Some photographers are fortunate enough to own the mighty DSLR cameras with macro lenses – but there are also some who shoot with a compact point and shoot camera even professionally.

While the results achievable with a point and shoot camera in macro mode probably won’t compare with a DSLR with a purpose built macro lens, we have still seen some remarkably good shots with compact digital cameras.

A Few Tips To Get The Most Out Of Your Compact Digital Camera

First of all, you should always select Macro Mode. It is the first step and many are compact digital camera owners haven’t explored the shooting modes that their camera has. It is generally used for the clear image and it generally increases the clarity of the image. Macro mode is generally symbolized with a little flower and when selected it will tell your camera that you want to focus on a subject closer to your lens than normal (the minimum distance allowed will vary from camera to camera – consult your instruction manual to find yours). This mode will also usually tell your camera to choose a large aperture so that your subject is in focus but the background is not.

Use the aperture mode. Once in this mode some compact digital cameras will not allow you to make many other adjustments but if you are able to play with your aperture settings it can be well worthwhile to do so. The main thing that aperture impacts is the depth of field of your shots. Choose a small aperture if you want a large depth of field with everything in focus or a large aperture if you just want your main subject in focus.

Use a Tripod. In compact digital cameras, a tripod can be particularly useful as it makes the camera rigid for some time as long as the user wants. Keeping your camera still not only improves your shots but it allows you to play around with different settings without losing your composition.

Make sure you have the right composition. Make sure your image has a main point of interest and place that focal point in a smart position in your image in order to draw the eye of your viewer. Try to select a non cluttered or simple background for your main subject so as it doesn’t compete with it visually. This makes sure of the composition of the image.

In compact digital cameras it is helpful to have full control over focusing – especially when you have a shallow depth of fields where it is all the more important to make sure the right part of your shot is in focus. If your camera allows manual focusing select this option and manually focus on the part of our subject that is the main point of interest.

Users have nothing but lavish praise for this camera. The Canon EOS 40D consistently gets 5-star ratings and plenty of glowing reviews from owners. Some laud the camera’s impressive light sensitivity and its hefty size. The camera feels substantial, not like something fragile that might break with rough treatment. With the EFS 17-85 IS in place, the camera weighs in at two and a half pounds! But it does fit into the photographer’s hands naturally, and handles very well.

Professional action photographers use this camera for outdoor work and enjoy its sharpness and color identity. The camera even cleans itself every time it is turned off, thanks to an automatic sensor cleaning feature.

Some users feel that the Canon EOS 40D is more suited to advanced camera users. The sheer number of features can be intimidating. Customers recommend a lot of patience and exploration, or even the purchase of special training DVDs to help new photographers learn the ins and outs of the 40D.

Here are just a few of the Canon EOS 40D’s many features:

* 10.1 Megapixel CMOS Sensor
* DIGIC III Image Processor
* RAW, JPEG File Format
* Canon EF/EF-S Lens Mount
* Auto and Manual Focus
* Auto and Manual Exposure
* ISO 100-1600 (3200 Enhanced)
* 3.0-inch LCD
* Compact Flash Memory
* Lithium-ion Battery
* USB Cable
* Video Cable
* Neck Strap
* Battery Charger

The Canon EOS 40D is an SLR professional grade digital camera with image resolutions of 3888 x 2592, 2816 x 1880, and 1936 x 1288. It has a minimum shutter speed of 30 seconds, and a maximum shutter speed of 1/8000 seconds. Pictures can be snapped rapid-fire for excellent action shots. The EOS 40D does up to 75 images in burst mode. Its exposure controls include Auto, Manual, Daylight / Sunny (Preset), Cloudy (Preset), Fluorescent (Preset), Tungsten (Preset), Shade (Preset), and Flash (Preset).

A few critics voice disappointment that the camera kit doesn’t come with a lens hood as would be expected from a camera of this caliber. But complaints are few and far between. The Canon EOS 40D would be a great gift for a photography student, journalist, or anyone who is ready to move away from point-and-shoots. This is a real camera for real photographers.

The Canon EOS 40D retails for about $1,200 US.

Kodak Digital Camera Models

Currently, Kodak provides many different series models in digital cameras. Most of the series of cameras have various models with different features incorporated. Some of these models are the Kodak Easy share series of models including the C-Series, M-Series, Z-Series, V-Series and P-Series.

The C-Series models provide a 3x Optical zoom and 5x digital zoom, 4.0 to 8.0 mega pixels picture resolution. Operating these Kodak models is very simple. These models use Kodak Color Science which enables pictures to be rotated easily and automatically. Video recording is also another great feature of .

The M-Series models are very compact, thin and stylish. They come with features loaded for clicking great looking pictures. Features like High ISO for low light, Digital Image stabilization, a 2.5” LCD screen, a Li-lon battery, several color choices and built in accessories are available with this model. The M883 model also has a 3” LCD screen.

The Z series of Kodak Digital cameras get closer to more perfection with an enhanced zoom and ease of operation. Powerful zoom lenses with broad range of scene shooting capability, high color modes, advanced creative control; etc are the features of this range of cameras. They come with 6.1 to 12.0 mega pixels of picture resolution, a 5x / 10x / 12x optical zoom, a digital zoom, and the recently added feature of digital image stabilization.

The V series of cameras are very handy and powerful at the same time. They are Ultra compact, almost pocket sized. These cameras have a large high resolution display and a VGA video with advanced features. They have intuitive menu options which make operations and selections very easy. Some models have a dual lens, a 2.5”display screen and features such as an Embedded Bluetooth and Kodak Perfect Touch technology.
P Series are made to satisfy most of the uncompromising creative demands and have features like a powerful optical zoom lens, an advanced video feature, shooting in five different modes, great performance and a special File format called RAW to store the files.

Kodak DC category: DC category models have all the normal features of any Kodak Digital Camera with a normal picture quality, a decently spacious memory chip and a great ease of operation. Most of them don’t have a zoom. Most of them are compact and weigh approximately 400 grams or less.

To start with, the FujiFilm FinePix A900 is a 9 megapixel camera. That’s the good news. Most companies don’t even offer 9 megapixel models. But getting a high quality printable photo can be a little tricky with the FujiFilm FinePix A900. It seems that the while balance adjustment is hidden away in a maze of non-intuitive menu options. If users plan on printing their digital photos, they should adjust the white balance before they start shooting. Making adjustments in the middle of a shoot can be frustrating with the camera’s odd menu layout. While common scene modes like “landscape” are hidden, unusual ones like “baby” can be found right on the camera’s dial – just another strange quirk in the A900’s layout.

One very nice feature of the FujiFilm FinePix A900 is a long lens which gives this camera a 4x optical zoom. Similarly priced cameras only offer 3x zoom capability. The camera also has an infrared sensor which allows it to transfer photos to other infrared-enabled cameras and mobile phones.

The FujiFilm FinePix A900 does not have the sleek, stylish body so common to modern digital cameras. In fact, it has been described as “clunky”, weighing in at a hefty 200 grams plus. This camera is larger than most of its competitors, and critics complain that it barely fits into a shirt pocket. Other sticking points are the shutter lag and relatively long wait time until a picture takes. The FujiFilm FinePix A900 was outpaced by nearly all of its peers in regard to speed.

Some users prefer the thick body and greater weight of this model. Men with large hands find it easier to deal with than some of the super-slim alternatives. Surprisingly, given the camera’s odd menu layout, many users find it to be a very straightforward device. It is lauded for the ease with which a user can pick it up and start taking photos. Beginners and younger children might have a lot of fun with this sturdy model.

And even the most ardent detractor has to give credit where it’s due: if you can figure out all the controls, the FujiFilm FinePix A900 takes beautiful pictures. Colors are life-like, faces are crisp, and even the high magnifications seldom show grain. For all its quirks, this is a quality camera.

The FujiFilm FinePix A900 comes with 10MB of internal memory and is compatible with SD or xD cards. It runs on two AA batteries. The A900 retails for about $150-$170 US.

Megapixels

Once a highly-touted feature in most cameras, most cameras have a high enough megapixel count that it doesn’t matter quite as much. Other features, such as zoom or the ability to take great pictures in low light, tend to be a little more important in the quality of the picture these days. However, some do suggest that you shoot for higher megapixels when you compare digital cameras, since more details shots mean easier editing of your pictures when you put them on your computer.

Media

What’s sort of memory does your camera take? This can be important when you compare digital cameras, since there are several different varieties of medial that digital cameras can take, from types of memory that work in different brands of cameras to media like Sony’s Memory Stick, which is a propriety format for Sony products. If you already have a digital camera you’re upgrading, you might prefer to get one that takes the flash memory you’ve already spent money on.

Adjustability

How detailed do you want to go into the process of taking pictures? Do you want to just point and snap a picture, or does the idea of learning to fine-tune your camera sound like fun to you? If you’re in the latter camp, you want to find out what settings on a camera are adjustable when you compare digital cameras. For instance, things such as adjusting shutter speed to better take photos at night are great, but you will also want a camera that will adjust for any shaking of the camera, or a tripod, because any vibrations from holding the camera will affect the quality of the picture.

Your Display Screen

One of the great things about digital cameras is that they have small display screens that allow you to preview a picture that you’ve just taken. However, the size of the screen these days can’t match the resolution of the photographs you’ve taken. When you compare digital cameras, look for a large screen and the ability to zoom in on pictures that you’ve taken. Don’t expect to necessarily find a camera that has all these features in one package, though, unless you’re paying a lot for your camera. Take a look at some of these features when you compare digital cameras, decide what is important to you, and make your decision based on that.