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Rameshjeee · 11-07-08, 01:05 PM

Buying guide to cameras

Wanting to buy a camera for long? Bamboozled by the cameras around you? However, not sure how to go about hunting, what to look for? What features and how many megapixels?

You need some help in choosing your perfect one. Take a shot...

Does brand matter?
With digital cameras, it does. The overall quality of the image depends mainly on three things; quality of lens, quality & size of image sensor and image processing circuitry.

Stick to better known brands only; preferably Canon & Nikon. Both these companies do only imaging and they’re good at it too!

Megapixels
Millions of dollars spent by companies on advertising the ‘megapixel myth’ have brainwashed many. The fact is megapixels have nothing to do with image quality. Cramming more megapixels into a smaller image sensor can even lead to reduced picture quality.

Check out features
Before buying, check out the optical zoom (more the better), LCD (size, quality), optical viewfinder (useful to frame photos in bright sunlight) and video recording (should be at least VGA quality @ 30 fps).

Also take note of the battery type, accessories (lens, flash, remote), optical viewfinder and manual modes. Some smaller cameras have really tiny and hard-to-use buttons; see if the camera fits your hand before you buy.

Cameras with touchscreen LCDs reduce the number of buttons, but attract a lot of fingerprints. Also check if the responsiveness of the screen is good enough for you.

Battery life and type
Rechargeable batteries are convenient, but offer no means of recharging while on the move. If you’re worried about running out of power while travelling, you can go for a camera that uses standard AA size batteries.

Use high-power Ni-MH batteries, but in a pinch, you can also switch to alkaline batteries.

Prosumer cameras
Prosumer refers to a class of camera that is intermediate between basic point-and-shoot and digital SLRs. They offer features suited to the more advanced user like full manual control, high optical zoom, image stabilisation (usually), high quality video and ability to attach an external flash.

But they are also usually more expensive and larger than their basic counterparts.

Jargon buster
CCD/CMOS (charge coupled device/complementary metal oxide semiconductor): The type of image sensor used in a digital camera.

Digital zoom: This type of zoom digitally enlarges a portion of the image to make it appear bigger/closer.

Image stabiliser: A technology/mechanism by which camera shake is automatically countered (to a certain degree). It can be electronic or optical. Electronic is cheaper, not as effective.

ISO/ASA (Industry Standards Organization or American Standards Association): Denotes sensitivity to light, assigned to a number. Higher ISO/ASA means greater sensitivity and vice versa. It can help reduce camera shake, and can also lead to increased image noise.

Optical zoom: Refers to the use of movable lens elements to bring an object closer. Look for optical zoom figure, not the digital zoom.

just4kix · 11-07-08, 01:10 PM

Congrats Ramesh on another excellent article.

smoothvibes · 11-07-08, 06:31 PM

good one ramesh jee you are an asset

i have Canon PowerShot A540 which i bought from New York 2 years back and its still working great

Mr.Tooth Fairy · 11-07-08, 09:38 PM

i am planning to buy sony touch screen 10 mpx.. model is Cybershot DSC-N2.... guys any reviews?

Rameshjeee · 11-07-08, 09:57 PM

I have Canon Powershot A560. Bought from LA.I bought the camera, 2GB card, Sony rechargeable batteries & a canon pouch,all for around $ 175.As I bought it on July 4th,2007..I got this deal.

Punch Farce · 11-07-08, 10:15 PM

Good article Ramesh.

I still love my film cameras ;-) Digital is convenient but I
need to step up to serious DSLR range ($2000+) to match
the film cameras I have.

-F

p.s This is not a film vs. digital debate, I have both. I use the
digital for snapshots, parties etc. but when you have a sunset that
needs a wide angle 21mm lens out comes my Contax G2 ;-)

11-07-08, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by farce

Good article Ramesh.

I still love my film cameras ;-) Digital is convenient but I
need to step up to serious DSLR range ($2000+) to match
the film cameras I have.

-F

p.s This is not a film vs. digital debate, I have both. I use the
digital for snapshots, parties etc. but when you have a sunset that
needs a wide angle 21mm lens out comes my Contax G2 ;-)

If you r into photography then G2 is good for u ......

But for casual users ... i still think DigiCam is so much more handier [

i saw ur PS ]

Yes Pls Ramesh .... all i can tell u is that i cant repo u anymore

smoothvibes · 11-09-08, 01:06 AM

Doc touch screen is not a good idea coz it needs a lot of money to maintain and stuff like care and all, i think normal one is still better option and you can get lot many good makes in that

Mr.Tooth Fairy · 11-09-08, 01:31 AM

hmmm smoothie.. i dint understand to what context u r talking... " it needs a lot of money to maintain" ??????? i agree.. touch screen basically its not tht proper .. as like touch senser screen obviously prone for scratches. and once fallen from hand.. or slipped... woope.... touch screen replacement will cause me much money to repair it.. but like i need it for my dad also.. so like he says he cant handle lot many buttons and all.. touch screen he found relatively simpler... as less buttons..

smoothvibes · 11-09-08, 02:01 AM

i mean touch screen is more difficult to handle and if you want to gift it to your dad then the better idea is to go for canon or sony as they got lot many userfriendly and good cams

touch screen is something which i really don't like yaar... matlab danddi wala camera

Mr.Tooth Fairy · 11-09-08, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoothvibes

i mean touch screen is more difficult to handle and if you want to gift it to your dad then the better idea is to go for canon or sony as they got lot many userfriendly and good cams

touch screen is something which i really don't like yaar... matlab danddi wala camera

lol...thanks for the advice..

dandi wala camera.. but like my uncle owns same sony model which earlier i showed.. touch screen.. i have never seen him holding danddi.. just cam.. uses finger..

thanks for the advice.. i will look for sony slim cam .. (i dont know model no.) no danddi wala camera..

smoothvibes · 11-09-08, 02:50 AM

haan fir theek hai...

still you can wait for others to post, i am sure you will get some more ideas for same

Punch Farce · 11-09-08, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShAdOwCoN

If you r into photography then G2 is good for u ......

But for casual users ... i still think DigiCam is so much more handier [

i saw ur PS ]

Yes Pls Ramesh .... all i can tell u is that i cant repo u anymore

I guess I went a bit over the top ;-) I am into photo gear seriously ;-)

-F

icrave4knowledge · 11-09-08, 02:32 PM

Nice read Ramesh. i had been hunting for this info.

u get a repo for that!

smoothvibes · 11-09-08, 02:39 PM

and what about my repo

icrave4knowledge · 11-09-08, 02:50 PM

i had already given you and i "need to spread some repo around before giving it to smoothvibes"

smoothvibes · 11-09-08, 02:53 PM

ohhh

BTW: any comments for my cam

Archer · 11-09-08, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoothvibes

ohhh

BTW: any comments for my cam

No comments. Until you show the photos you took with the Cam.

itsmemad · 11-09-08, 05:34 PM

Nice information Ramesh... Herez some more which complements the topic... http://www.indiabroadband.net/home-a...html#post50721 (The Specsploitation Game and How to Beat It)

Evander Leopold · 11-12-08, 12:30 AM

nice thread and info. thanks yall.

11-07-08, 01:05 PM	#1
Rameshjeee Aadhavan is Coming Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Leaving Chennai Age: 26 Posts: 3,075 Rep Power: 10	Buying guide to cameras Buying guide to cameras Wanting to buy a camera for long? Bamboozled by the cameras around you? However, not sure how to go about hunting, what to look for? What features and how many megapixels? You need some help in choosing your perfect one. Take a shot... Does brand matter? With digital cameras, it does. The overall quality of the image depends mainly on three things; quality of lens, quality & size of image sensor and image processing circuitry. Stick to better known brands only; preferably Canon & Nikon. Both these companies do only imaging and they’re good at it too! Megapixels Millions of dollars spent by companies on advertising the ‘megapixel myth’ have brainwashed many. The fact is megapixels have nothing to do with image quality. Cramming more megapixels into a smaller image sensor can even lead to reduced picture quality. Check out features Before buying, check out the optical zoom (more the better), LCD (size, quality), optical viewfinder (useful to frame photos in bright sunlight) and video recording (should be at least VGA quality @ 30 fps). Also take note of the battery type, accessories (lens, flash, remote), optical viewfinder and manual modes. Some smaller cameras have really tiny and hard-to-use buttons; see if the camera fits your hand before you buy. Cameras with touchscreen LCDs reduce the number of buttons, but attract a lot of fingerprints. Also check if the responsiveness of the screen is good enough for you. Battery life and type Rechargeable batteries are convenient, but offer no means of recharging while on the move. If you’re worried about running out of power while travelling, you can go for a camera that uses standard AA size batteries. Use high-power Ni-MH batteries, but in a pinch, you can also switch to alkaline batteries. Prosumer cameras Prosumer refers to a class of camera that is intermediate between basic point-and-shoot and digital SLRs. They offer features suited to the more advanced user like full manual control, high optical zoom, image stabilisation (usually), high quality video and ability to attach an external flash. But they are also usually more expensive and larger than their basic counterparts. Jargon buster CCD/CMOS (charge coupled device/complementary metal oxide semiconductor): The type of image sensor used in a digital camera. Digital zoom: This type of zoom digitally enlarges a portion of the image to make it appear bigger/closer. Image stabiliser: A technology/mechanism by which camera shake is automatically countered (to a certain degree). It can be electronic or optical. Electronic is cheaper, not as effective. ISO/ASA (Industry Standards Organization or American Standards Association): Denotes sensitivity to light, assigned to a number. Higher ISO/ASA means greater sensitivity and vice versa. It can help reduce camera shake, and can also lead to increased image noise. Optical zoom: Refers to the use of movable lens elements to bring an object closer. Look for optical zoom figure, not the digital zoom.

11-07-08, 09:57 PM	#5
Rameshjeee Aadhavan is Coming Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Leaving Chennai Age: 26 Posts: 3,075 Rep Power: 10	I have Canon Powershot A560. Bought from LA.I bought the camera, 2GB card, Sony rechargeable batteries & a canon pouch,all for around $ 175.As I bought it on July 4th,2007..I got this deal. Last edited by Rameshjeee; 11-07-08 at 09:58 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

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11-07-08, 01:10 PM	#2
just4kix Platinum Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 8,899 Blog Entries: 6 Rep Power: 19	Congrats Ramesh on another excellent article.

11-07-08, 06:31 PM	#3
smoothvibes Aditya Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: New Delhi/ London Posts: 4,914 Rep Power: 11	good one ramesh jee you are an asset i have Canon PowerShot A540 which i bought from New York 2 years back and its still working great

11-07-08, 09:38 PM	#4
Mr.Tooth Fairy Platinum Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: oral cavity:D Posts: 1,546 Rep Power: 5	i am planning to buy sony touch screen 10 mpx.. model is Cybershot DSC-N2.... guys any reviews?

11-07-08, 10:15 PM	#6
Punch Farce Platinum Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 3,140 Rep Power: 10	Good article Ramesh. I still love my film cameras ;-) Digital is convenient but I need to step up to serious DSLR range ($2000+) to match the film cameras I have. -F p.s This is not a film vs. digital debate, I have both. I use the digital for snapshots, parties etc. but when you have a sunset that needs a wide angle 21mm lens out comes my Contax G2 ;-)

11-09-08, 01:06 AM	#8
smoothvibes Aditya Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: New Delhi/ London Posts: 4,914 Rep Power: 11	Doc touch screen is not a good idea coz it needs a lot of money to maintain and stuff like care and all, i think normal one is still better option and you can get lot many good makes in that

11-09-08, 01:31 AM	#9
Mr.Tooth Fairy Platinum Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: oral cavity:D Posts: 1,546 Rep Power: 5	hmmm smoothie.. i dint understand to what context u r talking... " it needs a lot of money to maintain" ??????? i agree.. touch screen basically its not tht proper .. as like touch senser screen obviously prone for scratches. and once fallen from hand.. or slipped... woope.... touch screen replacement will cause me much money to repair it.. but like i need it for my dad also.. so like he says he cant handle lot many buttons and all.. touch screen he found relatively simpler... as less buttons..

11-09-08, 02:01 AM	#10
smoothvibes Aditya Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: New Delhi/ London Posts: 4,914 Rep Power: 11	i mean touch screen is more difficult to handle and if you want to gift it to your dad then the better idea is to go for canon or sony as they got lot many userfriendly and good cams touch screen is something which i really don't like yaar... matlab danddi wala camera

11-09-08, 02:50 AM	#12
smoothvibes Aditya Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: New Delhi/ London Posts: 4,914 Rep Power: 11	haan fir theek hai... still you can wait for others to post, i am sure you will get some more ideas for same

11-09-08, 02:32 PM	#14
icrave4knowledge Silver Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: mostly lost, when not m in delhi and gurgaon Posts: 239 Rep Power: 2	Nice read Ramesh. i had been hunting for this info. u get a repo for that!

11-09-08, 02:39 PM	#15
smoothvibes Aditya Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: New Delhi/ London Posts: 4,914 Rep Power: 11	and what about my repo

11-09-08, 02:50 PM	#16
icrave4knowledge Silver Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: mostly lost, when not m in delhi and gurgaon Posts: 239 Rep Power: 2	i had already given you and i "need to spread some repo around before giving it to smoothvibes"

11-09-08, 02:53 PM	#17
smoothvibes Aditya Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: New Delhi/ London Posts: 4,914 Rep Power: 11	ohhh BTW: any comments for my cam

11-09-08, 05:34 PM	#19
itsmemad Alligator Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Pleasure drome Posts: 3,514 Rep Power: 10	Nice information Ramesh... Herez some more which complements the topic... http://www.indiabroadband.net/home-a...html#post50721 (The Specsploitation Game and How to Beat It)

11-12-08, 12:30 AM	#20
Evander Leopold Platinum Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,670 Rep Power: 3	nice thread and info. thanks yall.

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Buying guide to cameras

Buying guide to cameras

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