Have You Ever Wished to Understand Digital Camera Basic Specification ?

Introduction

Digital camera specification is the major factor to decide on a digital camera.  It is easy to get confused on all the options described in the specification.  Most of the us usually decide on camera based on the mega pixel and brand name. In addition to the megapixel, there are other requirements contributed to quality of a camera.  The major requirement of a good camera are:

1. Types of camera
2. Mega Pixel
3. Sensor Size
4. Aperture (F/number)
5. Focal Length of the lens
6. Shutter
7. ISO
8. Features of the camera

Types of camera

First you have to decide what types of digital camera to buy i.e. Points and shot, or DSLR or mirrorless interchangeable lens camera.  I have already posted a blog about types of camera (Click here to read).  By and large, DSLR has better picture quality than a mirrorless digital camera and mirrorless digital camera is better than a compact digital camera. 

Compact Digital Camera

Mirrorless Interchangeable Digital Camera

DSLR digital Camera

 

Mega Pixel (MP)

A megapixel is equal to one million pixels. Digital pictures are formed by these tiny pixels in different color. Pictures taking with 10 mega pixels consist of 10 million pixels. Each pixel is like a tiny dot. Image quality depends partially on number of pixels of a sensor.  For printing a picture of 4x 6'', the camera should have at least 2 MP.  The minimum megapixels required for different size of pictures are stated as follows:

Print Size        Required Pixels

4 x 6″	2 megapixels
5 x 7″	3 megapixels
8 x1 0″	5 megapixels
11 x 14″	6 megapixels
16 x 20″	8 megapixels
16 x 24″	12 megapixels

Visualize the Tiny Pixel of Digital Camera

Image Sensor Size

The other factor which may affect image quality are sensor size.

Digital Camera Sensor

Sensor is an electronic device that records the picture and is light sensitive. The larger the size the better picture quality. The compact camera size is usually as small as the little finger.  The professional DSLR has a sensor as big as the size of 35mm (which is the same size of a 35mm film).  Entry level DSLR or some mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras usually has the second largest sensor (APS-C) and the third Micro 4/3 the third largest. APS-C sensor is about 64% size of a full frame sensor.  Micro 4/3 digital camera sensor is about 60% of a APS-C sensor.

Image sensor size comparison

If a small sensor compact camera has the same mega pixel of a large sensor size camera, the picture quality with a larger sensor should have better picture quality.  It is because the large sensor record more light than the small sensor. The small sensor is sort of over populated the tiny pixel in small size.

What kind of cameras should you use for taking photo at 2012 Olympics?

Required Features of the Digital Camera:
 2012 Olympics game will soon be started.  If you go to see the game, you should bring a camera with at least the follow features:

1. A zoom lens (at least 70mm-200 mm )
2. Large aperture F2.8 or less. (the lesser the number of aperture, the larger the aperture)
3. Good quality of photo even at ISO 1600 or up.
4. Fast auto focus with tracking of moving object capabilities

Camera such as the following may be good for taking pictures at 2012 Olympic Games:
1. MILC (mirrorless interchangeable lens camera) with high power zoom  lens e.g. Olympus E-PM1 with    M.Zuiko 14-150 mm (equivalent to 24-300mm in 35mm format)  zoom lens or M.Zuiko 40-150mm (equivalent to 80-300 mm). If you have higher power zoom lens, it would be even better.
2. Any DSLRs with high power zoom lens and large aperture would give good results.
3. Mega zoom Point and Shot digital camera (e.g. Canon SX40, Nikon P510) may be fine but the pictures may be grainy from ISO 400 to ISO1600.


Conclusion:
For convenience in terms of portability and weight, a MILC camera with zoom lens in the range of 70mm-200mm or more than this range.  If you require quality pictures, carry a DSLR with a high power zoom lens.(e.g. 70-200 mm) or at least the MILC mentioned above. A point and shoot mega zoom camera are still good if grainy pictures not a concern.


If you do not have camera with the above features, do not worry about it.  Take whatever camera you have and go to take pictures of the game.  As long as you know the constraints of your camera

Good luck and have fun in 2012 Olympic games.

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How a Digital Camera and Lens are Made?

This is a very informative video from Canon on how a camera is made.

See this video on how a lens is made

Enjoy the video!

Camera Shutter Life

Each camera has a shutter life. Every time you press the shutter, the camera life become a little bit shorter. Oleg Kikin photography website has a list of cameras showing their shutter life.  Check out the link for your camera shutter life.