See my Favorite Links page for learning more about digital cameras.

How Many Mega Pixels Do You Need? : Read my comments about what I overheard at the camera counter when a customer wanted information about mega pixels and prints from a digital camera.

What Really Matters? : Is about how I've enjoyed my digital camera(s).

Is A Digital Camera For You?

It certainly is if you enjoy taking lots of pictures.

I'm fortunate to already have the computer and printer. That makes using all these photos easier. You can buy a printer that doesn't need a computer. Mine doesn't.  Most commercial photo printers will print right from the camera memory card. Long term storage may be a problem and a computer and CD writer is still the best solution for me. I paid Fotki.com $35.00 (US) for an annual membership. There, I can store many images in their original file format and can access them from almost anywhere using my log-in and password.

To  most of my friends, co-workers, and family, digital cameras are still something that seems cool; but they're not sure of yet. They ask about the quality of the photos, the cost, storage and much more.  Strangers still stop and ask my opinion about what to buy.

How I Use My Digital Cameras

I often take more than a hundred photos in a single day, or even of a single event, like a birthday party, a visit to the park, museum, or Muttart Conservatory. I take pictures of the moon, clouds, trees, close-ups of anything. I take photos of behind the fridge just to see what's there. I take photos of documents, and even photos of photos. I like taking photos.

At five years old, my granddaughter had learned to use my Olympus C-2100 Ultra Zoom and she now takes my picture. We get to see her photos right away and she improves each time. Now, I almost never use my 35mm film cameras.

What Do I Do With All These Photos?

For starters, I look at them immediately in the camera; then on the computer sooner than I ever have could  before. Sorting them is easier than using those old fashioned photo albums and takes less space. Friends and relatives even seem to enjoy my slide shows now — there's no waiting to set up the slide projector, or screen.

I print just the ones I want, and as many duplicates as needed to give away.  I print 8x10's, for framing, of our brand new granddaughter. I create 8x10 photo collages, mixed and matched as easy as 1-2-3.  I color correct red eye, crop, brighten and even repair old torn photographs. I print to the size required — for that odd sized frame that uses 2x4 inch photos, or the heart shaped locket on the chain.

I e-mail them to my friends and family across the country and share them, here with you, and around the world.

Some Background on My Camera Purchases

I've now owned three four five (let's not count anymore) digital cameras — 1.2 , 2.1, and 4.0 mega pixel models. When I made up my mind to buy my first camera, I didn't know much. I walked into a local, quality, camera store, explained to the clerk my interests, and asked "What's the cheapest model you have for starters?" I purchased that one.

Here's What I Liked:

• I liked the price, $400 (Canadian in 2000). Alright, I didn't really like the price, but its what I had in mind. (That was a long time ago, as digital cameras go.)

• The memory storage card was common, SmartMedia, available in all camera stores and at Wal-Mart.

• It uses "AA" batteries, also available everywhere.

• The camera came with batteries and a battery charger.

• It had optical zoom.

• I could use my existing screw-on light filters.

• I was eager to buy.

Here's What I Didn't Want or Need:

• I didn't want to be forced to buy proprietary memory cards — limited availability and usually more expensive.

• The same goes for batteries.

• Digital zoom, seemed to be a sales gimmick. I can do that with image software.

I've  made the same requirements for my next two cameras. Memory cards, batteries, and chargers are all interchangeable. The newer cameras use larger capacity storage cards, but can also use the older ones.

See my Favorite Links page for learning more about digital cameras.

A few Notes about digital cameras, mega pixels, and file formats.