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TECH FEATURE

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objects and subjects you want to lock on to in a scene - such as people, animals, and vehicles - and then track them as they move about in the frame, maintaining accurate focus. Eye tracking A must-have tool that locks the focus on a subject’s eye and follows them, resulting in fewer photos being out of focus — recommended when snapping children or pets.

DIGITAL CAMERA ESSENTIALS

Burst shooting High-speed, or burst, shooting lets you capture a rapid sequence of shots, giving you a variety to choose the best image from. It also reduces blur when shooting fast moving subjects. A camera’s burst mode is denoted as fps (frames per second) - look for a number greater than five. Video recording From Full HD to 4K UHD, digital cameras capture high-resolution video in incredible detail. Look for a high frame rate of 4K/60p, which will give you smoother footage. Product review modes Vloggers that record a lot of product reviews should look for a camera with a dedicated mode for this very purpose. It simplifies shooting using face-to-object autofocus to ensure the product is

We all point and click with our smartphone cameras, but a dedicated digital camera gives you higher quality images, greater control over settings, and the option of interchangeable lenses. So, what should you consider when shopping for one? Words Scott Hocking

D igital cameras are designed for all-purpose use, from vlogging, travel photography, and capturing sports action and wildlife, to astrophotography. Features and functions can vary depending on the model, with those aimed at professional photographers boasting more specialised functions and modes. There’s a wide range of digital cameras available and some are more affordable than others, so it’s best to first work out your budget and photography needs to find the perfect match.

a lens allows into the camera, while ISO is an adjustable setting that controls the sensor’s sensitivity to light. A low ISO value is best for bright conditions, and high for low light. Autofocus This essential camera tool eliminates the need to manually adjust the focus in order to capture crisp and clear images - cameras with this function will do it for you. It’s particularly useful when shooting fast moving subjects. Subject/object recognition and tracking Machine learning algorithms identify

clearly defined in the foreground. Articulating touchscreens

These are great for beginners — simply touch the area on the display you want to focus on. They also provide easy access to setting menus, as well as the flexibility of capturing high and low angles.

Here are ten key things to look out for…

Portability and ergonomics

Look for a camera body that’s a comfortable fit for your grip, with well-positioned dials and buttons for ease of use. Choose a compact model for vlogging on the go and travel photography.

When choosing a digital camera you’ll come across a lot of technical jargon and an alphabet soup of acronyms. Here are some of the more common ones that you’re likely to encounter. GLOSSARY

Aperture – The amount of light an adjustable lens lets into the camera APS-C – Advanced photo system type-C: an image sensor format Bokeh – Background blurring in a photo for an artistic effect Depth of field – How much of an image is in focus and acceptably sharp EVF – Electronic viewfinder

MP – Megapixels: The amount of detail a camera’s sensor can capture OIS – Optical image stabilisation OVF – Optical viewfinder RAW – An unprocessed and uncompressed image file with more detail VR – Vibration reduction

Focal length – Determines how much of a scene your camera can capture Full Frame – A camera sensor that’s the same size as a 35mm film frame IBIS – In-body image stabilisation ISO – A camera’s sensitivity to light Mirrorless camera – Captures light directly on the sensor instead of using a mirror to reflect it

Sensor size The sensor is the camera’s eye, capturing light and converting it into an electronic signal to create a digital image. The larger a camera’s sensor, the better the image quality, particularly for low light. Sensors can be APS-C or Full Frame (see page 10) . Aperture and ISO Aperture (or f-stop) refers to the amount of light

APRIL 2024

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