The Disadvantages of Digital Cameras - What are Some Major Disadvantages of Digital Cameras?

The Disadvantages of Digital Cameras - What are Some Major Disadvantages of Digital Cameras?
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Overview

If you just started learning about photography and you are thinking of purchasing a digital camera, there are certain factors that you need to consider first before making a decision. The disadvantages of digital cameras vary from person to person because of their ideas, way of thinking, and photography needs, but there are disadvantages that most people can agree on. In this article, we are going to discuss some of the major disadvantages of digital cameras.

Fragile Storage

Considered by many to be the biggest disadvantage of using a digital camera is the way photos are stored. Whether you are using a computer hard drive or a compact flash card to store your photos, the first thing you need to do to secure them is to make backups because one computer crash is all it takes to delete your images. It is recommended that digital camera owners have multiple storage options for their photos like a backup hard drive and an online storage service. It is also advisable to have your photos printed in one way or another so you can have something physical to keep just in case all your digital data is erased.

Build

The storage of photos are fragile and prone to damage, and so is the digital camera itself. Usually made of plastic, digital cameras are very prone to shocks when dropped. Additionally, there’s only a limited selection of waterproof digital cameras to choose from and unless a person intends on shooting underwater photos, probably won’t consider buying a waterproof camera to protect it from getting wet. Digital cameras can break more easily than film cameras.

Cost

Another disadvantage of digital cameras can be the cost. A good digital camera can cost a lot. Most beginner photographers are still students or young professionals. An expensive digital camera and some related accessories can be a little hard to justify especially if photography is not your main source of income and business. It is a very good investment though for beginner photographers who are aiming to focus on photography as their business. However, the initial capital invested in digital cameras also stands as a great risk if the owners are not careful in handling their equipment.

Low Light Ability

Digital cameras can have disappointingly poor focusing ability in low light situations. If you like taking pictures in dimly lit areas or of different kinds of scenery in the evening, you will most likely have a large amount of out-of-focus or blurry photos if you haven’t invested in proper - and often expensive - camera equipment, such as lenses designed for low light photography. If you are a beginner and you still don’t know how to adapt to different lighting conditions, your good quality photos will most likely be those you took during daylight hours.

Battery Consumption

One of the most dreaded disadvantages of digital cameras is its battery consumption. A digital camera uses more energy than non-digital cameras, so for long photo sessions, digital photographers need to have a lot of spare batteries ready. This can prove a disaster if photo sessions are taking place in remote and far areas. Carrying a lot of batteries is simply a huge downside in using digital cameras.