Digital Photography For Dummies. Julie Adair King

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СКАЧАТЬ (p) versus interlaced (i): This spec has to do with the way that the video frames are created. Progressive is the more current technology and is considered better for most video-recording purposes.

       Frame rate: This value indicates how many frames the camera records per second, which affects the look of your movies:24 fps: The standard for motion pictures; gives videos a soft, movie-like look.25 fps: The standard for television broadcast in countries that follow the PAL video-signal standard, such as some European countries. It gives videos a slightly more “real-life” look.30 fps: Resulting in even crisper video, 30 fps is the broadcast standard for the United States and other countries that use the NTSC signal standard. It's the default setting for cameras bought in those countries, too.50 and 60 fps: These super-high frame rates are designed for capturing very fast action as well as for shooting footage that you want to play in slow motion. (More original frames delivers smoother slo-mo playback.)How about 50 versus 60? You’re back to the PAL versus NTSC question: 50 fps is a PAL standard, and 60 is an NTSC standard.120 fps or faster: A few cameras raise the frames per second bar even higher. Again, the purpose of this high frame rate is for creating slow-motion footage.

       Audio features: Built-in microphones on most cameras produce so-so audio quality and also often pick up and record noise from the camera’s autofocusing system. For better audio, some cameras allow you to attach an external microphone. If you’re a serious videographer, look for a model that enables you to attach headphones so you can monitor audio as you’re recording.

       Continuous autofocusing: Most new cameras can track focus during recording, a capability that was missing until a couple years ago. Of course, on interchangeable-lens cameras, you can forego autofocus and focus manually, but it takes practice to be able to adjust focus manually without creating noticeable camera movement.

      Memory-card features

      Instead of recording images on film, digital cameras store picture data on removable memory cards. Most cameras can hold only one card at a time, but some have two card slots. This feature is great because you can configure the two cards to perform different storage functions. You can put all your Raw files on one card, for example, and JPEG files on the other. Or you can send all files to both cards so that if one fails, the other provides a safety net.

Another thing to know about memory cards is that they vary in terms of capacity and in how fast they can record data. Larger cards hold more pictures and videos, and faster cards enable you to capture more pictures per second and record smoother videos. But not all cameras can take advantage of the highest-capacity, fastest cards. I won’t bore you here with an explanation of card capacity and speed specs (I save that for Chapter 2); for now, just know that if you do a lot of fast-action photography or video recording, this is a camera feature that matters.

      Convenience features

      No matter what category of photographer you consider yourself, I rank the following features as not critical, but nice to have:

       Articulating (adjustable) monitor: Some cameras, such as the Canon model shown in Figure 1-13, feature fold-out screens that can be rotated to a variety of angles. The benefit is that you can position the camera at nearly any angle while still being able to see the monitor, a feature that is especially attractive to vloggers — people creating and starring in videos they post on YouTube or other online video platforms.FIGURE 1-13: Some monitors can be adjusted to different viewing angles.

       Touchscreen operation: Of course, all smartphone and tablet cameras can be operated by touch, as can the devices' picture-playback tools. But touchscreens are being included on many other types of digital cameras as well.

       Wireless connectivity: Many cameras offer this feature, enabling you to enjoy the cable-free life when it's time to download pictures to your computer. Additionally, the camera manufacturer may provide a mobile app that enables you to view and transfer pictures from your camera to a smartphone or tablet via a wireless connection. The app may even make it possible to use your smart device as a wireless remote control for the camera.

       In-camera editing tools: Many cameras offer built-in retouching filters that can fix minor picture flaws, such as red-eye or exposure problems. For easier online sharing, you also may find in-camera options that create low-resolution copies of high-resolution originals and convert Raw files into the JPEG format. (You have to convert Raw files to JPEG in order to share them online.) These tools are especially helpful for times when you need to print or share a photo before you can get to your computer to fix the image in your photo software or create an online version.

       Conveniently located tripod socket: For long-exposure shooting, a tripod is a necessity. Most cameras offer a socket for attaching a tripod, but the placement is not always thoughtful. Some are positioned such that you can’t access the battery or memory card slot while the camera is on the tripod — a design that will quickly become an annoyance.

So … Is It Time for a New Camera?

      Summing up all the details in the preceding sections, the answer is “Maybe.” Consider investing in a new model if any of the following statements apply:

       You’re not happy with the quality of your printed photos.

       You have trouble capturing action shots because your camera is a slow performer.

       Your pictures appear noisy (speckly) when you shoot in dim lighting.

       You’re a serious photographer (or want to be) and your camera doesn’t offer exposure control, Raw image capture, a flash hot shoe, or other advanced features.

       Your current camera is so big and heavy that you often leave it behind — and when you do take it along, your neck and back start to hurt in no time.

      Of course, some cameras address these issues better than others, so again, be sure that you read reviews on any new model you consider. Also consult with the salespeople at your local camera store, who can point you toward cameras that best solve the picture-taking problems you’re experiencing.

       AVOIDING SHOPPING PITFALLS

      Whatever camera you decide to buy, remember these shopping tips:

       Be suspicious of unusually low prices. If you see new camera equipment offered for significantly less than it's priced at major retailers, you can be pretty sure you're buying gray market goods. These are goods manufactured for sale in other countries, where the market may require lower prices than in your neck of the woods. Gray-market sellers snap up those bargain-priced models, import them, and then offer them to you at “bargain” prices. Usually, your purchase turns out to be anything but a good deal, however. You may find that the camera warranty is no good in your country, the user manual is written in a foreign language, or you have to pay extra for components that usually are included in the camera box, such as the battery charger.

       Remember that a higher price tag doesn't necessarily translate to better pictures. Yes, you typically pay more for cameras that offer the features that deliver higher photo quality, such as larger СКАЧАТЬ