In this day and age, the new models of smart phones and cell phones are quite advanced when it comes to taking good quality digital photos. Some of the newest models feature 5 megapixels of resolution as well as flash photography and an auto-focus feature. Eight megapixel devices are on the horizon and these will be able to rival many compact digital cameras.

The advanced phone cameras will enable you to get rid of red eye, stabilize the image and adjust the white balance. They also offer a variety of shooting modes, such as night shooting, portraits, macro, and sports etc.

The sales figures for mobile phone cameras have been steadily increasing over the years. However, it’s not all due to the cameras in the devices. There are a lot of other new features that have been developed or improved on during that time, but it’s estimated that there are close to one billion camera phones of all types in circulation around the globe.

In fact, some experts even go as far as suggesting that compact cameras will become obsolete in the future if camera phones have the same capabilities they do.

The main advantage of camera phones is their size, plus the fact the devices can also be used for games, text messages, phone calls, emails, and playing music etc. In addition, most people have their phones with them at all times which leads to a great number of photo opportunities each day.

People can take shots of events as soon as they happen and then broadcast them around the world via the phone’s features. It’s also easier getting a camera phone into events that usually prohibit larger DSLR models. And of course, there’s no need to change lenses or use filters.

On the downside, the photos taken with a camera phone can often be blurry if taken with just one hand on the camera, which is the norm. It’s a good idea to use two hands on the camera phone and keep it as steady as possible. Basically, treat the device the same way you would a digital camera and you’ll get better results.

Camera phones can focus as set the exposure for you automatically, but the sensor usually takes more time to adjust to the light conditions than a regular camera. This means you’ll have to wait a couple of seconds before the shutter will release, meaning it’s not the best situation to take photos of moving objects. If the camera doesn’t have a flash built into it you’ll have to get by with whatever light’s available. You should try to position yourself where there’s the most light.

Some of the newer smart phones have applications which enable you to enhance and edit your images. Most of the photos are Jpeg files making them easy to download to a computer where you can edit them even more with a software editing program. Considering all of the functions a combination phone/camera can perform, it’s definitely something that most people find very useful.

However, there may come a day when your old equipment just isn’t up to the task anymore. When this happens, you will need to purchase replacement gear, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that it has to be brand new. There is plenty of used camera equipment on the market and the majority of it is just as good as and in some cases even better than new gear.

Even though there are some fantastic deals on new products these days the chances are used equipment will be quite a bit cheaper.

You should be able to save anywhere from about 20 per cent up to 60 per cent with used goods.

Just remember that a brand new camera depreciates in value as soon as you take your first picture with it the same way a car does as soon as you drive it off the lot.

It’s true that new camera equipment comes with a guarantee or warranty, but you should also be able to get a limited warranty with used gear and may even be able to buy a one or two year warranty on it. Manufacturing statistics show that two per cent of new camera equipment is returned because of defects, but only 1.7 per cent of returns on used gear are due to defects.

Most used camera dealers have quite a big inventory. This means you’ll have a better chance at finding a model that may be discontinued or an antique or collector’s item. They also carry old film cameras. In addition, the inventory at used dealers is usually computerized and shared with other dealers around the world, meaning they have access to models all over the planet.

When brand new cameras are released nobody really knows how good they are. It usually takes a couple of years for the photography world to determine if they’re quality cameras or duds. When buying a used camera you’ll already know the history behind that specific model and what problems are associated with it. Used cameras can often be more reliable.

You could also have a specific new camera in mind that is quite expensive. A good way to test the model would be to buy a used one at a cheap price and try it out to make sure you really want to spend the money on a brand new version. If you decide you’d like to purchase a newer model you can always sell the old one you’ve been experimenting with.

Used camera equipment is also very useful as backups to your regular gear. If anything goes wrong you always have a dependable backup. You may also want to take the older equipment with you to locations that could damage your new gear. There are many reliable used-camera dealers out there and most of them recondition the equipment and make sure it’s all in good working order before selling it, especially if they offer a warranty.

The last thing they want to do is give you a six-month warranty on a camera that they haven’t checked out. They don’t want the hassle involved if you return it. This is why they make sure that all camera equipment is in good working order.

Most compact point and shoot cameras come with a sports mode on their dials, but they aren’t really good enough for serious sports photographers. These cameras generally have small sensors and have restricted maximum lens apertures when at longer focal lengths. This makes it difficult to take top quality sports shots.

In addition, many cameras suffer from shutter lag and this will affect photos taken in fast action environments as the moment has come and gone by the time the shutter reacts.

However, there are numerous DSLR cameras out there that are fine for sports photography. If you do some research you’ll be able to find the camera that suits your requirements the best. This depends on the type of sports you’re shooting and your photography style.

You need the camera to respond instantly when you press the shutter, so look for a camera with no or minimal shutter lag. It’s also a good idea to make sure the camera comes with the capability of continuous shooting and a high frame rate.

Many sports take place outdoors, so you need to find a camera that is good for all types of weather conditions. The lenses and cameras will need to handle rain, dust, and snow etc. You may need to invest in additional camera covers and protection devices.

Check to see if the camera is weather resistant in any way before buying it. Also, look for weather-resistant lenses in the focal length range that you’ll need.

One of the biggest problems with sports photography is the lighting conditions. Basically, you have to work with what you get, especially if the event is outdoors. Many indoor events don’t allow you to use flash, and if they did, you’d have to be right up close to the action anyway for the flash to be of any use to you.

You’re usually going to need high shutter speeds to make sure there’s no motion blur in the images. This means you may have to use a high ISO setting as well in low light situations. The problem with this could be graininess due to the high ISO.

Most photographers take hundreds of shots at sports events, so make sure you have a large battery capacity or a couple of spares with you.

Another important aspect is deciding on the type of lens you need. A good sports lens can cost quite a bit of money and is considered to be a long-term investment. Make sure the lenses you use have the proper range capabilities for your events and offer wide maximum apertures.

The camera will need to have a fast auto-focusing system. Some lenses come with their own motor, but others rely on the camera’s power. You’ll find the need for auto focusing depending on the sport you’re covering. In a sport such as racing it’s not as important because the subjects are always following the same route or path and you can focus on one specific area of the track or course.

The subjects in racing are predictable, but in other sports they’re very unpredictable and you don’t know where the athlete is going to end up next. If this is the case you could always try the manual focus and follow the action with your camera.

If you choose a digital camera that incorporates all of these aspects you shouldn’t have a problem getting good sports shots.

When it comes to digital cameras it is definitely worth looking at camera reviews, but trying to decide what features and options are important to you could be the first step to finding the perfect camera.

One main consideration when buying a digital camera for everyone is budget and whether yours is big or small there are plenty of options available. However, many camera reviews will confirm that in this area it is true that you get what you pay for. Once you have decided on a budget start to think about how you are going to use your new camera.

For those who are just looking for good holiday snaps and something that fits easily into the pocket then it may be worth going for a simple point and shoot option. These digital cameras at the lower end of the scale are generally the cheapest and easiest to use. You will still get good pictures but the quality will be lower than other models and you might find they lack the latest features like High Definition.

If you are looking for a digital camera that is more versatile and you don’t mind spending a bit more money, then look for a machine that is slightly more advanced. These cameras may be more pricey but they will offer you more features and picture taking options. A great example of this type of camera is the Canon Ixus, which offers great optical zoom, a good rate of mega pixels and a sleek design.

Despite the higher specification these machines are still reasonably compact and easy to use. You will often find a higher mega pixel content and a lot more options in both optical and digital zoom. As always, even with the Canon Ixus, it is always worth consulting the latest camera reviews to identify the right model to suit you.

It might also be worth considering digital video cameras, especially if you like to take action shots or want to record the kids while they are young. Many of the latest digital video cameras will also offer the added feature of taking still photographs, making it a good option for many people.

However, if you are looking to take your photography hobby to the next level, or want to follow a career in professional photography then a Digital SLR camera could be for you. There is no doubt this option is more expensive, especially when you add on the price of additional lenses, but you are guaranteed to get great shots with super high picture quality every time. With these digital cameras you can make more of lighting, take great wide angle shots and fantastic close ups.

>> Image courtesy of Expansys

Depending on where you buy a new camera, you may be able to trade your old one in, especially if it’s in good condition. A lot of family-owned camera stores also deal in used camera equipment and they may be interested in your camera. This will enable you to knock some of the cost off of the new model. Selling the camera on an online auction site or in the classifieds of your local newspaper isn’t a bad idea either.

You could also give the camera to a family member or friend, especially somebody who’s interested in photography but doesn’t have the means to buy one. And giving it to somebody who isn’t interested in photography may all of a sudden see them become fascinated with the art form.

If you do give your camera to somebody, make sure you take the time out to show them how it operates so they can get the most out of it. Keeping an old camera isn’t a bad idea either. It never hurts to have a backup just in case your new one fails. Donating it to a school or charity is always appreciated and it may also end up being tax deductible.

If you decide to keep your old camera it’s a good idea to take it out every once in a while to keep it clean and make sure it works. The worst thing that can happen is you go to use the old model as a backup and find that it’s not in working order.

This is a case where a built-in microphone could definitely be useful. Some cameras come with built in microphones and speakers and they can be a great help. Instead of writing down notes about the images you can simply speak into the microphone before taking the shot and describe the scene and who’s in it. This is also an ideal feature for sports photos as you can describe the action, who the athletes are and what time of the game the photos were taken, etc.

The microphone might be listed on the camera as voice annotation or voice memo. Depending on the model of camera, you should be able to describe your scene via the microphone just before you take the photo or just after. It’s a great way to keep track of your images without having to write everything down.

Many digital cameras also let you take short videos with sound. You can then transfer the videos into digital files. The quality isn’t as good as a video camera, but the feature can still come in handy, especially for once-in-a-lifetime events.

There are several types of cameras that come with built-in microphones and it’s a good idea to read some reviews on them before buying one. You should also ask the salesperson to demonstrate a model for you to show you how it works. These types of cameras are an ideal way to keep track of your photos quickly and efficiently.

Many people can’t afford to keep up with all of the latest gadgets, so have to get the best out of their current camera.

If you have an older model there are certain things you can do to make sure your camera and photos are first class.

Advanced electronics can result in better photos, but there are some photography principles that can result in good shots if you follow them.

• You can experiment with your composition and lighting until you get the best effects.
• You should also keep the camera, LCD screen, viewfinder, and lenses clean with a cleaning kit. You may even want to take it to a dealer to get the sensor cleaned.
• Keep your camera steady by using a tripod, monopod, or any other type of bracketing device. This will enable you to take shots with lower ISOs and at longer exposure times.
• You can use an inexpensive or free photo editing software program to improve your photos. All you have to do is take the time to learn how to use them.
• Use lens adapters that enable you to attach telephoto and wide-angle lenses to the camera.
• Remember, if you have an SLR camera, you can keep the camera body and buy better lenses. A lens that has a wider aperture will let you take faster shots in low-light situations.

If you get sand in the camera the moving parts may become stuck and the error message may appear on the screen. The problem is you may not be able to clean it even with a can of liquid air and a sensor-cleaning kit.

You may have to take the camera to a dealer or manufacturer to have it repaired. They will take it apart, clean it, and lube all of its moving components.

Don’t get too low when shooting in sandy areas and protect the camera with a re-sealable food bag. Be careful when using a camera bag at the beach as sand tends to get trapped at the bottom of the bag.

If the camera comes in contact with water you should take the battery out of it right away and don’t turn the power on.

This will save it from a power surge. Signs that the camera is wet may include error messages, corrupted files, and the camera turning itself off.

If the camera’s wet you should put it in a bag with some dehumidifying packs to help it dry and get advice from a dealer.

When taking photos of wet objects it’s a good idea to use a zoom lens so you can take the images from a distance. Also, don’t change lenses in the snow, rain, fog, and mist.

These are a few things you should watch out for when buying a used camera.

• Make sure the connectors aren’t broken or worn out and you can place the memory card and take it out without any problem.
• Try attaching and de-attaching lenses if it’s an SLR.
• Check the LCD for a stuck or dead pixel. It won’t affect the quality of the photos, but can still be quite irritating when taking them. If there’s a bad pixel on the actual photos there could be defect in a sensor.
• If the camera looks pretty beat off and is scratched, there’s a good chance it wasn’t taken care of well.
• Make sure there’s no corrosion at the battery contacts.
• Check the built-in flash as well as the shoe for an external flash.
• Inspect the lenses for fungus.

These types of cameras are ideal for various types of photography because you can change the lenses on the camera body to suit the type of image you’d like to take. For instance, you can use wide-angle, fisheye, macro, zoom, and telephoto lenses etc., as you can simply interchange the lenses according to the situation.

You also have more control of the lighting conditions because you can light your subject by using accessories such as on camera flash, macro flashes, and radio slaves that utilize multiple flashes simultaneously.

Because DSLR cameras offer more freedom and can utilize various accessories, they cost more than point and shoot models. But one of the bonuses is that you can purchase the camera body separately and then add on the lenses and accessories you need as you go along. The camera body is the least expensive part of the camera usually as the accessories and lenses cost more. A DSLR is usually the best choice if you’re serious about photography.