taking pictures in black and white

I'm not sure if there are any dedicated digital black and white cameras but you should be able to produce black and white images with most digital cameras. Many digital cameras have a black and white setting that will give you a black and white image straight from the camera. If not, you can easily convert a picture to black and white using tools included with software such as Picassa.

You need to narrow down the field a bit.

Since the most popular cameras, range from $150 to $1,500 in price; what price range fits your budget.

You might also consider using software.

Adobe PhotoShop Elements 2, 3 or 4 ($90) can convert a color photo into black and white.

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sensors. There wouldn't be a market for them. Some cameras will do an in camera conversion. In all other cases, software can do the job although there is some debate regarding the best technique for accomplishing this.

I use a fujifilm s7000, which has a B&W option. However, do read their own article on taking B&W pictures:

http://www.fujifilm.co.uk/myfuji/hints_tips/taking_better_pictures/index.php?article=33

Nigel

Here's the technique I use: I take ALL my photos in color. Period. Some cameras (mine included) have a B&W mode which removes the color for you, but I have a couple of problems with this in-camera method.

1. The camera is making the decision of what areas should be white, what areas should be black, and what grey levels to display in between. I prefer to make that decision myself.

2. You can always remove color from a color image, but you can never add color to a B&W white image. If the image was captured as B&W using this in-camera method, the color information is gone forever.

I prefer instead to use software to turn the color image into a B&W shot. There are several ways to do this. Probably the most commonly-used and simplest method is to simply adjust the saturation level to zero. This is a fair approach but usually isn't adequate for nice portraiture work because the skin tones are usually a bit dull. Just my personal opinion.

The numerous other techniques available when using software such as Photoshop are far beyond the scope of this discussion thread. But now you have a better idea of what you can do.

After de-saturating, be sure to perform a "save-as" instead of a "save" so you don't lose your color version!

I have owned two Sony cameras that have both a B&W and a Sepia Mode. The option to switch modes is in the menu (just like many cameras have scene selection modes). I enjoy having these creative options. Some of the replies that said you can use software are correct (some software has a greyscale mode that also works), but remember, every time you edit a photo in software and then resave it (unless you use a lossless format other than jpeg) causes a loss of some information to your image (potentially loosing sharpness and clarity from your printed image if done too many times - which is why you should always edit from a copy and preserve your original). Over time I have used both methods and I enjoy having the options both in-camera and with software. If you want to find a camera with these options, go to any major on-line camera retailer or manufacturer's website and check out the specs section of the camera models you are considering.

Hi, I've a Panasonic DMC-FZ20 EB digital camera.It's not a compact but will do what you want. In the colour effects menu there are 4 options, COOL which gives a bluish tint, WARM, B/W, and SEPIA. All easily accessible .

Definitely. I've had a sony cybershot since 2006 (only a 6 megapixel.. now they have 8 or more) and it takes B&W and Sepia too. My new Nikon D40 that I just got also takes black and white or sepia. Lots do!