A Guide for Online Information About:

Digital Cameras

by Rick Prescott

No one yet knows exactly what a digital camera should look like, so there are all kinds of interesting styles on the market. Thirtyfive mm cameras have taken familiar forms because they require room for the film and light path as well as prisms and such. Digital cameras are freed of many of these limitations so they can take new forms. Regardless of how digital cameras look, the market is roughly divided into four tiers based on image resolution, features, and of course, price.

At the low end are the fully automatic point and shoot cameras with resolutions below one million pixels and prices below $500. They are not only very popular, they are the least expensive digital cameras. These cameras are fully automatic and usually don’t provide you with a lot of creative control; that’s why they are called point and shoot. Because of the low resolution of many of these cameras, printed output is limited to about 4" × 6" or so. Despite this small size, the images are ideal for web pages, e-mail attachments, and l reproduction sizes for newsletters and other documents.

At the next level are megapixel cameras with one-million-pixel resolution. Costing less than $1000 these cameras also give you some creative control. Positioned just above the point and shoot cameras is a family of cameras with over one million pixels. Generally, the higher resolution is combined with more advanced features such as through-the-lens (TTL) focusing and creative controls. This is one of the fastest growing categories of cameras because these cameras appeal to serious photographers who like to have creative control of their camera’s settings and make prints up to 8" × 10" .

Near the top are megapixel cameras that cost between $1000 and $2000. These appeal to both amateur and professional photographers, and are sometimes called prosumer cameras. In addition to offering higher resolutions, these cameras also have more features.

At the highest level are the expensive professional digital cameras based on 35-mm and APS SLR cameras. These cameras have the highest resolution, most features, and highest prices. They often use three image sensors, one for each color to capture great color and resolution. They also have at least two million or more pixels in their image sensors . One advantage these cameras have is that most of the features (e.g., exposure controls) and accessories (e.g., lenses) designed for the film versions also work with the digital versions.

For more information on the aspects of digital camera photography, please check out this online short course which includes the following subjects: the world of digital photography, the foundations of digital imaging, knowing arithmatic, digitizing film and prints, graphic file formats, photo printers, photography on the Web, panoramic and object photography, and stereo photography. Below are links to digital camera manufactures and product reviews.

Manufacturers:

AGFA digital cameras

Which digital camera is right for you? Check out AGFA’s product line.

Canon Powershot Cameras

Canon’'s full line of digital still cameras is found here.

Casio Digital Cameras

This links to Casio’s digital camera page, which includes an overview of models and features.

Dycam

The first company to manufacture and offer digital cameras for sale in 1989, Dycam is an excellent on-line source for digital camera products.

Epson digital cameras

Check out the Epson digital cameras: Epson PhotoPC750z and PhotoPC700. Sample images are included.

Fuji digital cameras

Fuji presents its line of digital cameras and accessories.

Hitachi MPEG camera network

Check out all the details for Hitachi’s revolutionary MPEG digital camera.

JVC digital still cameras

The link for JVC’'s line of digital still cameras, includes product photos and specs.

Kodak digital cameras

The Kodak family of digital cameras and related products is found here.

Minolta Dimage Ex Zoom1500 digitalstill camera

Check out Minolta’s high resolution digital still camera.

Nikon: digital imaging

There's the link to Nikon’'s comprehensive Digital Imaging site. It includes products for both the consumer and professional digital photographer.

Olympus digital cameras

There's how to reach the Olympus digital camera page, with access to features and specs of all models.

Panasonic digital imaging

The Pansonic digital camera site includes complete specs and product photos.

Polaroid digital cameras

Yes, even Polaroid is getting into the digital camera scene. Check out their unique product line, which includes a digital microscope camera.

Pretec digital cameras and accessories

Check out Pretec’'s line of digital cameras and accessory products.

RCA digital cameras

RCA enters the digital still camera market with an interesting model lineup.This site includes product specs and online ordering.

Ricoh digital cameras

Take a look at digital cameras from Ricoh, this site also includes online store.

Sound Vision

Sound Vision manfactures digital cameras for specialized purposes, including studio and microscope use.

Toshiba digital cameras

Even Toshiba is getting into the digital camera act. Check out their product offerings on this page.

Vivitar Vivicams

Vivitar presents its line of digital still cameras here.

Product Reviews:

Active Buyer’s Guide–Digital Cameras
This is great online buyer’s guide for digital cameras. The site includes complete specs, pricing info, and product photos.

Digital Camera Magazine
Here’s a guide to electronic photography and imaging that includes reviews of digital cameras and associated accessories.

Digital Camera Imaging Resource Page
Digital cameras, features, specs, reviews, and sample images for most brands and models are found at this site.

Digital Camera News
This is a great overview of the latest digital camera products.It also includes information on related software and updates.

Digital Camera and Photography Reviews
Digital camera reviews and comparisons are presented in a table format here.

Digital Camera Reviews
Here you find consumer reviews, of several digital cameras are sponsored by Consumer Review.

Digital Photography Review
This is an online e-zine with daily news, articles, picture galleries, and product reviews of digital photography.

eDigital Photo.com
This exciting new magazine and website covering the topic of digital imaging technology.It includes articles on new products, Q & A, editorial comments, and more.

PC Photo Magazine
There’s the online version of print publication specializing in digital photography which includes articles and product reviews.

PC Magazine’s Digital Camera Reviews
PC Magazine reviews the current crop of under $1000 digital cameras and provides some interesting results (January 1999).

PC Magazine (UK): Digital Camera Reviews
Hot off the press! PC Magazine’s UK edition reviews 14 affordable digital still cameras (June 1999).

PC Photo Review
This excellent resource site on digital cameras and technology includes extensive links to product reviews and online shopping info.

PMA Digital Camera Matrix
Photo Marketing Association presents a great cross-reference and comparison of currently available digital cameras.

20-20 Consumer: Digital Cameras
Need information, spec comparisons, and pricing information on digital cameras? Check out this site sponsored by 20-20Consumer.com.

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