Buy Digital Cameras (Part 2)

Executive Summary about Buy Digital Cameras from PCWorld.com

Stating the number of megapixels is another way of expressing a camera's resolution; the higher the megapixel number, the higher the resolution. In general, higher-resolution cameras let you produce larger, higher-quality prints. Even a 5-megapixel camera (which is rare these days) can produce images of high enough resolution to produce crisp 11-by-14 prints.

Important: Battery Life
Some digital cameras quickly drain batteries--especially alkaline batteries--which can be expensive and annoying. With more megapixels, you can print larger photos with better image quality. Some models offer aperture and shutter priority modes, as well as full manual control. Cameras with greater focal range can zoom out to fit more into a shot or zoom in to fill the frame with the subject. Optical zoom produces sharper images than digital zoom. All new point-and-shoot and advanced cameras offer at least a 3X zoom, and some offer up to 20X zoom (the zoom of a single-lens reflex camera depends on the lens). If you want a camera with a powerful optical zoom, look for one that also offers optical image stabilization.

Somewhat Important: Manual Focus Override
Focusing the camera yourself can be more accurate than using automatic focus in some situations. Most compact point-and-shoot cameras, however, require that you use a button to adjust manual focus (if they offer manual focus at all).

Digital Camera Shopping Tips

Ready to buy a digital camera?
Match megapixels to your use: Most point-and-shoot cameras offer at least 5 megapixels, which is plenty for producing 11-by-14-inch prints. Some cameras can use AA batteries of any type--disposable or rechargeable.

Disregard digital zoom: Most cameras offer at least 3X optical zoom--and some boast an optical zoom as high as 20X.

Look for a low-light focusing aid: Some cameras have auxiliary lights that help them focus in dim settings.

Consider investing in a memory card reader or a camera dock: A memory card reader acts like an external hard drive attached to your PC or laptop, allowing you to download pictures directly from your camera's storage media. If you have a second memory card, you can keep shooting while the images download, rather than having to keep the camera hooked up to your PC. A dock also charges the camera's battery.

Also check out our other guide on Buy Cameras

Buy Digital Cameras (Part 1)

How to Buy a Digital Camera

Executive Summary about Buy Digital Cameras from PCWorld.com

Higher-resolution images, sophisticated but easy-to-use controls, higher optical zoom levels, and better technology all make taking great pictures--and shooting video with the same camera--easier than ever.

The Big Picture
A camera with no manual controls may take fabulous shots in bright sunlight, but lousy ones in more challenging situations.

Key Features
Megapixel count/resolution: If you intend to take pictures only to e-mail them to distant friends or to print at snapshot size, a camera of most any resolution will do. Small cameras are convenient, but they frequently have tiny dials and few buttons, which make changing settings somewhat trying. Smaller cameras usually don't have many manual controls, either.

Zoom lens: Inexpensive cameras often lack a powerful optical zoom lens. Cameras now offer zoom ratings of up to 20X. You should try a camera's autofocus at full zoom: We've tested some models that were slow to focus at full zoom in low light.

Optical zoom gives you all the benefit of the camera's maximum resolution, combined with the ability to focus in tight on faraway action.

Low-end cameras often omit manual focusing or allow only stepped focusing, which forces you to choose from a few preset distances.

Storage: At its highest resolution, a typical 5-megapixel camera can store six to eight images on a 16MB "starter" memory card. Make sure that the camera you choose supports SDHC cards if you plan on buying one of them.

If you're torn between a digital SLR camera and an advanced point-and-shoot model, keep in mind that digital SLRs don't shoot video.

Exposure settings: All digital cameras let you shoot in fully automatic mode--just press the shutter release and you get a picture. Most cameras also offer aperture- and shutter-priority modes, in which you adjust the size of the lens opening or how long the shutter stays open, and the camera automatically controls the other variable to give you the proper exposure.
Usually, cameras that offer priority modes also provide full-manual exposure control, in which you set both variables. These modes make a camera adaptable to almost any situation.

Menus: When evaluating a camera, consider how easily you can reach common settings--resolution, macro mode, flash, and exposure adjustments--and how easily you can play back just-taken images. Some single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras offer multiple positions on their control dial for storing customized settings. Some point-and-shoots allow you to store customized settings as a mode within the scene modes menu.

One potentially helpful feature offered by many point-and-shoot cameras is facial recognition. In detecting people's faces, the camera aims to optimize both focus and exposure for the subjects, presumably to better effect than the more traditional portrait mode that almost every camera offers. White balance: Almost all digital cameras allow you to choose a white-balance setting via presets. LCD and viewfinder: All digital cameras have an LCD screen; these vary in size from 1.8 to 3.5 inches. The smaller size limits your ability to review just-taken images on the camera. If you're thinking about getting a camera with a touch-screen LCD, make sure you account for the screen-smudge factor.

If you can, try a camera outside before you buy it. Image stabilization/antishake: Some cameras offer antishake (also called image stabilization) as a shooting mode or as a feature that can be turned on and off. Most point-and-shoot cameras use software to sharpen the resulting images. You don't have to buy a Wi-Fi-enabled camera to send photos directly from your camera, however. The Eye-Fi card (2GB, $100) enables any camera with an SD Card slot to send photos wirelessly to your computer and to photo-sharing sites.

Buy Cameras

Before You Buy a Digital Camera

Executive Summary about Buy Cameras by. Michael Carr
It can be difficult to buy a digital camera, especially if this is the first time you've purchased digital. Find out all the basics, learn the terminology, and find out which features are crucial for a new camera.

Know the Basics. Before you buy your digital camera, be sure you know the lingo. You also want to be certain digital is the way you want to go. If this is your first digital camera, you may or may not be ready to make the leap.

Know the Important Features. You don't to buy a camera for great close-ups, then get home and realize the zoom is awful. You don't want to buy a camera to make nice 8x10 prints, and realize even small prints have a horrible quality. Be sure you know which features are important to you.

Know the Cameras. There is an almost endless selection of digital cameras in stores. It is important to choose the right camera for your purposes. There is no point dropping $1,000 if all you need is 4x6 prints, for instance.

Know Who You Are Buying it For. If your camera purchase will be a gift, be sure you know which cameras are perfect for the recipient. Teens like cameras that are cool and funky, for instance, while moms are usually most interested in cameras that will take good family photos and allow for easy image sharing.

Know Where to Get the Best Deal. Even if you've chosen your camera, it is still important to shop around for the best deal. Sometimes that's at your local discount store, and sometimes eBay is the best choice. Other times, the manufacturers themselves have the units on sale. Check around before you write that check.

Know What to Do When You Get the Camera Home. You have that great new camera! Now what? Learn about the basics of operating that new camera, how to share your images with family and friends, and what to do if the camera stops working properly.

How to Buy Camera Parts

Executive Summary about Buy Cameras by. D. Porter

Step 1. Visit the camera manufacturer's website to determine which camera parts are recommended for your model as well as to obtain their contact information.

Step 2. Contact a local camera repair shop if your camera needs servicing from a professional or if you need assistance in ascertaining which camera parts to buy.

Step 3. Find some of the best deals on new digital camera parts with comparison shopping search engines, using more than one to obtain the best results.

Step 4. Explore online auctions as a resource to buy camera parts for both vintage cameras and newer models. When shopping for hard to find vintage parts make note of the vendors who specialize in your brand and model for future reference.

Step 5. Visit camera and photography forums such as Dpreview for additional advice on where to buy specific camera parts, accessories and lenses.

Step 6. Consider Craigslist or pawn shops for pre-owned camera parts and accessories.

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Camera Digital Canon

Digital Camera Market May Shrink in 2009

Executive Summary about Camera Digital Canon by. Kiyoshi Takenaka and Noriyuki Hirata

The global digital camera market may contract next year, the president of industry leader Canon Inc (7751.T) warned, as sluggish economic conditions dampen consumer demand.

The economic slowdown has started to hit sales of digital single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras -- high-end models that use interchangeable lenses -- but overall Canon's camera sales are solid ahead of the year-end shopping season, Uchida said.

Global digital camera demand grew 24 percent to 130.7 million units in 2007, according to research firm IDC, and Canon and its top rivals, which include Sony Corp (6758.T) and Nikon Corp (7731.T), are still forecasting sales growth this year.

Canon last month cut its 2008 compact digital camera sales forecast by 6 percent to 23.5 million units, though that would still mark a year-on-year jump of 10 percent. That has meant big profits for Canon and Nikon, which dominate the high-margin segment of the market.

Uchida said SLR demand was starting to show signs of "stagnation" but that it was not enough to knock its overall camera sales forecasts off track.

Uchida said the system will cost about 20 billion yen to implement but will generate cost savings of about 100 billion yen. Canon's office machine business suffered a setback in late August when Ricoh agreed to buy U.S. office equipment distributor Ikon Office Solutions for $1.6 billion, placing a key sales channel for Canon products into rival hands.

Shares of Canon have tumbled 47 percent since the Ikon deal was announced, underperforming a 38 percent drop in the benchmark Nikkei average, as analysts warned the loss of Ikon could mean a significant fall in Canon's market share in the United States.

"Some people ask us why Canon does not get more aggressive in M&As with all this cash," Uchida said.

Canon Q4 Profit Tumbles, Predicts Further Slide

Executive Summary about Camera Digital Canon by. Kiyoshi Takenaka

Japan's Canon Inc (7751.T), the world's largest digital camera maker, reported an 81 percent fall in quarterly profit and predicted a further slide in annual profit to a 14-year low this year, hit by slumping demand for cameras and office equipment and a stronger yen.

While most Japanese companies close their books on March 31, Canon's business year ends on Dec. 31.

Canon, which makes EOS and IXY brand digital cameras, expects its operating profit to fall 68 percent to 160 billion yen ($1.80 billion) in 2009, the lowest in 14 years, after posting its first annual operating profit decline in nine years in 2008.

FROZEN DEMAND

Without the negative effect of a firmer yen, its operating profit would have been 677.1 billion yen in 2008, instead of an actual 496.1 billion yen, Canon said.
For October-December, Canon's operating profit totalled 35.8 billion yen, the smallest quarterly profit since it started reporting quarterly earnings in 2001. Net profit fell 91 percent to 11.6 billion yen.

Before the acquisition, Canon machines accounted for 60 percent of the products Ikon handled. Shares of Canon closed up 0.4 percent at 2,590 yen before the announcement, compared with a 0.9 percent rise in the Tokyo market's electrical machinery index.