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Step 1 - Advanced
Compact Camera
Price Range: Over
£150
Advanced
compact cameras allow users more control
over the way that they can compose their
photographs and record them.
These digital cameras feature an optical
lens with 3 x (zoom) up to 15 x (superzoom)
magnification. They can be used as a simple
point and shoot in fully automatic mode
or as a sophisticated camera with varying
levels of manual control over its shutter
speeds and exposure settings.
Key Benefits
1. Small in size
and generally well built
2. Greater levels
of control over picture quality than budget
compacts
The key areas
to look out for in advanced cameras are
their build quality, picture image systems
and their relative physical sizes.
Build Quality
These cameras are generally made out of
metal bodies or hard wearing plastic and
are built to take wear and tear. Many
models are very slim and tend to use metal
bodies to protect the inner workings of
the camera.
Picture
Image Systems
Advanced compact cameras currently offer
up to 7 megapixels. 3 megapixels is fine
for postcard size photo prints but you
will require at least 5 megapixels if
you want to create larger prints up to
A4 in size. If you wish to print bigger
pictures then you should seriously consider
a SLR model.
Nearly all these cameras feature optical
zoom lens between 3 x and 12 x magnification.
For the best image quality it is recommended
to use optical zoom (the lens) rather
than digital zoom (which works through
the electronic image processor inside
the camera).
Many models now have image stabilisers
that reduce camera shake and stop people
taking blurred photographs in low light
conditions.
LCD Screen
Display
It is important that the LCD display shows
an accurate representation of the lighting
and colours of the picture that you are
about to take. The higher the screen resolution
then the more accurate the image . Also
do have a look at the how the camera's
settings are displayed on the screen and
how easy it is to navigate across its
features using the menu buttons.
Photo
Files Storage Capacity
The number of photographic files held
inside the camera is dependent on the
megapixel rating (the amount of information
picked up by the image sensor) and the
storage capacity of the memory card.
Advanced compact
cameras are typically supplied with 32MB
of memory which is only sufficient for
12 photos at a 5 megapixel rating. They
are supplied with low capacity memory
cards in order to keep their selling prices
down. For further information on memory
card storage capacities please Click
Here.
Physical
size
The majority of these advanced compact
cameras will fit into a regular jacket
pocket or a handbag. Please note that
there are some models in this category
that feature larger lenses for better
optical performance and therefore the
sizes of these cameras tend to increase
in order to compensate.
Positives:
Small, easy to use with a good level of
control over photographic settings.
Negatives:
Higher megapixel cameras do not automatically
mean better quality photographs. The way
the optical lens system, the auto focus
and the image processor work together
is key.
Our
Verdict:
The digital cameras featured in this category
are ideal for taking snapshots or for
more creative photographs where users
are prepared to experiment with the manual
controls.
These models are relatively sophisticated
but any buyer should be aware that when
they are paying over £150 for an
advanced compact camera they should check
how well these cameras components work
together to produce the final captured
image. This can be done by reading the
latest buyer reviews through specialist
photographic magazines and product
review web sites.
Now check our
Specification Guide
against your intended camera usage:
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