What are digital cameras

Photographing has ceased to be a lot of qualified professionals. And the invention of a digital camera simplified the task of taking and storing pictures altogether - now the result can be obtained instantly, and the photographer is not limited in the number of film frames. But in order for the photos to be truly successful, you need to know which type of digital camera a potential buyer needs.

Compact soap dishes

This simplest type of “number” for photographs implies that all The settings are already pre-installed by the manufacturer. The latter often submit the goods in the advertisement: “I’ve pulled it off”. For ease of use, such devices have received the general name "soap dish".

The settings here are minimal, however, some models still provide a choice of manual manipulations, for example, shooting modes (portrait, landscape, macro focus, and so on), white balance settings, ISO, flash power control.

Unconditional pros such "digital cameras":

However obvious and limitations.

Improved versions

But even among the "soap trays" there are improved versions. The differences of such devices are not only in the increased number of settings, but also in the presence of a fixed zoom lens. The latter allows you to work with 30, 40 and even 60-fold approximation - with an ordinary digital camera, this figure will not exceed 20 times. Cameras with superzoom have a lens, arranged according to the principle of operation of the telescopic tube. Device with ultrazoom has an improved diaphragm - it is located at the far end of this very "pipe". This allows you to create pictures that are close to professional, in any weather and different lighting.

A good addition will be the support of Wi-Fi-communication, to transfer the result immediately to a PC, laptop or any mobile device.

Among the models of improved zooms cameras received excellent marks:

• Canon PowerShot SX420 IS;
• Canon PowerShot SX60 HS - the largest zoom, zooming 65 times;
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000 with the ability to record video in 4K format and a matrix of 20.1 megapixels;
• Nikon Coolpix B500 with Full HD video;
• Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400 with bright far flash and stereo microphone.

Prosumer Information

By pro-camera cameras are meant such "kompakniki", which make it possible to get almost professional shots. They have automatic and manual settings for shutter speed and aperture, there is a mode that includes high-speed shooting, a powerful flash.It is understood that you can use additional nozzles and light filters. Many of them - with swivel screen.

These are compact cameras. with a large matrix and fairly high-quality optics, and at a price they are quite comparable with the "SLR" entry-level. This technique is often used by professionals when it is inconvenient to take with them a “mirror” model. For beginners in the photo industry, these devices may seem too complicated due to the large number of options and settings.

Disposable "digital"

Disposable models are usually the prerogative of film cameras, but such a technique is also found in the digital embodiment. Immediately there will be a reservation: these cameras will not allow to get a result with good quality, but they will be useful if the user forgot to take a camera with him or does not want to put more expensive equipment at risk.

A brilliant example of using a disposable camera can serve as so beloved by many shooting with flying drones. Such a disposable device is especially useful for those who are just mastering such a "toy."

Such proposals can be found in the original performance: with the original design and bright color. For example, Fuji launches this version of the Q1 model. in the form of a pendant - Cameras can be different in color, shape and size. This option is available in both film and digital form. But Fuji mini - a digital model, in which you can find a variety of types of buildings.

System cameras

Varieties of digital cameras that fall under the title of system have a modular design. System cameras are a category of equipment on which the body is installed interchangeable components: flash, viewfinders, lenses and others.

Most often, such devices are found in a mirrorless version and without a lens, which will have to be bought separately.

A plus Such devices can be:

And now about shortcomings. Among them:

At the same time, such a technique is perfect for those users who already lack the capabilities of ordinary “soap cases”. Such people can be offered to pick up one of the following models.

1. Samsung NX1100 - amateur model.
2. Nikon's 1J series models are more suitable for novice amateurs.
3. Fuji X-T10 (budget version) and Fujifilm X-M1 (premium sample in retro style with the possibility of wireless data transmission) with a good matrix of 16 megapixels belong to semi-professional devices.
4. Sony NEX-5T has a sensor with a focus sensor.But the A7 II series is already a professional version, it is one of the best system cameras in 2017 with enhanced functionality.
5. Olympus OMDE-M10 II is a recognized model in terms of functionality and quality.
6. Panasonic LumixG, having a user-friendly interface, good image quality, OLED viewfinder.

There are disputes among specialists about this type of digital camera. The quality of shooting is higher than that of “compacts”, but small battery capacity not at all suitable for shooting in remote places. And while the cost exceeds some "mirror" models.

SLR Cameras

This class is most in demand today among professional photographers. And last but not least, thanks to its design features. The device uses complex glass optical systemthrough which the image is reflected in the mirror. The mirror itself is located in relation to the viewfinder at an angle of 45 degrees. Thanks to this, the photographer sees the same image that will turn out in the picture.

During shutter release the mirror rises, and the light falls on the matrix. The last element should be large in size and high resolution - without this it will be difficult to achieve a really high-quality image.Even in budget models it is not less than ½ ”, in professional models it is full-size. This is necessary for more realistic shots.

Here are the main features of this type of digital camera:

• This technique with interchangeable optics;
• there is an optical viewfinder;
• increased resolution of the matrix;
• Many manual settings when shooting.

The ability of the device to have removable lens. In the semi-professional technology, this part is already included in the package, but has averaged parameters. In professional models, the lens is more than cumbersome and expensive. It is better to have about two or three such parts.

Confuses many work with manual settings. This is true: it’s difficult to work with a SLR without preparation. However, it is better not to go straight to the professional models. In the semi-professional version, management is understandable even to beginners: the main buttons are moved to the case for quick work.

The biggest minus of all "DSLRs" - high price. The price of many of them start from 20,000 rubles, and professional models cost from 50,000 rubles.

In addition, to complete the work, you must purchase the required accessories - from lenses to cables.

SLR cameras are also found in different concepts. Types of cameras, "DSLRs" should be considered in more detail.

Translucent "mirror"

Visually, such devices are no different from ordinary "DSLRs" and belong to them according to the classifier. But inside missing lifting mirror - it is replaced by a translucent, the minus of which is in the delay of a part of the world. Optical viewfinder is not here either - it is replaced by electronic. Yes, and the batteries themselves in such cameras will sit much faster than in the classic "mirror".

Such cameras releases Sony. The technology of passing the light flux from the lens to the matrix in them really differs from the usual “mirror” one. A great example is the Sony Alpha SLT-A99. The budget equivalent is the SONY Alpha SLT-A33, but even here the price starts at $ 1,000.

Range offers

A rangefinder camera is a subspecies of the mirror photographic equipment, which uses a rangefinder for focusing. This component measures the distance from the camera to the subject. In fact, this is a very difficult technique. Among its positive aspects:

• silent shutter (the photographer goes unnoticed);
• the best pictures in motion due to the short interval when you press the start button (the picture does not overlap);
• the ability to use a very compact folding lens;
• viewfinder, which shows the frame completely (wider field of view, the ability to crop the picture).

An interesting example is the elite Leica (models M and M9). They, like Contax and Mamiya 7, have fully interchangeable lenses. And if you choose Nikon 35Ti, Yashica, Canonet, Ricoh, Petri and Olympus, then only native lenses are used here, often even for a specific camera.

The main drawback is the very high cost: the Leica camera itself will cost from 300,000 rubles, and its lenses to it from another 100,000 rubles. Consequently, only a few can afford such equipment.

But not everyone needs it: paparazzi use such devices for shooting stars and professional photographers of the wild nature.

Medium format models

These include the most expensive offers on the market today. Their superiority over the rest is achieved due to the presence medium format matrix. The dimensions here vary from 6x4.5 cm to 6x24 cm (but this is already a panoramic version). This technique perfectly detailed landscapes.

Such "digital cameras" are incredibly expensive, so they are mainly bought by professionals. The cheapest version of the Pentax 645D can cost from 300,000 rubles, and the prices of the Leica S2P and Hasselblad H5D-60 are over a million - all this data without a lens. In addition, such cameras are bulky. However, such an expensive camera guarantees the highest image quality, different from other cameras.

Mamiya 645AF also applies to medium format options. The camera allows you to take and digital images using a CCD. Flash control is carried out separately using the SCA3000 hardware system adapter.

Widescreen (full-format) options

The term "widescreen" cameras originated from the time of film devices. And it is not only a matter of large-scale images - the images themselves differed for the better, striking in their detail, sharpness, and smaller grain.

Today, such devices belong only to the professional category - the material itself is also produced according to very strict requirements.

As for digital cameras, the definition here is more applicable. Full-length or full frame: for such a technique, the matrix size is at least 36x24 mm. But aspect ratio frame in the case of digital technology is no longer so standardized: depending on the manufacturer, it can be 4: 3, 3: 2 and / or 16: 9.

Such units are even physically larger and heavier than any average "SLR". It affects the price. Usually, these professionals are bought by true professionals, and their costs pay off a lot - with a large sensor size, specialized functions, a solid construction and, of course, an unsurpassed result.

A good illustration of this is the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II. The professional camera (like the Nikon D5) is prescribed in the recommendations of its user level. Excellent pictures are provided even in low light conditions. The price of the "Kenon" offer starts from 350,000 rubles. Pentax K-1 offer is much more affordable. The relatively affordable price for a full-frame camera from 160,000 rubles and good image stabilization thanks to the Pentax Pixel Shift Technology technology found a lot of fans. The device is useful for shooting in this genre, where fast autofocus not required.

Wide-angle digital offers

Not every "SLR" is able to remove an extended object or an open landscape. Enhance the capabilities of the camera will help a special wide-angle optics in the form of interchangeable lenses or a short-focus device with non-interchangeable zoom optics. Cameras operating at a wide angle (with a focal length of less than 34 mm) will be of interest primarily to designers of furniture and interiors, scientific and technical workers. The advantages of this technique are the simplicity in obtaining a “wide” photo, the lack of possible curvature at the edges of the framehowever, it gives very interesting effects. Fujifilm FinePix E900, Canon PowerShot S80, Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1, Pentax Optio 50L, Kodak EasyShare P880 can be attributed to this technique. For novice landscape painters, the Kodak EasyShare DX6490 is especially useful with a wide-angle attachment.

When using cameras with support for interchangeable wide-angle lenses, a greater angle of grip and a pronounced perspective transfer will be obtained. That is, close objects will occupy more space in the frame.

For both of these wide-angle cameras, this flaw can “surface” - a wide body can block built-in flash. To avoid this, there is a sync connector for an external flash, but not all models have a “shoe” for this.

Interesting news

Technologies are evolving, and cameras today can be an interesting synthesis with other types of technology and have unusual capabilities. Consider such models in more detail.

The possibility of 3D-shooting

Similar offers on the market have appeared recently. They apply for shooting three-dimensional objects: this technology makes volumetric subjects shooting, showing the full depth of the image. Market analysis shows that today there are very few offers on this topic on the market. This is Fujifilm Finepix Real 3D in versions W1 W3, Sony Cyber-shot in models from TX9 to WX5. From the mirrorless segment - Panasonic (model Lumix GH2). And this is just as far as household cameras are concerned - multi-objective shots will be used in professional photography.

In this case, these models may have problems with their task. For example, they absolutely will not focus something in the corner - they just blur it, presenting the entire image as three planes, sequentially located at different depths. Another question is how to show such photos. Of course, you can purchase a special photo frame (as, for example, in the case of Fujifilm Finepix Real 3D), however, most often anaglyph glasses. Their disadvantage is a noticeable distortion of the color spectrum, so the result is very unnatural.

This only pushes one conclusion: 3D photos are still very far from the effect of realism and high image quality.

And although Sony has already announced its first 3D-SLR, photos from it are unlikely to be similar to those that makes a classic, in the sense of the word, a digital camera.

Projector + Camera

Another new digital photo technology market is the compact Nikon Coolpix S1200pj, which combines camera and projector functions in one case. At the same time, optical and electronic stabilization are responsible for the quality and clarity, and the resolution of 14.48 megapixels allows you to take decent pictures. This also helps the fivefold zoom.

To use the device as a projector, you only need to transfer it to the desired mode by selecting any flat surface as the screen. The camera-projector is synchronized with Mac OS X, Windows and iOS, which only increases its capabilities. The price of such devices starts from 30,000 rubles.

Scanner equipment

Any camera can have the ability to scanner - this quality is useful in order to promptly process the necessary documents."Turn" them into the text will help the appropriate programs, for example, VueScan, supporting more than 1600 models of digital cameras and scanners. But here we must remember about the correct choice of scanning technology. It is about precise focusing and high resolution.

6 megapixels of the matrix will suffice, but it will be necessary to think about how the lens can capture the entire sheet, for which wide-angle models will not work because of the distortion of the geometry.

So, the market is ready to offer various models.: with wi-fi connection, a projector, 3D capabilities, and this is not to mention the different dimensions of the matrix. The user will only have to choose the option that suits him for future work and, of course, fits into the budget allocated for the purchase.