Product MPN
Key Features
There are several different types of digital cameras. Compact and Ultra-compact are light, pocket-sized cameras that are easy to carry, usually with a built-in lens. Standard point-and-shoot cameras are of medium size, usually come with a built-in lens, and have basic features that are useful for the casual photographer. SLR/Professional cameras are usually larger, but offer more advanced features and detachable lenses for the photography enthusiast or professional.
Camera Type
Standard Point and Shoot
The sensor in a digital camera is composed of pixels, which are tiny light-sensitive squares. The sensors in most cameras today are made up of millions of pixels, each one registering the brightness of the light striking it as the photo is taken. A megapixel is the term used for a million pixels — and the more megapixels an imaging sensor has, the higher the camera's potential resolution. On the other hand, the megapixels determine the size of the print, so higher megapixels means larger print sizes, for examples, 6 megapixels are good for 8 x 10 in. prints, 8 megapixels are good for 16 x 20 in. prints.
Unlike optical zoom, digital zoom magnifies the pixels but not the actual image. The resulting image appears bigger, but is not as sharp as with an optical zoom.
Lens
Higher-end cameras may allow you to separate the camera body from the lens, allowing you to interchange lenses for different types of photography.
Interchangeable Lens
Not Interchangeable Lenses
Image Quality
A CCD sensor will provide a sharper more precise image, but is generally more power consuming. CMOS sensors are generally more energy efficient and are creating better and better images as technology develops.
Resolution is measured in megapixels. The higher the megapixels, the sharper and more detailed the pictures your digital camera can take, and the bigger you can enlarge them without losing the sharpness of the image. 3.1 megapixels and higher is usually considered sufficient for print-quality photos. Photos with a resolution of less than 3.1 megapixels are best viewed only on computers.
Camera Resolution
3.2 Megapixel
The sensor in a digital camera is composed of pixels, which are tiny light-sensitive squares. The sensors in most cameras today are made up of millions of pixels, each one registering the brightness of the light striking it as the photo is taken. A megapixel is the term used for a million pixels — and the more megapixels an imaging sensor has, the higher the camera's potential resolution. On the other hand, the megapixels determine the size of the print, so higher megapixels means larger print sizes, for examples, 6 megapixels are good for 8 x 10 in. prints, 8 megapixels are good for 16 x 20 in. prints.
Image Resolutions
2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, 3648 x 2736
Video
Many digital cameras let you record short clips of highly compressed, low-resolution video, either as an MPEG movie or a Motion JPEG movie. This number shows the actual optimal size for a movie captured on your camera.
Video Resolutions
320 x 240, 640 x 480 (VGA)
Exposure Control
The white balance of a digital camera controls the color outcome of pictures. All light gives off a color temperature which the camera analyzes and internally adjusts, so that the colors of the picture are captured in their true form. Without the proper white balance, the color in a photo may contain an overabundance of blue, green or orange hues.
White Balance
Auto, Daylight / Sunny (Preset), Cloudy (Preset), Fluorescent (Preset), Tungsten (Preset)
Storage
There are many types of memory / media for digital cameras, but most models are compatible with only one. The most common are CompactFlash and SmartMedia. Many other cameras use Memory Stick and some write the pictures directly onto mini-CDs or floppy disks. It is helpful to choose some sort of memory device that is easy to find in stores, in case you need to purchase extra.
Power Supply
Battery Type
Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery
Included Features
Self Timer
5 Sec., 10 Sec., 20 Sec.
Dimensions
Miscellaneous