Camera software generally refers to digital editing software programs, but they can also include specialized controls for digital cameras. These controls allow you to view your pictures on your PC and operate the camera remotely. These tools are especially convenient for the professional photographer. Digital camera software may also include specialized tools that allow you to use your digital camera as a security camera. Most camera programs are really photo management and editing programs with no particular camera controls.
If you are looking for digital camera controls, check carefully for the features that you require. If you want photo management and editing applications, there are a large variety of products on the market. Some products are free, and photo editing software usually comes standard with most office suites, digital cameras and photo printers. If you are interested in doing more image editing or formatting than these standard products allows, a specialized photo editing software package may be just what you are looking for
Specialized digital camera features may include:
- Remote operation
- Live viewfinder on PC so you can select your remote shot
- Security integration
Common features included in photo editing software include:
- Photo storage and organization
- Morphing software
- Photo repair tools (blemishes, flares, lens scratches, etc)
- Drag and drop technology
- Interfaces to word processing, publication and communication software
- Picture viewer options
- Photo editing
- Red eye correction
- Cropping
- Color correction
- Picture art tools
- Picture resizing
- One click slideshow preparation
- Custom and standard photo printing
- Export to photo processing sites
- Archiving assist to CD or DVD
Major providers of this software include:
- Digicams (includes remote camera controls)
- Picasa
- Adobe
- Microsoft
- Corel
Factors to consider in purchasing your photo editing applications include:
- Are you looking for specialized camera operating software, or a photo editing application?
- Do you really need to purchase additional software, or do you already have the tools you need in your Office suite?
- Types of images you typically deal with (tif, jpg, img, etc.)
- Interface to your other office software applications
- System resources: Not usually an issue, but sometimes small business environments are on over-taxed hardware already.