When browsing the market for a digital photo frame, you need to consider what size of digital photo frame and screen size you want before splashing the cash. Advances in LCD - Liquid Crystal Display technology - now means digital photo frames can be created in sizes as small as
1.5 inches (such as a keychain) up to whopping
15-20 inch digital photo frames - these products really do come in all shapes and sizes. The most popular digital photo frame, however, is about
7 inches, fitting perfectly on a coffee table or desk.
The resolution of the digital photo frame's display (the number of individual pixels it contains) is what determines the picture quality and sharpness of your images. A typical 7 inch digital photo frame, for example, is able to hold a resolution of 720 pixels by 480 pixels, while the
largest digital photo frames store a staggering 1600 pixels by 1200 pixels.
You should make your choice of resolution based on what you are likely to be using the digital photo frame for - you are obviously paying slightly more money with higher resolution. A top-of-the-range example is
Sony's DPF-XR100 digital photo frame, which contains 2GB of internal memory and a display resolution of 1024 x 600 in the 10 inch model, enabling it to hold up to 4000 photographs. With more memory fuelling your digital photo frame, there is plenty of room to share a lifetime of special moments.
Other characteristics of the screen to consider include the digital photo frame's aspect ratio - the ratio of width to height. So why not choose a widescreen digital photo frame with a 16:9 aspect ratio, like a widescreen television, or a 4:3 aspect ratio like a traditional television. Photographs taken in a 16:9 mode can be correctly displayed without any distortion.
You might also want to look for a digital photo frame with a high contrast ratio, at least 300:1, in order to guarantee rich, deep, black levels rather than muddy greys. Don't overlook wider viewing angles in both the vertical and horizontal planes, so the screen can be viewed from as many different positions as possible.
Sony digital photo frames, for example, use an extra wide viewing angle to guarantee great views from anywhere in the room and an ultra-high resolution LCD to display photographs in stunning detail. With 'TruBlack' technology assuring the highest contrast is met with virtually no screen reflection, Sony is able to produce some of the best-ever image quality on the market.
In terms of power, many portable digital photo frames offer the option of running the frame from mains electricity via an AC adaptor or from rechargeable batteries, which is perhaps the most flexible option - this means you could position or carry your digital photo frame anywhere you like with a minimum amount of fuss.
Although a 7 inch frame might be capable of up to two or three hours of operation on a single charge, it all really depends on the type of battery you decide to employ. You may want to look for
Lithium ion batteries, which can store up to 50% more energy than other types of lifeless batteries.