Using reusable memory cards instead of digital cameras for film gives you more creative control than film cameras.With a digital camera, you can transfer photos to your computer, then crop, adjust colors and contrast, and add textures and other special effects.The final result can be made into a card or T-Shirt, or send by emailMail, all use the software that comes with the camera.You can print on a color inkjet printer, or drop the memory card in one of the more and more photo pickers.You can upload the file to aphoto-Shared websites for storage, viewing, and sharing with others.Like a camera, a digital camera also has an LCD screen.Some camcorders can be used to take still photos, but the resolution of a typical camcorder does not match a good still camera.What are the leading brands areCanon, Fujifilm, HP, Kodak, Olympus and Sony?Other brands come from consumersElectronics, Computers, traditional cameras and film companies.The digital camera is classified according to the number of pixels or image elements contained by the image sensor.One pixel is equal to 1 million picture elements.A 3-The Megapixel camera can make excellent 8x10 s and pleasant 11x14 s.And 4-to 8-Million Pixel models including point-and-shoot ones;If you just want to use a part of the original image, these are great for making larger prints or keeping clarity.Professional digital cameras use up to 14 pixels.\ R Price range: $200 to $400 in 3 megapixels;The price of four million and five million pixels is between $250 and $400;The price of 6 to 8 megapixels is $300 to $1,000.Important features of most digital cameras are highly automated, with features such as automatic exposure control (managing shutter speed, aperture, or both based on available light) and autofocus.Digital cameras usually record photos with flash rather than filmmemory cards .The most widely used are CompactFlash and SecureDigital (SD ).Once the price is quite expensive, the price of this card has plummeted ---a 128-Now, the price of the MB card is less than $50.Other types of memory cards used by the camera include memory sticks, smart media, and xd-picture card .Several cameras, mainly some of Sony's models, used 3 1/4-inch CD-RorCD-RW discs .To save an image, usually transfer the image to the computer by connecting the camera to the USB or FireWire port of the computer or inserting the memory card into a special reader.Some printers can remove the memory card and print it without putting the image on the computer first.Image-Processing software such as Adobe Photoshop Elements, Jasc Paint Shop, Microsoft Picture It, and ACDSee allow you to measure, modify, and crop digital images using your computer.Windows and Macintosh machines are available for most digital cameras.The file format commonly used for photos is isJPEG, which is a compressed format.Some cameras can save photos in uncompressed format, but this setting generates a lot of files.Other high-The terminal camera has an aRAW file format that generates image data without the need for the camera to process it.Digital cameras typically have a non-optical viewing angle and a color LCD display.The LCD viewer is very accurate about the actual image you get ---Better than most optical viewfinder.-But they use more battery power and can be hard to see in the bright sun.You can also view the photos you have already taken on the LCD viewer.Many digital cameras provide video output, so you can watch your photos on the TV.Certain cameras allow you to record audio clips with pictures.But the clips use extra storage space.Some allow you to record Limited videos, but the frame rate is slow and the resolution is poor.Azroom lens offers the flexibility to take a view shoot and bring the distance between you and your subject ---This is ideal if you want to switch to close shooting quickly.Typical 3-fold zoomon mainstream camera from moderately wideMedium telephoto angle (35mm) to medium telephoto angle (105mm ).You can find a camera with a zoom range between 8 x and 12 x, providing extra versatility for outdoor photography.Other new cameras drop to 24 or 28mm in a wide rangeThe angle ends, making it easier to shoot the whole scene at close range, such as a crowded party.Optical zoom is better than digital zoom, which zoomed in the center of the frame without adding image details, resulting in a slightly rough view.Sensors in digital cameras are usually used as light-It's as sensitive as ISO 100 film, although some will allow you to add this setup.(Under the ISO 100 standard, you may need to use the flash in case of insufficient indoor and outdoor light.) The range of the camera flash will tell you how far the flash is from the camera and will provide appropriate exposure: if the subject is out of range, you will know the closing distance.But before the image is obviously damaged, the digital camera can withstand some underexposure.Red-Eye restoration will illuminate your goal before the main flash.(The camera with the flash unit further away from the lens reduces the risk of red eyes.The computer's editing of the image can also correct the red eye.) In auto flash mode, the camera triggers the flash whenever the light entering the camera is insufficient.A few new cameras.in red-Ability of eye correction.Some cameras with powerful telephoto lenses are now equipped with image stabilizer.These compensate for camera jitter, allowing you to use a slower shutter speed than others when following the move.But the image stabilizer does not compensate for the movement of the subject.Most new 6-to 8-The Pixel camera is equipped with full manual control, including independent control of the shutter and aperture.This allows serious photography enthusiasts to control the depth of field, shooting action, or shooting scenes through tricky lighting.How to choose the first step is to determine how you will use the camera most of the time.Consider these two questions: how much flexibility do you need to zoom in on the image?If you mainly want to make 4x6 snapshots, one with 3-or 4-Pixel resolution is fine.Such a camera will also print 8x10 of the entire image without it happening to look like 6-or 8-Million pixel model.But in order to zoom in more images or just zoom in on a part of it, you need a 6-to 8-Megapixel camera.How much control do you want on exposure and composition?Camera for automatic pointand-Shooting photos, 3x-The zoom lens, which will provide services for fast-shooting shooters and amateurs most of the time.The full-6-featured camerato 8-The megapixel series offers more featuresA dedicated photographer will want it.Two more important features are 5 to 10 times or more zoom range, which allows you to take close shots of outdoor objects in the distance, it also allows you to shoot while shooting the object's face and a full set of manual controls to determine the shutter speed and lens opening.Once you have identified the performance priorities you need from acamera, you can further narrow your selection by considering these convenience factors: size and weight.The smallest and lightest model is not necessarily cheap 3-Megapixel camera.The biggest and heaviest is not necessarily found at the high end.If possible, try the camera in the store before you buy it.In this way, you will know which hand is best for you and which one can be firmly grasped.In our tests, we found that some of the smallest people don't leave much space even if their fingers are small.Battery Type and life.All digital cameras can use one of two rechargeable batteries: an expensive battery pack or a set of AA batteries.In our test of the camera, neither of these battery types has an obvious performance advantage.The best-The show camera charges up to 300 times, and the worst is only 50 times.We think it is more convenient to have a camera that accepts AA batteries.You can buy an affordable rechargeable battery (plus a charger), and if the rechargeable battery runs out during the day's shooting, you can buy a one-time lithium or alkaline battery.Camera speed.With point-and-Shoot the camera as we tested, and when the camera processes the image, you have to wait after each shot.Most models allow you to take images every few seconds, but there are models that will allow you to wait for 5 seconds or more.They may upset you when you take pictures in order.Your other cameras.If you add a camera to your lineup, or trade a more versatile camera, first look for a camera that is compatible with other cameras.If so, you can share the memory card and battery.The design in the camera brand series is usually similar.So keep the brand smart and you lower the learning curve for family members on the new camera©2002-US 2006 Consumer AllianceS., Inc.For the latest information about this product and many other products and services, please visit.Consumer Reports.org .Find more digital cameras through easy trading.com