Choosing a Digital Camera

• We have not recommended a particular camera in this document. Instead, we offer general advice to help you make a purchase. We feel that your digital camera should be usable for a variety of needs including ClearMatch. Also, keep in mind that there are many differing opinions as to which digital cameras work best and under what conditions. We have heard from many users that to have a straightforward approach to consistently achieve the photos needed is more important than brand and price. Following are seven factors to consider in buying your digital camera.
   

• Megapixels - Most camera shoppers tend to ask about this first. For ClearMatch purposes we would recommend 2.0 megapixels or higher, based on the ability to produce a picture from one corner of the mouth to the other. Keep in mind that megapixels do not relate to quality of picture - only to the size of the picture when printed, or the detail when you zoom into it. Other characteristics, such as color reproduction, are now more important than pixel resolution, since most cameras being sold are several megapixels or higher. For most purposes, you will be working with JPEG images from your camera. Though there are several "resolution modes" built into cameras, today's digital photos typically run from a half-megabyte to a megabyte in size. If the image is imported / converted into an uncompressed image (such as a TIF or BMP), the image can become ten times larger. Of course, storage has become steadily less expensive. Keep the storage indications in mind when buying and using your camera with your computer.  

• Macro Capability - This is simply the ability to focus at close range. What we look for in macro capability is for the flash to illuminate the subject to the appropriate light level and not over-light or under-light the subject. Also, we recommend that you use the optical zoom capability of your camera, instead of the digital zoom capability. Digital zoom may add anomalies to the image. If you inspect the image in an image editing program, there may be unexpected color changes and "paint splatters".   

• Through-the-Lens Viewing (TTL) - The ability to view the subject through the lens is generally considered beneficial. It can be easier to see whether the camera is in focus. Also, you see the patient's natural appearance with your own eyes. The alternative for viewing, which is becoming more common, is an LCD screen. Some cameras include both methods of viewing. LCD screens have improved over time, and many photographers find them good to work with once used to them. We do not feel that this feature, as with megapixels, should make or break a camera decision. It is most important that the overall combination of features matches your needs. Our best advice is to test the camera to see that you can take good shots. See No. 7 below.   

• Built-in Flash Design - We recommend a flash that is over the lens. Some cameras are manufactured with a flash to the side of the lens. This may be good for consumer home photography, but not so good for the dental industry. A flash at the side means the subject may be unevenly lit across the picture. Some shadow may be inevitable, but we'd rather see the shadow projecting down evenly than across one side of a smile. Again, overall features are key. Some cameras with a side located flash may offer accessory solutions to mitigate unbalanced lighting.  

• White balance - This capability can be useful in obtaining the best color reproduction. Red, green, and blue make up all shades of the visible color spectrum. If you direct three light sources, one red, one blue, and one green, to the same spot, you will produce white. This is essentially what the camera's electronics are trying to do. To white balance a camera, point the camera at a white object such as a white piece of paper and follow the camera's Owner Manual for directions. For ClearMatch, it is not mandatory to white balance your digital camera to achieve an accurate shade analysis - the software adjusts the image for you. The point of white balancing is to start with the most natural looking photos possible, which helps everyone.   

• Fancy features - You probably don't want to pay for camera features you will not need, assuming there is a model with and without those exact features. However, cameras typically change several features in combination from one model to the next, so you may get more resolution by simply buying the model with greater optical zoom capability, etc. Too many buttons and settings can be confusing for some. Also, camera manuals may not be as helpful as desired, depending on the buyer's expertise. For most dental needs, photographers want to be able to program the desired settings into the camera so that it requires the fewest steps to turn on and take a shot - for the dentist or lab owner, and for staff. Consider that process when buying.   

• How to buy - Tell the camera retailer what your looking for in camera features. Also, give them an indication as to how well versed you are in photography. Tell them what you are going to photograph and how close to the subject you will need to get. If you can go to a camera dealer to check out and test cameras, bring a model with you - a set of "choppers". Place the model on the counter so you can take pictures of the teeth, and so your salesperson can see what you are trying to achieve. This is the best way for you and the salesperson to determine if the camera is the right model for you, and what accessories will work best.   

• Another reason to deal with your local camera store is service. Digital cameras generally carry low profit margins for the dealer. If you value service when you are in a bind, the difference you may pay in price compared to buying from a discount camera source can instantly become a losing proposition.   

• Finally, there is no way to buy the latest camera, because something new will appear tomorrow and every day after that. If you think the quality and efficiency of a digital camera will help your business today, try one. You may soon find yourself saying: "I wouldn't operate without one".
   

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