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Digital camera wise buys
Summary: Here are six smart buys and price points ranging from $199 to $1799 in digital cameras that deliver great quality for the price. Nikon, Canon, Casio and Lumix offer these wise buys. Four are compact digital cameras, often called point and shoot cameras. The two digital SLR cameras feature through the lens viewing, interchangeable lenses and additional accessories to fill the needs of any photo enthusiast.
Here are six smart buys and price points ranging from $199 to $1799 in
digital cameras that deliver great quality for the price. Four
are compact digital cameras, often called point and shoot cameras. The
two digital SLR cameras feature through the lens viewing,
interchangeable lenses and additional accessories to fill the needs of
any photo enthusiast.
1. The Panasonic DMC-FX12 Lumix
digital camera
features an optical 3x zoom (35-105mm, on a 35mm film
camera equivalent) Leica DC lens with f/2.8 brightness, a 7.2-megapixel
CCD and a large, 2.5-inch LCD rear display. Camera movement is the
single biggest cause of blurry images, but not the only one. Motion
blur that can occur when a subject moves as the shot is being snapped.
Lumix cameras feature sensors that detect subject motion and
automatically adjust the ISO to assure a faster shutter speed to reduce
blur from a moving subject. Shutter lag, a common lament of
photographers, has been lessened with a 0.005-second delay that
allows continuous shooting. It uses a SDHC/SD memory card. Suggested retail price $199.00
2. The Casio EX-S880
is a slim digital camera
that fits easily into a purse or shirt pocket.
The 8.1-megapixel digital camera is loaded with advanced photo and
video features that will appeal to consumers with all levels of
experience. The camera features an anti-shake mode to reduces
both camera movement and subject movement that can result in blurry
images. The auto-focus module tracks subjects and has a face
recognition design for sharp focus and proper exposure in both natural
light and flash photos. The added video capability includes a
wide-screen shooting mode and a YouTube
shooting mode for optimum file size and quality recommended for sharing
movies. The camera also feature 39 shooting modes to assure your best
shots from portraits, night scenes and even an eBay-shooting mode for
posting images for online sales. It requires a SDHC/SD memory
card. Suggested retail $299.00
3. The Nikon Coolpix P5100 12.1-megapixel
camera
carries enough quality to produce quality prints up to 16 x 20
inches. With ISO settings as high as 3200. (ISO 3200 is available only
for image sizes of 5 megapixels or smaller) The 3.5x Nikkor optical
zoom VR lens (Vibration Reduction) image stabilization, continually
activated, and enables photographs in lower light or when shooting
moving subjects to help achieve sharper results. Images are displayed
on the 2.5-inch high-resolution LCD monitor with wide 170-degree
viewing angle for easier composition of photos. Shooting in the
automatic or manual mode, the camera provides a comfort zone for the
novice photographer while offering multiple options for the creative
and knowledgeable photographer. Three helpful innovations include
Face-priority auto-focus, in-camera red-eye fix and continuous flash
shooting to capture the action by allowing several consecutive flash
shots without having to wait for the flash to recharge. A drawback is
the lack of a wide angle lens for group photos; however, the image
quality makes up for this deficiency. It uses the SDHC/SD memory
card. Suggested retail $399.00
4. The Nikon D40X digital
SLR 10.2-megapixel camera
delivers sharp focus and quality images with
the touch of a finger. The distinct advantage of digital SLR
camera is the end of shutter lag; the annoying delay after you depress
the button to take the photo and the time it takes to actually capture
the image. There are many other advantages to the digital SLR
like interchangeable lenses, exotic accessories and the gravitas that
comes with carrying a “real camera” in the eyes of fellow
photographers. The Nikon D40X kit comes with an 18-55 mm zoom lens that
allows for wide-angle photos along with excellent portraits. From
the built-in electronic flash to the in-camera editing software that
allows color correction and creation of black and white photos from
color image files, the Nikon D40X is the perfect choice for someone
deciding between a high-end point-and-shoot camera and a digital
SLR. The multiple automatic shooting modes and the ability to
select a manual mode make this camera a great choice for the novice or
experienced photographer. It accepts all new Nikkor lenses and
uses the SDHC/SD memory card. Suggested retail $699.00
5. The Canon EOS 40D
10-1-megapixel digital camera
is the newest in the “prosumer” line of
digital SLR cameras. It is a dependable option for advanced amateur
photographers and entry-level professionals. In a kit, made complete
with a 17-85mm zoom lens from Canon, the Canon 40D offers a wide range
of options in shooting modes, metering systems and dependability.
The new 3-inch LCD rear display is what Canon calls attention to in
promotional literature, but the DIGIC III imaging sensor (designed and
manufactured by Canon) and the redesigned auto-focus sensor that
enables 6.5 frame-per-second continuous shooting capability for bursts
of up to 75 Large/Fine JPEGs or 17 RAW images. Digital cameras in
this price range offer durability and additional features that are
desired by serious amateurs and professionals. An un-intended feature
is the panache’ of “looking pro”. It uses a Compact Flash memory
card. Suggested retail $1798.00
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Good photographs begin with good light. In the digital photography world, the quality of light corresponds to the quality of the photograph. The dramatic light of the early morning and late afternoon can raise the quality of your images. In poorly lit situations use supplemental lighting from the camera's flash in the fill-flash mode.
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Adobe's Photoshop is very expensive at nearly $700, Is it worth it?
Dear PS,
Adobe's Photoshop is very expensive at nearly $700, Is it worth it?
On the cheap in Oregon
Dear On the cheap,
Yes! If you plan to take creative steps in dealing with your images, photoshop and the lastest Creative Suite 2 are simply the best and most efficients image handling programs available. Is it "worth it" to you, that depends on what you hope to achieve with your images. I would suggest the Elements version of photoshop as an entry level position. Better yet, check a local computer store or even the Apple Store an invest a little time in attending a couple of their tutorial classes for a "test drive" of the program. Then you'll be better informed before you spend your money.
Thanks for your question,
Michael at PS
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