Digital Cameras Buying Guide

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What you need to know, from the kind of user you are to current technologies:

HOW DO DIGITAL CAMERAS DIFFER FROM FILM?

If you're used to shooting with a film camera, you'll notice some differences when you switch to a digital model. Here's a quick summary.

Powering the camera

Many digital cameras use batteries designed specifically for them

Film: Takes disposable batteries that require infrequent replacement.

Digital: Takes one or more of a variety of battery types -- both disposable and rechargeable -- that require frequent replacement or recharging.

Recording pictures

A CCD is like film that you can reuse over and over again

Film: Uses film, which comes in various frame sizes and different sensitivities to light.

Digital: Uses a fixed, light-sensitive, silicon chip that comes in two varieties: CCD or CMOS. This chip determines the frame size and the light sensitivity of the camera. You can simulate the effects of using different types of film via settings within the camera.

Framing content

Some cameras have LCDs that flip out or twist, to help you frame difficult shots

Film: Uses an optical viewfinder that shows 97 to 100 percent of the scene.

Digital: Uses an optical viewfinder, as well as an LCD that displays 100 percent of the scene. But an LCD can be hard to see in bright light and uses a lot of battery power. Many cameras substitute the optical viewfinder with the kind of electronic viewfinder (EVF) that is used on camcorders. Photographers who are used to optical viewfinders don't always like EVFs, so try before you buy.

Snapping shots

Film: Instantaneous capture.

Digital: Varies wildly, depending upon image size, file format, media type, memory available for temporary storage, sensor type and speed of autofocus.

Storing pictures

Film: Stores images directly on the capture medium (film), which is single-use and supplies a fixed number of frames per roll.

Digital: Stores images as digital files on reusable memory cards or discs, both of which come in various capacities and can hold a variable number of frames per card.

JPEG

Small and fast for capture, but has file compression that may introduce artefacts that degrade image quality.

RAW

Smaller than TIFFs and more flexible for postcapture retouching. Not offered on all cameras and special software is required to read them.

TIFF

Large files that can slow down your shooting and fill up your media, but have no compression artefacts.

Displaying pictures

Some cameras have LCDs that flip out or twist, to help you frame difficult shots

Film: Aside from a few Advanced Photo System consumer models, can't display shots until after developing. Once film is developed, you can scan the photos or negatives to display on a monitor or a TV.

Digital: Plays back images on the LCD. In addition, many cameras allow you to connect to a TV for group viewing. You can also upload the pictures to an online photo-album site to share with the geographically remote.

Printing pictures

Unlike with film cameras, you can print digital photos at home

Film: Deliver to a photo lab in order to get prints or digital files.

Digital: You can download image files to your computer for printing on your home printer, or, if you have a compatible printer, you can attach your camera directly to it. Another option is getting traditional silver-halide prints from an online service or a local photo developer who accepts digital files (most do).