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Things To Know
Find the perfect digital camera to fit all of your needs.
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| What are the advantages of a digital camera over a film camera?
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There are many. For starters, it's never been easier to edit, catalogue, print and share your photos. This is because digital cameras electronically capture and store pictures (whereas traditional cameras record images onto film). This lets you instantly preview, download and edit images on your computer. You can easily delete unwanted shots and eliminate the cost and risk of film. Processing and printing your pictures is simple too: You can save your files to an SD Memory Card or CD-ROM and drop them off at a photo center, or you can buy an affordable, compact digital photo printer and print your photos at home. Digital cameras are also compatible with a number of other devices. Some televisions and DVD recorders now feature SD Memory Card slots, making it easy to view your photos as a slideshow on a widescreen TV, or record them onto DVD for secure storage and easy viewing later on. Digital cameras can even help you take better pictures. In addition to the increased durability and shooting flexibility inherent in digital camera technology, most digital cameras come equipped with a number of handy automatic features and pre-set modes that choose the proper settings for you in a range of shooting scenarios. |
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| | Can I get film-quality photos with my digital camera? | | Absolutely. Digital cameras can produce rich, sharp, warm images. And, because they're often easier to operate in a wider range of conditions, digital cameras are usually able to provide high-quality pictures more reliably and consistently than film cameras. | |  |
| | Do digital still cameras shoot digital video? | | Many digital cameras have a built-in feature that allows you to capture a small amount of digital video. However, the functions and memory capabilities of these cameras are designed primarily to take still photos, so a dedicated digital camcorder is recommended for shooting large amounts of video. On the other hand, if you plan on mostly taking still photos, but want the option to occasionally record short video snippets, a digital still camera will most likely satisfy your needs. | |  | | | | What are the different types of digital cameras, and what are the benefits of each?
| Digital cameras fall into two overall categories: point-and-shoot and digital SLR (or single lens reflex). | | | | Point-and-shoot. | Are you a casual user taking snapshots of family and friends? A serious amateur who wants more control over the appearance of your pictures? Point and Shoot cameras are designed to span this range of skills. Some, if not all of the settings on these cameras are automatic. If you plan to take pictures within a wide range of environments and lighting conditions, point-and-shoot cameras can adapt to multiple situations. Most point-and-shoot cameras even have predetermined settings and "scene modes" (like outdoor, indoor, sunlight, snow, etc) and can measure light, focal length and ISO (virtual film speed) automatically. Serious amateurs will be satisfied with sophisticated, compact or "long zoom" point-and-shoot cameras. These models often have settings that allow for a full range of focal, ISO and lighting options, giving you advanced control over your camera's features. There are several different camera styles within the point-and-shoot category:
Compact.
Slim and stylish, compacts come in several sizes, from tiny cameras that can be conveniently carried in your pocket, to slightly larger ones that can be easily slipped into a backpack or purse. Most compact cameras offer lots of great features, like wide-angle and zoom lenses, image stabilization, blur reduction technology, face detection, pre-set scene modes (for different lighting conditions), large LCD displays and more. These cameras are great if you like taking casual, spontaneous snapshots and don't have any room for extra bulk. Compacts are also great for most family and vacation photo purposes. Long Zoom.
Larger and heavier than their compact and ultracompact counterparts, long zoom cameras provide greater shooting flexibility and offer serious amateurs a bridge between point-and-shoot cameras and digital SLRs (defined below). Able to zoom in at distances of up to 10X or greater, long zoom cameras let you focus on faraway subjects, creatively crop a scene and capture details that would otherwise go unnoticed. When shopping, be sure to check if a camera has Optical or Digital zoom. Look for Optical Zoom, which physically adjusts the camera's lens to preserve image quality and your subject's natural appearance as you zoom in.
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| Digital SLR (Single lens reflex). | | SLR stands for "single lens reflex." This means that one lens is used to both capture the image and, through mirrors, show the image in the camera's viewfinder. Digital SLRs offer interchangeable lenses, customization options and a broad range of manual controls. These cameras also allow for enormous freedom in determining focus, composition, depth of field, flash source and more. Favored by most professional photographers, SLRs are also a great option for ambitious amateurs looking for a way to explore the more creative side of digital photography. | |  | | | | What factors contribute to getting the best image quality? |
Image Stabilization. The flexibility and ease of use offered by digital cameras creates opportunities for more spontaneous shooting and more interesting photographs. But it also creates more opportunities for camera-shake, which can result in blurry, out-of-focus pictures. In fact, even normal, unavoidable hand movements can result in blurry photos, and the powerful zoom lenses that come with many newer digital cameras accentuate the issue, magnifying the effects of camera-shake as they magnify the appearance of the subject. To combat camera-shake, many digital cameras use either Electronic Image Stabilization (E.I.S.), or the more advanced Optical Image Stabilization (O.I.S.). E.I.S. corrects for camera shake electronically, by digitally manipulating the image within the camera. While this corrects for motion blur, it can also result in some loss of detail and clarity. Optical Image Stabilization (such as the MEGA O.I.S. technology used in all Panasonic digital cameras), on the other hand, compensates for camera-shake by moving the lens itself: gyrosensors detect jitter, microcomputers instantly calculate compensation needs, and tiny linear motors adjust lenses with speed and accuracy beyond comprehension. O.I.S. technology might sound complicated, but the end result is simple: photographs that are crisp and clear, even if your camera shakes. Megapixels & Resolution. A photo's resolution determines the amount of detail and clarity in the image. Digital photos are made up of tiny bits of color called pixels. Resolution is determined by the number of megapixels – equal to one million pixels – in your image. As you'd imagine, higher resolution photos take up more space on your camera's SD card or hard drive. Today, most digital cameras can produce images with anywhere from five to twelve megapixels. Resolution is an especially important factor if you plan to print your digital photos. If you need to print big, sharp, high-quality photos (8"X10" or larger), choose a camera in the five- to ten-pixel range. Low-resolution images still look clear when uploaded to web sites or viewed on your computer monitor, so fewer pixels are needed for "screen-only" purposes. Memory. Digital cameras have a small, preset amount of memory, which determines how many photos can be stored on the camera's hard drive. Higher-resolution photos consume more memory, so you can only store so many before the camera's memory is full. Because of this, the tiny, postage stamp-sized SD Memory Card has become an essential and universal storage device in the world of digital photography. SD Memory Cards are available in a range of sizes, from 16MB all the way up to 4GB. The SD Memory Card can be popped in and out of your camera and connected directly to many other devices, including many computers and photo printers. Some televisions (including all Panasonic Plasma TVs) and DVD recorders even include an SD memory card slot that lets you quickly and easily view your photos as a slideshow or save them onto a DVD. Zoom Range. Need to shoot a faraway object? Want to capture details from a distance? Zoom range indicates the greatest degree to which a camera can enlarge a subject. In other words, the higher the zoom range of a camera, the closer you can get to whatever you're shooting. With digital photography, there are two types of zoom, Optical and Digital, and it's important to understand the difference between the two. Digital zoom electronically enlarges part of a scene within the camera (by zooming into the image's pixels), without adjusting the lens. While the digital zoom method allows for extreme close-ups with a small lens, some image quality and detail is usually lost in the process. Optical Zoom is a much more precise technology. With Optical Zoom, the camera's lens automatically or manually adjusts to make an object appear closer, magnifying the subject while still fully maintaining its natural appearance and preserving the image quality of the final product. All Panasonic Lumix® Digital Cameras feature Digital Zoom. More importantly, all LUMIX cameras feature Optical Zoom as well. | | | | Are certain cameras or features better for certain uses? | Yes. Several factors to consider include whether you'll want to manually control your camera's settings, the camera's size and shape, the LCD display size, and the lens options available. | | | | Manual controls. | | Simply put: The more control you want, the more controls you need. If you're okay with the camera making decisions about where and how to focus, what shutter speed and ISO to use, whether or not to use a flash, etc, go for a model that's as close to fully automatic as possible. If you want the option of controlling basic decisions, or more sophisticated options like the ability to control depth of field and ISO (virtual film speed), look for either a camera that's fully manual, or one that can be set in various modes of manual and automatic. | |  | | | Camera size: does it matter? | | Yes and no. Camera size is a matter of personal need and preference; bigger doesn't necessarily mean better for every user and every use. A bigger camera might mean more features, but it also might mean more features than you need. If you want a basic snapshot camera that fits in your purse or pocket, there are plenty of small, stylish options. As a rule of thumb, long zoom and SLR cameras are bigger than basic point-and-shoot models, because their larger lenses require a bigger camera body. But with long zoom and SLR cameras, what you loose in terms of portability, you make up for in versatility and control. | |  | | | LCD display. | | LCD displays are great for composing and framing pictures. They allow you to see a miniature version of the photo before clicking the shot, and without squinting into a traditional viewfinder. LCD displays range from two to three diagonal inches. | |  | | | Lens. | | What's in a lens? The ability to control light, zoom, focus and a whole lot more. While there are many factors that contribute to the appearance of a photograph, the overall image quality (particularly the accurate representation of details) is largely dependant on the quality of the lens itself. This is the first and most important filter for the light that eventually makes up your picture. In other words, an exquisitely crafted, finely tuned lens (like the world-renowned Leica® lenses used in Panasonic Lumix® cameras) can mean the difference between an interesting snapshot and a beautiful, powerful photograph. In the end, your lens needs will largely depend on what kinds of pictures you plan on taking. If you're only interested in snapping a casual photo every now and then, you'll do fine with the built-in lens of any basic compact or ultracompact point-and-shoot camera. But, while these lenses are simple to use, they're also relatively limited; you'll need to be within a short range of your subject in order to capture any details. Most digital cameras have a simple zoom feature that, when activated, expands or retracts the lens a short distance from the camera's body, zooming into or away from the subject. These lenses usually provide more than enough zoom range for basic snapshots. However, if you plan on developing your skills beyond point-and-shoot photography, or need to take professional-quality shots, you might be interested in a camera with a more powerful zoom lens, or even a SLR with multiple interchangeable lens options. | |  |  | | | How do I download, store and print my digital photos? | There are many simple options for managing digital photos. They can be downloaded directly from camera to computer for viewing, organizing, printing, editing, emailing, and copying. You can save them on your computer or an auxiliary hard drive, upload them to a web server or burn a CD with select images. Some televisions (such as Panasonic Plasma TVs) feature SD Memory Card slots, making it quick and easy to view photos on huge, High-Definition screens. | | | | How do I connect my camera to my computer to download photos? | | Most digital cameras come with USB cables that allow you to directly load photos from your camera to any PC or Macintosh® that has a USB port. | |  | | | What's the best way to save and protect my photos? | | You can directly download and save digital photos to your computer, but you'll probably want to have additional backup. Digital photos can be archived onto CDs and DVDs, as well as stored on server space or auxiliary hard drives. | | | | | Which cameras will work best with my computer? | | Most digital cameras can connect to PC or Macintosh® laptop and desktop systems, and various manufacturers' printers, via USB cables that come with every camera. But some computers' platforms or operating systems are incompatible with the photo imaging software that comes with the cameras. However, there is plenty of alternative photo imaging software created for both PC and Macintosh platforms, and this should allow you to download photos from your camera to virtually any computer. | |  | | | What software or drivers do I need? | | High-quality photo viewing and basic image editing software is included with most digital cameras. While these programs will fulfill most photographers' general needs, users interested in more complex image manipulation (color correction, intricate cropping, photo compositing, etc), may want to invest in software such as Adobe® Photoshop®, or another program designed specifically for such use. | | | | | Which cameras will work with my printer? | | Since most digital cameras come with USB cables, they can connect directly to any computer or printer that has a USB port. Many photo printers now have SD Memory Card ports, so the card from your camera can plug directly into the printer. Some printers have a small display screen that allows you to preview images before printing. Panasonic photo printers even offer the option to make wide 16:9 format prints. | |  | | | | Do I need any additional hardware or accessories? | Most digital cameras come with everything they need – battery and charger, cable for uploading to a PC or Macintosh ®, SD Memory Card – to fully function. Of course, all kinds of additional accessories are also available. For instance, the SD Memory Cards that come packaged with new cameras are usually very limited in terms of memory space, so you'll probably want to purchase an additional, larger capacity SD Memory Card. You may also be interested in picking up other useful accessories, such as extra batteries, a camera bag or protective case, lens filters, cleaning products, etc. | | | | What is a network camera and why would I need one? | | If you need to keep an eye on something you're not close to, a network camera might just be for you. Network cameras can be placed inside or outside a home, office, vacation property, or anywhere else, then viewed and controlled from a standard Web browser, video display, or even a compatible cell phone or PDA – all with no extra software. Some network cameras are wireless, can be controlled remotely, can be set to record at certain times and speeds, feature two-way audio, and can be adjusted within broad tilt, pan and zoom settings. | |  | | 
  | Secure Digital (SD) Memory Card | |  | | Secure Digital (SD) Memory Cards are a widely used format for flash memory in portable devices like digital cameras and handheld computers. When you take a picture with a digital camera, that data is stored on the camera's SD Memory Card, a postage stamp-sized flash memory drive that can be popped in an out of your camera or other compatible devices. SD cards are available in 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, and 512 MB, and 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 GB. |  SD/SDHC memory card | | | Optical zoom is a camera feature that magnifies the size of an image through lens adjustment without degrading picture quality. This feature should not be confused with digital zoom, which performs the same function, but sacrifices resolution. Optical zoom requires the moving of a lens forward or backward. |  normal image |  12X Optical Zoom | | | Digital Zoom is a feature found in many digital cameras and camcorders that takes a portion of the image's data and enlarges it, producing a magnification similar to the effect achieved using a telephoto lens. This process, however, is different from the magnification produced using an optical zoom, and the stronger the digital zoom, the more the image will degrade. | Optical Zoom | Digital Zoom (note blurriness) | | | A Pixel is the smallest element of a digital image. When viewed up close, digital images will appear as a grid of pixels. Pixels are often referenced when describing the resolution capability of a device – the more pixels per inch, the higher the resolution. | | | A Megapixel is the term for one million (1,000,000) pixels. A pixel is the smallest element of a digital image. When viewed up close, digital images will appear as a grid of pixels. Pixels are often referenced when describing the resolution capability of a device - the more pixels per inch, the higher the resolution, and the more detailed and clear an image will appear. | | | Leica® Lenses are world-renowned, high-quality optical devices produced by the German company of the same name, and showcased in Panasonic Lumix® cameras. Leica Dicomar products are manufactured using Leica-certified measuring instruments and quality assurance systems based on rigorous quality standards approved by Leica Camera AG. Leica lenses offer a variety of impressive features that combine to yield incredibly clear, detailed images and true-to-life colors. |  normal lens: washed-out image |  multi-coated Leica lens: clear image | | | High Definition (HD) is a television and movie display technology that offers a significantly higher image quality than Standard Definition and features a wide screen format and surround sound capabilities. High Definition boasts either 720 or 1,080 lines of resolution (presented in either interlaced or progressive scan format), and uses a 16:9 aspect ratio (width:height), which is wider than the 4:3 ratio of standard televisions. | |  |
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