| There are lots of cameras in the market so it | | | | expensive and aren't just for everybody (for |
| might be confusing when you have to choose. | | | | example Canon 5D, over $3000 just for the |
| Most important, before making the choice you | | | | body). |
| must be sure that you are getting the right type | | | | After getting the body, there is also the lens |
| of camera, depending on your needs. | | | | problem. In here there is a lot to talk about and |
| Because of the huge development of digital | | | | the DSLR lens are not the topic of this article. |
| cameras, I'll talk only about this category since the | | | | Now that we just reviewed the cameras, and |
| buyer has the digital advantages on his fingertips | | | | knowing your budget you probably already get |
| (like the almost instant review of the image shot, | | | | your eyes on a model. But our question has not |
| Changing ISO on the fly, costs per shot much | | | | found an answer yet. What is the camera for car |
| smaller, etc.) | | | | events? If you are into photography then you |
| Since in some cases the buyers realize that their | | | | should look into the semi-professional or |
| needs are fulfilled, or not, after buying their | | | | professional classes since these cameras will meet |
| camera, I'll try to make sure that you have a | | | | all of your needs. If you are present at lots of car |
| clear vision of what is needed to have great | | | | events where are cars in motion and you want to |
| shots of cars, presented in showrooms/events or | | | | get the best shots, you may want to consider |
| in action. | | | | getting a DSLR, since the burst-rate they offer |
| But first let me review the types of cameras, | | | | (3-5-8 fps, depending on the model you get) has |
| and for this I'll consider only cameras with 5 | | | | no match in the semi-professional class. |
| Megapixels or above. First, strangely maybe, I'll | | | | If you want a decent continuous shooting |
| talk about the cameras with WiFi buildin such as | | | | capabilities and you are not willing to spend 1500+ |
| Nikon Coolpix P1 or Canon Powershot SD430. | | | | on camera and lenses (at least as a future plan), |
| Then in the 5-7 Mpx consumer class cameras are | | | | you can go for a semi-professional camera with |
| cameras like Sony Cybershot P200, Nikon Coolpix | | | | wide angle lenses (for example Sony R1 > |
| 5600, Canon Powershot A620, Panasonic LZ2 and | | | | 24-120 mm). The wide lenses will help you make |
| many others. | | | | great shots from close range with a wide view. |
| In the past few years, was launched a | | | | And as you try cameras, here are some points |
| SuperZoom class (10-12x): Canon Powershot S3 | | | | to consider:o Does the camera fit in your hands |
| IS (launched few days ago), Panasonic FZ30, Sont | | | | comfortably?o Can you keep the camera stable |
| Cybershot H1, Nikon Coolpix S4. Please keep in | | | | enough to avoid camera shake when you take |
| mind that the cameras presented here, as | | | | pictures?o Are the external controls intuitive and |
| examples, are not the only cameras in the class, | | | | easily accessible?o How quickly does the camera |
| but are definitely some of the best. | | | | turn on and how quickly does it wake up from |
| Now we enter the area where the cameras are | | | | sleep mode?o How quickly does the camera take |
| more expensive but their price is well deserved. In | | | | pictures? In other words, after you press the |
| Semi-professional class, cameras offer you some | | | | shutter-release button, how long does it take the |
| capabilities that are not available on previous | | | | camera to actually capture the image?o Is the |
| classes (extended manual control, higher ISO | | | | LCD bright enough to view in moderate to bright |
| values, better optical quality, faster AF and more). | | | | sunlight?o Are the menus easy to navigate, and |
| In here we got: Sony Cybershot R1, Nikon Coolpix | | | | are options in logical and intuitive groupings?o If |
| 8800, Canon Powershot Pro1, etc. | | | | you're a beginning photographer, or prefer to take |
| The ultimate class of digital cameras is the DSLR | | | | quick snapshots, does the camera have scene |
| class. These cameras have a significant advantage | | | | modes appropriate for the scenes you most |
| over other digital cameras: you can change the | | | | often photograph? |
| lenses depending on your needs or your budget. | | | | Features to look for Digital cameras sport some |
| This advantage can easily transform into a huge | | | | very cool features that make it difficult not to |
| disadvantage if you are not careful about what | | | | get a good picture. New and notable features to |
| lenses you choose for your camera or if you do | | | | look for include:o Image stabilization to ensure |
| not intend to buy more than one lens, since the | | | | crisp hand-held images even at slower shutter |
| some of the semi-professional cameras have | | | | speeds.o An adjustable LCD monitor that rotates |
| great lenses. | | | | for viewing at various angles.o One-touch white |
| Also DSLRs have faster start-up time, faster AF, | | | | balance settings to ensure that the color balance |
| better image quality of ISO for higher values | | | | is accurate in various types of lighting.o Multiple |
| (800-1600-3200), better burst mode because of | | | | flash modes including night scene flash modes.o |
| the bigger buffer memory and other maybe less | | | | Adjustable ISO and white balance (balances image |
| obvious (like minimum exposure time for example: | | | | color based on the scene light) settings.o |
| 1/8000). | | | | In-camera or post-capture filters that mimic |
| The DSLR class has 3 sub-classes: Amateur, | | | | film-camera type filters.o In-camera digital |
| Enthusiast and Professional. Amateur DSLRs cost | | | | adjustments that allow you to adjust exposure, |
| under $1000 (body + kit lenses): Nikon D70s, | | | | color saturation, and contrast on the fly. |
| Canon 350D, Konica Minolta Maxxum 5D and | | | | To be able to make the best decision for your |
| others. Enthusiast DSLR have better body building, | | | | needs you need to continue reading, in part 2 I will |
| bigger buffers, and better quality (Canon 30D, | | | | tell you more about the technical details, that will |
| Konica Milonlta Maxxum 7D, etc.). The top class | | | | help you understand the specs of the cameras |
| professionals include Canon 1Ds MII, Nikon D2x, | | | | and compare them keeping in mind your needs |
| FujiFilm S3 Pro, etc. These cameras are pretty | | | | and knowing what different values are doing. |