Details The photo November 20, 2014

This article will describe the device of the camera, lists the important characteristics of the camera. The relationship between the properties of the camera and the quality of its work will be explained. The types of cameras will also be described.

The material is very large in volume, since the topic is quite complex. But if you have the patience to read everything to the end, then it will be easier for you to decide which camera is best for you.

Today, in 2014, there are two types of cameras - film and digital. Both of these types do the same job - a reproduction of the image of the world around us. But the technologies used are different. Film cameras use chemical technology. In digital electric. The advantage of digital cameras is that the photo is ready instantly, in real time, immediately after the photographer has pressed the shutter button. And it does not require any additional actions, materials and time. This article will describe exactly digital cameras, because today they dominate and "rule the show".

Terms

Camera lens (Lens)

This is a set of lenses that are arranged one behind the other in a cylindrical body. The task of the lens is to reduce the size of the "external" image to the size of the camera's matrix. In addition to reducing the image size, the lens focuses this reduced image onto the sensor. The lens is the first of the two components of the camera, which most affect the quality of the resulting photographs.

The lens has a set of optical characteristics that affect the quality of photographs - focal length, aperture, aperture, angle of view, distortion (aberration). Moreover, these characteristics lie within narrow boundaries, and therefore there are no universal lenses with which you can photograph in any conditions. To shoot distant objects, you need some characteristics. For shooting indoors (interior) you need other properties of the lens.

That is why cameras designed for professional work, are performed in a design with a removable lens. This allows you to install on the camera a lens that is needed in each case.

One of the most important parameters of the lens is the focal length, it is indicated in millimeters. The focal length determines at what distance you can shoot objects. The farther the subject is from the photographer, the longer the focal length of the lens should be. According to this indicator, lenses are divided into two groups:

  • Primes are lenses designed for one focal length. The most common prime lens has a focal length of 35mm.
  • Zooms are lenses designed for several focal lengths, usually 3 or 4. With such a lens, you can shoot at different distances.

Most digital cameras come with zoom lenses. For zooms, the focal length is specified as a range of smaller and larger values ​​- the "shortest" and the "longest" focal lengths.

Camera matrix

An electronic component is a rectangular plate on which photocells are placed. Each photocell converts the light that hits it into an electrical signal. One photocell is one point in the image that is created on the matrix. The number of photocells on the matrix determines its resolution, that is, the maximum size of a photograph that can be obtained from this matrix. For example, a matrix with 5 million photocells (5 megapixels) allows you to get a photo the size of a sheet of A4 paper (more precisely, 20 x 30 centimeters).

In addition to the size of the photo, the number of photocells affects the detail of the photo. The more pixels, the clearer, more detailed picture is obtained from this matrix.

The sensor is the second of the two components of the camera, which most affect the quality of the resulting photographs.

The description of the camera contains physical size matrices and the number of pixels (photocells).

Camera manufacturers focus on the number of pixels. However, the quality of the photo is much more influenced by the physical size (width and height) of the camera matrix. The larger the matrix, the better the photo you can get from it. On large matrices larger size photocell, and as the size of the photocell increases, its photovoltaic characteristics improve. In particular, matrices with a large size of photocells have a high light sensitivity, that is, they allow you to take pictures in poor lighting conditions.

The number of photocells of the matrix is ​​indicated in pixels as a number, for example, 5 megapixels (5 Mp), 12 megapixels (12 Mp).

With the size of the matrix is ​​much more difficult. It can be indicated in millimeters, for example 24 x 36 mm. It can be indicated in incomprehensible combinations of fractions - 1 / 2.33 ". Or as a crop factor (number, decimal fraction), for example 1.5.

The principle is as follows - there is a "basic" matrix size equal to 24 x 36 mm (a frame of a classic 35 mm film). A matrix of this size is considered full-sized. Fractions like 1/1.7" or 1/2.33" are used for matrices smaller than 24 x 36 mm. Fractions of the form 1 / 2.33 "indicate the diagonal size of the matrix. And the crop factor shows the ratio of the diagonal of the matrix to the diagonal of the full frame 24 x 36 mm. For example, a crop factor of 1.5 means that the matrix diagonal is one and a half times smaller than the diagonal of the full-size matrix.

The easiest way to navigate is by the crop factor of the matrix, since this is a decimal number and it directly shows the ratio of the size of the matrix to the full frame. Crop factor 1 is a full-size 36 x 24 mm matrix (full frame). The closer the crop factor is to one, the larger the matrix and the higher the quality of the photo.

It is more difficult with the diagonal size, since matrices come in different aspect ratios - 4:3, 2:3, 16:9. However, in a simplified way, we can say this - the larger the second number in the fraction, the smaller and worse the matrix. But this applies to diagonals in which the first digit is 1. For example, a matrix with a diagonal of 1/1.7" is larger in size than 1/2.3", but at the same time it is smaller in size than 2/3" (matrices in some Fijifilm compacts) .

Sensors with a crop factor of 5.62 (or even more) are the smallest, cheapest and worst used in digital cameras today.

Large sensors (full-size or with a crop factor of 2 or less) provide very good photo quality. But they are expensive and therefore are used in cameras costing more than 400-500 dollars. Soap dishes use the smallest and cheapest matrices - 1 / 2.33 "(crop factor 5.62 - 6).

By the crop factor, it is easy to find out how much the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe matrix is ​​less than the full size. To do this, you just need to multiply the crop factor by 2. For example, a 4/3 "(Micro Four Thirds) matrix has a crop factor of 2, which means that its area is 4 times smaller than the full frame.

Using the crop factor, you can also convert lens focal lengths to the so-called equivalent focal length (for full frame). For example, a 14-44mm zoom lens for a 4/3" matrix (Micro Four Thirds) is equivalent in focal lengths to a 28-88mm lens on a camera with full frame. To calculate the EGF, you need to multiply the value of the focal length by the crop factor. Do you need such a conversion to EGF? The fact is that in all the literature on photography, focal lengths for a full frame are used.

Matrix sizes (from good to bad):

  • Full-size matrix (full frame) 36 x 24 mm.
  • APS-H, APS-C - matrices are used in expensive SLR cameras. Crop factors 1.3, 1.5.
  • 4/3 "(Micro Four Thirds) - the matrix is ​​​​used in fairly expensive mirrorless cameras Panasonic, Olympus. Crop factor 2.
  • 1 "- the matrix is ​​​​used by some in mirrorless and compact cameras, for example Nikon 1, Sony RX100. Crop factor 2.7.
  • 2/3 "- such matrices are used in expensive Fujifilm compact cameras (more than $ 200). Crop factor 4.
  • 1/1.8", 1/1.7" - such matrices are also used in expensive semi-professional compact cameras, but this matrix is ​​less than 2/3". Crop factor 4.8 and 4.7.
  • 1/2.3", 1/2.33", 1/2.7", 1/3" are the smallest cheap and bad matrices. Crop factor 5.6 or higher.

The general principle is as follows - the larger the matrix, the more sensitive it is, the less noise it gives when photographing.

Why is that?

The larger the physical size of the matrix, the larger the size of one photocell. And the larger the size of the photocell, the more accurately it transmits the level of light. If we greatly simplify it, we can say this - in matrices with a large size of photocells, their own electrical interference is lower and with a small amount of light it is easier to separate the "light" signal from the matrix's own interference. Conversely, as the size of the photocell decreases, the possibility of separating electrical signals from light and self-interference decreases. The situation when instead of a light signal from a photocell there are own interferences is called noise.

Viewfinder

This is the "sight" of the camera, with its help the photographer selects the object for the picture. The viewfinder limits the photographer's view, a frame that shows the boundaries of the future photo. In addition, the viewfinder gives the photographer other important information - focus, sharpness. There are three types of viewfinders:

Optical parallax- a simple or complex lens system that forms an image in a frame. In this case, the axis of the viewfinder does not coincide with the axis of the lens (these are separate components of the camera). This creates some inconvenience for the photographer, as he sees a frame that is not quite the same as it will be in the photograph. For example, the frame boundaries in the viewfinder and the lens do not match. Or a mismatch between focus and sharpness. And the photographer must accept the correction for such a mismatch.

Optical without parallax (mirror)- a special mirror fixed inside the camera, behind the lens and in front of the matrix. This mirror reflects the image from the lens to the viewfinder. Through such a viewfinder, the photographer sees exactly what will be in the photo.

Display- the image from the matrix is ​​transmitted to the display located outside the camera. Just like with a reflex viewfinder, the photographer sees exactly what will be in the photo. In fact, the picture on the camera display is an unrecorded photograph, only smaller and of poorer quality than the photograph itself.

Electronic - the image from the matrix is ​​transmitted to a tiny ocular display, which is similar in shape to the optical one.

In digital cameras, the display viewfinder is the most common. The display viewfinder is better than the optical parallax, but worse than the optical reflex. However, the display viewfinder has a serious drawback - in bright, sunny weather, the image on the display can be so faint that you have to shoot "blindly". In such a situation, an electronic viewfinder can greatly help. Since it is an ocular type, the image in it is not affected by external light.

Camera device

This part of the article will describe the principle of operation of digital cameras, as well as the device of digital cameras.

Simplified, the scheme of the camera is as follows:

  • Rectangular case, which houses the matrix, control electronics, memory card and battery.
  • A display is attached to the back of the camera body. It can be mounted rigidly or on a swivel joint. The display shows service information, photographs taken. Most often, the display is also used as a viewfinder.
  • The lens is attached to the front of the housing in such a way that the objective lenses are on the same axis with the matrix, perpendicular to the matrix. The lens can be fixed on the body rigidly (non-removable). Or it can be attached through a special mechanical connector - a mount, in which case the lens can be removed and replaced with another one.

The image, in the form of light radiation, enters the matrix through the lens. When light hits the photocells, an electric current is generated in these photocells. The strength of the current or the potential difference of the current depends on the strength of the light on the photocell. If this process is described in terms of the laws of physics, then light is photons. brighter light, means more photons. Weaker light means fewer photons. A photon hitting the photocell of the matrix causes the appearance of an electrical impulse. The more photons hit the photocell, the stronger the electrical signal on this photocell. And vice versa.

The control electronics reads the electrical signals from the photocells and forms an electronic image based on them. If the display is used as a viewfinder, then this image is transmitted to the display in real time. And the same electronic image is recorded on the memory card when the photographer presses the shutter button.

Digital cameras - types of cameras

This part of the article will describe how different types of cameras differ from each other.

Digital cameras can be divided into types in different ways. Someone divides them by type of application, someone by price. But the most accurate and widely used types of cameras imply a division according to design features.

By design, the types of cameras are divided into three main groups - compacts, SLRs and hybrids.

The most popular type of digital cameras are compacts. And he is the most heterogeneous in terms of quality. From the cheapest soap dishes, giving mediocre, or even bad photo, through more expensive soap dishes that take very decent pictures, to expensive compacts that come close in photo quality to SLR cameras.

Compact cameras (Compacts)

Often they are called "soap dishes", but this is not entirely correct. Soap dishes are a subgroup within the category of compacts. The term soap dish came from the era of film cameras and then it was the name of the cheapest, easy-to-operate cameras, "with one button", which gave a rather poor quality image.

Design features of compacts:

  • Fixed lenses.
  • Priority auto tuning shooting parameters, and on cheap models (soap dishes) there are no manual settings at all.

Compacts are divided into two large subgroups according to the design of the lens mount:

  • Soap dishes - they have a telescopic lens and, when turned off, “leaves” inside the case. The turned off camera looks like a bar (or a soap dish).
  • Just a digital camera (“not a soap box”) - the lens is fixedly fixed on the body and can even be integral with the body.

As a rule, these two subcategories also differ in functionality. "Soap dishes" are inexpensive cameras, simple and automated. And “non-soap dishes” are more difficult, they have more opportunities for manually adjusting the photographing parameters. Among the "non-soap dishes" there are models that can be used even in professional photography.

Another technical characteristic of compacts is the size of the matrix used. In this category, there are very few models with a matrix size of less than 2 in terms of crop factor. And there are almost no models with a full-size matrix.

SLR cameras (DSLR)

DSLR is an abbreviation for Digital single-lens reflex camera, which translated into Russian means: digital single-lens reflex camera. In common parlance "reflex mirror".

The reflex camera has the following design features:

  • Removable lens.
  • Mirror optical viewfinder (in addition to it, a display viewfinder can be added)

One more technical feature this type of camera is the size of the matrix used. Among SLR cameras, the cheapest models have sensors smaller than 2 crop factors. And many mid-priced models have a full-size matrix.

In relation to this type of camera, such a concept is used as camera kit(whale). This is a set of the actual camera (body, and professionals call it a carcass) and a lens. Usually a kit lens is a zoom with some average characteristics.

Knowing what a kit camera is is necessary in order not to buy just one carcass, tempted by a lower price. The fact is that a SLR camera can be sold without a lens. Moreover, the most expensive models of DSLRs are usually sold without a lens.

SLR cameras are mainly used only in professional photography. They allow you to take photos of very high quality, as well as photos for subsequent printing in a large size.

Mirrorless (hybrid, system) cameras

Cameras with interchangeable lenses. We can say that these are "reflex cameras", but without mirrors. In fact, one of the designations for this category of cameras is MILC (Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Compact Camera), that is, a mirrorless digital camera with interchangeable lenses. They are also called system cameras(CSC - compact system camera).

Design features of these cameras:

  • Removable lens.
  • Display viewfinder (on some models, there may also be an optical parallax or electronic viewfinder).
  • Priority of manual photo settings.

Due to the rejection of the mirror viewfinder, the dimensions of the device, the shutter speed (not in all models) and the price of the camera are reduced. At the same time, the technical characteristics can be at the level of SLR cameras, since the viewfinder does not affect the quality of the photo as such.

In relation to this type of camera, such a concept as a kit camera (whale) is also used. This is a set of the actual camera (body, and professionals call it a carcass) and a lens. Usually a kit lens is a zoom with some average characteristics.

Just like DSLRs, some models of mirrorless cameras are sold without a lens.

Characteristics of cameras affecting the quality of photography

This part of the article will list the technical properties of cameras that affect the quality of photographs.

1. Lens with a small optical zoom value- 2, 3 or 4. The more steps of changing the focal length, the more optical distortion and the more loss luminosity - both of which lead to a deterioration in photography. And the best image quality is provided by prime lenses. That is lenses with one focal length.

2. Lens Aperture Value- how less value, the better - f/2 is better than f/2.8. A lower number means the lens is letting more light into the sensor, which can be useful when shooting in low light conditions. In addition to shooting in low light, a large aperture of the lens allows you to get a short space of sharpness (DOF, DOF), which is used to get the "bokeh" effect, when the central object of the picture is sharp, and everything that is closer and further away is blurry.

For a zoom lens, the aperture number is specified as a range - a smaller number for a smaller (short) focus, a larger number for the "longest" focus. Lenses with a small number, 2 or less than two, are often called fast lenses. The general rule is that for zooms, the aperture ratio of the lens decreases with increasing focal length.

3. Sensor sensitivity (ISO). No noise or minimal noise for large values- 400, 800 ISO and more. For cheap matrices, noise starts already at 200 ISO, and at 800 it may be impossible to shoot. The noise of the matrix leads to the appearance of colored snow in the photograph. High sensitivity (without noise of course) allows you to receive nice photos in low light conditions, as well as good photos of moving objects.

4. Shutter speed (lag). The shorter the time interval from pressing the shutter button to taking a photo, the more accurate the resulting photo, in the event that a dynamic object or process is being shot. If the shutter lag is long, then the photo may not be exactly what was in the viewfinder at the moment the shutter was pressed.

5. Recording a photo in RAW format, that is, without compression and software processing. In compacts, when a photo is stored in memory, it is compressed into JPEG format. Its size decreases, but the quality deteriorates. There are models that record photos without compression, in RAW format. Such a photo can be processed in a special program on a computer and get a JPEG image of a higher quality than jpeg taken in the camera itself. On some models of compacts, it is possible to set JPEG compression parameters, reducing its degree - this can partially compensate for the lack of raw recording.

6. Camera matrix size. The larger the matrix, the more high quality photos can be obtained from it. In the description of the camera, the size of the matrix is ​​indicated in proportion to the full size of 36 x 24 mm. This proportion is called the crop factor and is a decimal. The rule is simple - the closer the crop factor is to one, the larger the matrix size.

7. Ability to manually specify values:

  • focus
  • diaphragm
  • excerpts
  • white balance
  • matrix sensitivity.

This allows you to take a good photo in conditions where automatic programs are not suitable for shooting conditions. However, in order to use manual settings, you need to understand well what they mean, their mutual influence. As well as correctly assess the shooting conditions.

8. Stabilization. Camera micro-movement compensation system. It compensates for the shake of the photographer's hands. Designed to reduce the negative effect of "shake", "blur" when shooting at slow shutter speeds. There are two types - built into the lens (lens stabilization) and built into the body (matrix stabilization).

9. Burst shooting. Mode when the photographer presses the shutter button once. and the camera takes a few pictures. This mode can be very helpful when shooting moving subjects such as children, animals. It will be possible to view all the pictures of the series and choose the most successful one. When shooting moving objects, the main difficulty is to capture the best moment for the picture. And continuous shooting just simplifies this task.

Characteristics of cameras affecting usability

This part of the article will list the technical properties of cameras that do not directly affect the quality of photographs, but make the process of photographing easier and faster.

autofocus. Autofocus is the ability of the camera to independently focus on the subject. exist different systems autofocus, varying in speed and accuracy. The fastest and most accurate system is phase detection autofocus, which is used in digital cameras. Today, autofocus is in all digital cameras, starting with cheap point-and-shoot cameras. However, more expensive cameras can use different modes autofocus operation.

Auto tuning modes or semi-automatic adjustment of shooting parameters (focus, aperture, shutter speed, sensitivity). In favorable conditions, when the automatic modes allow you to take a good picture, using them saves a lot of time.

Electronic viewfinder. It is worse in that it gives a picture "for one eye", since it is made in the form of an eyepiece, but its important advantage over the display is that it can be used in bright sunny weather. When the display viewfinder simply "blinds" (almost nothing is visible on it).

Bracketing. Automatic shooting of several photos instead of one. In this case, for each picture, an individual value of one of the exposure parameters is set. For example, shutter speed bracketing - a picture is taken with the shutter speed set by the photographer (or camera automation), and in addition, pictures are taken in which the shutter speed is greater and less than this value. The same principle with other types of bracketing - by focal length, aperture. Of course, such pictures can be taken manually. But automatic bracketing saves a lot of time. The most common type of bracketing is exposure bracketing. When the camera takes three shots - one with automatic exposure, one with this exposure reduced, and one shot with this exposure increased.

USB connector allows you to quickly and easily copy photos to your computer.

Memory card type. Photos in a digital camera are recorded on a memory card. These cards are of several types. Preference should be given to cards of the type that provides the highest write speed. Since the speed of photographing depends on the speed of writing to the card. Especially if the photo is recorded in raw format. For example, SD (Secure Digital) cards are divided into classes according to recording speed (Class 2, 4, 6, 10, 16) which directly correspond to the recording speed in megabytes per second - Class 16 is recording at a speed of 16 Mb / s. If the camera has a card with a speed of 2 Mb / s, and the size of the photo is 2.5 Mb (and this size is possible even in soap dishes), then you will not be able to take more than one photo per second.

Camera position sensor. The standard position of the camera when photographing is horizontal. In this case, the picture has an aspect ratio of 4:3 (the width is greater than the height). However, it is often more advantageous to take pictures with the camera turned vertically to get a 3:4 aspect ratio (width less than height). Holding the camera (and frame) vertical allows you to get more close-up, when photographing a person's face or figure in full height. Some cameras have an orientation sensor and automatically rotate the photo after shooting. But if the camera does not have such a sensor, then the vertical one turns out to be littered on its side. Of course, it is not difficult to deploy it in any graphics program. But why do the extra work? If there are cameras that themselves monitor such trifles

Camera Features You Can Ignore

This part of the article will list the technical properties of cameras that do not affect the quality of photos, moreover, they can even degrade the quality of the photo.

Pixels. More doesn't mean better. Moreover, this is the case that Comrade Lenin spoke about - less is better, but better. For everyday (non-professional) photography, 5 megapixels is enough. 10 megapixels on a small, cheap sensor is worse than 5 megapixels on the same sensor.

Large optical zoom. If a lens with a 10, 20 or even 30x zoom (zoom) is on a compact, this means that there will be cruel optical distortion maybe even monstrous. According to some formal signs, such a lens can really bring the object closer by 30 times, but what will be there in the photograph? High-quality telephoto lenses with this zoom are monsters that are half an arm long and weigh more than a kilogram (or even more). And on the compact, the lens is 5-8 centimeters long.

digital zoom. This is just a software increase in the picture taken from the matrix. You can appreciate the quality of digital zoom even without a camera. Take any photo and enlarge it in a graphics editor, let's say 3 times. Or 5 times. And see what happens. In any case, you can do "digital zoom" on a computer if you need it.

panoramic shooting. A panorama is when you take several photos by sequentially moving the viewfinder from left to right, or from right to left, and then glue the finished photos into one along their vertical borders. It turns out a wide-format photo. The thing is generally not bad for landscape photography. But usually there are limitations in cameras, let's say gluing only three photos. Or the resulting low resolution panoramic photo. A panorama can also be made on a computer, in a graphic editor. And it can be more convenient and functional than on the camera.

Red-eye reduction. First, you need to understand that red eyes only appear when photographing with a flash. If your camera allows you to take pictures without a flash in low light conditions, then you will not have a red-eye problem. Secondly, red eyes can be removed on a computer, in a graphics editor.

That is, choosing a camera according to these capabilities is a losing business. If a good camera does not have them, then to hell with them.

Compact camera - pros and cons

This part of the article will list the advantages and disadvantages of compact cameras.

Compared to SLR and hybrid digital cameras, compact cameras have the following pros and cons.

Benefits of a digital compact

Small size and weight (this is true mainly for soap dishes). The soap dish can even be carried in a pocket or in women's handbag. Although good full-featured compacts also have smaller dimensions and weight than DSLRs.

The compacts are designed for automatic use - point-and-click photography. So you don't have to learn anything. And there is no need to spend time adjusting the settings before each series of photos.

Low price or even low price - compacts are the most inexpensive cameras. Although there are some models of compact cameras that are more expensive than cheap DSLRs.

Cons of a digital compact

The main disadvantage of compacts is that they cannot take very good quality photos, and some types of photography are impossible at all. This disadvantage is due to two factors:

  • Automatic adjustment of shooting parameters. This is convenient, but automation does not work well in all real situations.
  • Low quality matrix and lens.

Although there are models in this category that are largely devoid of this shortcoming. Compacts with a good matrix and lens, as well as manual shooting settings. But the price of such models exceeds 300-400 dollars.

Top compacts:

  • Fuji HS and X series (eg Finepix X10, X20, X30).
  • Nikon P series (for example, Nikon Coolpix P7700, P7800).
  • Canon SX, S and G series (eg PowerShot G1X).
  • Panasonic LX and older FZ models with Leica lenses.
  • Sony RX series.

inferior to cheap DSLRs and hybrids only by the inability to change the lens.

SLR camera - pros and cons

DSLR camera (Digital Single Lens Reflex).

In this part of the article, the advantages and disadvantages of SLR cameras will be listed. As well as the advantages and disadvantages of cameras with interchangeable lenses.

Compared to compact digital cameras, DSLRs and mirrorless cameras have the following pros and cons.

Advantages of SLR cameras

The ability to take a good photo, in almost any conditions. And almost any type of photo - landscapes, portraits, interiors, etc.

Good quality matrices, manual settings, interchangeable lenses. With this, you can achieve very good results.

Cons of DSLRs and hybrids

Weight and dimensions. The weight of the DSLR is at least a kilogram, and if the lens is large, then more than a kilogram. Mirrorless will be lighter, but not by much. You can’t put such a camera in your pocket or women’s bag. However, you can reduce the size and weight somewhat if you install a fixed lens with a minimum focal length of 35 mm. In this case, for example, a mirrorless or hybrid will not be very large and heavy - it is quite comparable in size to an expensive compact.

Higher price compared to compacts. Cheap cameras with interchangeable lenses start at around $400. Cheap DSLRs start at around $500. A good DSLR will cost over $1,000.

The need to learn photography. And such training will take a lot of time. Of course, there are automatic shooting modes on DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. But this is nonsense - to buy a good, expensive camera in order to take pictures on automatic.

What is the difference between mirrorless cameras and DSLRs?

In fact, the differences between these types of cameras are only in the viewfinder. SLR cameras have an optical viewfinder, while hybrid cameras have an electronic (display) viewfinder.

Advantages of a mirrorless camera (advantages of a display viewfinder):

  • The picture on the viewfinder is larger in size.
  • The ability to shoot from difficult positions, for example, holding the camera over your head (if the display is swivel).
  • Lighter and thinner camera body.
  • There is no micro-vibration when the shutter is actuated - there is no mirror to turn.
  • Less price with comparable technical characteristics.

Pros of a SLR camera (pros of an optical viewfinder):

  • Natural colors in the viewfinder.
  • Faster and more accurate phase detection autofocus.
  • Sharp and clear viewfinder picture even in strong light conditions (on a sunny day).
  • Possibility to turn off the display and thus extend the battery life.
  • The matrix heats up less because it is not used for autofocus. Less matrix heating - less matrix noise.

Accordingly, the disadvantages of these types of cameras will be mutually inverse.

One of the disadvantages of a SLR camera can be compensated. The fact is that all digital SLR cameras have a display, but some models have a dual viewfinder, not only a reflex, but also a display one. Such a model with a dual viewfinder allows you to take pictures from difficult positions, of course, if the display is swivel.

How to buy a good camera

Here, finally, we got to the main question, for the sake of which everything was started.

What camera to buy?

The best camera ever?

How to determine the quality of a camera?

Probably, these are the main questions for someone who wants to buy a digital camera. Usually, selection advice is based on the technical capabilities of cameras.

But I propose to approach the issue of choice from a completely different angle. Solve the issue of purchase from the point of view of rationality, common sense. It may well be that the best camera for you is not necessarily the most technically advanced.

You can buy a Leica M9 camera - this is an outstanding camera in terms of its characteristics and workmanship. But, firstly, the price, it costs like a cheap car, and secondly, you will have to seriously study photography. And you have to take pictures every day, because you can’t put a camera worth under $ 10,000 on the shelf. You will have a great camera. But are you ready for such sacrifices for the sake of possessing perfection?

Perhaps the most ordinary camera is better, but exactly meets your needs?

If all you want to do is take occasional photos to remember—in company, outdoors, or on a trip—and you don’t want to spend time learning the ins and outs of photography, then a $200 soap dish is your best bet. You will not make a masterpiece, but it will be of decent quality, with minimal time.

The main thing to understand is that the quality of the photo, of course, depends on the technical properties of the camera. But secondly. And first of all from knowledge, skills and experience of the photographer.

If you buy the best camera, technically, but you don’t know what exposure is, how aperture, shutter speed and sensitivity are related, then you won’t be able to do it on your the best camera even just a good photo.

In other words, a good SLR camera will require you to spend a lot of time learning photography theory. And even more time for practice. And only then, maybe months after the purchase, you will be able to take just good photos.

In my opinion, it makes sense to buy a technically good camera only if you cannot imagine your life without photography. If you are ready to spend your time every day taking pictures.

In all other cases, an inexpensive soap dish will be what is called "behind the eyes." There are compacts that provide very decent quality with a minimum of time spent:

  • Canon PowerShot SX and PowerShot S series.
  • Panasonic Lumix TZ, FX, LX, LF series.
  • Fuji Finepix S, F, X series (on models of the F series, phase detection autofocus as on SLR cameras).
  • Nikon Coolpix P series.
  • Kodak M, Z Series

So. The selection sequence, ideally, could be as follows:

  1. Precisely determine the purposes and tasks for which the camera will be used.
  2. Select the most important characteristics of the camera based on goals and objectives.
    3. - a Russian-language site with the largest photography forum in Russia. There you can read reviews of the owners, see sample photos, opinions of competent people.

At the beginning of the century, resolution was an important consideration when choosing a digital camera, but today you have to work hard to find a camera with a resolution of less than 12 megapixels, which is more than enough for any reasonable application. Megapixels have nothing to do with the "professionalism" of the camera, and flagship reportage devices have no higher resolution than amateur models. High resolution (20 megapixels or more) potentially increases the detail of the photo, but at the same time, it reveals both the flaws of the lens and, to an even greater extent, the lack of skill of the photographer. Without good optics and the ability to handle it, there will be no use from an excess of megapixels, while the size of files grows significantly with increasing resolution.

Matrix size

Story programs and special effects

All kinds of "creative" modes are mostly absolutely useless and can be safely ignored by you. The presence of twenty stupid icons on the mode dial is the clearest sign of an amateur camera. However, even quite decent devices are not immune from such an infection.

User settings

The ability to save custom settings and then quickly switch between presets makes your work faster and easier. It is a pity that this most useful option is not available in all cameras.

exposure compensation

Without exposure compensation, the use of automatic exposure modes is unthinkable. Either a separate dial or one of the universal control dials in combination with the appropriate modifier button (+/-) should be responsible for exposure compensation. Controlling exposure compensation through the menu is absolutely unacceptable.

Colored histogram

A three-channel RGB histogram is essential for accurately judging the exposure of a photo you've just taken. A real-time histogram that allows you to adjust the exposure before the shutter is released is a progressive but still rare phenomenon.

Bracketing

Exposure bracketing or bracketing is useful when shooting HDR. The expediency of other types of bracketing seems doubtful to me, but this is an individual matter.

Shutter speed and aperture control

The exposure controls should always be at hand. It is desirable that in manual mode, both shutter speed and aperture are controlled by separate disks. A single dial and a modifier button is a compromise solution, but acceptable.

ISO and white balance control

In a good camera, special buttons are responsible for controlling ISO sensitivity and white balance. In amateur cameras, ISO and white balance are adjusted through the menu.

Flash sync speed

The professional standard today is 1/250 s or shorter. In amateur cameras, the sync speed is usually 1/200 or even 1/180 s.

Flash lock

Flash exposure lock prevents the subject from flickering when shooting with fill flash. If you are going to actively photograph people or animals with flash, pay attention to this useful feature.

Back button focus

I prefer the shutter release and autofocus to be separate buttons. A good camera always has a dedicated AF-ON button that can be used to activate autofocus. At worst, this function can be assigned to the AE-L / AF-L button. If the camera does not support rear button focusing, this is a serious flaw.

Fine tuning autofocus

It is very good if the device allows you to manually adjust the lenses. Factory alignment errors, unfortunately, are not uncommon.

HDR and panoramas

No harm, no benefit. If you seriously want to shoot HDR or panoramas, then you should do it manually and special modes are unlikely to help here.

WiFi and GPS

The need for a GPS module in a camera is beyond my comprehension, but Wi-Fi may well replace a card reader or a USB cable if the traditional procedure for transferring photos from a camera to a computer causes you difficulties. Probably soon even toilets will be equipped with Wi-Fi and GPS.

Mechanical strength

Most photographers don't need a heavy-duty camera. Typically, digital cameras become obsolete much faster than they wear out. Only a very small percentage of photojournalists actually push their equipment to the limit, and if you're not going to put your camera through the rigors, then a metal case will only mean you excess weight and expenses.

Shutter life

The declared shutter resource can be safely ignored. For modern cameras, it ranges from 100,000 to 400,000 shots, and a rare photographer manages to snap so many masterpieces before the device is broken or sold. If the mileage of the camera reaches the coveted number, then this does not mean at all that the shutter will immediately jam - usually it continues to work further as if nothing had happened.

Dust and moisture protection

Weather protection is useful if you are often in nature. By the way, splash protection does not mean that the camera will survive a fall into the water. For underwater shooting, special waterproof covers are used. Only a few compact cameras for outdoor enthusiasts have a fully sealed housing.

Memory cards

In amateur cameras, as a rule, SD (SDHC) memory cards are used due to their compactness and cheapness, and in professional cameras - CF or XQD because of high speed and containers. It is very good if the camera has two memory card slots: the second card can be used for backup.

Battery life

The larger the battery capacity, the better. A SLR camera can take up to a thousand or more shots on a single battery charge, provided that you do not abuse the built-in flash and Live View. Cameras with an electronic viewfinder are much more gluttonous and the batteries last at best for 300-400 shots.

battery grip

The battery grip serves not only to accommodate additional batteries, but also to shoot both horizontally and vertically oriented shots with the same comfort. In the flagship models, the vertical grip handle is integrated into the body, while for most other cameras, the battery grip can be screwed on if necessary. If you plan on shooting a lot of portraits, make sure you have a commercially available battery grip for your camera.

Dimensions

Regarding the optimal dimensions of the camera, the opinions of photographers differ greatly. Some people like large cameras, as they are more grippy and convenient, while others like small ones, as they are more practical and transportable. Being a mobile person, I prefer linear dimensions the cameras remained modest, although this has its drawbacks. For example, the handle of most junior DSLRs is too small for the average male hand and with a normal grip there is no room for the little finger. With mirrorless cameras, the situation is even worse - there may not be a handle at all. In addition, the small size of the camera means that the controls are very close, and if you have large hands or if you are going to use the camera with gloves, this can be a little difficult. But a small camera is convenient to carry around, and this advantage outweighs many of its shortcomings.

Weight

From my point of view, the weight of the camera should be as light as possible without appreciably compromising its reliability and functionality. It is generally accepted that a heavy camera is less prone to vibration, but this is little consolation for a photographer who is forced to carry a couple of cast-iron bricks around his neck all day.

I hope that now it will be much easier for you to decide on the choice of a camera that meets your personal needs. If you need more specific recommendations, you should refer to the article " Choosing a digital camera".

Thanks for attention!

Vasily A.

post scriptum

If the article turned out to be useful and informative for you, you can kindly support the project by contributing to its development. If you did not like the article, but you have thoughts on how to make it better, your criticism will be accepted with no less gratitude.

Do not forget that this article is subject to copyright. Reprinting and quoting are permissible provided there is a valid link to the original source, and the text used must not be distorted or modified in any way.

Shestopalov Andrey 142

A modern digital camera is a high-tech and not cheap product, so the task right choice when buying, given the breadth of the range offered, it is very sharp.
When writing this article, I set a goal to help beginners determine the criteria for the optimal choice of a camera for themselves, so that using the acquired equipment brings joy and there is no regret for the money spent.
First, let's understand the meaning of the characteristics of digital cameras. I will not go into details, but I will tell you as much as possible about the meaning of each parameter and its effect on the quality of the image.
In the description of a particular model, the following characteristics are usually indicated:

1. Number of megapixels (resolution).

picture from ukrprint.com

This is the number of colored dots in a photograph (1 megapixel = 1 million dots).
In megapixels, the resolution of the camera's matrix is ​​​​estimated.

This affects the ability to enlarge the image without loss of quality.
But there are some nuances here, the ratio of the size of the matrix to the number of pixels is important. The matrix dimensions of compact cameras, as a rule, do not allow placing a picture with a resolution of more than 6 megapixels; at a higher resolution, noise will appear in the picture. True, most cameras have a noise reduction program installed, only as a result of the operation of this program, the sharpness of photos deteriorates.
Therefore, when choosing a digital camera, such parameters as the size and resolution of the matrix should be considered together.

2. Matrix size.

The matrix is ​​a light-sensitive element of a "digital camera" on which an image is projected, analogous to a film in a conventional camera. Its size is equivalent to the size of a film frame (24x36 mm), and the closer the area of ​​​​the matrix and the frame, the better the picture will be. The size value is given in inches, for example 1/2.3".

The size of the matrix affects the quality of the photo in low light, the amount of noise in the picture and the dimensions of the camera. The latter is caused by the need to increase the optical part to illuminate a large matrix and entails an increase in price.
Thus, the larger the matrix, the better the quality of photographs becomes, and the camera is heavier, larger and more expensive.

3. Zoom (zoom).

An optical zoom is a device that changes the focal length of a lens. By reducing the viewing angle, the image is enlarged without losing the quality of the latter.

Digital zoom is software cropping, stretching the selected fragment of the image, similar to zooming in when viewing a photo on a computer. Naturally, through a measured passion for digital zoom, it degrades the quality of the image. However, it can be used to slightly increase the magnification without a noticeable decrease in image quality due to the supply of pixels in the matrix.

Conclusion, a camera with a large optical zoom would be preferable, but as in the case of the size of the matrix, this leads to an increase in its cost. You should also pay attention to the quality of the optics, this affects the accuracy of positioning and the transparency of the image.

4. Display.

The screen also acts as a viewfinder.
The size as well as the brightness and contrast of the display affect the quality of your assessment of the photo on the spot, allowing you to identify image defects. However, the display is a heavy power consumer and shortens battery life.

5. Video.

As a rule, the characteristics indicate the video recording format, the video shooting rate in frames per second and the video resolution. The best video recording format in the camera is HD-video with a resolution of 1920x1080, which corresponds to the resolution of modern TVs and computer monitors, but this is implemented only in expensive models. However, good amateur videos are also obtained in AVI or MOV formats. You can say about the shooting speed, what is it more themes better video. A person perceives movement at a speed of 24 frames per second, now the standard video recording speed in cameras is 30 frames per second. Useful for shooting video will be the presence of an image stabilizer in the camera that compensates for camera jerks.
Considering all of the above, I note that the video of the camera will still be inferior to the one shot by the video camera, at least due to its specialization.

6. Batteries.

Remote, they can be disposable “AA” or AAA batteries, nickel-cadmium or nickel-metal hydride batteries of the appropriate sizes. They are not included with the camera, so batteries and a charger have to be purchased separately. "Digital cameras" made for these batteries have a characteristic protrusion at their location.
The advantages of devices with such elements include the fact that in the absence of time to recharge the batteries, you can use batteries that are sold in almost any store. Nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal hydride batteries withstand up to 1000 recharge cycles and are cheaper than built-in (complete) batteries, however, the main ones are not without drawbacks, the main of which are self-discharge susceptibility (up to 5% charge per day), low energy intensity. To this we can add that the so-called “memory effect” is inherent in nickel-cadmium cells, as a result of which, at the initial stage of operation, it is necessary to perform several full charge-discharge cycles of the battery.

Built-in (complete) batteries are most often lithium-ion batteries; such power sources are widely used in tablets and laptops.
The charger is included in the basic package of the camera. Li-Ion cells withstand up to 3000 recharge cycles, are characterized by high energy consumption and low self-discharge. That's just the replacement of a battery that has served its life will require tangible costs and it is not a fact that by this time the original ones will be on sale. branded elements desired type.

Now you have the basic concept of characteristics, it's time to start individual selection.

Step 1.

Decide how much you are willing to spend on a camera. It must include the cost of accessories: case, charger, memory card, etc.

Step 2

Decide what you will shoot most often and from this draw a conclusion which camera is suitable.
For example, for photos of family, feasts with friends, children and pets, a simple and inexpensive digital camera will suffice, the quality of shooting in good lighting at close range will be acceptable. One of the obvious advantages of such models is their compactness, you can simply carry the camera in your pocket, just in case.
For travelers seeking to capture the surrounding landscapes, a more serious device with a large matrix and a strong optical zoom is needed.
But a professional who makes money with photography will purchase a SLR camera with an additional set of interchangeable lenses for it.

Step 3

The most difficult, you need to find a compromise between your desires and capabilities.

Step 4

Now you can compare the specifications of cameras from different manufacturers on the website of the online store. Choose two or three suitable models.

Step 5.

To finally decide on the choice of equipment, you need to test it, so go to the photo department of an electronics supermarket where you can turn the selected cameras in your hands, evaluate the convenience of the menu and take a couple of test shots with automatic settings.

Step 6.

The choice is made, it remains to order a camera, where it is cheaper of course.

Camera, shutter lag, (English lag - lag);

  • Camera processors, image processing and noise suppression algorithms, menu systems, number of pre-installed programs and external interface, (English interface - connect), camera;
  • Types of camera viewfinders;
  • Types and volumes of external memory of the camera;
  • Camera power type and camera power consumption;
  • Camera flashes and lighting equipment.

    • Lens

    The matrix

    In digital photography, several types of matrices (sensors) are used, which can be classified according to the method:

    • reading the charge of "potential wells": CCD, CMOS;
    • color separations: matrices with a  Bayer filter and matrices without a Bayer filter - matrices Foveon X3.

    An example of the designation of the matrix in the characteristics of the camera: 1 / 1.8 "CCD 5.25 Mp. - CCD matrix with a resolution of 5.25 Megapixels and a diagonal of 1 / 1.8 Vidicon inches.

    Gate

    • Almost all compact cameras (that is, a matrix smaller than APS-C) are equipped with a shutter that is built into the sensor. The electronic shutter is a switch that turns on the sensor to receive luminous flux and turns it off at the command of the processor. For these digital cameras, shutter speeds range from (approximately) 10 s to 1/500 s.
    • Some digital cameras (reflex or rangefinder) are equipped with a mechanical shutter for accurate exposure and preventing light from reaching the sensor after the exposure time has elapsed. The mechanical shutter is electrically driven and controlled by a processor. The most important characteristics mechanical shutter are the minimum shutter speed and shutter speed sync . For digital cameras with a mechanical shutter, shutter speeds range from 30 s to as fast as 1/8000 s. The sync speed is in the range of 1/125 - 1/350 s.

    Processors

    Parallax optical viewfinder

    The simple optical viewfinder found in many compact digital cameras is a simple telescopic system with its own small lens and eyepiece through which the photographer looks. Mechanically, the viewfinder lens is connected to the zoom lens of the main lens of the camera and the magnification of the main lens corresponds to the magnification of the viewfinder. This design is simple and reliable in operation, but has parallax and does not allow you to control the accuracy of focusing. In addition, such a viewfinder provides acceptable image quality with a limited (about 4) zoom ratio. Therefore, for lenses with zooms greater than 5×, the electronic viewfinder is more commonly used.

    Electronic viewfinders

    LCD viewfinders on compact devices have become the most widespread, and in 2009 the Live View mode began to be used even on SLR devices from many companies.

    In addition to the image from the matrix, the LCD and EVF viewfinders display the main shooting parameters and Additional Information: battery level, zoom, selected resolution, quality (compression rate), self-timer settings, brightness histogram, flash icon, red-eye correction icon, exposure compensation icon, shutter speed, aperture, ISO, exposure programs, white balance preset, recording audio, picture number, focus area, etc.

    The display also serves to review the captured frames.

    One of the main characteristics of a camera's LCD display is its size and resolution. A larger diagonal is more convenient, but requires more energy (reduced battery life) for backlighting.

    When shooting in bright sunlight, the image on the LCD screen is very difficult to see, so some cameras have the option “ electronic viewfinder with a magnifying glass (usually denoted EVF), and the camera is brought to the eye when shooting with such a viewfinder. Moreover, there are both designs with a separate miniature screen, and devices in which the same screen rotates “towards the rear wall” of the device or “under a magnifying glass” (for example, Konica Minolta of the Z series).

    The electronic viewfinder does not have parallax.

    Disadvantages of LCD and EVF viewfinders

    • In the dark, LCD and EVF viewfinders do not work well due to insufficient light sensitivity of the matrix. The parallax optical viewfinder does not have this problem.
    • LCD displays of digital cameras "blind" in the light, when the "own backlight" of the LCD is weaker than the ambient light. Since the EVF viewfinder is “hidden” inside the case, it does not have such a problem.
    • The image on the LCD and EVF viewfinders is not updated in real time, but with some delay (≈ 1/60 sec), which is inconvenient when shooting dynamic scenes. The reason is that in order for the camera's LCD to work in viewfinder mode, the camera is switched to continuous “cine shooting” mode without recording (at a frequency of ≈ 60 frames / sec).
    • The LCD and EVF viewfinders on digital cameras use a lot of power, and it's sometimes a good idea to turn them off to save money.
    • The LCD DAC creates quite a lot of noise and degrades the signal-to-noise ratio.

    Flash memory

    Modern digital cameras use a memory card formats: Secure Digital, CompactFlash, Memory Stick, Multimedia Card (MMC). The Secure Digital (SD) format is the most popular on the market (for 2007-2009).

    The actual number of photographs that can be recorded when taking photographs on a single 1 GB flash card is generally 200-10,000, depending on the resolution and recording format selected for shooting.

    A number of cameras have fundamental limitations on the capacity of used memory cards, which are usually not advertised by the manufacturer. Since the production and sale of cards of a smaller capacity stops as more capacious ones are released, it becomes very difficult to buy a new card for an old device within about two years.

    Aspect ratio and interchangeable lenses

    The frame of digital cameras is selected with an aspect ratio (4:3 = 1.33), like that of analog TVs and CRT monitors. The standard aspect ratio for film (3:2 = 1.5) is 36×24 mm, etc. Many digital SLR cameras have a film frame (3:2).

    The dimensions of the matrices of most digital cameras are smaller than the standard frame of 35 mm film - 36 × 24 mm. The diagonal of the matrix is ​​indicated in the passport of the camera.

    The term EGF, Fe - "effective focal length" - defines the focal length of a lens that gives the same angle of view on a 35 mm frame as a lens mounted on a digital camera with a smaller sensor size.

    Lenses with a focal length of > 7 mm, specially designed for a smaller frame format, can return a wide viewing angle to digital SLR cameras.

    Opportunities for the creativity of the photographer

    Exposure modes can be divided into manual ("creative") and automatic (A). Creative modes include shooting with shutter priority (Tv), (eng. time variation - change in time), or with aperture priority (Av), (eng. aperture variation - change in aperture), and manual mode (M), (eng. manual - manual).

    • In Aperture Priority (Av) mode, the photographer sets aperture A (using a special wheel or buttons), and the processor, based on the results of exposure metering, automatically calculates the optimal shutter speed T, for the best signal-to-noise ratio and the lowest equivalent ISO sensitivity.
    • In Shutter Priority (Tv) mode, the photographer sets the shutter speed to T and the processor calculates aperture A, for the best signal-to-noise ratio and lowest ISO.
    • In manual mode (M), the exposure pair (T and A) is set manually, and according to the exposure metering data for a given digital image the processor calculates and sets the required equivalent sensitivity, ISO. If such an ISO is not acceptable for a given digital camera, then the processor warns the photographer about a gross error that the photographer made when setting the shutter speed T and aperture A. The false value of shutter speed T or aperture A turns red.
    • For novice amateur photographers and professional photographers to save time, there is an automatic mode (A), (English automatic - automatic) and many subject programs. For automatic mode and scene shooting, most of the shooting parameters are optimized by the camera's processor. The three most commonly used scene programs (“portrait”, “landscape” and “night scene”) are placed directly on the mode dial or are selected using the menu.
    • (Eng. Stitch assist - Panoramic mode) is used to facilitate panoramic shooting. A panorama is a series of frames taken with some horizontal or vertical offset, subsequently "glued" into a single image. "Gluing" is performed by a computer using the program that comes with the camera. In order for this program to successfully cope with its task, it is necessary to make the entire series of source frames with the same exposure and focal length. This is exactly what the Stitch assist mode provides: the metering results and zoom position are fixed at the first frame in the series, and all subsequent frames of the panorama are shot with the same parameters, and the display shows the anchor lines and the edge of the previous frame. So, even without a tripod, when shooting panoramas handheld, it is possible to get acceptable results.
    • Using exposure metering, the processor calculates the exposure parameters very accurately, but sometimes you have to manually correct the exposure (exposure compensation). This is due to the fact that the camera matrix is ​​able to capture a limited range of brightness (dynamic range). Typical examples: dark mountains against a bright sky, shooting against the light, sunsets and sunrises, the prevalence of shadows, etc. Objects in the frame that have a greater spread in brightness than the dynamic range of the sensor cannot be worked out equally well. The dynamic range of the matrix (in decibels) is equal to the number of electrons that a pixel can store (pixel capacitance) divided by the number of noise electrons (dark current + noise of the ADC, DAC and electronics during the reading of the potential well). If the dynamic range of the signal is, for example, 60 dB, which roughly corresponds to the value of full charge capacity / noise = 1024 = 10 bits, then a 10-bit ADC is used. 12-16-bit ADC for 3 colors of each pixel allows you to work out deep shadows.
    • A great help to the photographer in assessing exposure and exposure compensation is provided by the brightness histogram - a graph of the distribution of brightness in the frame. The horizontal axis plots the brightness from dark on the left to light on the right, while the vertical axis plots the relative number of pixels of each hue. Better, those cameras in which the histogram is "live", that is, it is updated during framing.

    The histogram shows whether the dynamic range of the matrix overlaps the photographic breadth of the plot or not, and where the exposure compensation and the results of the shift should be shifted.

    When shooting a scene with a wide range of brightness, it is desirable to prevent “burn-in” of lights in digital images - everything is white (maximum brightness values ​​​​in large areas of the image) and / or blackening of shadows - everything is black (minimum brightness values ​​​​in large areas of the image - this is the level of digital noise ).

    It is recommended that you always take a series of shots with exposure bracketing, unless "underexposure" or "overexposure" of the frame is useful for achieving various artistic effects.

    • Exposure compensation is measured in EV (English exposure value - exposure value). Increasing exposure by +1 EV corresponds to opening the aperture by one stop or increasing the shutter speed by 2 times. Most digital cameras have an exposure compensation of ±2 EV in steps of 0.2-0.5 EV.

    Digital photo recording formats

    Most modern digital cameras record images in formats: JPEG, TIFF, Raw.

    The JPEG format is supported by all digital cameras. Format created by the JPEG group (Joint Photographic Experts Group) specifically for storing photographs and has a high degree image compression at the cost of some quality loss. The small size of JPEG files can significantly save space on the media and quickly transfer images over communication lines.

    Additional information about the shooting parameters in EXIF ​​format is added to the images.

    The most promising format is RAW, which transmits information from the photosensor without processing by the camera's processor. Processing is carried out on a computer, where the possibilities are much greater than those of the microprocessor of the camera.

    Photo flashes and lighting equipment

    • Almost all digital cameras have flashes, which, in addition to illuminating the subject, can have the functions of eliminating the harmful effect of “red-eye”, “second-curtain synchronization”, power control, autofocus backlight, a series of flashes. The flash emitter is usually built into the camera body.
    • The Cobra type flash has a spring-loaded emitter that can be lifted off the camera body to reduce the harmful effect of red-eye.
    • It is possible to completely get rid of the appearance of "red eyes" only when using an external flash, removed from the optical axis of the camera at a sufficient distance, or a whole system of flashes and lighting devices.

    Simple cameras can work with external ISO 518 flashes, which have only a central sync contact for communication with the camera's automation.

    In order not to damage (not burn) the automation, before working with external flashes, you need to make sure that there is no high voltage on the sync contact of the external flash. In older models of flashes for film cameras, high voltage was applied to the sync contacts (from 120 to 340 volts).

    • Modern computer photo editor programs include a tool that performs red-eye correction).

    Front end

    The built-in LCD screen of the camera is small, so it is more convenient to view the captured images on the TV screen. The vast majority of digital cameras are connected to a TV, computer or printer via a low-frequency video output with a USB 2.0 interface cable,

    The power supply of digital cameras and other small-sized equipment: radio receivers (Notebook, PDA, Handy, players, mini-TVs, navigators, etc.) is not sufficiently developed. The capacity, service life, weight, dimensions and recharge modes of even lithium-polymer batteries do not satisfy the ever-increasing power consumption of modern "pocket" electronic equipment.

    Manufacturers of digital cameras offer (2007) two main types of power: "finger" cells of the standard AA form factor and lithium-ion batteries of their own format. Batteries and AA Ni-MH batteries take up a relatively large amount of space, make the camera heavier by about 100 grams and are quite expensive, but they are versatile and applicable in various techniques.

    The capacity of small-sized lithium-ion batteries is also insufficient (~ 1 Ah). If you can shoot 200-250 frames with a fully charged battery, then the power consumption of this digital camera is ~ 4 mAh per 1 photo - this is a good result. The photographer is advised to have a pair of charged spare batteries at all times.

    Almost all cameras have a connector for connecting external source power supply, designed to charge the battery and filming in the studio.

    Design and interface

    A good digital camera should have a convenient location of controls and small dimensions. The device should lie confidently in the hand. This is especially true for cameras that are not too compact and light, which have a special handle that should fit the size of your brush. A secure grip on the device reduces camera shake when shooting. Frequently used controls should be within range of the index and thumb right hand and it should be equally comfortable to shoot both with two hands and with one hand, both in vertical and horizontal positions.

    Switching between shooting and viewing modes should be as simple as possible - using a separate button or lever. Push-button control is much less responsive and intuitive. It is convenient when exposure compensation, white balance and ISO, as well as changing shutter speed and aperture, are placed on separate buttons, wheels (limbs).

    Additional convenience when shooting from unusual positions, macro photography, etc. is created if the camera has a rotary display.

    Selection strategy

    Unable to create universal apparatus that satisfies numerous and conflicting requirements.

    • The main contradiction: between the compactness of the camera - and the quality of photographs;
    • The contradiction characteristic of any electronic equipment: between the weight - and the degree of autonomy.

    Therefore, first you need to decide on a list of necessary functions - and those that can be neglected. Then - to compare the technical characteristics of cameras only in this price class.

    Physical size of the matrix

    The properties of semiconductors are such that they always contain the so-called thermal noise. The noise level also increases due to the heterogeneity of dopant impurities and other technology shortcomings. As a result, the image received from the matrix is ​​always "corrupted" by randomly changing brightness and color values ​​of each pixel.

    The effect of this noise on the final image of the same physical size (for example, a 10x15cm print):

    • the higher, the smaller the physical size of one photosensitive element.
    • the lower, the greater the number of elements in the image.

    As a result, it turns out that, other things being equal, the larger the physical size of the matrix, the higher the image quality.

    Technological problems in the production of photosensors

    It is possible to increase the photosensitive area and reduce the area spent on the charge-sensing circuits ("strapping"), each of the tens of millions of high-resolution small-array photodiodes, using less than 0.14 micron technologies. For 2007-2008 integrated microchips of photosensors are produced according to 0.25 - 0.14 micron technologies.

    Optics Requirements

    Small matrices with high resolution (more than 10 effective megapixels) also require high resolution from the lens.

    Take for example CCD matrix 1/1.8" (5.32×7.18 mm) in a 4/3 frame (3584×2688), resolution 9,633,792 pixels. 70% of the matrix area is occupied by 28,901,376 photodiodes.

    We consider the effective area of ​​the matrix Р=0.7×5.32×7.18 = 26.73832 mm 2 . There are 28,901,376 / 26.73832 ≈ 1,080,897 photodiodes per 1 mm 2 ≈ 360,299 pixels. √360299 ≈ 600 pixels per millimeter.

    The lens of this compact digital camera must have a resolution of more than 300 lpm (lines per millimeter, lines per millimeter). In optics 2 pixels represent one line.

    In the development of new generation lenses, lenses made of glass, plastic, ceramics and flat lenses are used.

    Characteristics of digital cameras

    Consider some of the main characteristics of digital cameras.

    The matrix

    The matrix- this is a set of light-sensitive elements - pixels. Each pixel of the matrix responds to light hitting it - it produces an electrical signal that depends on the intensity of the incoming light. Knowing only the intensity of light in pixels, you can get a black and white picture.

    To get a color image, each pixel is covered with one of three filters: red, green or blue, in accordance with the RGB color scheme. In this scheme, all other colors are obtained by mixing the three primary colors. That is, shooting in RAW format, we will get a file in which each pixel will be one of three colors. When shooting in JPEG and TIFF formats, the camera calculates the color in a given pixel using the cells adjacent to it. The matrix has two important parameters that affect image quality.

    Matrix resolution. Measured in megapixels. For example, if the camera's matrix has 4 Megapixels (Mp), then this means that the matrix consists of 4 million pixels (cells). The higher the resolution, the more fine details the camera can capture in the picture. However, chasing megapixels is not worth it. For example, 1 megapixel is enough to print photos of 10x15 cm. The best choice would be a camera with 3-5 megapixels, it will be possible to print photos up to A4 format (20x30cm).

    Matrix size. Popular camera models use matrices with linear dimensions from 1/1.8 to 1/3.2 inches. In the first case, the matrix is ​​larger.

    The large matrix provides the following benefits:

      can register more light (can render more shades)

      less "noisy"

    Thus, if we compare two matrices with sizes 1/1.8 and 1/3.2 with the same number of pixels (for example, 4MP), the first one will be better, since 4 million pixels are located on a larger area, and, therefore, such a matrix will give best picture(higher quality and less noisy). In another case, when two matrices with the same linear dimensions but a different number of megapixels are compared, for example, 6 and 7, preference should also be given to the first one, since this will not only save money, but also get better images in the future. Note: This is true when comparing sensors from the same manufacturer or the same line of cameras, as different manufacturers may have different types of sensors with incomparable characteristics.

    Sensor sensitivity (ISO). It varies in the range from 50 to 3200. High sensitivity values ​​allow you to take a clear picture at dusk or even at night, although digital noise is inevitable at high sensitivity values.

    Lens

    It is thanks to the lens that light enters the camera and an image is formed on the matrix. The quality of the resulting image largely depends on the quality of the lens - clarity, sharpness, lack of distortion, etc. The important elements of a lens are the lenses and the diaphragm. Lenses are responsible for the nature of the light, and the aperture allows you to control the amount of this light. By closing the aperture to the minimum values, we can reduce the amount of light entering the matrix.

    Main characteristics of the lens

    Aperture is the maximum aperture value. The larger the lens aperture, the better and more expensive the camera. Under the same lighting conditions, a lens with a larger aperture allows you to shoot at faster shutter speeds.

    Usually the lens marking looks like this: 5.8-34.8mm 1:2.8-4.8. The first pair of numbers is the focal length (the distance from the front lens of the lens to the sensor). The second pair of numbers are the corresponding aperture values ​​of the lens. For example, here at 34.8mm (at the maximum zoom) the lens has aperture of 4.8. The smaller the aperture number, the better. A lens with characteristics of 5.8-34.8mm 1:2-3.2 would be considered faster.

    Focal length. The focal length determines the angle of view of the lens and how far it "sees". For digital cameras, the focal length is also given in 35mm equivalent. This is due to the fact that the matrix diagonal is smaller than the diagonal of the 35mm film frame, that is, the matrix does not cover the entire field of the frame, from which the concept of increasing the focal length (Focal Length Multiplier) arises. For different cameras, this factor ranges from 1.3 to 1.6. Viewing angle. Directly depends on the focal length. Approximately corresponding to the viewing angle of the human eye is considered a lens with a focal length of 50mm. Lenses with shorter focal lengths are wide-angle lenses, those with longer focal lengths are telephoto lenses. Photo 1 shows a variant of the photo of St. Isaac's Cathedral taken with a lens with a focal length of 20mm (wide), and photo 2 shows the same cathedral, shot at 80mm (telephoto).

    Zoom (zoom). The zoom of the lens is calculated very simply: for this you need to divide the larger focal length by the smaller one. For the camera mentioned above, the zoom is 34.8/5.8=6. As indicated by the manufacturer. If the camera is equipped with a lens without zoom, then its focal length and aperture are indicated on it: for example, 20mm 1: 2.8. The larger the zoom of the camera, the more complex its design, and the manufacturer has to find a compromise between cost and quality. Therefore, ultra zooms (6-12x) usually give a worse picture compared to moderate zooms (up to 3x).

    Image stabilizer. The image stabilizer is designed to combat the so-called "shake" effect - caused by hand shake when photographing at sufficiently slow shutter speeds or at a large zoom.

    Stabilization options:

    Optical stabilization. It is based on the fact that a movable stabilizing element is built into the lens, which bends the path of light in the right direction. Also in the lens there are sensors that control the movement of this element. As a result, with slight vibrations of the camera, the projection of the image onto the matrix always remains motionless. However, it also has its drawbacks:

      Reduced lens aperture

      Rising cost

    Canon has developed Image Stabilizer (IS) for its lenses, such as the Canon A570 IS. Nikon has a similar system referred to as VR.

    anti-shake. In this stabilization technology, unlike optical stabilization, the matrix itself is the moving element. The main advantage of this approach is the independence of stabilization from the lens, so such stabilization can work with any optics. Konica Minolta was the first to develop such stabilization. The most striking example of a built-in antishake is a new product from Sony - the Alpha DSLR-A100.

    Viewfinder

    The viewfinder allows you to see the future picture before pressing the shutter. In digital compact cameras, it may be completely absent; its role is played by a display on which an image is formed in real time. Viewfinder can be:

      Optical

      Mirrored

      Electronic

    The mirror viewfinder is considered the best. It allows you to see the real area of ​​the frame without distortion. That is, the photographer sees through it exactly what in a moment will turn out to be a photograph.

    The optical viewfinder is just a through hole in the camera body and does not correspond to what the lens sees, if only because it is shifted by some distance relative to it, but in this case the display comes to the aid of the photographer.

    camera display

    On compact digital cameras, the display allows you to see the picture as it turns out in the photo and see in advance the shortcomings in the composition, shadows, lighting (some cameras can show a histogram of the future image in real time). On DSLRs, the display can be used to view shots already taken. Also, the display serves as an interface for controlling the camera, so the larger and brighter it is, the better.

    Flash

    Typically, each camera is equipped with a built-in low-power flash that can illuminate the foreground. Flashes are also equipped with various red-eye reduction functions, etc. In professional and semi-professional cameras, there is also a contact for connecting an external flash - a hot shoe. External flashes allow you to achieve much better results in all genres of shooting.

    Possibility of manual settings

    An important condition for obtaining high-quality photos is the presence of manual settings in the camera. Namely, the possibility:

      Adjust aperture

      Adjust shutter speed

      Set white balance

      Change the sensitivity of the matrix

      Other settings

    The presence of these adjustments allows you to fully control the shooting process, because even the fastest camera processor may not know the intent of the photographer.

    How to choose a SLR camera

    With the advent of digital cameras, photography has become a truly universal hobby. And lately, as prices have dropped, SLR cameras have become available to many, which allow you to get better pictures than compact cameras. With the growing interest in semi-professional models, many people have a question - how to choose a SLR camera? In this article, I will try to give recommendations, following which you can make the right choice and focus on the really important aspects, and not on the marketing tricks of camera manufacturers. First, a little about the SLR cameras themselves. Their main difference from other models is the ability to use removable lenses, i.e. the camera consists, as it were, of 2 parts - the “carcass” and the attached optics. In this article, we will talk specifically about choosing a carcass, but in any case, buying a DSLR also implies lens choice.

    SLR camera - body and lens

    Full frame or crop

    The first question to consider is whether to choose a full-frame sensor or a cropped version. On the this moment for a non-professional (a person who does not earn money with a camera), a model with a reduced matrix is ​​\u200b\u200bpreferable. First of all, because of the lower price, and here not only the price of the carcass plays a role, but also the optics. On a full-frame matrix, it is difficult to get good photos using inexpensive lenses. there you can see all the flaws that will be almost invisible on the crop.

    In addition, the “saved” money can be spent on the purchase of accessories that will be needed sooner or later, and then they can be “inherited” to a new carcass. Of course, if you are not on a tight budget and are willing to spend about 150-200 thousand rubles, then buying a full-frame SLR camera is preferable. The choice of cameras with a 35mm matrix is ​​now limited to 1-2 semi-professional models from each manufacturer, so further discussion will be more useful for those who choose a model with a crop.

    Company manufacturer

    The first echelon of manufacturers includes Canon, Nikon and Sony (thanks to the purchase of Konica-Minolta). They are followed by Pentax, Olympus and Samsung. I would advise you to choose a camera from 3 leaders, but if your budget is limited, you can also look at less famous manufacturers.

    Canon is the leader in photo quality. At the same time, the cost of photographic accessories of this company is the highest, and the ease of use loses to cameras, Sony and Nikon. An additional advantage of Sony cameras is the stabilization system built into the carcass, which significantly reduces the price of optics for these cameras.

    Sony Alpha Ecosystem

    In any case, the quality of photos from the cameras of all three manufacturers is quite close, so the choice here is a matter of individual preferences. I shoot Canon, but if I took the camera now, it would probably be Sony α.

    Marketing megapixels and real sensitivity.

    For many, matrix resolution is one of the most important characteristics when choosing a camera. I want to say that this is not entirely correct. In order to print an A3 photo, 10 megapixels is enough. Modern matrices give even higher values. But with the same matrix size, as the number of pixels increases, their size naturally decreases. As a result, the noise of the matrix increases at high ISO values. They try to defeat this trouble with more sophisticated noise reduction algorithms, faster processors and other tricks.

    Comparison of Canon 450d and 500d sensor detail and noise at ISO 800

    Noise reduction algorithms almost always blur the picture. And we get a double-edged sword - on the one hand, increasing the resolution of the matrix increases detail, on the other hand, noise reduction "eats" the details. Therefore, when choosing a camera, first of all, look not at megapixels, but at the quality of photos at high sensor sensitivity values.

    Price and class of the camera.

    Almost all manufacturers produce three lines of non-full-frame cameras: entry-level cameras, amateur cameras and semi-professional models. Entry-level cameras are the poorest in terms of technology. This truncation is often compensated by automatic modes with tips for novice amateur photographers. At the same time, their price is comparable to advanced soap dishes. I would not advise taking such models, unless, in case of financial difficulties, but inapplicable desire to buy a DSLR. The reduced price in this case does not justify the reduced functionality.

    amateur cameras - the best way to buy your first camera when you are not yet familiar with all the possibilities of digital photography. The relatively low price and compact size make these models a good choice for people who travel frequently. Usually such cameras are brothers of older models in smaller cases.

    Semi-professional cameras are the choice of a person who is already quite familiar with photography. Their main trump card is convenience. Oddly enough, but the larger the camera, the more convenient it is to shoot. In addition, semi-professional models usually have improved ergonomics compared to younger ones. Usually they have additional controls for quick access to certain settings.

    I am using Canon 40D with Canon lens EF 24-105 f/4L IS USM

    In this case, the main selection criterion is, perhaps, finances, because. as the class grows, both the characteristics of cameras and their cost grow. It should be mentioned that here it is already necessary to take into account the cost of the lens. For example, it is better to take an amateur camera model and a high-quality lens than a semi-professional one with whale optics.

    This completes the theoretical part of choosing a camera. I will talk about the practical aspects of choosing a camera in an article about checking the camera when buying. I also highly recommend reading the articles. about what is kit and how to choose a photo store.

    p.s. Dear visitors, I do not sell cameras, so I can only tell you some points that I know from my experience and based on my common sense. I will gladly help you with the choice of camera or lens, but this will be nothing more than my personal opinion.

    Now many people can afford to buy a SLR camera. My take on this is that if you don't know the basics of photography, buying expensive gear won't improve your shots.