Choosing a digital camera for family shots
It is not easy to choose a digital camera: the existing abundance of models, which the modern market offers, is capable of confusing even an experienced user. If the question of which device is better to buy is urgent, then first of all it is necessary to take into account the criteria by which the productivity of a particular model is assessed. Quite often, the owner of photographic equipment has to be removed in difficult conditions, where every second counts. Sometimes there is no time even for preparation, not to mention the setting of the frame. Alas, but full-fledged professional equipment requires deep tuning, which not every novice amateur photographer can handle. Let us consider why and in what circumstances digital photographic equipment would be preferable to mirror optics.
Content
The advantage of digital cameras
Since the nineties of the last century, many users are familiar the concept of "soap dish". Inexpensive and good device capable of making a digital photo of good quality. The name “soap dish” acquired thanks to a small form that most resembles a container for soap. Its main advantage over bulky models was that such a device was almost always ready to do snapshot. One click of a button - and you can catch the frame.
That soap dish is the thinnest and most compact device in the family of digital cameras. Neither models with a large zoom nor mirrorless can boast of such portability.
Modern models of digital cameras are able to make high-quality photos, work great with color rendition, are able to capture the volume and correctly exposed production frame. Due to the fact that the device can almost always be at hand, a digital camera is suitable for family shots, especially for shooting children. The child is constantly in motion, so using a fairly weighty optics is simply inconvenient. In addition, an important element of surprise is lost, because of which a snapshot may lose its naturalness.
Another significant advantage of the digital device is its low cost in comparison with professional equipment. A digital soap dish can be presented to a child as the first children's camera. In addition to the simpler device of the device itself, digital cameras can be made in a protective case, so you can take them on various trips and hikes. However, if you need highly specialized personnel, it would be best to use professional equipment. The digital device is good for solving simple everyday tasks:
- simple and fast shooting;
- easy data exchange between devices.
However, digital camera is not only suitable for a child. Properly selected mini-camera with effects is perfect for video shooting, thus replacing the video camera on the smartphone. The camera, as a rule, has a much higher quality zoom and matrix, therefore, in terms of video quality, the gadget is able to leave behind even the flagship smartphone models.
Criteria for selection
Compact digital cameras for the home should be selected according to several criteria. Some of them are fundamental, and they should pay attention first. Less important characteristics can be missed, but do not completely discount them. A good digital device has a balanced performance, ensuring comfortable and productive work. So, before you pick up a gadget, you should thoroughly examine the following technical characteristics of the camera.
The number of megapixels
Quite an important criterion. But quantity, no matter how strange it may sound, will not always mean quality. Unfortunately, a weaker matrix can nominally have a large number of megapixels, but take rather mediocre pictures. Such a disadvantage often affects models of second and third tier brands,who, in pursuit of market leaders, are trying to “flaunt” large numbers in their advertising. The best choice will be the device with the characteristics up to 20 megapixels, more in the soap box is simply not required.
Availability of zoom and its size
In this case, the larger the zoom, the more the user will be able to capture. It is important to remember that you should not expect a professional level from a soap box, therefore you should not select a model with high indicators. It is also important to remember that in the case of digital zoom we are talking only about the transformation of the picture, and not about the real approximation of the object. The central part of the photo is simply scaled, and in this case it will be useful to have a larger number of megapixels: the more of them, the greater the detail of the scalable object, respectively, the better and “zoom”. For everyday tasks, the device with a 10-20 multiple zoom is quite suitable.
For example, a digital camera in 2017 can have both 40 and 50x magnification of an image, processing the image qualitatively.
Magnitude of photosensitivity
Selection of the camera according to the parameters should begin with the study of the characteristics of ISO.Unfortunately, quite often the problem in compact models of digital cameras is a low rate of light sensitivity. If the value of this parameter is 800, then clearly you should not expect high-quality color reproduction and the edges of objects. Most likely, the picture from time to time will be faded and blurred. The less natural light, the more you need to set the ISO parameter. The best option for lovers will be figure from 2000 to 3200. Acquiring equipment with large values simply does not make sense, because higher rates are simply not required when performing basic tasks.
Regardless of the level of sensitivity indicator, experts do not recommend using automatic ISO settings, because during autotuning, quality shooting cannot be guaranteed. The best option would be to manually enter the parameters for the natural needs of each particular shooting session. Conditions can vary significantly (bright sunny day, dark room, dim lamp, illuminating the object, etc.), so it is strongly recommended to carefully study the instructions for working with settingssensitivity, because the quality of the future image depends on it.
How focusing is performed
In compact digital cameras, the most common option is autofocus. The principle of its operation is quite simple. The sensor in the camera is an active emitter of infrared light pulses. The focusing itself occurs by analyzing the reflected rays, by measuring the distance to the natural object. It is precisely when calculating this segment that the device sets autofocus indicators.
This focusing method has one major drawback: the camera sees only at close distances, focusing on distant objects is impossible. In addition, you can not focus through the glass, because the infrared pulse will be reflected from its surface.
In addition to the difficulty in working with transparent objects, through which the infrared signal passes with difficulty, there is another small nuance. This type of autofocus does not function well. with natural shading. However, the user can always use the manual control, although the latter requires a bit more dexterity, since it will be necessary to “catch” the object manually.Otherwise, automatic focusing in a digital camera works flawlessly, demonstrating a high percentage of "guessing" the position of an object in space with respect to the camera.
The possibility of video and its quality
Another important parameter that you should pay attention to before choosing. Often the user is faced with a dilemma: a camera or video camera, what to choose? Thanks to the development of modern technology, choosing is no longer necessary. Rather, you can choose both of these options, hidden under one body. You can also make videos on the phone, but the image quality often leaves much to be desired. From a professional digital camera will be quite enough shooting opportunities in HD or FullHD.
It should be noted that due to its design, digital is easier to process video than a SLR. Due to this, many manufacturers focus on the ability to record high-quality video in high resolution format.
However, there are models with more affordable options. For example, leading companies realize the ability on some models of digital cameras to record video at a lower resolution.At the same time, the content is automatically converted to the format provided by the operating system, and for its correct display from the hard disk it may be necessary to convert it into a more common format.
Availability of special modes
In order to see all the available modes, it may take a lot of time. For their quick study there is a special classification. The main mode of the gadget is automatic. In addition to the main software present additional or scene modes.
- Portrait mode tells the automatics that the object to be fixed is quite close, and is perfect for selfies.
- Macro mode is designed to work with close-ups and allows you to photograph plants, insects and other objects that need a significant approximation.
- Landscape mode adds sharpness to both the foreground and the backs.
- Sports mode makes it possible to fix moving objects.
- Night portrait mode increases shutter speed for a more thorough background work. The flash occurs only when the curtains are closed.
There are quite a few modes, most often the scope of their application becomes clear from their names.For the solution of the majority of daily tasks the listed modes will be quite enough.
Availability of additional options
It all depends on the tasks and the size of the amount that the buyer is willing to spend on the device. Most modern models of the middle class have the ability to transfer data using micro-USB and Wi-Fi. In some cases, you can even find devices that have navigation functionsAnd such a portable camera is perfect for traveling.
In theory, the more data a device has, the better, but in order to transfer files to a hard disk, it is often enough a regular cord.
Someone may prefer retractable digital lens, allowing to fix everything that happens without clinging to a small eye. In addition, this option is more convenient for recording video and taking pictures at a difficult angle. Some manufacturers began to install on their older models additional flash, but for this you have to pay an impressive amount, besides, the design of a digital soap dish was not intended to work in conditions of poor natural lighting (red-eye effect, etc.), so this proposal is not for everyone.
Memory card, battery
Everything is more or less clear with the battery: the larger its capacity, the longer the device will last from a single charge. For a family who loves to get out of town, you should attend to an extra battery - any powerbank might be perfect for this. But to the choice of the card should look more carefully. Most modern digital soap dishes use SD format cards, but this format has its own classification:
- SDHC - high-power cards with internal memory up to 32 gigabytes;
- SDHX is another type of SD card, which has an increased capacity in its arsenal, up to two terabytes of memory.
The recording speed of the latter is significantly higher than that of SDHC. For everyday photo and video, there will be enough cards up to 128 gigabytes. This size allows you to store more than a thousand high-quality digital photos and more than one hour of video shooting. Considering the speed of data exchange between the card and the external carrier, it is worth considering that they fall into three categories: up to 9 mb / s, up to 20 and up to 40. The greater the speed, the higher the price.
Practice shows that in the case of a digital soapbox, the speed of recording information on a 20 MB / s card will be more thanenough
Recommendations for manufacturers
Choosing a digital camera is a serious task, especially for inexperienced buyers. You should not hurry and hurriedly study loud offers from little-known manufacturing companies. The time-tested brands often cost more, but behind their price lies the experience of introducing high technologies into everyday life. Most start-up companies cannot afford all the accumulated potential and experience of the old-timers in the photo equipment market. Kodak, Canon and Sony - these are the “three whales” that support the modern world of digital photography. It is these companies that have the greatest weight, and these are not just words. Each brand has its own unique story, written by its employees. It is no secret that all the most famous photographers in the world prefer the technique of the "big three".
Today the market of digital technology has a well-established appearance. It has leaders and catch-ups. Any buyer will be able to find a device that will meet his needs as much as possible, because manufacturers, trying to please the user, set priorities as flexibly as possible.Due to this we have various categories of devices: compact, productive, balanced, long-lived. In any case, this diversity definitely goes into the hands of the end user.
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