Digital Cameras – 10 of the Best
September 23, 2009 by Chele
Filed under Photography Tips
Article by: Dan Feildman
Looking for a digital camera? If so, then you probably want to be sure that you pick out the right one. The following is an overview of several of the best cameras out there, so read on and make up your mind…
Canon PowerShot A620 Digital Camera
For less than $400 you can have this camera, which is great for both beginner and advanced photographers. This is one of Canon’s best cameras in the A-series and it comes with many great features. A 7.1 megapixel camera, this is great for those who need pictures with high definition, and you are sure to be pleased with all the exposure controls available too.
Canon PowerShot A610 Digital Camera
Also under $400, although not quite as snappy as the A620, this is a camera that has a variety of advanced functions that both pros and novices alike will enjoy. This is a 5.0 megapixel camera that has a special fold out 2 inch LCD screen. With this camera you start at wide angle, but the camera can accept telephoto and wide angle lenses as well.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-p200 Digital Camera
If you like what Sony offered before, you’ll find that this digital camera is even better. With 7.2 megapixels, a great 2 inch display, and Sony’s Picture Package software included, this is a great buy for only $400. The 3x zoom lens and the memory stick storage are added bonuses too, not to mention all the accessories that come along.
This camera comes with a great 2.5 inch viewing screen that makes taking pictures easy. It is both water proof and shock proof and is small enough to fit in your pocket. You can even use this camera under water for great underwater shots you can’t get with most cameras. Puts out great pictures and is easy for anyone to use.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 Digital Camera
Reasonably priced at less than $300, this is a great choice if you are on a budget. The camera comes with a 10x zoom lens, and now with this 7.2 megapixel camera you also get a true wide angle view as well. With a great design and three color choices, blue, silver, and black, the camera is a nice looking, portable, and very compact choice.
Canon Rebel XTi Digital Camera
If you are willing to pay a bit more, you can get Canon’s SLR, the Rebel, which broke the $1000 price barrier for the first time for digital SLR’s. This camera has a 2.5″ screen and features manual modes and auto mode alike. There are many accessories that can be added too, so you can get all the zoom lenses, filters, and other accessories you desire.
For those who are truly serious about photography and aren’t afraid to spend more than $1000, this Nikon is a great choice. It is a digital SLR that comes with both manual and automatic controls. It is a favorite among many, especially because of the ability to control lighting and take pictures that are amazing.
Kodak EasyShare V530 Digital Camera
This camera is one of the best compact digital cameras out there, and it’s a great buy for less than $300. It comes with a 3x optical zoom and offers 5 megapixels to work with too. There is no manual mode and no viewfinder either, so you’ll have to just rely on the LCD screen when you are taking shots with this camera.
If you are looking for a camera that almost has SLR capabilities without the high price, this camera should be at the top of your list. For less than $700 you can have this capable camera that boasts 8 megapixels, and a choice of the LCD screen or a digital viewfinder when shooting pictures. The superzoom lens is definitely an added bonus as well.
A cross between a digital camera and a digital camcorder, the price of $490 is definitely a great buy. The still camera boasts 5 megapixels and the videos that you can take with the camera are MPEG-4 videos that are 640 by 480. There are various ISO settings available and high shutter speeds are part of deal, as well as a 2″ LCD that swivels.
There are hundreds of digital cameras on the market today. Choosing the best for your own needs can be a challenge. Hopefully, the guide above will get you started in finding the right one for you.
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Photoshop vs Photoshop Elements: Which Is Best?
September 16, 2009 by Chele
Filed under Tell Me Thursday
If you’re in the market for an image editing software, chances are you’re trying to make a decision between Photoshop and Photoshop Elements.
Both are excellent software for manipulating digital photographs and images. In this article, I’ll discuss some of the ways the two software are different. Hopefully, after reading this, you can make an informed decision.
Keep in mind Adobe’s intentions when you consider each one. In their website, Adobe says that Photoshop CS4 (the latest version) is ideal for “professional photographers, serious amateur photographers, graphic designers, web designers.”
Unfortunately, Adobe doesn’t tell us whom Photoshop Elements is ideal for. It does say you can “get creative,” “enhance your photos,” “share and protect all your memories” with Elements.
This hints at a more consumer-level (rather than professional) user who manages images for personal use.
With this in mind, Photoshop and Photoshop Elements differ in three main areas: price, ease of use, and features. Let’s compare the differences:
1. Price
Adobe Photoshop costs a whopping $699, while Photoshop Elements is $99.
For many, the price will dictate their choice. Keep in mind, some professionals use Elements even for their work. They use workarounds such as add-ons and other tools to get Elements to do what they need to accomplish… but more on that later.
2. Ease of Use
With Photoshop geared towards professional image users, you can expect it to be more difficult to use. Elements has a more intuitive, more user-friendly interface.
However, if you’re already familiar with photo editing software, such as earlier versions of Photoshop, then this won’t be much of an issue.
3. Features
As you might have guessed, the differences in price and ease of use stem from differences in features. Photoshop has functionalities which Elements doesn’t have… and vice versa.
For example, Photoshop has more robust features for manipulating the finer details of a digital image. Here are just some features in Photoshop, which aren’t in Elements:
- CMYK and LAB color modes
- ability to work with 16-bit and 32-bit images
- Layer masks and layer comps
- Adjustment layers for color balance, curves and selective color
- Advanced text formatting, including putting text on a path
But don’t ditch Elements yet. It also has features you won’t find in Photoshop, such as:
- Automatic red-eye removal
- Cookie cutter tool, background templates and artwork
- Photo Organizer, which lets you tag photos and later find them quickly through tags. Photo Organizer also lets you share your photos by creating online galleries, slideshows, photo books and more.
As mentioned earlier, many Elements users find they can do with Elements a lot of the things Photoshop can do. Some of the functions are there but need to be “unlocked.”
Add-ons and tools for Photoshop Elements are developed by users of both software. Some are free, while others you need to pay for. These will enhance Elements to be able to do more of the things Photoshop can do.
Whichever software you choose, you have to know how to use it in order to achieve the images you want.
If you decide that Photoshop is for you, check out this Photoshop video tutorial – it’s like looking over the shoulder of a seasoned Photoshop user.
Should you go with Elements, this Elements video tutorial will help you master the software in a short time.
Now you are ready to make the best decision for YOUR needs that works within the resources you have. Good luck!
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Understanding Your Digital Camera Can Earn You Money
September 9, 2009 by Chele
Filed under Photography Tips
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You might be someone that a brought digital camera only because it IS digital. Now its time you should know how a digital camera works and get to understand the photography basics…
Before understanding digital photography basics it is essential for you to understand the concept of digital image. A digital image is basically an extensive sequence of 0s and 1s which represents the pixels that collectively form a full image.
The working of a digital camera is quite similar to the working of an analogue camera. The difference between the two is of the technologies employed. A digital camera consists of all components of analogue camera except for the roll. A digital camera does not have a roll. Instead, the images are stored on a semiconductor device as binary digits of 0s and 1s in a digital camera.
A digital camera has inbuilt sensors which convert light into electric charges. The sensors are in the array of 10mm across. The image sensor which is used in a majority of digital cameras is Charged Coupled Device (CCD). Some digital cameras also use Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS). The working of these two devices is more or less same, they convert light into electrons.
As a CCD converts light into electrons, the accumulated charges are initially stored as analogue data and are then converted into digital form through a device called analogue-to-digital converter (ADC). Over the silicone chip, there is a huge collection of very minute light sensitive diodes known as photosites or pixels. These pixels convert light into electrical charges or electrons. As more and more light strikes an array of pixels, they produce more and more electrons. As the lens enters the camera through the lens, it hits the CCD followed by pressing the shutter button. As soon as the shutter opens, it elucidates each and every pixel with various intensities. You are already learning some of the real photography basics so crucial for understanding your digital camera.
The CCD sensors create a low noise, high quality image but they consume a lot of power. On the other hand the CMOS sensors, though consume 100 times less power than CCD, have noise in the image. Moreover, the quality of image is not so good. The CMOS sensors are relatively cheaper than CCD sensors. Moreover CMOS sensors do not require ADC for conversion of data into digital form. The digital cameras which are based on CMOS sensors are small, cheap and best for economy.
When the image gets stored in the inbuilt memory of the camera, it can be directly loaded to a computer. These images can also be sent directly to a printer. The transfer can be done via using the latest serial, parallel, USB or SCSI connection to either the computer or the printer. Digital photography basics means knowing basic computer skills too, so you can produce and edit your digital images that you could even sell on the internet. If you would like to know more about selling digital photos online, grab this excellent free report – Turn Your Photos Into Cash
You’ll also want to take a look at this Free Digital Photography Report that Reveals Insider Professional Tips And Tricks For Taking Awesome Photos With a Digital Camera.
