Digital cameras ensure lasting photographic memories, ones you can look at for years. With a digital camera, you can take four shots of a sunset or six shots of your child in the water or a dozen scenics while riding in a 4W drive jeep on a rugged road. Later, you can cherry-pick the best photos you took on your digital camera and delete the rest.
Today, some digital cameras also have a video option. You can record a short movie of your spouse riding an elephant in Thailand or swimming in the Dead Sea, and even add an audio commentary.
How to Pick a Digital Camera
Determine if you want a tiny camera, such as the Casio Exilim, which slides easily into a shirt- or pants pocket. Or, would you rather have a larger digital camera that doesn’t fit into a pocket but may have more features, such as a more powerful zoom and a larger view finder.
Cost may be a factor in your decision. It will certainly be a factor in the variety of tricks your camera can perform For example, you may pay more for cameras that allow you to have manual control, but also have a ‘best shot’ feature, which means the camera automatically configures itself to photograph a fast-running stream or a sunset. If you’re a serious photographer who doesn’t want to give up the option of using film, consider a digital SLR model.
If you want to learn more about digital cameras and how to choose one visit Matt Carr’s digital camera website. He has choices broken out into price ranges, focusing on what’s offered for the money you’re willing to spend. Carr’s website also offers some tips on shooting with a digital camera. Peter Marshall’s photography website offers good advice about composing shots.
Don’t Forget to Take:
- Backup batteries. You don’t want to be in the middle of a jungle or the desert when your batteries fail. If you’re in a city in a foreign country you’ll be able to get batteries, but they may be much more expensive than if you had bought them at the supermarket back home. The longer your trip, the more extra disposable batteries you should bring, even if your camera uses rechargeable batteries and you’re taking a charger.
- If your camera’s lithium ion battery can only be charged in a docking system, spend the money for a backup battery.
- If you’re visiting a foreign country and your camera is new model (especially one sold in duty-free stores) bring a copy of your original bill or other proof that you bought the camera in the U.S.. this eliminates potential problems with customes when you re-enter the States.
- Extra memory chips, even if you’re using a one gigabyte chip.
- A soft bag to protect the camera if you want to carry it around in your pocket. The soft flannel Moulton Brown shoe “mitt” that some luxury hotels have in the bathroom is perfect for pocket-size cameras.
- A tough case that fits your camera. It should have a shoulder strap and the option of being able to hook it onto a belt. Lowepro, available at many camera stores, has some good models.
- Lense cleaner cloth or papers.
