Inside info: Understand digital camera features

We’re fast approaching that time of year when Christmas shopping takes hold, and when the big day finally comes round, it’s fair to say a large number of digital cameras are going to be unwrapped in PCW readers’ households.

As sensor resolutions reach or even surpass levels where they’re simply good enough for most of us, the industry has more than ever had to rely on new features to tempt us, and while some are definitely worth having, a reality check is always worthwhile. What follows is an honest guide to some features you’ll be confronted with if shopping for a new digital camera this season.

Anti-shake has become a standard fitting in most new cameras, and on the whole is a very good thing. The ability to take shots at slower shutter speeds is a genuine boon and of all the features here, arguably the most valuable.

But it’s crucial to know the difference between anti-shake that physically shifts optics or sensors and that which simply increases the ISO sensitivity to allow quicker shutter speeds. Both may reduce camera shake, but the latter will do so at the cost of image quality.

Speaking of sensitivity, camera manufacturers continue to push the maximum ISOs on offer. Unless the actual sensors increase in surface area or efficiency though, higher sensitivities mean higher noise levels and lower tonal dynamic range.

As resolutions have increased, noise has become visible on compact camera images even at their lowest sensitivities, so don’t expect anything pretty at ISO 3200. If you want decent performance at high ISOs you’ll simply need the physically bigger sensor of a digital SLR.

Face detection may sound like a novelty, but if well implemented can prove genuinely useful. Good face detection can identify and track subjects under poor light conditions and balance the flash so they’re not washed out. Some cameras do this very well, but others don’t, so if possible, try them in a darker area of a shop first.

While you’re peering at the screen, it’s also worth checking the resolution. Average screens these days have 230,000 pixels, equivalent to 320x240 resolution, but cheaper models may be using coarser-looking 115,000-pixel screens. If you want a glimpse of the future though, check out Sony’s A700 and Nikon’s D300 DSLRs which both have 3in screens with VGA resolution.

Speaking of DSLRs, the feature Olympus has pushed for some time has finally been adopted by rivals: Live View. I love Live View if nothing more than to bate old-fashioned SLR photographers who can’t see the point. While it’s true optical viewfinders are a highlight of using a DSLR, Live View is genuinely invaluable at times.

I’m not talking about holding the camera out in front of you. I’m talking about being able to magnify the image from the sensor so you’re effectively viewing it at 1:1 on the screen in real time, thereby allowing precision focusing. Models such as Canon’s EOS 40D even let you see the image and control the focus remotely using your PC. Great if you’re into macro or astro photography.

It’s amazing you can talk about digital cameras this long without mentioning lenses. I’m a big fan of wide-angle photography and find compacts with 28mm equivalent focal lengths much more useful than those that stop at 35mm. Whether you’re photographing landscapes, interiors or group shots, it’s really useful. And we need more widescreen movie modes. Is it only Panasonic that understands the benefits?

Ultimately while undeniably nice, none of these features are necessary to take a good picture – it’s easy to get caught up in the hype and forget we managed to take perfectly good photos in the not so distant past using cameras with manual focus and non-zoom lenses.

But just make sure you’re buying into these features for the right reasons and not allowing them to hide an otherwise average or unsuitable camera. The overall look, feel and handling of a camera remains crucial or you simply won’t use it. So always try and pick up a camera in person before buying – if it doesn’t look or feel right in your hands, all the features in the world won’t make you want to use it.