The compact digital camera
What is that ?
Small format specialist, the compact digital camera fulfills the promise of its name: a single housing integrates camera, lens and flash.
Discreet, light and efficient, it adapts to all uses.
Its best asset?
Its simplicity.
No need to spend hours on the settings!
The compact device favors automatic aids.
From the stabilizer to the detection of smiles, including the burst mode… Everything is planned to offer you quality images, without special knowledge.
The compact, a camera for whom?
The compact camera primarily targets an amateur audience.
It goes on a trip, is forgotten in a handbag… Children, adolescents, adults, everyone can use it easily.
It is also the best-selling digital camera.
If you value the souvenir, rather than the fine art photo, the compact is for you.
Be careful, however, when choosing the zoom.
A digital zoom offers low quality enlargements, unlike digital zooms.
Also note that this camera is not upgradeable, its lens being irremovable.
On the other hand, you will not find a simpler one!
Digital bridge camera
What is that ?
A quality digital camera, but without the complications?
This is the role of bridge.
This device combines extended functions with very flexible use: the power of the reflex, combined with the simplicity of the compact.
It thus embeds a powerful zoom, a good lens and a multitude of understandable settings.
Its case is more bulky than a compact, but generally offers a handle for a better grip.
Bridge, a camera for whom?
A quality photo, manual or semi-automatic adjustments… The digital bridge camera is aimed at occasional photographers.
Do you want to discover photography, without going into the most complex settings?
Bridge offers you the perfect intermediary.
It guarantees quality images, with the possibility of experimenting!
Play around with the settings and get your hands dirty.
You have only one lens, but powerful, and a quality optical zoom: no need to waste time choosing or changing your accessories.
As for these famous parameters, if you are in a hurry, switch them to automatic mode.
Digital reflex camera
What is that ?
A true star of digital cameras, the SLR is talked about a lot… without always being understood.
In short, the SLR is a professional camera.
Specificity of the reflex, the presence of a mirror in front of the sensor allows a perfect visualization of the image through the viewfinder.
The SLR also has a larger sensor, fully modifiable settings, and a removable lens: telephoto, wide-angle or a multitude of lenses adapt to it for quality photos.
It is also possible to add an external flash, filters, a tripod ... Scalable and modular, this digital camera lends itself to all experiences for a high-end rendering.
The SLR, a camera for whom?
Heavy and bulky, the reflex camera offers the guarantee of a professional image ... provided you know how to use it.
Choose it if you are already familiar with photography, or are planning to become!
Consumer digital SLRs are high end cameras.
If their budget is high, they subsequently demand a multitude of additional accessories.
However, this is their major strength: targeting an audience of passionate photographers, they guarantee amateurs access to the professional world.
If you dream of high level photography, do not hesitate any longer.
The hybrid digital camera
What is that ?
What is the difference between a bridge and a hybrid?
The principle is the same: these two types of digital cameras are the intermediary between compact camera and SLR camera.
The hybrid, however, provides for a removable lens, unlike the bridge.
The other side of the coin?
Its zoom is of lower quality than that of a bridge, because of this removable lens!
The hybrid, a camera for whom?
High-end photography, but without the bulk!
A hybrid digital camera is aimed at discerning amateurs… in search of simplicity.
Are you looking for a lighter camera to complement your SLR?
Almost as customizable, but much more compact, the hybrid easily lends itself to mobile use.
Do you dream of an SLR, but hesitating about its size?
Here again, the happy medium takes the form of the mirrorless camera.
Choosing your digital camera, the right questions
The digital sensor
The digital sensor is the most essential component of a camera: it is the digital sensor that turns light into pixels. Its choice therefore depends, first of all, on its resolution. This is expressed in megapixels, or millions of pixels. The average resolution of digital cameras is more than sufficient for amateur use: vacation photos, souvenirs or leisure ... If you want to print your photos in large format, on the other hand, know that the very high resolution is between 16 and 20 Mpxl. Remember, however, that the higher the resolution, the heavier the image file will be!
The sensitivity of a digital sensor depends mainly on its size. The larger it is, the less light it needs to produce a quality photo: in low light, a large sensor provides better images. Compacts and bridges, because of their size, generally have small sensors, 6 to 10 mm diagonally. A full frame SLR, on the other hand, can reach 43 mmm! The budget following the same curve, analyze your needs before choosing… The sensitivity to light of a digital camera is also measured in ISO. If this measurement is low, shooting in low light will produce a photo with noise: stray colored pixels, affecting the quality of the image. The right measure? For a professional photo, opt for at least ISO 1600. A compact will be satisfied with 500 to 1000 ISO.
The aspect ratio only matters if you practice photo editing.
For amateur use, don't bother!
Your image files will appear in JPG format, once transferred to your computer: this standard format ensures optimal compatibility on all devices.
Do you want to retouch your photos using specialized software?
This time, take a look at the format.
Make sure your digital camera offers files in RAW, or "raw" format.
You will find the photo data without any filter, in order to apply your own settings later.
This format is heavier than a JPG image, previously compressed… choose a suitable memory card!
The goal
The question of the lens only arises in the case of digital cameras with removable lenses. Compacts and bridges with an integrated lens, you will not be able to choose it: these cameras have a standard lens. A reflex or a hybrid, on the other hand, allows you to opt for different ... and complementary lenses. The size of the lens is one of the essential criteria in its choice. The bigger the lens of your camera, the better the quality! The focal length and the aperture are two equally essential criteria. The first determines the depth of field (zoom), the second the amount of light. As for the most common models, besides the standard lens? Zooms and telephoto lenses specialize in taking pictures from a distance. Macro lenses, on the other hand,take pictures of small subjects, up close: insects, for example. The wide-angle, finally, ensures panoramic photos.
Focus helps ensure that the subject in the photo is sharp. By default, any subject in the foreground is in focus, while the background is blurry: focus is used to modify, or refine, this setting. Are you looking for speed? Bet on autofocus. This autofocus is provided by a large majority of digital cameras, for easier shooting. Manual focus, on the other hand, is often reserved for professional cameras. Adjusted by a ring on the lens, it requires a certain skill… but opens the way to personalized and more original photos.
The diaphragm determines the aperture of a lens.
The more it opens, the more light it lets in, the brighter your photos!
Make no mistake: the higher the number shown, the lower the aperture ... and the higher the quality.
In summary, choose goals that indicate a low opening number.
This is specified by a value in f /.
The shutter speed indicates how long the sensor absorbs light.
The exposure time, in other words.
A slower shutter speed therefore offers more light to an image… and an increased risk of blur.
High speed, on the other hand, is necessary for continuous shooting.
Unless you master the settings of a camera, it is better to opt for a high shutter speed.
The shooting comfort is improved, just like your photos!
But also…
Flash
The flashes built into compact and bridge cameras generally offer average quality.
They create overexposed, too white images.
If you want to control its use, opt for an SLR or a hybrid with removable flash.
Screen size
Very variable according to digital cameras, the screen can be important.
In the event of faulty vision, among other things!
A large screen is however the guarantee of increased comfort.
The care of
Do not hesitate to test a camera before choosing it: handling differs depending on the model.
However, improper handling of your digital camera may produce blurry photos… or even the camera falling.
Connected digital cameras
The latest in connected objects, some digital cameras have a WiFi connection.
Transfer your photos to a PC?
Share them on social networks?
Store your files online?
Nothing could be simpler with these devices equipped with applications, just like a smartphone!
Get the most out of your digital camera!
No camera without accessories!
Do not neglect certain essentials, such as a suitable protective cover.
On the logistics side, plan for spare memory cards.
If you have chosen a hybrid or SLR digital camera, the selection of accessories includes lens, flash, filters ...
Maintain your digital camera regularly to keep it longer.
Dust is its enemy: keep an antistatic microfiber cloth, a blower bulb… but never use chemicals!
Need help choosing your digital camera?
As you will understand after reading this guide, choosing a digital camera requires taking into account many criteria. With the ever more sophisticated camera models arriving on the market, you can easily be tempted to give up, and be content with the photo sensor on your smartphone. However, getting yourself a compact digital camera is a decision you shouldn't regret if you decide to follow our guide on the subject. And if your heart is more inclined towards SLR cameras and their multiple interchangeable lenses, then you can turn to our selection of digital SLR cameras. With these different guides at your disposal, you should easily find the model that suits you, and develop your talent as a photographer on a daily basis.All of this, of course, while perfectly respecting the budget you have set for yourself, that goes without saying!
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