Digital cameras should be three megapixels or higher. Benefits of using a digital camera include instant gratification, low cost, ability to erase any pictures you cannot use and digital pictures can be directly uploaded to a website. Unfortunately, digital pictures may contain “defect pixels” resulting in false positives. Also, false positives may be caused by a design flaw in the camera if it has been designed with the flash too close to the lens, which may cause odd reflections in the image. Digital cameras are also especially susceptible to false positives caused by particulate matter in the air (such as dust) and this is particulrly true when flash is used. There is also no negative to be examined and without this, there can be no proof that the image was not manipulated. As a general rule, digital cameras are best used as back-up cameras and for establishing pictures (mapping out locations, documentation, etc.).
Our group will be using a Nikon N8008S 35mm camera with a 52mm lens (F 1.8 to 22), 28- 105mm lens (F 3.5 to 22) and 28- 200mm lens (F 3.8 to 22). We will also be using a 3-5 megapixel Digital Life DL-352M with a 4x digital zoom and F2.8 and a 7.1 megapixel Canon PowerShot A620 with a 4x optical zoom, 16x digital zoom and F 2.8 to 8.0.
