Initial Setup: Taking the Camera Out of the Box

When you purchase a new digital camera, following the correct initial setup procedure is important. With most point and shoot models, it isn't overly difficult to learn to use your camera correctly, but it can be a little tricky if you've never done it before.

This set of articles will show you how to run the initial setup on your camera and how to use your camera correctly. By following the correct steps in the beginning, you can avoid problems later.

Keep in mind that every model of digital camera is a little different. This set of articles will not exactly follow every step you need to use with your particular brand and model of digital camera. The articles are designed more to provide general guidance in working with your new camera. For exact instructions, look toward your new digital camera's user guide or quick start guide.

As you open the camera's box, you'll notice it is packed tightly with components, user guides, and even a few advertisements. Find a large flat surface and lay everything out carefully. The camera's user guide or quick start guide should have a drawing or a list of all of the items in the box. Make sure you have everything before you begin charging the battery. Save all of the plastic bags and packing material for the camera.

Thin Lens Highlights New Panasonic Camera

Panasonic's latest ultra compact digital camera pushes the limits of zoom lenses even farther than Panasonic has in the past.

Panasonic has included a 0.3mm thin aspherical lens with its Lumix DMC-ZR1 digital camera, which gives this model an 8X optical zoom range of 25-200mm. The DMC-ZR1 offers 12.1 megapixels of resolution and a quick start-up time of 1.1 seconds.

Panasonic is offering the DMC-ZR1 in four colors: Black, blue, red, and silver. Panasonic recently began selling the Lumix DMC-ZR1 with an MSRP of about $280, although you might be able to find it for a little less.

Kodak EasyShare Z950

It's not easy to find a point and shoot camera that also can help beginning photographers learn more about photography. Those who eventually want to be more serious about photography would like a beginner-level, fully automatic camera that also can help them learn about the types of manual-control features they'll find in more advanced cameras.

I recently had a chance to test a model that meets those needs. My Kodak EasyShare Z950 Review shows a very easy to use point and shoot camera that can help you learn more about photography, all for less than $300. (Compare Prices)

The Z950 has a couple of drawbacks, especially involving its chunky camera body. Shutter lag and shot to shot delays are problematic, too, but it provides a good value for photographers. And its image quality is very good.

I also had a chance recently to test another Kodak camera, and I've posted a Kodak Zi8 review. The Zi8 is a dual camera, offering both digital video and digital still image capabilities. Because this site focuses on still image cameras, I didn't give the Zi8 a very good star rating, as its digital video features greatly outshine its still image features. However, those looking for a pocket camcorder with some very limited, but easy to use, digital still image options will want to take a look at the Zi8, which can be found for less than $200.

Fujifilm Offers Mini Instant Film Camera

For those who thought instant print photography was going to disappear with the bankruptcy of Polaroid, yet another candidate has entered the market.

Fujifilm is the latest company to introduce an instant print camera, and the Fujifilm Instax Mini 7S Instant Camera looks nothing like those old Polaroid instant cameras. The Mini 7S tries to bring some style to the instant print arena, with its white camera body that looks vastly different from the ultra compact point and shoot digital cameras that are popular in today's camera marketplace.

The Mini 7S is a bulky model, measuring 5 by 5 by 2.5 inches. The prints are 2 by 3 inches, with the image occupying 1.8 by 2.4 inches.

The Mini 7S will carry an MSRP of $95.99, and a 10-pack of instant film will cost about $20