Typically manufacturers will only give you the information that they feel you should know about. Going into the technical details is typically above most consumers therefore the manufacturers won\’t delve into those topics. However, flashy marketing campaigns shouldn\’t be the only thing that holds your attention. Understanding a few key concepts will help you get the most bang for your buck when it comes to purchasing a digital camera. The information I am about to share should be able to help you make an informed decision when it comes to purchasing the right camera for you.

Mega pixels is the first thing you want to look for when purchasing your camera. Now, I am sure you have heard the term before but you might not know exactly what a “mega pixel” is. Mega pixels are actually one million pixels. The pixel is the smallest part of a digitized or digital image. Pixels are the small squares that form a picture on a camera screen. The greater the pixel count of an image the higher the resolution of that image.

It is a common misperception that the larger the number of mega pixels in a digital camera the clearer the image will be. This is a wrong perception. Pixels will determine how large your picture can reasonably be. For example a 10,000 MP camera will not give you a clearer image than an 8000 MP camera. However, it will allow you to print out a larger image. Now that you understand about mega pixels you will hopefully be able to decide how many you want in the camera you wish to purchase.

Camera sensors determine efficiency. Sensors are used to capture the image before transferring it to the main memory of the camera. When shopping for you camera pay particular attention to the types of sensors employed in it. Basically sensors allow you to take multiple pictures instantly.

Cameras can have two types of sensors. They are CCD and CMOS. The CCD is Charged Couple Device. CCD is usually found in more expensive camera models. CCD\’s typically give a great image quality. CMOS sensors (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) do not provide the best quality image and are typically found in lesser expensive camera models. Typically point and shoot photographers (the majority of photographers) can do well with the CMOS sensor. Professional photographers will definitely need the CCD sensor.

Your choice of camera will also depend on the kinds of photos you plan on taking. There are a variety of cameras for different purposes. For example, if you are planning on do a lot of wild life photography I recommend you purchase a camera that has Center-Weighted metering. Center weighted metering is when the camera takes a light reading from the whole frame, but it pays attention to the center of the image. The camera stays focused at the center of the object allowing you to get the perfect shot.

On the other hand if you are more interested in nature photography, a wide angle lens and memory exposure lock is a must for you. Memory exposure is responsible for the depth of a photograph. The wide angle lens brings the depth visible. Always make sure that you carry a light camera if you are mountaineering or going for an adventure trip.

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Help answer the question about Photography Books

Know any good wildlife photography books?
I want a wildlife photography book, but don't know any really good ones. I have a national geographic one that is really good, but want another one. I don't want a book with a lot of words, just really good pictures. I don't want one that tells me how to take pictures or anything like that. I am interested in African wildlife, polar bears and penguins.

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