2. Do I really want a digital video camera that is also a digital still camera (combo
camera)?
3. Do I want to upgrade my mobile phone to one that has a built in camera?
4. Do I want to upgrade my mobile phone to a PDA Handheld that also has a built in phone and camera?
Major Considerations
The picture quality of combo cameras, mobile phone cameras or PDA cameras is very poor in comparison to a
stand alone camera (6MP for an average camera vs 2MP for an average video camera). If you just want to take small family shots that
look good or average then a camera phone, combo camera or PDA camera will do the job.
If something goes wrong with a combo camera then you are without a digital still camera and a video
camera while it gets repaired. Because two functions have been squashed into one machine a lot of features
are left out.
If you only intend using a camera in holiday breaks or only 2 or 3 times a year it might be more cost effective to buy a
disposable camera.
5. How close do I want to get to the subject (optical zoom)?
2X to 3X zoom - family shots.
5X to 7X zoom - scenery shots.
7X+ zoom - wildlife, sporting events, surfing pictures etc
where you are not physically close to the subject.
6. Do I need a camera with Optical Zoom or Digital Zoom?
Optical zoom is controlled by the optics of the lens in the camera. Digital zoom simulates optical
zoom by cropping the area you wish to zoom into and digitally enlarging it to its original size. This affects the image quality and can make
the image seem blurred. Digital zoom can also be done with aftermarket image editing software like Photoshop. If you perform digital zoom
with aftermarket software you can always reverse your changes. If you perform digital zoom with a camera then the image quality is
irreversibly lost.
Choose a camera that warns you that you are about to use digital zoom.
If you rarely print past 4*6 inch photos then digital zoom probably wont affect image
quality.
When comparing cameras always compare with optical zoom, not optical zoom and digital zoom, as
digital zoom affects image quality.
The resolution (or MP count) of the final image does not change no matter how much you zoom in. For example, if you have a 6MP
camera with a focal length of 30 to 360mm, then at 30mm focal length the resolution is 6MP, and at a 360mm focal length the
resolution is still 6MP.
7.How much quality or how big do I want my photos (Mega Pixel count)?
3 to 4MP is good for family photos.
4 to 20MP is good for big photos larger than 8x10 inches.
20+MP for posters or magazine spreads.
For a 3 to 5 MP camera use only one 256 MB memory card to store photos / video.
For a 5+MP camera use 512MB or 1GB memory cards to store photos / video.
Seven Questions to Ask Before Buying A Digital Camera
