Moms (and Dads): Choose your Camera, Part II {Bethesda, MD Photographer}

Yesterday, I shared my thoughts about choosing a great camera for pictures of your kids, starting with the first choice:  point-and-shoot versus SLR (single-lens-reflex — aka, those cameras where you can remove one lens and change it for another).

The rest of this article assumes that you want a basic point-and shoot camera.  Some point-and-shoots have so many features they start to approximate the control of an SLR (for example, lots of photographers love the Canon G12, which allows you to shoot in RAW and manual exposure, minimal shutter delay, etc.  That said, personally, I am not at all in love with the Canon G-series, but that’s a whole different series of articles.)

So, onward!

Second: 4 features parents will want in a point-and-shoot

Minimal shutter delay

(aka, how fast can you take a picture). This might be the most critical feature when you’re dealing with kids, and it’s where an SLR clearly wins because, well, there is no real delay.  But I’m writing this for the point-and-shoot audience.  With a point-and-shoot, find out the shutter delay, both shutter lag (how fast the camera can take a picture after the shutter release is pressed), and next-shot delay (how fast the camera can write the picture to the memory card and be ready to take another picture).  Since the delay can range from about 1 to 5 seconds on average, shutter delay will make or break your chance to “get the shot”, in particular with fast-moving targets like kids.

Some point-and-shoot cameras can minimize the delay by allowing you to “pre-focus”—press the shutter halfway and hold it; the camera will then focus, and when you press the shutter the rest of the way, the delay is minimal.  You definitely want that feature!

Related to this, burst mode can be found on many p&s models (and all SLRs)– you hold down the shutter button and the camera continuously takes pictures.  Great for action sequences, and “cheating” when you don’t know when the best part of the action will happen.  Down side – most models cannot continuously focus while shooting like this, so latter shots may not be in focus, plus it’ll fill up your memory card really fast!

Image quality

Don’t pay more for more megapixels!  6-8 mps well exposed will still get you great 11×14 prints.  If you take a lot of pictures in specific lighting conditions (how many times do we try to take pictures in the relatively low-light of an auditorium where you can’t use a flash, for example), look for cameras that can still take good pictures under those conditions (and be sure the camera you want doesn’t struggle to focus in low-light!).

Flash

My point and shoot camera has two flash options:  Auto and Off.  Ideally, you want the third option:  On, so you can use the flash to fill in shadows on the face from high-sun on a sunny day.

Zoom

If you need to stand far away from the kids (for example, in a sporting event where you have to remain on the sidelines), make sure your camera can zoom far enough for your needs.  If you’re trying to preserve image quality, look only at optical zoom on a point-and-shoot camera—digital zoom is more or less equivalent to cropping the image on your computer, so image quality is diminished (though it might save you time editing…).  Some point-and-shoot cameras offer as much as 20x optical zoom (but remember – your flash will be useless more than a few feet in front of you!).  SLRs show zoom as the focal length of the lens—a lens that goes to 200mm will get you a pretty good close-up.

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Third: Some more {fun} features

It sometimes seems the sky is the limit these days when it comes to fun extra features in a point and shoot.   Here are additional features (from the merely practical to the pretty fun) that you may want to consider (in no particular order).

• Batteries: I like rechargeable batteries, in particular because they are lighter.  But nothing beats the convenience of good ol’ AA batteries when you’re on vacation and you forget your charger!  (Note: if you like rechargeable batteries, you can usually order an extra battery just to have in your bag.)  Additionally, look at differences in battery life between models.
• Second LCD screen:  You can get a second LCD screen on the front of the camera, to make it easier to take self-portraits.
• Swiveling LCD screen: for tricky angles, some cameras have an LCD screen that can tilt out/up, etc.
• Wi-Fi:  Some models connect to the internet by wi-fi, so you can send /upload pictures immediately (I’m salivating over that feature – perhaps I wouldn’t rely so heavily on my iPhone camera!).
• Shooting in RAW (instead of JPEG):  Some models allow you to shoot RAW (this gives you more flexibility in editing later).
• Panaromic shots:  Most (?) models allow you to create something like a panoramic (super wide) photo.  If there is something you wish your camera could do, go to a dedicated camera store and talk to the associates (see next point).
• Waterproof/shockproof.  These features come with a lot of quality compromises, but I personally chose to accept those since 1) I shoot primarily with an SLR so my p&s is just for fun and 2) my kids have been known to throw my camera (shockproofing!!!), including into the water (wish my iPhone was waterproof like my Sony!).
• General fit/feel.  It’s your camera – there’s nothing wrong with choosing the camera to buy because it just feels right in your hand, or you just “get” how the menus are organized (though if you find a point-and-shoot with well layed out menus, drop me a line, okay?!).
• Wide-angle lens:  Even if most of your pictures are of your kids, if you do a lot of interior or landscape photography, look for a point-and-shoot with wide-angle capabilities.  Something equivalent to at least a 28mm – 12 or 18mm is even better.  The smaller the number, the more of the room/landscape you’ll see.  Unfortunately, you’ll also see a lot of distortion (if you’ve ever looked at a realtor’s photos of a bathroom and thought, no way is it that big – that’s a wide-angle lens at work).

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Fourth: Locating the right camera

The sales associates in a dedicated camera store (here in the DC area, I recommend Penn Camera) are generally very knowledgeable and may be able to recommend the perfect camera as soon as you tell them the features you want.  General electronics stores like Best Buy or Radio Shack may have a knowledgeable camera sales associate, but their selection is less and their expertise probably less…expert, so I would stick with a dedicated camera store.

To get the most out of your trip to the store, I recommend first going to sites like Dave’s Picks and Amazon.com to see what other moms and dads, “momtogs”, and other users have to say about the camera.  Consumer Reports is also a fountain of user-friendly information (they usually have a special edition each year dedicated to digital cameras).  These are great for your initial research, but I don’t think they replace getting to actually touch and try out your camera of choice.

Before buying, go to the store and take a few test shots (your camera store should allow you to do this). Where you ultimately buy the camera is up to you.  If you feel a sales associate in a store was very helpful, I happen to believe that service is worth the higher cost of purchasing the camera in a store (plus, I’m terrified of losing my local buying options!).  Wherever you buy, always make sure you know the return policy (you can probably expect a restocking fee if the package is opened; and limited time period during which returns are accepted).  Also consider whether you want an extended warranty (weighing the speed with which digital technology is changing against the ease of getting your camera fixed instead of learning a whole new system!).

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Conclusion:

There is no perfect point-and-shoot camera (even SLRs aren’t PERFECT, after all!), but I hope the above suggestions will start you asking yourself (and your local camera store sales associate!) questions that will help you find a great camera for you!

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A few resources:

http://www.penncamera.com My recommendation if you want to actually check out a camera in store – generally large selection, and very helpful/knowledgeable sales associates.  If you’re interested in higher-end equipment, several of the branches allow you to rent cameras/lenses.

http://www.imaging-resource.com/WB/WB.HTM Dave’s Picks.  To the right, you can choose “kind of user”—including “family” and “mom” to see one reviewer’s suggestions of cameras that might fit your needs.  The site as a whole contains detailed, professional reviews of hundred of cameras.

http://www.consumerreports.com You need a subscription to access a lot of their information, but I think it’s worth the price.  Or you can check your local public library for the most recent print edition reviewing digital cameras.

http://www.amazon.com Tons of customer reviews!   Highly recommended.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com For purchasing photography equipment.  If you call them, their sales people are often extremely helpful.

http://www.clickinmoms.com An online forum of amazing women (and a few men) for whom photography is a passion, and in some cases, a profession.