Now, for all our avid digital camera enthusiasts who aren’t so keen on the idea of a DSLR camera, Canon has released a digital compact camera with the similarities of a DSLR. The Canon SX1 IS is a sleek, clever and high quality camera, enabling its users to capture images of DSLR standard.

The Canon SX1 IS is almost identical to Canon’s previous model, the major differences hidden within the camera. Excitingly, Canon has introduced a CMOS sensor, replacing the traditional CCD sensor - a sensor saved primarily by Canon for DSLR cameras. In terms of features, the SX1 IS has numerous. The camera includes 10 megapixels, delivering amazing quality prints in up to A2 size, and has full high definition video recording. The 20x optical zoom lens enables users to capture distant objects clearly and crisply, and the 28mm wide-angle lens can assist you in shooting beautiful landscapes or group shots.

Along with these features, the Canon SX1 IS also includes both Face Detection Technology and Motion Detection Technology, along with an astounding 2.8inch LCD screen to view your photos back on. Image quality sits very high for a consumer-level digital camera, giving photographers a clear, colourful and precise image that can be altered with many on-screen functions and abilities. Capturing video footage on the SX1 IS is simple and of a very high standard. You can choose to shoot in black and white, sepia, vivid and many other in-camera display settings, unlike many digital cameras, requesting that you film in standard mode and switch to an effect after capturing the footage.

The Canon SX1 IS is a fantastic camera for those seeking flexibilty, without the ‘DSLR’ stamp. Kirk’s Cameras Ringwood would be more than happy to assist you in investigating this wonderful digital camera, so come on in!

Every piece of technology has a life span - some cameras will last years and years without a glitch, others will die within a few months or years. Accidents do happen - all it takes is a small drop to fracture the screen or dint the body. Or that awful moment when a glass of wine is knocked and liquid seeps into the inners of your camera. So, the question is, do you repair or buy new?

Nowadays, cameras are a household item - one that can be bought in any price range, with any level of quality. It is far less common to have a camera repaired, due to these low prices and options of brand new exciting functions and abilities. Digital cameras are updated more and more frequently, so often it is not advised to repair a camera that is three years old or more.

Deciding whether to buy new or repair is very dependent on the damage done to the camera. Repair costs for a digital camera can range from $150 to $400 or more, and a repairman can charge up to $120 per hour, plus GST, and your camera generally will be returned to you in one month. Five years ago, camera companies were sending out three to four cameras a week to be repaired, however now, this number has significantly dropped back to one - if that.

Warranty is always an issue when it comes to repairing or replacing. Thinking in advance is always a smart idea - when purchasing the original camera, consider buying from a dealer who supplies an Australian Manufacturing Warranty, and be sure to ask all the right questions. Ordering your digital camera online is always risky, some websites can easily void the warranty due to being an unauthorised seller.

The best option for your battered camera is to have it examined by a specialist - determine the issue, and the cost to repair. With such a huge, diverse range of cameras on the market, why choose to repair when you could upgrade for a similar price? You can easily build your own opinion when researching more camera resources.

Give Kirk’s Cameras a call, or come in down to our Ringwood store, and ask our fantastic team for some advice!

Unlike decades ago, it is now possible to purchase a digital camera or ‘digicam’ that can fit in the palm of your hand. They are light weight, thin and attractive, coming in many colours shapes and styles. But what enthralls most of Kirk’s Cameras photographers is the digicam’s vast array of funtions.

Our team are commonly quizzed the efficiency of a digital camera’s video filming abilities. The prospects of owning one camera to take both images and video footage are endless - it is simplicity in its finest form. However, we tell our customers that whilst this is a great convenience, it is important to understand that in spending a little more on your digicam and its accessories you can obtain the results of owning both a sole digital camera and camcorder, all in one.

Do your research prior. Make sure you read reviews and know your specifications. It is also useful to be aware of what you are going to generally be capturing on your digicam - whether you need something light weight, or something with higher megapixels. Most importantly, if you wish to purhase a digicam to capture a lot of video footage, you will need a fast and good quality memory card. A San Disk 2, 3 or higher will give you the best video results, and despite its price, it will last you for a long period of time. Our friendly team at Kirk’s Cameras are more than happy to see customers come in with a list of questions, so come on in and ask away!

In this day and age there is nothing more exciting than being able to playback significant moments and experiences in your lifetime. Kirk’s Cameras want to help you in capturing your baby’s first words and steps, along with weddings or sporting events. However there are many options out there to assist you, and our team wants to make sure you get the perfect camcorder or video camera for you!

We are now in a time in which we are able to not only watch our favourite movies - we are able to see how the movie is made! Often viewers observe the huge, bulky looking cameras and microphones used on set. These are known as video cameras, and they capture purely a moving image. In 1981, Kodak invented the fantastic camcorder, which captures not only the moving footage, but also records the sounds that go with that important image. 

Camcorders are a compact and attractive new piece of technology, with clever capabilities. We can share our footage via the internet, or play it back on the television. There is a huge range of camcorders and video capturing devices on the market, so come on in and see our friendly and knowledgable team who will help you pick out the perfect camcorder for you!

At Kirk’s Cameras our team have a large amount of customers come in to our camera store asking us to explain the difference between a digital camera and a digital SLR camera. When choosing and purchasing your new camera, this is an important element of photography that you need to know.

For starters - ‘SLR’ stands for Single Lens Reflex. This means that the lens can be removed and replaced as needed. A regular SLR camera is a conventional film based SLR camera whilst a digital SLR (DSLR) is a digital SLR camera. DSLR or SLR cameras compared to a digital camera are far more complex to use, as certain functions and settings within the camera have to be manually set - such as focus, shutter speed and zoom. These are aspects of a digital camera that most people take for granted, as they are automatically set within the camera. These days, for your benefit, most DSLRs have some pre-set automatic functions - this being the beauty of digital cameras! Along with this, a DSLR can have the lens removed and replaced, meaning that the photographer can take extremely close up images at an incredible quality.

A DSLR camera can offer you the ability to become a very skilled photographer, producing some high quality photographs. When you come in to Kirk’s Cameras, our friendly staff will be more than willing to assist you in making your choice between a digital camera and a digital SLR camera.

Are you a camera enthusiast who lives in Melbourne. Then you have to know Kirks Camera in Ringwood, Melbourne.

Here are some facts about this specialised camera shop in Ringwood:

1. staff is very friendly and very knowledgeable, many have backgrounds in the photo industry
2. large range or cameras, digital slrs and many other photography products and accessories
3. camera service department
4. product demonstration available

They can help you get the best out of your photography. Staff are highly dedicated camera professionals that will assist you to find the gear that is right for you.

They are happy spending time in store chatting with you about your photographic, video or astronomy needs. This allows you to find the best photo equipment. Kirks stock a large array of digital cameras, digital slrs, video cameras, binoculars, telescopes, memory cards, batteries, filters, lenses, bags and a whole lot more.