Star Tech

Giving Cameras The Right Exposure

This question was posted on my blog a few hours ago, as a comment from Rachelle Black, who writes the lively blog Pasture Musings.

Hey, David, what is your favourite digital camera? I have a Sony Mavica - 2004 model that uses the little discs. Then the LCD screen cracked. I thought I was going to throw up when I saw it! But it still works. It's kind of interesting trying to set up shots now with a quarter of the screen black! So, I'm in the market for a new one. Looking forward to hearing from you.

There is no greater setback for a photographer - professional or Sunday snapper - than a malfunctioning camera. Like all consumers, we're victims of the throwaway age. Sealed units mean that few items can be repaired - be it a car part, a timer on a washing machine, or even a home printer. If they break down, you throw them out and replace them. In my next life I want to come back as a repairman!

Levity aside, the very nature of consumerism means that the more popular an item becomes, the lower its price falls. This, thank goodness, applies to digital cameras. In short, you now get a wide range of high-performance models for under $400 (that's Australian currency, which equates to about $US300), whereas a couple of years ago, that price range would only fetch a basic, bottom-of-the-pile model.

In answer to your question about my own favourite, I use a Pentax K100D - and I think it is terrific. To deal with your other dilemma, I don't fancy your chances of getting the LCD screen fixed on your Sony Mavica, but I'd hang on to the camera purely for the challenge of shooting with only three-quarters of your LCD display visible. If that ain't the challenge of creativity, then nothing is!

As you say, you're in the market for another one and honestly, you could not be buying at a better time. There are some great slim-line Pentax and Olympus models around, with the large LCD screens that you could only find on a digital SLR until a couple of years ago.

If you're looking to get a digital SLR, there are very good Nikon models around, although I am obviously biased towards the Pentax K100D. Don't rush into your choice, though. Have a look at various models online and compare not just prices but features as well. In less than an hour, you'll have an idea of what features you value most - and that in turn will narrow down your choice. In short, if Camera A has 10 of the features you really want and Camera B has only eight or nine, go for Camera A. Let me know how you go. I'd love the feedback.