title: A comparison of digital cameras: features essential for the orthopaedic surgeon.
abstract: To make recommendations for the selection of digital imaging equipment and its use in the typical orthopaedic surgery practice, we investigated four digital cameras with maximal resolution ranging from 1.3-3.34 megapixels. We took images of a plain radiograph, a magnetic resonance image, a hand model, and a minifragment plate with all four digital cameras and a 35-mm film camera. Several variables were evaluated to determine their effect on image quality, including adjusting maximal camera resolution, using a flash, using a camera stand, and using a macromode. Images were graded on a 3-point scale on the computer desktop and as 5 x 7 inch prints by two blinded observers. A maximal camera resolution of 2.1 megapixels was required to make photograph-quality 5 x 7 inch prints of all subjects imaged. No difference in print quality was seen between images taken in the highest quality JPEG format and the uncompressed TIFF format. A macromode with closest focal length less than 5 inches was needed for imaging small subjects. The 1.3-megapixel camera was comparable with the higher resolution cameras for imaging radiographic studies and when viewing color images on the computer desktop.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, MD 21224-2780, USA. ehenzel1@jhmi.edu
authors.forename: Brett M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Andres
authors.forename: A Jay
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Khanna
authors.forename: James F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Wenz
authors.forename: Alfred F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Faust
authors.forename: Frank J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Frassica
mesh_terms: D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D004867:Equipment Design; D018212:Giant Cell Tumor of Bone / Q000473:pathology; D006225:Hand / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007717:Knee / Q000473:pathology; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010781:Photography / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013977:Tibia / Q000473:pathology