e-Vents

[ Monday ]

 

About Digital Cameras

I was never much of a camera buff or a so-called shutterbug, and never had the desire to be a photojournalist...leave that to the professionals. And until recent years, I hardly ever carried a camera with me on vacations. I can recall on too many occasions seeing tourists lugging around camera bags, with still or video cameras inside, or fumbling with 35mm film cannisters, and then being dissappointed in the results once the film was developed.

However, a few years ago, I saw a small pen-like device that was touted as a digital camera, capable of storing about 100 photos at 640x480 resolution, and/or making video clips. It was packaged with some very sophisticated imaging software, and was priced under $100 (USD). I bought it.

The camera was more of a conversation piece to many people, but it introduced me to a world that I had not participated in, up to that point. I found myself using it for business applications, and also keeping it in my vehicle in the event I came across some interesting scenery in my travels. It had a small stand and a USB port, so it could be used as a webcam, and that became a tool for crude video conferencing.

After using it for a while, I found that, while the pictures were okay, I wanted something that provided better quality and had a zoom lens, along with a flash, and good battery life. Prices were relatively high, so I waited. Recently I compromised, and bought a mid-range megapixel, and it has all of the aforementioned features, along with imaging software more sophisticated than the earlier generation that I already possessed.

If I have a complaint, and I do...it is the failure of the manufacturers to think outside of the box when it came to camera design. My first digital camera had an innovative design...its size was dictated by the use of a single AAA battery. My most recent camera, however, looks like a traditional 35mm...rather bulky, considering there is no film roll or take-up reel inside. It could be reduced to a much smaller size, with a more ergonomic shape. It requires four AA batteries, plus a LI wafer-style battery for memory retention. And that really adds to the weight.

So, convince the manufacturers by spending your money wisely, on products that you want, or don't buy it at all. I bought this last camera, which has adequate features for my needs, because the software was worth the price of the camera.

MM [18:01]