Buying a Digital Camera

Buying the right digital camera is as easy as 1, 2, 3!

The all important questions will be answered :

1. What is the main reason you are buying a digital camera?
2. What kind of photos do you want to take? What is the largest print size you require?
3. Do you need a digital still or digital video camera?
4. What is the best camera for your budget?
5. Do you have a computer?

Rabbit Photo will be there to guide you through the process in every way we can – from this web site, to friendly in store advice and to after-sale service and assistance.

1. Making Megapixels and Resolution Easy

When dealing with digital cameras, you'll need to become familiar with the terms "pixel" and "megapixel". Pixel is short for picture element, and it refers to the tiny "cells" that make up a digital image. The term "megapixel", which is found on most digital cameras, simply means one million pixels.

The more pixels in an image, the better the resolution. Higher resolution gives you better quality photos and allows you to print at larger sizes. Higher quality photos take up more space on your media card, but they will give you the best prints.

2. So Which Digital Camera is Right for Me?

To assist you with finding the proper digital camera, you might ask yourself, "What will I do with the pictures?" If you want to post your photos to the internet or print standard sizes to a desktop inkjet, a 4-megapixel camera would be sufficient. If you want to make enlargements of your photos you'll probably want to go with a 6 or 8-megapixel camera or higher.

3. Digital Camera File Compression and File Size

Your camera will allow you to adjust your image quality, so your memory card can contain both high-resolution and low-resolution images. Use the high-resolution setting when you know you will want to make large prints, and you don't plan to take many photos. Use the lower resolution setting when you want to take a lot of pictures, and will probably only want 4x6inch prints, or simply to e-mail the photos to friends.

Digital cameras will compress the pictures you take so more images can fit on your memory card. The higher the compression you use, the lower the picture quality of the image. You can change the level of compression depending upon how you are using the photos. If you're taking pictures to e-mail, you may want to use the highest level of compression, while you will probably want to use the lowest level of compression when shooting to make prints.

A good general rule of thumb when shooting pictures you plan to make into prints is to set your camera at the highest resolution setting and the medium compression setting.

The following table will give you a very general idea of what to expect in terms of megapixels, megabytes and media storage:

Approximate Number of Images per Card*
Camera Resolution	File Size	512M Card	1GB Card	2GB Card	4GB Card	8GB Card
5 megapixel	2.5MB	204	409	818	1636	3272
6 megapixel	3.2MB	160	320	640	1280	2560
7 megapixel	3.6MB	142	284	571	1142	2284
8 megapixel	3.9MB	128	256	514	1028	2065
10 megapixel	4.5MB	113	228	456	913	1826
12 megapixel	6.25MB	80	160	320	640	1280

*Approximate calculations.

These ranges are only estimates of how many images will fit onto a given size memory card. This will vary depending on the compression setting of the camera, which is usually adjustable. The higher the compression used, the more pictures will fit on the memory card – at a sacrifice to picture quality.

4. Powering Your Digital Camera

One of the issues with digital cameras is the power supply. Digital cameras require a lot of battery power, especially when using the LCD screen on the back of the camera. When you buy a digital camera, rechargeable batteries are a must. Some cameras come standard with rechargeable batteries, while others do not. Either way, it helps to have at least two sets of rechargeable batteries.

There are several different rechargeable batteries on the market. NiMh - an abbreviation for nickel metal hydride - will perform the best, allowing you to recharge the batteries at any time while still holding their capacity. Lithium-ion batteries also hold their capacity fairly well. Ni-Cad - an abbreviation for nickel cadmium - are more temperamental, creating a "memory effect" if not discharged and charged properly. Ni-Cad batteries will lose their capacity over time, so if given the choice, choose NiMh or lithium-ion batteries.

5. An Easy Transfer to Your Computer

After filling your memory card, you may want to download the photos to your computer. Most digital cameras allow you to do this with a cable that connects your camera to your computer. Another way to transfer photos from your camera to your computer is with a card reader. Card readers are like an external disk drive that allows you to access the images on your memory card, just as you would with a floppy disk. This is one of the easiest ways to get the images from your memory card to your computer, and helps save on battery power. While some cameras come with a card reader, most do not, and you may need to purchase one as an additional accessory when visiting your local Rabbit Photo store.

6. Using Your Digital Camera’s Software

Most digital cameras come with computer software to edit and to organise your images. These programs will assist you in correcting and manipulating the brightness, sharpness and colour of your photos. The possibilities for image editing and manipulation are limitless once you become acquainted with the program. In addition to the standard programs that come complete with your digital camera, there is lots of other software available to ensure you get the most from your pictures. Whether it's editing, virtual photo albums or online assistance - all of this can be found at your local Rabbit Photo store.