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Digicam Buying Guide

What kind of lens do I need?

There's a lot of variety in the world of digital camera lenses, and each lens type influences the overall design and feature set of the camera. In recent years, we have seen major camera manufacturers working with renowned lens makers such as Leica, Carl Zeiss and Schneider to incorporate better optics in their products. We've broken digital camera lenses down into four broad categories so you can determine which lens type is best for you.

1. Fixed-focal-length lenses

Digicams that use a fixed-focal-length lens usually lets you select macro or landscape focus mode.

Cameras using fixed-focal-length lens are quite rare now and can be found only in a few current models. They are not very popular with consumers these days as manufacturers roll out more shooters with optical zoom lens.

Commonly found in: Compacts

Advantages:

  • Allows for smaller camera form factors.
  • Easy and quick camera operation.
  • Inexpensive.
  • Lenses usually offer relatively wide angle of view, which is good for landscapes
  • and group shots.

    Disadvantages:

  • No zooming capabilities.
  • Usually lowest optical quality available.


    2. Retractable zoom lenses

    When this camera is turned on, its retractable zoom lens extends from the body.

    These zoom lenses retract into the camera body when the camera is off and extend when it's on.

    Commonly found in: Compacts and Prosumer cams

    Advantages:

  • Allows for long zoom capabilities in a compact camera design.
  • Lens is usually protected by a built-in or removable cover.

    Disadvantages:

  • Can be bulky when the lens is fully extended.
  • Lens extension may increase camera startup time.


    3. Internal zoom lenses

    When zoom is activated, the internal zoom lens will shift accordingly to the zoom range.

    These zoom lenses function without protruding from the camera body.

    Commonly found in: Ultracompacts

    Advantages:

  • Allows for superslim and ultraportable design.
  • No protruding parts.
  • Lens is usually protected by a built-in or slide cover.

    Disadvantage:

  • Limited zoom range.


    4. Fixed zoom lenses

    You can attach lens converters to most fixed zoom lenses for wide-angle, close-up or telephoto shooting.

    These zoom lenses are fixed to the camera body and do not retract into it when the camera is turned off. It is often found on prosumer camera models.

    Commonly found in: Prosumer cams and Compacts

    Advantages:

  • Long zoom range (up to 20x magnification).
  • Comes with lens thread for adding lens converters (wide-angle, close-up, and
  • so on), filters and even ring flash units.
  • Some cameras offer more precise zoom and manual focus control via rings on
  • the lens instead of buttons or dials.

    Disadvantages:

  • Bulky camera design.
  • Comes with removable lens cover which gets lost easily


    5. Interchangeable lenses

    You can attach a wide range of lenses to a digital SLR body.

    Digital SLRs use interchangeable lens systems, which mean you can detach the entire lens from the camera body and replace it with any other compatible lenses. If you already own several lenses for a 35mm film SLR camera, you might want to find out if there's a digital SLR body available that is compatible with it.

    Commonly found in: dSLRs

    Advantages:

  • Deliver the best-quality optics.
  • Provide the most flexibility to capture various kinds of images.
  • Don't have to buy a new camera to upgrade the quality of the lens.
  • Some higher-end lenses come with built-in stabilization system to allow for shooting at two stops
  • slower without risk of blurring photos.

    Disadvantages:

  • Expensive to buy or replace.
  • Long-zoom lenses with large apertures tend to be big and heavy.
  • Focal lengths generally differ for the same lens mounted on a film camera, which can be confusing and
  • cause vignetting.

    • What are my storage options? »

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