数码相机购买指南

数码相机购买指南 Buying a Digital Camera

If a picture is worth a thousand words, a digital camera is worth 10,000 pages of jargon, double-talk and indecipherable optical gobbledygook, as you'll quickly discover when you start shopping for one. Don't worry. This quick guide will help you zoom in on the camera that's right for you.
如果一张照片抵得上一千字，那么当你开始选购一架数码相机时，你很快会发现：一架数码相机简直就相当于一万页行话连篇、晦涩难懂的光学官样文章。别急。下面的简单指南将帮助你迅速选购到一架适合你自己的数码相机。
初学者 BEGINNER
你要问什么WHAT TO ASK
为什么你会问到WHY YOU ASKED IT
你想听到些什么WHAT YOU WANT TO HEAR

HOW MUCH DOES THIS CAMERA COST?
这架相机价格是多少？
There are all kinds of digital cameras with all kinds of prices - from less than $100 to more that $1000.
数码相机的种类繁多，价格也五花八门──从不足 100 美元一架到 1,000 多美元一架的都有。
"A pro model like this is a deal at $800, but if you just want to e-mail that one is $99."
“像这样一架专业型号的相机 800 美元就能买到，但是如果你仅仅是想通过电子邮件传送照片，那种型号的价格是 99 美元。”

WHAT RESOLUTION DOES THIS CAMERA HAVE?
这架相机的分辨率是多少？
Resolution determines the photo's clarity.It is measured in millions of pixels - the more the better.
分辨率决定了照片的清晰程度。它是以每百万像素为单位进行度量的──分辨率越高，清晰度越高。
"This high-end camera has 3.3 megapixels, while good quality models have around 2.1."
“这架高端数码相机的分辨率有 3.3 兆个像素，而一般质量较好的型号分辨率大约有 2.1 兆个像素。”

HOW MUCH STORAGE DOES THIS CAMERA HAVE?
这架相机的内存有多大？
High-resolution images take up a lot of space, and you want to make sure the camera can hold what you shoot. 高分辨率图像会占据大量空间，你应该弄清楚这架数码相机能否装下你拍下的图像。
"The camera ships with a 16 MB card.That works for most people, but pros find they need more."
“这架相机装有一张 16 兆比特的卡。对大多数人来说这也够了，但专业人士需要更大的内存。”

WHAT FORMAT DOES THIS CAMERA USE FOR STORAGE?
这架相机使用什么样的存储格式？
Most use reusable, removable storage like the SmartMedia flash memory card or IBM's Microdrive.
大多数数码相机都使用可重复使用、可拆卸的存储方式，如“智能媒体”（SmartMedia）闪存卡或者是 IBM 公司的

Microdrive。 "These storage cards can hold hundreds of shots, fit in your wallet and be reused over and over." “这些存储卡能装下数百张图片，可以装进你的钱包，也可以反复使用。”

资深者 ADVANCED
你要问什么WHAT TO ASK
为什么你会问到WHY YOU ASKED IT
你想听到些什么WHAT YOU WANT TO HEAR

HOW DOES THIS CAMERA GET PHOTOS TO MY PC?
这架照相机怎样把照片传到我的电脑里？
Generally, cameras use USB or serial ports to download images. "video out" will let you review shots on TV. 通常，相机使用通用串行总线（USB）或者串行端口来下载图像。“图像输出（Video out）”功能使你能在电视机上浏览拍下的图片。
"Our better models have USB, which is faster than serial. Some people use flash media readers."
“我们更好的型号采用的是 USB 端口，它比采用串行端口更快些。有些人使用闪存卡读卡器。”

DOES THIS CAMERA HAVE OPTICAL OR DIGITAL ZOOM?
这架相机使用的是光学变焦还是数字变焦？
Optical zoom actually gets a closer shot, while digital zoom essentially just crops an image tighter.
光学变焦可以真正得到一个更近的镜头，而数字变焦基本上只是把图像裁切得更紧凑。
"Both. There's 3x optical zoom, plus up to 9x digital. But shots can get muddy at maximum zoom."
“数码相机这两种变焦都有：一个三倍光学变焦，加上一个可上调到九倍的数字变焦。但是，在最高极限的变焦时拍下的图片可能会变得模糊。”

DOES THIS CAMERA USE RESOLUTION INTERPOLATION?
这种相机是否具有分辨率添写功能？
Interpolation adds pixels to an image, making it easier to enlarge. But it doesn't make the image sharper.
“添写”能为一张图像增加像素，使它更容易放大。但它不会使图像轮廓更鲜明。
"It's got interpolation if you need it, but its real strength is its high true resolution."
“如果你需要的话，照相机上会有添写功能，但它真正的好处是其真正的高分辨率。”

DOES THIS CAMERA HAVE VOICE OR VIDEO RECORDING?
这架相机是否有录音或录像功能？
Many deluxe cameras offer perks like audio tags for you pictures, or very limited video capability.
许多豪华级相机提供有额外的功能，如为你的图片配置声音“标签”，或者是非常有限的录像功能。
"Yes, it has these extras, but if that's your main interest, check out digital video cameras instead."
“是的，它有这些额外功能，但如果那是你的主要兴趣所在，你还是应该去试试数码摄像机。”