Compact Cameras
Digital cameras fall into four basic categories: Compact cameras, (also known as point and shoot cameras),
Advanced Compact cameras, Interchangeable Lens Compact cameras, and Digital Single Lens Reflex cameras.
(also called DSLR or Digital SLR cameras)
The digital compact camera is by far the most widely used consumer camera. The main features of this type
camera are its small size and weight, its ease of use, and affordable pricing. The quality of the images they take
are generally very good
The following features will be found in any basic digital compact camera:
Size/Colors: Compact cameras like the are small enough to carry in a pocket or purse.
The Ultra Slim models like the Panasonic DMC-FH2 are also a big favorite due a their even smaller size. Ultra slim
compact cameras can fit into a shirt pocket comfortably. Most compact cameras come in a variety of colors
Ease of Use: Using a compact camera is pretty easy. Just turn it on, set it to the automatic mode or one of the
other user friendly modes and just "point and shoot". All compact cameras have auto focus so that's one less
thing to worry about.
Zoom Lens: All basic compact cameras come with a zoom lens that has a minimum three time (3X) magnification.
That will enable you to take pictures from a wide angle to medium telephoto range.
Automatic Scene Modes: Compact cameras come with a wide variety of scene mode settings. The amount and
type of scene modes will vary from camera to camera. Some of the most common scene modes are landscape,
portrait, close up, panoramic, sports, fireworks and beach/snow. Just choose the type scene you will be taking
pictures of and the camera will automatically set the proper exposure for that type scene.
Macro Mode: This mode is designed to take very close up pictures of a subject. Flowers are probably the most
popular subject taken using this mode, but it can be used to take pictures of any small object or area.
Movie Mode: Just about every compact camera will have a movie/video mode. The movie mode is good for making
short videos but is not meant to replace regular video cameras.
Image Stabilization: Using the image stabilization feature will reduce the blur resulting from camera shake or
movement when a picture is being taken.
Built in Flash/Self Timer: A built in flash is standard in all compact cameras. The flash will assist in taking
pictures indoors or in low light situations. Self timers which allow you to include yourself in a picture are also
standard in compact cameras.
Exposure Compensation EV: This feature allows you adjust the exposure setting so that your images will be
lighter or darker than if the camera's suggested meter reading was used. Check the tutorial on Exposure
Compensation for more on how this works.
White Balance: Sometimes pictures have an unwanted color tint in them. The white balance feature lets you
make adjustments so that your images look more natural. Read the tutorial White Balancing to learn more.
The above mentioned features are all you really need in a compact camera to start taking pictures. However,
there is stiff competition among the camera manufacturers. So they make extra features available in their cameras
in order to get an edge over their competition.
Additional Features: Some of the extra features you may find in some compact cameras might be 1080HD video,
brighter LCD screens, faster image processors, longer zoom ranges, or faster frames per second shooting. The
Canon Powershot SD4500IS includes those features and more.
For those who will be taking pictures in active situations and need a rugged camera, the Lumix DMCTS2 might be
the best camera. It is both shockproof and waterproof.
If Touch Screen controls appeal to you, then the Sony DSC-T99/B might be a camera to take a look at.
On the other hand, a camera like the with fewer extra features might be all you need.
Pricing: The prices of compact cameras range from around 100.00 to under 400.00. The difference in the price
you pay will depend on the amount of extra "bells and whistles" that you are willing to pay for.
Compact digital cameras produce very good images and are great for everyday general photography. They are
the best camera for people who want simplicity when taking pictures, and for those who don't want to spend a lot
of money on a camera.
A compact camera might also be the best camera for beginners who just want to see if photography is something
they are really interested in.
Even professional photographers carry a compact camera with them when they are not working on a project "just
in case" a great photo opportunity arises.
Most features of digital compact cameras are automatic and very few manual adjustments can be made. So a
basic compact camera might not be the best camera for someone who wants to manually control things like the
exposure settings or manual focusing. If you are the type who wants a little more control over the exposure
settings, an Advanced Compact Digital camera might be a better choice.
If you want total control over the camera settings, a Digital Single Lens Reflex camera might be the best camera
for you. If the larger size of the Digital Single Lens Reflex camera doesn't appeal to you, an Interchangeable Lens
camera might be the best camera for you. It is a more compact version of a Digital Single Lens Reflex camera.
Digital cameras fall into four basic categories: Compact cameras, (also known as point and shoot cameras),
Advanced Compact cameras, Interchangeable Lens Compact cameras, and Digital Single Lens Reflex cameras.
(also called DSLR or Digital SLR cameras)
The digital compact camera is by far the most widely used consumer camera. The main features of this type
camera are its small size and weight, its ease of use, and affordable pricing. The quality of the images they take
are generally very good
The following features will be found in any basic digital compact camera:
Size/Colors: Compact cameras like the are small enough to carry in a pocket or purse.
The Ultra Slim models like the Panasonic DMC-FH2 are also a big favorite due a their even smaller size. Ultra slim
compact cameras can fit into a shirt pocket comfortably. Most compact cameras come in a variety of colors
Ease of Use: Using a compact camera is pretty easy. Just turn it on, set it to the automatic mode or one of the
other user friendly modes and just "point and shoot". All compact cameras have auto focus so that's one less
thing to worry about.
Zoom Lens: All basic compact cameras come with a zoom lens that has a minimum three time (3X) magnification.
That will enable you to take pictures from a wide angle to medium telephoto range.
Automatic Scene Modes: Compact cameras come with a wide variety of scene mode settings. The amount and
type of scene modes will vary from camera to camera. Some of the most common scene modes are landscape,
portrait, close up, panoramic, sports, fireworks and beach/snow. Just choose the type scene you will be taking
pictures of and the camera will automatically set the proper exposure for that type scene.
Macro Mode: This mode is designed to take very close up pictures of a subject. Flowers are probably the most
popular subject taken using this mode, but it can be used to take pictures of any small object or area.
Movie Mode: Just about every compact camera will have a movie/video mode. The movie mode is good for making
short videos but is not meant to replace regular video cameras.
Image Stabilization: Using the image stabilization feature will reduce the blur resulting from camera shake or
movement when a picture is being taken.
Built in Flash/Self Timer: A built in flash is standard in all compact cameras. The flash will assist in taking
pictures indoors or in low light situations. Self timers which allow you to include yourself in a picture are also
standard in compact cameras.
Exposure Compensation EV: This feature allows you adjust the exposure setting so that your images will be
lighter or darker than if the camera's suggested meter reading was used. Check the tutorial on Exposure
Compensation for more on how this works.
White Balance: Sometimes pictures have an unwanted color tint in them. The white balance feature lets you
make adjustments so that your images look more natural. Read the tutorial White Balancing to learn more.
The above mentioned features are all you really need in a compact camera to start taking pictures. However,
there is stiff competition among the camera manufacturers. So they make extra features available in their cameras
in order to get an edge over their competition.
Additional Features: Some of the extra features you may find in some compact cameras might be 1080HD video,
brighter LCD screens, faster image processors, longer zoom ranges, or faster frames per second shooting. The
Canon Powershot SD4500IS includes those features and more.
For those who will be taking pictures in active situations and need a rugged camera, the Lumix DMCTS2 might be
the best camera. It is both shockproof and waterproof.
If Touch Screen controls appeal to you, then the Sony DSC-T99/B might be a camera to take a look at.
On the other hand, a camera like the with fewer extra features might be all you need.
Pricing: The prices of compact cameras range from around 100.00 to under 400.00. The difference in the price
you pay will depend on the amount of extra "bells and whistles" that you are willing to pay for.
Compact digital cameras produce very good images and are great for everyday general photography. They are
the best camera for people who want simplicity when taking pictures, and for those who don't want to spend a lot
of money on a camera.
A compact camera might also be the best camera for beginners who just want to see if photography is something
they are really interested in.
Even professional photographers carry a compact camera with them when they are not working on a project "just
in case" a great photo opportunity arises.
Most features of digital compact cameras are automatic and very few manual adjustments can be made. So a
basic compact camera might not be the best camera for someone who wants to manually control things like the
exposure settings or manual focusing. If you are the type who wants a little more control over the exposure
settings, an Advanced Compact Digital camera might be a better choice.
If you want total control over the camera settings, a Digital Single Lens Reflex camera might be the best camera
for you. If the larger size of the Digital Single Lens Reflex camera doesn't appeal to you, an Interchangeable Lens
camera might be the best camera for you. It is a more compact version of a Digital Single Lens Reflex camera.
Easy Basic Photography
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