Basic best camera settings. How to choose a digital camera? Matrix backlight

At the beginning of the century, resolution was an important consideration when choosing a digital camera, but today you have to work hard to find a camera with a resolution of less than 12 megapixels, which is more than enough for any reasonable application. Megapixels have nothing to do with the "professionalism" of the camera, and flagship reportage devices have no higher resolution than amateur models. High resolution (20 megapixels or more) potentially increases the detail of the photo, but at the same time, it reveals both the flaws of the lens and, to an even greater extent, the lack of skill of the photographer. Without good optics and the ability to handle it, there will be no use from an excess of megapixels, while the size of files grows significantly with increasing resolution.

Matrix size

Story programs and special effects

All kinds of "creative" modes are mostly absolutely useless and can be safely ignored by you. The presence of twenty stupid icons on the mode dial is the clearest sign of an amateur camera. However, even quite decent devices are not immune from such an infection.

User settings

The ability to save custom settings and then quickly switch between presets makes your work faster and easier. It is a pity that this most useful option is not available in all cameras.

exposure compensation

Without exposure compensation, the use of automatic exposure modes is unthinkable. Either a separate dial or one of the universal control dials in combination with the appropriate modifier button (+/-) should be responsible for exposure compensation. Controlling exposure compensation through the menu is absolutely unacceptable.

Colored histogram

A three-channel RGB histogram is essential for accurately judging the exposure of a photo you've just taken. A real-time histogram that allows you to adjust the exposure before the shutter is released is a progressive but still rare phenomenon.

Bracketing

Exposure bracketing or bracketing is useful when shooting HDR. The expediency of other types of bracketing seems doubtful to me, but this is an individual matter.

Shutter speed and aperture control

The exposure controls should always be at hand. It is desirable that in manual mode, both shutter speed and aperture are controlled by separate disks. A single dial and a modifier button is a compromise solution, but acceptable.

ISO and white balance control

In a good camera, special buttons are responsible for controlling ISO sensitivity and white balance. In amateur cameras, ISO and white balance are adjusted through the menu.

Flash sync speed

The professional standard today is 1/250 s or shorter. In amateur cameras, the sync speed is usually 1/200 or even 1/180 s.

Flash lock

Flash exposure lock prevents the subject from flickering when shooting with fill flash. If you are going to actively photograph people or animals with flash, pay attention to this useful feature.

Back button focus

I prefer the shutter release and autofocus to be separate buttons. A good camera always has a dedicated AF-ON button that can be used to activate autofocus. At worst, this function can be assigned to the AE-L / AF-L button. If the camera does not support rear button focusing, this is a serious flaw.

Fine tuning autofocus

It is very good if the device allows you to manually adjust the lenses. Factory alignment errors, unfortunately, are not uncommon.

HDR and panoramas

No harm, no benefit. If you seriously want to shoot HDR or panoramas, then you should do it manually and special modes are unlikely to help here.

WiFi and GPS

The need for a GPS module in a camera is beyond my comprehension, but Wi-Fi may well replace a card reader or a USB cable if the traditional procedure for transferring photos from a camera to a computer causes you difficulties. Probably soon even toilets will be equipped with Wi-Fi and GPS.

Mechanical strength

Most photographers don't need a heavy-duty camera. Typically, digital cameras become obsolete much faster than they wear out. Only a very small percentage of photojournalists really push their equipment to the limit, and if you're not going to put your camera through the rigors, a metal body will only mean extra weight and expense.

Shutter life

The declared shutter resource can be safely ignored. For modern cameras, it ranges from 100,000 to 400,000 shots, and a rare photographer manages to snap so many masterpieces before the device is broken or sold. If the mileage of the camera reaches the coveted number, then this does not mean at all that the shutter will immediately jam - usually it continues to work further as if nothing had happened.

Dust and moisture protection

Weather protection is useful if you are often in nature. By the way, splash protection does not mean that the camera will survive a fall into the water. For underwater shooting, special waterproof covers are used. Only a few compact cameras for outdoor enthusiasts have a fully sealed housing.

Memory cards

In amateur cameras, as a rule, SD (SDHC) memory cards are used due to their compactness and cheapness, and in professional cameras - CF or XQD because of their high speed and capacity. It is very good if the camera has two memory card slots: the second card can be used for backup.

Battery life

The larger the battery capacity, the better. A SLR camera can take up to a thousand or more shots on a single battery charge, provided that you do not abuse the built-in flash and Live View. Cameras with an electronic viewfinder are much more gluttonous and the batteries last at best for 300-400 shots.

battery grip

The battery grip serves not only to accommodate additional batteries, but also to shoot both horizontally and vertically oriented shots with the same comfort. In flagship models, the vertical grip handle is integrated into the body, while for most other cameras, the battery grip can be screwed on if necessary. If you plan on shooting a lot of portraits, make sure you have a commercially available battery grip for your camera.

Dimensions

Regarding the optimal dimensions of the camera, the opinions of photographers differ greatly. Some people like large cameras, as they are more grippy and convenient, while others like small ones, as they are more practical and transportable. Being a mobile person, I prefer that the linear dimensions of the camera remain modest, although this has its drawbacks. For example, the handle of most junior DSLRs is too small for the average male hand and with a normal grip there is no room for the little finger. With mirrorless cameras, the situation is even worse - there may not be a handle at all. In addition, the small size of the camera means that the controls are very close, and if you have large hands or if you are going to use the camera with gloves, this can be a little difficult. But a small camera is convenient to carry around, and this advantage outweighs many of its shortcomings.

The weight

From my point of view, the weight of the camera should be as light as possible without appreciably compromising its reliability and functionality. It is generally accepted that a heavy camera is less prone to vibration, but this is little consolation for a photographer who is forced to carry a couple of cast-iron bricks around his neck all day.

I hope that now it will be much easier for you to decide on the choice of a camera that meets your personal needs. If you need more specific recommendations, you should refer to the article " Choosing a digital camera».

Thank you for your attention!

Vasily A.

post scriptum

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Shestopalov Andrey 143

A modern digital camera is a high-tech and not cheap product, so the task of making the right choice when buying, given the breadth of the range offered, is very acute.
When writing this article, I set a goal to help beginners determine the criteria for the optimal choice of a camera for themselves, so that using the acquired equipment brings joy and there is no regret for the money spent.
First, let's understand the meaning of the characteristics of digital cameras. I will not go into details, but I will tell you as much as possible about the meaning of each parameter and its effect on the quality of the image.
In the description of a particular model, the following characteristics are usually indicated:

1. Number of megapixels (resolution).

picture from ukrprint.com

This is the number of colored dots in a photograph (1 megapixel = 1 million dots).
In megapixels, the resolution of the camera's matrix is estimated.

This affects the ability to enlarge the image without loss of quality.
But there are some nuances here, the ratio of the size of the matrix to the number of pixels is important. The matrix dimensions of compact cameras, as a rule, do not allow placing a picture with a resolution of more than 6 megapixels; at a higher resolution, noise will appear in the picture. True, most cameras have a noise reduction program installed, only as a result of the operation of this program, the sharpness of photos deteriorates.
Therefore, when choosing a digital camera, such parameters as the size and resolution of the matrix should be considered together.

2. Matrix size.

The matrix is a light-sensitive element of a "digital camera" on which an image is projected, analogous to a film in a conventional camera. Its size is equivalent to the size of a film frame (24x36 mm), and the closer the area of the matrix and the frame, the better the picture will be. The size value is given in inches, for example 1/2.3".

The size of the matrix affects the quality of the photo in low light, the amount of noise in the picture and the dimensions of the camera. The latter is caused by the need to increase the optical part to illuminate a large matrix and entails an increase in price.
Thus, the larger the matrix, the better the quality of photographs becomes, and the camera is heavier, larger and more expensive.

3. Zoom (zoom).

An optical zoom is a device that changes the focal length of a lens. By reducing the viewing angle, the image is enlarged without losing the quality of the latter.

Digital zoom is software cropping, stretching the selected fragment of the image, similar to zooming in when viewing a photo on a computer. Naturally, through a measured passion for digital zoom, it degrades the quality of the image. However, it can be used to slightly increase the magnification without a noticeable decrease in image quality due to the supply of pixels in the matrix.

Conclusion, a camera with a large optical zoom would be preferable, but as in the case of the size of the matrix, this leads to an increase in its cost. You should also pay attention to the quality of the optics, this affects the accuracy of positioning and the transparency of the image.

4. Display.

The screen also acts as a viewfinder.
The size as well as the brightness and contrast of the display affect the quality of your assessment of the photo on the spot, allowing you to identify image defects. However, the display is a heavy power consumer and shortens battery life.

5. Video.

As a rule, the characteristics indicate the video recording format, the video shooting rate in frames per second and the video resolution. The best video recording format in the camera is HD-video with a resolution of 1920x1080, which corresponds to the resolution of modern TVs and computer monitors, but this is implemented only in expensive models. However, good amateur videos are also obtained in AVI or MOV formats. We can say about the shooting speed, the more it is, the better the video. A person perceives movement at a speed of 24 frames per second, now the standard video recording speed in cameras is 30 frames per second. Useful for shooting video will be the presence of an image stabilizer in the camera that compensates for camera jerks.
Considering all of the above, I note that the video of the camera will still be inferior to the one shot by the video camera, at least due to its specialization.

6. Batteries.

Remote, they can be disposable “AA” or AAA batteries, nickel-cadmium or nickel-metal hydride batteries of the appropriate sizes. They are not included with the camera, so batteries and a charger have to be purchased separately. "Digital cameras" made for these batteries have a characteristic protrusion at their location.
The advantages of devices with such elements include the fact that in the absence of time to recharge the batteries, you can use batteries that are sold in almost any store. Nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal hydride batteries withstand up to 1000 recharge cycles and are cheaper than built-in (complete) batteries, however, the main ones are not without drawbacks, the main of which are self-discharge susceptibility (up to 5% charge per day), low energy consumption. To this we can add that the so-called “memory effect” is inherent in nickel-cadmium cells, as a result of which, at the initial stage of operation, it is necessary to perform several full charge-discharge cycles of the battery.

Built-in (complete) batteries are most often lithium-ion batteries; such power sources are widely used in tablets and laptops.
The charger is included in the basic package of the camera. Li-Ion cells withstand up to 3000 recharge cycles, are characterized by high energy consumption and low self-discharge. That's just the replacement of a battery that has served its time will require tangible costs and it is not a fact that by this time there will be original branded elements of the desired type on sale.

Now you have the basic concept of characteristics, it's time to start individual selection.

Step 1.

Decide how much you are willing to spend on a camera. It must include the cost of accessories: case, charger, memory card, etc.

Step 2

Decide what you will shoot most often and from this draw a conclusion which camera is suitable.
For example, for photos of family, feasts with friends, children and pets, a simple and inexpensive digital camera will suffice, the quality of shooting in good lighting at close range will be acceptable. One of the obvious advantages of such models is their compactness, you can simply carry the camera in your pocket, just in case.
For travelers seeking to capture the surrounding landscapes, a more serious device with a large matrix and a strong optical zoom is needed.
But a professional who makes money with photography will purchase a SLR camera with an additional set of interchangeable lenses for it.

Step 3

The most difficult, you need to find a compromise between your desires and capabilities.

Step 4

Now you can compare the specifications of cameras from different manufacturers on the website of the online store. Choose two or three suitable models.

Step 5.

To finally decide on the choice of equipment, you need to test it, so go to the photo department of an electronics supermarket where you can turn the selected cameras in your hands, evaluate the convenience of the menu and take a couple of test shots with automatic settings.

Step 6.

The choice is made, it remains to order a camera, where it is cheaper of course.

Characteristics of digital cameras

Consider some of the main characteristics of digital cameras.

Matrix

Matrix- this is a set of light-sensitive elements - pixels. Each pixel of the matrix responds to light hitting it - it produces an electrical signal that depends on the intensity of the incoming light. Knowing only the intensity of light in pixels, you can get a black and white picture.

To get a color image, each pixel is covered with one of three filters: red, green or blue, in accordance with the RGB color scheme. In this scheme, all other colors are obtained by mixing the three primary colors. That is, shooting in RAW format, we will get a file in which each pixel will be one of three colors. When shooting in JPEG and TIFF formats, the camera calculates the color in a given pixel using the cells adjacent to it. The matrix has two important parameters that affect image quality.

Matrix resolution. Measured in megapixels. For example, if the camera's matrix has 4 Megapixels (Mp), then this means that the matrix consists of 4 million pixels (cells). The higher the resolution, the more fine details the camera can capture in the picture. However, chasing megapixels is not worth it. For example, 1 megapixel is enough to print photos of 10x15 cm. The best choice would be a camera with 3-5 megapixels, it will be possible to print photos up to A4 format (20x30cm).

Matrix size. Popular camera models use matrices with linear dimensions from 1/1.8 to 1/3.2 inches. In the first case, the matrix is larger.

The large matrix provides the following benefits:

can register more light (can render more shades)

less "noisy"

Thus, if we compare two matrices 1/1.8 and 1/3.2 in size with the same number of pixels (for example, 4MP), the first one will be the best, since 4 million pixels are located on a larger area, and, therefore, such a matrix will give the best picture ( better quality and less noisy). In another case, when two matrices with the same linear dimensions but a different number of megapixels are compared, for example, 6 and 7, preference should also be given to the first one, since this will not only save money, but also get better images in the future. Note: This is true when comparing sensors from the same manufacturer or the same line of cameras, as different manufacturers may have different types of sensors with incomparable characteristics.

Sensor sensitivity (ISO). It varies in the range from 50 to 3200. High sensitivity values allow you to take a clear picture at dusk or even at night, although digital noise is inevitable at high sensitivity values.

Lens

It is thanks to the lens that light enters the camera and an image is formed on the matrix. The quality of the resulting image largely depends on the quality of the lens - clarity, sharpness, lack of distortion, etc. The important elements of a lens are the lenses and the diaphragm. Lenses are responsible for the nature of the light, and the aperture allows you to control the amount of this light. By closing the aperture to the minimum values, we can reduce the amount of light entering the matrix.

Main characteristics of the lens

Aperture is the maximum aperture value. The larger the lens aperture, the better and more expensive the camera. Under the same lighting conditions, a lens with a larger aperture allows you to shoot at faster shutter speeds.

Usually the lens marking looks like this: 5.8-34.8mm 1:2.8-4.8. The first pair of numbers is the focal length (the distance from the front lens of the lens to the sensor). The second pair of numbers are the corresponding aperture values of the lens. For example, here at 34.8mm (at the maximum zoom) the lens has aperture of 4.8. The smaller the aperture number, the better. A lens with characteristics of 5.8-34.8mm 1:2-3.2 would be considered faster.

Focal length. The focal length determines the angle of view of the lens and how far it "sees". For digital cameras, the focal length is also given in 35mm equivalent. This is due to the fact that the diagonal of the matrix is less than the diagonal of the 35mm film frame, that is, the matrix does not cover the entire field of the frame, from which the concept of increasing the focal length (Focal Length Multiplier) arises. For different cameras, this factor ranges from 1.3 to 1.6. Viewing angle. Directly depends on the focal length. Approximately corresponding to the viewing angle of the human eye is considered a lens with a focal length of 50mm. Lenses with shorter focal lengths are wide-angle lenses, those with longer focal lengths are telephoto lenses. Photo 1 shows a variant of the photo of St. Isaac's Cathedral taken with a lens with a focal length of 20mm (wide), and photo 2 shows the same cathedral, shot at 80mm (telephoto).

Zoom (zoom). The zoom of the lens is calculated very simply: for this you need to divide the larger focal length by the smaller one. For the camera mentioned above, the zoom is 34.8/5.8=6. As indicated by the manufacturer. If the camera is equipped with a lens without zoom, then its focal length and aperture are indicated on it: for example, 20mm 1: 2.8. The larger the zoom of the camera, the more complex its design, and the manufacturer has to find a compromise between cost and quality. Therefore, ultra zooms (6-12x) usually give a worse picture compared to moderate zooms (up to 3x).

Image stabilizer. The image stabilizer is designed to combat the so-called "shake" effect - caused by hand shake when photographing at sufficiently slow shutter speeds or at a large zoom.

Stabilization options:

Optical stabilization. It is based on the fact that a movable stabilizing element is built into the lens, which bends the path of light in the right direction. Also in the lens there are sensors that control the movement of this element. As a result, with slight vibrations of the camera, the projection of the image onto the matrix always remains motionless. However, it also has its drawbacks:

Reduced lens aperture

Rising cost

Canon has developed Image Stabilizer (IS) for its lenses, such as the Canon A570 IS. Nikon has a similar system referred to as VR.

anti-shake. In this stabilization technology, unlike optical stabilization, the matrix itself is the moving element. The main advantage of this approach is the independence of stabilization from the lens, so such stabilization can work with any optics. Konica Minolta was the first to develop such stabilization. The most striking example of a built-in antishake is a new product from Sony - the Alpha DSLR-A100.

Viewfinder

The viewfinder allows you to see the future picture before pressing the shutter. In digital compact cameras, it may be completely absent; its role is played by a display on which an image is formed in real time. Viewfinder can be:

Optical

Mirrored

Electronic

The mirror viewfinder is considered the best. It allows you to see the real area of the frame without distortion. That is, the photographer sees through it exactly what in a moment will turn out to be a photograph.

The optical viewfinder is just a through hole in the camera body and does not correspond to what the lens sees, if only because it is shifted by some distance relative to it, but in this case the display comes to the aid of the photographer.

camera display

On compact digital cameras, the display allows you to see the picture as it turns out in the photo and see in advance the shortcomings in the composition, shadows, lighting (some cameras can show a histogram of the future image in real time). On DSLRs, the display can be used to view shots already taken. Also, the display serves as an interface for controlling the camera, so the larger and brighter it is, the better.

Flash

Usually each camera is equipped with a built-in low-power flash that can illuminate the foreground. Flashes are also equipped with various red-eye reduction functions, etc. In professional and semi-professional cameras, there is also a contact for connecting an external flash - a hot shoe. External flashes allow you to achieve much better results in all genres of shooting.

Possibility of manual settings

An important condition for obtaining high-quality photos is the presence of manual settings in the camera. Namely, the possibility:

Adjust aperture

Adjust shutter speed

Set white balance

Change the sensitivity of the matrix

Other settings

The presence of these adjustments allows you to fully control the shooting process, because even the fastest camera processor may not know the intent of the photographer.

How to choose a SLR camera

With the advent of digital cameras, photography has become a truly universal hobby. And lately, as prices have dropped, SLR cameras have become available to many, which allow you to get better pictures than compact cameras. With the growing interest in semi-professional models, many people have a question - how to choose a SLR camera? In this article, I will try to give recommendations, following which you can make the right choice and focus on the really important aspects, and not on the marketing tricks of camera manufacturers. First, a little about the SLR cameras themselves. Their main difference from other models is the ability to use removable lenses, i.e. the camera consists, as it were, of 2 parts - the “carcass” and the attached optics. In this article, we will talk specifically about choosing a carcass, but in any case, buying a DSLR also implies lens choice.

SLR camera - body and lens

Full frame or crop

The first question to consider is whether to choose a full-frame sensor or a cropped version. At the moment, for a non-professional (a person who does not earn money with a camera), a model with a reduced matrix is preferable. First of all, because of the lower price, and here not only the price of the carcass plays a role, but also the optics. On a full-frame matrix, it is difficult to get good photos using inexpensive lenses. there you can see all the flaws that will be almost invisible on the crop.

In addition, the “saved” money can be spent on the purchase of accessories that will be needed sooner or later, and then they can be “inherited” to a new carcass. Of course, if you are not on a tight budget and are willing to spend about 150-200 thousand rubles, then buying a full-frame SLR camera is preferable. The choice of cameras with a 35mm matrix is now limited to 1-2 semi-professional models from each manufacturer, so further discussion will be more useful for those who choose a model with a crop.

Manufacturing firm

The first echelon of manufacturers includes Canon, Nikon and Sony (thanks to the purchase of Konica-Minolta). They are followed by Pentax, Olympus and Samsung. I would advise you to choose a camera from 3 leaders, but if your budget is limited, you can also look at less famous manufacturers.

Canon is the leader in photo quality. At the same time, the cost of photographic accessories of this company is the highest, and the ease of use loses to cameras, Sony and Nikon. An additional advantage of Sony cameras is the stabilization system built into the carcass, which significantly reduces the price of optics for these cameras.

Sony Alpha Ecosystem

In any case, the quality of photos from cameras of all three manufacturers is quite close, so the choice here is a matter of individual preferences. I shoot Canon, but if I took the camera now, it would probably be Sony α.

Marketing megapixels and real sensitivity.

For many, matrix resolution is one of the most important characteristics when choosing a camera. I want to say that this is not entirely correct. In order to print an A3 photo, 10 megapixels is enough. Modern matrices give even higher values. But with the same matrix size, as the number of pixels increases, their size naturally decreases. As a result, the noise of the matrix increases at high ISO values. They try to defeat this trouble with more sophisticated noise reduction algorithms, faster processors and other tricks.

Comparison of Canon 450d and 500d sensor detail and noise at ISO 800

Noise reduction algorithms almost always blur the picture. And we get a double-edged sword - on the one hand, increasing the resolution of the matrix increases detail, on the other hand, noise reduction "eats" the details. Therefore, when choosing a camera, first of all, look not at megapixels, but at the quality of photos at high sensor sensitivity values.

Price and class of the camera.

Almost all manufacturers produce three lines of non-full-frame cameras: entry-level cameras, amateur cameras and semi-professional models. Entry-level cameras are the poorest in terms of technology. This truncation is often compensated by automatic modes with tips for novice amateur photographers. At the same time, their price is comparable to advanced soap dishes. I would not advise taking such models, except perhaps in case of financial difficulties, but inapplicable desire to buy a DSLR. The reduced price in this case does not justify the reduced functionality.

Consumer cameras are the best option for buying your first camera when you are not yet familiar with all the possibilities of digital photography. The relatively low price and compact size make these models a good choice for people who travel frequently. Usually such cameras are brothers of older models in smaller cases.

Semi-professional cameras are the choice of a person who is already quite familiar with photography. Their main trump card is convenience. Oddly enough, but the larger the camera, the more convenient it is to shoot. In addition, semi-professional models usually have improved ergonomics compared to younger ones. Usually they have additional controls for quick access to certain settings.

I am using a Canon 40D with a Canon EF 24-105 f/4L IS USM lens

In this case, the main selection criterion is, perhaps, finances, because. as the class grows, both the characteristics of cameras and their cost grow. It should be mentioned that here it is already necessary to take into account the cost of the lens. For example, it is better to take an amateur camera model and a high-quality lens than a semi-professional one with whale optics.

This completes the theoretical part of choosing a camera. I will talk about the practical aspects of choosing a camera in an article about checking the camera when buying. I also highly recommend reading the articles. about what is kit and how to choose a photo store.

p.s. Dear visitors, I do not sell cameras, so I can only tell you some points that I know from my experience and based on my common sense. I will gladly help you with the choice of camera or lens, but this will be nothing more than my personal opinion.

Now many people can afford to buy a SLR camera. My take on this is that if you don't know the basics of photography, buying expensive gear won't improve your shots.

With this article, our site continues a whole cycle of useful materials, the purpose of which will be to facilitate the choice of any product from the thousands of options offered on the market. Agree, the choice of a specific model of a gadget always takes a lot of time, which can be spent with benefit. In today's material we will talk about choosing the right camera.

Choosing a camera for different needs

Cameras are bought by completely different people for completely different purposes. Some people need a camera for capturing romantic landscapes on vacation, others for professional work, and others just for fun. In addition, the task of choosing a camera to buy is perhaps the most difficult - much more difficult than choosing, say, a microwave oven. In this section, we will look at several options for what digital cameras are bought for and recommend different types.

For beginners and travelers - compact "soap dishes"

so-called. “soap dishes” are the most compact, easy to use and cheap (the last point is optional) cameras that can be found on the market. Newcomers to photography do not need all the shooting controls that DSLRs have (and they are usually displayed directly on the body, and not hidden in the touch menu). Such cameras are designed for those who simply want to point the lens at the subject and press the shutter, perhaps setting some kind of mode before that (night, for shooting fast moving objects, etc.).

It is worth noting that in this case you should not pay attention to cheap cameras with a large number of megapixels - the 12-megapixel Canon PowerShot N100 will shoot much better in low light conditions than a camera of the same class with an 18-megapixel sensor. It is best to refer to reviews of specific models. In addition, it is worth considering the characteristics of optical zoom and focal length. One camera with 5x zoom and 24-120mm focal length will be better at shooting wide-angle photos, and a camera with the same 5x zoom and focal length of 35-175mm will be better at shooting distant objects. The best option for those who don't want to fiddle around with settings would be soapboxes with a focal length of at least 24mm, such as the premium Sony Cyber-shot DSC RX100 III.

Almost all such cameras except the cheapest now support optical image stabilization, have an LCD display and can shoot video at a resolution of at least 1280x720 pixels - they will fit most ordinary users.

For shooting distant objects - cameras with superzoom

These cameras come in both compact and regular sizes. With compact things, things are almost the same as with the “soap dishes” described above. For example, an excellent camera with a 30x zoom can be called Nikon Coolpix S9700. If you need something more long-range - you can pay attention to the Canon PowerShot SX60 HS with 65x zoom.

Interestingly, one of the best cameras in this class is the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10, which has only 8.3x zoom, but it has a 1-inch sensor, which allows you to achieve very high quality images. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000 has the same sensor, but its lens can zoom in 16x.

When shooting very distant objects, the viewfinder plays an important role - it is very difficult to keep the camera level and look through it at an object that is ten times closer. A rule of thumb in such cases is that at 1000mm zoom you need a shutter speed of 1/1000th of a second. Good optical stabilization will help a lot in this case. In addition, it is better to choose a superzoom camera with a high maximum ISO threshold (1600 or even 3200) - they do not let in a lot of light when zoomed in.

This is a great option for travel enthusiasts who often need to shoot some objects, say, from the seashore or from afar, because they cannot be approached or cannot be reached without special equipment. In addition, you do not have to carry interchangeable lenses with you.

For high quality and with a compact body but no zoom

These are cameras whose goal is to fit the ability to take the best photos without zooming into the smallest possible body. An example is the Ricoh GR with a 28mm lens and an APS-C sensor. If 28mm is too much, then the Fujifilm X100T with its hybrid viewfinder and 35mm f/1 lens can be considered. If you don’t mind the money, you can even look at the full-frame Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 with an excellent lens from Carl Zeiss.

Such cameras are used by a very narrow number of professionals. Usually, to capture nearby objects, you simply use the right lens and a camera that allows you to use it.

For great quality photos for not too much money - mirrorless cameras with interchangeable lenses

These cameras appeared on the market relatively recently - in 2008. An example is the Samsung NX300 with an APS-C sensor of the same size as in SLR cameras. Samsung also has similar cameras - for example, Samsung NX Mini. An even more compact camera in this class is the Pentax Q7. Sony also produces similar cameras, from cheap (Alpha A3000) to expensive (Alpha A7R).

When buying such cameras, you need to consider the number of lenses that are compatible with a particular model. For example, for the Nikon 1 and Pentax Q series, finding suitable lenses is quite difficult, and Canon EOS M lenses have almost disappeared from stores. Often, however, lenses with older mechanisms can be used with new cameras using adapters.

In many cases, shooting with such cameras is no different from shooting with “soap dishes” - you just point the lens at the subject and make sure that it does not disappear from the viewfinder (which can often be attached separately, for example, to the Olympus Pen E- PL7). Zoom lenses, however, in most cases will have to be adjusted by yourself. The number of buttons and switches with settings in the case of mirrorless cameras depends on their cost.

For professionals who demand maximum quality - SLR cameras

This is definitely the best choice for those who want to have maximum control over the entire shooting process, and manually achieve the best result in a particular situation. These cameras are bigger, heavier and, most importantly, more expensive than others, but at the same time they have the largest sensors, focus on the subject faster and support a large number of lenses (Canon and Nikon are considered to provide the largest choice).

If you're buying a DSLR for under $1800, it will most likely be equipped with an APS-C sensor that has a sensitive surface that's about half a frame of 35mm film. Full frame cameras with sensors around 36x24mm are much more expensive. Both types have their advantages: APS-Cs are more cost effective and can be used with smaller, lighter lenses, while full frame cameras are very good at shooting distant subjects.

The choice of such a camera is so complicated that a separate article should be written for this. If you are a professional, you hardly need advice. It's best to try the camera yourself - for example, you may like the configuration of Canon's settings buttons more than Nikon's.

Also, such cameras differ in the types of viewfinders. Inexpensive models like the Canon EOS Rebel SL1 use pentamirror viewfinders, which are not as good as the pentaprism viewfinders found on cameras like the Nikon D7100. By the way, an excellent inexpensive SLR camera with such a viewfinder and full protection from all weather conditions can be called Pentax K-50.

Sony uses electronic viewfinders in all of its DSLRs - even the top-end Alpha 77 II with an APS-C sensor and the Alpha 99 with a full-frame sensor. It all depends on the preferences of the photographer - someone is ready to use electronic viewfinders, someone can not stand them.

The selection of lenses for SLR cameras is a different story. Perhaps we will write about them in one of the future articles.

Key Features of Digital Cameras

Matrix type

There are two main types of photomatrix - CMOS (CMOS) and CCD (CCD). The latter are more photosensitive, but in recent years they have begun to be seriously inferior in terms of parameters to CMOS matrices, which are now the most common. There are also BSI matrices that are much better at shooting in low light conditions. They are more expensive and are much less common in cameras than CMOS.

The number of megapixels of the matrix

The number of megapixels of the matrix characterizes the total number of sensors on it and directly affects the maximum resolution of digital photographs that can be obtained with its help. But this number is by no means the main characteristic of a good camera.

Physical size of the matrix

The larger the area of the matrix, the less noise will appear in the photographs taken with its help. In addition, cameras with large sensors (more than 1 inch) can take photos with a low depth of field (blurring of background objects).

Focal length

The larger this number, the larger the subjects in the photo will be, and the shooting angle will decrease. Professional lenses allow you to change the focal length, and lenses in compact cameras are usually characterized by the EGF parameter (effective focal length calculated for 35 mm film). If the EGF is less than 35 mm, then the lens is considered wide-angle, and if more than 100 - telephoto.

ISO, ISO

Directly characterizes the ability of the matrix to register the colors of objects in poor lighting. The higher the maximum ISO threshold, the better the shots will be of fast-moving subjects and subjects in the dark.

Electronic Image Stabilization

Compensation for the effect of “trembling hands” using special software, that is, in a software way. Inferior in the quality of optical stabilization.

Lens specifications

All lenses, if they are removable, are attached to cameras using various types of mounts, and usually each manufacturer uses several of these types at once. Some are compatible with each other, others are not. When choosing a lens, consider its compatibility with your camera, and when choosing a camera, choose lenses that are compatible with it.

Advanced lenses allow you to manually adjust the focus, and one of their main parameters is aperture (the F-number, the smaller it is, the more light enters the matrix) and the minimum focusing distance (determines the distance at which you can clearly shoot close-up objects).

In addition, good lenses imply the presence of optical image stabilization. The special design ensures that the optics remain stationary in relation to the subject, resulting in sharper photographs.

Video Capabilities

Modern cameras must record video at a resolution of at least 1280x720 pixels (HD) and at a frame rate of at least 30 frames per second. More advanced models can record video in resolutions up to 4K (3840x2160 pixels) at up to 60 or even 120 frames per second, which allows you to get more creative freedom during editing and achieve smoother moving pictures.

The presence of a built-in flash and its characteristics

Flash is needed to illuminate dark objects in pictures, and often it is built into the camera. Its main characteristic is the guide number, measured in meters. For example, a flash with a guide number of 11 m will be able to adequately illuminate an object at a distance of 11 m when photographing with ISO = 100 and aperture = 1. If the camera does not have a built-in flash, then external flashes can be connected to it. In addition, good flashes allow you to adjust the lighting power.

Exposure and shutter

Good cameras allow the photographer to set the aperture and shutter speed (slow shutter speed is important for shooting fast moving subjects, high shutter speed for shooting in the dark) manually or use automatic values for one or both of the settings. It is also worth paying attention to the minimum and maximum exposure thresholds, which is used to get brighter pictures. All these parameters can be changed depending on the different modes preset in the camera.

In addition, an important feature of the camera is the presence of a white color correction function (allows white objects in the frame to remain white despite the lighting).

Other photo opportunities

Burst modes allow cameras to take photos in series - for example, 5 full frames per second. It is also worth paying attention to the size of the camera buffer, which affects the number of photos that it can take in a row. Some cameras can shoot in 3D, and many allow you to use the RAW format instead of the standard JPEG format, which is much more amenable to processing.

Screen size and type

Most modern camera screens are about 3 inches diagonal or higher and display 16 million colors. They are also often touch-sensitive, so manufacturers can get rid of extra buttons on the device. A very important feature is the swivel screen, which will allow the photographer to shoot complex scenes a little easier.

Viewfinder type and presence

The optical viewfinder is still the only way for many people to take photos, and the image is fed directly from the camera's optical system. Electronic viewfinders are considered not so neat and are made in the form of LCD screens. Sometimes the viewfinder can be connected to the camera separately.

Microphone

Microphones in digital cameras are usually not advanced. Some models use stereo microphones that allow you to record sound with its positioning in a 2D plane.

Housing material

Cheap models use plastic (sometimes reinforced with fiberglass or carbon fiber), while more expensive and exclusive ones use metal. Naturally, the latter is much heavier than plastic, but more durable. Often all these materials are combined.

Protection against moisture and dust

The presence of such protection allows shooting in extreme conditions - for example, at a depth of 10 m below the surface of the water. It is better to read about protection classes on Wikipedia.

Supported memory cards and wireless technologies

Most cameras support SD, SDHC and SDXC memory cards, which are now the most productive, cheapest and most popular. Depending on their capacity, the photographer can shoot more footage before transferring it to a PC or the cloud.

If you want to easily and easily transfer photos from your camera to other devices, then you need to pay attention to the support of wireless technologies - Bluetooth and Wi-Fi (best of all - standards 802.11n and 802.11ac). Some camera models even support 3G or 4G cellular communications. There is also NFC support for pairing with third-party accessories.

Also, these technologies provide communication with external control panels. The presence of support for the latter is also worth paying attention to.

Wired interfaces

A good camera should have USB ports (version 3.0 is better, at least 2.0), Firewire / IEEE 1394 / iLink and HDMI (for watching video on external devices directly from the camera). A composite video output may also be present.

Battery type and capacity

Most often, good cameras use their own batteries made using Li-Ion (lithium-ion) or Li-Pol (lithium polymer) technologies. Naturally, the larger their capacity, the longer the camera will work and the more pictures you can take before discharging. Their advantage is rather fast charging.

Cheaper models may use AA or AAA batteries made using NiCd (nickel cadmium) or NiMH (nickel metal hybrid) technology. They are cheap and can be used in extremely low or high temperatures. It is worth noting that NiMH batteries are subject to severe self-discharge.

Don't forget about additional accessories. A bag or at least a case for a camera is much more necessary than a case for a smartphone. Especially if you plan to travel a lot and take it with you. You should also consider purchasing a reliable tripod (if you just want to take sharp photos) and extra batteries (and possibly stand-alone chargers). By the way, about the latter: the cameras use either their own lithium-ion batteries, or finger batteries, which need to be charged according to certain rules. Which one is best for you is up to you to decide.

If you are not going to be a professional photographer and earn a living from it, then you most likely do not need an expensive SLR camera. Truth.

Be sure to look for all the information you can about the camera you are about to buy online. Owner reviews, reviews of specific models, photo comparisons and so on.

Editing pictures from good cameras will require the ability to handle rather complex and expensive software like Photoshop Elements. There are, however, free options.

Consider purchasing a very high capacity SD card if you are going to be away from uploading footage to your computer or cloud services for a long time.

Do not chase the number of megapixels - many other parameters are much more important, and a cheap 16-megapixel camera is very different from an expensive 16-megapixel SLR camera.

Conclusion

We hope that this article helped you deal with the difficult task of choosing your future camera. Next week we will help you choose a washing machine!

Matrix
The matrix is a platform with photosensitive elements - pixels. Each pixel of the matrix, when light hits it, generates an electric current, the strength of which depends on the intensity of the light. Knowing for pixels only the intensity of light, we get a black and white picture. To get a color image, each pixel uses its own filter: red, green or blue. All other colors are obtained by mixing the three primary colors. The matrix has two main parameters that affect the quality of the resulting image.

Matrix resolution, measured in megapixels. So if the camera's matrix has 4 Megapixels (Mp), then this means that 4 million pixels (cells) fit on the site. The higher the resolution, the greater the ability of the camera to display fine details in the picture. However, chasing megapixels is not worth it. For printing photos of 10x15 cm, 1 megapixel is enough. The best choice would be a 3-5 megapixel camera, photos taken with it can be printed up to A4 (20x30cm).

Matrix size. Popular models use matrices with linear dimensions from 1/1.8 to 1/3.2 inches. In the first case, the matrix has a larger size. The large matrix provides the following benefits:
can register more light (transmit more shades),
and has a lower noise level.
Thus, if we compare two matrices 1/1.8 and 1/3.2 in size with the same number of pixels (for example, 4MP), the first one will be the best, since 4 million pixels are located on a larger area, and, therefore, such a matrix will give the best picture ( better quality and less noisy). Otherwise, when comparing two matrices with the same dimensions, but with different numbers of megapixels, for example, 6 and 7, it is also better to choose the first one, as this will not only save money, but also allow you to get better pictures in the future. However, this is true when comparing matrices from one manufacturer or one line of cameras, different manufacturers may have different types of matrices with incomparable characteristics.

Sensor sensitivity (ISO). It varies in the range of values from 50 to 3200. At high sensitivity, you can take a clear picture at dusk or even at night, although at high sensitivity, noise appears.

Lens
It is thanks to the lens that light enters the camera and an image is formed on the matrix. The quality of the resulting image largely depends on the quality of the lens - clarity, sharpness, lack of distortion, etc. The important elements of a lens are the lenses and the diaphragm. Lenses are responsible for the nature of the light, and the aperture allows you to control the amount of this light. By closing the aperture to the minimum values, we can reduce the amount of light entering the matrix.

The main characteristics of the lens:
Aperture. Aperture is the value of the maximum open aperture. The larger the lens aperture, the better and more expensive the camera. Under the same lighting conditions, a lens with a larger aperture allows you to shoot at faster shutter speeds.

Focal length. The focal length determines the angle of view of the lens and how far it "sees". For digital cameras, the focal length is also given in 35mm equivalent. This is due to the fact that the diagonal of the matrix is less than the diagonal of the 35mm film frame, that is, the matrix does not cover the entire field of the frame, from which the concept of increasing the focal length (Focal Length Multiplier) arises. For different cameras, this factor ranges from 1.3 to 1.6. Viewing angle. Directly depends on the focal length. Approximately corresponding to the viewing angle of the human eye is considered a lens with a focal length of 50mm. Lenses with shorter focal lengths are wide-angle lenses, those with longer focal lengths are telephoto lenses.

Zoom (zoom). The zoom of the lens is calculated very simply: for this you need to divide the larger focal length by the smaller one. For the camera mentioned above, the zoom is 34.8/5.8=6. As indicated by the manufacturer. If the camera is equipped with a lens without zoom, then its focal length and aperture are indicated on it: for example, 20mm 1: 2.8. The larger the zoom of the camera, the more complex its design, and the manufacturer has to find a compromise between cost and quality. Therefore, ultra zooms (6-12x) usually give a worse picture compared to moderate zooms (up to 3x).

3. Image stabilizer
The image stabilizer is designed to combat the so-called "shake" effect - caused by hand shake when photographing at sufficiently slow shutter speeds or at a large zoom.

Stabilization options:
Optical stabilization. It is based on the fact that a movable stabilizing element is built into the lens, which bends the path of light in the right direction. Also in the lens there are sensors that control the movement of this element. As a result, with slight vibrations of the camera, the projection of the image onto the matrix always remains motionless. However, it also has its drawbacks:
Decreases the aperture ratio of the lens
Rising cost
Canon has developed Image Stabilizer (IS) for its lenses. Nikon has a similar system referred to as VR.

anti-shake. In this stabilization technology, unlike optical stabilization, the matrix itself is the moving element. The main advantage of this approach is the independence of stabilization from the lens, so such stabilization can work with any optics. Konica Minolta was the first to develop such stabilization. The most striking example of a built-in antishake is a new product from Sony - the Alpha DSLR-A100.

4. Viewfinder
The viewfinder allows you to see the future picture before pressing the shutter. In digital compact cameras, it may be completely absent; its role is played by a display on which an image is formed in real time. The viewfinder can be optical,
mirror and electronic.
The reflex viewfinder is considered the best. It allows you to see the real area of the frame without distortion.

5. Camera display
On compact digital cameras, the display allows you to see the picture as it turns out in the photo and see in advance the shortcomings in the composition, shadows, lighting (some cameras can show a histogram of the future image in real time). On DSLRs, the display can be used to view shots already taken. Also, the display serves as an interface for controlling the camera, so the larger and brighter it is, the better.

6. Flash.
Usually each camera is equipped with a built-in low-power flash that can illuminate the foreground. Flashes are also equipped with various red-eye reduction functions, etc. In professional and semi-professional cameras, there is also a contact for connecting an external flash - a hot shoe. External flashes allow you to achieve much better results in all genres of shooting.

7. Possibility of manual settings
An important condition for obtaining high-quality photos is the presence of manual settings in the camera. Namely, the ability to adjust the aperture, adjust the shutter speed, set the white balance, change the sensitivity of the matrix and other settings.

The presence of these adjustments allows you to fully control the shooting process, because even the fastest camera processor may not know the intent of the photographer.