A digital camera makes a great gift for any occasion, Father's Day being no exception. The question is which camera? Choosing a digital camera for another person is anything but simple.
Salesclerks in camera specialty stores usually start by determining which kind of pictures you're going to take. Most of us primarily shoot kids, pets, friends, family and vacations. Point-and-shoot cameras are ideal for these situations, because they're designed to take good photographs with minimal effort.
Others, however, might want to document wildlife, capture the action of a sporting event, or dabble in portraiture. Shutterbugs like these need advanced features, which are usually found in extended zoom (24x - 48x) cameras or digital SLRs that allow the use of interchangeable lenses.
A word of advice: if you're thinking of buying a camera for an existing or budding photo enthusiast, get them a gift certificate. Presenting dad with a new Nikon D5000 Digital SLR sounds like a nice surprise, but not if he has his heart set on a Canon Digital Rebel T1i.
It's much easier to shop for snapshot photographer. Prices for point-and-shoot cameras range from under $100 to over $400, although some models at the upper end are really ultra compacts, which are aimed at advanced users seeking a sophisticated camera with a small form factor.
Today, we'll limit our discussion to models with a price tag under $250, which still leaves a daunting array. To compare models, features, and performance, create a grid, similar to the one shown below.
| Megapixels |
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| Lens |
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| Optical Zoom |
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| Viewfinder |
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| Exposure Control |
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| ISO Range |
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| Battery |
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| Movie Mode |
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| Image Stabilization |
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| Ergonomics |
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| Online Reviews |
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Let's start with megapixels. How many are enough? It's almost impossible to find a digital camera today with less than five megapixels, which is adequate for consumers who will never order enlargements larger than 8x10. Experts say point-and-shoot cameras with 8 - 10 megapixels are overkill, but camera shoppers tend to equate bigger with better, so models offering 12 or more megapixels continue to flourish.
Lens quality is more important than megapixels. A glass lens is usually a plus. The alternative is plastic or "optical resin," but many fine lenses have non-glass inner elements. Glass, however, has superior optical properties and scratches less easily.
Lens performance, such as its ability to minimize distortion, is also important. Film camera manufacturers, such as Nikon, Canon, Pentax and others, are known for their lenses, but companies known for consumer electronics, such as Sony and Panasonic, usually aren't. As such, many Sony CyberShot models have Carl Zeiss lenses, while some Panasonic models use lenses made by Leica.
Most point-and-shoot cameras use an optical zoom lens to provide consistent image quality over a range of focal lengths. All things being equal, a 6x optical zoom is more desirable than a 4x, because it offers a more powerful telephoto. The same lens might also provide a wider, wide-angle view. Most digital cameras also have a digital zoom, which should only be used as a last resort, because it enlarges portions of the image at the expense of quality.
The viewfinder is the cockpit of a digital camera, so scrimping here is counterproductive. You want the biggest possible viewfinder, and ideally one that is bright enough to see in direct sunlight. A 2.5-inch LCD viewfinder (measured diagonally) is average, but screen resolution varies. One 2.5-inch screen might be comprised of 115,000 pixels, whereas another might have 230,000. The more pixels, the sharper the screen. Menu layout and ease of navigation are also important. Touch screens are now the rage, but a touch screen can be difficult to use, particularly when you're wearing gloves or being jostled in a crowd.
Today's point-and-shoot cameras usually have auto-focus and exposure controls that are designed to provide goof-proof picture-taking. Face and scene recognition are fairly common, but some cameras are so smart it's mind-boggling. The new Nikon COOLPIX S220, for example, keeps subjects in focus even when they momentarily step out of frame, waits patiently for reluctant subjects to smile, and avoids recording images when people blink.
"ISO rating" sounds like techno mumble-jumble, but it has serious implications. A camera with a higher ISO rating is more sensitive in low-light situations. Unfortunately, using a higher ISO setting can also increase the amount of "noise" in an image, which detracts from its overall quality. A well-designed sensor keeps noise to a minimum, even at the highest ISO setting. When in doubt, search the Web using a camera's model number and the word "noise." If there's a problem, it won't take long to spot.
Most point-and-shoot digital cameras are powered either by AA batteries (alkaline or rechargeable lithium-ion) or proprietary battery packs (Ni-MH or Lithium-ion). The latter normally allows shooting more pictures-per-charge but has a higher replacement cost. For example, the Canon NB-4L Battery Pack lists for $59.95 (street price: $36). Always check the cost of replacement batteries before making a final decision on a camera.
Image stabilization (IS) (also called "vibration reduction") compensates for shakiness when a camera is handheld at slow shutter speeds or shots are taken at the maximum magnification provided by a zoom lens. Since the alternative is blurry photos or lugging around a tripod, image stabilization is a worth a few extra bucks.
Some digital cameras also allow you to shoot video as well as stills, but this capability is more of a novelty than a must-have feature. Recording video gobbles up free space on your memory card and drains the battery, particularly at HD resolution (1280 x 720, or higher). Furthermore, the built-in microphones on most digital cameras are prone to pick up extraneous sounds and wind noise, so video shot outdoors is often usable only as silent footage.
Nevertheless, because of their compactness, HD video-capable digital SLRs, such as the Nikon D90 or the new Nikon D5000 (shown on the
Fox 8 Morning News), are reportedly now being used to shoot some of the action sequences in TV series, such as Fox's "24." You might be reluctant to strap your $1,000 Nikon to a skateboard and push it down a busy sidewalk, but some Hollywood DP's have apparently taken to the idea.
While I'm on the subject, let me also say that if your goal is to give dad the ability to video the highlights of his Cocodrie fishing trips, go with a mini camcorder, rather than a video-capable, point-and-shoot camera. A $200 pocket-size device, like the Ultra
HD by Flip Video, will give dad one-touch recording (up to 120 minutes), built-in USB 2.0 and HDMI connectors, and software (for Mac or PC) to edit his clips, grab still shots or upload videos directly to MySpace or YouTube.
Finally, keep in mind that not all digital cameras are pocket-size and lightweight. Models with extended zoom lenses are understandably bulky, but good ergonomics dictate that a camera's controls should fall readily at hand. How a camera fits your hand cannot be ascertained from a magazine ad or a manufacturer's website. The best way to make a sound purchase is to visit a local photo specialty store and handle the goods. There's also a good chance you'll benefit from the insights of retailers who've spent years (often decades) satisfying photographic needs.
I'm also a big fan of going to online retailers' web sites and reading user reviews, particularly negative comments. The best way to avoid buyers' remorse is to discover a product's shortcomings beforehand. Isolated complaints can be taken with a grain of salt, but if a problem is mentioned repeatedly, it should raise a red flag.
There are other factors, of course, such as warranty, body color choices, storage media options, and on and on, but this is a good start. If you come across a term or specification you don't understand, consult
Wikipedia. For more information about a particular model, visit the manufacturer's website or consult a
site that specializes in unbiased camera reviews.
With that, good luck, and good digital camera hunting!
