Digital Camera Basics

· Higher resolution cameras produce better quality images than lower resolution cameras but are more expensive to buy. 640 x 480 resolution is good enough for general school purposes and can be downloaded quickly. Although it is now possible to have images professionally printed on photographic paper, the quality of the printed image is limited by the quality of the printer and paper you use.

· Camera power supply can be a huge hidden cost. It is important to check whether the camera uses rechargeable batteries, and can be connected to mains power supply. It is worthwhile remembering that switching the camera on and off uses power, so keep the camera on if you are taking a number of pictures.

· Cameras will have an optical viewfinder and/or a LCD monitor. The optical viewfinder is like the viewfinder in a traditional camera. The LCD monitor allows you to view, change, delete and save images stored in the camera. It uses a lot of power, so remember to switch it off when possible, if you need to save battery power.

· Accessing images can be a tricky one. It is possible to download images from the camera onto the computer via a serial cable or USB port. This can be time consuming! USB is 30 times faster than the serial cable. In some cases the USB uses power from the computer, which will save your battery life as downloading can use a lot of power. Floppy discs can be inserted in some cameras, such as the Sony Mavica and this is a really useful way of accessing images particularly if the camera is shared amongst classes. Each class can insert their own floppy when they use the camera, eject it when they've finished and pass the camera on!! The images can be instantly accessed on any computer, no need to have specialist software, the camera, wires etc. This also means the camera can be used somewhere else while you access your pictures. Other cameras contain a removable memory card that fit into a memory card adapter. The adapter looks like a floppy disc, is inserted in the a:\drive and is as easy to use as a normal floppy disc.

· Does the price include accessories? If accessories are not included in your package, you don't necessarily have to buy the manufacturers' accessories, e.g. for certain Sony cameras there are a number of accessories made by competitors that are of equally good quality but don't carry the premium that Sony products do.

Quick List

· Type of lenses included

· Amount of zoom

· Resolution

· How camera stores photos

· How you transfer photos

· Weight

· Feel of the camera

· Type of accessories available

· Battery life

· Software included

· Can you view photos on TV (if desired)

http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/CINTRO.HTM - COMPAROMETER - allows you to compare photo quality

http://pcphotoreview.com/dc/reviews/compare.htm - allows you to compare 5 cameras at once

http://graphicdesign.about.com/arts/graphicdesign/library/weekly/aa120398.htm - good article on choosing a camera

http://cameras.about.com/gadgets/cameras/library/weekly/aa072400a.htm - good article with basics

http://www2.activebuyersguide.com/abg/nav/StartPageHandler.cfm?PID=331902%2D2113955965AAA18F6FDC566AE0BFFEE1&CatID=2&option=Basics+First&RefID=12 - has basics and a decision guide to help you

http://www5.zdnet.com/products/content/pcmg/1703/268566.html - compares images taken by different cameras

http://www.zdnet.com/zdhelp/stories/sc/camera/0,12031,2622552,00.html - finding the right camera