The quality of a picture depends more upon the quality of the camera lens than any other aspect. The camera lens simply focuses the image onto the imaging chip. It therefore follows that the better quality camera lenses will produce a cleaner, brighter and sharper image than a low quality camera lens.
In fact a three megapixel camera with a quality camera lens will probably produce a better picture than an eight megapixel camera. You should be aware that the quality of a picture does not depend upon the number of pixels. megapixels only provide the ability to enlarge the photo and retain good quality.
As a rough guide, your camera will need 1 megapixel to print a 4x6 picture, 2 megapixels for a 5x7 and 4 megapixels to produce a decent 8x10 photo. It is the quality of the camera lens and the size of the imaging chip that determines the quality of the picture. In a SLR camera the imaging chip is about the size of a postage stamp, whereas in a pocket digital camera it is typically the size of your little finger.
This is why a camera in a mobile phone cannot take a quality picture, the camera lens and the imaging chip are the restrictions, no matter how many pixels the adverts promise.
Generally speaking, you will have little choice in the camera lenses for a particular camera, as they are an integral part of the camera. So in effect, you choose the lens by choosing the camera. Do you want a big camera or a small camera? A 3X zoom camera lens will limit what you can do, but will fit into a shirt pocket.
A bigger zoom of 10X or 12X will mean that the camera will be bigger and heavier. A 16X zoom camera is excellent for shooting people across the street, animals in the wild and sporting events, but it won’t fit easily into your pocket.
Don't forget though that it is the digital cameras picture composition that makes the real quality in a picture and that can't be bought!
Camera Tripods
The obvious reason for using a camera tripod is to stop any shake that you introduce by holding the camera. The effect of this shake is increased when you use a zoom setting and can begin to badly blur the image.But the benefits of using a tripod go beyond the elimination of shake.
It will actually improve the quality of your shots by forcing you to pause and consider what the photo is about. Use a camera tripod whenever possible. They are especially useful in macro and landscape photography where you want to see the subject as clearly as possible.
They’re also good for long exposure shots, slow shutter speeds or low light situations. One of the first things you need to consider when buying a camera tripod is that it will safely support the size and weight of your camera and any lenses you will attach to it. If there is any bend in the legs then don’t buy it.
A camera tripod need not be big, bulky and a pain to carry around. There is a large variety currently available to you. Miniature and table camera tripods and monopods have a much more restricted range of height but their small size means that they can fit easier into cramped spaces, and their lightness makes it possible to better improvise awkward camera angles and positions as needed.
Small and lightweight, a mini-tripod or monopod easily fits into a camera bag or purse. It can be placed on a table top or other level surface when needed. There are also heavy duty mini-tripods that have the features and flexibility of their full-sized counterparts. There are also a variety of clamps that can provide support in almost every situation.
It is no longer necessary to look like a surveyor every time you go out with your digital camera and supporting equipment, both your compact camera with zoom camera lens and camera tripod can easily fit inside your pockets. After all, they the two best kept secrets of a better digital photograph.
