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Jennifer Allen, Brian Griffiths, John McKnight, Jonathan LaDue, Glenn GreenwoodDECISION ANALYSIS FOR BUYING REPLACEMENT CAMERAS Prepared forBella Insurance CompanyWala Wala, WashingtonPrepared byJennifer AllenBrian GriffithsJohn McKnightJonathan LaDueGlenn GreenwoodInternal Research DepartmentBella Insurance CompanyOctober 27, 2013TABLE OF CONTENTSPROBLEM2BACKGROUND2DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS3Research3Specifications3SUMMARY6CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS6WORKS CITED7LIST OF FIGURESFigure1Camera Comparisons32Focal Range Comparisons5PROBLEMThis study was conducted to in order to make a critical decision on which camera would be best suited for Bella Insurance Company’s field officers. The current cameras in operation are outdated and consistently fail to produce clear images which greatly impact the company’s ability to make adjustment decisions. Before conducting the research, it was agreed that the team will be looking for a camera which best meets each of the requirements below:Must be able to produce high resolution digital photosMust be light weight and compact enough for ease of storageMust support Secure Digital card storage and be cost effectiveBACKGROUNDBella Insurance Company decided to conduct an internal study to aid in choosing which digital camera should replace their twelve optical cameras currently in use. Bella Insurance used the same cameras since opening their doors over eight years ago. During that time, photo quality has diminished to the point where it has negatively impacted insurance adjustment decisions.To assist Bella Insurance Company with deciding which camera to purchase, an internal research team was formed to analyze which camera would best fit the requirements outlined by senior management. Research was conducted using both primary and secondary resources to select the camera model best meeting the requirements.The research team used various web based searches for digital camera specifications which met the criterion of high resolution, light weight and used Secure Digital card technology. After the web based search revealed three products that best met the criterion, personal interviews were conducted with a professional photographer/photojournalist as well as subject matter experts within a local camera store.DISCUSSION OF FINDINGSSenior management desired a camera which would cost less than 300 dollars, be lightweight, have a resolution of at least seven mega-pixels, and have a battery life which would last greater than 200 pictures. In addition, the camera would boast a wide focal range with at least ten-times optical zoom.1 ResearchThe secondary research, conducted using various web-based searches, produced three digital camera models that can support the needs of insurances adjusters: Nikon Coolpix P330, Panasonic Lumix DMC ZS25, and the Cannon PowerShot SX280.2SpecificationsKey attributes for each model were compared and can be found in Figure 1. Following figure 1, the team compared each camera utilizing the respective categories as outlined in the table below.Figure 1 Camera Comparisons Nikon Coolpix P330Panasonic Lumix DMC ZS25Cannon Powershot SX280Weight200 grams193 grams233 gramsBattery Life (Shots taken)200260260Zoom Rangex5x20x20Focal Range24mm – 120mm24mm – 480mm25mm – 500mmResolution12.216.112.1Price$296$219$239Weight: All three cameras were deemed to be lightweight and met the criteria laid out by senior management. Each camera weighs about a half pound or less. Cannon’s Powershot camera was the heaviest weighing in at 233 grams while the Lumix DMC ZS25 was the lightest at 193 grams. Battery Life: The Lumix DMC ZS25 and PowerShot SX280 are tied for the strongest battery life. Each camera can take 260 pictures on a single charge versus the Coolpix P330 which shoots 200 pictures on a single charge.Focal Range: Two models, the Cannon and Panasonic cameras, have very similar focal ranges while the Nikon camera comes up short. According to Paul Gorman (personal communication, October 24, 2013), a wedding photographer and photojournalist for the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs, the need for a wide focal range is dependent on what the subject of the photograph is and how far away it is. In the case of an insurance adjuster, location and various factors can stipulate how far the subject is from the camera. There is not much difference between the 480 mm of the Lumix DMC ZS25 and the 500 mm of the PowerShot SX280, according to Gorman. Figure 2 illustrates the differences in focal ranges.Figure 2 Focal Range ComparisonsResolution: According to Adam Henry (personal communication, October 25, 2013), a digital imagery sales associate at Best Buy, resolution and mega-pixels are important when picking out a digital camera because the higher the mega-pixels, the “more defined the definition.” The Coolpix P330 and Powershot SX280 are nearly identical in picture resolution at 12.2 and 12.1 mega-pixels, respectively. The Lumix DMC ZS25 had a significantly better resolution at 16.1 mega-pixels.Price: All three models fall in the two-to-three hundred dollar range. The Lumix DMC ZS25 is the cheapest at $219, followed by the PowerShot SX280 and Coolpix P330 at $239 and $296, respectively. Summary: Weight, battery life, focal range and resolution were analyzed, compared and contrasted amongst the three models. The Nikon Coolpix paled in comparison to the Cannon and Panasonic models. It was more expensive and boasted the worst of most qualities. The Cannon and Panasonic models were similar in all categories.Conclusion: The Panasonic Lumix DMC ZS25 was chosen to be the next model for Bella Insurance Company’s field agents. While the Cannon Powershot outshined the Lumix in focal range, primary research and the illustrations showed very little difference between 480 mm and 500 mm. Aside from focal range, the Panasonic Lumix weighs less, has better resolution and costs $20 less. WORKS CITEDDigital Camera Database. (2013). Panasonic lumix dmc-zs25 vs. panasonic lumix dmc-zs20. Retrieved from Camera Finder. (2013). Panasonic lumix dmc zs20 vs. panasonic lumix dmc zs25. Retrieved from Reports. (2013). Digital camera's - panasonic dmc-zs25 (silver). Retrieved from , A. (2009). The st. martins handbook. (6th ed.). Boston, MA: R.R. Donnelly & Sons.REFERENCES1. . info: Organized data using the Compare/Contrast pattern to evaluate alterative solutions to our problem. We utilized a comparison table to easily differentiate the differences or specs between the three cameras. ................
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