Posted May 10th, 2009
by Chris Campbell
by Chris Campbell
Can you name the three best rated ultra-compact, compact, and SLR digital cameras? Chances are most people can’t. There are so many choices in digital cameras these days, it’s very difficult to get consensus.
What’s more important though, is that you can tell the differences between the three main categories of digital cameras? Those categories being ultra-compact (subcompact), compact, and SLR digital cameras. Knowing the pros and cons and what features they include is the single biggest deciding factor in what makes the best rated digital camera for you.
The Canon Power Shot SD870 IS made a name for being a compact camera with a 4x digital zoom and 3.8x optical zoom. Digital photography takes on a new angle with the Canon camera that also serves as movie camera with sound. T
Because of their small size, they can be fragile, so it’s good to look for durability as a feature. They can be a bit more expensive because of their size, and image quality can suffer somewhat. Those choosing a ultra-compact value portability above other features. The Olympus Stylus 790SW is a good example of a ultra-compact that is both small and very durable.
Getting the right digital camera really just boils down to a few simple considerations. Any camera guide (sentient or otherwise) that tells you different should be promptly ignored. First of all pick up the camera with your own two hands and shoot a bunch of pictures.
While both compacts and ultra compacts have large LCD screens, your more likely to find a viewfinder included with the compact digital camera. The Canon PowerShot A570IS is one of the best selling and best rated cameras in this category. It offers some leading technology like image stabilization and face detection for auto focusing.
Image quality is probably THE most import consideration Take a few pictures (preferably before purchasing . . . see above) and see what they look like. Now don’t just look at the pictures on the cameras LCD screen.
Print some, and upload some to a computer. LCD screens can be very low resolution, and either hide image flaws, or obscure a truly great picture. You can read volumes about ISO settings, and image noise at those various settings. But really, what matters most, is how does the image look to your own two eyes. It’s that simple.
As with with purchase of many products, the key is to understanding what you as a consumer want and need. While there are many highly rated cameras, the consumer needs to understand the different features and skills required for each camera type.
From there, it’s simply a matter of choosing the best rated digital camera that fits within your budget. Once that’s done, pick your vendor, make your purchase, and enjoy.
Tags: arts, best digital camera, camcorder, camera, Cameras, computers, digital, digital camera, gadgets, Photography, point and shoot cameras, slr cameras, technology, video camera Posted in Cameras
Posted May 6th, 2009
by John Domizioli
by John Domizioli
Outdoor photography is one of the most rewarding aspects of the hobby, but it can also be one of the most frustrating. Truly capturing the beautiful colors, shapes and textures of the great outdoors can be quite a challenge for even the most experienced photographer, and outdoor photography requires the use of different techniques, and different equipment, than shooting indoors under artificial light.
Part of what makes the outdoors such an attractive subject for photographs is the fact that the light conditions are constantly changing. This ever shifting light can also present some problems, however, and it is important to be prepared. Many of the tips that follow focus on lighting, including the use of filters and other equipment designed to overcome some of the challenges of shooting those wide open spaces.
- An important option to consider is the use of a polarizing filter, UV filter, or possibly both. A good incentive for using filters is increased color depth and clarity in the finished shots.
- It is well known that higher quality photography camera lenses produce higher quality photos; however budgets vary between photographers, but still the most expensive lens that is affordable is the best option. Remember, the quality of the lens will show in the quality of the photo.
- Because camera shake can be a possibility, it is important to use a tripod when shooting outdoors. Distortions caused by camera shake are especially noticeable in these shots, but a good tripod will assure stability and allow you to concentrate on more important things.
- When taking a shot of the sky or other wide spaces, by default the focus will usually be at infinity. Before taking the shot always check to make sure that digital cameras lenses are properly focused.
- Telescopic zoom lenses are designed to magnify distant objects. This can be a great asset for an outdoor shoot; however the use of these lenses can cause a loss of contrast. Often it is better to move closer to the subject and use a shorter lens.
- Look around without the camera and study the landscapes that would make the best photographs. Note the elements in the landscape and how they fit together into a cohesive whole. Shoot with this perfect image in mind.
- Study your finished photographs and note the ones that look the best. Look for patterns in the way they were composed and shot. Then apply those elements to your future photographic endeavors.
- Experiment with different angles to bring new life to your photos. Shooting familiar objects from unfamiliar perspectives can create a unique new look.
- One of the great parts about outdoor photography is you can zoom in on a small flower or shoot a whole landscape. Play with different lenses and zoom levels until you find the shot that you want.
Tags: arts, hobbys, lenses, lenses for outdoor photography, outdoor photography, Photography, photography landscapes, tips for new photographers Posted in Photography
Posted April 23rd, 2009
by Chris Campbell
by Chris Campbell
If you ever had an inkling to start a brawl amongst a bunch of photographers, simply ask them which is the best camera brand to buy, an then leave the room. Nikon fan boys, the Canon fan boys, the Sony fan boys and the rest of the pack will never get to a single decision.
Now, we’re not talking film cameras here, as I’m sure by now, even the professionals have made the leap to the digital world. For a lot of years, the pros wanted nothing to do with digital, and you may still know some old hold outs, but their days are numbered.
First things first, in the spirit of full disclosure, I need to declare that I do in fact own several cameras. They represent a variety of brands. I have two Canons, a Fuji, and a Kodak. I must confess, that I am somewhat partial to Canon, but I’ll try not to let that cloud any editorial comments I may subsequently make.
If you were to choose a camera solely on popularity of brand, it would seem Canon is the choice of many. Many, meaning both consumers and critics alike. They seem to crowd the top critic pick lists everywhere I like. I think it’s pretty much impossible to find a top ten camera list tdoay, that doesn’t have at least two or three from the Canon Powershot line.
Sharing the top 11 spots with Canon are 2 of the Pure Video manufactured Flip Video cameras. Nikon has 2 cameras in the top 25 including the Nikon D40, and the Nikon D300. Panasonic sneaks in with a couple of their Lumix models, specifically the DMC-TZ3K and the DMC-TZ3A. And finishing in a strong 25th spot, that old stalwart Kodak with the Easyshare Z812IS.
Of course being popular, or the best seller does not the best brand make. It simply means you have the best salesmanship. How exactly would we determine the best brand? Best service, best design, best features, best customer support, best images, and best user experience are all valid traits. Perhaps a critical / scientific /empirical examination of all cameras models by manufacturer would be in order. Let’s see if we can aggregate a lot of the work already done by a couple of camera review sites who take the above traits into consideration.
One popular camera review site under their top 103 cameras showed 46 Canon cameras, 21 Sony cameras, 20 Nikon cameras, 5 Pentax cameras, 3 Fuji cameras, 2 Samsung cameras, 2 Panasonic cameras, 2 Kodak cameras, 1 Konica camera, and 1 Casio camera. Another top camera review site under their 5 star category, show 39 Canon cameras, 18 Sony cameras, 17 Nikon cameras, 6 Fuji cameras, 5 Olympus cameras, 5 Panasonic cameras, 3 Pentax cameras, and 1 Konica camera. If you total all that up, the top 3 end up being Canon with 85, Sony a distant second with 39, and Nikon a very close third with 37. Everyone else had less than 10 top rated cameras.
Interesting huh? Canon seems to be dominating sales, and wowing the critics. That’s a pretty strong one-two punch. The only reasonable conclusion here, is that Canon is the best overall brand out there. Of course I would never recommend anyone buy a camera based solely on brand. What I do suggest, is to do your homework by researching some good cameras. Once you’ve got your short list, and with everything else being equal, maybe then you should pick the Canon.
Tags: A, arts, best digital camera, c, camcorder, camera, Cameras, computers, d, digital, digital camera, e, entertainment, g, gadgets, h, hobbies, i, p, Photography, point and shoot cameras, s, slr cameras, t, technology, video camera Posted in Cameras
Posted April 22nd, 2009
by Chris Campbell
by Chris Campbell
So, you’ve decided to make the jump from simple point and shoot cameras into the realm of SLR photography. If you’ve done any sort of research, your mind and eyeballs are probably reeling from an overload of information.
Digital SLR photography, is one those hobbies that is rich with technological jargon. It gets worse, if your one of the perfectionist type that really likes to minutely analyze any major purchase . . . intent on getting the best digital SLR camera for your money. You could be in for a long bumpy ride. Today it’s time to shorten that ride and smooth out the bumps.
Lets get right to it. It’s very true, that the immense popularity of digital cameras (SLR and otherwise) and rapid technical advances have produced a glut of choices and features that can be bewildering to the average consumer. Those same trends have have also pushed manufactures and retail establishments to be highly competitive in both design and pricing. That’s something that can only benefit the consumer. In a couple of ways actually.
Not only do you have a bevy of choices, but the vast majority of those SLR choices are really good cameras. Long story short . . . it’s hard to go wrong in this category. I’ll make it even simpler for you. Pick any one of the following three digital SLR cameras, and you won’t be disappointed. They are the Canon Digital Rebel XTi, the Nikon D40, and the Olympus Evolt E510.
As of this writing, the 10 megapixels flavors for these cameras are all available for about $600. That includes a basic kit lens. That feels like highway robbery, compared to the $1000 I paid for a good point and shoot digital just a few years back.
When looking for the best digital SLR camera you can find, the important word to remember is “YOU”. Ask a dozen camera enthusiasts why they their favorite camera is their favorite, and you likely get a dozen answers. Every photographer takes pictures for different reasons, values different attributes in the finished pictures, and handles a camera differently. And so will you. A good hands-on exercise before making your final selection, would be to go to a specialty camera store with lots of models on hand, during a non busy time.
Another thing you can do, if your still interested in looking around a bit more, is to get some hands on experience. Borrowing a SLR from a friend or relative to try out is a good idea. You’ll get a feel for the controls and how everything works. The more different models you try out, the better feel you’ll have for what feels right for you. Like I said, your the most important part of the picture taking process.
Once you’ve done all that, and you know what you want, it’s time to price shop. Online shopping still provides the best selection prices overall. If you don’t mind waiting a few days for shipping, you’ll get the camera and the price you want.
So, stop analyzing, and start taking pictures. The sooner you make a purchase the sooner you can start capturing all those great images.
Tags: A, arts, best digital camera, c, camcorder, camera, Cameras, computers, d, digital, digital camera, e, entertainment, g, gadgets, h, hobbies, i, p, Photography, point and shoot cameras, s, slr cameras, t, technology, video camera Posted in Cameras
Posted March 6th, 2009
by Jake Sanders
by Jake Sanders
Photography is a lot of work and only those with passion and drive can win against the challenges. Of course, taking pictures isnt just taking your camera and then youre done for the day. Common picture taking can be greatly improved by more than just the use of the camera, it is in fact a harmony of works from the other components when you purchase that gadget and they are what we call your digital camera accessories.
Camera Case or Bag
Perhaps the accessory that gets the least respect by amateur photographers is a carrying case or bag. Ironically, this is the easiest way to not only protect your investment but to also bring along all the spare parts you may or may not need on that particular day. With extra pockets, slots and a good solid strap, you can make sure you havent left anything behind and can still keep your hands free during mountain trekking or visiting places and tourist destinations.
Tripods
Tripods are commonly used to minimize tremor associated with night shots, long zooms or professional portraits where as much time is spent organizing the audience rather than simply capturing a scene. For the budget- or space-conscious, buy a fist-sized beanbag or hacky sack and bring it with you ” it makes a very flexible mini-tripod. The moldable shape and portability make it the perfect must-have accessory
Extra Lenses
Lenses are often overlooked by all but professionals and serious hobbyists, but they do have applications with the lucky owner whose camera allows for those upgrades. Filters are inserted in front of the lens itself and distort or affect the light coming through to the cameras light sensor. A polarizing filter, or polarizer, for example, filters light as it angles further away from straight ahead, and as a result gives truer tones to objects in its field of vision – which really helps to take the glare off of sunny days.
Other
When traveling or just heading away from home for an afternoon, plan on having a travel pack of accessories: additional batteries or a charger in case your camera battery dies on you, an external flash, and an extra memory card/stick or two in case you run out of room.
Tags: arts, camera accessories, camera bags, Digital Camera Accessories, Discount Digital Cameras, Photography, poetry Posted in Photography
Posted March 2nd, 2009
by Jake Sanders
by Jake Sanders
The digital era is among us. Its advantages cause us not only to go with the current flow but its limitless offerings prove hard to resist. Situation in the Camera world couldnt be more reflective of that shift because today’s digital cameras come with dozens of features customizable to meet your photo taking needs (and fantasies). So planning on shopping for that camera? Here are the different features available on todays digital cameras that you need to consider:
Megapixel
In choosing the best camera available, we need first to compare the megapixel capabilities because the megapixel of the camera will be the resolution of your future photos. Digital photos are made up of tiny dots called pixels; a megapixel stands for 1000 pixels so the more pixels you have, the higher the resolution of your photos.
Optical/Digital Zoom
Digital cameras have two different types of zooms, optical, and digital. Optical zoom is the zoom like your traditional camera where the lens goes in and out bring you closer, or further away from the picture. Using the Digital zoom will take pictures as it is and since the digital zoon is merely enlarging the individual pixels in your picture, you can loose image quality when you use a digital zoom; your pictures blurry and out of focus.
Movie Mode
What if you can use one gadget to capture pictures and movie with a simple shift of the buttons? Well, thats possible now and thats why many of todays digital cameras have a Movie Mode installed in them. A movie mode allows you to shoot a small mpg movie using the digital camera and save it to the cameras memory card. Movie modes can be so much fun if you like capturing every moment whether on family trips, parties, and even a simple gathering with friends.
Portability
Like with everything else today, there are variations. Cameras comes in all shapes and sizes but with corresponding pros and cons. Sure, you have that big camera with tons of features but what if that means you have to carry that bulk on trips? Before making any camera purchase, think about what features you want the most considering the ease of use and portability.
Tags: arts, Buying Digital Camera, Choosing Digital Camera, Digital Camera Comparisons, Discount Digital Cameras, music, Photography, poetry Posted in Photography
Posted February 28th, 2009
by Publishing Editor
by Jake Sanders
Whats the best subject in Photography? Many have been searching for the right answer without realizing it lies within the individual senses, the things that motivate the seeing, hearing, taste, smell, and touch. It all depends on the interpretation of the photographer and what techniques he’ll be using to send a message to his audience that will categorize the works as the “best” subject in photography.
Ask yourself (or rather your eyes): What do you want to see? There’s a saying that “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” therefore you alone can determine beauty. I know ideas starts to pop into your minds right now but let me share to you some of the best and simple subjects I have experimented (with astonishing results) that you might want to tackle one of these days:
1. Countryside
The subject of being free and greenery is universal. People find them attractive because the image gives them the illusion of sitting through that moment when the picture was captured and a split-second escape of their current place. The more natural your image looks the more it is inviting to the audience. Capture that lush green grasses and trees, how fluffy the nonchalant clouds under the blue wide sky, or even the nightingale sitting atop the cow. Also, try to stray away from the generic angle or position. Why not capture the shots while youre lying in the ground to make the view out of the ordinary?
2. Food
Now this one is for the photographer who wants an automatic head turn towards his work. In order for our system to work, fuel is needed and therefore food has an automatic magnetism for the five senses. Regardless of Race, Sex, or Age the subject of food for a photograph never misses. One thing you can do to standout is to put extra emphasis on the texture, color, and how real the food could get when presented in the pictures.
3. Children
Who can resist the innocent smile of a little baby girl? And a chubby little boy in his first school uniform and hat? Some might but most people turn soft by the image of a child. It takes them back, make them smile and imagine themselves in that care-free period of their lives. Even young animals like the puppy, kitten, or ducklings have the same charisma for the viewers. Remember to capture the shots without the subjects awareness because capturing their natural smile and behavior will make your photographs a stand-out in the sea of baby pictures.
4. Waterfalls, Streams, and the Beach
The image of the flowing water refreshes the eye which is why you see lots of PC screens emblazoned with wallpapers or screensavers of flowing water, the lake, beach, and even underwater scenes like the aquarium. If you want to excel in this subject then prepare to get wet; literally, because, sometimes the amazing shots are those captured from a closer view (make sure the camera you choose has water-repelling technologies and the likes).
Tags: arts, Discount Digital Cameras, entertainment, home, music, Photography, Photography Self Help, photography tips, poetry Posted in Photography
