How To Understand Digital Camera Reviews

June 13, 2008

Most people reading digital camera reviews are either those who have yet to buy a digital camera or are looking to upgrade to a newer model than the one they already have. In the case of the first instance, digital camera reviews can be too technical for beginners and a person can have a difficult time understanding parts of the review. I have put together a quick over view of some of the term you will most likely come across when reading digital camera reviews both online and off.

Aperture

Aperture is commonly known as the opening of the camera. This is present in both digital cameras and 35 mm cameras. The term aperture may appear in digital camera reviews when describing the lens capacity of the camera in question. The aperture directly affects both the shutter speed and depth of field.

Digital Zoom

Digital zoom is a term also common in some digital camera reviews. The term digital zoom refers to the interpolation of the image in the camera to maximize the main object without really gaining any details. Using the digital zoom for far away subjects may produce pixilated images. Digital camera reviews may state a particular camera that has greater digital zoom compared to others.

Macro

Macro is also a term found in digital camera reviews but usually accompanies reviews of a lens. The macro lens is one that can capture images which are very small or up close to the photographer. A lens that offers a wider angle is also called a wide angle lens, and this is commonly used to shoot scenery and other subjects that need great encompassment. Some digital cameras which are not SLR usually do not have the macro lens since they have a fixed lens which can not be changed from one to another.

Pixel

Pixel is also included in terms that are commonly found in digital camera reviews. A Pixel is the smallest unit of space in a display or an image. The capacity of the digital camera to have more pixels in one image is often misinterpreted by some people. Just having more megapixels does not necessarily mean that you will have crisper images, sometimes the quality of your lens must also be considered.

While I would encourage anyone to read a few digital camera reviews before deciding on their choice, its worth remembering that digital camera magazines rely on advertising revenue. I am not saying that digital camera reviews in the magazines are untrue as such, perhaps just a little economical with the truth is the best way to describe it.

Imagine a large company like Olympus for example who may pay thousands a month for a regular half page spread in the magazine. Its human nature for the editor to leave out any negative bits he finds in a review of an Olympus camera written by one of his staff for fear of losing that advertising. He won’t ask his writer to change “the picture quality is poor indoors” to “the picture quality is great indoors” he will simply remove the offending sentence so that the camera’s performance indoors is not mentioned.

Just something to think about while you are looking at digital camera reviews, happy shopping!