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ELECTRONICS FORUMS  Get real-world advice from others about choosing a new TV, digital camera, computer or cell phone. |
July 2008
Questions and answers
Our camera experts answer some popular questions about digital cameras recently posed by members of our camera forums and hundreds of visitors to our Electronics blog. The forums and blog are available free at ConsumerReports.org.
Q What features make a camera easier to use?
A A menu system that's bright, easy to read, and easy to navigate, like the innovative one on the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W200, above, is the single most important factor. Menu entries that clearly explain functions and don't rely on cryptic symbols are a plus, too. A multidirectional navigation wheel that can be operated with a single hand also makes things easier. Well-labeled buttons that have a dedicated function can help minimize the need to wade through menus.
Q How many megapixels of resolution do I really need?
A Unless you're going to create poster-sized prints or greatly enlarge just a small portion of a picture by cropping out everything around it, 6 megapixels are enough. Cameras with more are fine, too, but don't pay more for higher resolution alone. More megapixels can result in more visible detail in photos, but they don't always improve overall image quality. In fact, on some small cameras with small sensors, increased resolution may actually degrade image quality, especially in low light.
Q What's the difference between shutter speed and shutter delay?
A Shutter speed is how long the shutter stays open when you shoot; cameras will choose it automatically, although some also let you set it manually. First-shot shutter delay, sometimes called shutter lag, is how quickly the camera, once it's powered up, can take its first shot after the shutter is pressed. If that delay exceeds even a fraction of a second, you stand a greater chance of missing a shot. Next-shot delay is how quickly the camera can take its next photo. If it's longer than a couple of seconds, the camera isn't well suited to action shots.
Q How much zoom do I need?
A The 3x magnification of most point-and-shoot zooms are fine for general use; they capture details that are up to about 15 feet away. You'll need at least a 5x zoom for, say, shooting close-ups from the sidelines at your child's soccer game and a 10x-plus zoom to get in close to pro players at a sports arena. Higher zoom also tends to confer better wide-angle capability, for group portraits or landscapes. Keep in mind that the more you zoom in with a lens, the less light will reach the camera sensor. To compensate, you or the camera must select a combination of longer shutter speed, a wider aperture, and a higher ISO setting that might compromise the image in various ways.
Q What features make a camera easier to use?
A A menu system that's bright, easy to read, and easy to navigate, like the innovative one on the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W200, above, is the single most important factor. Menu entries that clearly explain functions and don't rely on cryptic symbols are a plus, too. A multidirectional navigation wheel that can be operated with a single hand also makes things easier. Well-labeled buttons that have a dedicated function can help minimize the need to wade through menus.
Q How many megapixels of resolution do I really need?
A Unless you're going to create poster-sized prints or greatly enlarge just a small portion of a picture by cropping out everything around it, 6 megapixels are enough. Cameras with more are fine, too, but don't pay more for higher resolution alone. More megapixels can result in more visible detail in photos, but they don't always improve overall image quality. In fact, on some small cameras with small sensors, increased resolution may actually degrade image quality, especially in low light.
Q What's the difference between shutter speed and shutter delay?
A Shutter speed is how long the shutter stays open when you shoot; cameras will choose it automatically, although some also let you set it manually. First-shot shutter delay, sometimes called shutter lag, is how quickly the camera, once it's powered up, can take its first shot after the shutter is pressed. If that delay exceeds even a fraction of a second, you stand a greater chance of missing a shot. Next-shot delay is how quickly the camera can take its next photo. If it's longer than a couple of seconds, the camera isn't well suited to action shots.
Q How much zoom do I need?
A The 3x magnification of most point-and-shoot zooms are fine for general use; they capture details that are up to about 15 feet away. You'll need at least a 5x zoom for, say, shooting close-ups from the sidelines at your child's soccer game and a 10x-plus zoom to get in close to pro players at a sports arena. Higher zoom also tends to confer better wide-angle capability, for group portraits or landscapes. Keep in mind that the more you zoom in with a lens, the less light will reach the camera sensor. To compensate, you or the camera must select a combination of longer shutter speed, a wider aperture, and a higher ISO setting that might compromise the image in various ways.
