More and more people are striving to save important moments of their lives in the form of photographs. This provokes great demand, and as a result, a large number of proposals in the market of photographic equipment. Shelves of shops were filled with various types of cameras: from professional DSLRs to amateur soap dishes. The most widely used digital cameras. They are convenient, affordable and create very decent photos.
Choose a soap dish
When asked about what is the best camera to choose for an amateur, they very often answer that in this case a compact soap dish is a suitable option.
This is a well-known, cheap camera model. Compared with SLRs, it has several disadvantages. However, the prices of compact cameras are appropriate. The main advantages of soap dishes are the ease of transfer, depth of field, the ability to work on batteries. An important feature is ease of use. Unlike the same mirror devices, to adapt to which is not so easy without relevant theoretical knowledge and practical experience.
The matrix in such cameras is not large, but it is larger than in mobile devices. The quality of photographs of stars from the sky is also not enough, but users are unlikely to expect anything special. The flash is very weak. The number of functions in soap dishes is often limited by the shooting itself and several digital image processing options.
To shoot objects in motion on such devices is practically impossible. There will always be blur or defocus. However, for family holidays, a compact camera can be very useful. Anyway, if a person takes photos not so often, buying a different model is simply pointless.
In addition to standard models of soap dishes with a small lens and small sizes, devices with very impressive lenses can sometimes be found on the market. However, this rarely affects the quality of photos. Such devices look bigger. They cost more. But this is still a soapbox with a small matrix.
Features of the compact camera and how to choose it correctly
Despite the abundance of shortcomings, compact devices are recognized as much better cameras than those installed in modern mobile devices. Pictures are obtained with higher quality, and the functionality can be expanded with additional options.
The market offers similar cameras from different manufacturers. It is difficult to highlight the flagship in this segment. Too many offers. Both large digital companies and unknown brands are engaged in this.
Often, inexperienced users are guided by the appearance of the model. This is mistake. Conscious choice good digital camera should be based on several key characteristics.
Matrix
Matrix
The quality of the frame always depends primarily on the matrix. A device that is a collection of millions of light-sensitive sensors that convert light into a digital signal. The number of sensors is the resolution of the matrix. One million is one megapixel.
The matrix receives a light signal through the camera lens. The larger the physical dimensions of the matrix, the better the pictures will be obtained. Small sizes will not provide a complete display of reality and will offer the user a muddy picture at the output.
There are cameras with matrix sizes 1 / 2.3 ″, 1 / 1.7 ″, 2/3 ″, 1 ″. The best from this list is the inch matrix. However, such models are hardly budgetary. Rarely will their cost be below 20,000 rubles.
The best option for any camera is a full-frame sensor. Its dimensions are similar to the frame size on a standard film. Such a part has very large physical dimensions, so its installation in small devices is very difficult. And its cost is high.
However, sometimes you can find a compact device with a full-frame matrix. This is a rarity that will have a fairly high price. The picture quality here will be an order of magnitude higher than ordinary soap dishes, and comparable to a good SLR.
Cheap devices come with a CCD sensor. This is a rather old model, which simply can no longer compete with other representatives. Cameras with such a sensor have a very low price, but pictures on it are unlikely to impress anyone.
Therefore, if there is time, then it is better to look for a camera with a CMOS sensor. It will cost a little more, but the result will live up to expectations.
The size of the matrix should be larger than the standard 1 / 2.3 inches. In this case, the camera can hardly be replaced by a mobile device.
Lens
To understand how to choose a compact device, it is worth considering lenses. This is the second most important component of any shooting apparatus. Here you need to focus on the focal length. The recommendations of specialists in this matter come down to one thing: the focal length should be less than 25 mm.
Optics
Optics
Compact cameras are usually equipped with a small lens. It is equipped with an optical zoom to zoom in on the subject without losing quality. Modern pocket cameras have a 20x zoom. This is the optimal zoom with which a compact can still be called a compact. As manufacturers begin to increase this parameter, the lens becomes larger and larger. In the end, devices with a 50-fold increase, which are comparable in size to professional mirror technology, enter the market. However, only the lens is magnified. The small matrix remains such that it does not improve the frames.
Soap dishes with improved optics are not too popular with customers. This is due to the fact that the price of such a device increases markedly, but the quality of photos is not.
Display
Display
An important component of any camera. It is the display that helps to correctly build the frame before taking a picture. When choosing, you should be guided by two main parameters: diagonal and screen type. With the diagonal, everything is clear - the larger the screen, the more convenient it is to use the camera. As for the type of display, the AMOLED screen is optimal. This technology allows for excellent display and low power consumption.
It is recommended to select devices with a touch screen. This will increase the convenience of adjusting the frame and controlling all other functions.
Additional functions
A wide variety of digital cameras allows each customer to choose exactly what he needs. The abundance of additional functions, whether present or not in the device, can significantly affect the final choice.
If the user plans to shoot video on the camera, you should first verify this possibility, as well as select a device with a good resolution. You need to purchase devices with the ability to shoot in Full HD at a frequency of 50 frames per second. Also for the video there will be a stabilizer, since compact cameras have a low weight, which exposes them to increased vibrations.
The presence of wireless modules will greatly simplify the transfer of captured frames to a computer or portable gadget.
Some soap dishes can be equipped with manual adjustment. This is very useful for novice photographers who want to learn how to build their own exposure.
Of course, one cannot fail to mention that a compact camera must be compact.Pay special attention to the overall dimensions and weight of the device. This is a travel camera, and hardly anyone would want to carry an extra half a kilo with them.
An important selection option is the battery. It should be capacious enough so that it does not have to be charged every hundred shots. Soap dish and was created as an autonomous, portable camera for a trip.
In most cases, a compact camera can be replaced by a camera in modern smartphones. It may well be enough to snatch a beautiful frame on a trip or on a holiday.
Choose a tripod and memory card
Memory card
An important point in picking a photographer’s kit is the selection of a tripod. It serves as an external stabilizer for taking photos and videos. You need to choose a tripod with gyroscopic legs, which can be used at the height of human growth. This height is most often required for commercial shooting. Sometimes it’s very convenient to use different variations of the shoulder or hand tripods. They are devices that provide the camera with an additional pivot point, which significantly stabilizes the image.
Equally important is the correct selection of a memory card. For professional shooting, it is recommended to take a large volume card. And it's best to always have a backup card. You should pay attention to the data transfer rate.
Camera Overview
The abundance of types of devices in the digital camera market makes it difficult to rank the best models. However, there are several devices that have been able to earn the trust of users and are busy with their niche in this segment.
Canon PowerShot SX60 HS
Canon PowerShot SX60 HS
Representative of compact cameras with very large zoom. The lens is capable of 65x magnification of the subject. This could not pass unnoticed by the size and weight of the device. Almost 600 grams is quite a lot for a soap dish. Another feature is the small focal length - 21 mm. Unfortunately, filming on this device is completely pointless. It is simply not intended for this.
Pros:
- excellent zoom;
- CMOS matrix
- rate of fire 6.4 frames per second;
- wireless module;
- rotary display.
Minuses:
- high price;
- small matrix size;
- video 30 frames per second;
- weak battery.
Price: 28 000 rubles.
Olympus Tough TG-860
Olympus Tough TG-860
Gadget protected from the environment. An impressive class of moisture protection. Shockproof housing. Thus, any drops from a small height will not affect the performance of the camera. It is possible to shoot high-quality video at a speed of 50 frames per second. A great camera for shooting in aggressive environments such as water.
Pros:
- protected case;
- geographic marks in photographs;
- stabilizer;
- rotary screen.
Minuses:
- small matrix size.
Price: 30 000 rubles.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100M4
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100M4
Soap dish with the characteristics of a SLR camera. The functional component of this device is not inferior to professional cameras. CMOS-matrix allows you to capture all the beauty of the exposed frame. The shooting speed is 16 frames per second. This is a very impressive indicator, which makes the compact one of the fastest in its segment. There is an opportunity to shoot video not only in the usual, but also in slow motion. The photo is saved in the innovative RAW format, which allows you to squeeze out the best from the material through graphic editors.
Pros:
- rotary screen;
- 21 megapixel matrix;
- wireless modules;
- metal case;
- universality;
- impressive functionality.
Minuses:
- weak battery;
- 3x zoom;
- high price.
Price: 60 000 rubles.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10M2
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10M2
A device that allows you to shoot video in 4K format. This is really impressive. The device is equipped with a large lens with a constant aperture. 1 ”Matrix creates pictures almost professionally. In addition, the 8x zoom works great. The lens is equipped with one rotary ring, which forces the user to rush between manual focus and zoom.The device is great for reporting.
Pros:
- excellent video quality;
- the ability to shoot in slow motion;
- microphone input;
- wireless modules;
- 21 megapixel matrix.
Minuses:
- high price;
- large overall dimensions;
- high weight.
Price: 80 000 rubles.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1RM2
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1RM2
Compact 35mm full-frame camera. It is very unusual to observe a similar matrix in a small device. For a very long time such an opportunity was not even considered due to difficulties in execution. Sony was able to create such a device. The matrix has a resolution of 43.6 megapixels. Professional-grade optics ZEISS. Photosensitive aperture. High ISO values do not noise the frame. Among the wireless modules, not so much WiFi as NFC stands out. However, the cost of the device is very high.
Pros:
- large rotary screen;
- excellent matrix;
- the ability to connect an external flash;
- hybrid autofocus.
Minuses:
- very high price;
- no optical zoom.
Price: 280,000 rubles.