A good shot is a high-quality modern technique, multiplied by the talent of the photographer. The question of how to choose a camera is of interest to many. Today, these devices have become indispensable companions in travel, hiking, ordinary trips. We are used to recording meetings with friends, colleagues, celebrating interesting events, anniversaries and birthdays on the camera, photographs tell about how our children grew and matured.
Important Features
Time does not stand still, the latest digital devices have replaced the film ones. The camera market is actually huge and diverse, so choosing the right model requires some knowledge. Only being guided in all the variety of this technique, you can choose the best camera for you and your friends. To understand which camera is better to buy, make the right decision and not regret the money spent, consider the most important characteristics of this technique.
Potential buyers should know that modern cameras are:
- Ultracompact.
A distinctive feature of such digital devices is light weight, simplicity of design, ease of use, low prices. Such a miniature device can easily hide in your pocket, with it you can shoot on the street, indoors, video. It is not possible to independently change the parameters here, so you should not expect first-class shots from this technique. If the quality of the received photos is not very important for you, choose a convenient supercompact. - Classic compact.
“Soap boxes” are slightly larger than ultra-compacts, and the resulting images are better. In addition to automatic, the camera has a number of other shooting modes. Here you can independently change the parameters, respectively, improve the quality of the resulting photos. An additional plus is the presence of the viewfinder. - The Ultramind.
These cameras differ from ordinary "soap dishes" in large sizes, a lens with a 20x zoom or more. In fact, this is the same "soap box", only with a large lens. Now such models are popular with beginner photographers, as they are considered quite versatile and easy to use. Ultrasounds can be used for any kind of photographs; they can remove deleted objects. - Advanced compacts.
Experts say that small cameras can do their job well. The uniqueness of this group in the presence of a large matrix, aperture lens with a fixed focus, manual modes. Sometimes the cost of such devices is higher than amateur DSLRs. Minus cameras - fixed optics. - Pseudo-mirror.
This type, in comparison with the two previous ones, is characterized by not so small dimensions, the presence of a lens not hidden in the body. Here, the buyer will find a viewfinder, a rotary screen, a better lens, many settings that allow you to choose the best options for shooting, if you wish, you can connect an external flash, change optics, use additional accessories. - Camera.
If you want to choose a good camera, we recommend buying a DSLR. This technique guarantees first-class photo quality and good video. Naturally, it will take some time to deal with such complex and expensive equipment.
The matrix is an important element of any camera that acts as a converter of the optical image into a digital signal. It is here that the picture is formed, which we then observe in the pictures.
The physical size of a full-format matrix serving as a standard is 36 x 24 mm. There are also cropped matrices. The concept of crop factor indicates how many times the considered matrix is smaller than the reference one.
The resolution of the matrix is the number of megapixels involved in creating the picture. Today you can find devices with both a small and a large number of such particles. Many people mistakenly believe that the more pixels, the better the picture. This is not entirely true. A large number of pixels causes more noise, which means that the quality of the image is reduced. To avoid this, it is worth paying attention to the physical size of the matrix in parallel: the larger it is, the less noticeable noise. For home shooting, two or three, amateur - from five to eight, professional over 8 megapixels is enough.
Zoom is called the ability of the lens to zoom in on the subject. Zoom can be optical or digital.
The manufacturer indicates the zoom ratio. This indicator indicates the number of possible approximations of the subject. The optimum zoom value is from 8x to 25x and higher.
When buying a camera, it is important to pay attention to the sensitivity of the matrix. The higher the ISO value, the better the photo. An increase in sensitivity leads to an increase in noise, a large matrix will serve as a salvation. Usually, experts want to advise you to choose a camera with the ability to manually configure ISO. It is more advantageous in comparison with automatic. It is better to prefer a technique with a wide range of sensitivity.
Viewfinders are liquid crystal, electronic, mirror, optical. This function indicates the automatic capture of captured objects. The most economical are mirror and optical. The larger the diagonal of the viewfinder, the faster the battery runs down, but the better you can see the objects you shoot.
The displays of modern cameras are movable and motionless. The first option is more convenient, as it allows you to shoot from various angles. The choice of a device with a liquid crystal display is an additional plus, as it opens the possibility for viewing captured images, deleting failed frames. However, it is important to remember that the presence of such a screen affects the battery.
How to choose a camera, which battery to prefer? Batteries are cheaper than batteries, but their supply is enough for a couple of dozen shots. Batteries will last several years, quickly recharge.
Cameras can have several types of memory:
- hard drive (inexpensive, able to store a large amount of information, if dropped, there is a chance of displacement or damage);
- built-in flash-memory (fast, not afraid of falls, significantly increases the cost of the camera);
- removable media (this is not very reliable, often buggy).
Today, almost all cameras can record video. Although these features are not paramount, there are still cameras that can record video better than some amateur camcorders.
When buying a camera, pay attention to the type of flash. The first option is a built-in flash, it is characterized by compactness, low quality. Better quality pictures taken with a removable flash.
Determine the type of camera
Choosing a camera directly affects the quality of the captured images. Above, we examined the parameters by which to choose the right technique so that shooting would be a real pleasure, and the result would exceed expectations. So which camera do you prefer?
If you are completely unaware of this kind of technique, we recommend that you purchase a compact “soap box” for starters.This miniature device is quite simple and convenient to use. The device usually works in automatic mode, here you will not see many strange buttons, and there is no need to make complex settings. Pictures obtained by hard work are of quite decent quality. Model Canon Power Shot ELPH 330 HS - An ideal inexpensive option for home shooting.
Mirrors with interchangeable lenses guarantee excellent image quality. They are much smaller than mirror devices, so they are easier to carry. In addition, such devices are much easier to use. The use of interchangeable lenses makes it possible to adjust the proximity of objects. The display and viewfinder consume a bit of energy (the exception is “sunny” mode). Sony Alpha A3000 - A good choice for an acceptable amount.
Buying SLR cameras DSLR opens up additional possibilities for monitoring the quality of images. Full-frame SLRs weigh a lot, so they will have to be held with two hands. However, a large matrix, fast focusing, a huge selection of lenses guarantee first-class shots. The image on the display exactly matches the image in the image. Single-lens cameras do a good job of photographing moving objects, as they shoot almost instantly. DSLR DSLRs like to choose real pros for filming children's parties, wedding ceremonies, various photo shoots.
A camera with autofocus is a good choice for beginners. The lens in such devices independently focuses on the subject. The camera Nikon J1 Lovers of dynamic scenes, especially animal owners or parents who constantly photograph children, will certainly appreciate it. In addition, this device is compact, lightweight, has a built-in flash. By the way, the camera will shoot a good video in HD-resolution.
If you have to shoot distant objects (sky, far mountains, flying birds or fast moving animals), give preference to a camera with a high proximity ability. Ultrasounds will do fine with macro photography. In addition, these devices make good video, some models will even record your comments on pictures. Panasonic Lumix FZ50 - A compact ultrasound guaranteeing good detail. The camera uses high-quality optics, created in conjunction with Lake.
Model Olympus SP-550 UltraZoom the consumer will like the small size and rather large lens.
Many are interested in the question of which camera is better for portraiture. Naturally, the choice always depends on the budget of the buyer. Experts recommend lovers of mirrorless or SLR cameras with crop matrix. The cost of such pleasure will be more than 2 thousand dollars, plus the price of the lens. The equipment will perfectly cope with the assigned tasks. Examples: Nikon D7100, Canon EOS 700D, Nikon D5100, Pentax K-30, Sony SLT-A57. Professionals choose a more advanced technique. Thanks to the full-format matrix, a technique such as Nikon D800, Nikon D810, Canon 5D Mark III, Nikon D4s will create real masterpieces. Prices for such devices are very high, and the cost of the lens often exceeds the price of a carcass.
Subject shooting is a special type of photograph that is especially popular. This method allows you to capture one or a group of objects in a particularly favorable perspective. How to choose a camera for subject shooting? This question interests many. Such photo shoots are different. Sometimes small photos can be taken even with a compact device, although more often it is important for the photographer that the smallest details are visible on the pictures taken. This result cannot be achieved with a compact device, therefore, experts recommend purchasing SLR cameras with large arrays.
Partial-matrix cameras do a good job of capturing whole subjects. The cost of such equipment is much lower (taking into account the acquisition of lenses). Automatic modes will not be able to fully control the shooting process, so it is better to give preference to technology with a large selection of settings.
The camera and lens should have a sufficient depth of field, a sensor with minimal noise, a large dynamic range that allows you to transfer maximum detail in the shade. Well, if the technique had the opportunity to photograph in RAW format. This will improve the quality of the picture.
Buying a camera is not an easy task. First, decide for what purpose the equipment is needed, is it possible to deal with technical difficulties, what amount you are ready to pay for such a "toy". Mentally putting it all together, get poisoned behind the camera.
