What features should I look for when buying a digital camera?

Question

I would use the camera for more action shots than still shots (kids in sports). I need something that will zoom well without distorting the picture, but also stop motion without the blurs. Do I look at pixels or does the optical zoom matter more?

Answer 1

Make sure it has a lense.

Answer 2

Yes, yes,...I agree with everyone so far, but..

ZOOM: Optical Zoom is cropping your photo. You can always do that after the fact on your home PC or a photo kiosk. Don't even worry about looking for Digital Zoom. Optical is the zoom to look for, the more the better, preferable with an image stabilizer.

Mega Pixels: It really depends on the money you want to spend. More zoom=more money...more pixels=more money (you get the point) If you want the capability of blowing up the wining score your kid made!! to an 8x10 don't go any smaller than (at the vary least) 5mp...after that the more pixels the better!

Features: It also depends on what features you want. Here are some to consider: Hot Shoe (to additional flash unit), Shutter Speed Adjustment (100sp-1600sp), blast (hold down the shutter button for shot after shot after shot after...), different automatic shot mode (macro, sport, night, portrait).

Hope this helps, -K-

Answer 3

I'd say megapixels are more important, that way even if the zoom isn't good you can crop the picture and enlarge it on the computer without getting it really blurry. For taking action shots, all the digital cameras I've seen have that option on the mode dial. You don't need to worry about that one.
I've got a Nikon Coolpix myself, but the zoom isn't that great and it's only 3.2 megapixels... I don't recommend it unless you're on a tight budget.
But my mom has a Canon that takes excellent action shots, only thing is you'd have to buy different lenses for specific things. In my opinion the base lens it comes with is fine, almost anything can be altered on Paint Shop or whatever program you have. So I'd say you don't really need to get the lenses (they're expensive anyway). Again, it all depends on your budget.

Answer 4

For photographing your kids at sports the most important feature will be optical zoom. Looks like you have done enough homework to realize that digital zoom is a complete waste of time.

5MP and up can easily print 8 x 10s and professionals can print them much larger than that for you. I have a 6 MP shot that was cropped and then blown up to over 1 m wide!

To freeze the action you will need a camera with more than automatic functions, preferably one that can shoot in Shutter priority mode. It will have a selector that can choose between "PSA&M" (it may well have other functions too. and you want to put it in "P" mode and select a faster shutter speed if the lighting allows (at least 1/250th sec)

Hope this helps.

Answer 5

Sounds like you're looking for one of the super zoom style cameras. that were previously suggesed. Cameras like the Sony H2/H6, Canon S3IS, and Panasonic FZ7/FZ50 are all terrific. great zooms, excellent performance and image stabilization built in.

However- if stopping action is your primary goal, then what you need is a camera that can use a higher shutter speed. In bright sunlight, any of the above cameras should do fine, but as soon as things get a little darker- you'll need to find a camera with a higher light sensitivity than these in order to be able to use shutter speeds of ~1/500 sec. What you want to look for is a camera that has the ability to use higher ISO sensitivities, and Short of a DSLR, theres really only one company that's offering this. Look at the Fuji's. Their new S6500fd or S9100 could be the solution you're looking for.

Answer 6

Optical zoom is better over digital zoom, as i notice you have pointed out. Never use digital zoom..bad bad bad... Megapixel wise, you should be fine with 5 or 6, but I wouldn't go under 4. With 5 megapixels, I can get great 8x10 prints! And you still have enough pixels to edit things in the digital darkroom. good luck

Answer 7

Mega-Pixels are mainly for if you enlrge your photos. Try looking for a camera with a good optical zoom (digital zoom isn't that great)

Answer 8

How much you are ready to spent for the cam?
If you are ready to spent, then go for DSLRs otherwise you can choose digital cams.
You should look for good pixel,optical zoom,red eye reduction,supported memory cards,shutter speed,video recording features,brand too
As you are using the cam mainly for action you can consider the following good zoom cams


1. Sony DSC H5 (7.2MP,12x Optical Zoom)
2. Sony DSC H2 (6MP,12x Optical Zoom)
3. Sony DSC H1(5MP,12x Optical Zoom)
4. Canon S2 IS (5MP,12x Optical Zoom)
5. Canon S3 IS (6MP,12x Optical Zoom)
6. Lumix DMC-FZ7K (6MP,12x Optical Zoom)
7.Nikon Coolpix S10 (6MP,10x Optical Zoom)

All these cameras are coming under $400(Except DSC-H5).

Answer 9

I would look for something that has a high pixel number 8 million or more for really great quality and also if you're looking to do action shots one that has the ability to take continuous shots. I would also look (depending on price) one that has the ability to have lenses added.