My First Digital Camera: Canon Powershot A430

What are Megapixels?
A pixel is basically a dot on the screen (though that's what my lecturer in school told us not to write should there be a similar question, its not accurate but the easiest way to understand what a pixel is). Thus, an image comprises of many of these dots (pixels).

A megapixel comprises of 1 million pixels. It is a term used not only for the number of pixels in an image, but also used to express the number of image sensor elements in digital cameras or the number of display elements in digital displays. The more megapixels there are in an image, it will be more clearer and detailed.

Getting that First Camera
The Canon Powershot A430 is one of the basic cameras' out there I would recommend for beginners or novices alike. It's affordable and easy to maintain, using AA batteries to power up instead of having to charge before use. This can come in pretty handy, especially when you decide to take photos and realize that either you forgot to charge the battery, or the battery needed to be recharged after a period of non-usage. I've had mine for 2 years now, and I'm still happy with it.

Basic Features
· 4.0-megapixel CCD delivering image resolutions as large as 2,272 x 1,704 pixels

· 1.8-inch color LCD monitor

· Real-image optical viewfinder

· Glass, 4x 5.4-21.6mm lens (equivalent to 39-156mm zoom on a 35mm camera)

· 3.6x digital zoom

· AiAF through-the-lens autofocus

· AF Assist light for low-light focusing

· Full Automatic, Camera M, eight Scene modes, Super Macro, Color Accent, Color Swap, My Colors, Stitch Assist, and Movie modes

· Shutter speed range from 1/2,000 to one second

· Built-in flash with six operating modes

· SD/MMC memory storage

· Power supplied by two AA batteries

Pros and Cons
Like all things, there are bound to be pros and cons.

Pros:

· Quick start-up and shutdown

· Accurate LCD viewfinder

· Easy-to-use user interface

· Continuous shooting mode is moderate

· Vibrant, appealing color; bright without looking overdone

· Good skin tones

· Case design is easy grip