Some Great Features of Digital Cameras

Provided by Nikon

Instant gratification – What you see is what you get

A great feature of most digital cameras is the ability to see your photos on a small colour display screen immediately after taking them. No more picking up prints from the lab only to be disappointed with how they turned out. The display allows photographers to see exactly what the picture looks like, choose the great ones to keep and delete any unwanted ones. And because digital cameras have re-usable memory cards, buying film becomes a thing of the past.

Flexibility

A digital camera offers photographers all the features of a traditional camera with the added benefit of more control over how the photos will be used. With a small cable attached to the camera, simply plug it into a PC and store your photos on your computer. Then you can decide whether you want to print or drop them into a website or even organize them in a digital album on a CD.

Creativity

A digital camera is a great confidence and skill builder for the budding photographer. Features like those of Nikon’s Coolpix 2500 offer easy ways to create panoramic shots, add character or unique perspective to a photo with built -in scene modes and even to create short video clips. Higher-end models offer advanced features such as interchangeable lenses for wide angle or high definition shots, perfect for the more experienced photographer.

Make it perfect

Further fuelling the creative spirit is the addition of photo editing software to the mix. Most digital cameras come with computer software that offers editing tools such as cropping, enlarging, red-eye reduction and colour correction abilities. With a few clicks of a mouse, shutterbugs can turn a favourite vacation beach shot into a breathtaking frame-ready photo.

Choosing the Right Digital Camera

Some of the more important things to consider are megapixels – the resolution of digital cameras ranging from one to six, optics – the quality of the lens and whether a camera has easy-to-use features such as a good zoom and automatic settings for point and shoot photography.

Nikon Canada’s Sean Williams points out some of the key features to suit everyone:

• Grandparents – Entry-level models are a great way for grandparents to boost their digital camera confidence and skill. A two megapixel model with basic features is perfect for sharing photos via email and printing 4 x 6 copies.

• Parents – Parents who regularly print great looking 8 x 10’s of their kids will love a higher-end camera such as the Nikon Coolpix 4500. It offers an excellent lens, four megapixels for great detail and a swivel design for capturing memories from any angle.

• Kids – Whether they’re posting photos on a website for a school project or snapping shots of their friends, digital is the way to go. Consider a camera that offers easy point and shoot features and one with an automatic focus.

• Experienced shutterbugs – For uncompromising detail and performance, a digital SLR camera offers features such as interchangeable lenses, manual controls and superior quality – ideal for those who have chosen photography as a hobby or profession.

• Professionals – Work related users such as real estate and insurance agents rely on digital photography every day for client presentations and for documenting important information. These models usually come in the three to six megapixel range and can capture panoramic shots, a key feature for professionals.