Someone once said "Follow the money". I'll revise that a bit and say
"Follow the marketing". These camera companies probably spend more money on
marketing their products than they do on research and development. You seem
to have a handle on the technicalities of selecting a camera but that always
isn't what "sells" a camera or what persuades one to purchase a particular
camera. Marketing does. Perception vs. technical specs - which do you think
sells more cameras?
Look at the -vast- number of digital cameras available, some with 10's of
models available from each company. Most are simply repackaged,
dumbed-down, price-point driven derivatives of the more featured models in
different skins. Look at each model line, make a chart and break them down
into subdivisions and compare features. Now look at the price-points and you
can then determine which market segment the camera was targeted for and what
features they can expect for X dollars. That's opposite the approach of "How
much should I spend for feature X". Perhaps contacting a few manufacturers
and asking them why they developed a product the way they did (what were the
drivers) will get you some valuable insight for your article.
You could go to a store like Best Buy (or one that does not just sell
cameras) and ask the salesperson to help you select a camera. If they've
received any training at all, you'll get the standard talk about megapixels
and perhaps hear a word or two about some common features and functions
while they're trying to figure out how much you're willing to part with.
Some will ask - point blank, "What's your budget" and that then determines
the features and functionality you will get. Only used car salesmen used to
get the look you'll give him...
Now go to a real camera store and one that hopefully sells several name
brands and ask the same question. You'll certainly be asked some questions
that will size you up as to how much time they'll spend with you (tire
kicker or future customer..). They hopefully subscribe to the theory that
an educated customer makes a better customer and that their products and
services are a total package that they can offer you - plus a long term
commitment. Be prepared to get technical and to discuss pro's and con's and
feature benefits of each brand as well as be questioned about your intended
use and most of all - your expectations.
My priorities in making many purchase decisions are: (not in order of
preference)
1. Who will I purchase the product from and why?
2. Do they understand my needs, can they properly advise me and can I trust
them?
3. Their product knowledge, experience and local business presence have
definite value to me - how much am I willing to pay for that?
4. What is their reputation?
So, in my opinion, you need to include how you determine -who- you purchase
a camera from as one of the most important factors to consider.
And "Should you switch to digital?" opens Pandora's box. The person that
buy's a point-and-shoot camera, takes the media to the local plug 'n print
machine and hopes for the best - needs the most help in selecting the
smartest camera available and is the one that will benefit the most from a
retailer that knows the products. The amateur/advanced hobbyist, will
already be aware that they will need a certain level of computer skills and
the hardware investment to use the myriad of software available that will
enable them to make better pictures. Levels above the amateur.... I would
have to assume they're all over the map from what I've read and I doubt
they'll be reading your introductory article.
Some of these may be helpful.
http://www.dpreview.com
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/photokina2004/
http://www.photozone.de/2Equipment/easytxt.htm
http://media.gn.apc.org/feesguide/photo.html
http://www.koelnmesse.de/wEnglisch/photokina/index.htm
http://www.popularphotography.com/de...p?section_id=4
http://www.offrench.net/photos/artic...ge_devices.php
http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/index.asp
Bob S.
"AtticusF" <> wrote in message
news: om...
> Hey, gang:
>
> I'm a contributing writer for the Boston Phoenix and writing a
> just-in-time-for-the-holidays piece on digital photography. My editor
> wants an introductory article targeted at the general user and/or film
> photographer who wants to make the leap to digital.
>
> I have a vague general knowledge of the factors to consider when
> buying a digital camera, including resolution, battery life, storage
> (memory) types, manual controls, ease-of-use, flash, zoom (optical vs.
> digital), LCD size and brightness, computer platform compatibility,
> optical viewfinder, types of lenses accepted (or not), etc, but am
> lacking in the specifics.
>
> What I'm looking for, then, is two things: 1) the most important
> factors to consider when buying a digital camera. Should I break it
> down by need (point-and-shoot, prosumer, and pro?) Or organize by
> technical spec (resolution, controls, etc)? And 2) where I might find
> the nitty gritty details about technical specifications and what they
> mean.
>
> My deadline is not far away, so any advice would be appreciated, even
> it's nothing more than a pointer to a Web site or how-to book.
>
> If emailing directly, use .
>
> Thanks so much!
>
> Atticus Fisher
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