Normally our features and guides are directed at those who are fairly well-up on technology. We use terms like 'optical zoom' and 'image stabilization' keeping in mind that our readers are likely to be familiar with these terms. But this week, we take time off to delve into the basics of digital cameras. We hope this would benefit rookie readers who are enthusiastic about technology. Yes, it's Beginners' Week!

In this very first article in our Beginner's Series, we cover the basics that you may or may not know about digital cameras, and offer some tips that could go a long way in making you a competent amateur photographer.

The Cost Factor
Considering that you may not own a digital camera yet (but intend to buy one), remember to set aside some extra money for accessories. Manufacturers often don't bundle all essentials with the camera. Things like rechargeable NiMH batteries with chargers (in case of cameras that run on AA batteries; Li-Ion batteries always come with chargers), which are indispensable for any camera user who wants to avoid the recurring cost and abysmal life of regular alkaline batteries.

Don't forget memory! Camera manufacturers rarely give you enough memory to last you more than a handful of shots. So if you're planning to click away on your vacation, or even a casual outing with friends, you need a lot more memory than what comes out of the box.

Finally, a good carry case will be a lot more elegant (not to mention comfortable) than simply stuffing your camera in your pant pocket.

Phone Cam vs Digicam
Though many new users may think that having a phone camera is good enough, that opinion will change as soon as they get their hands on a regular digital camera. While phone cameras are excellent for that spur-of-the-moment shot, they're not really the most practical tools for getting a good family portrait, or compiling a vacation album.

The difference is mainly in the basic sensors of these cameras. While phone cameras use CMOS sensors, which are small and utilize very little power, the images they produce are not really the best quality for print, or even to preserve for years. The dynamics behind a regular digital camera are a lot more comprehensive, with mechanical parts and a much superior CCD image sensor. These produce images that show better colors, and exhibit better clarity and focus. So, no matter how good the camera on your phone is, it can't be a replacement for a standalone digital camera.

Some Essentials
First things first. If you already own a digital camera or are planning to get one, there are some things you should do right off the bat.

Set the Date and Time: Not the first priority, but since that's usually the first option you get from a new camera, it's a good practice to set it accurately first instead of skipping it for later. It really helps for those rare shots that you would want to shoot with the date showing.

Set the Image Quality to Highest: Under no circumstance should you compromise on image quality. If you're running out of space, reduce the megapixel count instead, but never shoot at anything less than the highest/sharpest image quality.

Turn off Digital Zoom: Turst me, the distance you cover with digital zoom is not worth the amount of quality you lose in your image. You might as well crop the image later using any basic imaging application.

The Half-Press Rule
No matter what digital camera you own, this rule is universal: always half-press the shutter release (shoot button) before clicking the picture.

When you half-press the button, the camera automatically gets its focus right, sets the right exposure settings, and does everything required to give you the optimum settings. It even tells you if it's too dark to shoot, or if the subject is too close or too far to get the right focus, thereby helping you frame your pictures better.

The Truth About Megapixels
Higher Megapixels sure do sound impressive, but truth be told, most casual users don't need anything more than 4-5 megapixels to fulfil their needs. A 4x6 photo can be easily reproduced without loss from a 3 megapixel image, while a 5 megapixel image is good enough to fill an A4-sized sheet or an 8x10 print. 7 megapixels are enough to fill an A3-sized print. So ask yourself how large you're going to print your images before selecting a digital camera for its megapixel count.

A lot of people associate megapixel count with image quality, which is absolute hogwash. Image quality is determined by the camera sensor and the optics, not the resolution. It's not as if all 7 megapixel images of all camera manufacturers show the same amount of details or the same color clarity. The only real advantage you get from obscenely high megapixel counts is the ability to crop closer to your subject without losing out on print size.

Do You Really Need Image Stabilization?
A lot of cameras boast image stabilization, but unless they specify that it's optical image stabilization that the camera offers, it's pretty damn useless. In optical image stabilization, the camera actually utilises the lens mechanism to cut down on the image blur caused by shaky hands, which is the best way to go about it. This way you don't lose out on image quality while cutting down on hand jitters.

Digital image stabilization, on the other hand, boosts the light sensitivity of the camera so you can shoot in low light at high shutter speeds. Though this does cut out the jitter in your images, the image quality is highly reduced with digital noise and grains caused by the increased sensitivity. So, the upshot is if you're considering getting a camera with image stabilization, make sure it's optical.

Further Tips
If you have any more questions on this topic, feel free to mail me or drop a comment below. But before I end this article, here are a few more tips to get you started:

• If you love taking pictures, you absolutely must have Picasa 2 installed on your PC. There's no two ways about it.
• Check reviews online before making a camera purchase. Shopkeepers usually have their cut in mind when selling you a camera, so they may not always be the best advisers.
• Shooting in the appropriate shooting/scene mode will always give you better results than shooting in auto mode.
• If you're running out of battery power, immediately set the screen brightness level to lowest and avoid shooting with flash. Checking out every picture after shooting can drain battery as well, so avoid that. Make sure to carry your camera battery charger with you always.
• Having the camera manual handy on trips can be extremely useful, especially when you're wondering why you're not getting the shot you want.
• Unless specified, cameras and camera accessories don't mix well with water.
• A card reader is always better than a direct USB connection with the camera.
• A night shot without flash should always be taken after placing a camera on a flat, steady surface. Use the timer to avoid any kind of blurring.
• When shooting indoors, make sure all the lights in the room are turned on, or use the camera flash to avoid blurring.

Labels: Cameras