We all like the convenience of the Ipod. We like our cell phones. In short, we like small things when we’re on the go. Digital cameras have gotten super small. And now, video cameras have as well.

The Flip Video is a super small video camera that retails for only $150. In fact, it is easily small enough to fit into your pocket. I had an opportunity to give the Flip Video a try. So, is a compact, sub $150 video camera any good?

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At first glance, some words/phrases used to describe features of a digital camera may be confusing. Here’s a list that will get you up to speed.

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Generally speaking there are three types of digital cameras, that being consumer, “prosumer” and professional.

In layman’s terms you can think of each like this:

• Consumer: Basic
• Prosumer: Advanced (or “mid-grade”)
• Professional: Expert

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A shot which is very easy to accomplish by using a simple focus “trick” is focusing, moving slightly, then taking the shot.

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These two terms can be easily confused but I will attempt to explain it as best I can.

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Concerning a digital camera, ISO denotes how sensitive the image sensor is to the amount of light present.

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A panoramic photo is a “super-wide” image. It can be done in two ways:

1. Have a camera with dedicated lens that has the ability to take super-wide shots (very expensive).
2. Composite (“stitch”) a shot together from different shots.

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“Nanny” modes are auto-settings on consumer and prosumer digital cameras. They are recognized by name such as “Sport”, “Fireworks”, “Sunset” and of course “Auto”.

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The frame, simply put, is the area that a camera “sees”. It is whatever the lens can capture.

One common mistake made by many beginner photographers is that what you see is what the camera sees. This is not the case.

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Indoor light is completely different compared to outdoor.

Important note: The vast majority of digital cameras “prefer” outdoor light. The flash (should you have one) is designed to emulate outdoor light as well. When shooting photographs indoors, shots will not look the same as they do outdoors.

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The best way to begin this section is to give you examples of some bad shots.

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When comparing indoor vs. outdoor, the factors to take into consideration are:

• Color of light
• Direction of light
• Intensity of light

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Generally speaking, digital cameras can be bought in any one of the following places:

• Internet (BHphoto.com, eBay, etc.)
• Electronics Store (Best Buy, Circuit City, etc.)
• Department Store (Your local mall, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, etc.)
• Camera Store (various)

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The only thing you need to pay attention to as far as memory cards for digital cameras are concerned is whether it will physically fit in your camera or not.

There is absolutely no significant advantage from one card format to the next. All that matters is that it can physically be connected to the camera you have.

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Digital cameras are everywhere today. Just about everyone owns one. Not only that, they are good cameras. Even the cheapest digital cameras today are capable of taking really great photography if in the hands of somebody who knows how to do so.

Blatant Plug: We have just launched a brand new course at PCMech University which is designed to give you tactics you need to know on how to take professional photographs using any standard digital camera. No, you don’t need the expensive model to make good images. The secret is in the person holding the camera, not the equipment (in most cases). Come by PCMech University for more information.

But, that’s not the purpose of this article. I promise. Let’s say you are taking some cool shots with your camera. What can you do with them besides impress yourself?

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