Digital Cameras 101: Nothing but the Basics

Shutter lag time simply means the time it takes from when you press the shutter button to when the camera actually records the picture. Modern DSLRs suffer far less with this problem, but some small traces of lag time can sometimes be noticed. Compact cameras, especially inexpensive ones, often suffer from shutter lag.

If you need to send in your camera for repair, it's important that you don't cause additional problems with your camera by packing it poorly. Use these tips to mail a camera safely.

Losing a digital camera is a disheartening feeling, but this "show and tell" topic can help: Camera lost and found. Hopefully this Web page can serve as a resource for anyone who has lost a camera or who has found a camera. See submissions

With a point and shoot camera, you probably will end up shooting a lot of indoor photos, which will require the use of your camera's built-in flash unit. Shooting with a tiny flash unit can be a little tricky. Try using flash tips, such as those listed here, to improve the results of your flash photos with a point and shoot camera.

With most of today's photos being stored digitally, rather than being in prints, you need to rethink how you store the photos. The shoebox in a drawer won't work any more. Try these tips for protecting, storing, and preserving your digital photos.

Share your story and read stories others have submitted with this "show and tell" topic: My first digital camera. See submissions

One way to enjoy your camera more is by learning the basics. Try these digital camera tips and read through these answers to common camera questions to gain more enjoyment from your digital camera.

Damage to the electrical components or accessories with a digital camera could lead to fire or to a malfunctioning or broken camera. Use these tips to properly maintain, use, and protect your digital camera.

Do you have questions about digital cameras? Panasonic's "Things To Know" Web page is a great resource for finding basic information.

Through this area of the Kodak Web site, beginning photographers can find information on sharing digital photos and on why film photographers may want to switch to digital.

From the Digital Photography School Web site, beginning photographers can click any of the dozens of links to learn more about digital cameras and photography.

These tips from Fujifilm provide some good baseline information for beginning photographers, ranging from shooting better photos to choosing a digital camera to making better prints.

From the Photo.net Web site, this article explains many of the basic terminologies and technologies in use in digital cameras, including pixels, aspect ratios, and sensor size.

One thing hobbyist photographers and serious photographers have in common: When traveling, neither would ever think of leaving their photography equipment at home. Traveling provides a great opportunity for capturing memorable photos. Avoid causing damage to your photography equipment when traveling.

Camera firmware is a DSLR's basic software and coding, which the camera maker installs at the time of manufacturing. Firmware is responsible for actually making your camera work, and it is therefore vitally important.

Photography conditions at concerts and plays are especially tough. Use these tips to shoot better pictures at concerts.

Artifacts are any unwanted changes that occur in an image that are caused by various factors within a DSLR. This article looks at the most common artifacts found in digital photography.

Everyone knows the importance of having homeowners insurance ... even if no one wants to ever have to use it. However, preparing as though you'll eventually need that insurance is a smart idea, starting with creating photographic evidence of your possessions.

As with any type of consumer electronics device, a digital camera requires some safety precautions to ensure that it will work correctly and safely for you. The last thing you want is to operate the camera in a manner that could leave you with an injury.

One of the most common events that will be photographed is a birthday party. However, many people aren't quite sure how to handle some of the tricky situations with which they're presented.