By Ronnie Bravo
Well, it’s been a year and a half since I talked about digital cameras, so I thought it’s time to update things. As with all technology, over time it gets bigger, faster and cheaper. Digital cameras are a perfect example of this.
The digital camera market is positively flooded with models in all shapes and sizes, which makes the task of finding a simple, inexpensive, entry-level shooter a tough one. If you're new to digital photography, your main objectives should be finding a camera that has both ease of use and room for growth.
On one hand, you don't want to spend a fortune on a confusing camera with a ton of extra features you’ll never use, but settling on a super-cheap, stripped-down model that doesn't offer anything beyond the very basics is not a good idea either.
More than likely, once you get the hang of taking pictures, you'll want to play around with the camera to perfect your shots. Since manufacturers often slash features to keep prices down in the lower end of the spectrum, the key is finding the perfect balance of the two. Here are some cameras that do just that. The list price in the US has the following models under $200 US.
The Canon PowerShot A580 is a fine entry-level point-and-shooter, but for $30 more you can get the nearly identical A590 IS, which adds image stabilization and manual controls. Website: www.usa.canon.com
The Casio Exilim EX-Z9 is a good-looking, easy-to-use compact cam that takes terrific daylight shots and continues Casio's tradition of quality video recording in digital cameras. Website: www.casio.com/products/Cameras/
Fujifilm FinePix J10 is VERY user friendly. Newbies will appreciate this credit-card-size camera's dead-simple menu system. Website: www.fujifilm.com
With Kodak EasyShare M1033, Kodak comes through with great images and plenty of features, including 720 HD resolution movie recording in this moderately priced, simple-to-use shooter. Website: digitalcameras.kodak.com
There’s also the Nikon Coolpix P60, which despite its heft and somewhat slow response times, this point-and-shoot model offers an impressive range of features like an electronic viewfinder and in-camera editing. It also takes great daylight shots which is a plus in our sunny paradise. Website: www.nikonusa.com
Now, keep in mind even if the picture is not perfect, you can always rely on a little bit of what's known in the trade as "post production". Digital pictures are easily downloaded on to computers and most cameras now come with at least rudimentary photo-editing software that enables basic adjustments. You can adjust lightness, contrast and even crop out weird cousin Eric, with a few clicks on the computer!
The battery issue is also much improved. Most digital cameras now come with rechargeable batteries. I would recommend a camera that uses standard AA rechargeables and not a built-in rechargeable battery. This helps if you’re ever in a situation with low-battery and no time to re-charge, you can pick up regular AA’s and keep on clicking! A good quality AA rechargeable battery like Energizer will last for 1000 recharges. They run about 120 pesos - just slightly more than one of the old style camera batteries!
One final note, remember the fun you had at parties with a Polaroid instant camera? Well, R.I.P., Polaroid. They announced last week that they are stopping production of the famous instant white framed film. Ahhh… the times, they are a changin’…
That’s all my time for now. See you again in two weeks… until then,
Remember… only safe Internet!
Ron can be found at The Computer Store, 153 Guayana, Col. Lazaro Cardenas- One block west of the Red Cross. Sales, Repairs, Networking, Wi-Fi, Hardware upgrades, Graphic Design, House-calls available. 223-2939 or just email to TCSRon@Gmail.com
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