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 Travel & Outdoors | July 2005 
Focusing on Travel Photography
 Rick Steves - ABC News
Smile! As technology improves and prices get cheaper, digital cameras have become a great option for travelers. Personally, I haven’t taken a film camera to Europe in years.
When you go digital, you can immediately look at pictures in the viewfinder — while you’re still at the Rialto Bridge or the mighty Rhine. You can delete and reshoot photos if things didn’t quite line up right. You’re free to experiment with artsy angles, tricky lighting, and nighttime shots without wasting film.
There’s a wide range of digital cameras available. How to choose? First, ask your friends what they recommend and why. Flip through sales fliers to see which models are hot now. Then read reviews and compare specs on your likely choices. (You’ll find good reviews at http://reviews.cnet.com, www.steves-digicams.com, and www.dpreview.com.)
Once you’ve gotten an overview, head to a store to check out the likely candidates. Most stores that sell digital cameras have demonstration models that you can try out. While clerks at camera specialty shops can be more knowledgeable than those at the big electronics stores, they’re also more likely to work on commission (which can color their advice).
With digital cameras, more resolution equals a more detailed photo. Get a camera that is at least three megapixels. Four- and five-megapixel cameras are becoming more affordable, so if your budget allows, go big. Pay a little extra for a big name-brand, rather than the too-good-to-be-true, no-name cheapos you’ll see advertised.
For frequent travelers or anyone who likes to pack light, consider the weight of the camera. Several models — often called "compact" or "ultracompact" — are almost as small as a deck of cards but can still take high-resolution pictures and are easy to pull out for spontaneous, happy snaps.
Keep in mind that you get what you pay for. Some inexpensive cameras won’t store many images, since they come with a very small memory card. You’ll then have to buy a bigger memory card, or wind up only able to save a couple dozen photos.
Most digital cameras burn through AA batteries amazingly quickly. Pick up a set of nickel–metal hydride (NiMH) rechargable batteries and a charger. They cost about $20 — much cheaper in the long run. Before you buy, make sure the charger will work in Europe (look for "110V" and "220V").
What’s your tech tolerance level? Some cameras are made for first-time users, with only a few bells and whistles. Other types appeal to semi-pro photographers, requiring you to sit down with a manual just to figure out the flash. If you’re buying a new camera, ask lots of questions in the store and get a good demo on everything you’ll need to do (zoom in, delete bad photos, unload pictures to a computer’s hard drive, turn the viewfinder on and off to save battery power, etc.).
Regardless of what kind of digital camera you buy, take it for a test drive at home. You can figure out how it works "before" you’re standing at the base of the Eiffel Tower, wondering how to zoom out. With the right digital camera, you’ll be sitting pretty, with a passel of pre-screened pictures to enjoy once you get home. |
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