Hi All,
I’m new to this social networking thing, so I hope I do it right. I’m going to try to take the approach that it is just you and I discussing things over a cup of coffee, because right now I’m having a cup of coffee. I’m not a drinker, but I can’t make it thru the day without my coffee. lol.
So today let’s discuss some basics of picking out a digital camera. We all know that we want good pictures, but think about the way you use your camera. Are you the type that is never without your camera? Are you the type that takes it out only on special occasion? Why, you ask, is this important? I’ll tell you where I’m going with this. If you always have it with you, then you might want to make sure you get something small enough to stick in your pocket; however, if you only take it out occasionally, you may opt for a little larger camera. Both have advantages and disadvantages. Most of the time the better cameras are a bit larger. They have to be in order to accommodate things like a larger optical zoom vs having mainly a digital zoom, but that is a subject unto itself.
Also, think about the fact that what is the appropriate camera for a 16 year old may not be the right one for my 80 year old mother. God bless, her she is a great woman. When I purchased a camera for her, I thought it important to pick one that was just a little larger physically. The one I purchased for her had a little larger screen and a few less buttons, but not options. I wanted her to have something to hold on to.
Also, think about what you will be doing when using it. I like to travel and, as luck would have it, I’m in a wheelchair. A few years back I went to the Philippines. While there I went to see some volcano’s and such. Yes, I wanted to get pictures. At the time I had a regular film camera and a digital camcorder. The camcorder doubles as a camera, so I could take regular pictures with it. Both took excellent pictures, but I love the camera because it takes better pictures when zooming in at a long distance. The camera was my Cannon Rebel and, although a great camera, I didn’t use it much on the trip because it was a pain to carry it. When vacationing and traveling, I have found that it is sometimes better to have a smaller camera, that you will actually pull out of your pocket and use, vs a larger nicer one that ends up sitting in the hotel room because you don’t want to lug it all over.
Does the smaller one take as good a picture? Up close yes, but not at a distance. This will take us back to the digital vs optical lens. I plan to write on that in the not to distant future, but let me give you the basics. A digital lens suffers more degradation in the picture quality because it is not actually zooming in. It is the equivalent of taking a picture and enlarging it thru software or on a photo copier. With the optical zoom it actual uses optics, I know, I know, you are never supposed to use the same word when explaining it, but we are not in class anymore. lol. An optical lens actually brings in the subject closer and does not loose any of it’s crispness.
Ok, I’m going to wrap this up by saying think about who is going to be using it. Also think about how they will be using it. It does no good to have the best camera in the world if it stays in the hotel room or if it’s so small that the person for whom it was intended for is uncomfortable with it.
Please drop us your questions and or comments. We would love to hear from you. Have a great day and feel free to browse our digital camera section. There’s something there for everyone. Pictures capture life for us to remember, so take a bunch.
Have a great day.
Respectfully,
Patrick Strutman, owner/just another worker ant 
