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Camcorders are ingenious tools that allow us to record images of the events that make up our lives or to get creative and produce unique and interesting films that previously only professional videographers could craft. For beginners, it is important to understand a little bit about the basic anatomy of a camcorder in order to be better equipped to make a selection when shopping.
Although every camcorder model is a bit different and may offer unique features there are basic components that are common to them all.
The Image Sensor:
A camcorder uses either a CCD, charge-coupled device, or CMOS, complimentary metal-oxide semiconductor, to convert light into electrical signals and record the resulting images. They basically perform the same function as film in a traditional camera or camcorder.
A CCD consumes much more power than a CMOS chip but tends to produce a higher quality image. Images produced via a camcorder with CMOS tend to have more "noise" due to lower resolution and less light sensitivity. As with most technologies however, CMOS as the newer development is gradually gaining ground. The primary advantage of CMOS at this time is it's affordability versus the more expensive CCD sensors.
The Lens:
The lens of a camcorder provides the opening for light to pass through onto the CCD/CMOS and focuses it so that the image is sharp. By adjusting the lens users can alter what items within a scene are in focus as well as how much light is entering to control the look and quality of the resulting images. Lens controllers are sometimes purchased to allow a user to adjust the lens from the handle of the tripod.
Add on lenses and filters can be used. For instance a telephoto lens allows subjects at a distance to be magnified, a wide angle lens broadens the horizontal field, and a fisheye lens allows for an extreme wide-angle view. Common filters include polarizing filters to reduce glare and UV filters to protect the lens from harmful rays.
An important feature with camcorder lenses is optical zoom which allows the lens to magnify images; a function that allows users to obtain better pictures of subjects at a distance. Optical image stabilizers help to detect and reduce unwanted movement of the camcorder to produce a smoother, more stable film. Digital versions of zoom and stabilization are available on camcorders but do tend to produce a somewhat lower quality image. Digital stabilization however is sometimes preferred by some consumers as camcorders with optical stabilization are often larger.
The Microphone:
The average camcorder has a built-in multi-directional microphone. These microphones tend to pick up audio from any direction; from behind, in front of, and at the sides of the camcorder. Thus many home movies end up difficult to hear due to undesired "background noise".
A camcorder also often has a microphone jack. If the camcorder has such a jack, purchasing an external microphone to attach to it can greatly improve the
audio captured. External microphones can be moved closer to the sound source in some instances and in others they can focus on the sound that is desired versus any background noise. Wireless microphones and lapel microphones are useful when recording individual speakers. Shotgun microphones pick up sound from in front of the microphone at a distance while cardioid microphones pick up sound from in front which is nearby. Each option helps to reduce the intrusion of unwanted sound that distorts the audio desired.
The View Finder and LCD Panels:
The viewfinder on a camcorder allows users to see what they are filming. They can be black and white or color. Size varies as does resolution. Some users select a larger viewfinder with higher resolution to aid their visibility but others simply use the LCD screen for this purpose. LCD screen sizes vary as well, and are selected based on personal preference. Viewfinders can often provide greater visibility when filming in sunlight while use of an LCD screen that swivels allows greater visibility if filming overhead.
Inputs and Outputs:
A camcorder will have AV sockets and ports to allow connectivity to other devices such as a television or computer. These sockets allow film to be downloaded, played back, or copied. To allow the camcorder to hook up with a TV or other device it is important that the inputs and outputs coincide. These may be composite video or S-video for analog signals or DVI/HDMI for digital signals.
Most camcorders will hook up with a PC via a USB 2 or FireWire port which allows much faster transfer than a USB 1.1 port. Again, the camcorder must be compatible with the computer to allow hook up.
Although the construction of a camcorder can be much more complex and there is variability in features from device to device, if beginners understand these
basic parts they will be well on their way to being able to make a knowledgeable selection when shopping.
A digital camera produces excellent photographs. For many years however, professional photographers have discussed the drawbacks to the digital camera from the perspective of image quality which does not always match that available through a traditional 35mm film camera. The convenience afforded by going digital however far outweighs the minor loss in perceptible quality for most consumers.
For millions of potential camera shoppers, choosing the smallest, lightest camera is most important while others may wish to hold down costs or only share photos online where image quality is limited anyway. For these and other shoppers, finding and paying for a more costly camera may be unnecessary. But for those who strive to capture images that record the most accurate and color correct images, there are choices they can make during the shopping process that can help to assure they end up with equipment that will be capable of producing outstanding images.
The primary decision is not about megapixels; or at least not entirely. A digital camera with 10 megapixels does not necessarily produce a better image than a camera with only 6 megapixels. Megapixels are important and a camera must have enough of them to provide adequate image information for the size print being produced so that there is less noise and better clarity in the resulting image. Unless a consumer plans on producing very large images, 5 megapixels is generally sufficient and 3-4 may be enough if prints will be 5x7 or smaller.
The sensor which captures the light entering the camera lens is even more critical however. The sensor stores and displays data, converting the light into electrons. The sensor can be either CCD (charge-coupled device) or CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor). CCD is the more mature technology and produces images with less noise. They also tend to be more expensive and consume more power but for those seeking the highest quality images, a CCD is the better choice at this time.
An important aspect of the CCD is the actual size of the sensor. Larger sensors provide higher resolution and less noise. Understanding how the size of the CCD sensor influences the quality of images and knowing what size sensor is adequate requires a bit more study. There are several articles available on line which could prove valuable for those wishing to learn more about this topic. Articles at www.photo.net/equipment/digital/sensorsize/ and www.photo.net/equipment/digital/basics/ are well written and knowledgeable.
A final consideration regarding the sensor in a digital camera is the availability of 1 CCD and 3 CCD models. As one might suspect more is often better. A camera with 1 CCD picks up image and color information through a single sensor. A model with 3 CCD has a sensor that picks up each of the different colors (Red, Green, and Blue) resulting in superior color reproduction.
Certainly the selection of a CCD sensor over a CMOS sensor, a larger sensor, or more sensors is not required in order to own a high quality digital camera capable of producing very good images. However, these features certainly do significantly enhance image quality and are the focus of attention for those seeking to produce the sharpest and most vivid images.
Capturing moments was never so easy before digital cameras came into the photography world. Ever since, there has been a big international market dealing with digital cameras. Japan, South Korea and China have been the main players in manufacturing new digital cameras since its inception. Today, no media house can run without digital cameras. Forget media agencies, in our day-to-day life, we have started considering digital camera as a handbag's must-keep item. It has truly given a new definition to the world of photography.
Many kinds of digital cameras with different features are hovering around the market today. And you need to decide on your choices and pick up the right one that fits your clicking needs. You must have already heard a lot about the top brands such as Kodak, Nikon, Canon, Minolta, Sony, Panasonic, Polaroid,Olympus, Fujifilm, HP, Samsung, etc. This article discusses features of famous brands and models of digital cameras to help you select the right one for yourself.
To start your selection process, you must consider whether you are looking for small and compact pocket camera, an advanced camera, a high zoom capability camera, or an SLR camera. These can range from USD 100 to USD 2,000. You will need to take your pick based on your budget and requirements.
What are the features that you should compare between brands while selecting a digital camera? The most important feature is its resolution in mega pixel. In simple language, this figure tells you how much you can expand your picture without parting with its quality. The higher the resolution, the better. But this doesn't mean that you have to go for the highest available model in the market. Usually people print photos that are sized 4x6 or 5x7 inhes. So for these photo sizes, any camera above 4 mega pixels will deliver great results.
Other feature that you should evaluate is zoom-in capability. Optical zoom and digital zoom are different terms. Optical zoom means actual zoom done by the lenses, while digital zoom simply increases the size of the picture display without increasing any details. In simple terms 3x optical zoom means you can get three times closer picture of the image you see with your eyes. For this reason, optical zoom is better.
The third important feature is compatibility with other devices. Find out if the camera you are going to buy is compatible with your computer, printer, memory card, USB drive, etc. Cameras have inbuilt flash memory but the space is limited, so you would have to buy external memory cards, popularly known as Secure Digital Card (SDC) and Multi Media Card (MMC).
The next important feature is the size of the screen that provides digital display of the image instantly. These screens were the major reason that digital cameras replaced conventional cameras so fast. The screen gives you the ability to review the image and delete the ones you do not like. The LCD digital camera screens are up to 3 inches in width.
The other features that make your camera more convenient include automatic light adjustment, automatic flash, red-eye reduction, file format (TIFF, RAW or JPEG), audio and video capability, image stabilizer, manual controls for aperture and exposure, camera speed, weight and size, body type, battery type (lithium of normal), battery life, picture modes for morning light, day light, cloudy day, etc.
The varieties and features of digital cameras are so many that it becomes really difficult for a first-timer to select one. This is worsened by everyday technological advancements. But all the features mentioned above impart a whole new dimension to photography and they make it easier for even an amateur to
click great quality pictures.