Many people have this belief that digital cameras do all the work in photography. They feel like all you have to do is click the button and a beautiful picture will appear. They also believe that the better camera they have the better photos they will get. Not true!

Even with a lower end camera, you can get fantastic quality photos. You can take the worst photos with best camera. All you need is a little knowledge and skill, and you can turn the worst camera into something that captures beautiful moments, with beautiful quality. Below are some tips that will help you take pictures like a pro!

1) Warm Up Tones

Many of us notice that our pictures sometimes have a cool feeling to them. This is because the default setting for white balance is usually auto. This is not bad, but tends to create photos that look a bit as you would say “cool”.

If you are shooting outdoor pictures, in a sunny environment, you should probably change your white balance to cloudy. This will case the camera to increase the red and yellow, which will result in a brighter, warmer fina, photo.

2) Sunglasses Polarizer

Using a polarizing filter will really give your pictures a better look. Polarizing filters are generally used for landscapes and outdoor photography. Polarized shots reduce glare and reflections, causing more saturated pictures (this is especially the case for photos of the sky).

Now, many cameras do not have the ability to have a filter. If this is the case, no worries, Have a good pair of sunglasses handy, and you can use these as a replacement for the filter. Sounds dumb, but it works! Trust me, I’ve tried it.

3) Making Your Outdoor Photos Shine

One of the best features that many of us are not aware of is the flash on mode. This allows you to take control of the flash, thus it will only go on when you want it to, rather than when the camera decides to.

In this mode, the camera will expose the background, then it will add the right amount of flash to light up the subject. This will create a very professional looking picture. Everything will look good, and this is why many wedding photographers have been using this technique for a long time. It will take a bit of practice to get it right, but it is worth it!

Getting the perfect camera, is never an easy thing, especially with the way digital technology is constantly changing. Fortunately, there are plenty of helpful websites online, that can narrow down your search and help you find the camera with all the features important to you.

Canon Digital Camera FAQ:

Question: Accessories for canon digital camera which makes me look like a pro?
I bought a new canon digital camera a Powershot a2000 IS. Are there accessories that can make my photographs look pro and beautiful? And how do I attach them?

Answer: Actually, your own photography skills will make your pictures look “pro and beautiful”. So just focus on improving your photography skills. Even with a point-and-shoot camera, a person can take some very good pictures. Play around with the manual settings on your camera until you discover what works best for taking pictures under certain conditions. And read about things pertaining to photography, such as aperture, shutter speed, ISO speed, etc.

Question: Does Canon powershot SX10IS 10MP digital camera has print facility straight from the camera?
I kinda fancy this canon powershot sx10is 10mp digital camera, however I’m wondering does it have a print facility in the camera, some of the canons camera does have that options.

Answer: Yes the PowerShot SX10 IS has a Print/Share button. It’ll work with Pictbridge as all Canons do.

Question: Canon digital camera lens not opening?
I have a canon digital camera, and the lens won’t open when I turn it on. How do I fix this?

Answer: Lens errors are fairly common. Usually it’s sand or grit interfering with the lens extension mechanism. Or the camera’s been dropped with the lens extended. Or the camera has been powered on, but the lens had been blocked preventing its extension. Or the battery ran down with the lens extended. I would check the battery first and if it’s still not working I would bring it back to the store for them to look at.

Question: Fungus has come inside my canon 5d digital camera. Any one with the same problem?
Canon 5d is one of the high end cameras. Now the service center in mumbai is suggesting to change the cmos- that will cost more than a good digital SLR.

Answer: It seems that humidity has finally got to your camera. Next time you buy a new camera, you may have to keep it protected from humidity as much as possible. Whether you keep your camera in a drybox or inside a camera bag, always throw in a bag of silica gel with it. Silica gel absorbs the moisture and keeps fungus from growing in your camera and lenses.

Question: Is there a way to upload pictures or videos from PC to my canon digital camera so I could watch them on my TV?

Answer: No. Cameras are not designed to be playback machines.

Question: Which Canon digital camera is 28mm?
I am looking for a compact digital Canon Camera with 28mm wide angle. So far I have only been able to track the ixus860 = SD870, SD800IS and perhaps the 860. Is there any other wide angle Canon camera? It might be a bit older or lower-end range as well.

Answer: Excluding SLR, PowerShot SD870 IS is Canon’s only camera with wide angle lens (28-105mm) in production. SD800 IS is an older model no longer in production.

Some of their non wide angle cameras, such as PowerShot G9, S5 IS, and A650 IS, can become wide angle through Canon’s wide converter accessory (about $200).

Question: How to set a 3 MP Canon digital camera to take clearer pictures up close?
Image always comes out blurry, like I have an unsteady hand. I thought these cameras weren’t affected by slight hand movement.

Answer: It depends on what you mean by ‘up close’. If you mean real up close, then you should use the macro setting and tripod. And make sure the camera can lock in the focus. You may need to use manual focus in some cases. And you need to make sure you have plenty of light. In low light (especially without flash) your camera will struggle to capture blur free images.

The last 3MP camera released by Canon was in 2005. You may just need to buy a better camera…maybe one with IS (image stabilizer).

Question: How long till a Canon Digital Camera Battery Gets Fully Charged?
There’s only one bar left so I decided to charge my PowerShot SD450 since I was planning to make a video.

Answer: It may take 2 to 3 hours depending upon the charger and how depleted the battery is.

Because battery charging for a lithium battery, like that used in the SD450, is electronically controlled, it won’t hurt the battery or charger to leave it in overnight in the charger. The charger will simply stop charging the battery when it decides the battery is full.

A different sort of camera from the good folks at Canon, is the Canon Powershot D10. Meant to obviously compete with the successful Olympus line of waterproof cameras, the D10 is also waterproof. Our family owns one of the Olympus waterproof, and I can attest to the fact, that the kids really enjoy it around the pool. Similarly to the Olympus Stylus lineup, the Canon D10 is freeze-proof, dust-proof, and shockproof. Personally, I don’t understand why all digital cameras aren’t made up to the exacting standards of the D10, and the Stylus.

Not only is the D10 and very durable camera in hostile environments, but it also has a distinctive look about it. It has a two tone color scheme. One half is silver, and the other half is usually blue, but can also be gold, or gray with interchangeable face plates. This camera certainly stands out from the crowd. Hearkening back to the older days of cameras, the lens on the D10 stays extended at all times. Even when powered off.

The user interface of the D10 gets a bit of a mixed reaction from most. Once you get used to it, it’s no big deal.

When it comes right down to doing what a camera should do, there’s not a lot of difference between this PowerShot, and the hundreds of other cameras on the market. It takes pictures, it takes movies, and provides some handy features, like a 2.5 inch LCD, image stabilization, zoom lens, and 12 megapixels of digital goodness. As with many of the smaller digital cameras, shooting movies and using the zoom lens can detract from the quality of the pictures you shoot.

Like most Canon cameras, the D10 does an admirable job at taking good quality digital pictures. The added bonus of being able to take pictures underwater is just really cool. I remember the first time I took a digital camera into the pool, it seemed like such a bad idea. I was sure that the second I took the camera underwater I would at the least destroy the camera, and at the worst electrocute myself. But, have faith, the D10 is more than capable at taking fun underwater pictures and movies in the pool environment.

This is the perfect camera for taking on vacation, or a multitude of outdoor adventure type stuff. It can handle the abuse, while at the same time capturing images of your more memorable adventures. Be sure to check out the Olympus Stylus lineup as well. They were the first into the this particular niche, and may have other features you need.

Getting the perfect waterproof camera, is never an easy thing, especially with the way digital technology is constantly changing. Fortunately, there are plenty of helpful websites online, that can narrow down your search and help you find the camera with all the features important to you.

Canon Powershot D10 FAQ:

Question: Is the Canon PowerShot D10 safe in salt water or not?
I’ve lost several digital cameras due to water damage and now I am looking into investing in this camera. Just want to know if this camera would be safe in salt water or not? Most of the camera tests I have seen have been in swimming pools with regular water.

Answer: Yes it is safe.

Question: Is the canon powershot d10 a good underwater camera and in general?
I want to purchase the canon powershot d10 camera soon. I heard it takes really good underwater pictures and regular as well. however, I don;t know if it has the same features as the regular canons (taking a picture of something and only making one color show up). I really want that feature and checked the canon website and can’t find out if that camera has that.

Answer: Canon D10 have Photo Effects My Colors (Vivid, Vivid Blue, Vivid Green, Vivid Red, Neutral, Sepia, Black & White, Positive Film, Lighter Skin Tone, Darker Skin Tone, Custom) like regular canons and it takes good pictures for both in & out of the pool.

Question: Does the Canon powershot D10 waterproof camera have the digital macro feature?

Answer: Yes it does.

Question: Which camera is better, the canon powershot D10 or the canon sd970 IS?
I need a new camera and I don’t know which one takes better pictures.

Answer: Canon PowerShot SD970IS takes better pictures but if you want a waterproof camera Canon PowerShot D10 is a good camera that has good picture quality.

Question: Is there a better waterproof camera than the Canon powershot D10?

Answer: The competitor is the Olympus Stylus 1050 SW, but I would put my money on the Canon.

Question: Canon Powershot D10 or Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1?
Looking at getting an outdoor/waterproof camera. Looking at the Canon Powershot D10 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 12MP Digital Camera. Which would you take?

Answer: I would go for the Canon D10.

Question: Have you experienced any problems with a canon powershot d10?
I just bought one from ebay last week, used it underwater and now its not working. Do you have any problems with it? What should I do?

Answer: I would contact Canon directly to see if they can help you.

Question: Canon Powershot D10 or Pentax Optio W60?

Answer: D10 is better. It takes good pictures for both in the pool and out.

If capturing high def movies is a must have feature in your future digital SLR camera acquisition, then the Canon T1i SLR is understandably a digital SLR camera you should consider. While you won’t be shooting a full length docudrama with the EOS Digital Rebel T1i, you can get eighteen minutes of high def 720p at thirty fps. I like that the Nikon D90 12.3MP makes movies at 720p, but only for a maximum of five min, and only for a measly twenty four frames per second.

If your intent on shooting a lot of sport sequences with the Canon SLR Rebel T1i, you should probably do a little more research. The high def movies I’ve looked at exhibit a bit of variability. With the Canon Rebel T1i, you can alternate between 1080p at 20ps for high def movies, or 720p resolution at thirty fps. It’s a good approach to switch to the lower resolution if your running out of room on your storage card, or you want to create long videos.

If you take a lot of minimal lighting scenes, then the 12,800 ISO ratings packaged with the Canon Rebel T1i may be important. Ratings from the Rebel T1i at ISO 12,800 are maybe too impressive, and one speculates how Canon even achieved it. It would appear that Nikon understands the limits of the Nikon D90, and decided not to push a ridiculously high ISO of 12,800 on the D90 Digital SLR.

Don’t rely however on what I have to say. A careful scrutiny of images from a Nikon D90 DX and a Canon SLR Rebel T1i will reveal the facts. Canons ISO noise reduction strategies work somewhat, but often blur the detail of photographs.

While, it’s nice of Canon to raise the standards in ISO technology, it’s obvious that the D90 better signal to noise ratio is of greater importance.

When it comes to swiftness and noise, the Nikon D90 12.3MP is a superior DSLR than the Canon SLR Rebel T1i. If you hate missing out on perfect moments due to a slow shutter speed, you really should choose the D90 here. There are a number of things that make a digital camera fast. Shutter velocity is one. Focusing rate, or acquisition is another one. The D90 Digital SLR does both quicker than the EOS Digital Rebel T1i.

I like getting candid pictures as any lensman should, and that means taking exposures without individuals being aware. The Nikon designers must have the same thoughts, as the shutter button for the Nikon D90 is very quiet. This is convenient, if your capturing candid pics, wildlife photos, or weddings.

Getting a good price on a EOS Digital Rebel T1i, is never an easy thing. Fortunately, there are plenty of helpful websites online, that can narrow down your search and help you find the EOS Digital Rebel T1i with all the features important to you.

Nikon D90 FAQ:

Question: Can a Nikon D80 battery fit in a Nikon D90?
I am getting a D90 but I have a few extra D80 batteries. Do I have to buy new or will the D80 batteries fit in a D90?

Answer: You are in luck! They both take the Nikon EN-EL3e Lithium-Ion battery.

Question: How does one remove the eyepiece of the Nikon D90 to clean behind it?
I see 4 screws there but nothing seems to happen once they are out. Is there a trick to it as i have smudge and hair behind and really need to get rid of it.

Answer: It’s unlikely that what you’re seeing is actually behind your eyepiece. Rather that hair is almost certainly on your focusing screen in the mirror box. As is the smudge, if it is a smudge. Then again it could also be a piece of debris on your mirror (if big enough, such debris could appear in the viewfinder as an out-of-focus blot).

The first thing I try before anything else is, with lens removed and camera face down, blast the interior with some air from a bulb blower (NOT CANNED AIR) once or twice. Then test your camera. With any luck your viewfinder will appear clean. Though if you do still see a smudge, and you feel like you absolutely must be rid of it, then consider taking it in to be cleaned by a professional.

Question: How come when I take pics with the nikon d90 the sky doesn’t come out blue?
What settings should I put the camera on to get bluer skies?

Answer: Try using “Daylight” white balance. Yes, exposure will make a difference, with the darker exposure (-1.0 ev or so) favoring darker blue skies, but if you let the camera define what the white point is, in many scenes, it will turn the sky gray.

Question: I’m a beginner photographer and bought a Nikon D90 recently. What is a good Speedlight for me?
I am interested in using it for group pictures in low light conditions, macro and portrait. Please advice me on the best and most suitable Speedlight for me cause I am a real beginner.

Answer: As a beginner photographer your best to start with an SB-600. This will familiarize you fairly well with the basics, and maybe later on the more advanced, uses of the Nikon Speedlights. The newer SB’s does most of the same as the SB-600 with a little more advanced features. But those can be overlooked for a beginner. Also, with newer SB’s such as the SB-900 which is now out on shelf, you’ll be able to save money by buying the 600 which will help you quite the same way as any other SB will.

Question: How to turn off the autofocus light on Nikon D90?
I shoot sporting events which have very strict rules about not using flashes or any lights distracting to the athletes. Right now I am holding my finger over it/taping it, but is there a way to actually turn it off?

Answer: Go into the Menu, and under Custom Settings (pencil icon) you should see an option that says “AF Assist” or variation thereof. Go into this and select “Off”.

Question: I will probably be buying the Nikon D90 this month, what high quality zoom lens should I buy?
I’m thinking more in the range of 28mm or 35mm to say 105mm. I know the Nikon 50mm 1.4 is excellent but need something a bit versatile for lazy me.

Answer: You will find that the 18-200 mm VR will be the first lens you will want. That will give you a wide angle to telephoto range and you will find it to be an excellent lens when shooting everything in between.

Later, after you have learned more about your excellent camera, you will know which second lens will be the best for you and the subjects you shoot.

Question: Is the Nikon D90 weather sealed like the D300 is?
I ruined my first dSLR with sand and my second with mud/impact trauma. Weather sealing has become very important to me.

Answer: I don’t see weather sealing mentioned anywhere. I don’t see the “magnesium alloy body” mentioned anywhere, either, including at NikonUSA.com. Since they are quite forward about describing this in the cameras that have it, I’d take it to mean that the D90 does not.

I’d say, if it was weather-sealed, they would be sure to include that in their advertising and they don’t.

Question: Would you take your brand new SLR nikon D90 to europe, or keep it home and take a regular point and shoot?
Do you think with all the beauty in europe you wouldn’t want to miss the opportunity to take the slr with you, or would you think its a hassle to carry a slr around since its heavy around the neck, with all the walking I will do? I have a nikon d90 with 18-200 VR lens.

Answer: The whole idea of having a decent camera is to use it, most especially when you are going to be visiting other places which are likely to have fantastic photographic opportunities. If you find it heavy around your neck look into purchasing a backpack to keep it in.

There are so many different types, brands, and features to consider when buying a digital camera you may not know where to start. There are some top brands such as Canon, Kodak, Sony, Nikon, Panasonic, and Olympus. Now this is just to name a few of the top brands, there are many brands nowadays that sell great quality cameras. Since technology has really improved, you can’t go wrong lately with any brand of digital camera. What you really need to consider before purchasing your digital camera is what you plan on doing with it. Do you need a more professional zoom or just a few megapixels to print out quality photos? Here is a list of some top digital cameras that are point and shoot and under $250:

1. Canon Powershot A590IS has 8 megapixels, a 4X optical zoom, an optical image stabilizer, and a 2.5 inch LCD screen. A range of shooting modes from manual to automatic including Canon’s new Easy Mode which makes picture taking carefree. Once you choose Easy Mode the camera automatically sets every camera control including the flash to reduce blur and improve image quality.

2. Canon Powershot SD770IS has 10 megapixels, a 3X optical zoom and optical image stabilizer which reduces the blur of camera movement even in low light situations. A 2.5 inch PureColor LCD II screen which offers more color, resolution, and contrast even when viewed from an angle.

3. Canon Powershot SD790IS has 10 megapixels, a 3X optical zoom and optical image stabilizer. It also has a 3 inch LCD screen and like the other Canon Powershots it has DIGIC III Processor for superior image quality and improved functionality.

4. Canon Powershot SD1100IS has 8 megapixels, a 3X optical zoom and like all the other Powershots it has enhanced Canon face detection technology which focuses on faces in a scene and concentrates on them.

5. Canon SX110IS has 9 megapixels, a 10X optical zoom that makes it easy to get close-ups out of all your pictures. It also has image stabilizer and the DIGIC III enhanced face detection technology.

6. Nikon Coolpix S550 has 10 megapixels, 5X zoom with a Nikkor lens, image stabilization, and it has the smile mode and blink warning. The smile mode takes the picture as soon as your subject smiles and the blink warning lets you immediately retake the picture when it suspects your subject blinked.

7. Sony Cybershot DSCW120/B has 7.2 megapixels, 4X optical zoom, and smile shutter mode which captures smiles as soon as they happen on a 2.5 inch LCD monitor.

8. Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5K has 9 megapixels, 10X optical zoom, and with intelligent exposure the camera automatically adjusts the brightness.

9. Sony Cybershot DSC-H10 has 8.1 megapixels, 10X optical zoom, and a 9-point auto focus which focuses 9 precision points, not just 5.

10. Kodak EasyShare Z1015 has 10 megapixels, 15X optical zoom, and the Smart Capture feature which adjusts settings for great pictures.

Remember, this is just a little bit of what is available to you.

If you’re looking for a great deal on a new or used camera equipment please check out Ruts Camera, Whether you’re looking to sell your camera online or buy a new digital camera, Ruts Camera has you covered.

Point and Shoot Cameras FAQ:

Question: Is there a difference between the megapixel in digital point & shoot cameras and slr cameras?
I have a point&shoot 7.1 megapixel Sony Cybershot camera, and I want to get a Nikon D40. It has 6.1 megapixel. Should I get it? Is it worth it? Is there a difference between the megapixel and quality I’ll get between the two cameras?

Answer: Yes there is a difference.

A DSLR might not have as many megapixels, however the size of the sensors that take in the light that create the image in a DSLR are a lot larger than those normally in a point and shoot digital camera. This means the quality of the pixels can be much higher creating a cleaner picture in many situations.

Question: Point and Shoot Cameras with manual controls?
I need a compact point and shoot. I also need to be able to control shutter speed, f-stop, and sensitivity.

Answer: My Canon Powershot SX110 has a manual mode. You can set everything manually from f/stop, shutter speed, etc.

Question: Any recommendations for books on digital photography, specifically for Point & Shoot cameras & beginners?
I just bought a Canon AS 570 IS. It’s the first digital and the first decent camera I’ve ever owned. It has a lot of features, including some that much more expensive cameras — even SLR’s — don’t have. I’m planning to make photography a hobby, so I don’t need a book that is written for a professional audience. I just want to be able to get the most out of what I’ve got.

Answer: Make sure you go through the manual that came with the camera too. Just practice taking lots of pictures and don’t be afraid to experiment with different settings to see what they do.

Question: Of all the smaller point and shoot digital cameras, which has the LARGEST sensor?
I want a small digital camera that I can carry in my pocket, but one that takes the best quality pics possible from a small point and shoot camera.

Answer: First, please recall that large sensor does NOT necessarily mean better photos. There are too many other variables. In answer to your specific question, look at Canon’s A650IS, SD950IS, and some Nikon Coolpix cameras. I think I have those model numbers right. They’re using sensors in the 1/1.7 or 1/1.8 range.

Question: When will point and shoot cameras hit the 30 megapixel barrier?
Seems like the majority of p&s cameras these days are anywhere from 8 to 12 megapixels, and the new cameras being introduced are available at 14mp. What year will it be when most cameras hit 30mp? I say 3 years!

Answer: I would imagine it won’t happen because there is only so much you can cram into that tiny sensor. If the camera became bigger to allow for a bigger sensor, then it would be possible.

Question: Are there any point-and-shoot cameras with a flip-out screen?

Answer: Check out Sony.

Question: Nikon vs canon vs sony in point and shoot cameras?
I want to get a point and shoot camera with a maximum price of $200. Which company is best and which model is best?

Answer: My vote is Nikon. Their cameras are easy to work with, and I like the software they provide as well. The best thing you can do is head to your electronics store and touch them. Feel where the buttons are, see if you can manipulate them easily.

I think you’ll find a good one at that price from any of those manufacturers.

Question: Is there any point and shoot cameras with self-timer for over 100 shots? Or do I need DSLR camera?
I want a digital camera that I can program to take photos at around 5 second intervals, and I want it to be able to do that for over 100 shots. I am on a budget, so I am looking for inexpensive cameras.

Answer: Most of the cameras that have interval timers are DSLR’s … recent DSLR’s, so not what you would call inexpensive. The one I have will shoot up to 999 shots from intervals of from seconds to hours. The limitations are two … the first has to do with the size of the memory card and the other how long the batteries will last before depleting. The body is $1700 and of course you would need some kind of lens and a memory card.

The Pentax brand brings to mind a lot of memories for many photographers, enthusiasts or semi-pro, who began with a K1000, KM, Spotmatic, or ME Super. Pentax’s position in the market is not as good as it was during the prime of 35mm film. But still, Pentax continues to attract a legion of photography enthusiasts.

We now have the latest Pentax K-7, the company’s latest semi-pro/ enthusiast level DSLR. It is a handsome creature, replacing the Pentax K20D’s slightly plump utilitarianism by a pared-down and sleek elegance.

Read on for the Pentax K-7 review.

Many photographers will include the Pentax K-7 on their wish list. Here are some of the highlights of this DSLR: 720p/1080i HD video recording, smaller steel/magnesium alloy body, updated sensor with four-channel readout, and 3-inch VGA (920,000 dot) LCD screen.

The Pentax K-7 also features an enhanced viewfinder with greater coverage (although less magnified) and a shutter mechanism with a shutter speed of 1/8000th. The DSLR also sports and AF illumination lamp and a much faster continuous shooting of up to 5.3 frames per second. What is more, this camera features 77 segment exposure metering sensor and a new dust removal system.

These are just some of the big stuff; the implications of these changes are almost as significant as the apparent effects of these changes. This DSLR camera now has faster videos and frame rates. Also, the enhanced 4-channel sensor makes less noise as compared to the Pentax K20D version.

Moreover, the Pentax K-7 has many more subtle upgrades and additions that reveal just how fundamental a change the camera is from its predecessors. It has an improved ISO button, three-shot built-in HDR capture, and distortion and chromatic and aberration correction for DA and DFA also found in RAW conversion. It is a great idea to buy Pentax K-7.

The Pentax K-7 also features an adjustable shadow correction and dynamic range highlight. As with composition adjustment, it uses the SR system in repositioning the sensor to fine-tune the composition.

However you look at this baby, it is a well-specified DSLR. Pentax K-7 price: $1,299.95. If your fingers are itching to buy a Pentax K-7 visit our website for more information and DSLR reviews. We are happy to help you.

Pentax FAQ:

Question: Is the Pentax k1000 the perfect film camera?
I have a canon ae1. However, there’s this ad for the Pentax k1000 in my area on craigslist for $50. Is this a deal? I’ve heard it is a great student camera. Would it be worth it to have 2 manual film cameras?

Answer: In my opinion having 2 35mm film cameras only makes sense if they both use the same lenses.

Now if the K1000 comes with a couple of lenses and you plan to eventually buy a DSLR then the K1000 would be a good deal. Why? Because the Pentax K20D and K200D DSLRs can still use the older manual focus K-mount lenses from the K1000.

Of course, you could keep black & white film in the Pentax and color film in the AE1. Or ISO 100 film in one and ISO 400 film in the other.

Question: Where can I find a macro lens for a Pentax Spotmatic from 1963?
I’m a beginning photographer and I have my father’s old Pentax Spotmatic. I have a wide angle but really want a macro for close ups. Anyone know where I could find one that would fit this old camera? Are the pentax lenses for newer cameras interchangeable?

Answer: Narrow your search to “screw mount” Pentax lenses. That’s the only thing that’ll work on the Spotmatics.

No, the newer “K mount” Pentax lenses won’t fit.

Question: How come my Pentax Me Super pictures came out blurry?
I just recently received a Pentax ME super camera from a friend of our family. It had some left over film in it, and I took some pictures using up that film. But when I developed them, they all turned out blurry, besides one, Why do you think that happened?

Answer: A number of factors can account for blurriness. Camera shake, motion of the subject(s), out of focus, and too shallow DOF can all cause blurry pictures.

Question: Where can I find a part to a Pentax Asahi ME camera?
A friend has a Pentax Asahi ME SLR camera, quite old, and it is missing the screw that holds the film winder on. Does anyone know where I find that screw?

Answer: Try to call Pentax, I did it and got a new focusing screen a few years back. If not possible go to a repair shop and ask them to order it for you or may be they have some spare parts to sell.

Question: How good are the Pentax DSLRs, particularly the 200D?
I am upgrading from a Canon Powershot S60 to a DSLR. I am considering a Nikon D60 and a Canon EOS Rebel Xsi; but I am also considering the Pentax 200D. Bells and whistles are unimportant, all I’m really concerned with is image quality. Does the Pentax hold its own or not. I have searched and searched and can’t seem to find any truly objective evaluation.

Answer: The problem with the Pentax entry level DSLR’s is they do NOT use the state of the art Li-ion batteries. Their better DSLR’s like the K10D and K20D do, but they are NOT entry level cameras. They are sub-$1000 camera bodies and in that arena the Nikon D90 is the king ….

At present the most bang for the buck is the Nikon D40 with 18-55 mm lens .. Under $450 on Amazon.

Question: Is Pentax known as a good quality company?
I wanted to buy a camera for my boyfriends birthday but I didn’t know exactly which one to buy. I compared some kinds together and I was attracted to the Pentax Optio V20. I was just wondering if anyone knows if it’s a good company? From what I have read, it seems very good.

Answer: Pentax is equal in quality to any other camera brand. They don’t advertise as heavily as brands like Canon or Nikon, which is why they are less widely known. I was told by a camera store employee that they are more popular outside of the U.S.A.

Question: What are the pros and cons of the Pentax K200D?

Answer: The biggest advantage of the K200D over other cameras is that it is the smallest and lightest weathersealed DSLR ever made.

The biggest disadvantage of the K200D compared to other choices is slow autofocus in dim light. You can speed it up by popping up the built-in flash, which operates as a focus-assist light. The K2000/K-m has faster auto-focus in dim light.

Question: How do you change the film in a 1978 pentax-m camera?
My grandfather has this awesome camera, a 1978 pentax- camera. I’m positive it still works, he barely used it. It hasn’t been messed with in a while and every other part I’ve taken off the camera has been really difficult to remove, it’s just old. And I have no idea what kind of film it takes and I have no idea how to get the film in there. I don’t even know how to open the camera.

Answer: Take the camera into a camera store and they will help you learn to load and unload the film … if you are nice they may even show you how to use the lightmeter.

The Pentax Optio P70 is a 12 megapixel digital camera with a 4x optical zoom lens. It is small enough to slip into most pockets. With plenty of competition around the big question is why would you buy the Optio P70 instead of one of the many other pocket digital cameras?

Most of these smaller compacts tend to have a similar set of features. One feature that I do not see all that often is manual focusing. This is included with the Optio P70 along with pan focusing. Ideally manual focusing would be controlled through twisting a focusing ring on the end of a lens barrel. This is the method used with Digital SLR cameras and is the easiest and quickest method to use. With a smaller camera like this one some compromises need to be made and manual focusing is controlled by pushing buttons on the back of the camera. If you are an experienced photographer this may not be ideal, but it is better than the feature not being there at all. Pan focusing comes in useful for tracking moving subjects.

More gimmick like features include a smile shutter and blink detection. If you turn on smile shutter the Optio P70 will automatically fire off a shot if it detects someone is smiling. With blink detection a warning message is given if the camera detects someone in the picture blinked.

After a photo has been taken there are some extra features that become available. These include being able to apply one of 11 colour filters, being able to soften the focus and being able to adjust the brightness of the shot. In addition you can record short voice memos to help you remember any important information about the shot. If you have taken a portrait shot using flash then red eye compensation can be applied to try and remove it.

Pentax has also included a High Definition movie mode. In my view this does not replace the need for a camcorder. After all you cannot zoom in and out while recording, but it can come in useful if you would like to shoot a short movie clip, but a camcorder is not readily available.

One area where I was left a little disappointed was with the macro mode. You are only able to focus from 10cm away from the subject. Most similar cameras allow you to focus from around 5cm. This is certainly a drawback if you are interested in taking close up shots with the Optio P70. This is a shame as the picture quality produced in macro mode is actually quite good.

A couple of points about the lens are that it is a wide angle lens and you can also increase the amount of zoom when shooting at lower resolutions. A wide angle lens helps you to squeeze greater width into a shot, so this can make sweeping landscapes even more dramatic or help you to squeeze more people into a group shot. I like the fact more zoom is available at lower resolutions. The way digital cameras have been marketed since their introduction tends to suggest the more megapixels you use the better the picture quality will be. This is not necessarily the case, so you should not worry about shooting at lower resolutions. A further advantage is that each image will eat up less space on a memory card.

In terms of pricing Pentax appear to have placed the Optio P70 somewhere between two stools. So it is a fair bit cheaper than expensive models like the Canon IXUS 100 IS, but still cost more than cheaper options like the Panasonic Lumix DMC FS6. Based on picture quality I feel Pentax has set the price a little on the high side.

Andy writes and reviews digital cameras for Cameras.co.uk. See his test shots and ratings for the Pentax Optio P70

Pentax Optio FAQ:

Question: What settings to use on a pentax optio E40, to get the best results?

Answer: First, take some time to actually READ & STUDY the Owner’s Manual for your camera. You may find that if you just leave it in the “Green Mode” you’ll get good results. As you learn more about your camera you’ll know how to use the other settings.

Question: Which camera would you say was the better one? The Pentax Optio Z10 or the Fujifilm Z100fd?
I was looking for a camera that was good in most conditions. From low lit concerts to bright, outdoors pictures.

Answer: If you want to shoot in low light, either buy a DSLR or get a Canon G10 (DSLR is still better). Most P&S cams suck in low light.

Question: How do you change the white balance on a pentax optio 430?
I’m trying to take some pictures for my digital photography class, and all the inside shots are turning out orange. what button do I push or where do I twist the knob thing on top to change the white balance?

Answer: Have a look in your camera’s instruction manual. Normally it’s in the menu or function button>white balance. Then you can either select incandescent to match the light conditions or set manual/custom white balance by taking a picture of a white card then recomposing the shot.

Question: What is a better digital camera, a Pentax optio m50 or a Sony DSC-W120?
Price doesn’t really matter so whatever is best. I will be using this camera for taking pictures on trips with my friends. I will not be using it for professional use.

Answer: Sony W120 is highly recommended by dpreview.com.

Question: How to take professionally looking photos with Pentax Optio digital?
Or at least close to professional looking. What I take now is bad, and editing does not help: out of focus, grainy and so on.

Answer: Taking pro-looking images on a point-and-shoot is possible. Here’s what I would try:
-Use manual settings, I shoot Av (aperture priority) on my SLR about 75% of the time.
-Use the lowest ISO your camera can have. This will get rid of the grain.
-Take several shots to reduce focus issues.
-Use a tripod – it will help a LOT.
-Master lighting. Don’t use the cheesy on-board flash. There is a way to trigger off camera flash using this flash, but it’s a project.
-Without flash, use sunlight creatively. Use reflectors. On a budget, you can use those large sheets of foam board for only a couple bucks each.

Question: Does the Pentax Optio S10 digital camera have a black and white mode?

Answer: Just taking a quick browse on some spec sites I can find no mention of a black and white mode, so it may not have one.

Actually, you are always much better off to shoot in color, then convert to b/w later in photoshop. You have better control and can produce much better looking black and white conversions than the camera will do. Plus, you have the original photo in color if you need/want it in the future. Shoot in black and white, and that is all you will ever have.

Question: I dropped my Pentax Optio a30 on the ground! Any way for repairing it?
I dropped the camera on the ground, and now when I switch it on, it is totally white, but the green light indicates that the camera is on. I have tried taking out and replacing both the battery and memory card, but that doesn’t seem to work.

Answer: R.I.P. Pentax Optio A30. Unfortunately the cost of repair will likely equal or exceed the cost of a new camera.

When you get your new camera, attach the wrist strap and keep it tethered to your wrist. Then you won’t drop it.

Question: Need help with making a movie off of a pentax optio E30 digital camera!?
I have recorded all of the videos and I want to put them together to make a movie using windows movie maker. But every time I try to watch one clip I hear all of the audio and there is a blank black screen. How do I fix this.

Answer: Usually when the video and audio are out of sinc, it’s because of the downloading process, if it’s a minidv camcorder you need a firewire connection. Your PC probably doesn’t have firewire port, but you can buy one and install it. You will also need to buy a firewire cord.

Have you ever washed your digital camera? Left it in the car on a hot day? Knocked it off a table? Put it in the refrigerator instead of the beer? Well for those who are a little forgetful or accident prone, the rugged Pentax Optio W80 is just what you need. It’s rugged and tough, just like an old-time cowboy – rain, dust, cold and heat won’t stop it.

Here are some of the W80’s features:

• 2.5 inch LCD monitor with anti-reflective coating
• Can be submerged to a depth of 16 feet for two hours
• Functions in temperatures as low as -10 degrees Celsius and as high as 40 degrees Celsius.
• Record HD movies at 30 frames per second even underwater
• Optical 5X zoom lens allowing for shots from 28mm wide angle to 140mm telephoto.
• Close-ups as near as 1 cm.
• Triple anti-shake protection
• New D-Range setting helps prevent under-exposed and over-exposed images.
• Fast Face Detection with Smile Capture mode, and Blink Detection function.
• Pixel Track Shake Reduction
• 20 digital filters to vary visual effects
• Storage on SD or SDHC cards
• Auto Picture mode for automatic selection of eight different shooting modes

For those who are a little careless or just a little too adventurous, The Pentax Optio W80 gives you the chance to pursue those hard-to-get pictures you always missed before. With anti-shake, auto-focus and a rugged go-anywhere attitude, the Pentax Optio W80 will get the job done wherever and however you need it. Pick which color you prefer: Azure Blue, Cardinal Red or Gunmetal Gray.

Now the only decision you’ll need to make is whether to go on safari, scuba dive, or ski.

visit Pentax Optio W80

Pentax Optio FAQ:

Question: Does the pentax optio w30 make a clicking sound in video mode?
I have read a many reviews for the Pentax Optio w30 digital camera and one of the reviews stated that there was a clicking noise during video mode. This is the only reason that I am hesitant to buy this camera

Answer: It could be the microphone picking up the noise of the auto-focus mechanism.

Question: Can a Pentax Optio MX 4 camera take SDHC cards?
I have a Pentax Optio MX 4 camera and would like to use a card with a capacity higher than 2 GB. Is this possible?

Answer: Yes.

Question: How can I create my own Frames for the Pentax Optio M20?
I would like to use some selfmade frames on my Pentax Optio M20.
But always when I try to use them it tells me that it can’t read the Picture.I’ve even tried to make the Frames similar to the Original(size and colors) but it still doesn’t work.What should I do?

Answer: Electronic cameras don’t like frames. It’s really hard to jam them into the card slots. I’ve broken cameras trying to insert chrome frames. I think next time I’ll just use an imaging program to add frames after I take the pictures. Why I was so stupid to try and put frames into the camera I don’t know. I guess I didn’t realize that the camera is for taking pictures not framing them.

Question: What are the most common problems with the Pentax Optio A30?

Answer: The three most common complaints about this camera are, in this order:

- Noise (ISO performance)
- Battery life
- Video quality

Question: How can I stop my Pentax Optio S7 camera taking blurry photos?
No matter what I do most of my photos come out blurry. When I press the button half down the screen goes blurry and even when I release the button the pictures stays blurry. Its a new camera so I can’t see why it would be doing this! Its the same if I have it on normal or green mode.

Answer: My usual suggestion involves pre-focusing with the “half down” position, so you have some other problem.

Take the camera back where you bought it and tell them about your problem. You may have a defective camera or if not, they will be able to see what’s going on.

Question: Has anyone taken their pentax optio w10 underwater?
I have had this camera for 2 years and I’m still too chicken to take it underwater. Does anyone have this pentax or similar and have taking it snorkeling or just underwater?

Answer: In other forums I found several happy underwater users but also a lot of complaints about the W10 leaking. Even in situations where users stayed well within the guidelines (max. depth 1.5 meters and submerged for less than 30 minutes).

All it takes is one grain of sand in the rubber seal. The W10’s design seems to be considerably more vulnerable than Olympus SW models and dedicated underwater housings. I wouldn’t risk it.

Question: Why does my pentax optio keeps turning off?
I have a pentax optio a30 digital camera and 5 seconds after turning it on it turns it self off for no reason, the battery is charged and last time I used it it worked. It has been looked after so there is no real reason why this should happen, does any body have any ideas?

Answer: It really does sound like a battery problem to me. The battery indicator always shows full when you first turn it on, after a second or two it will show the correct state once it has actually measured it, and your camera is not giving the camera enough time to do that.

If possible try a battery that you know to be good. Clean the battery contacts with an eraser, may be the contacts are just oxidized, you may have accidentally touched the contacts, this always leaves an oily deposit on them.

Question: I have a pentax optio s7 is it possible to charge the battery with a USB cord or not?
I bought a USB cord at wal-mart and the clerk assured me that it would charge the battery in my pentax optio s7 however, when I plugged it into the computer, nothing happened. I am not sure if my battery is just worn out and can’t charge anymore, or if it can’t be charged with a USB cord.

Answer: You really need to call the Pentax help line. Usually none of the good P&S cameras can charge using the small output from a USB port.

Let’s face it, kids love to do whatever they see us doing. They want to be able to take pictures of their friends, pets, and life around them, but do we really want them using our expensive digital cameras? Just think of all the damage they could do in a very short amount of time! This is where the Fisher Price Kid Tough Camera comes in. It’s built to withstand children and that’s saying something. Your child can drop the camera down a flight of stairs or into the swimming pool and it will be fine.

Just like a regular digital camera, the Kid Tough camera has a 1.6-inch color LCD screen so that your child can see what picture he has just taken. There are sturdy, dual hand grips so that your child can easily hold the camera steady for picture taking. The big buttons are easy to find and press. The controls are simple enough that even if your child cannot yet read, he will be able to use this camera. The viewfinder has two-eye viewing since most children have not yet mastered “winking.” The camera is even waterproof!

The fisher price kid tough camera stores over 60 pictures (8 MB built-in memory, 640 x 480 resolution) and has a built-in auto flash. There is also a SD memory card slot if you wish to store additional pictures. (The memory card is sold separately.) The camera does come with a USB cord for computer connection, a wrist strap, and a lithium battery. The camera also requires 4 AA alkaline batteries that are not included. The camera is compatible with Windows 2000 or higher and Macintosh. It is recommended for children over 3 years of age. The Fisher Price Kid Tough Camera also comes in a variety of colors.

Your child can take pictures underwater, on the beach, outdoors (rain or shine), of their friends, of animals, at school, at the zoo, on field trips, anywhere and everywhere he goes. What a great way to see the world from your child’s point of view.

For all of the latest products and news see Fisher Price Kid Tough Camera

Fisher Price Camera FAQ:

Question: Fisher Price Kid-tough waterproof camera?
My 4 year old has recently become fascinated with taking pictures and I was thinking of buying him his own camera. But he’s very brutal with toys sometimes. Does anyone have it? Do you like it? How is the battery life for it?

Answer: My son got this camera for xmas. I’m not sure if his is waterproof though? It is very durable. It takes not bad pictures for a toy too. Comes with a cord that you can download the photos to the tv to see. Battery life I think is fine. Haven’t changed the batteries yet that I know of. I think its pretty cool!

Question: How do I download photos from a Fisher Price Digital Camera via USB?
I have a kids FP camera which I’ve connected to my PC via the USB cable provided. The screen shows ‘USB’ but nothing comes up on my computer to allow me to download photos. Can’t find the instructions!

Answer: Just connect the usb from your camera to your computer. If a screen comes up close it out. Open My Computer and look for a removable drive. That’s your camera. Open it and drag and drop the pictures to your computer.

Question: Does anyone have the Fisher Price digital camera?
We’ve had one for a few months, but it no longer makes sounds. We have tried new batteries but still no luck. I have lost the manual, so I’m not sure if the problem is covered in there.

Answer: Could be problems with humidity. Try to dry it.

Question: Fisher price camera?
I got my daughter a fisher-price digital camera. Is it normal that the pictures come out dark? I know its not the best digital camera but it seems to be dark about 4-5 feet away and bright when she’s only 2-3 feet away.

I’m curious because I read the ratings on walmart.com and it all says it’s great. The manual doesn’t help much.

Answer: I got one for my daughter, and although it is excellent for durability, the pictures do come out dark if taken inside. The flash isn’t really much use either. You get much better result outdoors in daylight.
However, you can upload the pictures to your PC and use software to improve the images.

The best things about the camera are the indestructibility and the point of view of a four year old! Adults look at children differently and you get great expressions and poses!

Also a good tip is to stick a 1GB SD card in it and because the resolution is low, you get hundreds of pics on it, and it saves having to unscrew the camera to change the card all the time!

Question: My son received a Fisher Price digital camera for Christmas but the manual was missing. How do I get one?

Answer: You can access the manual as a pdf file from the Fisher Price website.

A second possibility is if the camera came with a CD ROM, the manual might be on it also. Many manufacturers choose to skip printed manuals, and leave it on a bundled CD ROM instead.

Question: I want to get a Fisher Price digital camera for my son, but so expensive! Any other kid friendly options?
He’s 3. I know it’s going to get lost, broken, etc. and its $70-$80. MY digital camera cost $120!

Are there any other options that cost less, and that are good quality? Maybe $20-$40.

Answer: We got A Kidz Cam for our daughter when she was about 6 & also gave one to a friend for a birthday gift. We got ours at Target in the toy section (not electronics), where they have things hanging from pegs on the wall. It’s not the greatest, but comes with some fun software that allow the child to play some games, make puzzles or import the picture into some pages for writing stories or drawing. There are a few on e-bay for about $15.00.

She also has a Polaroid i-zone instant camera that she got as a gift from a cinematographer friend. I believe they found it at Costco & it came with interchangeable faceplates, so she could change the color. The hassle was when we needed to buy more film, so I’d probably stick with a digital.

Question: Which is better the Fisher Price Kid Tough Digital Camera or the Vtech Kidizoom Digital Camera?
The reviews I’ve read are about the same so I’m split 50/50 on this one. I’m leaning more towards the Vtech though because I love their toys. However, I just wanted to get other opinions from those that may have experience with either camera.

Answer: The Fisher Price one is great! Easy to use and durable.

Digital cameras have become essential equipments in everyone’s life. It has to be handled with utmost care and concern. As it is a precision equipment, proper maintenance alone can sustain its life. By following some simple tips, the working life of digital cameras can be maximized.

It is always recommended to clean your equipment before every time of operation. You can use a lint cloth or muslin cloth for this purpose. You can also use a soft brush to remove the dust particles accumulated in the memory card slot.

The most sensitive spot in the digital camera is the lens. It has to be cleaned with utmost caution and safety. Any stain or spot in the lens may affect the quality of the image. So, it is essential to clean the lens whenever needed. Never use a paper napkin or paper towel to clean the lens. It is always safe to use fiber cloth or soft brush to clean the lens. Also use Drawcircle professional lens cleaning paper.

Keep your digital cameras away from direct sun light as it may affect the sensitive parts. Keep your camera in dry place that is free from electromagnetic radiation. Avoid high temperature as it may spoil the circuit board. It is not advisable to operate in low temperatures. Keep the cameras away from water and other liquids. Accidental spillage of such liquids may result in dysfunction of the camera. In case of contact with water, remove the batteries immediately and wipe with a dry cloth and blow hot air throughout the body. After a few minutes, reload the batteries and switch on the camera.

Always carry the digital camera in a safe carry case. This may avoid jerks and shocks to your cameras. Mountaineers can always use a specialty carry case.

Care should be taken to the LCD screens. You can cover with a scratch guard. It can be wiped with a dry cloth. Avoid direct contact of the screens with your hands as excess pressure may result in malfunctioning or improper display of the screen.

Memory card should be compatible with your memory card slot. Any mismatch will result in undesired result. Clean the slot with the help of a brush or with an air balloon. Never use damaged cards in to the memory slot.

Batteries are the inevitable parts of your digital cameras as they give life to your cameras. Most of the digital cameras are powered by rechargeable Li-ion batteries. Never leave the batteries in the gadget for prolonged time. Sometimes the batteries may explode due to short circuiting or accidental discharge. This may harm both the user and the gadget. After using your digital camera, it is always safe to remove the batteries from the gadget. Always store the batteries in dry place.

Care should be taken while transferring the files from your camera to your computers. Improper earthing may lead to short circuiting of your digital camera. Never try to disconnect your device while transferring files from your digital cameras to the computers. Virus or malicious program may corrupt your camera’s memory system. So, make sure of this stuff every time you transfer your file.

Beyond everything, it is necessary to service your camera in your nearest authorised service center once in a year. This could increase the efficiency of the camera.

Above all, it is always better to handle your camera on your own so that you may not encounter any unnecessary problems. Do not permit novices to operate the gadget. If you follow the above simple tips, you can maximize your camera’s performance and longevity. This will not only increase the stability of your camera but will also give you a new dimension to your digital photography.

Checkout exclusive digital camera offers, read expert digital camera reviews and Compare digital camera prices at digital camera reviews website.

Digital Cameras FAQ:

Question: Do digital cameras have an option for shutter speed?
I know how regular cameras work, but how do digital cameras take the picture? If you wanted to adjust the picture for lower light, wouldn’t you adjust the back light or use an IR or something?

Answer: There are two types of digital cameras. One is just like a regular camera only they use a sensor instead of film in every sense with additional features. The other is a P&S digital camera and they have very little control over the shutter speed. That is all controlled by the camera and the mode you have it set.

Shooting in lower light, to avoid camera movement, you will have to raise the ISO to increase the shutter speed.

Question: What is the average cost to get a digital camera cleaned?
I can see a black speck when I look through the viewfinder of my Canon XSi, and while it doesn’t affect the pictures, it’s definitely an annoyance. I want to run it to my local camera store tomorrow, but I have no clue what price to expect.

Answer: Just clean the viewfinder… you can do it with Nikon so I would suspect you can with Canon too.

Question: Digital Camera Preview Screen Cleaning?
Due to a accident, a small medicine tube broke and leaked on digital camera preview screen. How do I clean it?

Answer: If you used an LCD screen protector simply blot the excess stuff up then pull the disposable screen protector off. There are special LCD cleaners. I have used eyeglass cleaner on my cell phone LCD with no problems.
Never hose down an electronic device no matter what it is by spraying it directly with cleaner. Spray a soft cloth with the proper cleaner then wipe the lens or LCD.

Question: Cleaning the inside of a digital camera with air?
I’ve got a Sony DSC-P200, and it has a history of getting dust inside the lens on the sensor. I know you aren’t supposed to take any compact cam all the way apart, but I know people have done it. I’m considering either taking it apart to clean the sensor or blowing some compressed air in the lens joints to see if it may help. Any thoughts?

Answer: Might help, might hurt. Unless you can get to the sensor itself, you’re tossing the dice as to whether you blow stuff OFF the sensor, or force crud already partly inside ONTO the sensor.

Question: Digital Camera Lens Cleaning?
I have black dirt on my lens. It ruins the photo when I shoot the sky or bright scenes. How can I get rid of this. Its not on the lens, its under it. I tried pressured air & I even dipped it in water. Its a standard cheap one piece digital camera. I don’t have the tools to remove everything so I am looking for a way to reach it from the outside.

Answer: Well, you did two things you should never do to a camera—using pressured air and dipping it in water. There is nothing you can do to fix it. And by doing what you did, you probably damaged it more.

If this is a cheap camera, just buy a new one. To fix it would probably cost more than it’s worth.

Question: What are the best digital cameras for photography of people?

Answer: Digital SLR’s are Hands Down the best cameras for Portrait Photography.

Digital SLR’s allow you to take portraits with shallow depth of field. Shallow depth of field makes the background blurry and enhances the portrait of the person you are photographing.

Also, Digital SLR’s require basic photography skills in order to achieve the best results. It’s recommended that you take a photography course to learn the necessary skills of lighting, exposure, etc.

Question: How to clean sticky digital camera lens?
So someone I know accidentally knocked some Coke onto my Nikon L2 and as such left me with a sticky lens and shutter doors. There is a faint spot in the lcd but other than that everything seems to work fine. Would I ruin the lens if I cleaned it with a q-tip and some rubbing alcohol or do you have any suggestions on what to clean the sticky shutter doors with?

Answer: I think you’re on the right track. Instead of rubbing alcohol, however, I’d recommend you use a camera lens cleaner. You’re likely to get some solution on the surface of the lens, and while rubbing alcohol probably would not hurt it, you can be certain that lens cleaning solution most definitely will not cause damage.

Lens coatings can be fragile things … best to be safe, in my opinion.

Question: How should I clean oil off my digital camera?
It’s an odd story, but long story short my digital camera has been immersed in engine oil (clean). What is the best way for me to get all the oil off and clean it? This would include the LCD display screen, the lens, etc. I have already wiped it down with paper towels, but there is still an oily microfilm coating it.

Answer: Your camera is likely ruined. I’d say there is a 99% chance that the oil seeped inside the camera so your only option would be sending it off for an internal as well as external cleaning and unless your camera is a Nikon D3 or D700 or Canon 1Ds Mark III or 5D Mark II or Sony A900 (cameras priced from $3,000.00 to $8,000.00 for just the body) it will be cheaper to just buy a new camera.

Canon and Panasonic has announced their first shock and water-proof compact camera early this year. If you are still confused which camera is best for you, here you will find some useful information and comparison between the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 and Canon PowerShot D10.

Both the cameras are waterproof, but if you want a camera that can work around 10 meters underwater, then Powershot D10 would be your best shot. The submarine shaped D10 with its porthole-like screws and bulbous shell expresses that this digital camera is purely made for underwater. But on ground, you won’t like its bulky form. D10 has easy-to-press buttons and a large LCD screen where icons are big and nice, you still can see it quite clear even underwater. Additionally, it contains bigger screw-mouths on every corner for mounting the camera in various underwater grips.

While other waterproof digicam, Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 can be used up to 3 meters only underwater with a completely different approach. The sleek rectangular slab outline has made it hard to distinguish from usual non-tough cams. Compare to Canon D10, the buttons are smaller and shooting modes can be selected by a thumb dial rather than a dedicated button. Even So, you will lose usability underwater with TS1, it will perform better on land and you must consider that.

Another big difference is that the Panasonic TS1 shoots in the AVCHD format at 720p, where D10 only does VGA videos of 640×480. But the video recording mode of TS1 is not the most polished one, there is a two to three seconds of delay from hitting the dedicated video button to starting and stopping the video and its quite unclear when exactly everything does start. If you are ok with that delay, you will surely love the outstanding HD video mode. Lumix DMC-TS1 is currently seeing a big bug when importing the taken video into iMovie. The featured AVCHD format of TS1 is quite annoying and you might require installing particular codec to import video into your preferred video editing software and then convert it into friendly formats.

Both toughcams are featuring 12-megapixel shooting and have the same CCD sensor size. But the ISO of TS1 goes up to 6400 when it is only 1600 for D10. A difference that really matters is the wider-angle lense of TS1, which is an effective focal length zoom of 28mm-128mm f/3.3-f/5.9, where D10 is only 35mm-105mm f/2.8-f/4.9. Color reproduction through the Leica lens of TS1 is far better than that of D10. Moreover, the TS1 lean to autofocus underwater with greater ease in comparison with D10.

Just In Case you are not a professional scuba photo shooter, the benefits of toughcams can also be figured when you are making your kid’s bath time photos without worrying about getting your camera wet or shooting with unclean hands while you are in the middle of a barbecue, or anything like that. Whatever happens, you will always can wipe your digital camera clean from water. So the conclusion is, if you care about form factor, you should go with Panasonic Lumix TS1, Powershot D10 will be tough to fit it into a pants pocket without some serious bulging. But if you usually go deeper than 3 meters underwater, you should go with Canon D10.

Kelly is a freelance writer for multiple niches on the internet. Her website http://www.mitub.com is about product reviews. To find more information about both waterproof digital cameras, you can find it here: Canon D10 vs Lumix DMC-TS1

Waterproof Digital Cameras FAQ:

Question: What are some good waterproof digital cameras?
I’ve always thought it was a really cool idea, and lately I’ve been looking into getting one. I’ve looked at some from Canon and Olympus. I’m leaning towards Canon’s D10 because it gets good reviews, is slightly cheaper than Olympus models, and because I really like Canon cameras.

Answer: I recommend Canon PowerShot D10 12.1 MP Waterproof Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-inch LCD.

Question: What kind of digital cameras do you recommend for a teen? ( I’d like it to be waterproof)?
I want the Olympus Stylus 850 sw but it is so pricey that I’m pretty sure my parents wont buy it for me. Are there any other cool digital cameras for teens? Any other waterproof cameras that are less expensive?

Answer: Well it depends on what your definition of pricey is. The Olympus Stylus 1030 SW is water proof (up to 33 ft) shockproof (up to 6 ft) freezeproof (14 degrees) and crushproof (220 lbf).

Question: Are there any other waterproof digital cameras other than the Olympus ones?

Answer: Yes, Pentax makes waterproof digital cameras. Their current version is the Pentax Optio W60.

Also, you might also consider a waterproof housing for regular point and shoot cameras. For example, I have a Canon A570 IS and use a Canon waterproof housing (cost, about $125) for that camera. The advantage is that you can take the camera deeper than an Olympus or Pentax. However, it does make the camera considerably larger.

Question: Is there a digital camera which is waterproof and has optical zoom?

Answer: Both Pentax and Olympus make underwater cameras with optical zoom. Try the Pentax Optio W30 or Olympus 1030 SW (or the older 790 SW).

Question: What would be the best waterproof digital camera for me?
I definatly want a small point and shoot one, I don’t want it to stand out above the water. I would like it to be no more than $250. I have been looking at the Olympus 1030 SW , the Pentax W60, and the Fujifilm Z33wp, out of those which would give me the least problems?

Answer: The June issue of Popular Photography reviews 5 waterproof compact cameras. They give the best review to the Olympus Stylus Tough 8000. If you can squeeze your budget to $400, it would probably be a good way to go.

These cameras are rated as to the depth they will go. Figure out what depth you want to go and make sure the camera will support that depth. For instance the Fujifilm is only rated to 10 feet.

Question: Who has a really good waterproof digital camera?
I’m looking to buy a waterproof digital camera. I was wondering what brand has a good digital camera. I prefer one that also has a video mode.

Answer: Vivitar has a point and shoot with video for $99.00.

Question: The Best Brand For Waterproof Digital Cameras?
I would like a camera that can sustain weather-related obstacles like rain, snow, etc. I want a camera that is 10 Mega Pixels or higher, can capture video, and is between the range of $100 – $250. (Image Stabilization is a plus)

Answer: Dpreview recently tested waterproof cameras. The Canon D10 came out on top, but it is over your budget. Pentax W60 was second, and within budget, but it lacks image stabilization.

Question: Can anyone recommend a waterproof digital camera? How does the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT1 compare to Olympus?
I’ve heard of far too many cases of people saying that their Olympus waterproof camera had leaking seals.

Answer: A Panasonic Lumix TS1 series camera is the best waterproof camera you can get (it might also be the most expensive one).

A lot of people have had problems with the image results when they took pictures with the Olympus Stylus Tough-8000, so it’s probably a good thing that you didn’t buy it. The Fujifilm FinePix Z33WP and the Canon D10 cameras are your other options. The most affordable you could get is the Fuifilm FinePix Z33WP.