Digital Cameras - Patrick Martin · Digital Cameras Understanding the buzz words Choosing the right...
Transcript of Digital Cameras - Patrick Martin · Digital Cameras Understanding the buzz words Choosing the right...
Digital CamerasUnderstanding the buzz words
Choosing the right one
Patrick MartinAttorney at Law
2315 Daggett Ave.Baton Rouge, LA 70808www.PatrickMartin.com
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 – 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– 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/