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Make your next shot a "PowerShot"

Published in The Aggie on February 16, 2007

 

Thanks partly to television commercials, digital cameras are sending film to the grave. Yet the attractive models are not what make people turn in their film for memory cards --the promise of convenience is what does it. With just a click, the average person can take quality photos, then review and print them from home.

Below are some tips to help consumers get the best in digital photography when the basic cell phone camera is not enough:

Learn the terminology
Malektips.com explains frequently used jargon spewed out by salesmen -- terminology such as megapixel, optical zoom and digital zoom. The site also offers tips on important camera features and how to avoid being scammed at technology stores.

Compare online
Online websites such as bizrate.com, shopper.cnet.com and mysimon.com allow consumers to search by manufacturer, price, resolution or optical zoom and compare prices of cameras at various online stores. Take advantage of these resources to find the best camera for the lowest price.

Read reviews
On cnet.com, current and past users review technology and discuss the features and any quirks the camera might have. These ratings also list special deals

Head to the store
Although online shopping has its conveniences, it does not offer hands-on experience. Visit an electronics store with a wide inventory and a smart staff to answer your questions. Play with the different dials and controls of camera models to test compatibility.

As you shop, keep the following in mind:
-- A higher optical zoom will produce sharper photos. Digital zoom can create grainy or "pixilated" photos. When it comes down to a choice between a higher optical zoom and a higher digital zoom, pick the higher optical zoom.
-- Unless you plan to print high-quality photos that are 8 by 10 inches or larger, a camera with three megapixels is perfectly capable of taking a great picture. More megapixels do not always produce better photos. Again, choose the camera with a higher optical zoom over higher megapixels.
-- Pay attention to what type of memory card the camera requires, since many formats are not interchangeable. The two most popular memory card formats are CompactFlash type I and II and Secure Digital, abbreviated SD. In terms of availability and price, CompactFlash and SD cards are relatively inexpensive, and most cameras require these two formats.
-- Digital cameras can be expensive, so visit at least three stores to compare prices and deals.

Note: This article represents one student's opinions on non-UC Davis website services. Neither IET nor UC Davis endorses these websites or their products.

Bits and Bytes is produced by the IET department. Send comments to science@californiaaggie.com.

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