As we mentioned there are two (loose) groups to be considered, we will briefly discuss the merits and downfalls of each here.
Compact digital cameras
The most obvious benefits of these cameras is their size. Some are no bigger than a credit card in length and width, and yet manage to produce images of superb quality. They are often very easy to use, with most offering simple point and click functionality - this means almost anyone can use them without much extra training. Newer models offer resolutions more than adequate for most healthcare applications. The only downside is that there is no flexibility in changing lenses, although most have a zoom that will handle most healthcare needs. Costs vary from under a hundred pounds for very basic models to several hundred pounds for high resolution models with good quality lenses.
SLR or SLR-like digital cameras
SLR's have always been favoured by the more serious amateur and all professional photographers because the image you see through the lens in exactly what will be exposed onto the film. These cameras typically offer more features and more control, allowing user to change the aperture size, exposure, shutter speeds and even change lenses. Many will have a macro feature (essential for dermatology images). The downside is that these cameras are usually a little more bulky, more difficult to use (especially for complete beginners) and can be more expensive. Prices range from a few hundred pounds up to thousands (although it is unlikely that healthcare providers will need the features of the very top end cameras).
Features and Jargon
So what features are important when choosing a camera? Once you have decided on the type, the main things to look out for are: lens, resolution, storage and connectivity.
Lens - what is the zoom capability of the lens? Does it have a macro (or super macro) feature. What kind of Autofocus is available? Zoom ranges are given as 35mm equivalents, and anything from 35mm-200mm is more than adequate. Macro is essential for small lesions, and useful for wounds.
Resolution - If the images are going to be printed, then the resolution will impact on the maximum size of good quality print. Anything above 4 Megapixels is adequate for general wound / accident scene imaging. Dermatology images may require 5 Megapixels or more. If images are only going to be stored electronically, even 3 MP is adequate.
Storage - What format of storage media does the camera support? What size of storage card do you need? For cameras used in the field, where many images might be taken before the card can be changed, a higher capacity card (256MB or 512MB) may be needed. For cameras used within a fixed unit (eg dermatology) where images can easily be uploaded to the computer for archiving, a smaller size will do.
Connectivity - Almost all cameras will allow direct linking to a computer (eg. using USB) as well as transferring via the storage cards. For high resolution images, this can take quite some time. Look for a camera with USB 2.0 and Firewire support for quicker transfers.
To see some cameras suitable for use in a healthcare setting, please check our reviews section.