Preview Screens
& Viewfinders
Lenses
Creative
Controls
Automatic Flash
Batteries etc
Other Features
| Digital Camera Features
|
| Item | Comment |
| Preview screen, size | LCD preview screens are used to compose or review pictures. |
| Optical viewfinder | An optical viewfinder is used to compose images. It requires no power. This design has a separate viewfinder window slightly offset from the lens. |
| Thru-the-lens (TTL) viewing | This design shows you the view through the lens when you look into the viewfinder. |
| Item | Comment |
| Focal length | Determines the lens’ angle of coverage. |
| Zoom lens | Optical zooms are better than digital zooms |
| Macro mode | A lens mode that lets you get very close to small objects to show them greatly enlarged. |
| Interchangeable lenses | Interchangeable lenses let you change focal lengths. |
| Lens accessories | Some cameras make it easy to attach lens accessories such as filters or adapters, other make it hard. |
| Maximum aperture | Larger apertures are better in low light or when capturing fast action. |
| Detachable/rotatable lenses | Allow you to position the camera body and lens independently to shoot over crowds or around corners. |
| Glass or plastic? | Glass lens are generally better than plastic lenses. |
| Item | Comment |
| Automatic mode | Camera sets both aperture and shutter speed. |
| Exposure compensation | You can adjust exposure one or two stops in either direction to lighten or darken scenes. |
| Shutter priority mode | You set the shutter speed to control motion and the camera selects the best matching aperture. |
| Aperture priority mode | You set the aperture to control depth of field and the camera selects the best matching shutter speed. |
| Manual mode | You set bot aperture and shutter speed. |
| Focus, fixed | Unadjustable focus is preset. |
| Focus, automatic | Camera focuses on subject in the middle of the viewfinder. |
| Focus, manual | You focus the camera so you can determine what’s in focus and what isn’t. |
| Focus range, minimum focus distance | How close you can get to a subject. |
| Exposure/focus lock | You point to anything and hold down the shutter button halfway to lock in exposure and focus settings. |
| White balance | Adjusts the image sensor for the type of light under which you are photographing. Can be automatic or manual. |
| Item | Comment |
| Flash range | The maximum range at which the flash illuminates a subject. |
| Flash mode, auto | The flash fires when their isn’t enough natural or artificial light to get a good exposure. |
| Flash mode, off | The flash won’t fire so you can use natural light even when the light is low. |
| Flash mode, fill or forced | The flash fires even when there is enough light for a good exposure. Good for filling shadows on sunny days. |
| Flash mode, slow sync | Let’s you adjust the relative brightness of the foreground subject illuminated by the flash and background subjects illuminated by natural light. |
| Red-eye reduction | Fires a first flash to close the subjects iris before firing the second flash used to take the picture. |
| Hot shoe, sync connector | Allows you to remove the flash from the camera. |
| Item | Comment |
| Alkaline batteries | Inexpensive but don’t last long and aren’t rechargeable. |
| NiCad batteries | Suffers memory problems if not charged properly. |
| NiMH batteries | The current first choice for digital camera batteries. Rechargeable and no memory problems. |
| LiOn batteries | Longest lasting batteries but the most expensive. Rechargeable and no memory problems. |
| Battery charger/conditioner | Recharges batteries. |
| AC adapter | Plugs the camera into a wall socket so you can keep shooting when your batteries are dead. |
| Item | Comment |
| Look and feel | Try it, see if you like it. |
| Size and weight | The smaller and lighter it is, the more likely you are to take it with you. |
| Orientation sensor | Rotates portrait mode images so they are turned sideways on the preview screen, TV and, computer screen. |
| Burst mode | Shoots a series of pictures one after another at a high rate. |
| Time-lapse mode | Shoots a series of pictures at preset intervals. |
| Video mode | Shoots a few seconds of minutes of video with sound. |
| Panoramic, single image | Takes one image using just the center band of the image sensor. |
| Panoramic, multiple image | Guides you through a series of images which you then stitch together into a single image on the computer. |
| Multiple exposures | Let’s you take multiple images so they overlap one another. |
| Tripod mount | Provides a place into which you can screw a tripod. |
| Self-timer | The camera fires at the end of a preset period of time. |
| Remote control | You can fire the camera from a distance with a wireless remote control. |
| Date/time indicators | Images are date and time stamped. |
| Written annotation | The preview screen you can write on to annotate pictures. |
| Sound recording | The camera contains a microphone so you can record comments about your pictures. |
| Software | This varies widely from camera to camera but usually includes download software and a photo-editing program |
| Operating system | Most operating systems are unique to a specific line of cameras. The only exception is Digita that allows you to write scripts to automate camera functions. |