Before buying, focus on your photo needs
It's important to consider everything from optical zoom to the schlep factor, digital camera experts say
The first compact camera, the Kodak Brownie, cost $1 and took 2 1/4-inch square photos. The latest crop of compact digital cameras tout resolutions upward of 10 megapixels and prices of $400 or more.
"It's almost overkill at this point," said David Gordenstein, president of Zeff Photo, a photography equipment and supply company in Belmont. "There are a million bells and whistles, and no one uses 90 percent of them."
The Globe decided to find out which ones we would use. We tested 10 digital cameras, both a midprice and high-end model from Nikon, Sony, Pentax, Canon, and Olympus. They ranged from $180 to $400 with resolutions of 7.2 to 12 megapixels. We then pared the list to the five best.
We tried the cameras inside under dim, bright, and no-light conditions; and outside on sunny, and cloudy days. We clicked while jumping up and down, and while spinning in place to test motion-stabilization features.
A few conclusions were clear. In most situations, the cheaper 8-megapixel cameras performed as well as the cameras with resolutions higher than 10 megapixels. Still, some of the higher-end models offered unusual features that make a splurge worth considering.
When evaluating cameras, Gordenstein said consumers should consider the camera's resolution, optical zoom (not digital zoom), and what he calls the "schlep factor," or whether it fits the users' travel needs.
While higher may seem better when it comes to megapixels, it's not necessarily the case, Gordenstein said. Photos taken with an 8-megapixel camera can be expanded to 16 inches by 20 inches, a size suitable for most picture frames, without becoming grainy. And photos taken with a 12-megapixel camera can be cumbersome to save and send, he said.
One must also consider the device's zoom power. Many camera makers will brag about extensive "digital zoom" capability, but it's a ruse. Digital zoom merely enlarges a portion of the photo. Optical zoom, on the other hand, relies on the camera's lens to zero in on a subject.
Lastly, there are the finer details that only the buyer can assess - a camera's size, shape, and usefulness. Ultimately, a camera's "feel" is as important as megapixels and zoom.
In our test, the almost $400 Olympus Stylus 1030SW stood out among the pricey models with its waterproof and shock-absorbent casing. Clumsy photographers and extreme sports enthusiasts alike will appreciate that the 10-megapixel camera can handle a 6.6-foot drop, underwater depths to 33 feet, and below-freezing temperatures. "This is for the individual who's going to go kayaking or snowboarding," said Sally Smith Clemens, product manager for Olympus. "They're not going to be the observer - they're going to be the participant."
For the more landlocked, budget-minded buyer, the 8.1-megapixel Nikon Coolpix S210 offers the key features - 3x optical zoom, image stabilization, and video capability - for $179.95. The camera, which hit stores two months ago, is about the size of a deck of cards, making it easy to slip into a shirt pocket or clutch purse. It also features only a few buttons next to its menu screen, allowing users to start shooting without reading the camera's instructions.
"This camera is for those who like to take pictures, but don't consider themselves photographers," said Lindsay Silverman, senior technical manager for Nikon.
Danielle Kost can be reached at dkost@boston.com.
