When shopping for cameras, there are a variety of features to consider. Here’s just a few of the common features that are often seen in the different types of cameras.
Scene Modes – Many cameras offer the user the ability to choose the appropriate scene mode according to what they’re photographing. These are a couple scene modes that you’ll likely see in your camera:
- Portrait - Portrait mode adjusts the aperture so that it is wider than normal. In turn this creates a blurred background, traditionally known as Bokeh, while maintaining a crisp focal point.
- Landscape - Landscape mode generally adjusts to boost your colors and contrast to provide superior photos.
- Sports - Sports mode usually increases your shutter speed to ensure you can freeze the action without having blurred focal points.
- Night - Night mode uses a mix of ISO adjustments, and the cameras internal flash (If equipped) to produce light that appears natural while shooting in low-light situations.
- Panoramic – Allows users to take wide-angle photos at up to 180◦ by stitching together a series of standard-angle photographs.
Full-Auto Mode – Full-auto mode provides the convenience of not having to select any settings. The camera will automatically select everything to obtain the best exposure.
Creative Auto - Much like full-auto mode, Creative auto selects the settings that will achieve the correct exposure. However, creative auto will allow the user to select their desired brightness, depth-of-field, or picture styles.
Video Mode – Allows you to record high-definition video with high 1080p resolution.
PASM –
- Program Mode - In program mode, the camera sets the aperture, as well as the shutter speed, but it does not adjust the ISO or initiate the flash.
- Aperture Priority - Aperture Priority allows the user to set the aperture, while allowing the camera to select a shutter speed according to your aperture selection.
- Shutter Priority - Shutter Priority is the exact opposite of Aperture Priority. In that the user now selects the shutter speed, while the camera selects the aperture.
- Manual Control - Manual mode gives the user full control. In this mode, you will be responsible for setting the aperture, shutter speed, and all light levels to create the perfect image exposure.
Touch-Panel LCD – Works great as a viewfinder, as well as a way to review your photos after they’ve been captured, which the ability to navigate using the touch of your finger.
Built-in Wi-Fi – Provides you the ability to transfer photos and video from your camera to a variety of sources without ever using a cable or card reader.
Image Stabilization – Provides a crisp, clean image, even when the camera might not be steady or still.
Smile Detection – Using a built-in sensor, the camera snaps a picture as soon as it recognizes all subjects as smiling.
Special Effects – Provide the user with effects such as vivid, neutral, sepia, black-and-white, positive films, vivid blue, green, and red.
Smart Auto Mode – This optimizes your camera settings in response to 32 predefined situations to help take the guesswork out of photography and videography.
Burst shooting – Shoot at speeds in upwards of 10 fps (Frames per second) to ensure you capture the right moment.
NFC (near-field communication) technology – Allows sharing and remote functions with compatible wireless devices.
HDR (High Dynamic Range) –Cameras with an HDR function can take a number of pictures of each scene you select – all at different exposures. Then, the camera will determine the best parts of each photo to keep and what parts to toss. Here's where the magic happens. The camera will then combine the best parts of each photo into one great shot.
