Buying a digital camera: shopping for a digital camera? Confused by all the choices? Here are some tips

Size. It's a pretty good bet the camera you can tuck in your pocket will be the one you use most often day-to-day. If you plan on using your digital camera to document your jobs, smaller and lighter is definitely better.

Resolution. The maximum size of the image a digital camera can capture is stated in "mega-pixels" (millions of dots), similar to the way your computer screen is rated. A 2-mega-pixel camera can produce excellent 4x6 prints and good 8x10 prints and is more than good enough for any Internet or e-mail application where small file size is a must. A 3-mega-pixel camera produces excellent 8x10 prints and good 12x16 prints. Right now, a 2- or 3-mega-pixel camera provides the best price-to-value ratio for most contractors.

For serious photographers, higher-resolution digital cameras are available. A good 5-mega-pixel camera can rival 35-millimeter film in terms of image quality. If you use a CAD-assisted estimating system like CADestimator (www.cadestimator.com) or need very high quality images to do architectural rendering, import into CAD systems, or create large-scale presentation printouts, these cameras are definitely worth considering. There is a downside though: High-resolution digital images create gigantic file sizes that are hard for plain-vanilla computers to handle. If you're planning on processing the images yourself, make sure your computer hardware is up to the task.

Storage. Compact Flash, Memory Stick, and stamp-size Secure Digital Cards are all types of solid-state storage used by digital camera manufacturers. Despite what the salesperson at Circuit City may say, the solid-state format your camera uses doesn't make that much difference, because normally you'll be connecting the camera directly to your computer or printer using a special cable to transfer the images.

Zoom. Many cameras combine optical zoom lenses with digital zoom for a better-sounding zoom spec. Digital zoom degrades image quality, so the optical number is the one to look at if you're concerned. Remember, you can always re-size and manipulate images once you download them, so zoom really isn't as important as it is with a film camera.

Extra Batteries. Some digital cameras use special rechargeable batteries, which have limited storage life and tend to run out of gas when you need them the most. Unless you want to lug around a bulky battery charger, consider purchasing a couple extra rechargeable batteries when you buy the camera.--Joe Stoddard is technology editor for HANLEY-WOOD'S TOOLS OF THE TRADE. Contact him at jstoddard@stny.rr.com.

COPYRIGHT 2002 Hanley-Wood, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group

Digital Camera Buyers Guide & Review - Online At Advantage

Should you buy a Sony Digital Camera, Canon Digital Camera, Nikon Digital Camera, or an Olympus Digital Camera? Want to define YOUR user profile, and learn which specific digital camera is YOUR best choice? Do you just want an easy to use and up-to-date buyers guide summary?
Or
Do you need research links to a collection of the top, unbiased, digital camera reviews on the web, to make up your own mind?

Stereo Advantage, the WNY-based electronics superstore, has released a new online Digital Camera Buyers Guide & Review at http://www.stereoadvantage.com

The photography experts at The Advantage Company have compiled a series of easily digestible digital camera review summaries for all the most popular digital camera makes and models on the market. All of the very latest models provided by Sony, Canon, Nikon and Olympus!

And, in case you really want to research in-depth optical and photographic test reports, each Advantage digital camera buyers guide summary is hyperlinked to a number of full authoritative digital camera reviews on the web.

The first step is to decide YOUR user profile. from Advantage's 4 Digital Camera user types:
1. 'NEW USERS - Testing The Water' (2.0 Megapixels or higher digital cameras, priced under $400)
2. 'SNAPSHOT PHOTOGRAPHERS' (2.0 Megapixels or higher digital cameras, priced $150 - $500)
3. 'SERIOUS AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHERS' (4.0 megapixels or higher digital cameras, priced from $500)
4. 'BUSINESS PHOTOGRAPHERS' (3.0 Megapixels or higher, priced from $500 to $1,500)

Then review the relevant parts of the easy-to-use Advantage Digital Camera Buyers Guide & Review, which also contains detailed specification sheets for all the latest, and most popular, digital camera models provided by Sony, Canon, Nikon and Olympus.

Once you've defined the best model for YOU. Buy it directly and easily online at the very best price that Advantage can offer!

If you are looking for a great deal on the best digital camera model for YOUR user profile, visit the Advantage Digital Camera Buyer's Guide & Review at http://www.stereoadvantage.com

Web Site Design, Promotion & Hosting by UK Software Services,Inc. http://www.1stFlash.com

This article courtesy of http://aboutthedigitalcameras.com.
You may freely reprint this article on your website or in
your newsletter provided this courtesy notice and the author
name and URL remain intact.

Picture perfect: in the market for a digital camera for your business?

YOU CAN GET AN INSANE AMOUNT OF megapixels in a digital camera these days--for a price. Fortunately, must entrepreneurs will find what they need in a very attractive price range.
Only professional photographers or those working with super high-end graphics need to think about a $1,000 8-megapixel. monster. For the rest of you who are looking to do your own brochures, upload images to the Web or document projects, you can easily keep it less than $500.

For those on a budget looking for quick snapshots or pics for the Web, a couple of megapixels for less than $200 will keep you busy enough. For those of you who are more photographically experienced and prefer output on the high end of the graphics scale, looking midrange and higher is a good idea. Higher megapixel cameras can produce large, detailed high-resolution printouts if you have a printer (or access to one) that can take advantage of all that digital information. Many also give you the ability to manually control all the camera's functions, a feature that's of interest to more experienced photographers. We're going to look at mostly midrange cameras.

Little details can make the difference when deciding on a camera. At $449 (all prices street), the 4-megapixel Panasonic DMC-FX5 features a Leica lens and optical image stabilization technology. That last feature is of special interest if you expect to work in low-light situations or with a Telephoto lens. It corrects for shaky hands, to achieve cleaner images. Up a notch in the resolution department is the $499 5-megapixel Canon PowerShot $60. Its lens zooms from a wide-angle 28 mm to 100 mm. If you don't know what that means, don't worry about it. You may prefer a more entry level model.

At $249, the Nikon Coolpix 3200 is a 3-megapixel option that won't break the bank. The 3x optical zoom is a nice feature in tiffs level of camera. Often, you'll see cameras with both optical and digital zooms. Optical is the more important number, because it represents a higher image quality. Whenever you go over to a digital zoom, yon will lose quality. That's one area where the $349 4-megapixel Kodak EasyShare DX7440 stands out. Its 4x optical zoom is one of the best offerings in our chart, especially for the price.

If you've ever tried to use the built-in LCD on the back of a digital camera to compose a picture in bright light, you know how difficult it is to see anything. Reflections can render the LCD unusable. The $449 6-megapixel Olympus C-60 Zoom features a new display that uses several technologies to combat this problem. Entrepreneurs that travel extensively or need to do outdoor photography will appreciate this feature. Another interesting innovation is built into Sony's $449 5-megapixel Cybershot DSC-F88. The lens can be rotated 300 degrees for easier shooting at unusual angles or in crowded situations.

There are heaps of different digital cameras out on the market, and new models are announced all the time. If possible, visit your local retailer, and take a firsthand look. Note whether the menus are intuitive and easy to use. See if it's a good size for carrying around, if you intend to travel with it. And check out the viewfinder, LCD and controls to ensure they're comfortable to use. Look for deals on accessories like extra memory cards, photo printers and a protective case. Though picking a digital camera requires slogging through lots of options, the good news is that, among them, there is a perfect fit for your business needs.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Entrepreneur Media, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group

Amphoto's complete book of photography; how to improve your pictures with a Film or Digital Camera

BIDNER, Jenni. Amphoto's complete book of photography; how to improve your pictures with a film or digital camera. Amphoto. 192p. illus, index, c2004. 0-8174-3486-0. $24.96. JSA

With the rise of digital cameras, the old reliable SLR and point and shoot cameras seem to have been left behind, but not in this book. Bidner views all cameras as tools with different capabilities that all do the same job, which is to take pictures. Each chapter is labeled as to its appropriateness for the type of camera, but the emphasis is on the traditional topics of photography: getting the right exposure, using flash, composing the elements, making adjustments and being engaged with the subject.

The photographs and their captions are as important as the text in delivering the message to the reader, and both the author and the photographers are masters of their craft. Beginners will enjoy the simplicity of the instruction and moderately experienced photographers will find some new information, especially as it relates to digital photography and using the computer to manipulate film images. Nola Theiss, Sanibel, FL

J--Recommended for junior high school students. The contents are of particular interest to young adolescents and their teachers.

S--Recommended for senior high school students.

A--Recommended for advanced students and adults. This code will help librarians and teachers working in high schools where there are honors and advanced placement students. This also will help extend KLIATT's usefulness in public libraries.

COPYRIGHT 2005 Kliatt
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group

Purchasing a Digital Cameraby Deryck Richards

Digital cameras are very similar to traditional cameras, although there is one crucial difference - digital cameras don't use film! Instead, they record photos and video to a memory chip or card. Most are able to record short video clips (usually anywhere from 15 seconds up to 5 minutes and more), because video is nothing more than a fast transition of photos. At this point, you might be wondering how you get the photos out of the digital camera.

Most digital cameras come with a software interface that lets you decide how high quality the pictures should be and different settings depending on the light and environment. Through this interface, you can also delete photos and do basic photo and video editing. Most digital cameras come with a cable that connects directly to your computer, usually via USB. The camera instantly transfers the photos to a program installed on your computer. Once the photos are stored on your computer, you can print them, edit them, or e-mail them. If you want to print them the traditional way, you can take the memory card to a photo developer and they can print the images from the card as if you were giving them your film. Photo developers can also put your photos on a CD that includes a multimedia showcase of your photoset.

When shopping for a digital camera, the main specification you should be looking at are Megapixels. Computers store images electronically as a large combination of dots. When you have a good image on your screen or printed on paper, you often can't see the dots because they're packed very closely together, but they're still there. Just as printed images are measured by dots per inch on paper, electronic images are measured by pixels (dots on your computer screen). A megapixel is defined as one million pixels. Modern cameras come with a resolution of 1-3 megapixels. If you are taking photos that don't need to be printed out in high-quality resolution, 2 megapixels should be sufficient. Also consider the amount of memory the camera has. Most digital cameras have built-in memory and can accommodate external cards to store more photos. These cards are smaller than matchboxes and can store anywhere from 16MB to 1GB of data.

About the Author

Deryck Richards is the founder and managing partner of Desktronix. Deryck currently manages hosting and data center operations for Desktronix. He also provides system administration and technical support directly to small businesses as he has since 2000. His areas of expertise include networking, Windows, Linux, and Macintosh systems and he is the author of The Guide to Tec

10 Best Valentines Gifts to Giveby Paul Wilson

World over in February young couples celebrate Valentines Day with laughter and promises of undying love. The celebration knows no barriers and whether 4 or 80 years old, people with hope treasure the phrase "Will you be my Valentine."

Mid- Feb heralded in ancient Rome, the coming of spring and even in pre-Christian times people celebrated a "fertility" festival with great joy. Much later the festival celebrated on Feb 14th was in honor of St. Valentine who is believed to have signed a letter to his beloved on his death bed as "from your Valentine."

Red hearts, beautifully wrapped chocolates, balloon bouquets, and so on flood the markets and most young men are in a quandary as to what will make a "memorable gift."

Here are a few ideas to set your creativity rolling:

1. Abandon all ideas of dinner in a crowded restaurant where couples will be jostling for space. Plan a special "time for two" either on a patio over looking a garden or on a boat sailing down a moonlit river or sea. Choose to pack a picnic basket with foods that triggers off memories. For example perhaps the two of you had enjoyed chocolate donuts one day, or a pizza with toppings both love, or a cookie specially baked by you. Take along music or compose a song to sing to her. Serenade her like knights used to on bent knee.

2. If you have gathered many pictures or video clips of your time together then put together an album with specially written captions and a witty heading. You could even say "this gamine grimace enchanted me," be original and let your imagination and sense of humor take wing.

3. If you are going to be away on Valentines Day meet online for a special chat. Make it a cyber date--the World Wide Web will close up the distances.

4. Avoid the run of the mill activities and plan to go to an amusement park or fair. Have a rollicking time on the roller coaster.

5. If you know of a movie she has been dying to see -get it and plan an evening enjoying the film.

6. If she loves gizmos get her a digital camera or video phone.

7. Don your apron and chef's hat and cook a special meal.

8. Pamper her by gifting her a session at a spa she loves.

9. Plan a weekend get-away and take her somewhere special.

10. Pot a special plant for her. One that will grow and bloom along with your relationship.

Valentines Day is special so consider something unique. Most people will not have the spirit of adventure in them and try something different. They feel safer going with the crowd and presenting their love with cards, red balloons, hearts cut out of red paper or fabric, Godiva's chocolates, or a dinner in a favorite restaurant. Dare to be different and you will be remembered.

About Author: Paul Wilson is a freelance writer for http://www.1888Discuss.com/shopping-deal/, the premier REVENUE SHARING discussion forum for Online Shopping including topics on shopping deals, finding coupons, shopping discounts, price comparison, and more. He also freelances for the premier Cheap Shopping Deals site http://www.1866Shopping.com.
About the Author

Paul Wilson is a freelance writer for http://www.1888Discuss.com/shopping-deal/, the premier REVENUE SHARING discussion forum for Online Shopping including topics on shopping deals, finding coupons, shopping discounts, price comparison, and more. He also freelances for the premier Cheap Shopping Deals site http://www.1866Shopping.com.

See this article here.