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Digicam Buying Guide

How do digital cameras differ from film?
If you're used to shooting with a film camera, you'll notice some differences when you switch to a digital model. Here's a quick summary.

1. Camera's power source

Some digicams use proprietary batteries designed specifically for them.

Film: Takes disposable batteries that range from AA-sized to the less common CR123.

Digital: Uses proprietary Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, although some lower-end models still rely on the commonly available AA-sized cells for power.

2. Recording pictures

A CCD is like film that you can reuse over and over again.

Film: Uses film, which comes in various frame sizes and different sensitivities to light. For instance slow (ISO 25-64), medium (ISO 100-200), fast (ISO 400-1,000) or ultrafast (ISO 1,600-3,200).

Digital: Uses a fixed, light-sensitive, silicon chip that comes in two varieties: CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor). This chip determines the frame size and light sensitivity of the camera. You can simulate the effects of using different types of film via settings within the camera. Of the two, the CCD sensor is more commonly used in digital cameras. The CMOS sensor is typically found in a dSLR camera.

3. Framing shots

Some cameras have LCDs that flip out and/or twist, to help you frame difficult shots.

Film: Uses an optical viewfinder.

Digital: Uses an optical viewfinder as well as an LCD screen to view the scene. Many camera vendors today substitute the optical viewfinder with an electronic viewfinder (EVF), much like the ones used on camcorders. Photographers who are used to optical viewfinders don't always like EVFs. The EVF shows you the same view that the lens sees, but are often hard to focus and poorer in quality. So try before you buy.

4. Storing images

Different cameras accept different kinds of flash memory media, so do check the specifications.

Film: Imprints images directly on the film, which is single use and supplies a fixed number of frames per roll.

Digital: Stores images as digital files on either reusable, removable flash memory cards which come in various capacities, or the camera's internal memory (if available). The file format can also impact on the size of the image, and hence on storage space.

JPEG
The most commonly used image file format, JPEG is small and fast for capture, but has file compression that may introduce artifacts that degrade image quality.
RAW
Professional photographers and serious photo-enthusiasts usually prefer to shoot in the RAW format. It is typically smaller in storage size than TIFFs and more flexible for post-capture retouching. However, RAW is not offered on all cameras and special software is required to read them.
TIFF
Large files that can slow down your shooting and fill up your media but have no compression artifacts. This option is commonly found only in high-end cameras.

You can read more about different image file formats here.

5. Displaying pictures

Digital camera LCDs allow you to view all the images you've taken.

Film: You have to develop the film before you can scan the photos or negatives to display on a monitor or a TV.

Digital: Displays images on the LCD. In addition, many cameras allow you to connect to a TV or an external display for viewing. Alternatively, you can download the images to a PDA, notebook, video-capable music player or mobile phone for playback. You can additionally upload the pictures to an online photo album site (sometimes even wirelessly if the camera comes with Wi-Fi) to share with the geographically remote.

6. Printing photos

Unlike with film cameras, you can print digital photos at home.

Film: Delivers to a photolab in order to get prints or digital files.

Digital: You can download image files to your computer for printing on your inkjet printer. Or, if you have both a PictBridge-compatible camera and printer, you can make prints without a computer. Another option is getting normal prints from an online printing service or a local photofinisher that accepts digital files.

What kind of digital camera is best for me? »

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