I know it is that everyone thinks the more the better when it comes to your digital camera features.  This theory is especially true in the case of mega pixels.  I myself have been guilty of sizing up the number of mega pixels from camera to camera in the electronics store, but is this really necessary do we really need more pixels?  To answer this, you must first know what you are going to do with the images.  Before we address that issue, let’s make sure we know what a megapixel is, as explained in this short Digital Photography Course.

A single pixel is the smallest unit of color that a camera’s sensor has the ability to capture.  The more pixels the sensor can hold results in a sharper image the camera duplicates. The technical term for a unit of “a million pixels” is a megapixel.  Many cameras notate the abbreviated megapixel as “MP”.

Now then, how many of those pixels do we need? The first task in answering this question is to determine how we intend to use the images. We are mainly concerned about uses that require a high resolution digital photo. Putting a photo on the computer’s screen requires a low resolution image, so any camera is sufficient, if this is our only intention. The most common need for high resolution photos is to print or develop pictures. Let us then focus on putting pictures on paper to answer our megapixel question.

Now we need to decide on the largest print size we would like of our photo.  Although pictures can be printed into poster-size images, the expense comes bigger also.  Since most of us will not be using this size, we will consider poster prints a rarity. Since we have eliminated posters, next we find the three most common photo sizes to choose from.  Online photo labs have specified that the following minimum resolutions are enough to generate high quality prints:

4 x 6″: 640 x 480 pixels (0.3 mega pixels)
5 x 7″: 1024 x 768 pixels (0.8 mega pixels)
8 x 10″: 1536 x 1024 pixels (1.6 mega pixels)

I have found through my own trial and error that my 3 megapixel camera serves as the bare megapixel minimum that I would use for an 8 x 10″ print.  Mega pixels any lower will begin to show pixilation under close inspection.  To prevent this, double the above megapixel recommendations when buying a camera. The example shows that if your goal is only for 4 x 6″ prints, a 0.6 megapixel camera is plenty.  Most digital cameras start a 2 mega pixels, which would be enough for quality prints up to 5 x 7″.

Once you know how many mega pixels are required for your photo needs, you can move on to mastering the other features of your camera and be another step closer to producing the highest quality images possible.

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For the past 20 years we have been on the digital fast track. This is seen in a variety of areas  however nowhere is this more evident than with cameras. Since the moment digital cameras hit the market they have been a must have item for everyone. If you haven’t yet joined the digital camera revolution I would put money on the fact that you have thought of purchasing one. Not only do you get clearer photos but you have the chance to have instant photo gratification by seeing your work immediately. Furthermore, you can enhance your digital photos with photo editing software.

If you have been looking for a digital camera I am sure you have noticed that there are a huge variety of digital cameras on the market today. No only are there a variety of manufacturers but each manufacturer has hundreds of cameras on the market to meet every ones particular needs. Companies such as Fuji, Sony and Kodak undoubtedly provide you with the best digital cameras in the market today. Not only do these companies offer the best cameras but they also offer warranty packages in the off chance that your camera requires aftercare.

Included in the box of your digital camera is a manual that walks you through how to use the camera. Regrettably most people ignore the manual and learn how to use their camera through trial and error. Many people don’t understand all the features of their camera and only use it for point and shoot photos. Most cameras contain sophisticated features that require a bit of knowledge in order to make them work at their optimum level.

Digital cameras are more complex than their film counterparts. Included in your manual should be a warranty card letting you know what the manufacturer will fix or replace during the first year of ownership. It is important for you to read what the warranty covers as they will typically only cover internal working pieces. If an item that is covered by the warrant should fail during this one year period you can have your camera repaired free of cost. Depending on whether you live in a larger city you may be able to find a service center locally however you may be required to mail your camera in for repairs.

Buttons are the main items that fail on digital cameras. The most common button to break is the shutter button. Understandably this is the feature used most often on a camera. It usually will either become stuck or stop working all together. To prevent breakage I recommend you use gentle pressure on the button as opposed to stabbing at it.

One thing people do is repeatedly press down on the button when trying to take multiple photos at one time. All you need to do is press it down one time and you will take multiple photos. People starting out with digital photography often fail to remember this. If this is not covered by your warranty you can expect to pay $40-$50 for a repair.

Another common problem is when your camera doesn’t connect with your computer properly. For instance, the latest model of the Concord Digital Camera is not compatible with the Windows Vista. If you run into this problem you could wipe out your cameras memory which results in loss of your photos if you have not stored your photos to a memory card. It is important to always check the manual to see which programs your camera is compatible with.

Customer service is your best friend if you run into this or any other problem. Most manufacturers offer a support web site or phone number that you can utilize and they should be able to walk you through an easy fix.

If your camera warranty has expired and you run into a problem you don’t need to fret. Again, depending on where you live, you should be able to find a local electronic repair shop that can either help you or point you in the right direction.

Another great resource are specialty camera stores. As with electronic stores, if they are unable to repair your camera onsite they should be able to point you in the right direction. Certain repairs, including driver and sensor, demands expertise. It is best to have these problems looked at by certified specialists.

I recommend you do not try to clean your cameras sensors yourself. These are fragile components and can be easily damaged. To keep your camera working at its best always treat it with care and seek proper advice if you run into a problem. If you do run into a problem check with the manufacturer for the best repair suggestions.

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