What camera is suitable for the medical professional?

If I wanted a quality enthusiast camera, I’d have gone with a DSLR. For about $1000, you can have a hobbyist set, with maybe even two lenses. I don’t need that for everyday use. For the average medical professional (or resident), a point-and-shoot camera needs to meet these three criteria: 1) portability 2) functionality 3) price.

I wanted a point-and-shoot camera that I could easily carry around the hospital. One with manual controls would be nice, but is not necessary. This would be a camera that I could use to photograph clinical pathology in the hospital and to use for recreation. If you’re in the market for a new camera, read on.

Portability

Most digital cameras in the market today are sufficiently small enough for purses and jacket pockets. Even the modern successors to my bulky Canon A60 are well-designed. A crude means to gauge the size of a camera without holding it is to look at the zoom power and battery use. Cameras that use AA batteries tend to be slightly larger than those with proprietary lithium ion cells. Two AA batteries will also weigh more than a block lithium battery. Cameras with greater optical zoom will likely be larger (many exceptions however), owing to the lens architecture. Ultra-compact cameras are generally more expensive than compact cameras. Popular ultra-compact cameras include the Sony Cybershot TXXX series, Canon Powershot SD series, Panasonic FX/FS series. Other manufacturers also have cameras that are about a tenth or a fifth of an inch longer than these. Just be aware that a camera with a 12x optical zoom will be bulkier than one with a 3x zoom.

Functionality

Functionality is one of the distinguishing features among a set of equally priced and sized cameras. The basic features to look for include zoom capability, resolution capability (megapixels), and preset modes.

Almost all cameras will have at least a 3x optical zoom. Kodak and Olympus cameras will likely give you a 4x optical lens for the same price as a 3x lens camera by another manufacturer. While a 3x optical zoom is perfectly adequate for most needs, having a 4-5x zoom lens enables you to generate a wider array of perspectives. Those of you who are interested in a 10x lens, I’d recommend the Panasonic Lumix ZS3 or Canon Powershot SX110IS.The Lumix ZS3 is a continuation of the TZX series. Both of these are power cameras with manual mode functionality. The Lumix has a Leica (German) lens while the Canon uses its proprietary lens. Both are excellent choices.

The counterpart to zoom is wide-angle capability. The option of wide-angle is less common, but enables you to capture a larger field of view. This feature is useful when you are taking self photos with other people. The standard digital lenses usually allow for 38mm angles (measured as a 35mm film equivalent). The Panasonic Lumix ZS3 combines a 28mm wide-angle lens with its 10x zoom. I also recommend the Canon PowerShot SD880IS if you are in the market for a wide-angle ultra portable.

Resolution of the camera should be considered, although you will rarely need any images with greater than 5MP resolution. Anything greater is unnecessary. It is perfectly fine if your camera has a 8 or 10MP sensor–just be aware that a higher resolution doesn’t automatically translate into better photos.

Preset modes are common features that allow proper exposure of common scenes, such as night scenery, landscape, or portraits. In a way, these options are perks that potentially allow crisper photos that you’d otherwise produce with Auto exposure control. I’ve found that having these options can be useful at times, but the lack of them in a camera should not dissuade you from purchasing it.

Price

Unless you have an unlimited budget, I’d not exceed a $250 budget on a point-and-shoot camera. This is a generous price, and should include most of the cameras that you would want. Remember that camera models cycle as quickly as computing power, and you may see two or three revisions of the same camera in a given year. This also indicates that you don’t need to have the newest models to have a functional camera. If you intend to replace your cameras every 2 years, you may want to opt for a less expensive model. I’ve noticed that Kodak and Olympus cameras offer more features than an equivalently priced Canon or Sony. Nikon also has many mid-range cameras that work well. Keep your eyes open for clearance sales with older models. You may be able to save $20-$50 on an older model.

Overall

You don’t need to be an expert photographer to enjoy digital photography. Remember, you are a busy resident working long hours. Having a camera in the hospital can actually save you in a pinch. I’ve emailed photos of rashes to the ID consults for spot consults. Have some cool pathology that could be used for grand rounds? No problem. Have a funny moment with your friends at the bar after work? No worries.

Which camera did I choose? I ended up with a Panasonic Lumix FX500. Its pertinent features include an extra-wide 25mm-125mm Leica zoom lens and a generous 3″ touch sensitive LCD. It also sports aperture and shutter priority modes, which aren’t as common in mid-range cameras. It currently sells on Amazon.com for around $200. A complete review of the camera can be found on Imaging Resource.

Other cameras I’d recommend include the Canon SD series cameras, the Fuji F60fd, and the Nikon CoolPix S610. The Fuji J20 is also a great entry-level camera. Again, go to the electronics stores and see which models appeal to you. Watch out for ergonomics and build-quality. If you have large hands, a sub-compact camera may be more difficult to navigate. One common flaw in cameras is the location of the power switch in relation to the shutter. I’ve seen many people inadvertently power off their cameras with the intention of taking a photo. Some cameras will have a more “plasticky” feel than others. Others will have brushed metal finishes. Buy the camera that suits you. Remember, you will [hopefully] be using it frequently.

Happy Photographing! Contact me if you have any questions.