hi there,

what are the things i should look out for when purchasing a digital camera? 've no clue! but since am staying away from Singapore and we are going to have a baby soon, this kind of camera may come in handy! Another question, what is the price range? just want to know if I should wait till am back or just buy one here ( europe) please provide me specific model if you have one in mind. Greatly appreciated.

-- Gabriella (thegab99@hotmail.com), September 16, 2002

Answers

This is not a complete answer but just some terminology you want to be familiar with.

1- Pixels, the higher the number of pixels, the better. 1.3 Mega Pixels gives you 3R photo. 2.1 MP gives you 4R (4" x 6") photos. 3MP gives you 8" x 10" photos.

2- Zoom; there are two types OPTICAL and DIGITAL. OPTICAL zoom is the actual zoom where the lense moves to zoom in to a location. DIGITAL zoom is a software enlargement of the existing picture. Digital zoom will cause image quality loss.

3 - Since you plan to photo your baby, you might choose a digital camera that can take video with audio ie it works like a camcorder but for only approx 1 min. I have tried this and link the movie to my 29" TV and it came out great.

4 - Memory. Digital camera does not use film but just memory cards. There are many types. The higher the memory the better. Memory comes in 8MB (mega byte), 16 MB, 32 MB, 64 MB, 128 MB etc.... The higher the memory the more pics you can store.

5- Lastly, to select a good camera is to try a few and try the options and choose one that fit your lifestyle and needs.

Loke

-- Loke (lokeky1@pd.jaring.my), September 23, 2002.

Hi, I was quite new to Digital Camera a few months ago and I would like to share with you an an unpleasant experience at Sim Lim Sq (SLS) when I bought a high end Sony digital camera at Hai Chew Electronics at #01-53/54. The salesman asked for my budget after I told him that the initial offered price was too expensive. My budget should not exceed $1k, so he offered me $990 but he didn't inform me that it was w/o GST. He even told me that he gave me this price as I looked sincere in buying the digital cam and this price can only be offered if I am not using VISA. When I was abt to pay, I was told to pay $1019.70 incl GST (and this price is only $25 lower than SAFE superstore) and I was stunned for a while. But I make the payment eventually. Then I upgraded the memory stick from 16MB to 32MB after bargaining from $25 to $20 when in fact the price should be less than $15. It was a painful experience.

My advice for anyone new to Digital Camera and intending to buy one: 1) Do a research at these overseas web site: http://www.digital-camerastore.com/ http://www.dpreview.com/ http://www.imaging-resource.com/ for the camera you want and the accessories included. If you convert the price they offered to Sing $ plus the shipping cost, that would be about the lowest price any shop can offer here. If you have a MasterCard or Visa, you might even purchase it online.

2) Do not let the salesman know your budget. Instead ask for the best price they can offer. Compare with a few shops. Some will mark up the price w/o you knowing it and will convince you that you are getting a good price after bargaining. The electronic shops at 1st-3rd floor in SLS do not put up a price list outside their shops unlike computer hardware shops at 4th-6th floor. You might want to check out the price at SAFE superstore, BEST Connection, COURTS or Harvey Norman before going to SLS.

3) Never be pressured into buying a product. It is a common technique used by the sales pple there. When asked "What's your problem?" or "Come, tell me what you want!" or etc, tell them that you need some time to consider and if the price is good, you will come back for it. It will take you some courage, ask a friend to go along with you if need to.

4) Check the local web site: http://www.cheapngreen.com http://www.parisilk.com (I bought a 128MB memory stick and InfoLithium battery for $135 and $85 respectively at Parisilk and most retailers are selling at $165 and $120 respectively). If you can get a better price than these web sites at SLS, by all means.

Regards, Arthur

-- Arthur Koh (xuruilong@yahoo.com.sg), December 16, 2002.