Zoom Compact
Although very easy to use, digital cameras are packed with technological innovation. You're not supposed to understand how they work – they're there to make taking pictures easier and to give better, sharper results. They can detect faces and sort out the focus all on their own, compensate for any shaking and adjust colors according to light conditions.
But it's never an easy task to choose a digital camera. There are countless models with a range of megapixels and a range of features. Get help isolating which digital camera is right for you (or your gift recipient) with the following.
The quality of a digital camera is mainly defined by four quantities: resolution, lens aperture, lens zoom range, lens quality, and software. CCD sensitivity also varies somewhat.
1. Resolution
Nearly all digital cameras use CCD's as the sensing element. This is what takes the place of film. The resolution is the number of pixels in the captured image. Computer images are divided into little dots called pixels. The more pixels, the more detailed the image can be.
2. Lens aperture
The aperture of a lens is its maximum opening. The bigger the aperture, the more light is gathered, and the less light you need to take a good photo. This is the most overlooked lens specification, but it very important, especially if you like to take photos indoors without flash or from a reasonable distance.
3. Lens zoom range
A zoom lens has a variable focal length. The focal length determines the magnification of the lens. A short focal length is a wide-angle lens, great for taking in large vistas. A long focal length is a telephoto lens, allowing you to get a tight photo of a distant object or person. A zoom lens lets you combine both of these and everything in between into a single adjustable lens.
4. Lens quality
Lenses with the same focal length and aperture can differ substantially in quality. A poor lens is not as sharp, and it may exhibit chromatic aberration, which means that all colors are not brought to the same focus. This usually shows up as colored fringes at high contrast edges.
5. In-camera Software
Here I am not talking about photo software that comes with your computer, but rather the software built into the camera. Taking a digital photo means a fair amount of computation. When you snap a digital photo, the camera first grabs a "pre-photo" to determine the brightness and color balance of the scene. It then shoots the real picture, based on the earlier information
6. Media type
Most digital cameras use Compact Flash or Secure Digital. The difference is not worth worrying about unless you already have a good supply of one type. Many Sony cameras use their own proprietary "memory sticks". I prefer to avoid proprietary solutions, as it restricts your future choices considerably. The trend is toward Secure Digital.
By the way, all the digital cameras has gone though rigorous QC testing and comes with one-year warranty. You will be surprised by tons of quality cameras at wholesale price!
JVC Everio 60GB 40X Dynamic Zoom Ultra-Compact Digital C...
|
|
Sony DCRPC109 Compact MiniDV Digital Handycam Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom $899.99 |
|
|
Abakus Wide-Angle Compact Zoom TV Camera C-Mount Lens $899.95 |
|
|
Foster + Freeman CVM Zoom Compact Video Microscope Lens Assembly $895.00 |
|
|
Kern 17-85mm 3.5 Vario Switar H16RX Beautiful compact C-mount Zoom lens-Mint $712.98 |
|
|
LEICA V-LUX 30 14.1MP 16X 24-384MM ZOOM DIGITAL COMPACT CAMERA BLACK 18163 $599.99 |
|
|
CANON IXUS 1100 HS 12X OPTICAL ZOOM COMPACT DIGITAL CAMERA ** SILVER ** $491.12 |
|
|
Canon EF-S 17-85mm f:4-5.6 IS USM-Professional Compact Wide-Angle Digital Zoom $486.63 |
|
|
Leica R3, R4, R-E, R5 with 28-70mm. compact zoom len $475.00 |
|
|
Zoom Clutches F2-112 Zoom Sport Compact Clutch Set $473.99 |
|
|
Nikon COOLPIX P7100 Digital Compact Camera 10MP 7.1x Optical Zoom $435.00 |
|
|
Zoom Sport Compact Stage 2 Clutch Set F2-122 $420.90 |
|
|
Indoor Compact PTZ Camera 100X Total Zoom Sony CCD $419.95 |
|
|
Zoom Sport Compact Stage 2 Clutch Set F2-111 $414.90 |
|
|
Zoom Clutches F2-113 Zoom Sport Compact Clutch Set $407.99 |
|
|
Zoom Sport Compact Stage 2 Clutch Set F2-124 $406.90 |
|
|
Zoom Clutches F2-111 Zoom Sport Compact Clutch Set $403.99 |
|
|
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 12 MP Micro 4/3 Compact System Camera 14-42mm Zoom Lens $400.00 |
|
|
Zoom Sport Compact Stage 2 Clutch Set F2-131 $394.90 |
|
|
Zoom Clutches F2-131 Zoom Sport Compact Clutch Set $383.99 |
|
|
NEW 1080P HD Digital Camcorder 12x optical zoom touchscreen compact video camera $375.99 |
|
|
Zoom Sport Compact Stage 1 Clutch Set F1-135 $367.94 |
|
|
Olympus SP-810UZ 14 Megapixel 3D Compact Camera 3" LCD 36x Optical Zoom Black $363.21 |
|
|
Pentax Optio WG-1 14MP Compact Camera 2.7" LCD 5x Zoom Black HDMI HD Movie 16896 $359.99 |
|
|
Zoom Clutches F1-135 Zoom Sport Compact Clutch Set $356.99 |
|
|
Canon SX130IS 12x Optical Zoom 665nm Enhanced Color IR Infrared Compact Camera $329.00 |
|
|
Fujifilm FinePix F600EXR 16 Megapixel Compact Camera- 3" LCD - 15 x Optical Zoom $328.74 |
|
|
Berthiot Compact 17-85mm F3.8 - C-Mount Zoom Lens - EX+ $325.00 |
|
|
NIKON COOLPIX L120 Digital Compact Camera +16GB SDHC 14.1MP 21x Optical Zoom $313.00 |
|
|
Zoom Clutches F2-114 Zoom Sport Compact Clutch Set $311.99 |
|
|
Fujifilm FinePix F500EXR 16 Megapixel Compact Camera 3" LCD - 15x Optical Zoom $300.70 |
|
|
TINY COMPACT! SOM BERTHIOT 17-85MM ZOOM C-MOUNT LENS $299.00 |
|
|
Zoom Sport Compact Stage 3 Clutch Set F3-48 $298.90 |
|
|
NIKON COOLPIX L120 Digital Compact Camera +8GB SDHC 14.1MP 21x Optical Zoom $298.00 |
|
|
NEW ZOOM PERF F2-131 SPORT COMPACT STAGE 2 CLUTCH SET $295.00 |
|
|
Kodak SLICE 14 Megapixel Compact Camera Nickel 5x Zoom 3.5" LCD 2 GB SD 1121870 $283.72 |
|
|
NIKON COOLPIX L120 Digital Compact Camera 14.1MP 21x Optical Zoom $282.00 |
|
|
NIKON COOLPIX S9100 COMPACT DIGITAL CAMERA **18X ZOOM** $276.92 |
|
|
Canon EF 28-105mm 3.5-4.5 II USM-Beautiul compact Autofocus Zoom-Mint $274.48 |
|
|
Nikon COOLPIX S8200 Digital Compact Camera Black 16MP 14x Zoom Full HD $272.00 |
|
|
Nikon COOLPIX S8200 Digital Compact Camera Red 16MP 14x Zoom Full HD $272.00 |
|
|
NIKON COOLPIX S9100 COMPACT DIGITAL CAMERA **18X ZOOM** $266.15 |
|
|
Tamron AF Aspherical XR 28-200mm 3.8-5.6 Macro-Great compact Nikon AF Zoom lens $253.98 |
|
|
Zoom Sport Compact Stage 3 Clutch Set F3-48S $253.90 |
|
|
FUJIFILM F500EXR COMPACT DIGITAL CAMERA 15X ZOOM - WHITE $253.47 |
|
|
Vivitar Series 1 24-48mm 3.8-HighGrade Canon FD Compact Wide-Angle Zoom-Nice $252.07 |
|
|
NEW 1080P HD Digital Camcorder 5x optical zoom 3" TFT scrn compact video camera $249.99 |
|
|
Sony SAL75300 - 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 Compact Super Telephoto Zoom Lens for Sony Al $249.00 |
|
|
Samsung HMX-Q10 HD Camcorder Ultra Compact w/ 10x Zoom $249.00 |
|
|
Sony SAL75300 - 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 Compact Super Telephoto Zoom Lens for Sony Al $249.00 |
|
|
Samsung ST6500 Digital Compact Camera 16.2 MP 5x Zoom $249.00 |
|
|
SAMSUNG HMX-Q10UN/XAA FULL HD BLUE COMPACT DIGITAL CAMCORDER 10X OPTICAL ZOOM $239.99 |
|
|
Kodak EasyShare M583 14 Megapixel Compact Camera Violet 3" LCD 8x Zoom 1819457 $234.42 |
|
|
Samsung HMX-U20 Ultra-Compact Full-HD Camcorder 3x zoom $229.00 |
|
|
Fujifilm FinePix F30 Zoom 6.3 MegaPixel MP Compact Digital Camera - Extra Memory $219.99 |
|
|
Full HD 1080p Compact DV Digital Video Camera Camcorder w Digital Zoom, HDMI out $211.95 |
|
|
Kodak EasyShare M577 14 Megapixel Compact Camera 3" LCD 5X Zoom Purple 1483395 $207.25 |
|
|
Vivitar Series 1 24-70mm 3.8-4.8 Beautiful Canon FD Compact Zoom lens-Mint $205.72 |
|
|
Olympus Tracker 10-30x25 Zoom Porro Prism Compact & Lightweight Binocular $199.99 |
|
|
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S930 - Digital camera - compact - 10.1 Mpix - optical zoom: $199.99 |
|
|
Zoom H2n - Compact Digital Handheld Recorder, NEW! $199.00 |
|
|
TINY COMPACT! SOM BERTHIOT 17-85MM ZOOM C-MOUNT LENS $199.00 |
|
|
Sony SAL55200 - DT 55-200mm f4-5.6 Compact Telephoto Zoom Lens $199.00 |
|
|
Sony SAL55200 - DT 55-200mm f4-5.6 Compact Telephoto Zoom Lens $199.00 |
|
|
Canon PowerShot SD1400 IS PowerShot 14MP Compact Digital Camera Black 4x Zoom $198.14 |
|
|
FUJIFILM F500EXR COMPACT DIGITAL CAMERA 15X ZOOM - WHITE $196.44 |
|
|
FUJIFILM F500EXR COMPACT DIGITAL CAMERA 15X ZOOM BLACK $196.44 |
|
|
Samsung ST96 Digital Camera 14.5MP 5x Zoom Lens ST-96 ST 96 Compact DC $195.00 |
|
|
Sekonic Zoom Meter L-228 w/Case-Professional Compact Digital Spot Meter-Nice $185.07 |
|
|
Samsung HMX-H200BN Compact Full HD Camcorder - 20x Optical Zoom - 2.7-inch LCD $184.15 |
|
|
NIB CANON FS 300 Flash 41x Adv Zoom Compact Lightweight Camcorder $269 **BUNDLE $179.99 |
|
|
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S930 - Digital camera - compact - 10.1 Mpix - optical zoom: $179.99 |
|
|
SAMSUNG HMX-Q10BN/XAA Ultra Compact HD Camcorder 10x Optical Zoom - black $178.99 |
|
|
SAMSUNG HMX-Q10BN/XAA Ultra Compact HD Camcorder 10x Optical Zoom - black $178.99 |
|
|
SAMSUNG HMX-Q10BN/XAA Ultra Compact HD Camcorder 10x Optical Zoom - black $178.94 |
|
|
SAMSUNG HMX-Q10BN/XAA Ultra Compact HD Camcorder 10x Optical Zoom - black $175.99 |
|
|
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 16.1 Megapixel Compact Camera 2.7" LCD Silver 4x Zoom $174.43 |
|
|
New SONY Digital Compact Camera Cybershot W530 14.1MP Optical Zoom: 4x sale $172.97 |
|
|
Ultra Compact Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom (Red) $169.99 |
|
|
SuperZoom Six Mile 20x to 80x Zoom Micro Compact Surveillance Binoculars Palm $169.99 |
|
|
CHAUVET GOBO ZOOM LED NEW COMPACT CUSTOM GOBO PROJECTOR $169.99 |
|
|
Olympus SZ-10 SZ10 Compact Digital Camera / BLACK 14MP 18X Zoom -BUNDLE PACK $169.00 |
|
|
Kodak EasyShare M583 14 Megapixel Compact Camera Violet 3" LCD 8x Zoom 1596683 $169.02 |
|
|
Minolta Maxxum AF/Sony 100-200mm 4.5 -Beautiful Compact Zoom lens-Minty $164.41 |
|
|
Samsung HMX-H200BN Compact Full HD Camcorder - 20x Optical Zoom - 2.7-inch LCD $163.33 |
|
|
Kodak EasyShare M583 14 Megapixel Compact Camera Violet 3" LCD 8x Zoom 1596683 $162.26 |
|
|
Sigma 28-200 f/3.5-5.6 Compact Hyper Zoom Aspherical Lens for Sigma SLR $160.00 |
|
|
Olympus VG-110 12 Megapixel Compact Camera 4x Zoom 640 x 480 Video Black 228165 $150.91 |
|
|
SEGMA 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG Macro compact telephoto zoom lens $150.00 |
|
|
Sony SAL55200 - DT 55-200mm f4-5.6 Compact Telephoto Zoom Lens $150.00 |
|
|
Olympus Tracker 10-30x25 Zoom Porro Prism Compact & Lightweight Binocular $149.99 |
|
|
VINTAGE QUANTARAY COMPACT ZOOM LENS BRAND NEW 80-200MM F3.8 $149.99 |
|
|
Chauvet Gobo Zoom LED - Bright 10W LED - Compact $149.95 |
|
|
Kodak EasyShare M577 14 Megapixel Compact Camera 3" LCD 5X Zoom Orange 1483394 $148.90 |
|
|
SIgma 28-80mm 3.5-5.6 Macro Aspherical-Beautiful Compact Canon EF Zoom-NICE! $147.97 |
|
|
Kodak EasyShare M200 10 Megapixel Compact Camera Red 2.5" LCD 3x Zoom 8422420 $139.84 |
|
|
NEW PENTAX Optio RZ10 RZ 10 10X OPTICAL ZOOM COMPACT DIGITAL CAMERA // BLACK $139.00 |
|
|
NEW PENTAX Optio RZ10 RZ 10 10X OPTICAL ZOOM COMPACT DIGITAL CAMERA // WHITE $139.00 |
|
|
SAMSUNG HMX-U10 ULTRA COMPACT HD CAMCORDER 4x ZOOM LOOK $139.00 |
|
|
Olympus VG-110 Compact Camera 12 Megapixel 4x Zoom New $138.84 |
|
|
Fujifilm FinePix JX350 16 Megapixel Compact Camera - 2.7" LCD - 5x Optical Zoom $135.83 |