Purchasing a Digital Camera

There are many opportunities to take stunning pictures along the Camino, be it the sunset in O’Cebreiro or the Pilgrim Mass in Santiago de Compostela

 

To catch a great image you will need a good light weight digital camera for the journey

 

My Personal Favourite

Nikon D5000 Digital SLR Camera

This is the camera I have been using for the last few trips I have made.

Beforehand I used a smaller compact digital camera which I still take with me as back up.

 

I tend to use the automatic settings most of the time and have to say that the picture quality is fantastic and so detailed.

 

I also bought the Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm lense for great close up images.

 

What To Look Out For When Purchasing a Digital Camera

The basis of choosing a digital camera will ultimately fall down to what you actually want it for and what you can or are willing to pay for it. The choice these days is between three main types, compact, superzoom and the Digital SLR.

 

Digital Compact Cameras

The entry level for most people these days is the digital compact camera. This as it’s name suggests is a small pocket sized camera designed to be taken and used virtually anywhere. They are fully self contained and are normally sold ready to go with battery, charger, software and instruction manual. You may have to purchase a larger memory card, but the good news is that the price of these has reduced significantly over the last few years.

 

With a fully automated operation coupled to a built in zoom lens they will do what most people require from a camera, and these days will do it very well. They are also easily carried in a pocket. As each year passes they become smaller and more powerful with regard to their ability to take larger pictures due to increases in pixel rate.

 

Five years ago a decent compact would have a pixel rate of about 4 to 6 mega pixels whereas today they are anything from 10 to 14 mega pixels. One point to be aware of is that as they get smaller is they become less easy to hold steady whilst taking photos. Try to always use two hands regardless of their small size.

 

These days nearly all compacts will offer a video recording function which will enable you to take near TV quality video clips with sound. The higher end and expensive compacts tend to allow you more manual control over the cameras operation for the more serious photographer.

 

Digital Super-zoom Cameras

Next in line come the superzoom models. As their name suggests these cameras have much longer zoom lenses.

 

They tend to look similar to DSLR cameras though their internal organs are more akin to a compact.

 

One of their basic problems is that they have rather small image sensor design along with compacts which translates to poorer image quality than a DSLR.

 

They do however offer more manual control over settings such as aperture and and shutter speed.

 

They are a stepping stone between compact and DSLR cameras.

 

Digital SLR Cameras

The DSLR allows you to take the finest of photographs either using their automatic settings or using the many manual functions they come with. The main difference is that a DSLR has interchangeable lenses. This enables you to choose the best lens for the job.

 

It is the lens that ultimately gives a DSLR the edge over compacts coupled with their larger image sensors. This produces much better quality images with more tonal variation and less noise.

 

They have a better autofocus system which will keep a moving object in focus far better than a compact. They also utilise bigger batteries enabling them to take hundreds of shots before requiring recharging.

 

I use a Nikon DSLR (as shown in the picture) when travelling and one battery charge lasts me two weeks, although I always carry a fully charged replacement.

 

Where to buy your digital camera

 

Don’t forget your Travel Insurance.

Check here for a FREE quote