Choose the Perfect Camera

More Photo Tips

Here are more tips to improve your digital photography.

Set the Scene Mode

Scene modes can be your best bet for capturing a pleasing shot with a simple point-and-shoot camera--or if you haven't yet mastered your fancier camera's manual controls. The array of scene modes varies from camera to camera, but most models have a similar base set.

Portrait mode: Uses a wider aperture and spot-focus to make the person look sharply focused against a blurred background; a fill flash prevents harsh shadows on your subject's face. A few cameras also adjust color balance for more accurate skin tones.

Landscape mode: Sets the focus to infinity and uses the minimum aperture for maximum depth of field.

Macro/close-up mode: Often depicted with a flower icon; lets you place the lens close to a small subject.

Sports mode: A fast shutter speed freezes movement; continuous shooting mode is usually specified.

Kids and pets mode: Uses a fast shutter because small creatures may not follow your directives to stay still.

Nighttime: Uses a slow shutter to better capture dim evening light; hold the camera very still.

Fireworks: Focus is set to infinity, and the shutter to a slow speed; using a tripod is recommended.

Other modes: Some cameras have foliage, snow, and underwater modes. The Casio EX-Z57 has one for sunsets; it emphasizes red hues.

Eric Butterfield

Swiveling LCD: Unique Angles

A few camera vendors, including Olympus and Canon, put a swiveling LCD on some higher-end models. My Olympus C-5060, for example, has an LCD that rotates up and spins 180 degrees as does the LCD on the Olympus C-7070 Wide Zoom. I love this feature: At parties I face the LCD downward, and then hold the camera over my head to get a bird's-eye shot. This feature is equally useful for wildflower photography. Facing the LCD upward, I don't have lie on my belly to get great shots of tiny alpine flowers.

Tracey Capen

Get High-Quality Video

In addition to taking photographs, most digital cameras can record video. They won't match the quality of a camcorder; but if you plan to record a lot of video clips, you should look for a model capable of recording at a high resolution and high frame rate. For example, the Nikon Coolpix 8400 can record at 640 by 480 pixels (many models max out at just 320 by 240) at 30 frames per second. Video recorded at a lower frame rate may not look as good when played back: For example, when recording video at 640 by 480, the Kodak Z740 captures 13 frames per second. Also, some cameras don't record audio while capturing video at higher resolutions, and few models will zoom while recording video.

Eric Butterfield

Paul Jasper is a technology consultant and freelance writer based in San Francisco; Eric Butterfield is an associate editor and Tracey Capen is an executive editor for PC World.