Written by Sanford Weiss

he most commonly asked question to come from beginning and even seasoned evidence photographers is: What kind of camera should I buy? Photographic hardware is available in a wide range of prices and styles, and there is a diversity of needs to satisfy within the discipline. With the passage of time, some aspects of the hardware question have become easier to answer, some more difficult, and some have remained a nagging constant. Fortunately, the digital-versus-film controversy has reached its obvious and long-awaited conclusion. In our digitally oriented society, evidence photographers have no pressing need to continue to use film or film-based technologies. Rephrasing, the initial query should now sound something
These are the cameras used to create the images for this article. The Coolpix 775 has a 2 megapixel sensor. The Coolpix 3100 has a 3.2 megapixel sensor. The Coolpix L11 has a 6.0 megapixel sensor. The D70s, with a 6.1 megapixel sensor, was used to create the image. And the D200 has a 10.2 megapixel sensor.

like: What kind of digital camera should I buy? This is still a complicated question, but a few tips may help. As with the purchase of a new stove, refrigerator, automobile, or furnace, it is always a good idea to consult consumer reports. Then purchase a name-brand to help ensure versatility and durability over the long haul. It may be glamorous to purchase something small, sleek, and brightly colored, but will the fancy product be durable, will it be simple to repair when it breaks down, or will it need to be thrown away in favor of a new model? When considering the purchase of a camera, Nikon, Canon, Fuji, Sony, and any of the other recognized names are all good choices.

Cameras are often typed as professional or consumer. Will you need a digital single lens reflex (DSLR)type camera, or will a digital (D)point-and-shoot camera fulfill your needs? The DSLR will have lens interchangeability and a wider range of accessories and flashes. The Dpoint-and-shoot will be less expensive and, in most cases, will create images of comparable quality to the DSLR. It will also be more compact and perhaps even more durable under inclement weather conditions. What feels better in your hands? Go to a store that stocks a wide ranging selection of imaging hardware and pick up several cameras in your price range and evaluate their general feel. Then ask questions about important features such as: Does it have manual overrides? Does it have a viewfinder as well as an LCD panel? If it has a viewfinder, does the LCD panel turn off? Does it have image stabilization? Perhaps you should make a list of features you absolutely must have before going shopping. Show your list to the clerk and then look at cameras that fulfill the best part of your needs. Do not buy a D-point-and-shoot camera if you want to be able to interchange lenses. If you own a series of lenses from an old filmbased camera outfit, you will probably want to purchase a DSLR camera of the same brand. Remember, your

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Evidence Technology Magazine July-August 2009

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old lenses will appear longer in inherent focal length on a new digital camera if the digital sensor is smaller than full-frame 35mm. What is the maximum image resolution you will need for your work? If your projects routinely require the production of courtroom-sized hardcopy enlargements, you may need to purchase a camera with a high number of megapixels, which results in higherresolution images. Cameras with more than ten megapixels of resolution are available in both DSLR and D-pointand-shoot models. If large enlargements are not needed, how many megapixels resolution should you have? Is eight enough? Or six? Or four? Or two? The answer to that question is totally dependant upon what the final use of the images will be. A 2-megapixel camera produces images with sufficient quality for PowerPoint presentations or for e-mail. High- and lowresolution cameras will create images of comparable visual quality at comparable resolution, up to the limitation of the smaller sensor. For example, an image created by a 10megapixel camera will look identical to an image created by a 2-megapixel camera when both images are uncropped and printed to 4 x 5 inches. The limitations of low-resolution images will become apparent when the smaller images are cropped or enlarged. Is one type of memory media more appropriate or reliable for your use? Does your computer easily utilize CompactFlash (CF) memory or is Secure Digital (SD) better? Do you have other digital equipment that uses similar memory? If so, it may be a good idea to purchase a camera compatible with your other equipment. Another important issue to consider is: How much can I afford to spend? Should I buy a new camera or shop on the used market? Remember that anything bought today will become somewhat obsolete in a year or two. The prices of digital cameras continue to fall as current developments make larger image sensors less expensive to manufacture and the gamut of normal built-in features expands.

C A M E R A

Different cameras capture the same scene differently (note orientation of photos): [Image 2] Nikon Coolpix 775, 8 x 6 in. at 200 dpi; [Image 3] Nikon Coolpix 3100, 8 x 6 in. at 200 dpi; [Image 4] Nikon Coolpix L11, 8 x 6 in. at 200 dpi; [Image 5] Nikon D70s with a 60mm Micro lens, 8 x 5.3 in. at 200 dpi; [Image 6] Nikon D200 with a 60mm Micro lens, 8 x 5.3 in. at 200 dpi

As the images from Group A are cropped in a photo-editing program, the differences in detail captured by the various cameras become more apparent. All of these images are shown at 1.7x the original size at 200 dpi, the equivalent of a section of a print about 13 in. wide print (note orientation of photos): [Image 7] Nikon Coolpix 775; [Image 8] Nikon Coolpix 3100; [Image 9] Nikon Coolpix L11; [Image 10] Nikon D70s with a 60mm Micro lens; [Image 11] Nikon D200 with a 60mm Micro lens

Enlarging the images even more shows more detail for comparison. All of the images in this group are enlarged an addition 1.5x, equivalent to a section of a print about 20 in. wide (note orientation of photos): [Image 12] Nikon Coolpix 775; [Image 13] Nikon D200 with a 60 mm Micro lens

This group shows a section of the original images enlarged another 1.5x, equivalent to a section of a print about 30 in. wide at 200 dpi (note orientation of photos): [Image 14] Nikon Coolpix 775; [Image 15] Nikon D200 with a 60 mm Micro lens

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Here the original images are enlarged an additional 1.5x, equivalent to a section of a print 40 in. wide at 200 dpi (note orientation of photos): [Image 16] Nikon Coolpix 775; [Image 17] Nikon D200 with a 60 mm Micro lens.

Finally, zoom in very tight and the difference in quality between two cameras may be surprising. Here the original images are enlarged an additional 1.5x, equivalent to a section of a print 60 in. wide at 200 dpi (note orientation of photos): [Image 18] Nikon Coolpix 775; [Image 19] Nikon D200 with a 60 mm Micro .

The un-cropped version of the photos listed above.

It is not a bad thing to consider the purchase of previously owned equipment. Good cameras are plentiful on the online auction sites. There is absolutely no reason to doubt the durability of a camera that is in working condition when purchased. Many photographers choose to turn over their cameras frequently to maintain a state-of-the-art edge and to prevent a large loss of purchase price equity due to obsolescence. The purchase of a previously owned camera may help you take advantage of high-end equipment at low-end prices. Finally, it is critical to evaluate your own preferences, requirements,

and limitations. How much weight are you easily able to carry? How many backup cameras do you need to have in your kit? At what point does your old camera become too obsolete to be of use on the job? These are questions only you can answer. m m m About the Author Sanford Weiss is the author of Forensic Photography: The Importance of Accuracy, Pearson, Prentice Hall (2009). Weiss can be reached by e-mail at: sweiss@packereng.com

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