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.
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.
Resolution
12.4 Megapixel
The optical zoom ratio of a digital camera measures how much the lens can actually zoom in to make subjects appear closer. Be careful to not confuse optical zoom with digital zoom. Optical zoom actually enlarges a picture while keeping the resolution and sharpness of the picture high.
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
The optical zoom ratio of a digital camera measures how much the lens can actually zoom in to make subjects appear closer. Be careful to not confuse optical zoom with digital zoom. Optical zoom actually enlarges a picture while keeping the resolution and sharpness of the picture high.
35mm Zoom Lens
28 - 140 mm
Focus Range
18 in. to Infinity (w)
Macro Focus is a special function of certain lenses that allows the camera to focus on a subject closer than is allowed in its normal focus range.
Macro Focus Range
0.8 in. to Infinity (w)
The distance from the center of the lens to the image of an object at infinity. At same size, the distance from copy to image is four times the focal length of the lens. This also applies to lithographic process lens as well. A 35mm SLR camera has interchangeable lenses that can range in focal length from around 7 to 17mm which are usually fisheye, 17 to 35 are considered wide angle. 50mm is called the standard lens as it has the same equivalent focal length as the human eye. Anything longer is a telephoto lens. Usually expressed in millimeters, smaller focal lengths result in wider fields-of-view.
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
12.4 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
640 x 480, 3264 x 2448, 2592 x 1944, 2048 x 1536, 1024 x 768, 4000 x 3000, 3968 x 2232
Exposure Control
The aperture range measures how much light is let into the camera when taking a photo. Low f-stop settings are best for low light photography while higher f-stops provide a greater depth of field.
Aperture Range
f2.7/f6.6 (w/t)
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.
Memory Type
Built-in, SD Card, SDHC Card
Built-in Memory Size
45 MB
Flash
ISO stands for International Standards Organization. It denotes the rating of a film's sensitivity to light (based on an arithmetical progression). Though digital cameras don't use film, they have adopted the same rating system for describing the sensitivity of the camera's imaging sensor. Digital cameras often include a control for adjusting the ISO speed; some will adjust it automatically depending on the lighting conditions, adjusting it upwards as the available light dims. For exampe, ISO 200 film is twice as fast as ISO 100 film but only half as fast as ISO 400. The scale is identical to ASA (American Standards Association). Generally, with higher ISO speeds there is more noise.
ISO Speeds
Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400
Viewfinder / Display
A viewfinder is the small square on the back of a camera that you look through to compose the scene. Some cameras have small screens on the back that act as viewfinders. Other cameras have small glass areas through which you can look out of the front of the camera.
Viewfinder
Without Viewfinder
LCD stands for "Liquid Crystal Display." This is the small screen on the back of a camera that digitally displays the same image you would see through the viewfinder. On many cameras you can also review the pictures stored in the camera's memory on the LCD Panel.
LCD Screen
With LCD Screen
LCD Screen Resolution
230,000 pixels
LCD Protected Position
Without LCD Protected Position
Interfaces
The method by which your camera will communicate with your computer or other video device. Different methods enable you to download photos at varying speeds. Make sure the interface you want is also compatible with the computer you want to use it with.
Power Supply
Battery Type
Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery
Dimensions
Miscellaneous
Family Line
Nikon COOLPIX
Included Accessories
Software, USB Cable, Battery Charger, Strap, AV Cable, Li-Ion Rechargable Battery
Release Date
September, 2009
