Megapixels are a consideration when shopping for a digital camera, but megapixel count alone is not the answer to producing a great looking image. I’ve found that more people are interested in learning about the other features camera manufacturers are providing. Following are a few:
Better lens quality – lenses that gather more light and offer wide-angle views.
Improved sensor quality – enables camera to produce images with less noise, reduces shutter lag.
Image stabilization – reduces camera shake that creates image blur and allows you to capture sharper images in low light.
Face detection – sets the proper focus and exposure on up to (9) human faces.
Multiple point focusing – Blurry, out-of-focus images are one of the biggest photo problems for most people. There are many possible reasons why this occurs, a few are, camera shake, low light and slow shutter speeds, a moving subject, shallow depth of field, and improper focus. More autofocus digital cameras now use multiple AF sensors to assist you by providing a wide focusing area. For example, the Canon Digital Rebel XTi uses a 9 point autofocus system that provides nine distinct spots where it can measure focus. With all nine points activated, the camera automatically analyzes the scene and determines which focus point to use. This gives you broad coverage for sharp pictures even when shooting off-center subjects.
Alternatively, with all the focus points activated the camera typically focuses on the subject that is nearest the lens and this may not be the exact area of the scene you want to focus on. For example, if you’re taking a portrait, your subject’s nose is closest to the lens but you want to focus on the eyes. By manually selecting one of the multiple focusing points, you can be very precise with your focus and gain creative control over your image.
Nothing is more frustrating than realizing the photograph you took during that magical moment just didn’t turn out as you had hoped. By purchasing a camera that makes it easy to capture a quality image, you’ll find that your photos begin to improve and you can have more fun taking pictures!
Tags: Canon EOS XTi, digital camera, digital photography, dSLR, erin manning, megapixels
I am tired of hearing about the megapixel count -it seems that everybody now is obsessed with megapixels. I am glad that you brought to light the fact that there is so much more to a camera purchase than how many megapixels you have.
I’ve also heard great things about the Canon Rebel XTI, I am thinking this may be the camera I buy a certain someone for Christmas. It seems like the perfect starter camera as she takes the leap from her point and shoot to a DSLR.
Keep the posts coming Erin. We love them.
Eric D.
thank you for the info, I’ll be buying a camera in a couple days.
Over the past year I have started a new company (www.wall-a-be.com) and this company enables us to take people’s pictures and transfer them into large life-like wall decals. One of the problems I am having is customers submitting images that do not have enough information to be enlarged and I do not know how to explain the correct way to take the photo. I took some time and worked with a local professional photographer, but everything he has told me is geared toward people who “know how” to take pictures. I need to come up with a way to instruct the general consumer on how to take pictures that can be enlarged. I am planning on going and getting you book to see if that could help, but I was wondering if you had any advice. Thanks for the help.
Hi Justin,
I checked out your website, cool product! Life-size wall decals sound like fun, but I know that defining a “quality image” for printing to the consumer can be difficult – there are so many variables that affect the final image. Here is how I would distill the info:
There are 3 important things to consider when taking pictures:
1. Know your resolution (The number of pixels in your image)
2. Watch the light
3. Avoid Image blur
Know your resolution
• When taking your image, use a camera with a minimum megapixel rating of 5MP, preferably more for larger wall decals.
• Set your camera at the highest resolution possible (check your manual – this option is found in your menu).
Watch the light
• To avoid harsh shadows across your subject’s face, use one or both of the following techniques:
o Position subject in indirect, even lighting, such as the open shade of a building or tree, or in the shade of an open garage door.
o Set your camera to Program or Manual to use your forced flash option to fill in the shadows. To do this, cycle through your flash options by pressing the flash icon on the back of your camera until you see “forced flash” or the solitary flash icon.
• Stand back and zoom in to fill the frame with your subject. 6-10 feet away is a good rule of thumb.
Avoid Image blur
• Stabilize your camera. Use a tripod or set your camera on a wall or table when taking the picture.
• If your camera has the option to manually set your shutter speed (typically a dSLR) set your mode dial to “TV” for shutter priority and use a shutter speed of 60 or higher. If your subject is moving, use a shutter speed of 250 or more. In this shutter priority setting the camera will automatically adjust the aperture for the proper exposure.
• If you are using a compact camera, set your mode dial to P for program. If you don’t have a mode dial, look in your menu settings and set it to Manual. These settings will automatically adjust for the proper exposure and give you more options with your flash.
• Many new cameras come with multiple focusing points. With all the focus points activated the camera typically focuses on anything that is nearest the lens and this may not be the exact area of the scene you want to focus on. For example, if you’re taking a portrait, your subject’s nose is closest to the lens but you want to focus on the eyes. Make sure you are focusing on your subject’s eyes by using the proper focus point on your camera. By setting your camera to use only one of the multiple focusing points, you can be very precise with your focus and gain creative control over your image.
I hope this info is helpful. Good luck with your business and let me know how things turn out
Erin
Thanks for your input!