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Digital camera is an
electronic device like a computer, which stores
matter in the form of data files. In other words -
films are to digital cameras as data files are to
computers. To be more exact - films in a digital
camera substitute data files. For example, the
number of photographs you can take prior to
downloading on the computer depends on the memory
available, while a typical digital camera has eight
megabytes (mb) of memory. This can easily translate
into ten to forty photographs. Memory cards can also
be bought in removable form, to enhance the storage
capacity of digital cameras. The picture quality and
type of memory to be purchased depends on the camera
one has. It is normally desirable to purchase a
camera with one twenty-eight megabytes of memory.
This is because; it enables an individual to take
many pictures, before having to download them on a
computer or elsewhere.
The features of a digital camera go beyond mere mega
pixels. Mega pixels are mainly related with the
quality of pictures, in terms of sharpness, and
details. In fact picture sizes in digital cameras,
are measured, by the number of pixels forming an
image. This is measured by vertical and horizontal
resolutions as in, 1280 multiplied by 960. The
resolution has a direct relation with the number of
mega pixels. Digital camera manufacturers have
chosen to depict mega pixels in five different
categories of resolution, namely - one, two, three,
four and five.
A flash in a camera is described as the extra light,
required to take photographs in poorly lit areas.
Digital cameras usually come with built in flashes,
ranging from ten to sixteen feet. ‘Red eye reduction
and external flash’ are the two products, available
in this category. In red eye reduction there are two
flash emissions. The first is designed in such a
way, that the iris contracts. This is mainly done to
inhibit the light emissions, from the second eye.
One can claim to add humor, by saying that it is
done to give a gentlemanly look to the characters in
the photograph. External flashes are actually
designed for power. They can also be attached to the
camera from outside, for strategic placements.
External flashes mostly have automatic options, and
are typified as ‘not shoe and Flash sync’.
Digital cameras also come with a rapid fire or
continuous shooting mode, which enables an
individual to take many photographs in a row. This
is called ‘Burst Mode’. Burst mode is wonderful for
taking live motion pictures, in an event or a stage
show. There is also optical zoom, which has two
types of zoom lenses - namely digital and optical.
Digital zoom mainly is designed to enlarge the
picture without bothering about detail and clarity,
whereas optical zoom responds to ones needs in terms
of sharpness, and detailing. Picture taking
flexibility varies with the size of the lens.
Compression, power source, lens, focus, exposure,
LCD screen and self-timer - all come under the
category of secondary features in a digital camera.
Compression enables a user to shrink file size of
photographs. Its JPEG format is ideal for normal
use. Digital cameras consume a lot of battery. It is
advisable to go for rechargeable batteries like
NIMHs for this reason. LCD screens are very useful
for editing purposes. Self-Timers allow a
photographer to click himself. It is advisable to
study all the features of a digital camera from the
manual before making the final purchase, which is
usually dictated by individual need and choice.
Additional manual features are added to digital
cameras, for professionals, who do high tech
creative work.
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