Digital Camera Webquest

  • First read the PC Magazine article about features and characteristics of digital cameras Know Your Camera, and make sure you continue to its second page using the link “Choose Your Camera” at the bottom of the article. Understand the following six aspects of digital cameras:

Important Aspects:

  • Exposure
  • Flash
  • Focus
  • Resolution
  • White Balance
  • Zoom

1.You may work by yourself or in pairs for the rest of the project. Write a short paper or a presentation briefly describing four of the six aspects. Here are some questions to help you get started:

  • Exposure - What is exposure all about? What are some exposure modes? Why would you want to use exposure modes other than automatic?
  • Flash - Describe some different flash modes and why you might use them
  • Focus - What is auto-focus? What is manual focus? What is macro mode?
  • Resolution - What is it? What is a pixel? How does resolution affect picture quality? What resolution is needed for an 8"x10" print?
  • White Balance - What is "white balance" about? What are some common sources of light that have differing white balance?
  • Zoom - What is optical zoom? What is digital zoom? Is optical zoom always better? Are there any good things about digital zoom?

2.Choose three cameras to research and compare. Make a PowerPoint presentation that answers the following questions: How are they similar? How are they different?

3.Choose one point and shoot camera and one SLR that you think I should buy. A point and shoot camera is what we have been using in class. An SLR has interchangeable lenses and is more expensive. Remember that we want to purchase the best cameras for the least money. That doesn’t mean you automatically pick the cheapest one. Finally, if you were going to purchase a camera for yourself which one would you buy and why. Include in your report or Powerpoint why you chose those cameras - was your choice based on the aspects that we've discussed? What other factors influenced your decision? Read a review of your cameras if available (see review sites below). What did the reviewer think were the best and worst characteristics of the cameras you chose?

4.Finally, why not use your phone to take pictures? See if you can find the difference in shooting pictures with a cell phone and pictures with an actual camera. Is the quality the same? What about getting those pictures off the phone to use in another format or program? How easy or how difficult?

Resources Available

Staples Digital Imaging Center

An introduction to Digital Camera Basics, and a big list of camera features.

  • Know Your Camera
  • Digital Camera Resource Page: Buyers Guide
  • Buying Guide: Features Search

Digital Camera reviews.

  • Digital Camera Resource Page
  • Digital Photography Review: Reviews and News, Forums, Glossary, FAQ
  • Steve's digital camera reviews, industry news, etc.

A source for camera pricing:

Dealcam - Digital camera price comparison