excellent pro camera features at entry level prices.
Though the CMOS chip used by the XTi is the same physical size as the version in the XT, Canon crammed more pixels into the space to bump up the resolution and improved the design of the microlenses- the “eyes” of the CCD. The microlenses gather indirect light and focus it back on the sensor. The XTi also features increases in the size of the photosites themselves.( The photosites are tiny electrical diodes that convert light into electrical charges. ) The result of this improved technology is an affordable camera that has enough sensitivity to render adequately rich blacks and low light colors. That said, “adequate” is a subjective term. It bears mentioning that XTi's measured and visible image noise was significantly worse than that of the CCD-based Nikon D80 for any given ISO speed.
The CMOS chip in the XTi is now self-cleaning. Similarly to many other DSLRs, the low-pass filter layer vibrates when the camera powers off or on in order to shake dust away from the sensor; plus, there's an antistatic coating on the filter that repels dust.
Unfortunately, like the Rebel XT, the XTi lacks a spot meter; it supplies only center-weighted average, and partial center-weighted metering. This amounts to a serious oversight. Spot meters are critical in many situations where a subject is backlit. I had to move in close to a subject who was standing in front of a bright background, get a general meter reading off his face before backing up and composing the picture. Even then, there was some trial and error involved. The lack of spot metering might be one of the most critical shortcomings of this camera.
The shutter is fast, though slightly sluggish compared to the Nikon D80 and the higher end Canon D30. The 18 - 55 mm kit lens that comes with the camera is light and balances well with the camera body, but it’s fairly slow; only allowing for an f / 3.5 maximum aperature . This limits your photography in low light situations and how shallow you can make your depth of field. There is something even more insidious about the shallow depth of field/low light performance; even well focused images tend to become slightly soft when shooting at the widest aperture. But keep in mind that you have a plethora of Canon options with the compatible EF and EF-S prime lenses that Canon offers. These will give you considerably increased light sensitivity and depth of field manipulation. Just remember that, because of the physics of the camera’s CCD, your “actual” focal length will be boosted by 1.6X from what is indicated on the lens. For example, a 50 mm prime will have the field-of-view of an 80 mm lens.
Also, the on board flash’s exposure control still has a tendency to blow out fair complexioned people at close range with a noticeable amount of chromatic aberration. But with a little of the manual flash exposure adjustment, you can get the hang of taking well exposed and color balanced flash photos. Moreover, the camera takes pictures in uncompressed, RAW format, which enables you to capture extremely high resolution images that can be optimized in Photoshop CS2 and CS3.
The most noticeable change on the Rebel XTi is its new 2.5" LCD display. If you recall, both the original Digital Rebel and the Rebel XT had 1.8" screens, which looks comically small these days. The LCD has 230,000 pixels, which makes it competitive with the other entry-level D-SLRs out there. As is the case with most D-SLRs, the LCD is only used for reviewing photos and navigating menus -- it's not for composing photos.
As is the case with all D-SLRs, Canon does not include a memory card with the Rebel XTi, so you'll have to factor that into the total purchase price. Thankfully CompactFlash cards are inexpensive these days, and I'd recommend a 1GB card as a good starter size. The Rebel XTi supports Type I and II cards, including the Microdrive. Buying a high speed CF card (50X or better) is a smart idea.
Overall, the Cannon Rebel EOS XTi takes good, solid pictures under a decent variety of circumstances; particularly in high to moderate light levels. It’s an ideal camera for photo hobbyists interested in using an affordable camera with some pro features that will improve their skills, take good pictures, and leave you just a little hungry for more.
Though the CMOS chip used by the XTi is the same physical size as the version in the XT, Canon crammed more pixels into the space to bump up the resolution and improved the design of the microlenses- the “eyes” of the CCD. The microlenses gather indirect light and focus it back on the sensor. The XTi also features increases in the size of the photosites themselves.( The photosites are tiny electrical diodes that convert light into electrical charges. ) The result of this improved technology is an affordable camera that has enough sensitivity to render adequately rich blacks and low light colors. That said, “adequate” is a subjective term. It bears mentioning that XTi's measured and visible image noise was significantly worse than that of the CCD-based Nikon D80 for any given ISO speed.
The CMOS chip in the XTi is now self-cleaning. Similarly to many other DSLRs, the low-pass filter layer vibrates when the camera powers off or on in order to shake dust away from the sensor; plus, there's an antistatic coating on the filter that repels dust.
Unfortunately, like the Rebel XT, the XTi lacks a spot meter; it supplies only center-weighted average, and partial center-weighted metering. This amounts to a serious oversight. Spot meters are critical in many situations where a subject is backlit. I had to move in close to a subject who was standing in front of a bright background, get a general meter reading off his face before backing up and composing the picture. Even then, there was some trial and error involved. The lack of spot metering might be one of the most critical shortcomings of this camera.
The shutter is fast, though slightly sluggish compared to the Nikon D80 and the higher end Canon D30. The 18 - 55 mm kit lens that comes with the camera is light and balances well with the camera body, but it’s fairly slow; only allowing for an f / 3.5 maximum aperature . This limits your photography in low light situations and how shallow you can make your depth of field. There is something even more insidious about the shallow depth of field/low light performance; even well focused images tend to become slightly soft when shooting at the widest aperture. But keep in mind that you have a plethora of Canon options with the compatible EF and EF-S prime lenses that Canon offers. These will give you considerably increased light sensitivity and depth of field manipulation. Just remember that, because of the physics of the camera’s CCD, your “actual” focal length will be boosted by 1.6X from what is indicated on the lens. For example, a 50 mm prime will have the field-of-view of an 80 mm lens.
Also, the on board flash’s exposure control still has a tendency to blow out fair complexioned people at close range with a noticeable amount of chromatic aberration. But with a little of the manual flash exposure adjustment, you can get the hang of taking well exposed and color balanced flash photos. Moreover, the camera takes pictures in uncompressed, RAW format, which enables you to capture extremely high resolution images that can be optimized in Photoshop CS2 and CS3.
The most noticeable change on the Rebel XTi is its new 2.5" LCD display. If you recall, both the original Digital Rebel and the Rebel XT had 1.8" screens, which looks comically small these days. The LCD has 230,000 pixels, which makes it competitive with the other entry-level D-SLRs out there. As is the case with most D-SLRs, the LCD is only used for reviewing photos and navigating menus -- it's not for composing photos.
As is the case with all D-SLRs, Canon does not include a memory card with the Rebel XTi, so you'll have to factor that into the total purchase price. Thankfully CompactFlash cards are inexpensive these days, and I'd recommend a 1GB card as a good starter size. The Rebel XTi supports Type I and II cards, including the Microdrive. Buying a high speed CF card (50X or better) is a smart idea.
Overall, the Cannon Rebel EOS XTi takes good, solid pictures under a decent variety of circumstances; particularly in high to moderate light levels. It’s an ideal camera for photo hobbyists interested in using an affordable camera with some pro features that will improve their skills, take good pictures, and leave you just a little hungry for more.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Canon PowerShot SD880 is Review
he Canon PowerShot SD880 IS is a 10-megapixel camera with a 4x wide-angle optical zoom and has an ISO setting that can support up to 3,200. The IS stand for “image stabilization” and according to Canon, the PowerShot SD880 makes taking group photos go with as much ease as possible. Equipped with Motion Detection Technology and the most up-to-date DIGIC 4 image processor, this small and lightweight digital camera ensures quality photos with every shot.
The Canon PowerShot SD880 IS has a dimension of 3.69 inches in length, 2.24 inches in height, and 0.93 inches in width. It weighs only 105 grams. Being small and lightweight, you can keep this camera in your bag and even in your pocket so you can take it anywhere you want to go without being burdened by its bulk, which is virtually non-existent. Although this camera is small, the buttons are relatively large so it isn’t a pain accessing the different functions of the SD880 IS. The LCD screen is also quite large being 3 inches in both length and height, which is impressive for a small camera like the SD880 IS.
One of the main reasons why many users find this camera great is because it is very easy to use. The menus are not confusing and frustrating to navigate so even new users will have no trouble accessing the different modes and making the necessary adjustments they want in their shots. The Auto Mode makes shooting photos even easier as it lets the camera make the adjustments on its own, the user will only have to point and shoot. Together with the large LCD screen, the easy-to-navigate menu, and the large buttons, the Canon PowerShot SD880 is by far one of the easier digital cameras to use these days.
Although it is small, it packs quite a wallop when it comes to image quality. The pictures taken are clear and the color details are pleasing to the eye. There are three quality options users can choose from: Normal, Fine and Superfine. The Canon PowerShot SD 880 IS also offers numerous picture effects mode, which a lot of users should find enjoyable. Best of all, the widescreen capability of this camera allows pictures to be taken at an impressive resolution of 3648 x 2048 - a pretty powerful specification for a small camera.
Of course, the SD880 IS is far from being perfect. There have been negative feedbacks about black screen problems by some users. The cause may vary from user to user so no general consensus has been made yet to address this problem.
To sum up, the Canon PowerShot SD880 IS is one of the more impressive digital cameras available in the market targeted to the commercial consumers. It is very easy to handle with a user-friendly interface and an Auto Mode, which makes taking pictures easier. The image quality is also good and the color details accurate, making SD8800 one of the better point-and-shoot cameras out in the market today.
The Canon PowerShot SD880 IS has a dimension of 3.69 inches in length, 2.24 inches in height, and 0.93 inches in width. It weighs only 105 grams. Being small and lightweight, you can keep this camera in your bag and even in your pocket so you can take it anywhere you want to go without being burdened by its bulk, which is virtually non-existent. Although this camera is small, the buttons are relatively large so it isn’t a pain accessing the different functions of the SD880 IS. The LCD screen is also quite large being 3 inches in both length and height, which is impressive for a small camera like the SD880 IS.
One of the main reasons why many users find this camera great is because it is very easy to use. The menus are not confusing and frustrating to navigate so even new users will have no trouble accessing the different modes and making the necessary adjustments they want in their shots. The Auto Mode makes shooting photos even easier as it lets the camera make the adjustments on its own, the user will only have to point and shoot. Together with the large LCD screen, the easy-to-navigate menu, and the large buttons, the Canon PowerShot SD880 is by far one of the easier digital cameras to use these days.
Although it is small, it packs quite a wallop when it comes to image quality. The pictures taken are clear and the color details are pleasing to the eye. There are three quality options users can choose from: Normal, Fine and Superfine. The Canon PowerShot SD 880 IS also offers numerous picture effects mode, which a lot of users should find enjoyable. Best of all, the widescreen capability of this camera allows pictures to be taken at an impressive resolution of 3648 x 2048 - a pretty powerful specification for a small camera.
Of course, the SD880 IS is far from being perfect. There have been negative feedbacks about black screen problems by some users. The cause may vary from user to user so no general consensus has been made yet to address this problem.
To sum up, the Canon PowerShot SD880 IS is one of the more impressive digital cameras available in the market targeted to the commercial consumers. It is very easy to handle with a user-friendly interface and an Auto Mode, which makes taking pictures easier. The image quality is also good and the color details accurate, making SD8800 one of the better point-and-shoot cameras out in the market today.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Canon PowerShot A590 is Review
Canon has come out with another point-and-shoot camera in the form of the Canon PowerShot A590 IS. This 8-megapixel camera has image stability, a 4x wide-angle optical zoom, full manual controls and many other great features. Best of all, it isn’t as expensive as some digital cameras but still gives great value for your money.
At first glance, the Canon PowerShot A590 IS may look bulky and uncomfortable to the hand but it is actually very compact. The AA battery compartment gives users a good handgrip and a thumb rest is conveniently located and the upper right corner of the camera’s backside. This camera can also fit in purses and even pockets so it can be taken anywhere and everywhere. The smooth and round body of the A590 also adds a comfortable feel whenever it is held by the hand. Of course, even though this camera provides a fine grip, a wrist strap is always a good idea.
Like most additions to the Canon PowerShot series, the AF90 IS has a user-friendly and no-nonsense interface. New users can easily navigate the menu and if you’ve had experience handling a digital camera made by Canon before, the process of browsing through the interface should be a walk in the park. For intermediate photographers , the A590 has different functions and settings that can be tweaked to get the desired effect and adjustment on the shot. For beginners, there is a mode that allows them to just point at the subject and take shots while the camera does the adjustments on its own. This mode is marked by a camera outline in red with a heart inside.
The Canon PowerShot A590 IS has numerous shooting modes. Now you might get confused with the difference between the Easy Mode and the Auto Mode. The Easy Mode is similar to the Auto Mode in the sense that both lets the camera does all the tweaking and modifying the setting while the user just snaps away. The difference is that in Easy Mode everything is left for the camera to decide, except of course the flash. There is also a Continuous Shooting Mode for moving subjects. According to Canon, the camera captures action in 1.4 frames per second, hardly enough to get a clear image of an object moving at high-speed but good enough to capture moderately paced actions.
One gripe many users have about the A590 digital camera is the memory card that comes with the unity. The starter card only has a memory of a pathetic 32 MB, which can hold about 20 photos. Of course the memory is expandable so it would be a wise idea to buy a 1 GB memory card instead to hold more than 200 large images in your digital camera. Another issue with the A590 is the basic video display. Sure, it has that feature but it’s really not that impressive and you’ll rarely use it if ever at all. It isn’t bad; it’s just not great.
At first glance, the Canon PowerShot A590 IS may look bulky and uncomfortable to the hand but it is actually very compact. The AA battery compartment gives users a good handgrip and a thumb rest is conveniently located and the upper right corner of the camera’s backside. This camera can also fit in purses and even pockets so it can be taken anywhere and everywhere. The smooth and round body of the A590 also adds a comfortable feel whenever it is held by the hand. Of course, even though this camera provides a fine grip, a wrist strap is always a good idea.
Like most additions to the Canon PowerShot series, the AF90 IS has a user-friendly and no-nonsense interface. New users can easily navigate the menu and if you’ve had experience handling a digital camera made by Canon before, the process of browsing through the interface should be a walk in the park. For intermediate photographers , the A590 has different functions and settings that can be tweaked to get the desired effect and adjustment on the shot. For beginners, there is a mode that allows them to just point at the subject and take shots while the camera does the adjustments on its own. This mode is marked by a camera outline in red with a heart inside.
The Canon PowerShot A590 IS has numerous shooting modes. Now you might get confused with the difference between the Easy Mode and the Auto Mode. The Easy Mode is similar to the Auto Mode in the sense that both lets the camera does all the tweaking and modifying the setting while the user just snaps away. The difference is that in Easy Mode everything is left for the camera to decide, except of course the flash. There is also a Continuous Shooting Mode for moving subjects. According to Canon, the camera captures action in 1.4 frames per second, hardly enough to get a clear image of an object moving at high-speed but good enough to capture moderately paced actions.
One gripe many users have about the A590 digital camera is the memory card that comes with the unity. The starter card only has a memory of a pathetic 32 MB, which can hold about 20 photos. Of course the memory is expandable so it would be a wise idea to buy a 1 GB memory card instead to hold more than 200 large images in your digital camera. Another issue with the A590 is the basic video display. Sure, it has that feature but it’s really not that impressive and you’ll rarely use it if ever at all. It isn’t bad; it’s just not great.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Tips and Tricks for the Novice User of Digital Camera
Most of the novice digital camera users ignore the simple techniques of getting better pictures with their cameras. The useful information mentioned here can help you get easier user experience and better shooting experience with your camera.
Try to capture the sharper images:
Often people do the mistake of shooting picture holding the digital camera in one hand. With such attempts chances are there you may have missed opportunities or blurred images. Using both hand while taking the pictures can provide greater stabilization. You can even brace you body against a wall or solid surface for better stability. Tripods are the best alternatives.
Taking better images:
Placing the digital camera in right position can help you take better images. For instance if you are taking images of children, kneel down to their level to capture their expression successfully. Adjust your camera lens or your distance from the subject so that the subject fills the LCD
Multiple picture of your subject:
Take advantage of your digital camera feature that allows you delete unwanted shots. If you want to capture a beautiful scene or any other subject try to shoot from different angles and positions and compare the images so as to delete the unwanted pictures and pick the better ones in the camera memory. Chances are there that you may love all the images or you may get different views of the same shot.
Softer lights for better images:
You can get better photos with your digital camera with softer lights. Taking the shots early or late in the day can improve the quality of the images. It is advisable to keep your back to the source of light and allow your subject to get adequate light. Cloudy days are perfect for outdoor shooting as the soft light intensifies the colors of the subjects.
You can get great picture without using flash:
It is better not to use the flash of your digital camera while shooting the far-away subjects such as a sporting event or a performer on the stage. Generally, the built-in flash of your camera can provide light up to 6 feet. If you use flash when the subject is beyond 6 feet you may end up getting a darker image of your subject.
Make the best use of self timer system:
Digital camera with self timer function allows you the flexibility of taking your own snap. You can adjust the camera with the help of a tripod to a certain height and set the self-timer option. For a better adjustment you can ask someone to take the position of your subject so that you can adjust the height of the camera. If you have a remote with your camera, it will allow you convenience to trigger the camera for the shot.
Increase the life of the battery:
Rechargeable batteries are the best way to save expenditure and power with your digital camera. Find various ways of conserving the battery life. For instance, if your digital camera has an optical viewfinder you can turn off the LCD. Alternatively, you can choose Ni-MH and Lithium-ion batteries for longer battery life.
Easiest way to get the pictures from the digital camera:
Almost all the digital cameras offer you options to connect to the USB port of the computer via cable. The cameras that are more than five years old may have serial port connection. USB card readers are available with the latest models of the camera. This is useful when your computer doesn`t have an USB port or you don`t want to download the pictures directly from the computer to your computer.
Try to capture the sharper images:
Often people do the mistake of shooting picture holding the digital camera in one hand. With such attempts chances are there you may have missed opportunities or blurred images. Using both hand while taking the pictures can provide greater stabilization. You can even brace you body against a wall or solid surface for better stability. Tripods are the best alternatives.
Taking better images:
Placing the digital camera in right position can help you take better images. For instance if you are taking images of children, kneel down to their level to capture their expression successfully. Adjust your camera lens or your distance from the subject so that the subject fills the LCD
Multiple picture of your subject:
Take advantage of your digital camera feature that allows you delete unwanted shots. If you want to capture a beautiful scene or any other subject try to shoot from different angles and positions and compare the images so as to delete the unwanted pictures and pick the better ones in the camera memory. Chances are there that you may love all the images or you may get different views of the same shot.
Softer lights for better images:
You can get better photos with your digital camera with softer lights. Taking the shots early or late in the day can improve the quality of the images. It is advisable to keep your back to the source of light and allow your subject to get adequate light. Cloudy days are perfect for outdoor shooting as the soft light intensifies the colors of the subjects.
You can get great picture without using flash:
It is better not to use the flash of your digital camera while shooting the far-away subjects such as a sporting event or a performer on the stage. Generally, the built-in flash of your camera can provide light up to 6 feet. If you use flash when the subject is beyond 6 feet you may end up getting a darker image of your subject.
Make the best use of self timer system:
Digital camera with self timer function allows you the flexibility of taking your own snap. You can adjust the camera with the help of a tripod to a certain height and set the self-timer option. For a better adjustment you can ask someone to take the position of your subject so that you can adjust the height of the camera. If you have a remote with your camera, it will allow you convenience to trigger the camera for the shot.
Increase the life of the battery:
Rechargeable batteries are the best way to save expenditure and power with your digital camera. Find various ways of conserving the battery life. For instance, if your digital camera has an optical viewfinder you can turn off the LCD. Alternatively, you can choose Ni-MH and Lithium-ion batteries for longer battery life.
Easiest way to get the pictures from the digital camera:
Almost all the digital cameras offer you options to connect to the USB port of the computer via cable. The cameras that are more than five years old may have serial port connection. USB card readers are available with the latest models of the camera. This is useful when your computer doesn`t have an USB port or you don`t want to download the pictures directly from the computer to your computer.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Off Camera Flash For Better Portrait Photography
Every serious photographer needs a flashgun for gloomy days and interior shots. Unfortunately, when mounted on a camera and pointed directly at a subjects face, flash can give some unpleasant results. You've probably seen them yourself, flat lighting, harsh shadows, shiny skin and red eyes to name a few.
There are a couple of solutions to this, one is to bounce your flash off a ceiling or nearby wall. The second, which gives more control and is covered in this article, is to get the flashgun off the camera completely.
For an off camera flash kit you'll need five things to get started:
(1) A flashgun with a decent output. Look for the 'Guide Number' (GN) to find out how much power your unit puts out. For example a Nikon SB800 Speedlight has a GN of 56, that's plenty, if it's a higher GN that's even better. You'll probably be able to pick up an older secondhand flashgun of any make for very little money. It doesn't have to be compatible with your camera, you just need to be able to set the output manually.
(2) A light modifier. This can be an umbrella, a small softbox or various other purpose built products. This is used to soften, direct and control the quality of your light. I normally use a 48" umbrella with a detachable silver lining. You can either fire the flash into the umbrella or remove the lining and shoot through it, giving two distinct qualities of light.
(3) A bracket to fix the flashgun and umbrella on to a stand. I've only found one product that is ideal for this: the 'Bogen 2905 Swivel Umbrella Adapter f/Super Clamp' made by Manfrotto. You'll also need one other small adaptor to connect the flashgun to the bracket, available in most camera stores.
(4) A small portable light stand, but big enough not to fall over when you have attached the umbrella.
(5) A means of triggering the flash. This will probably depend on your budget. The cheapest way of doing it is with a cord attached between the PC socket (if you have one) of your camera and the flashgun. Radio triggers are my preferred option, you can get a very cheap set off eBay for about £20.00 or pay a few hundred for a more professional unit. They all work, the cheap ones may need a bit of glue from time to time. They are made up of two or more units, the transmitter goes in the hotshoe of your camera, receivers can be connected to one or more flashes.
You can also use infra red slave triggers and other built in systems. Have a look at your flashgun and see what it can do.
Next you need to set your light up. Put up the stand, attach the bracket and fit the flash and umbrella. Connect your chosen trigger and test. You should now have a very versatile portable lighting system.
For your first shots make sure the umbrella is set as far away as possible from the flash unit. The farther away the umbrella, the larger the light source, a larger light source means a softer and more natural looking light. Set the power of your flash manually to a quarter or half power and do some test exposures, you'll soon get an idea of the setting you need. Always use a manual setting for this technique, ttl won't work.
Find a willing subject and start experimenting. Move your light around them and see how it affects the mood of the image. Set the flash high up and slightly off center and you'll get a nice soft light. As you move it round to either side of your subject, it will get darker on one side of the face and start to look more moody. Bring the flash closer to the subject and the light gets softer, move it back and you'll get a harder effect.
Try different modifiers, see what you like. You can also use a bare flash, when it's off the camera it's a more useful tool. You can bounce it off a wall, or for a really hard look, point it straight at the subject.
Don't forget to take the ambient light (the light that's already there) into account. You might choose to overpower it with your flash, you might want to balance it out, so you are using both light sources. Flash is very, very fast so the speed setting on your camera will affect only the ambient light, the aperture will affect ambient and flash together. Once you get your head round this you will have a lot more control over combination lighting.
If you enjoy portraiture this is a great way to ensure you have a quality light source available at all times. You can make your shots look like they were taken in a studio or you can give them a really natural look, the possibilities are endless. Get that flash off your camera today!
There are a couple of solutions to this, one is to bounce your flash off a ceiling or nearby wall. The second, which gives more control and is covered in this article, is to get the flashgun off the camera completely.
For an off camera flash kit you'll need five things to get started:
(1) A flashgun with a decent output. Look for the 'Guide Number' (GN) to find out how much power your unit puts out. For example a Nikon SB800 Speedlight has a GN of 56, that's plenty, if it's a higher GN that's even better. You'll probably be able to pick up an older secondhand flashgun of any make for very little money. It doesn't have to be compatible with your camera, you just need to be able to set the output manually.
(2) A light modifier. This can be an umbrella, a small softbox or various other purpose built products. This is used to soften, direct and control the quality of your light. I normally use a 48" umbrella with a detachable silver lining. You can either fire the flash into the umbrella or remove the lining and shoot through it, giving two distinct qualities of light.
(3) A bracket to fix the flashgun and umbrella on to a stand. I've only found one product that is ideal for this: the 'Bogen 2905 Swivel Umbrella Adapter f/Super Clamp' made by Manfrotto. You'll also need one other small adaptor to connect the flashgun to the bracket, available in most camera stores.
(4) A small portable light stand, but big enough not to fall over when you have attached the umbrella.
(5) A means of triggering the flash. This will probably depend on your budget. The cheapest way of doing it is with a cord attached between the PC socket (if you have one) of your camera and the flashgun. Radio triggers are my preferred option, you can get a very cheap set off eBay for about £20.00 or pay a few hundred for a more professional unit. They all work, the cheap ones may need a bit of glue from time to time. They are made up of two or more units, the transmitter goes in the hotshoe of your camera, receivers can be connected to one or more flashes.
You can also use infra red slave triggers and other built in systems. Have a look at your flashgun and see what it can do.
Next you need to set your light up. Put up the stand, attach the bracket and fit the flash and umbrella. Connect your chosen trigger and test. You should now have a very versatile portable lighting system.
For your first shots make sure the umbrella is set as far away as possible from the flash unit. The farther away the umbrella, the larger the light source, a larger light source means a softer and more natural looking light. Set the power of your flash manually to a quarter or half power and do some test exposures, you'll soon get an idea of the setting you need. Always use a manual setting for this technique, ttl won't work.
Find a willing subject and start experimenting. Move your light around them and see how it affects the mood of the image. Set the flash high up and slightly off center and you'll get a nice soft light. As you move it round to either side of your subject, it will get darker on one side of the face and start to look more moody. Bring the flash closer to the subject and the light gets softer, move it back and you'll get a harder effect.
Try different modifiers, see what you like. You can also use a bare flash, when it's off the camera it's a more useful tool. You can bounce it off a wall, or for a really hard look, point it straight at the subject.
Don't forget to take the ambient light (the light that's already there) into account. You might choose to overpower it with your flash, you might want to balance it out, so you are using both light sources. Flash is very, very fast so the speed setting on your camera will affect only the ambient light, the aperture will affect ambient and flash together. Once you get your head round this you will have a lot more control over combination lighting.
If you enjoy portraiture this is a great way to ensure you have a quality light source available at all times. You can make your shots look like they were taken in a studio or you can give them a really natural look, the possibilities are endless. Get that flash off your camera today!
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Trail Cameras With Infrared Sensors
Trail Camera Devices: Trail Cams are designed to use infrared sensors to detect movement and initiate the capturing of an image by a camera. They use a beam to detect the presence of a moving animal. The sensor beam sets off the camera to take a shot and later you retrieve the equipment and you can see just what animals where there and how many of them were there. The technology has improved greatly over the last few years, and in fact to some hunters the hunting has almost become secondary to the photography. The excitement of viewing the images can really make this a fun hobby.
Choosing a trail cam is not as easy as it seems. There are many out there on the market, and which one is right for you will depend on the type of photography you are doing and especially on the location you are using. One piece of advice that is useful to anyone that is intending on taking trail pictures is that you cannot and should not use a conventional camera to do it. They are not designed for it and just will not last or give you the results you want. Save these cameras for your family and your vacation or barbeque and get a dedicated trail camera for the best results.
Features to Look For
Since you are likely to be leaving your trail camera setup out there for a long while without being able to check on it, battery life is a big factor. There are a few things that can improve your battery life; you can hook up a 12 volt battery your setup or you can find a camera with an external battery pack. You will also want to use a camera that has an infrared flash; they use much less power, they will shoot faster and they will not spook the animals that you are trying to capture.
You will want to find a camera that has a suitable amount of definition for your photos. Obviously, the higher resolution cameras will cost more, but the difference is not that much considering the difference in the picture quality. The resolution of a camera is measured in megapixels. If you check your conventional camera it will say how many megapixels it uses. Most of the ones that people carry now are about 6 or 7 megapixels. Only a few years ago 2 or 3 megapixel cameras were the standard. In trail cams, you can now get cameras that take up to 6 or 7 megapixels as well, and when you see the quality of the shots you will probably find that the additional cash outlay was well worth it. The prices go from very cheap up to about $700. Don’t cheap out too much; you often get what you pay for in these cases, and in fact paying a little more is more of a bargain in terms of capability.
If you have not yet added a trail cam to your equipment lineup, consider looking at them. There is a reason that so many hunters use them and have also turned into avid photographers as a result. Take the time to research what will work best for you and ask people that use one already what they like and don’t like about their camera.
Choosing a trail cam is not as easy as it seems. There are many out there on the market, and which one is right for you will depend on the type of photography you are doing and especially on the location you are using. One piece of advice that is useful to anyone that is intending on taking trail pictures is that you cannot and should not use a conventional camera to do it. They are not designed for it and just will not last or give you the results you want. Save these cameras for your family and your vacation or barbeque and get a dedicated trail camera for the best results.
Features to Look For
Since you are likely to be leaving your trail camera setup out there for a long while without being able to check on it, battery life is a big factor. There are a few things that can improve your battery life; you can hook up a 12 volt battery your setup or you can find a camera with an external battery pack. You will also want to use a camera that has an infrared flash; they use much less power, they will shoot faster and they will not spook the animals that you are trying to capture.
You will want to find a camera that has a suitable amount of definition for your photos. Obviously, the higher resolution cameras will cost more, but the difference is not that much considering the difference in the picture quality. The resolution of a camera is measured in megapixels. If you check your conventional camera it will say how many megapixels it uses. Most of the ones that people carry now are about 6 or 7 megapixels. Only a few years ago 2 or 3 megapixel cameras were the standard. In trail cams, you can now get cameras that take up to 6 or 7 megapixels as well, and when you see the quality of the shots you will probably find that the additional cash outlay was well worth it. The prices go from very cheap up to about $700. Don’t cheap out too much; you often get what you pay for in these cases, and in fact paying a little more is more of a bargain in terms of capability.
If you have not yet added a trail cam to your equipment lineup, consider looking at them. There is a reason that so many hunters use them and have also turned into avid photographers as a result. Take the time to research what will work best for you and ask people that use one already what they like and don’t like about their camera.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Choosing a Digital Camera
This article has been put together to help you choose the right digital camera type. Today there are many different types of digital camera's on the market but generally speaking they can be broken down into four distinct categories. The category’s are listed as follows--
Ultra compact digital camera
The ultra compact digital camera style proves to be a very popular choice today as they are small, lightweight, easy to use and nice and convenient to carry. Due to the recent advancements in photographic technology these cameras are now more than capable of taking decent quality images. Choosing a ultra compact digital camera would be likely to cost around £ 80-£180 ($100-$270) depending on the make and required pixel quality. Pixel quality relates to the amount of colored dots, or pixels that are used to make up your digital image. Digital cameras today generally have a range starting at 7 Mega pixels, which is fine for an ultra compact camera, but you can purchase as high as 20 Mega pixels, more suitable to the very high end digital cameras.
Compact digital camera
The next camera category would be the compact camera, which is perhaps the most well known type, and certainly the most popular type of digital camera that is chosen today. These consumer-level digital cameras are as the name suggests compact, easily portable and perfect for standard point-and-shoot type photography. It is common-place to find that these digital camera’s have standard features that include automatic and varying scene picture modes with an option to switch over to semi-automatic or fully manual controls if desired. If you were to choose a digital camera in this bracket expect to pay £100- £300 ($150-$450) depending on the functionality and pixel count.
Advanced digital camera (otherwise known as a Prosumer)
This camera type is also known in the industry as a "Prosumer"" as it sits between the skill level of a professional and consumer level photographer. Often they resemble an SLR type professional camera (see description below). Prosumer cameras have the option to attach (or are supplied with) high quality lenses and include a greater selection of settings enabling improved flexibility with many manual adjustments for both indoor and outdoor lighting conditions. A large selection of add-ons, such as filters are also available. Choosing a digital camera in this bracket is likely to cost between £200-£600 ($310-$900) depending on the type and pixel resolution that is required.
Digital SLR
The top of the camera tree is the Digital SLR camera (DSL R or Digital single lens reflex cameras) which is used by professionals and keen photographers. You will find that Digital SLR's have by far the best quality optics, superior high resolution images and many interchangeable add-on's to help improve the images further or to provide better creativity for art works. DSLR's camera's function automatically but also have a wide range of manual options providing the user with full control of the picture image. If you were to choose a digital SLR camera today, expect to pay around £400-£3,000 ($650-$5000) depending on the quality of the manufacturer and the lenses they supply.
Ultra compact digital camera
The ultra compact digital camera style proves to be a very popular choice today as they are small, lightweight, easy to use and nice and convenient to carry. Due to the recent advancements in photographic technology these cameras are now more than capable of taking decent quality images. Choosing a ultra compact digital camera would be likely to cost around £ 80-£180 ($100-$270) depending on the make and required pixel quality. Pixel quality relates to the amount of colored dots, or pixels that are used to make up your digital image. Digital cameras today generally have a range starting at 7 Mega pixels, which is fine for an ultra compact camera, but you can purchase as high as 20 Mega pixels, more suitable to the very high end digital cameras.
Compact digital camera
The next camera category would be the compact camera, which is perhaps the most well known type, and certainly the most popular type of digital camera that is chosen today. These consumer-level digital cameras are as the name suggests compact, easily portable and perfect for standard point-and-shoot type photography. It is common-place to find that these digital camera’s have standard features that include automatic and varying scene picture modes with an option to switch over to semi-automatic or fully manual controls if desired. If you were to choose a digital camera in this bracket expect to pay £100- £300 ($150-$450) depending on the functionality and pixel count.
Advanced digital camera (otherwise known as a Prosumer)
This camera type is also known in the industry as a "Prosumer"" as it sits between the skill level of a professional and consumer level photographer. Often they resemble an SLR type professional camera (see description below). Prosumer cameras have the option to attach (or are supplied with) high quality lenses and include a greater selection of settings enabling improved flexibility with many manual adjustments for both indoor and outdoor lighting conditions. A large selection of add-ons, such as filters are also available. Choosing a digital camera in this bracket is likely to cost between £200-£600 ($310-$900) depending on the type and pixel resolution that is required.
Digital SLR
The top of the camera tree is the Digital SLR camera (DSL R or Digital single lens reflex cameras) which is used by professionals and keen photographers. You will find that Digital SLR's have by far the best quality optics, superior high resolution images and many interchangeable add-on's to help improve the images further or to provide better creativity for art works. DSLR's camera's function automatically but also have a wide range of manual options providing the user with full control of the picture image. If you were to choose a digital SLR camera today, expect to pay around £400-£3,000 ($650-$5000) depending on the quality of the manufacturer and the lenses they supply.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Getting Together the Right Gear to Become a Digital Professional
If after years of playing around with a camera at birthdays, weddings and bah mitzvahs, you want to become a digital professional then in all probability only two things might be holding you back. The first is the confidence in your talent and ability to capture what no one else sees. The second is having the right equipment and knowing how and when to use it. Since the first is very closely related to the second and can be achieved only with a great deal of practice, let's focus on helping you pick the right gear at the very onset.
Don't Think Expensive, Think Smart
Besides a camera, you should count a tripod and a cable release as essential equipment. Every time you click a photograph, there is bound to be some movement to the camera. To avoid this you can use a tripod, which helps keep the images sharp while cable release allows you to click the photograph without touching the camera.
Now for buying the right camera! The first thing you need to understand while short listing a camera is that when you become a digital professional, you need to be able to shoot at varying times and situations. In order to do this the body of your camera should be light and easy to hold. Though you may be using a tripod often, it is better to be prepared for all eventualities especially the candid ones. Digital cameras are now the mandate of the day and should definitely be your first preference. Check the resolution and the dynamic range, which refer to the number of pixels and the sensitivity to light, respectively. If the camera takes photographs with clarity across the entire image, and captures the light and dark areas without any distortion, then you have a winner.
With cameras you are more likely to get what you pay for. That is if you invest in a high-end camera, you will achieve better results - which is why you need to select a camera as per your subject matter. If you are shooting portraits in a studio then a low-end camera will suffice. For events and shooting at night, a mid range camera is a good option. But if you are shooting fashion, travel and moving objects then a 'top of the line' camera is what you need.
The quality of the photographs you take is directly related to the quality of the lenses you use. Take it for granted that when you become a digital professional, you will be called to use multiple lenses and therefore you should know the pros and cons of each type. Usually the longer the lens, the more likely it is for the picture to be shaky. But you can nullify this problem with a high shutter speed that should always be in direct proportion to the length of the lens. Telephoto lenses are a good option but apart from being costly, they are also heavy and require to be mounted on a tripod. That reduces the convenience and the spontaneity of the photograph. These can however be replaced with the cheaper and more convenient mirror lens, which is just as effective for the amateur photo-enthusiast. However a telephoto lens is a must-have for someone who wants to become a digital professional as the results you get are far superior. Using wide-angle and fisheye lenses also produces interesting results. You can experiment with these for dynamic visual effects.
While short listing the equipment you want to buy, you can also rent some of it from a photography store while you experiment. This helps you cut down on the cost of buying something that you might eventually find ineffective. Tying up with a store that lets you try out their equipment will also keep you informed of the latest technical developments, which will definitely be an added boon. And once you do have all your gear in place and actually become a digital professional, the trick to being successful is to exceed your customers' expectations. By doing this you will not only ensure that they come back for more, but that you stand out as an example in your profession.
Don't Think Expensive, Think Smart
Besides a camera, you should count a tripod and a cable release as essential equipment. Every time you click a photograph, there is bound to be some movement to the camera. To avoid this you can use a tripod, which helps keep the images sharp while cable release allows you to click the photograph without touching the camera.
Now for buying the right camera! The first thing you need to understand while short listing a camera is that when you become a digital professional, you need to be able to shoot at varying times and situations. In order to do this the body of your camera should be light and easy to hold. Though you may be using a tripod often, it is better to be prepared for all eventualities especially the candid ones. Digital cameras are now the mandate of the day and should definitely be your first preference. Check the resolution and the dynamic range, which refer to the number of pixels and the sensitivity to light, respectively. If the camera takes photographs with clarity across the entire image, and captures the light and dark areas without any distortion, then you have a winner.
With cameras you are more likely to get what you pay for. That is if you invest in a high-end camera, you will achieve better results - which is why you need to select a camera as per your subject matter. If you are shooting portraits in a studio then a low-end camera will suffice. For events and shooting at night, a mid range camera is a good option. But if you are shooting fashion, travel and moving objects then a 'top of the line' camera is what you need.
The quality of the photographs you take is directly related to the quality of the lenses you use. Take it for granted that when you become a digital professional, you will be called to use multiple lenses and therefore you should know the pros and cons of each type. Usually the longer the lens, the more likely it is for the picture to be shaky. But you can nullify this problem with a high shutter speed that should always be in direct proportion to the length of the lens. Telephoto lenses are a good option but apart from being costly, they are also heavy and require to be mounted on a tripod. That reduces the convenience and the spontaneity of the photograph. These can however be replaced with the cheaper and more convenient mirror lens, which is just as effective for the amateur photo-enthusiast. However a telephoto lens is a must-have for someone who wants to become a digital professional as the results you get are far superior. Using wide-angle and fisheye lenses also produces interesting results. You can experiment with these for dynamic visual effects.
While short listing the equipment you want to buy, you can also rent some of it from a photography store while you experiment. This helps you cut down on the cost of buying something that you might eventually find ineffective. Tying up with a store that lets you try out their equipment will also keep you informed of the latest technical developments, which will definitely be an added boon. And once you do have all your gear in place and actually become a digital professional, the trick to being successful is to exceed your customers' expectations. By doing this you will not only ensure that they come back for more, but that you stand out as an example in your profession.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
The Basic Functions Of A Digital Camera
Photography can be referred to as a process of creating still or moving pictures by the methods of capturing the live data by observing the radiations and storing it on a sensitive medium such as electromagnetic film or electronic sensors.
The light patterns emitted are obtained in a photographic film activate a chemical or electrical sensor in the storing material. This is usually done through a camera lens which is highly sensitive.
Functions of a camera
The camera is the image forming device. The electronic image sensors or a photographic film is the recording medium. Nowadays digital cameras are also available which have electronic medium as the storing medium.
The basic principle of the camera is that, it controls the amount of light and time of the exposure of the camera to the outer world by using a lens. When there is sufficient light, then we can form an image on a film. This raw image can then be developed to obtain a real time original image.
Movie camera is another type of camera in which the total movements are captured and not only the still. The basic idea behind the movie camera is that the data are captured in a sequence of photographs with no delay in between them. This forms a moving frame which is often captured with the voice.
Controls of a camera
To ensure that we obtain a sharp and clear photograph, we have to make sure that we adjust the camera either manually or automatically. Below are some of the controls and its descriptions.
Focus
Focus is the adjustment that is made to bring the desired area or the desired part to the sharpest point possible. This is usually done manually, but this is also done automatically in some latest digital cameras.
Aperture
Aperture can be referred to as the adjustments of the iris. It is also known as the f number. This number usually controls the amount of light that will pass through the lens. The aperture has also known to have some effect on the focus and the depth of the field.
Shutter speed
The controls over the speed of the shutter with which it closes and opens are called as shutter speed. This is usually in the speeds of milliseconds. This is the time of which the imaging medium and the light are exposed to the storing medium.
White balance
The white balance is a special feature in the digital cameras that is used to ensure that the white light is captured as it was in the real medium so that the colors that are in the imaging area appear naturally.
Metering
Metering is the measurement of the amounts of the exposure of the light. This is done manually so that the bright light areas and the shadow regions are captured according to the photographer's wish.
Auto-focus point
Auto-focus point is an additional feature that is employed in many of the new digital cameras to ensure that the focus is done so that it satisfies the photographer's wish. Nowadays multiple auto focus points in the view finder are also available.
The light patterns emitted are obtained in a photographic film activate a chemical or electrical sensor in the storing material. This is usually done through a camera lens which is highly sensitive.
Functions of a camera
The camera is the image forming device. The electronic image sensors or a photographic film is the recording medium. Nowadays digital cameras are also available which have electronic medium as the storing medium.
The basic principle of the camera is that, it controls the amount of light and time of the exposure of the camera to the outer world by using a lens. When there is sufficient light, then we can form an image on a film. This raw image can then be developed to obtain a real time original image.
Movie camera is another type of camera in which the total movements are captured and not only the still. The basic idea behind the movie camera is that the data are captured in a sequence of photographs with no delay in between them. This forms a moving frame which is often captured with the voice.
Controls of a camera
To ensure that we obtain a sharp and clear photograph, we have to make sure that we adjust the camera either manually or automatically. Below are some of the controls and its descriptions.
Focus
Focus is the adjustment that is made to bring the desired area or the desired part to the sharpest point possible. This is usually done manually, but this is also done automatically in some latest digital cameras.
Aperture
Aperture can be referred to as the adjustments of the iris. It is also known as the f number. This number usually controls the amount of light that will pass through the lens. The aperture has also known to have some effect on the focus and the depth of the field.
Shutter speed
The controls over the speed of the shutter with which it closes and opens are called as shutter speed. This is usually in the speeds of milliseconds. This is the time of which the imaging medium and the light are exposed to the storing medium.
White balance
The white balance is a special feature in the digital cameras that is used to ensure that the white light is captured as it was in the real medium so that the colors that are in the imaging area appear naturally.
Metering
Metering is the measurement of the amounts of the exposure of the light. This is done manually so that the bright light areas and the shadow regions are captured according to the photographer's wish.
Auto-focus point
Auto-focus point is an additional feature that is employed in many of the new digital cameras to ensure that the focus is done so that it satisfies the photographer's wish. Nowadays multiple auto focus points in the view finder are also available.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Spy Cameras Can Be Quite Useful and Often Necessary
When you hear the words spy cameras, you may instantly flash back to thoughts of your childhood and recollections of the comedy series "Get Smart." Spy cameras aren't just talking about nifty gadgets that are hidden in shoes and other inanimate objects around the home or office.
These days, you never can be too careful. The economy has forced people to do desperate things, and many times, these things are downright unlawful. For years, companies have worked to keep their industrial and commercial sites protected. Paying for security guards and off duty police officers to watch over your location can be incredibly expensive and doesn't always yield the results we're hoping for.
There are several kinds of cameras that are available and serve several conditions and purposes. Bullet cameras are one of the easiest types of spy camera to conceal and mount in your store, home or industrial space. These cameras don't require much lighting, they virtually see in the dark. They are perfect for areas such as parking lots or alleyways. They are completely weatherproof, so they're perfect for nearly any location, indoors or out.
There are numerous kinds of spy cameras that are available. You can get one or several and link them together to keep an entire warehouse or complex monitored. Bullet cameras are easy to install and conceal. They are highly visible and require special wiring that leads from the camera to the access point and viewing screen. Many times companies rely more on the presence of these obtrusive cameras as a theft deterrent than the actual cameras, themselves.
Bullet cameras don't require any special lighting and many of them are actually infrared based. These are your eyes that see in the dark. Night vision bullet spy cameras see in the dark and allow you to do so, too. When something is going on at your home or business in the dark, rely on these cameras to let you see what's really happening.
Wireless spy cameras can be set up around the house to keep an eye on kids, the babysitter or the family pets. Many times when there are unexplainable situations occurring, families or business owners will set up wireless spy cameras to keep an eye on things and get some explanations.
Wireless spy cameras include the ever popular teddy bear camera surveillance system. You've probably seen these on TV or the movies. These tiny little recording devices are quickly and easily concealed within an object and broadcasts to a television or recording mechanism.
Some of the most popular wireless spy cameras are teddy bear cameras and cameras that have been placed inside of inanimate objects like smoke detectors or shelf clocks. With all of this wireless technology, it's very easy to keep an eye on your belongings and loved ones at all times. If you need to make sure your employees are doing everything above the board, purchase a spy camera and keep an eye on things.
These days, you never can be too careful. The economy has forced people to do desperate things, and many times, these things are downright unlawful. For years, companies have worked to keep their industrial and commercial sites protected. Paying for security guards and off duty police officers to watch over your location can be incredibly expensive and doesn't always yield the results we're hoping for.
There are several kinds of cameras that are available and serve several conditions and purposes. Bullet cameras are one of the easiest types of spy camera to conceal and mount in your store, home or industrial space. These cameras don't require much lighting, they virtually see in the dark. They are perfect for areas such as parking lots or alleyways. They are completely weatherproof, so they're perfect for nearly any location, indoors or out.
There are numerous kinds of spy cameras that are available. You can get one or several and link them together to keep an entire warehouse or complex monitored. Bullet cameras are easy to install and conceal. They are highly visible and require special wiring that leads from the camera to the access point and viewing screen. Many times companies rely more on the presence of these obtrusive cameras as a theft deterrent than the actual cameras, themselves.
Bullet cameras don't require any special lighting and many of them are actually infrared based. These are your eyes that see in the dark. Night vision bullet spy cameras see in the dark and allow you to do so, too. When something is going on at your home or business in the dark, rely on these cameras to let you see what's really happening.
Wireless spy cameras can be set up around the house to keep an eye on kids, the babysitter or the family pets. Many times when there are unexplainable situations occurring, families or business owners will set up wireless spy cameras to keep an eye on things and get some explanations.
Wireless spy cameras include the ever popular teddy bear camera surveillance system. You've probably seen these on TV or the movies. These tiny little recording devices are quickly and easily concealed within an object and broadcasts to a television or recording mechanism.
Some of the most popular wireless spy cameras are teddy bear cameras and cameras that have been placed inside of inanimate objects like smoke detectors or shelf clocks. With all of this wireless technology, it's very easy to keep an eye on your belongings and loved ones at all times. If you need to make sure your employees are doing everything above the board, purchase a spy camera and keep an eye on things.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Extraordinary Mini Digital Cameras
Digital cameras are becoming more popular in the fast growing era of technology. Mini digital cameras are the hippest on today’s market. Extraordinary designs and sizes offer great features like their old and large sized units.
A digital camera is a device used to take photographs and videos. It can display and store thousands of images to capture great moments. Even the smallest sized ones are loaded with excellent features. Most manufacturers tend to make extraordinary designs for a more trendy and convenient look.
The first digital consumer-level cameras via serial cable had a number of models from different brands. There was the Apple QuickTake 100 camera produced in 1994. Kodak and Casio also released their own models in 1995. Sony's Cyber-Shot came out the following year. More designs are yet to be introduced in the market in the following years. Here are some of the popular mini digital cameras nowadays:
Vivitar 3-in1 Mini Digital Camera
Vivitar 3-in-1 is a small keychain digital camera. It comes in pink, blue, white and silver. This plastic camera measures about 2½ L x ¾ W x 1¾ H inches.
It has a capacity of 16MB and has 3 functional features of a still camera, video camera and a webcam. The still camera can store up to 243 images and it can capture several actions with its video function. The webcam can directly connect to a PC, where in, you can edit shots with its software disc. It also features a silver snap button, LCD screen, USB port and a belt loop for the case.
Vivitar 3 in 1 digital camera includes 1 AAA battery, Key ring, Carrying case, USB cable with a bonus key ring flashlight.
Casio Wrist Camera
Casio Wrist Camera combines the standard features of a watch and a camera. It can be used as a stopwatch, timer, monthly calendar and alarms with a 12 or 24 hour display. This full color camera has a memory capacity of 1 MB. It can capture 1,000 QCIF resolution images.
It features an LCD color viewfinder, 2 to 10 second timer delay and a 2x zoom. You can organize pictures into a database and adjust light settings. The camera uses a CR-2032 3V lithium ion battery that can last for 6 months.
It is very easy to setup the computer with the use of the serial/USB wireless infrared interface. This will transfer images from your camera to the computer. Photo editing can be done by the use of software called Ulead PhotoExplorer 7.0 Lite. It can be purchased at $199.
Bushnell Trail Scout 2.1 MP Digital Camera
Bushnell Trail Scout 2.1 is a new advancement in scouting technology. It can record images and movies onto its 32 MB SD card. Bushnell Trail Scout comes in a rugged design, complete with locks and a tree bracket. It can be used day or night with a software password in its built in security system.
This user-friendly device can record still images and 15 second movie clips. It has a positive toggle system for specific camera settings. The image sensor has a ½ inch CMOS with 1.2 million pixels. It also includes a laser pointer, remote control, LED and incandescent flash that can reach up to 30 feet during nighttime image capturing. This mini camera can be bought at $199.95.
Aiptek Mini PenCam
Aiptek digital camera looks similar to a fat cigarette lighter. It measures 1.3 by 1.2 by 3.5 inches. This tiny camera features a 1.3 megapixel resolution that prints high quality photos. Lens settings can be set manually from infinity to close-up shots.
This camera has a 16MB memory capacity that can shoot 40 to 60 stills in a 640-by-480 resolution. It can record in 30 to 120 seconds of 10 fps videos at 640-by-480 resolution. Aiptek doubles as a USB webcam that uses 2 triple-A batteries. It can be purchased for only $100.
A digital camera is a device used to take photographs and videos. It can display and store thousands of images to capture great moments. Even the smallest sized ones are loaded with excellent features. Most manufacturers tend to make extraordinary designs for a more trendy and convenient look.
The first digital consumer-level cameras via serial cable had a number of models from different brands. There was the Apple QuickTake 100 camera produced in 1994. Kodak and Casio also released their own models in 1995. Sony's Cyber-Shot came out the following year. More designs are yet to be introduced in the market in the following years. Here are some of the popular mini digital cameras nowadays:
Vivitar 3-in1 Mini Digital Camera
Vivitar 3-in-1 is a small keychain digital camera. It comes in pink, blue, white and silver. This plastic camera measures about 2½ L x ¾ W x 1¾ H inches.
It has a capacity of 16MB and has 3 functional features of a still camera, video camera and a webcam. The still camera can store up to 243 images and it can capture several actions with its video function. The webcam can directly connect to a PC, where in, you can edit shots with its software disc. It also features a silver snap button, LCD screen, USB port and a belt loop for the case.
Vivitar 3 in 1 digital camera includes 1 AAA battery, Key ring, Carrying case, USB cable with a bonus key ring flashlight.
Casio Wrist Camera
Casio Wrist Camera combines the standard features of a watch and a camera. It can be used as a stopwatch, timer, monthly calendar and alarms with a 12 or 24 hour display. This full color camera has a memory capacity of 1 MB. It can capture 1,000 QCIF resolution images.
It features an LCD color viewfinder, 2 to 10 second timer delay and a 2x zoom. You can organize pictures into a database and adjust light settings. The camera uses a CR-2032 3V lithium ion battery that can last for 6 months.
It is very easy to setup the computer with the use of the serial/USB wireless infrared interface. This will transfer images from your camera to the computer. Photo editing can be done by the use of software called Ulead PhotoExplorer 7.0 Lite. It can be purchased at $199.
Bushnell Trail Scout 2.1 MP Digital Camera
Bushnell Trail Scout 2.1 is a new advancement in scouting technology. It can record images and movies onto its 32 MB SD card. Bushnell Trail Scout comes in a rugged design, complete with locks and a tree bracket. It can be used day or night with a software password in its built in security system.
This user-friendly device can record still images and 15 second movie clips. It has a positive toggle system for specific camera settings. The image sensor has a ½ inch CMOS with 1.2 million pixels. It also includes a laser pointer, remote control, LED and incandescent flash that can reach up to 30 feet during nighttime image capturing. This mini camera can be bought at $199.95.
Aiptek Mini PenCam
Aiptek digital camera looks similar to a fat cigarette lighter. It measures 1.3 by 1.2 by 3.5 inches. This tiny camera features a 1.3 megapixel resolution that prints high quality photos. Lens settings can be set manually from infinity to close-up shots.
This camera has a 16MB memory capacity that can shoot 40 to 60 stills in a 640-by-480 resolution. It can record in 30 to 120 seconds of 10 fps videos at 640-by-480 resolution. Aiptek doubles as a USB webcam that uses 2 triple-A batteries. It can be purchased for only $100.
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