Digital cameras 101

[ShutterbugGail]

This thread originally had the title:

Buying a digital camera online?

[JOL]

I would like to but a digital camera to take some close-up pictures of jewellery. I bought a Kodac Cx7300 and the picture were a blurr/terrible...  Any suggestions on what type of camera to purchase?... What is the minimum megapixel I should need?... Also, what is the minimum Optical and Digital zoom.  My price range is approx £250ish... It was suggested that I will need Microlens to get clearer picturers? Any suggestions/recommendations.

Thanks
JOL

[ShutterbugGail]

I would like to but a digital camera to take some close-up pictures of jewellery. I bought a Kodac Cx7300 and the picture were a blurr/terrible...  Any suggestions on what type of camera to purchase?... What is the minimum megapixel I should need?... Also, what is the minimum Optical and Digital zoom.  My price range is approx £250ish... It was suggested that I will need Microlens to get clearer picturers? Any suggestions/recommendations.

Thanks
JOL

Hi JOL,

Welcome to the Q&A Board!

Can you give us a bit more information about how you're planning to use the images: on the web or in print? That will better help us advise how many megapixels you need. Will you be using the photos to personally sell jewelery, or will you be selling it professionally where you need top-notch images? Will you be using special lighting equipment or available light?

Many of the Nikon advanced digital cameras are known for their macro capabilities (you used the word Microlens so, hopefully, we are talking about the same thing). For example, I've heard the older Nikon CoolPix 4500 called the "king of macros." I'm not sure it is still available in stores, but you may be able to buy it at places like eBay.

I have the Nikon 5400, and I've been very pleased with the macro capabilites. There currently is at $200 rebate on this camera, at least in the U.S.

http://www.digicamhelp.com/nikon-coolpix-5400/nikon-coolpix-5400-tips.htm

Again, tell us a little more about  your needs.


Here is a related thread:

http://www.digicamhelp.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=working;action=display;num=1114000172;start=0#0

[Jay Berman]

I just bought a new digital camera online at B&H Photo, and they had a very helpful online buying guide that walked me through a series of inetractive questions and then pointed me to the right camera for me.

The decision tool was called Digital Camera Guidester and you can locate it on the B&h Photo site at the following URL:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=search&Q=&ci=1082

I highly recommend using a tool like Digital Camera Guidester before buying a digital camera online.

Jay

[ShutterbugGail]

Hi Jay,

Welcome to the Q&A Board, and thanks for sharing about the Guidester. Many sites have features like that and they can be very helpful. To me, even if you decide to buy a digital camera online, you should visit a local camera shop and hold one in your hands. Ergonomics play an important part in deciding which camera is best suited for an individual.

JOL posted a question about macro photography in a buying a digital camera online thread. Whether the poster buys online or not, we don't know. What we would like to do is help him know what to look for when purchasing a digital camera with good macro capabilites.

[JOL2]

   Im overwhelmed by your quick response and thanks.  As you can tell that my knowledge is less than basic in this field, although it is important for me to get it right.  
I am planning to use the images on the web to sell jewellery (reflexion on the stones and gold creates a big problem).
I will be using available lighting.
Thanks for info on Nikon 5400.
My needs: Fully automatic ie Auto Focus, Lighting, speed etc. (if poss)
Thanks again
JOL

[ShutterbugGail]

You're very welcome JOL2!

Thanks for info on Nikon 5400.
My needs: Fully automatic ie Auto Focus, Lighting, speed etc.

The Nikon 5400 is a great camera with an excellent lens and the price now is a "steal." However, it is not a speedy camera and is "old" by todays standards. In fact, it is very slow by todays standards so you probably wouldn't be happy with it. I use mine primarily for Macro, wide angle and portrait shots, where speed isn't important. But when I want to take photos quickly, it disappoints!

Since you'll primarily be using the photos on the web, the minimum megapixels you need are three. A good camera with two megapixels would be fine too, though I'm not sure two megapixel camera are available any more. No doubt you'll be taking photos of other things as well, friends and family, etc., so don't get less than a three megapixel. If you don't usually print out photos larger than a 5x7" photo, 3 megapixels should suffice.

All consumer level digital cameras are automatic, but if you want to take close-up shots, consider buying a digital camera that has semi-automatic modes: shutter and aperture priority. Changing the aperture helps with depth of field. And, of course, it should have a macro mode.  

You should invest in a tripod too.

In the thread I listed above, I explain how I take photos of jewerly using available light. Believe me, my equipment is very unsophiticated, but  the photos come out fine for presentation on the web.

Related reading:

Depth of field
http://www.digicamhelp.com/taking-pictures/depth-of-field.htm

Aperture
http://www.digicamhelp.com/advanced-digital-camera-settings/aperture.htm

[ShutterbugGail]

We generally do not make camera recommendations at the Q&A Board, though we may discuss one we own since we are familiar with it. But there are online tools, as has already been pointed out, which can help you. One such other tool to help you find a digital camera that meets your needs is dpreviews Features Search:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare.asp

Select under $300US and select Yes for Aperture priority. It will give you a selection of digital cameras to consider based on some of the main features you need. If you already have one type of memory card, you may want to select Storage Types, too.

[Deb]

Hi, here's another link you may find useful. http://www.steves-digicams.com/best_cameras.html . It is a listing of cameras that Steve's Digicam "currently deem to be The Best in terms of resolution, image quality and overall bang for the buck."

Good luck and happy shopping!

[JOL3]

Great stuff!   I found those links really helpful. I actually feel more confident to go into a camera store.  I have seen a few models that I will check out this weekend.  
Im so glad I found this site.
Regards

[Deb]

Happy to hear that the info helped.

Have a great time this weekend shopping for your new digital camera!