Digital CamerasUnderstanding the buzz words

Choosing the right one

Patrick MartinAttorney at Law

2315 Daggett Ave.Baton Rouge, LA 70808www.PatrickMartin.com

Overview

• Resolution• Memory• Batteries• Camera Features

Resolution

• Pixels?• Megapixels?• How many do you need?

Resolution - Pixels

• Pixels– PIcture

ELements– A colored dot– 3 numbers for

each pixel• RED• GREEN• BLUE

– Value between 0 – 255 for each color

R-255

G-0

B-0

R-0

G-0

B-255

R-0

G-255

B-0

R-0

G-0

B-0 R-255

G-255

B-255

Resolution - Megapixels

• Megapixels– 1 million pixels in a megapixel– Width x Height

1.2 Megapixels 3.14 Megapixels 6.29 Megapixels960 x 1280 pixels 1536 x 2048 pixels 2048 x 3072 pixels

Resolution – How Many?

• Bigger = Better?– Not Necessarily

• 2 Megapixels – Minimum• 3 Megapixels – All You Need• 6 Megapixels – Excellent• 8+ Megapixels – Overkill

Resolution - Comparison

1.2 Megapixels

3.14 Megapixels

6.29 Megapixels

Resolution – Conclusion

• 2 Megapixels is adequate• 3 Megapixels is all you need• 6+ Megapixels is overkill

Memory

• In-Camera Memory– Uncommon today– Usually seen in webcams

that can be unplugged from computer

• Flash Memory Cards

• How Much Do You Need?

Memory – Cards

• 5 Main Types1. Compact Flash2. MemoryStick Pro3. SD/MMC

(Secure Digital / MultiMedia Card)

4. xD Picture Cards5. Smart Media

Memory – Compact Flash

• Max. Capacity– 8 GB– 6,826 pictures

(3 Megapixels)

• Pros– Large

Capacity– Solid– Fast

• Cons– Big– Mostly just in

digital cameras

Memory – MemoryStick Pro

• Max. Capacity– 1 GB– 853 pictures

(3 Megapixels)

• Pros– Smaller size– All Sony products

• Cons– Sony only– Smaller capacity– Max 128 MB

capacity on original MemorySticks

Memory – SD/MMC

• Max. Capacity– 1 GB– 853 pictures

(3 Megapixels)• Pros

– Smaller size– Used in PDAs, MP3

players• Cons

– Smaller capacity– Slower– Not all cameras

treat 2 types as interchangeable

– Includes DRM/CRM components

Memory – xD

• Max. Capacity– 512 MB– 426 pictures

(3 Megapixels)

• Pros– Smaller size– Replaced

SmartMedia• Cons

– Smaller capacity– More Expensive– Mostly Fuji &

Olympus

Memory – How Much?How many pictures will you need to take before you get back to your computer?

Card SizeNumber of3 MP pictures

64 MB 58

128 MB 116

256 MB 232

512 MB 464

1 GB 928

Memory – Conclusion

• Compact Flash– Big Size, Big Capacity– $37.54

• MemoryStick– Only Sony, Moderate Capacity– $40.02

• SD/MMC– Smaller, Moderate Capacity– $39.99

• xD– Small Size, Small Capacity– $52.99

•Prices are for 128MB Lexar card (xD is Sandisk) from Buy.com on 6/27/04

Batteries

• Standard– AA, AAA, etc.– Can be rechargeable or not– Cheaper, more convenient,

but not as powerful

• Proprietary– No standards– Every brand is different– All are rechargeable– More powerful, but more

expensive and not as convenient

Camera Features

• Zoom– Optical versus Digital

• Viewfinder– Optical versus Electronic

• File Types– RAW versus TIFF versus JPG

• Controls– Automatic or Manual

• Connection to Computer– Direct or Card Reader

Features – Zoom

• Optical– Real

magnification– Much better

• Digital– Not so good– Same as

cropping picture later

Features – Viewfinder

• Optical– SLRs, Point & Shoots

• Electronic (EVF)– Camcorders, some

digital cameras• Swivel

– Sony F828, F717– Nikon 990, 995, 4500

Features – File Types

• RAW– Most basic– Proprietary format– Only needed by real

enthusiasts• TIFF

– Large file size– Only needed by perfectionists

• JPG– Compressed, so smaller file size– Options for amount of compression– Use best compression (Fine instead of

Normal or Basic)

Features – Controls

• Automatic– Just point and shoot– Adequate results almost

every time

• Manual– Allows knowledgeable

photographers more control– Settings changed through

buttons and knobs are easier to make

– Settings changed through menus are more difficult to make

Features – Connection

• Directly to computer• Directly to printer• Card reader• Connection

Type

Features – Connection

• Directly to computer– Docking port or cable– Easy to use– Don’t have to remove

memory card– May lose special cable

Kodak Easyshare DX4530

Features – Connection

Wal-Mart

• Directly to Printer– Docking port– Cable from camera to printer– Printer with built-in card reader

Canon Card Photo Printer CP200

Canon S820DKodak EasyShareDock 4000

Features – Connection

• Card Reader– Most flexible– Ideal if 2 or more

different cameras in house

– Better if need to recover lost pictures

– Single card type or multiple card type

Features – Connection

• Connection Type• USB 1.1

– Most universal, slowest• USB 2.0

– Faster, compatible with 1.1• Firewire

– Mostly Sony, Macs, & camcorders

• PC Card (PCMCIA)– Laptops, mostly

• Internal

Features – Connection Conclusion

• Entirely Personal Choice– Ease of use– Power and flexibility– Compatible

components

On-line Resources

DPReview.com•• Steves-Digicams.com• ImagingResource.com• Photo-i.co.uk• PatrickMartin.com/cameras• www.photo.net/digital/

cameras/basics/

The End