Digital Camera Technology

Some of the most popular cameras are not as popular as you may think.  Perhaps you’ve seen people walking by with DSLR’s in tow, some of them flashing brands like Sony or Nikon.  But it’s not the kind of camera or the brand that makes the camera.  Take Canon, for example; they are a known camera brand but it’s not always their high-end cameras that take the limelight.  In fact, it’s their simpler and more functional products that take center stage.  In this case: the Canon A640.

Features

The Canon A640 is the one of the latest offerings from Canon’s PowerShot series and is one that is likely to stay for about a year longer.  Sales of the product have determined its popularity.  Maybe the answer lies in some of the features that the Canon A640 has.  The Canon A640 sports a high resolution, 10.0 mega pixel CCD.  It has a high quality 4x Optical Zoom lens, an optical viewfinder and a 2.5 inch various-angle (Vari Angle) LCD screen.

Inside

The Canon A640 is equipped with a 9-point AiAF Smart auto focus system that includes 21 shooting modes.  For those who aren’t sure what this means, standard shooting modes include Full Auto, Program, Shutter-priority, Manual, Custom, etc.  And then there are the additional modes like Portrait, Night Scene, Landscape, etc.  The Canon A640 is also capable of recording in movie mode with sound that is capture by a built in microphone.  If you use a 4GB SD memory card (sold separately), you can record up to 36 minutes of high quality movies.  In terms of zoom technology, the camera also boasts a Safety zoom feature that allows you to explore zoom levels even on digital zoom without losing quality of the image that you capture.  Canon has also made sure to install a DIGIC II (Digital Imaging Integrated Circuit) image processor.  Consumers who buy the Canon A640 are assured longer battery life, smooth operation, accurate reproduction, and high image quality because of the presence of the DIGIC chip.

Vari Angle

The LCD display is one of the best features of the Canon A640.  The Vari Angle (or various angle) feature allows you to see what you are capturing on the screen whether you are raising the camera high above your head or taking shots from below your knee.  The color 2.5 inch LCD screen is designed in such a way that you will still see images very clearly even at these extreme angles.  With the LCD screen on when taking shots, a consumer will probably be able to take about 500 shots before the batteries die out.  Of course, this is all thanks again to the DIGIC chip that allows for less power consumption.

The Canon A640 is sold with a USB cable, audio and video cable (which you probably won’t use much since it also has a built in speaker so you can review videos on the spot), a wrist strap, 16MB MMC card, AA size batteries (it’s recommended that you buy NiMH rechargeable batteries for longer usage), and Canon’s own software that you can use for transferring and editing your pictures with on your computer.

Digital cameras are all the rave these days and it’s no surprise that people go wild when the latest digital cameras are released each year.  The latest digital cameras prove that the machine can outrun the skill of the photographer; and this makes for a great opportunity to let consumers show everybody what they have an eye for in a great photograph.

Olympus

With all the competition out in the digital camera market, it’s no easy feat for any of the big brands to maintain one over the rest.  Companies like Olympus do strive to push the letter, though.  The latest digital cameras from Olympus include one called the Stylus 550UZ.  Contrary to the name that suggests the use of an actual stylus, the 550UZ features the highest optical zoom ever in the digital camera market.  Packed with an 18x optical zoom and telephoto lens, the unit promises any user to take shots with higher detail and improved precision.  Strangely enough, with mega pixels already going over 10 in the latest digital cameras, the Stylus 550UZ still packs 7.1 mega pixels which is still above the standard.  The camera also packs a built-in image stabilization feature which makes this great for outdoor usage and the perfect camera to take action shots like in soccer games.  The power source for this item will be greatly appreciated since it can run on 4 AA batteries, which can be found on almost any shelf at any department store.  Packing rechargeable batteries will most likely be a better suggestion.

Sony

There is no competition like that which comes from one of the pioneers of digital camera perfection.  In Sony’s line-up of the latest digital cameras can be found the Cybershot H9, a follow-up to the popular H5 extended zoom unit.  The H9 also pushes the optical zoom feature but only up to about 15x, just a tad lower than it’s competitor on the Olympus line.  The latest digital cameras from Sony’s assembly also promise a feature that they call Super Steady Shot image stabilization.  This, coupled with 8.1 mega pixels, will make sure that you don’t take a blurry picture again, even if you’re taking shots of moving objects.  Long distance shots will be greatly improved and there is also the promise of HDTV quality output; now that’s something to think about.  Sony had to sacrifice some screen space, however, with the H9’s LCD display screen coming in short at 2.5 inches, but that’s one feature that one can dismiss with all the other possibilities that will hopefully make this camera just as famous as its predecessor.

Canon and the DSLR

Moving up a notch, let’s take a look at the latest offering from Canon for professional photographers.  The latest digital cameras from Canon have proven to be very successful, especially those in the DSLR (Digital Single-Lens Reflex) category.  The Canon Digital Rebel XTi (more commonly known as the D400) is definitely the product to upgrade to, especially if you have had the experience with its popular predecessor the D350.  With a whopping 10.1 mega pixel offering and 9-point CMOS sensor with auto focus, it promises faster photo captures that are even more accurate.  This camera is still great for the starting professional photographer and a great upgrade for those who have been warming up to the D350.

As one of the most popular products in the market right now, the Canon PowerShot SD800 IS digital camera is a 7.1 mega pixel, user and fashion friendly camera that promises faster response time.  It sports a new auto focus system that allows for face detection and no matter where those faces appear in a single frame.

Improvements

For a camera that is almost about a year old, the Canon PowerShot Sd800 IS is only the second and one of the newest cameras to boast the Optical Image Stabilization that the PowerShot series is known for.  Unlike other cameras, the Canon’s lens offers maximum optical quality and provides shake correction.  These means even better and clearer shots for the photographer.  This model in the PowerShot series also improves on loe light performance, which is something that almost all cameras have a problem with.  Until Kodak introduces their solution for low-light conditions, Canon’s optical and speed combination should promise to be a great alternative.  However, this may not be the biggest development consumers will see in the Canon PowerShot SD800 IS; what they should look out for is the optical 3.8x wide range zoom lens which allows for a longer zoom in a smaller amount of space.

Performance

The Canon PowerShot SD800 IS has been fitted with an improved image processor, in the guise of the DIGIC III.  It’s the newest processor and so far the only other model to have this processor is Canon’s PowerShot G7 model.  The chip promises user better startup, auto focus, and shutter response times; overall, it improves the performance of the Canon PowerShot SD800 IS.  Aside from the enhanced quality of pictures taken, it is also said that this chip promises lower power consumption which results in longer battery life.  The DIGIC III chip is also much better to have in terms of noise reduction, reducing camera shakes and improving photography in low light conditions.  Like all of Canons new models, the Canon PowerShot SD800 IS offers a widescreen 16:9 ratio which is a typical HDTV resolution which allows for panoramic style prints.  It also has an improved direct printing function that includes face brightening features.

Compatibility

When it comes to printing, the PowerShot (like all in its line) can still be used with the SELPHY compact photo printers.  These accessories have become more like essentials for Canon users.  These photo printers are also PictBridge compatible and with cameras that are equally PictBridge-enabled (the Canon PoweShot SD800 IS included), one can be assured of ease-of-use and quality images.

Physically, the Canon PowerShot SD800 IS is durable and is quite solid; the same can be said for most of Canon’s products.  This is an ultra-compact camera with a body made of stainless steel, has a focus-assist lamp, a built-in microphone and speaker, USB 2.0 connectivity for PC and Mac, and storage capabilities for SD/MMC cards.  The unit itself is shipped with a lithium rechargeable battery and charger and a 16MB SD card but the printer is sold separately.  Currently, one can pick this up for bout $400 dollars, a price well-worth the performance that is expected from this monster of compact cameras.

Picking out the best digital camera is one of the hardest things to do. This is because there are so many to choose from. However, for most people, the best choice of digital camera all depends on the budget that they have set for themselves. Buying digital cameras on a budget actually can make it easier for you as you can narrow down your choices to just a handful of available and known brands in the digital camera market.

Below $150

Believe it or not but you can actually get a very good camera for less than $150. There are a few brands that you can choose from, and each of these digital cameras on a budget is competitive on a global scale. You can pick a fine camera from brands like Canon, Fuji, Sony, Nikon, and Olympus. For an average of about $120, some (if not all) of these cameras even have outputs of anywhere between 5 mega pixels and over 8 mega pixels. And if it’s the number of mega pixels that make sense to you, then cameras like the Canon PowerShot A460 (5 mega pixels) or the Fuji FinePix A820 (8.3 mega pixels) should suit you fine.

$200 to $300 Choices

For those with a little more money to spend, your choices are broadened as well. For digital cameras on a budget from $200 to $300 you can buy yourself a Panasonic Lumix with 12x optical zoom and over 7 mega pixels. The popular Canon PowerShot SD800 IS is also available in this price range alongside competitive products from Casio, Pentax, Fuji, and Sony. With your options broadened, the features of these cameras are also much more varied than those that cost below $150. Research on what cameras you think might suit your lifestyle and taste. If you can’t find what you like, you can wait a little longer for more models to appear in this budget category as time goes by.

$350 to $600 Options

For digital cameras on a budget that nears $600, you will find that some of the best cameras can be found. You can opt for the Sony Cybershot H7, which is the successor to the popular H5. The Sony Cybershot H7 is known for its 15x optical zoom, 8.1 mega pixels and its output which promises HDTV quality. Other brands that comoete with this product and are slightly more expensive include the Canon PowerShot G7, the Nikon D40, and the Pentax K100D. Depending on what features you want or require as a photographer, you can choose among these winning products; rest assured, you won’t regret any of the purchases you make with this range of budget.

Digital cameras on a budget really depend on what you want out of a camera. There are some cameras that even go well over the $1000 mark (which includes lenses and other accessories that you will need to maintain the camera) and these are well suited for professionals who can make the money back if photography is how they make a living. Whatever your choice may be, make sure it stays within a reasonable budget.

With all the stiff competition in the digital camera market, it is difficult for the consumer to choose just the one product that he or she will be using for the next couple of years. Let’s face it; all the new ads on digital cameras make you drool for the products. But you can’t purchase everything you see because not all the products are as good as they are marketed to be. Here’s a look at the top digital cameras by brand and in the market.

Sony

Sony is kicking off the year to a good start with their release of the H7 and the newly released H9. So what’s the difference? The H7 sports an 8.1 mega pixel sensor, 15x optical zoom and 30x digital zoom, HDTV output, and a 2.5 inch LCD display. The only difference is that the H9 has a 3.0-inch display. This may be something that you have to think about. If you are into larger displays the H9 will be perfect. Otherwise, you can save a few bucks and spend it on the slightly cheaper H7.

Canon

Some of the top digital cameras can be found in the guise of Canon’s steel-bodied marvels. They are known for their IXUS models, compact cameras that pack the power of some of the best professional cameras of other brands. Canon’s latest offering, the Canon Powershot S5 IS, is an 8 mega pixel monster with a DIGIC III Image Processor that helps with reducing blur in images and sharpens it while letting out colors more vividly than originally taken. With a 12x optical zoom and a 4x digital zoom, the camera will also be welcomed for its face detection auto focus which allows the camera to “know” that it needs to take a picture of a person face and not something farther off. The other advantage is that it uses standard AA batteries which are available in any department store; no more worries about looking for special batteries.

Casio

The team at Casio is also not to be outdone; the company is known for its brand of super slim cameras known as the Exilim. They recently just released one of their top digital cameras, the Exilim EX-Z75. An update to the EX-Z70, the camera still sports a 7 mega pixel sensor, a large 2.6-inch display, 3x optical zoom and 4x digital zoom; all packed in the slim casing that the Exilim is known for. Canon’s EX-Z75 is the perfect pocket camera to bring around on short trips. It’s easy to use and the quality of photographs is definitely something you won’t have to worry about.

These are a few of the top cameras that are available by some of the top brands in the world. Naturally, all the digital camera companies are whipping out their top digital cameras for their share of a market that’s expected to boom in 2008. If you still can’t figure out what brand you can trust, take a load off and head down to your nearest reseller. Test the cameras first and imagine how it can fit into your lifestyle.