Gadget Secret

Canon SX200

2009-02-18T04:37:00.000-08:00

Canon SX200 - The new Canon SX200-IS is the most amazing of this round of Powershots. It gives Canon an alternative to their current superzoom line-up, a camera that slots in-between the SX1/SX10 and the SX110 meanwhile see also Nikon CoolPix P90 and Casio Exilim 9MP Digital Camera as your choice before buy Canon SX200. Canon SX200 looks so classy like sigma and elegant, and it's got a 12x zoom, 28mm wide-angle lens, vital specs Canon SX200: 12MP sensor (Canon likes the number 12, I guess), 720p video recording, a 3-inch LCD screen and LiIon batteries instead of the usual AA that most of the Canon superzooms have had throughout history. Canon SX200 avaliable in different color, a cherry red besides the black and blue. Canon SX200 is available for pre-order at Amazon for $350 and Canon SX200 release date is end of next month for $350. canon sx200,canon a480, canon d10, canon eos 500d, canon pixma mx300, dpreview

Sony's Alpha A200

2008-08-30T18:38:00.000-07:00

Sony's Alpha A200 is a relatively minor revamp to the electronics giant's first digital SLR, the A100, which itself was a more significant step up from the Konica Minolta 5D. The Sony A200 is lighter and smaller than the A100, and a good deal easier to use.

Sony claims improvements to the Sony A200's AF system that will make focus acquisition 1.7 times faster, thanks to the high-torque AF motor and improved AF sequence borrowed from the A700, and our test results do indicate a significant improvement.

Sony's Alpha-mount lens system is the oldest SLR autofocus system in the business, going back 28 years, so there's a broad and growing selection of lenses to choose from.

The Sony A200's 10.2-megapixel sensor is the same resolution as its predecessor, but it's said to let more light reach each pixel for lower noise and more detail.

Shaped to better match the sensor's 3:2 aspect ratio, the Sony A200's 2.7-inch "Clear Photo" LCD has an anti-reflective coating for easy viewing in the sun, and 230,000 pixels.

A new LCD-based function menu replaces the old dial-based function menu on the A100, and many of the menu functions and systems from the Sony A700 have made their way into the Sony A200.

New to the Sony A200 is a pop-up flash, rather than the old "pull-up" type. Now this consumer camera can deploy the flash in auto modes when necessary. Like most other digital SLRs, the user deploys the flash with a button on the left side of the lens mount housing, by the Sony A200's big orange Alpha logo.

The old battery icon has been augmented with a "percent remaining" indicator on the Sony A200, which reads "100%," in addition to displaying four bars to indicate battery status. Sony has created a new vertical battery grip (VG-B30AM) for the Sony A200 that duplicates many of the controls necessary for vertical shooting, and holds two InfoLITHIUM batteries, making the camera capable of shooting up to 1,500 shots.

Eye-start Autofocus, also from the A100, starts up the autofocus system so the Sony A200 is ready before you even match your eye up to the frame in most cases. Super SteadyShot sensor-based stabilization reduces blurry images with any lens mounted. Sony claims up to 3.5 stops of extra exposure with their body-based image stabilization system. Anti-dust is also built in, with a static-free coating on the CCD's filter that is shaken each time the camera is powered off.

The Sony A200 kit (DSLR-A200K) comes with a DT 18-70mm (3.9x) f/3.5-5.6 zoom lens for an estimated US$600.

A separate Sony A200 kit (DSLR-A200W) includes two lenses: the DT 18-70mm mentioned above, and a 75-300mm f/4.6-5.6 telephoto zoom for an estimated US$800.

Sigma Dp 1 Must Know

2008-02-01T08:13:00.000-08:00

Sigma was showing off their digicam slab of tech, the DP1. To the untrained eye, it doesn't look like much. But Sigma's put the same 14.1-megapixel APS-C sized Foveon CMOS sensor used in its SD14 DSLR into this tiny package. There's a f/4, 28-mm (in 35-mm equivalent terms) lens, but what really impressed us was the build quality on this unit -- not a creak or bit of flex to be had on the camera. It's definitely a high-end piece of photo jewelry.

New Lenses On Show At PMA - Great

2008-02-01T08:02:00.000-08:00

Manufacturers at this year's PMA show in Las Vegas have announced new additions to their lens ranges. These include Canon, Nikon, Samsung and Pentax, as well as new lenses from third-party manufacturer Tamron. It s different to sony thosiba laptop.

Canon has announced two telephoto lenses in its L series. The 200mm f/2 L IS USM and 800mm f/5.6 L IS USM both boast Image Stabilisation and L series construction, with the latter lens replacing the EF 600mm f/4 L IS USM as the longest lens in Canon's EF range.

Nikon has furnished its AF-S range of lenses, with the AF-S DX Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR and the AF-S Micro Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G ED. The company has also announced a new Perspective Control lens, the PC-E Nikkor 24mm f/3.5D ED, as well as confirming the development of two further PC-E lenses, the PC-E Nikkor 45mm f/2.8D ED and PC-E Micro Nikkor 85mm f/2.8D ED.

Pentax's DA lens range sees the introduction of five new models. The DA* 200mm f/2.8 ED [IF] SDM and DA* 300mm f/4.0 ED [IF] SDM add to the company's telephoto range, with both incorporating aspherical and Extra Low Dispersion elements, as well as a 'Quick Shift Focus System'. Two further zooms have also been announced – the DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL II and the DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED – while the DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Limited optic completes the new release and joins Pentax's macro lens range.

Samsung had earlier announced two new lenses alongside the launch of its GX-20 DSLR. The D-XENON 18-250mm f/3.5-F6.3 and 18-55mm II F3.5-F5.6 will be available in March, with the 18-55mm lens included in the GX-20 kit option.

Tamron has also unveiled three new lenses. The 17-50mm f/2.8 is now to be made available in a Pentax mount, while the 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 has been designed with both full-frame and APS-C users in mind. A third optic – the SP AF70-200MM F/2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro – has been developed for full-frame sensors and features a wide, constant aperture of f/2.8, an internal focusing mechanism and a magnification ratio of 1:3.1. The lens sits in Tamron's 'Super Performance' range and will be available first in a Canon mount, before Nikon, Pentax and Sony become available.

The company has also announced the development of three further lenses with built-in motors in the Nikon mount. These are the AF18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di II and SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II, as well as the full-frame 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di. Details of pricing and availability are yet to be announced.

Sony Playstation 3

2008-01-01T06:53:00.000-08:00

Sony announced the availability of a new entry-level model of 40GB version this coming 2nd November. This version will be priced at $399 and will include the movie Spiderman 3 on a Blu-ray disc

Satellite Notebook Toshiba

2007-10-15T01:54:00.000-07:00

This special notebook Satellite Notebook Toshiba for Gamers on the Go.The Satellite® X205-S9359 notebook brings gaming to life. Take in the views with Toshiba’s 17" diagonal Widescreen SXGA+ TruBrite® display* (1680x1050). Intel® Centrino® Duo processor technology* teamed with the upgraded NVIDIA® GeForce 8700M GT graphics* card with 512MB of dedicated video RAM provides uninterrupted, unforgettable gaming.

Connect to a plasma TV for high definition games. Then amp up the audio with the four built-in Harman Kardon® speakers with one subwoofer or connect easily to your home stereo system via an HDMI or S/P DIF audio cable. Serious gamers will like the dual 160GB hard drives* and upgraded 1GB LAN connectivity for faster downloading. Burn, rip and store more multimedia files with the HD DVD-ROM* with Super Multi drive. Enjoy instant-on entertainment thanks to the new Dual Mode Pad

"This laptop is the best investment I have ever made in my life so far. I bought it for college, because I would hate having a bad laptop on the go, I would rather have all the power of a desktop in the relative size of a laptop. This laptop play games very nicely, I am still waiting for toshiba to release newer drivers, because the current ones can't take full advantage of the graphics gard in this laptop.

I play Oblivion, Call of Duty, Company of Heroes, Battle Field Two and many other games, and I love the freedom of playing them on the go. Although this is a laptop, don't be surprised if you don't get more then 1 hour and 20 minutes on this thing. With the graphics card and the power in this thing, it is hard to keep the system running on battery for more than even 1 hour if your doing anything demanding. But your not looking at this laptop as a ultra portable, because then you can go buy another way cheaper and less powerful model for much less money.

$100 iPhone Rebate

2007-09-06T19:40:00.000-07:00

Making the right decision to lower the price of iPhone, It's a great gesture, in theory, but let's analyze why they did this. Apple is offering $ 100 rebate for Apple products for its earlier iPhone buyers to balance the loss due to the iPhone price drop . a $100 store credit towards the purchase of any product at an Apple Retail Store or the Apple Online Store.

We strongly believe the $399 price will help us do just that this holiday season. It benefits both Apple and every iPhone user to get as many new customers as possible in the iPhone 'tent'.

While we're poking around, what's up with the sudden price drop? What other product have you seen that dropped $200, or 1/3 of its price, only two months after it was launched? Did that product do well? Was it because the product was selling so fantastically that the manufacturer needed to drop the price? Probably not.

Taken at face value, it's a great gesture to the early adopters, without which the iPhone would have tanked at launch. But if we dig a little deeper, we find out that there's not much loss in the decision.

Handheld Gps eTrex

2007-09-06T05:54:00.000-07:00

Today, handheld gps is more popular, but there are many kind of handheld gps which have similar specification. So the problem is how to chose one. Garmin eTrex GPS Personal Navigator may be is right for you, with the best featuresa six-ounce package that is only four inches high and two inches wide, its bright yellow case.

The eTrex is handheld gps completely waterproof so it can take an accidental splash or dunk in the water and still continue to perform. Inside this handheld gps eTrex, you will find the proven performance of a 12 parallel channel GPS receiver that will run for about 18 hours on just two AA batteries.

With animated graphics that will help you identify your marked waypoints quickly and easily. Store up to 500 user waypoints with graphic icons and boasts Garmin's exclusive TracBack feature that will reverse your track log and help you navigate your way back home.

Amazon.com : Free 2 GB Memory Card with Top Digital Cameras

2007-08-28T16:59:00.000-07:00

Today amazon.com will send you a free memory card, just apply the value of a free card to a higher-capacity memory card, when you purchase select digital cameras in their Camera & Photo Store. Just add the camera and the memory card to your Shopping Cart and use the promotional code 2ZQLIHBW for Kingston 2 GB SD cards or J2TZ9TOD for Olympus 1 GB xD cards at checkout. (Codes are also listed on individual product pages.)

Remember these offers apply only to purchases of products sold by Amazon.com between August 15 and September 3, 2007, and do not apply to products sold by third-party merchants and other sellers through the Amazon.com site. I find out this is good offer for you, lets go.

For instructions on using claim codes and additional restrictions, click here.

Sony Cybershot DSCW55 7.2MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Black)

2007-08-26T08:02:00.000-07:00

I like this sony camera because the colour and its 7.2MP, as we know sony Cyber-shot has ability to capture perfect picture.

By $184.98 we can get it in amazon, and if you would like have good deal you can buy it together with SanDisk 2 GB Ultra II Memory Stick PRO Duo only for $228.95.

Don't worry about colour, you can still have another if you wish, just like me, love black colour. Any way its zoom level up to 3x optical just like the title of this post.

I recommend it, because sony is familiar brand, with vary of best quality product, sony 7.2 MP Cyber-shot is dedicated to you who love simple camera, with the best quality. I think its so nice, dont you?. And last is user friendly. Some of review in amazon said that this camera is good.

Here some other choice my you like Sony Cybershot S650 7.2MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom

Basic Tips And Styles Techniques Used During Wedding Photography

2007-05-08T03:48:00.000-07:00

The wedding is one of the most memorable occasions between two lovers. The years may go by since that day but people will be able to remember as long as pictures were taken. More people are investing in digital cameras. This is because the images can be stored in the computer or in a compact disc that will not be damaged through time when the pictures are placed in an album. The images captured can be edited on the digital camera instead of wasting the paper used in developing a bad picture. Another thing, which makes digital photographer better, is that the person can take a lot of shots without having to reload and change the roll of film. The time it takes to replace it may make the individual miss the right shot that can never be done again. Here are some tips for those who want to use a digital camera during the wedding. 1. The individual should pay attention to the background before taking the shot. There is no question the couple will look good but this can all change if the area where it is taken is not. Things that should be avoided when taking the lovers or any of the guests is a cluttered area. This will make it easier for the viewer to see who is the picture focused on when these are ready after the wedding. 2. Some of the guests may be wearing glasses. This might cause bright flashes to come out when the pictures come out so this can also be avoided by making some changes. The people in the photograph can tilt the head down or to the side so this will not happen. 3. The best way to get a great shot will be to know when it is appropriate to take. This doesn't only happen when people are looking at the camera but also in those candid moments. 4. The person will probably shoot more than a hundred shots during the wedding. After each shot, it is best to review the image on the LCD screen so this can be edited if it isn't good and another one can be taken. There are a lot of great shots that can be taken during a wedding. Here are a few basic styles and techniques for those who also want to capture the event using a digital camera. 1. The individual should take these pictures with a good background or in a not so crowded place so the attention will focus on the newly weds or those who are the intended targets in the shot. 2. If there is a nice background in the back and it is hard to get both, the photographer should shoot the couple from shoulder up. Everyone will be happy and pleased when the pictures come out. 3. If some of the guests are wearing classes, these people can be advised to stand sideways or tilt the head down a little to avoid the reflection that usually occurs when the flash is used. 4. The individual should zoom in or out if there are only two or a group of people in the picture. This will also catch everyone in the shot instead of only getting half of person's body when the print comes out. This will be embarrassing so the image has to be reviewed at once and deleted so another one can be taken. 5. Proper lighting must be observed at all times. The person must not shoot the couple or the gusts against the light because only a dark image will appear after the picture has been taken. 6. The photographer should also get some stolen moment shots. This should be done when the husband or wife is doing something else or is not looking. This is the trademark of many professionals that is done during the ceremony or the reception. People will enjoy shots such as the cutting of the cake, the toast and the first kiss or dance. The pictures taken can't be done again so the individual must be alert and present to get these images on camera.

How To Read A Digital Camera Review And Select A Digital Camera For Your Needs

2007-05-08T03:45:00.000-07:00

The demand for digital cameras is very high. This is the reason many of makers are launching new products annually or every two years. This has given the customer a large number of choices making it convenient for anyone's budget. If people do not know which to get, it is advisable to get a magazine or check the Internet. There are people who give reviews of the latest products making it easier for people to buy when going into a store. When people decide to buy a digital camera, almost all the reviews will say a lot of good things about the product. There may be a few small problems but overall, it will be able to perform to the expectations of the customer. In order to match this with the reviews given, the person must determine what are the requirements needed in the digital camera. Is this to catch certain moments in the life of the individual, family or friends? The model chosen will be different if this is used for work, which shows how one model may not do well for the other. After this has been decided, it is time to decide the size that the customer will get. People who don't want to carry a big bag around taking pictures can get the kind that will fit in the pocket. This is one of the benefits that will truly attract anyone when reading a digital camera review. Another thing to look at in the review is to whom the digital camera works for. Most writers will say the device is user friendly but this will depend on the skill of the individual when using it. This means people who are just starting should just get a basic one while veterans can go for those that have different settings and have changeable lenses to get a good shot. The digital camera regardless of the kind bought will surely do a lot of things for the person. a. First, there won't be a need to process the film in a dark room because this can be uploaded to the computer then printed. b. Next, these are small and light to carry. c. Third, this should be stored and cleaned to be able to get the same results each time this is brought out to take a picture. d. Lastly, an image can be deleted right there on the LCD screen if it does not satisfy the user so another shot can be taken. There are more than 40 brands fighting in the photography market. This can surely give the person a headache in selecting the right camera to use. Here are some tips that will help in the deciding process. 1. The person has to work on a certain budget. The basic model can be bought for less than $400. Those who want the advanced one that has interchangeable accessories will be spending more than a $1,000. 2. Image resolution plays another factor in selecting a camera. The first models that came out were 3.0 or 4.0. Nowadays, there are 8.1 and higher making the images much clearer when these are seen on the LCD screen, in the computer or when it is printed on paper. 3. The digital camera comes with a CD. Before selecting a particular brand, this has to be checked if the software is compatible with the computer at home. The person may have to upgrade it if it does not suit the requirements. 4. The digital camera must also have a built in memory aside from the memory card. This will allow the user to shoot more than 300 pictures before it has to be uploaded in the computer. The individual can get more shots by buying a card that has more space. 5. The digital camera must have an LCD to review the pictures after each shot that can be deleted if it is not that good. It must also have flash, a built in timer and a time and date setup display. The person can also ask the clerk for the model that records a few minutes of video. There are a lot of photography cameras to choose from. There is no single brand that is better than the other because these function in the same manner. The individual can read some magazines to get some reviews before buying one and bringing it home. People should read up then on the reviews of these products in order to get the right one for the job.

How To Make Your Digital Photographs Stand Out

2007-05-08T03:42:00.000-07:00

Photography has become an increasingly popular hobby in recent years. With advances in technology, today's digital cameras make it possible to quickly and easily take good photos. Many people however are stuck in "automatic" mode (or rather their cameras are). Armed with a little knowledge about your digital camera (and some practice) your photos can go from good to outstanding. Following are some tips to help you get started.

White Balance

White balance is what determines the color temperature of your photo. Think in terms of warm and cool. Most photos taken with a digital camera will have a cool feel to them or in other words will have somewhat of a blue tint to them. This is generally the result you get when your white balance setting is set to auto. Photos with a warmer feel however, look more natural and thus are more pleasing to the eye. To achieve this affect locate the white balance adjustment on your digital camera. Most cameras will have several different settings for white balance. You want to choose the "cloudy" setting. This will add more red and yellow hues to your photo and in effect warms the tone of the shot.

Polarizing Filters

A polarizing filter is a great tool for adding a little extra "pop" to your photos. Polarizing filters actually serve two purposes; they reduce glare and unwanted reflections and they brighten up the colors in your photos. A polarizing filter is especially helpful when shooting outdoors. It will enhance landscapes with beautiful vibrant colors. Polarizing filters just screw right on to your cameras lens and you can find them in many sizes to fit most digital cameras. However, if you have a camera which doesn't accept filters (some of the smaller point & shoot ones do not) there is a trick you can use. Sunglasses will create the same basic effect. Just hold a pair of sunglasses as close as possible to the lens (make sure the glasses are not seen in the shot) and snap the photo.

Flash

Flash can add a lot of depth to your photos if used properly. When shooting in "auto" mode your camera will determine when to use flash. If your setting is bright enough, the flash will not be used. This is a great convenience if you're just taking quick snapshots but if you want to add more life to your photos switch your flash to "flash on" or "fill flash". This will allow your camera to use existing light for its exposure and will add flash to fill in dark shadows giving a softer feel to your photos. When shooting outdoors try to use the sun to light your subject from the side (never have your subject face the sun) and use the flash to fill in the shadows on the front of your subject. Check your camera's manual to determine the maximum distance that your flash will operate at.

Macro

Your digital camera probably has a setting called "macro" or "close up". This mode is best used in creative photography to achieve great detail in close up shots. What this mode does in essence is allow you to focus at a much closer distance to your subject than in your camera's normal mode. For example, if your camera in its normal mode has trouble focusing on subjects closer than 2 feet, you can switch to macro mode and you may be able to focus as close as 6 or 8 inches. This can make for a very dramatic shot. Be careful when using macro however because macro mode gives you a very shallow depth of field leaving a lot of your photo out of focus. Just experiment a little and you'll be taking great close up shots in no time.

These are just some basic tips and tricks to spark some creativity in your photography. Always experiment with your camera to find new and creative ways to express yourself. That's the great thing about digital photography you can experiment to no end without shelling out big bucks for film and processing. Happy shooting!

ryan gibson

Digital vs Film Camara, Whitch is Best?

2007-05-08T03:37:00.000-07:00

For many, digital photography is a breath of fresh air, but be wary, believing our landscape images will be superior could be a serious blunder.

Having lost count of the number of people who have asked me: have you gone digital? I am always left wondering why it's such a much-asked question. The camera is only a tool in which a photographer creates an image. His personal ability to create a unique image remains the same.

For many forms of photography, digital has long held obvious advantages, but for landscapes the resolution necessary to make larger prints just wasn't available. But things have changed and digital cameras are fast becoming the tools that most pros use.

Modern digital cameras are perfectly capably of matching the 35 mm film - the format which most landscape photographers begin with. But can they really match the large format film cameras? This is probably the greatest question that all photographers face.

Instant LCD feedback is digitals greatest gift and this enables the photographer to check exposure and composition of their image in the blink of an eye. While this is a big advantage, the hours spent in front of the computer processing the raw images have to be a hindrance. A landscape photographers time is best spent behind a camera not in front of a computer.

The pros and cons of digital photography will remain an issue for some time. At the end of the day a digital camera won't make a photographers images better. The same values we apply in our photography should remain regardless of which camera we use.

Good photography remains as elusive and as enticing as it ever was; going digital doesn't change this or make getting good images any easier. It brings technical advantages, and plenty of them, but the majority of photographic techniques never change. Good landscape images come from the photographer's personal ability, not the ability of a camera. The camera helps, but the creative eye remains the same.

As a landscape photographer I am still hesitant to embrace digital photography and all the qualities that digital has brought to other professionals in different photography fields.

There are a few simple reasons that I still use a film camera:
The authenticity of my images could be questioned if I used a digital camera. It is often assumed that great digital images have been manipulated.
Too much time is spent in front of a computer.
Slide film produce stronger colours than a digital camera.

There are many advantages for changing to digital but I'm going to stick with film: for the time-being that is. With time film cameras will be a thing of the past and all our images will be exchanged for the pixels. But, be wary believing our work will be superior would be falling into a great trap. For me size matters, the larger I can print an image the better.

How To Take Beautiful Pictures of Your Cat?

2007-05-08T03:25:00.000-07:00

When you first bring your new pet feline home after purchasing it, there is a mixture of excitement and happiness in the household, especially for the kids. Make sure you have your camera ready in your hand so you can capture some sweet and adorable memories your family and yourself can cherish in the time to come. Don’t just snap rolls and rolls of pictures of your cat on the first day it arrives in your home. Always have some film available, and take the pictures of your cat’s progress over the months. This way, you will be able to see its growth, and how fast it learns.

Here are some tips to help you to take delightful photographs of your cat:

Create pleasant backgrounds. Pictures are best taken when the background is clean and uncluttered. Neutral backgrounds are best, such as plain white walls, or various single-colored backgrounds. Furniture such as bookcases, tables, chairs and such will interfere with the quality of the picture and the beauty of the photograph might be lost.

Put your children in the pictures as well. Children are photogenic, and they do not have the awkwardness as adults do when asking them to pose in a photo. Therefore your children and your cat are able to look natural in photographs, and being able to capture moments of happiness as your child play with the kitten is most heartwarming. Let your children play or tease the kitten with some toy, and take pictures during these times, as candid photographs are the perfect ones.

Take pictures outdoors. Sunlight provides a better lighting for taking prettier pictures. The early morning sun would be the best time to take photographs. Taking pictures in natural light will prevent the annoying ‘red eye’ that occurs sometimes in photographs. With your pet cat being in the outdoors, the pictures will turn out to be more natural, as that is where a cat belongs. Before you open the door to let your cat out, please ensure that the neighborhood is safe and there are no harmful creatures that will pounce on your cat.

Get as many close up shots as possible. Close-up shots of cats are sometimes the most adorable pictures of all. Seeing a kitten’s contented and natural expression on its face up close and personal is beyond words.

WiFi Comes To Digital Cameras - Wow! What's Next?

2007-05-06T10:05:00.000-07:00

First we had to get over the whole film thing after a nation of baby boomers had been raised on Kodak, Polaroid, and 35mm film cameras of various shapes and sizes. We were all use to the idea of sending in our film for developing and waiting for our pictures to come back.

Then along came digital cameras and the world was taken by storm with this cool new technology. Suddenly you could take a picture and see the results immediately. At first these cameras were slow and not such great quality but still kind of cool. Then things heated up and now we have fantastic digital cameras of all sizes and shapes that can take wonderful images which can be shared instantly with your family, or the rest of the world for that matter.

Now comes the latest in technology integration. WiFi and digital cameras. No need to even plug your camera memory card into a computer, or a printer at all. Now you can buy a digital camera that transmits the images via wireless technology. Yes, that is right, a wireless connection for your image uploads.

Now, you may be among those in the population that have not even gotten their hands around the whole digital image sharing thing yet. But this promising new technology may lead us to a world of fewer cables to plug in, quicker transfer of our images, and in the case of events in the world, the ability to share images of news almost instantly.

As we saw in the recent bombings in London, folks with cell phone cameras recorded the devastation they saw in the underground and shared it with the world in almost real time fashion. These new cameras may be able to take that sort of thing to an all new level. Imagine cities that implement widespread WiFi access and photographers with WiFi cameras capturing images of news and other special events. They could transmit those images right away and let the world see them.

Here is how it works:

Nikon has released two models of digital cameras that are WiFi enabled. The idea is to be able to transmit your pictures straight from the camera to your computer or printer through a wireless adaptor. You bring up the images to transfer, hit “go”, and they get sent through the air to your printer. The Coolpix P1 and P2 will be in the $400-$550 range in pricing and the adaptor is extra.

They are competing with Kodak which released its own version of the WiFi camera in their Easy Share line of cameras this year. Kodak has already gone to making it easy to share photos by transmitting them at so called "wireless hot spots", usually cafes or stores where wireless access is sold or given away to customers. These efforts by the leading camera makers seem aimed at adding value to their already impressive digital technology.

Digital cameras continue to be hot sellers despite what some in the industry thought would be a slowing of sales this year. Many had predicted that cell phone cameras would slow digital camera sales, but this is not happening.

If you are a leading edge gadget buyer and have a wireless mindset then you may want to be first on the block to get one of these Wi-Fi digital cameras.

Outdoor Surveillance Cameras - Wireless

2007-05-06T09:09:00.000-07:00

Wireless outdoor video cameras come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes with just as many features. Deciding which one is right for you will depend on the how you plan to use it and the environment in which it will be installed.The most important feature for security installations is the quality of the picture. With that in mind you will need to make certain the built-in wireless transmitter frequency has the capacity to deliver an exceptionally clear picture while maintaining resistance to interference. The reality is if you can’t get a clear image from your wireless camera installation you may as well same your money and use a dummy camera (believe it or not the work pretty well as a visual deterrent).

The most common frequency used in home security installations with outdoor wireless cameras is 2.4gz. At this frequency the directional point to point antenna are capable of transmitting 380 TV lines up to 7miles but the 300ft models are more than enough for most home security installations. There are some limitations to directional antenna setups. The signal can penetrate walls, floors, ceilings, but doing so will limit the distance of the signal. A clear line of sight is required for distances in the 300ft range.

Another important consideration when choose a wireless outdoor camera is the lighting conditions. If your installation requires a camera capable of extreme low light conditions you will need to keep in mind that most night vision cameras operate do not operate well outside of the 7 meters range. This is an important consideration when you decide where to mount the camera.

The camera housing is as important as the camera itself because if it doesn’t protect the hardware from the harsh outdoor elements your investment is lost. There are many good options available but we strongly suggest weatherproof Aluminum housing as the do not distort over time like many synthetic models we looked at. Aluminum housings are light weight, easy to handle and install and the hold up well in almost all weather conditions.
Surveillance Camera Reviews offers easy to understand descriptions of the latest home security cameras and products on the market without the sales pitch. Put simply - this site will save you time and money!

edward mortell

Digital Photography Tips - How To Master Your Camera's Exposure Controls for Better Photos

2007-05-06T08:41:00.000-07:00

Using your camera's basic exposure controls does not have to be a challenge. Here's how to use the aperture priority and shutter priority modes to take better photographs.

When you use the aperture mode, you control how large the lens opening is. With a small lens opening, you can have a very sharp focus on one object in your picture, but objects that are not the same distance from the camera will not be as sharp. That's because of what's called depth of field. In other words, at what distance away from the camera are objects in sharp focus. If the lens opening (aperture) is small, you have a narrow depth of field. If you're photographing a flower, you may only want objects 12" to 15" to be in focus to get a super-sharp image of the flower.

If the aperture opening is larger, objects up close and not so close to the camera can both stay in focus (greater depth of field). At a large aperture opening, you might have objects in focus from 3" to as far as you can see. To compensate for adjusting the aperture, when you increase or decrease the aperture, your digital camera will adjust the shutter speed up or down.

A small aperture and a slow shutter speed is great if you're taking a close-up of a flower and want it to be extra-sharp. But if you're photographing a moving object, you must have your shutter speed set fast enough to stop the motion. This needs to be at least 1/125th of a second if you are following the motion with your camera. This will put the object in motion in focus but blur the background. If you are holding the camera still and shooting a scene with motion in it, you probably need your shutter speed to be anywhere from 1/250th to 1/1000th. When the shutter speed is increased, there will be less time for light to come through the lens, so the lens opening (the aperture) must be larger to compensate. You can control the shutter speed in the shutter priority mode. Then the camera will adjust the aperture to match.

The best way to learn about how to use your camera's aperture priority and shutter priority modes is to practice when you're not under pressure. Don't wait until you've traveled to an exotic garden to learn to photograph flowers or until you're at a racing event to learn to freeze motion with a fast shutter speed. Practice controlling depth of field by having a friend hold up a sign with the settings you're using. Take several photos with different setting. Then study the photos to see the results. If you're going to a race, practice photographing cars on the highway, but put your friend in the foreground with a sign again showing your camera settings. This will give you a quick, practical education.

Camera Reviews - Nikon Coolpix Cameras

2007-05-06T07:55:00.000-07:00

This Nikon Coolpix camera review below explains the benefits, features, and types of Coolpix cameras available. When choosing a digital camera, you'll want one that meets your needs and takes great pictures. Digital cameras come in all different styles and sizes, and with many unique features. They can be purchased at different price levels depending on the features and what type of quality you need.

A cool digital camera that is taking the market by storm is the Nikon Coolpix camera. It is available in several styles. Use the quick digital camera reviews below to compare Nikon Coolpix products.

On the Performance Level

For high performance, there are the "P" models including P5000, which offers 10.0 megapixels, a 3.5x Zoom-Nikkor lens, and Optical VR/image stabilization. Its retail value is $399.95.

Next, there's the Coolpix P4 model with 8.1 megapixels, a 3.5x Zoom-Nikkor lens, and vibration reduction. It is also priced at around $400. The Coolpix P3 model offers 8.1 megapixels, 3.5x Zoom-Nikkor lens, built-in WiFi, and vibration reduction at around $449.95.

Digital Camera Style

For great digital camera styles, many are choosing Nikon Coolpix cameras from the "S" series. The "S" series consists of the following camera types: S500, S200, S50, S50c, S10, S9, S7c, and S4. Models in this series will have pictures ranging from 6.0 to 7.2 megapixels, a 3x or 10x Zoom-Nikkor lens, LCD screens, and more. Prices average from $250 to $350.

The "L" Series

In the "L" series, memories are made easier with L12, L11, L10, L6, L5, and L3 cameras. Prices for these models range from $120 to $250. The L6 can capture up to 1,000 pictures! The megapixels range from 5.0 to 7.2 in this series.

Cheap Digital Cameras

Cheap digital cameras don't always have to equal low quality. You can still pay a reasonable amount for a great camera if you need one for personal use.

If you're seeking a bargain or need to find a cheap digital camera without sacrificing quality, choose the "L" series. These are the least expensive in the Nikon Coolpix camera family, but still offer amazing quality in photos and outstanding features.

For example, the L10 offers 5.0 megapixels, a 3x Zoom-Nikkor lens, ISO 800 adjustment, and a bright 2.0-inch LCD screen for around $120. For only $30 more, you can get the L11 model, which offers 6.0 megapixels, a 2.4-inch LCD screen, and a 3x Zoom-Nikkor lens!

Digital Camera Reviews - Features

Digital cameras come with a number of features. You usually will pay more for special features. Some features you might watch for include an image sensor, autofocus, an optical viewfinder, an LCD monitor and display, media CF cards or Microdrive cards, various shooting modes (still or movie), mode dial, exposure modes and metering, speedlight (built-in or external), delete function, auto off mode, viewfinder, capture modes, battery life indicator, and white balance features.

There are also many accessories to make using your digital camera easier such as lens caps, camera straps, cables and chargers, Nikon View CD-ROM, etc.

Whether seeking a cheap digital camera or a more expensive Nikon Coolpix camera with many special features, you can use the digital camera reviews above to discover the camera that's right for you.

bob pardue

How to Buy a Spy Camera in 3 Easy Steps

2007-04-30T09:28:00.000-07:00

I bet you are frustrated by the lack of information about spy cameras available on the internet. I sure was. There seams like there are just a few big companies who have blown their entire advertising budget to make a big splash. (This includes the X10 camera of the late 90s fame). Spy cameras can come in very handy to anyone who wants one (provided, of course, that they aren't used for nefarious activities). Spy cameras have tons of legitimate uses, and can come in especially useful for home security measures.

Here's how I use the internet to shop for a new spy camera.

1) Use multiple search engines to do your shopping. Just because something is featured on Yahoo doesn't mean that it is featured on Google and vice versa. A lot of the time, advertising bidders are very different on Yahoo and Google for the same keywords. Search different search engines to see different vendors selling on different sites.

2) Use specific shopping search engines like Froogle. Froogle is great because it allows the shopper to select among multiple different vendors who are selling similar products. Froogle is a shopping specific search engine that you can use specifically for your shopping needs. I've used Froogle on multiple occasions to compare and contrast the different product I'm looking for. If you can think it up, it's probably on Froogle somewhere. Spy cameras are certainly no exception.

3) Learn about the ins and outs of spy cameras. Spy cameras come in as many different forms as flavors of ice creams. You can find spy cameras that are basically disposable and spy camera systems that can cost over $1000. Learn all about them and the mistakes that people make when buying them. Points 1 and 2 above definitely can help you make a decision, however getting the real knowledge is what you will use to ensure that you get the best deal possible. Learn all about spy cameras and save yourself a bundle.

Camera Tricks For The Trigger Happy

2007-04-30T09:19:00.000-07:00

How to be an expert photographer

How many times have you returned from a fantastic trip only to find the photos that you have taken don't really do justice to your memories? This was very common when everyone used old-fashioned film to take their shots, and had to wait for days for the prints to arrive - often excitement followed by disappointment.

Digital photos haven't changed much besides shortening the wait for the photos at arrive. The preview screen on the digital camera does not give the exact idea of the end product. The snaps usually are a let down as a result. But you could keep some pointers in your mind that would allow you to take great photographs.

The first thing is to look around for some good photographs of the spot you are visiting. There is a likelihood of there being a variety of picture post cards at the local shops. See which one appeals to you and why. These are normally photographs by professional photographers so you can learn from them. Try to envisage from where the photographer has taken the picture. If possible take it from the same angle. You can benefit from the experience of the professional.

Some people will say why bother copying a postcard. Well, you don't copy it - first of all the light will be different, the trees, the colors will all be unique to your shot. And you can make it personal by including travelling companions in the foreground - at least this way the background will be great! What's more, it's only a starting point... you can take it on from there to shoot whatever appeals to you.

When taking your shots, take you time. It doesn't mean you have to spend hours setting up a tripod and so on, but don't just point and press. Think about the shot - what's going to make it interesting? If it's the monument you want to photograph, will it look best in the center or slightly off to the left? If you walk twenty feet to the left will you get those trees to make a nice background rather than that car park?

The camera should be held steady while taking the snap. You may not use a tripod like the professionals. No problem. Use a railing or a wall to steady your hands. This would improve your shots.

The snaps should be taken in the morning or the evening. This is so because the light is great for taking photographs at these times.

You can make a picture interesting by paying attention to details. Sometimes a simple detail is magnified and this is more interesting than photographing the whole monument. Develop an eye for detail. Having a digital camera is a blessing. You can take as many pictures as you wish without bothering about the cost. You don't have to get all of them developed so it is a big advantage if you are trigger-happy. So, go ahead and shoot.

Why I’ve Gone Digital – And Still Keep My Old Camera

2007-04-30T09:18:00.000-07:00

There has always been a debate about what is better. Traditional cameras using film, or the so called new technology, storing pictures in digital form on memory cards, in computers or on CD-Rom.

As being a photographer for more than half of my life, I stuck with traditional film for very long. About 7 years ago I started to supplement my work with photos taken the digital way. A point and shoot camera with just 640x480 pixel resolution was the most attractive gadget I had these days. Its lens was even capable of doing close-up work, using a macro switch.

That Fujifilm DX-7 was upgraded with a bigger Memory-Card and the camera served me well for several years.

Anyway, over time, I was still more satisfied with the possibilities my collection of Pentax SLR cameras gave me. It started with using the best lenses for each picture or just using a Zoom (which offers a range from wide angle to telephoto), changing the shutter speed to either stop or blur the motion of objects in the picture, use external flashlights, change the aperture openings to adjust the range of sharpness and lots more. Not forgetting the better picture quality I could get from a 35mm negative or slide. I was happy to use my heavy, solid metal camera.

The world changed for me when camera makers like Nikon and Canon introduced their Digital SLR Cameras. I went to my local camera shop every week and debated with the salesman about advantages and disadvantages of the models they had on sale. Also I checked with lots of users in online services to get first hand feedback on how these cameras performed. Finally, when Pentax introduced their Digital SLRs, I couldn’t wait much longer. I needed to have one of those.

With the Pentax 1st DS have a whole list of advantages over smaller Digital Cameras:

I can use the same lenses that fit my traditional camera

Have full control over speed and aperture

I can see the picture immediately after it is taken

I can shoot a series of pictures and choose the best (at no extra cost for film or paper)

A good resolution of 6 Megapixel which allows quite big prints

It weights more than a compact digital camera, so you can hold it steady more easily

Make use of all the filters, flashlights, lenses and accessories I have collected over the years.

Storing the pictures on the PC via a fast USB connection

Up to 1 GB storage on a SD Memory Card (about 380 jpg photos)

Selecting only the best photos for printing

With all these advantages of digital SLR Cameras, you may wonder why I still keep my old 35mm film cameras with me. First, it is emotional, and second, photographing the old fashioned way keeps me calm. You just need more time to produce an excellent, satisfying photograph (because you cannot see the result right after the shot).

Advantages and Drawbacks of Digital Cameras

2007-04-30T09:13:00.001-07:00

Whether you’re professional photographer or a tourist looking to record a few good memories, the first step to great photographs is a finding a decent camera. One of the first decisions you need to make is whether to go with a quick and convenient digital camera, or stick with trusty old film. The main benefit of going digital include the ability to see pictures instantly on an LCD screen, saving the ones you like and erasing the ones you don’t. Another advantage is the versatility of being able to edit and perfect your photos on a computer, using a program like PhotoShop. There are also immense economic advantages to using a digital camera. Being able to review each picture you take, and print only the ones you really like saves a lot of money that would have gone into buying film and developing poor-quality pictures. Despite these tempting benefits, however, there is still a case for sticking with good old fashioned film photography. The image resolution, for example, is generally better with a cheap traditional camera than a mid-range digital camera. In order to achieve true film-quality resolution on a digital camera, one must pay several hundred dollars for a 7+ megapixel device. Another advantage of film is its distance from the world of computing technology; even a person who is totally computer-illiterate should be able to use a traditional camera to its full potential with no problems whatsoever. Furthermore, many photographers prefer the simple challenge of taking a good picture on film to the much less artistic process of “cheating,” and editing pictures on a computer. Overall, the right type of camera depends almost entirely upon the photographer. Each person must choose for themselves which kind of photography they like better. Another option, of course, is to buy both digital and film cameras, and alternate depending on situation. This is often the best choice for a serious photographer who can afford the additional expense.

How To Make Money With Your Digital Camera

2007-04-30T09:10:00.000-07:00

If you own a digital camera, you have probably taken at least a few photos that you think others would like. Did you know that it’s quite easy to make money with most any digicam – even a low-end point and shoot? Well, it is, and I’m going to tell you how to get started!

You don’t need to be an experienced professional photographer to start earning money with your digital camera. And you certainly don’t need a bunch of expensive photographic equipment. All you really need in order to earn some extra cash – and possibly even a good living - is a decent digital camera, an active imagination and a little practice.

First, let’s discuss the practice part. Get out and start taking a bunch of pictures. Take pictures of anything and everything you see including landscapes, buildings, automobiles, animals, people…well, you get the picture. Take pictures of everything, even things that might seem boring or uninteresting.

The key to getting several great pictures every time you pick up your camera is to take a boatload of them! In fact, I fill up my camera’s 2 GB memory card virtually every day. That’s 569 high-resolution images per day! Out of that many pictures, I almost always have several “keepers”. Of course the advent of digital cameras has made it very easy and inexpensive to take tons of pictures any time you want to.

Be sure to spend some time “learning your camera” as you take your practice shots. Practice using the different settings and “picture taking modes” available on your particular camera model so that you’ll be prepared to capture the best images possible under a wide variety of conditions. For example, low-light photography, action photography (sports) and portraits all require different skills and varying camera settings in order to produce the best results.

After you have become familiar with your camera and feel confident about using its various settings, it’s time to start making some money. Studio portrait photography probably isn’t an option unless you already own (or are willing to buy) the proper equipment. This includes a high-quality camera and lens, lighting equipment, backgrounds, etc. But there are plenty of other types of photography you can make money at with nothing but your quality digicam. For example, you can take pictures at birthday parties, amateur sporting events, family reunions and many other types of social events. You can also take pictures of local landmarks and tourist attractions and sell them on eBay or even your own website. The opportunities for making money by taking pictures is limited only by your imagination!

Regardless of the types of photographs you plan to take, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

1 – Always take plenty of pictures. If you max out your memory card, you’re virtually guaranteed to have several great pictures that your client will be happy to pay you for.

2 – Take pictures from several different angles and with varying camera settings. It will do you no good to take 500 pictures at a birthday party if they are all exactly alike!

3 – Anticipate where the action is going to be and be there yourself when it happens. For example, if you’re taking pictures at little Johnny’s first Pee-Wee football game, make sure you’re in the best spot to get a good picture when he scores a touchdown.

4 – Always be practicing with your camera and learning new photographic skills. Spend some time online keeping up with the most popular photography forums as well as the numerous photography help websites.

5 – Submit some of your best photos for display on several photography websites such as TodaysPhoto.org. You’ll receive plenty of free exposure for your work resulting in more business.

Conclusion: You really can turn your photography hobby into a money-making venture. And who knows, you just might find that you can do it full-time and kiss your day job goodbye!

How To Click It Right With The Best Digital Photography Camera

2007-04-30T09:05:00.000-07:00

The digital photography camera has ushered in an absolute revolution in the world of photography. With its excess of futuristic features, the digital photography camera has also brought in considerable cost reduction of photography. No wonder, people are flocking to digital camera stores. To elaborate, digital cameras make for easy storage and editing of pictures on the PC, you cut back on film costs with the reusable memory cards and innovative features like sound and video recording. Photography just had quite an interesting makeover. Delving into the intricacies of the entire digital camera mechanism is worthwhile so that the salesman doesn't lead you up the garden path with tall claims. And being well up on the features of your digital camera will also give you food to brag. The first thing to know about your digital camera is the kind of CCD (Charged Couple Device) you have. This fancy-sounding device is actually the be-all and end-all of your photography unit and the pixel count in them is what that determines how good your snap is going to be. It is also vital to know what pixels count to opt for. Anything upwards of 3-Megapixels is good for prints of 8 x 10 inches or larger, of course, the more the merrier. But if your requirement is minute 3 x 5 or 4 x 6 photos for the Web, then 1 or 2-megapixel camera will suffice admirably. On the other hand, nothing less than 5-megapixels should be on your minds if you plan to have prints of your digital stuff. The Zoom feature is closer to your digital camera than any other feature. Optical zoom refers to the camera's capacity to magnify a subject. This zooming in or zooming out takes place within the lens itself and it is visible from the lens advancing and retracting just like the conventional film camera. This is one feature, which is best when you have it in plenty. There are many who would swoop on a digital camera lured by its pixel count and optical zoom capacities. But the power consumption of a camera is also worth taking a peek into, for there are cameras with voracious appetites for batteries and you could well end up spending a fortune on them. So when you are buying a digital camera, ensure that it works on rechargeable batteries. A charger included in the package is a great buying option. Stacking up on the memory card is a good idea if you are the traveling kind. A CompactFlash memory card, offering a lot of storage sizes ranging from 16MB to 1GB and greater compatibility with a large number of makes, is definitely a popular choice. LCD monitors come in a variety of sizes and resolutions, besides the captivating ones that bend and twist at impossible angles. What you will go for of course depends on the kind of work you will be doing with the camera. If you are involved in on-site architectural work and it is shooting around angles that you are aiming at, then a moveable LCD is the one to go for. But the primary thing to take care of is that you don't have to peer too hard to make out what is on the screen. These are the basic things that you look out for when purchasing a digital photography camera. Things when gone awry will virtually render your camera quite inefficient. There are certain other features of a digital photography camera that when present in the right dosage, make for some excellent photography sessions. Scene modes, for instance. Having a choice helps, especially when you have not yet familiarized yourself with the intricacies of exposure, focus and shutter speeds. A Red-eye reduction feature is quite a handy mechanism to have around when you shoot a lot of portraits. If red-eye is much of a bother, then opt for a camera with a hot-shoe connection, that is one that facilitates the installation of an external flash. A flash that is away from the lens reduces the incidence of red-eyes. Be well up on the internal mechanism of a digital photography camera and enjoy your tryst with it.

Digital Camera Vs. Film - Pros And Cons

2007-04-30T07:08:00.000-07:00

Consumers have been pretty receptive to the lower priced “point and shoot” models (some 5 million digital cameras were sold in the U.S. during the Christmas 2005 holiday season), but there are still some holdouts.

Great strides have been made in digital technology over the past few years, but more sophisticated digital cameras have only recently come down in price enough to attract the “serious amateur” market. In the past, the price of high-end digital camera equipment was more suited to the professional who could turn that investment into an income source.

Even traditional film buffs are slowly coming around to the benefits of digital photography. Among the holdouts, the chief problem seems to be confusion. There are so many choices, with a broad range of options, and just as many price ranges.

It’s cheaper not to make a decision, than to make a mistake.

They get lost in the terminology, and have reservations about the quality of digital photos and about the reliability of the digital cameras. With the whirlwind of innovation flooding our lives everyday, it’s become really difficult to keep up.

Technology advances, prices come down, and a deal today may be obsolete tomorrow. At least that’s what worries many potential digital camera owners.

So let’s look at five of the most common questions about digital camera photography to shed some light on the matter, for those who are hesitant about this new technology, or who have dismissed it as a mere fad.

1. Do digital cameras produce quality photos?

Digital photos can be displayed at very high resolutions, and could easily surpass conventional photographs, but many have seen poorer quality images. Early color printers could be used to print color photos from digital cameras, but the quality just wasn’t there. Blurry images on low-grade computer monitors or on the small LCD screens of the cameras themselves, do nothing to increase your confidence.

But view the high resolution images available from today’s digital cameras on a capable monitor or after being printed on one of the newer photo quality printers (using photo quality paper) and you’ll see the crystal clear quality of what is available today.

2. How durable are digital camera photos?

Digital camera photos are not stored on film. They’re stored on electronic memory devices that actually require much less care than negative film.

As long as reasonable care is taken of the particular storage device, there shouldn’t be any problems with protecting images caught on a digital camera, and you can easily make copies of the digital image files on your computer or even burn them to a CD - an option that isn’t available with film.

3. Are digital camera photos more expensive to process?

Not anymore. First, you can eliminate any poor images before printing and only pay for those that you print. With “easy share” technology and photo quality printers now available, it is both affordable and convenient to print digital camera photos.

You can even do the task yourself, in the comfort of your own home - without buying expensive development chemicals that are required for film processing! Or, you can send your images electronically to a professional processor, and receive professionally produced photos back in the mail in just a few days.

4. Can I get different effects with a digital camera?

That depends on the digital camera. High end models have built-in features that allow different kinds of effects. But even if your digital camera doesn’t have these advanced features, you can always manipulate the photographs on your desktop computer, using any image editing software.

5. Are zooming features comparable?

Here digital cameras actually have a distinct advantage over film cameras. While cheaper digital cameras may only have digital zoom (which is really just a form of in-camera enlargement that results in a lower resolution original image), high end models are available with both digital and optical zooming.

When shopping for your digital camera, give priority to the optical zoom capability and buy the highest power optical zoom that fits within your budget. Digital zoom is a nice extra, but the effects can easily be replicated during the “processing” of the image on your computer, prior to printing the images.

Great strides have been made in digital technology over the past few years, but more sophisticated digital cameras have only recently come down in price enough to attract the “serious amateur” market. In the past, the price of high-end digital camera equipment was more suited to the professional who could turn that investment into an income source.

Even traditional film buffs are slowly coming around to the benefits of digital photography. Among the holdouts, the chief problem seems to be confusion. There are so many choices, with a broad range of options, and just as many price ranges.

It’s cheaper not to make a decision, than to make a mistake.

They get lost in the terminology, and have reservations about the quality of digital photos and about the reliability of the digital cameras. With the whirlwind of innovation flooding our lives everyday, it’s become really difficult to keep up.

Technology advances, prices come down, and a deal today may be obsolete tomorrow. At least that’s what worries many potential digital camera owners.

So let’s look at five of the most common questions about digital camera photography to shed some light on the matter, for those who are hesitant about this new technology, or who have dismissed it as a mere fad.

1. Do digital cameras produce quality photos?

Digital photos can be displayed at very high resolutions, and could easily surpass conventional photographs, but many have seen poorer quality images. Early color printers could be used to print color photos from digital cameras, but the quality just wasn’t there. Blurry images on low-grade computer monitors or on the small LCD screens of the cameras themselves, do nothing to increase your confidence.

But view the high resolution images available from today’s digital cameras on a capable monitor or after being printed on one of the newer photo quality printers (using photo quality paper) and you’ll see the crystal clear quality of what is available today.

2. How durable are digital camera photos?

Digital camera photos are not stored on film. They’re stored on electronic memory devices that actually require much less care than negative film.

As long as reasonable care is taken of the particular storage device, there shouldn’t be any problems with protecting images caught on a digital camera, and you can easily make copies of the digital image files on your computer or even burn them to a CD - an option that isn’t available with film.

3. Are digital camera photos more expensive to process?

Not anymore. First, you can eliminate any poor images before printing and only pay for those that you print. With “easy share” technology and photo quality printers now available, it is both affordable and convenient to print digital camera photos.

You can even do the task yourself, in the comfort of your own home - without buying expensive development chemicals that are required for film processing! Or, you can send your images electronically to a professional processor, and receive professionally produced photos back in the mail in just a few days.

4. Can I get different effects with a digital camera?

That depends on the digital camera. High end models have built-in features that allow different kinds of effects. But even if your digital camera doesn’t have these advanced features, you can always manipulate the photographs on your desktop computer, using any image editing software.

5. Are zooming features comparable?

Here digital cameras actually have a distinct advantage over film cameras. While cheaper digital cameras may only have digital zoom (which is really just a form of in-camera enlargement that results in a lower resolution original image), high end models are available with both digital and optical zooming.

When shopping for your digital camera, give priority to the optical zoom capability and buy the highest power optical zoom that fits within your budget. Digital zoom is a nice extra, but the effects can easily be replicated during the “processing” of the image on your computer, prior to printing the images.

Purchasing Digital Camera Batteries

2007-04-30T07:02:00.001-07:00

The advent of digital technology has greatly changed the way consumers use products. Digital cameras are one product that has shifted behavior and production. Digital camera batteries vary by brand and model, and also by the type of battery.

There are literally dozens of digital camera brands. Before finding the right digital camera battery and adapter for your camera, you need to be sure of the brand and model digital camera you are using. Once you select the brand, there are numerous model numbers to choose from and these batteries are typically not compatible across model numbers. Manufacturers design a specific battery technology for each model that provides optimum functionality for that specific digital camera.

Digital camera batteries can vary greatly by price depending on the type of battery you purchase. Traditional alkaline batteries are far less expensive than newer technology batteries, but do not last as long and do not have as much power. In order to keep up with the fast pace of digital cameras, manufacturers have created Lithium batteries. Lithium batteries last up to 10 times longer than alkaline batteries, and therefore can take many more pictures. Though lithium batteries last so much longer, they weigh much less than alkaline batteries. For the convenience however, lithium batteries are much more expensive than alkaline batteries. Another inexpensive alternative to lithium batteries is oxy-nickel batteries. There are specifically designed for digital cameras and last up to four times longer than alkaline batteries.

There are lots of things to take into consideration when purchasing a digital camera, but batteries aren’t usually one of those things, though they should be. Batteries are one of the only supplies for a digital camera that will need to be bought on a regular basis. Unlike conventional cameras, you never need film for a digital camera. But if you want to store these photos without a computer, you will need memory cards that can store large files like the images taken with a digital camera.

Buying the best digital camera battery is the best way to get the most out of a digital camera. By buying quality batteries, you will be able to take more pictures without delays and also save money in the long run.

10 Top Tips To Consider When Purchasing A Digital Camera

2007-04-30T06:55:00.000-07:00

A digital camera is an electronic device to transform images into electronic information. New digital cameras are typically multifunctional and the same device can take pictures, video and audio.

Many digital cameras can connect directly to a computer to transfer data. Early cameras used the PC serial port. USB is the most commonly used method, though some have a Firewire port or use Bluetooth. Some cameras are able to attach to computer networks wirelessly via Wi-Fi.

Here are 10 top things to consider when looking to purchase a digital camera: -

1. Price: This can vary from around $100 to upto $10,000 for a high end professional camera. You can buy one with good resolution and options for under $600. Ones with more manual control settings can be found for around $600-2000 dollars, usually suited to serious amateurs.

2. Resolution: To print good quality color photos at the standard film sizes 4"x6" or 5"x7" you'll need a 1-2 megapixel camera. If you are printing as large as 8"x10" then you're going to need a higher resolution around 2-3 megapixels.

3. Viewfinder: Low-end digital cameras provide an optical viewfinder while more expensive ones replace the viewfinder with a LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). Look towards purchasing one with an LCD display. Kodak make digital cameras with superb displays so have a look at those.

4. Focus: Most cameras are either fixed-focus or autofocus which is suitable for the average digital camera user. With a fixed-focus lens everything from a few feet to infinity is in focus. The only problem with this is when shooting pictures up close. Autofocus will automatically bring whatever is in the centre of the viewfinder into focus.

5. Storage: Many cameras come with a small memory card, but if you want to take lots of pictures or footage, it is a good idea to check whether what is supplied is enough. Chances are it won't be, so look at how much a new 'decent' capacity memory card etc is going to cost for that particular model.

6. Compression: If you want the highest possible image quality, look for a camera that will let you save pictures in "CCD raw mode" which means with no compression at all.

7. Batteries: It is important to get a camera that will accept rechargeable batteries. There are three varieties of batteries available Nickel Cadmium (NiCad), Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) and Lithium-ion (Li-ion or LiOn). A camera may accept only one or two kinds of batteries so be sure to find out what kind.

8. Power Saving: To save battery power, use a camera that accepts an AC adaptor.

9. Interface: If you are interested in maximum speed you should keep your eyes open for cameras and card readers that support FireWire

10. Video Output: This can be invaluable for presentations. If you would like to do this, look for a camera with a video-output terminal. It allows you to display your pictures on a TV or projector.

How Do Underwater Cameras Work?

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Underwater Cameras are cameras that are specially designed for underwater use or in circumstances that requires protection to prevent any water and pressure damage. There are many types of underwater cameras, depending on your budget and uses.

There are underwater cameras that are simply disposed of after use. These are the cheapest type of underwater camera available in the market.

They have the capacity to take between 20 to 30 pictures, and photos can easily be developed. They are waterproof enough to be used in harsh rain and snow storms, and are usually tolerant of being fully submerged up to twenty or thirty feet.

There are also underwater cameras that are cheap reloadables. These cameras are designed with economy of price in mind. These are very similar to disposable underwater cameras, expect that the user can replace the film and use the camera multiple times. They are usually capable of greater water depths than their disposable counterparts.

New generation cameras have resolutions in the 3-4 megapixel range and can take excellent quality pictures underwater.

These cameras offer options for every level of diver and snorkeler. For the experienced diver/photographer who wants more control over the camera functions. The Advanced-Dive control system allows users to manipulate resolution, light sensitivity (EV), exposure modes and much more while underwaterwhile the Easy-Dive control system is the perfect choice for divers seeking a simple underwater photo system that produces breathtaking results.

Underwater cameras are designed for one-Button-Operation and can be set to Land or Sea modes plus modes that take into account the unique aspects of underwater photography. Cameras also feature three dedicated underwater external flash modes, allowing for more exposure control when using an external flash. For perfectly lit photos in any situation, users can toggle among Macro Flash, Portrait Flash and Far Flash modes, which adjust exposure based on camera-to-subject distance.

While an on-camera flash helps illuminate objects below the surface, cameras are also compatible with external flash units, which ignite the vivid colors of the underwater environment and allows users to illuminate objects from different angles. Because the external flash is a unit activated via the on-camera flash, no sync cord is necessary. Set the camera to "External Flash," and it automatically de-activates the digital pre-flash.

To compensate for low-light conditions that naturally occur as divers travel below the water's surface, cameras can adjust the shutter speed and aperture automatically to compensate for difficult light conditions, ensuring vivid images without worry of underexposure.

Photos can be composed via a large color LCD monitor on the back of the camera; or users can frame subjects through a top-mounted SportsFinder. Either way, composition is simple, even when viewing subjects through a dive mask. To help conserve power during underwater adventures, users often shut off LCD monitors while the camera is on and compose photos using large top-mounted viewfinders.

With the many technological advances of recent years, underwater photographers now no longer have to compromise on quality. Users are almost guaranteed to return to land with a stunning set of images.