How to choose a digital camera

There are many terms in the camera, such as actual pixel, effective pixel, CCD size, wide angle, zoom, aperture, etc ... These terms need not be delved into, but they cannot be ignorant! To know a general idea, you can't be confused by indicators! Let's correct some misconceptions about literacy:

1. How high is the effective pixel? Effective pixels are pixels that can actually be generated by photosensitive elements. We often see that the actual pixel of the camera is 7.2 million, and the effective pixel is only 7 million. Why? Because the edge part of the photosensitive element of digital camera will be blurred by the diffraction of light when imaging, in order to ensure the imaging quality, this part of the imaging on the photosensitive element will be discarded, so the photosensitive unit cannot be used 100%, and this part of the pixels used, that is, the final image, is called effective pixels.

So how many effective pixels are enough? Muyu thinks that the family camera,100000-120000, is an inexhaustible effective pixel. There is no special relationship between pixel height and imaging clarity! Remember: too high a pixel will only waste your storage resources!

What is the size of 2.2? CCD？ CCD is the "image sensor" of digital camera, and its function is equivalent to photographic film. Common CCD sizes are11.8 inch, 1/2.5 inch and 2/3 inch. Theoretically speaking, the larger the CCD size, the better the light collection effect, the more information recorded in the picture, and the richer the details retained, so the image is more perfect and beautiful.

However, in fact, our home camera does not need a large CCD. One is that the CCD is too big, and the camera will become bigger. Secondly, for a camera with100000-1200000 pixels, 1/2.5 inches is enough. We are not taking part in a photo contest, are we? Of course, it would be better if it is11.8 inch or even larger.

3. What's the difference between optical zoom and digital zoom? Optical zoom is a real pixel, which can restore distant scenes without losing any quality, while digital zoom is at the expense of photo quality. The more you use it, the greater the loss, so it is hardly used in actual use.

Remind everyone to remember that digital zoom is basically useless, so don't think that digital zoom is real zoom!

4. How far is the optical zoom? Many friends like to associate large zoom with professional digital cameras, and even associate large zoom cameras with boutique digital cameras. This view is a bit too one-sided! Although the attraction of large zoom is not small, it should be understood that the focal length is not the ultimate goal, and the most important thing is the focal length range covered by the lens. Generally speaking, the medium focal length (85- 135mm) is suitable for shooting people, and the wide-angle lens (18-40mm) is better for shooting landscapes and buildings. Large zoom digital cameras often have their cake and eat it. The reason is very simple: although the large zoom camera has a short depth of field, it can stand out from the main body, but the focusing speed is slow and the focusing accuracy is not high, which is easy to cause the subject to be blurred (that is, it is often called out of focus). The wide-angle end of a large zoom camera is prone to serious dispersion and image distortion. If the quality of the lens is poor, it is difficult to concentrate all colors of light on one point. If there is no anti-shake function, as long as the light is slightly insufficient, it is difficult to ensure that the hand does not shake, and the direct result is that the picture is blurred.

Muyu thinks that 3-5 times zoom is enough for home cameras. Of course you like the feeling of binoculars, so I have nothing to say.

5. Is manual work really that useful? In fact, there is absolutely no need for home users to choose a digital camera with full manual function, because the probability of using it in actual combat is very small, and now many cameras are equipped with the function of using more humanized scene mode. Once the full manual function is locked, there is little room for choosing a camera.

However, Muyu thinks that it is better to have manual function than nothing, and cameras with manual function can also shoot automatically. But a manual camera is not small, hehe, it doesn't matter if you want fashion.

6. How big is the screen? Now the camera, the screen is getting bigger and bigger! Face project. However, the cost of this face project is very high. Finally, the person who wants to buy the camera pays for it himself! If you want to make the screen bigger, you can't make the price higher. Finally, you can sacrifice the key performance of the camera! Therefore, the bigger the screen, the better! Even if you want a big screen, you don't have to choose a big screen with high pixels. If the price is high, it will mislead you! Your photo looks perfect on the screen. When you upload it to the computer, alas … it's not like that at all! In addition, the big screen consumes a lot of power!

Therefore, Muyu suggests that a screen of about 2.5 is enough, and don't take the screen size as a "difficulty index"!

The third trick: know a few things.

In addition to a good attitude and a little basic skills, the key to buying a digital camera is to understand what your real needs are!

Remind everyone that cameras are used to take pictures! Not for decoration and playing as jewelry!

When buying a camera, you must find your real needs. The key is to understand the following things:

What is the purpose of buying a camera? What is it mainly used for shooting? It is very important to choose the type of camera, whether it is an entertainment camera or a quasi-professional camera. If it's just for family commemorative photos, the more convenient the better. If you are interested in photography, you can choose a camera with some manual functions.

How much are you willing to invest in a camera? This is also a very practical problem, which is directly related to the choice of camera. The choice of home camera is generally around 3000 yuan, which is the most practical. It is also the mainstream price in civil cameras.

Clarify the positioning and product characteristics of each camera manufacturer (this question is reproduced, especially noted. But yes):

Canon is a veteran of the camera industry, with a long history of camera production, and is very mature in optical quality and camera ergonomics. The professional camera designed is the mainstream model in the industry. In the civil field, Canon's camera combines fashion and high quality, and it is a successful manufacturer of image quality and appearance treatment, and its product series is very perfect. High imaging quality and high mobility are the characteristics of Canon.

● As another veteran of the camera industry, Nikon's development is slower than the first two, because its relatively stable development ideas have been stable in the tide of digital cameras in recent years. The civil field is the golden mean, and the professional field has been fighting for a place with Canon. Nikon is famous for its quality, and its appearance may not be as fashionable as Sony's, but its handling and imaging quality are leading. Price is an advantage of Nikon, and it is a world-famous brand that combines practicality and quality well.

● Sony is the dominant player in the home appliance and film industries. As a manufacturer of CCD and LCD, it has an unshakable position in this technology. Sony's digital camera has always been characterized as a fashion leader in the industry, and his T series products have led the trend of ultra-thin cameras. The industrial design of each camera is almost perfect, and fashion is Sony's slogan and feature.

● Fuji and Kodak are enterprises transforming the film industry into the digital field, both of which are in the low-cost field. The price of their products is the lowest among camera brands, and the price is a selling point of Fuji and Kodak.

● Samsung is an outstanding new army in the past two years, and its style is very similar to Sony. It is a low-priced army of fashionable products, and its fashionable products and low prices have attracted many student consumers, which is also their customer orientation.

● In addition, Pentax, Ricoh, Casio, Panasonic and other brands have their own customer groups, mainly focusing on low-cost and practical positioning. Pentax's popularity in optics, Casio's specialty in fashion and thinness, Panasonic's characteristics in anti-shake and large zoom, and wide-angle Ricoh cameras all have their own space in the market.

The function of the product is clear, and every consumer can choose the right product according to his own preferences.

Let's summarize the five steps to buy a camera without being in a dilemma:

Step 1: First, determine your own price. For example, 1000 yuan, 2000 yuan and so on. Then on Taobao, choose through this price! Taobao has the function of searching cameras by price, so make good use of it!

The key to this link is: never imagine that a camera with a price of 2,000 yuan is better than a camera with a price of 3,000 yuan!

Step 2: Determine your preferences and needs, especially what is the first need. For example, the first requirement is appearance; Still the picture quality? Still versatile? Through the first step, you have seen many cameras, and you can basically see the characteristics of cameras through photos and titles. Then, in the second step, circle a few alternative models for yourself!

The key to this link is: never dream of the perfect camera!

Step 3: Determine the brand of the camera. When you recall the characteristics of several major brands I mentioned just now, you must have a plan, right? Let's divide it into several categories:

I want fashion: Sony and Casio, two brands that have been making fashion cameras for many years, are rich in technology and experience. According to the price and personal preference, narrow the encirclement!

I want excellent imaging and rich craftsmanship: Canon and Fuji, both powerful brands. Canon cameras have excellent image quality and are not lazy at work. Fuji is also great. Now some models are compatible with SD cards, so don't worry about XD's expensive supporting fees. Hehe, how about narrowing the encirclement?

I want a SLR: alas, this is a financial bottomless pit. Since you have money, it doesn't matter. Just lock canon and Nikon. Needless to say, just look at the cannon of sports reporters at the sports competition site. There are almost no other cards except C or N!

I want entertainment: well, lock Samsung. At present, Samsung is the best entertainment multimedia camera. Samsung's continuous multimedia cameras have excellent comprehensive performance. Someone speaks ill of Samsung? Ignore them. Since you are an artist, you need all kinds of entertainment and functions, so you can accommodate yourself in other ways. Samsung is the best in this respect!

I want cost performance: the concept of cost performance is vague, the appearance is good, the performance is good, and there are trendy concepts such as wide angle and anti-shake. After all, this is Panasonic. Panasonic cameras are cheap and have good performance. That's him.

I want to be cheap and good: Khan … I still can't find anything cheap enough in Samsung and Panasonic? Then find Pentax. This brand is also very old, and its comprehensive performance is acceptable.

Speaking of which, someone may throw bricks at me. Why are there no names like Kodak and Olympus? Well, let's not talk about these two brands. Crash is synonymous with Kodak (especially Kodak's card machine), but it is an Olympus straw hat (think about the expensive price of XD cards) ... unless you particularly like their appearance and function. ...

Step 4: Consult an expert: After the first three steps of screening, the last 2-3 items should be left. Well, go to the online Pacific and Zhongguancun to see the relevant comments and user messages. There will be some psychological dependence. I have seen enough myself, and then I will come to Taobao to consult some experts. How to find an expert? Hey, hey, there's only one here, looking for Youlian!

The key to this link is: treat online comments and user messages dialectically! The reason is simple: some comments are written by brand gunmen, so don't say bad ones; Some reviews are written by experts, and the performance requirements of the camera are too harsh. In fact, there is no need to check them in such detail at home. Some users can't say it well, but they don't use it themselves, and some are accidental phenomena ... damn it! How do you think? Hey, hey, don't be angry. Find an expert.

This post is from Zhongguancun Online Digital Photography Forum:

Nikon takes pictures of landscapes (excellent landscape color and sharpness), while Canon takes pictures of portraits (although the colors of portraits are really more realistic).

The focus of Canon digital camera is a bit virtual, and the digital SLR can only show its value if it is matched with Canon's L-head. Nikon's digital SLR is better than Canon's when it is matched with nikkor lens (except L-head, which is very expensive), and Nikon's flash and flash system are incomparable. If you want to do photography and shine, buy Canon, or recommend Nikon.

Canon:

Old-established optical camera manufacturer, excellent lens, leading image processing chip technology, reasonable functional design, balanced performance, reliable quality and acceptable modeling design. DC is the first brand. Suitable for students who pursue the fun of original photography. Recommended!

Casio:

The starting speed of the camera is the first in the industry, and its shape is unique. Suitable for students who like to capture the moments of life and do not pursue the fun of photography itself.

Nikon:

As an old-fashioned optical camera manufacturer, the lens is excellent, the functional design is reasonable, the performance is balanced, the quality is reliable, and the modeling design is lacking. There is a downward trend in DC industry, which is basically suitable for students who pursue the fun of original photography.

Sony:

Relying on strong electronic design ability to enter the DC industry dark horse. Use nonlinear German carl zeiss lens. Functional design, performance and quality need to be improved. The modeling design is unparalleled. Suitable for students who value modeling, but not recommended!

Konica Minolta:

It is also an old-fashioned optical camera manufacturer. Its quick focusing ability is invincible in the world, the lens is excellent, the menu without Chinese is not humanized enough, the manufacturing quality is average, the design is distinctive, the price is moderate, and it is suitable for cool students.

Olympus:

Old-established optical camera manufacturer, excellent lens, balanced performance, reliable quality, unique design style and high price.

Fuji:

The old optical camera manufacturer, the lens is acceptable, the super ccd technology blows loudly, the actual effect is not obvious, the performance is balanced, the quality is reliable, and the modeling design is moderate.

Pentax:

Light academic giant, excellent lens, balanced performance, reliable quality and good design. However, there are few varieties and maintenance is troublesome. Caution is recommended.

Kodak:

The imaging effect is average and the shape is not good, which is suitable for students who resist Japanese goods. The price is cheaper.

Samsung:

Performance has a certain gap with the above manufacturers. The price killer is suitable for students who are willing to buy international brands at a lower price.