You Want Great Pictures? Start With the Right Camera

There is nothing more disappointing then spending a month in Europe only to find your photos are nothing but a collection of blurred or poorly exposed scenes. Or taking a shot of your grandson's spectacular slide into homeplate only to find it is just a blur of confusion. So how do you make sure this doesn't happen to you? The place to start is in the selection of a camera. Without the right camera, your chances of getting the results you want are slim to none. With the right camera, a little reading and a little practice, you are much more likely to get the shots you want.
So what is the right camera? That depends upon what you are trying to do. In this short article I'll lay out some basics for you to help you determine what camera is right for you.

Digital or Film? - Let's start with a (very) brief discussion about digital cameras versus film cameras. In my opinion there is no reason to consider a film type camera unless you are an advanced photographer. There certainly are those who prefer film, but it is for esoteric reasons that I won't try to explain here. For the vast majority of amateurs a digital camera is the only way to go. For all practical purposes the difference between the two is simply that the digital camera uses "solid state" media to store images instead of film.

That doesn't mean you have to be a technical wizard to use one. At the simplest level you can take the camera memory card to any photo shop and they can turn them into prints, the same way as for film. On the other hand digital photography opens up a whole new world for those who are willing to purchase some inexpensive software and learn some simple editing skills. You may not find this appealing at the present, but having the pictures in digital format makes it much simpler if you ever decide to pursue this topic. I won't elaborate on this here as it is a whole topic on its own. If you are interested there is an enormous volume of sources for exploring and learning more about it.

What type of digital camera is right for you? There is a wide range of digital cameras available in the marketplace. As you would expect, the price varies dramatically with the features offered. Two major features you will have to select are the resolution (measured in megapixels) and the zoom type and range. Almost all digital cameras now offer 8 megapixel resolutions, so don't settle for less, even in a low priced model. You'll definitely want a camera with decent optical zoom. The key word here is optical zoom (as opposed to digital zoom). Optical zoom physically moves the camera lenses to zoom in on a subject. Digital zoom, however, digitally magnifies the image within the camera's microchip - resulting in poorer picture quality. Many manufacturers' advertisements refer to digital zoom instead of optical zoom - so be careful when choosing. I would recommend getting at least 3x optical zoom in any camera you buy.

Before deciding which particular camera is right for you, you need to determine your intended use. Let's start at the simplest level and work our way up.

Casual Snapshots - This is what the majority of occasional users do with their cameras. Casual snapshots include simple pictures of people and places. Cameras intended for this kind of usage are usually referred to as "point and shoot" cameras. Controls are simple, with all the functions like exposure and focus adjusted automatically. If this is where you are, you have a vast array of choices at prices ranging from under $100 to no more than $200. If a camera is priced more than $200 it is probably the wrong camera for simple point and shoot use. These cameras are small and compact and are easily carried in a purse or even in your shirt pocket.

Posed People and Landscapes, Low Light and Action Pictures. - This range of cameras should satisfy all but the most demanding amateur. These camera types are very versatile and can be used as point and shoot as well. This range of cameras typically have at least 8 megapixel resolution, programmable functions and a wide range of manual controls and features. Optical zoom capabilities are typically above 10, and are often 18 -20. You will pay $250 to $450 for this type of camera. These cameras are larger and a separate camera bag is usually better than a purse. If a camera is priced above $450 it is probably too much camera for this range of uses.

A Word About DSLR Cameras - These cameras represent the ultimate in digital photography, and unless you intend to become deeply involved with photography they are overkill for most amateurs. They have a vast array of features, interchangeable lens, and more. Not for the faint of heart, prices for good ones start around $700 and can reach $2500 and more.

To insure you get the results you want, make sure you match the camera with the intended use. If you follow this rule you can find the right balance between price and quality of results. So the next time you show off your trip pictures you won't have to explain what picture you were trying to get, you will have it.