1.0
INTRODUCTION
According to Computer Hope (2020), a
digital camera is a hardware device that takes photographs and stores the image
as data on a memory card. Unlike an analogy camera, which exposes the chemicals
on film to light, a digital camera uses digital optical components to register
the intensity and colour of light and converts it into pixel data.
The digital camera requires no film.
The images have taken will be stored on a small memory card inside the camera.
When this card is full, the images can be transferred to other devices. It
allows the memory card to be used repeatedly.
Most of the digital cameras allow the images to be viewed on an LCD
screen embedded in the camera. The images can be viewed immediately after they
have been taken. They can be deleting or save as required. The images also can
be downloaded to a computer.
The digital cameras have many
features compare to a regular camera such as an optical viewfinder, a variety
of flash and exposure modes, a zoom lens and a rechargeable battery. However,
they have many disadvantages too. In this assignment, I would like to discuss
on a compact camera and a DSLR camera only.
I would like to discuss two types of digital cameras. They are compact
camera and Digital Single-Lens Reflex (DSLR) camera.
2.1 COMPACT CAMERA
The compact camera is also known as a point-and-shoot camera because it’s
used for ordinary purposes. It’s an inexpensive entry-level camera. It’s small and lightweight. It usually comes with standard and
automatic settings. It doesn’t have an optical viewfinder. It’s the most widely
used. It contains fewer features, thus reduce the quality of a picture.
2.2 ADVANTAGES OF USING
THE COMPACT CAMERA
2.2.1 Portability
It created in small
size and simple. It’s easy to bring anywhere, at all times. It’s very light. We
can leave it in our pocket or handbag.
2.2.2 Easy to use
It’s easy to use
because it has auto modes. We can point the camera at the object then, press
the “shoot” button. The camera will handle all the technical stuff. It is
user-friendly too and we don’t take much time to learn how to use it.
2.2.3 Affordable
It’s inexpensive.
We can get the compact camera at a price as low as RM250.00. Jessica (2020)
stated a compact camera is inexpensive compared to other types of cameras and
there are many good value options out there.
DSLR is a digital camera that uses a mirror mechanism to reflect light
from a camera lens to an optical viewfinder or let light fully passes into the
image sensor by moving the mirror out of the way. It’s larger and heavier than
compact cameras. It uses interchangeable lenses. If we want to get a bit more
serious about photography, we have to choose it.
2.4 THE ADVANTAGES OF
USING DSLR CAMERA
2.4.1 Better image quality
DSLR camera gives better image quality because it has a
bigger sensor. It can give more details, faster shutter speeds, and sharper
photos, especially in low-light situations.
2.4.2
Focus speed
DSLR camera doesn’t need more time to focus. It can take
multiple shots per second. It has a device called a shutter. It plays the main
role to take the images quickly. When we capture the images, the shutter will
open and close instantaneous. There’s no delay from the moment that we press
the button.
2.4.3 Interchangeable
lenses
The ability to change the lenses allows us with
unlimited possibilities because the lenses are important to capture sharp and
detail pictures, and determine the quality of the pictures.
There’s no perfect lens for every situation so, we have
to consider the pros and cons of every option, and choose the best compromise
when we want to shoot an image. There are lenses that can take great pictures
in low light conditions, wide lenses for capturing a lot of detail, zoom lenses
for long-distance photography, wide aperture lenses for portraits, and many
more capabilities than the regular cameras do not have access to.
3.0 THE COMPARISON BETWEEN COMPACT
CAMERA AND DSLR CAMERA
There are many differences between
both cameras. People choose them based on their usage. Below are several
comparisons:
3.0.1 Processor
Ryosuke (2018) stated that an image processor is an essential electronic
component that is akin to the “brains” of the camera. It controls the camera to
a high degree, from how it functions to how it depicts and records images.
Canon has produced the DIGIC
(Digital Imaging Integrated Circuit) image processor which becomes the brains
of a camera. DIGIC 8 is the latest and the best of the DIGIC image processor.
When a camera uses the best image processor either a compact camera or DSLR
camera, it will increase functionality, pixel counts and sophistication.
The best image processor can give
good effects for all cameras in a few ways likeability to shoot in dark places,
ability to shot at high speeds with minimal noise, ability to process all
information rapidly, ability to evaluate the subject’s brightness and colour
and detecting faces, recognise and track the subject faster and more accurate,
and so on.
3.0.2 Image resolutions (megapixel)
SLRLounge (2019) stated that a
megapixel is one million pixels. A pixel is a single site or spot on a digital
image sensor that gathers photons of light and converts these photons into
electronic information. A single pixel is a single point of light, the smallest
unit of measurement in a digital image. The pixels (and megapixels)
cumulatively receive "count" photons of light on a whole digital
sensor and convert the light into the electronic information that makes up a
digital image.
The compact camera can produce until
up to 24 megapixels. Generally, more megapixels can be better. Each pixel has
information about the colour and intensity of the light gathered at its
location. The best quality of the final image will be produce when more
information about the qualities of the light that can be captured by the
camera's image sensor.
The DSLR camera can produce up to
120 megapixels. However, the 120 megapixels will yield RAW photos in which the
image data has not undergone processing. They take up more space than typical
JPEG images. The RAW files often need 5 to 10 times more disk space for each
image captured. So, the RAW image data have to save in proprietary file format
specific to the camera manufacturer.
However, megapixels are not
everything for most people. We have to consider about
sensor size too. The size of the sensor determines how much light uses to
create an image. A bigger sensor can gain more information compared to a small
sensor and can produce better images. If a compact camera and a DSLR camera
have the same number of megapixels but, different sizes of
image sensors, better for us to choose the DSLR camera with a big image sensor
because of it capable to produce better dynamic range and less noise.
3.0.3 Image editing features
Both cameras have some editing
functions within them. We can select via a menu before photos are taken. The
most common thing is the degree of sharpness, the amount of contrast (the
difference between the lightest and darkest areas in a photo), saturation
(vividness of colours) and changing an image to more subdued colours or
monotone.
After the image was taken, both
cameras can view the image in Playback Mode. Then, we can perform basic editing
such as cropping, resizing, adjusting brightness and/or contrast, black and
white, rotating and sharpening.
An only DSLR camera can create field blur and bokeh effects because it
has a large size of the image. We can bring out the main theme in a photo by
blurring a large background. Figure 3.6 is an example of field blur and bokeh
effects. The compact camera cannot do it because it has a small image sensor,
and do not support exchangeable lenses.
3.0.4 Video capture capabilities
The best of both cameras
offer high-resolution 4K with no real limitations. We would have no loss of details or
colours whatsoever. Most 4K cameras capture 8-bit video internally to memory
cards. However, they only can record Full HD video movies in 30 minutes only.
The DSLR can make
high-quality videos compare to compact cameras because it can function well
even in low light conditions. Whereas the compact camera has fixed lens devices
with small sensors so, it has a limitation in terms of versatility and
performance.
An electronic viewfinder
makes the DSLR cameras capable to shoot movies while holding the camera to your
eye. By using electronic viewfinders, we can record a video without distracting
surroundings.
The DSLR camera can record the video manually and also
autofocus. However, if you want to produce a good quality video, better for us
to use it manually. Meanwhile, the compact camera cannot capture the video
manually.
The DSLR cameras can record the video with sound too.
Meanwhile, the compact camera cannot record the video with sound.
4.0 THE STORAGE ON DIGITAL CAMERA
Nowadays, digital cameras use
several types of storage systems. According to National Centre for Technology
in Education (2008), most camera manufacturers use one of the following memory
cards inside their products: SmartMedia, CompactFlash, a memory stick,
multimedia (MMC), secure digital (SD) or xD cards. The higher the pixels count
of the image, the greater the size of the file to be stored and therefore, the
greater the need for a large capacity memory card. Computer Hope (2018) stated
that a memory card is a type of storage media that is often used to store
photos, videos, or other data in electronic devices.
Here, I would like to discuss on
SmartMedia and secure digital (SD) only.
4.1 SmartMedia
It consists of a Flash-Memory chip
that stores data. It was one of the first memory cards that are produced and
used in digital cameras and other electronic devices. The first card was
developed by Toshiba. It had a smaller capacity, ranging from 2MB to 128MB, and
physical dimensions of 45mm x 37mm x 76mm.
However, this card is no longer
manufactured or developed because it has been overtaken by more powerful
storage media cards. This situation happens because of several reasons:
4.1.1 Low storage capacity
It was popular in 2001. However, in
2002 it started to experience problems with low storage capacity as the camera
increased image resolutions. Its maximum size is only 128MB.
4.1.2
No plan to increase its size
There
is no plan to increase its size in the future even though, everyone aware of the limit size. It is
supported by James (2020) who stated that with memory demand at an all-time
high, 128MB is a thing of the past. There are no plans to increase the size of
the memory in the future, so this decision has more or less sealed SmartMedia
cards' fate.
4.1.3 Data loss
When we remove the card while the
camera is still on and operating, it can be corrupted and unusable while, the
data inside the card can lose. However, it can be repaired and recovered by an
expert.
4.2 Secure Digital (SD)
SD card is the standard for portable
non-volatile (flash) memory. It produces with a
small size of 24mm x 32mm x 2.1mm. This card was created in 1999. It jointly
developed by SanDisk, Panasonic, and Toshiba. Later, the three companies formed
the SD Card Association to create, promote and enforce SD card standards across
the industry.
SD card is designed for the digital camera, cell phone, PDA device, and
video camera. It has three types; postage stamp, the Mini SD Card and Micro SD
Card. It contains up to 2GB of storage. There are three issues related to this
memory card:
4.2.1 Price
Even though we can get it at an
inexpensive price, better for us to buy another card because we can get extra
storage and speed at the same price. It is supported by Joe (2010) who stated
that even though you can get these memory cards at a capacity of 2GB for as low
as $5.00, I do not advise purchasing SD Cards. For $5.00 more you can buy a 4GB
SDHC card. The extra storage and speed that you receive for the price are worth
especially with the higher resolution, quicker cameras, and video-capable DSLRs
being built now.
4.2.2 Space
The SD card can only hold 2 GB of
data and have been fully discontinued. The SD Card Association has been
replaced by the newer-generations called SDHC and SDXC cards.
4.2.3 The speed of the card or
transfer rate
According
to ScanDisk Global Customer Care (2020) rated speed is the maximum speed of the
card and also what you would expect to approximately see in typical usage of
writing or reading files on the card. This measurement is pertinent to still
photography, especially for taking pictures with high resolution and/or saving
in a RAW format where the files created are very large. The faster the card,
the faster it can save the file and be ready to take another picture.
Each camera has its rate which is able to move the data to the memory
card. In this situation, we have to choose the right memory card which is
suitable for our camera. For example, if we have a camera that capable to move
the data at 10MB/s so, we have to choose the right memory card which has the
transfer rate suitable with our camera because the transfer rate is dependent
on how fast the camera and memory card work together to transfer the files onto
the card.
5.0 CLOUD STORAGE
Lakshmi and Padma (2014) state that
Cloud storage is a service that maintains data, manage and backup remotely and
made data available to users over the network.
There are many cloud storage
providers. Every provider provides free space up to certain gigabytes, for
example, Microsoft SkyDrive provides free space up to 7GB. If customers cross
the free space limit, they have to pay a certain amount according to the plan.
By using the cloud storage service, we don't need to invest in storage devices,
even technical support likes maintenance.
5.1 The significances of the cloud
storage
People always look for new
technology when the current technologies have problems. That is why cloud
storage is created. It has many significances:
5.1.1 Store data
When a memory card is full, we have to remove the data into other
devices. However, the devices cannot solve the storage problem too. In this
situation, people started to look at cloud storage as a place for storage.
According to Dan (2006) if your laptop crashes or gets stolen, and you haven’t
backed up your photos in another place, then they’re gone forever. Most forms
of digital storage are unreliable in the long term. Hard drives crash,
computers die, and CDs and DVDs get scratched up and become unusable.
5.1.2 Save the data from disasters
The cloud storage saves the data via
the internet. So, it can protect the data from disasters like tsunami and fire.
The cloud
storage overcomes the issue in several ways:
5.2.1 Do not need physical items to
save data
It overcomes the storage size problems without need a physical item or
container. When I save the data via cloud storage, I don't need to think about
occupy space and I don't need to bring the data anywhere.
5.2.2 Can access the data anywhere
Once we need the data, we can get them anywhere as long as we can connect
the internet line. It can save the storage problem and also can access the data
immediately. For example, I can finish my office’s work at home which is I can
take the data via the internet.
5.2.3 Save money
It can solve the storage problem without adding our money as long as we
don’t use over the limit for example, Google Drive
gives 15GB free storage. If an organization uses Google Drive, they can save
their budget as long as they do not use over 15GB.
In conclusion, the camera industry
has developed faster and its effect on the new camera become more popular and
less expensive. The advancing technology affects the camera digital not only
used for capturing images but, also for recording videos.
When we want to choose a camera, we have to evaluate how much
functionality we need. If we want to capture good quality images without too
much hassle, we have to choose a compact camera. Meanwhile, if we are a
photographer and consider the quality of images, we have to choose a DSLR
camera.
The DSLR can consider as a good camera compares to the compact camera.
However, it has disadvantages too. Because of the disadvantages, the compact
camera is still relevant and owned by many people.
We can transfer the images from a memory card to a computer when the
memory card has full and it can be used several times. However, both cannot
overcome the storage problem too.
The cloud storage is one of the ways to overcome the storage problems. We
can use it without pay anything as long as we don’t use it over the limit. It
can save our data from disaster, stolen and lost. We can access the data
anywhere as long as we can access the internet line.
Even though people have created many things to overcome the current
technologies, problems and weaknesses still exist. As a user, we have to
consider the pros and cons when we want to choose certain things to make sure
we choose the correct product, suitable for our wants.
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