PRODUCT
Kodak EasyShare
CX7530
Picture Perfect
Now's the time to snap up a digital camera.
Casio EX-Z750
BY DAVID MOSS
W
ith digital-camera sales outpacing
those of film-based models, it's
clear that much of the snapshot-
taking public has given over to the instant gratifica-
tion inherent in the digital format. In fact, with
price tags dropping considerably over the past cou-
ple of years, many people have already upgraded
earlier purchases.
But before you run out and plunk down a load of
cash in your eager anticipation of capturing the sea-
son's adorable pumpkins, goblins and apple-
bobbers, there are a few facts you should be armed
Nv i t h . Here, we make the foreign language of digital
cameras a little less like Greek to you.
BEYOND
M EGAPIXELS
When it comes to megapixels
(an approximate measure of an
image's resolution), more is
always better. But unless you
plan to print out a billboard,
3.2-5 megapixels is plenty for e-
mailing photos to friends or
even making an 8x10 print suit-
able for framing.
In addition to considering megapixels, look at the
lens. Aperture controls the amount of light admit-
ted: Lower aperture allows the camera to capture
images in darker settings, without the flash going
off. Be sure to check zoom-lens power, and whether
34 •
OCTOBER 2005 •
JNPLATINUM
there is a built-in telephoto lens.
Choose a camera that runs on AA batteries. You'll
want to get a set of NiMH rechargeable batteries
and a charger; these have no "memory effect" and
are very long-lasting. If you are on vacation and the
rechargeables suddenly die, standard AA batteries
will run the camera.
Many cameras come with a small memory card,
which stores the photos you've taken on the camera.
You'll want to buy a bigger one, at least 128 mb,
allowing you to shoot more than 10 or so pictures at
a time, without worrying about running out of space.
HOW MUCH TO SPEND?
These days, shutterbugs can spend less than $300
and get a really good digital camera that will take
excellent photos of your family,
friends and vacations. You'll be
able to e-mail them around or
send them electronically to your
local CVS or Costco for prints.
For about $200, the Canon
PowerShot A510 has a 4x zoom
lens, a solid metal body and
shoots at 3.2 megapixels. I own
an earlier version (the A75), and
am completely satisfied with the
Canon A510
controls and quality of the photos.
For a few dollars more, you can buy the Kodak
EasyShare CX7530, which is listed as a Consumer
Reports Best Buy. It offers 5 megapixels, 3x optical
zoom along with 10x digital zoom, and 32 mb of
internal memory.
If size is an
issue, you can
jump to the slim
Casio EX-Z750,
which costs more
than $400 but offers
features like 7 megapixels, a
3x optical zoom, a quick 0.9-second
continuous shooting mode and a large 2.5-
inch display. This camera is aimed at photographers
who seek form, function, great design and manual
controls. It is just over 3/4-inch thick and 4.48
ounces, as opposed to the Canon, which is almost
twice as thick and weighs 50 percent more.
Finally, before you get caught up in the moment
and buy a compatible home photo printer, think
about w hat
at you plan to do with your photos. Do you
need lots of prints? Or would you rather just e-mail
select images to friends or maybe create a family
Web site?
Given the price of a printer, ink cartridges and
photo paper, it may be cheaper to have your local
drugstore make prints for you. There are also plenty
of affordable online options, such as Snapfish.com
and Ofoto.com , where you can upload digital images
to a Web site and have prints delivered to your
home.
Keep in mind how much you want to spend and
what your priorities in picture-taking are. Then go
shop 'till you drop!
❑