Digital camera help

[Corsair 115]

Hi all,

This is not strictly a computer question, but I hope folks here will be able to help. My dad is interested in picking up a digital camera, but doesn't know anything about their particulars or the terminology involved.

I wanted to ask if anyone here knows a good web site which introduces and describes the various terms used with digital cameras so that it gets a beginner up to speed, and if anyone can recommend a good web site which reviews different digital camera makes and models.

Thanks! :)

[TheDoLittle]

Though I detest the layout, here's a nice place to start: http://www.digitalcamerabasics.com/

This is also a nice little resource, but they haven't updated the site in a few years:
http://staff.howard.k12.md.us/~gwynethj/envirohealth03/dc101.html

There's also a few really nice books available.
The Digital Photography Book (http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9780321474049&itm=1)
Understanding Digital Photography (http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9780817437961&itm=9)
The A-Z of Creative Photography: Over 70 Techniques Explained in Full (http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?ean=9780817433130&pwb=1&z=y)

A lot of the books will talk about using an imaging program, most likely Photoshop, but he can easily do any post processing with much cheaper (and free!) programs. If and when your father gets into more advanced digital photography, I recommend this book (http://www.scottkelbybooks.com/product/adobe-photoshop-lightroom-book-for-digital-photographers/). Though geared around Photoshop Lightroom, there are quite few techniques that translate well into other programs.

[Amapola]

This guy does great reviews of digital cameras: Steve's Digital Cameras. (http://www.steves-digicams.com/) The reviews are very thorough and include pictures taken with that particular camera. He has them grouped various ways, according to cost and so on.

[Gord_in_Toronto]

Consumer Reports regularly tests and reports on digital cameras. Check your local library.

I just went though the selection process myself. Sorry, I didn't bookmark the websites. I think dcs are all pretty much the same today. One thing to watch for is the shutter delay -- how long it takes for the camera to actually take a picture after you press the shutter. My previous camera (about three years old) had so long a delay that it was difficult, if not impossible, to take pictures of anything but stationary targets.

[Here_to_learn]

Another review site I can recommend is Digital Photography Review (http://www.dpreview.com/).

[this charming man]

If he knows how to use a film SLR camera, he should be able to easily pick up a digital SLR. They work the same way except for the film/digital part.

[Reality Believer]

Ken Rockwell has some good tips for novices and experts as well:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/

[Rrose Selavy]

This guy does great reviews of digital cameras: Steve's Digital Cameras. (http://www.steves-digicams.com/) The reviews are very thorough and include pictures taken with that particular camera. He has them grouped various ways, according to cost and so on.

Yep - I second that - excellent site.

-

[Malamule]

Digital Photography Review is a fantastic site.

The criteria for purchasing a camera vary person to person, what are the key issues? Size, Point and shoot, cost, image quality, the ability to produce larger than 4x6 or 8x10?

I personally own an Olypmus D600l(9 years old, obsolete), a Dimage F200(don't use it any longer), a Konica Minolta Z6(my July 07 Paris trip ), a Panasonic FZ50(Just bought it), A Canon SD800(in Shirt pocket when carrying bigger camera isn't appropriate) and a Canon Digital Rebel with various lenses when I'm being more serious.

Mega-pixels isn't everything. Cramming 10+ mega pixels on a tiny point and shoot Sensor can actually yield images that aren't as good overall as say an 8/6mp, they will just print print larger. For this reason, I bought the Canon SD800 at 8.1mega pixels vs the SD900 at 10.0mp. If the SD900 took better pictures, the extra 40 bucks or so is trivial to me and I would have purchased it.

If you want an almost Digital SLR camera, I can highly endorse the Panasonic FZ50. It's a fantastic camera with a very long reach and takes SLR like photos. It's also about $500 bucks. There are a couple Fuji/Sony cameras in the same price range that take pictures of similar quality but I don't have personal experience with them.

If you want a good Point and Shoot, the Canon SD800 is a good one. I have a panasonic FX-01 at work and it's pretty good too. It got dropped and the screen cracked, apparently a problem in the FX line so I'd stay away unless it's a real bargain.

It really boils down to size/cost and image quality.
Here's one I took of the Seine near Notre Dame a couple weeks ago with my Konica Minolta Z6 and a Circular Polarizer(gives the sky a neat look).
geocities.com/malbor2/pictures/pict0248.jpg

The Z6 isn't a small camera, but it's smaller than a DSLR which is why I carried it and will carry the FZ50 for Vacations. DSLRs and lenses get heavy.

Good luck

[Corsair 115]

Thanks for the replies everyone! :)

[SezMe]

Really helpful thread...thanks Corsair 115 for starting it. I was just about to create a new thread when I found this one because I have just decided to buy into the digital camera arena.

[AgeGap]

Go to the bottom of this page and it has links to camera reviews
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_camera

[Walk The Line]

Ken Rockwell has some good tips for novices and experts as well:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/

I just checked this site out, this guy really knows his stuff!

[Gord_in_Toronto]

I just checked this site out, this guy really knows his stuff!

Yup. His site was the final reason I bought my Nkon DXi rather than the equivalent Canon. Plus his DX guide has more information than I can assimilate. :D

[Reality Believer]

I just checked this site out, this guy really knows his stuff!

Yep, he has a very accessible writing style that separates the mumbo, from the jumbo in the photography lexicon. I bought a Nikon D70 based on his review. Am thrilled with the camera.

[Corpse Cruncher]

I have an Olympus digital SLR, what I liked was the kit it came with. 2 lens for starters. Most DSLR's are basic body cameras only. I also liked that it had idiot settings on it. Plus more advanced settings should I chose to be brave with it.

Bear in mind the weight of a DSLR and it's kit. I find it heavy and cumbersome.

My Olympus takes impressive photo's. Even if the subject matter is not spot on. There are many just as good point and shoot digital cameras. In hindsight they would have suited me more as that is what I do.

The only problem I am having is I think I need a different lens. I find I cannot shoot too close to the subject as the camera refuse to take the picture. Quite a few times I have encountered this problem. Both the lens I have do not bring it in or out enough for what I wanted. Also shotting in dark places is a problem. I found the camera unable to focus as I could not see the cross-hairs in the dark to focus the camera on.

[Malamule]

My Olympus takes impressive photo's. Even if the subject matter is not spot on. There are many just as good point and shoot digital cameras. In hindsight they would have suited me more as that is what I do.

Point and shoot cameras are fine and can take some great pictures. A DSLR taking the same shot at the same exposure will have a much clearer image. I do both. On vacations I take a "bridge" camera because it's not as heavy and doesn't require lense changes. To take stunning photos, I use my Digital Rebel XT.


The only problem I am having is I think I need a different lens. I find I cannot shoot too close to the subject as the camera refuse to take the picture. Quite a few times I have encountered this problem. Both the lens I have do not bring it in or out enough for what I wanted. Also shotting in dark places is a problem. I found the camera unable to focus as I could not see the cross-hairs in the dark to focus the camera on.

I don't have any idea what lens you have with your DSLR, but I suspect it's not wide enough at the low end and won't focus. A low prime, say an 18 or 22MM or something with some zoom, like 14-45 will probably be what you're looking for.