The hottest Christmas gifts for this year:
Digital camcorders and cameras
Whereas many Christmas gifts will gather dust well into the new-year, digital camcorders and digital cameras are sure to be put to immediate use capturing the day’s events.
If you want to relive all those party games for years to come then camcorders are a great way to ensure those magic moments are never forgotten and can be passed on to future generations. Nowadays you should look for a digital camcorder with high-definition (HD) capabilities. The latest models include:
• Sony HDR-SR12E Digital Camcorder – A stylish and ultra-compact model with an impressively high capacity of 120 Gigabytes (GB). It allows up to 48 hours of recording time and produces excellent picture quality including still images up to a 10 megapixels resolution
• Panasonic HDC-SD5 Digital Camcorder – One of the easiest to use camcorders on the market, the Panasonic HDC-SD5 is lightweight and takes high definition to a new level as it is capable of recording 1920x1080 pixels for full HD glory.
• Canon HV30 Digital Camcorder – Described by its manufacturer as the “digital filmmaker’s camcorder”, the HV30 can be adapted to a number of shooting situations and features cinema-style progressive shooting to provide the look and feel of a film for ambitious moviemakers.
We may have become accustomed to taking quick snaps with our camera phones, but how many of us bother to download the images on to a PC and print them off? By contrast digital cameras can provide superb picture quality with images that can be easily accessed and treasured for years to come.
So if you want to help a friend or family member capture memories this Christmas pick up one of the following:
• Fujifilm Z100fd Digital Camera – A slim-line digital camera available in four colours: cappuccino brown, tuxedo black, shell pink and satin silver. It is a stylish model with a 5x optical zoom lens and many advanced auto-snapping technologies.
• Panasonic DMC-FX500 Digital Camera – Named the best compact digital camera in Europe for 2008 by the Technical Image Press Association, the DMC-FX500 has an intuitive touch-screen operation as well as joystick control. It also has an image-stabilised zoom ideal for any subject.
• Olympus Mju 1030SW Digital Camera – Described as the “life-proof” digital camera, the versatile Olympus Mju is waterproof to 10m, crush proof up to 100kg and shock proof up to 2.0m. In addition it features face detection for perfect focus on image areas and 10.1 megapixels for poster-sized prints.
Buying digital cameras allows us to save those special moments but if you want something more lively then a camcorders are your best bet. Find the best deals on digital cameras and more online.
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Tampilkan postingan dengan label digital camera. Tampilkan semua postingan
Tampilkan postingan dengan label digital camera. Tampilkan semua postingan
Jumat, 12 Desember 2008
Rabu, 12 November 2008
Useful Information About Digital Camera
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions by people new to digital photography.
How is optical zoom different from digital zoom?
The optical zoom of digital cameras functions in the same way as the one on normal 35 mm cameras. The lens moves forward and backwards to bring the image closer without losing any quality. The optical magnification of the moving lenses ranges from 2.0x to 10.0x. The closer you get to the upper end, the farther away the subject can be when you take a photo. On the other hand, digital zoom is actually a software that simulates optical zoom without any physical movement. What it does is to crop the picture and enlarge it, just like a photo editing application which you can use afterwards. Using an image editor after having transferred the photos to your computer is actually a better option because you have higher control over what you crop. Some newer digital camera models automatically switch to digital zoom when you have exceeded the capacity of the optical zoom. If you don't want this to happen you can switch the feature off.
What zooming capacity should a digital camera have form optimal performance?
As stated earlier, optical zoom can range from 2x to 10x, but the majority of users are satisfied with 3x-6x. However, a high zooming capacity is a good thing, as long as you make sure you don't overlook other features.
What is a megapixel?
A megapixel consists of a million pixels. 'Pixel' is the short term for 'picture element' , which is one of the millions of little spots that make digital images. Your PC screen and digital camera images are made out of grids of such dots. Each of them holds a color and all these colors dots combined form the picture. To find out the total number of pixels, multiply the vertical by the horizontal dimension. The average PC screen, for example, has 1024 x 768 = 786,432 pixels or 0.8 megapixels. A camera with a higher number of megapixels can take more detailed and clear photos. For example, if you take a photo with a 2 megapixel camera, you will get two million pixels, while with a 4 megapixel one you get 4 million pixels. If you only print them in small sizes you will probably not see any difference, but on 8x10 prints it shows.
How many pixels do I need?
It depends on what you want to do with your photos. If you don't usually crop them and only print in small sizes (4x6, 5x7), you can do great with a 2-3 MP camera. In case you want to print photos in larger sizes, you need at least 4 MP. Despite the numerous advices you might receive to get the highest resolution camera you can afford, you should think of what you need and the fact that there are other features to consider too.
How is a nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) battery different from a nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) one?
Ni-Cd and NiMH batteries look pretty much the same, but NiMH batteries use hydrogen absorbing alloy instead of cadmium. A NiMH battery has 2-3 times higher capacity compared to a Ni-Cd one of approximately the same size and has lower environmental impact.
Read More......
How is optical zoom different from digital zoom?
The optical zoom of digital cameras functions in the same way as the one on normal 35 mm cameras. The lens moves forward and backwards to bring the image closer without losing any quality. The optical magnification of the moving lenses ranges from 2.0x to 10.0x. The closer you get to the upper end, the farther away the subject can be when you take a photo. On the other hand, digital zoom is actually a software that simulates optical zoom without any physical movement. What it does is to crop the picture and enlarge it, just like a photo editing application which you can use afterwards. Using an image editor after having transferred the photos to your computer is actually a better option because you have higher control over what you crop. Some newer digital camera models automatically switch to digital zoom when you have exceeded the capacity of the optical zoom. If you don't want this to happen you can switch the feature off.
What zooming capacity should a digital camera have form optimal performance?
As stated earlier, optical zoom can range from 2x to 10x, but the majority of users are satisfied with 3x-6x. However, a high zooming capacity is a good thing, as long as you make sure you don't overlook other features.
What is a megapixel?
A megapixel consists of a million pixels. 'Pixel' is the short term for 'picture element' , which is one of the millions of little spots that make digital images. Your PC screen and digital camera images are made out of grids of such dots. Each of them holds a color and all these colors dots combined form the picture. To find out the total number of pixels, multiply the vertical by the horizontal dimension. The average PC screen, for example, has 1024 x 768 = 786,432 pixels or 0.8 megapixels. A camera with a higher number of megapixels can take more detailed and clear photos. For example, if you take a photo with a 2 megapixel camera, you will get two million pixels, while with a 4 megapixel one you get 4 million pixels. If you only print them in small sizes you will probably not see any difference, but on 8x10 prints it shows.
How many pixels do I need?
It depends on what you want to do with your photos. If you don't usually crop them and only print in small sizes (4x6, 5x7), you can do great with a 2-3 MP camera. In case you want to print photos in larger sizes, you need at least 4 MP. Despite the numerous advices you might receive to get the highest resolution camera you can afford, you should think of what you need and the fact that there are other features to consider too.
How is a nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) battery different from a nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) one?
Ni-Cd and NiMH batteries look pretty much the same, but NiMH batteries use hydrogen absorbing alloy instead of cadmium. A NiMH battery has 2-3 times higher capacity compared to a Ni-Cd one of approximately the same size and has lower environmental impact.
Read More......
Minggu, 09 November 2008
How to Purchase a Good Digital Camera?
Different from traditional cameras, a digital camera is a device which captures the image without the use of film. The information is stored as digital bytes and you can then transfer it on your computer and play with pictures the way you want. It still uses some of the principles of traditional photography though: the light is focused through a lens onto a proper receptive surface. Instead of film, a digital camera uses a system to digitally capture light rays.
High-quality cameras use a charge couple device to capture light, while lower-end models use a CMOS device. After the discovery of CMOS, prices for digital cameras have been declining, as these sensors are easier and less expensive to manufacture compared to charge couple devices (CCD). Both CCD and CMOS achieve the same effect but the techniques they use to do this are significantly different.
There are many different cameras available on the market today and you may feel overwhelmed about their high variety and the multitude of functions each of them has. Most functions you don't even know what are all about and you will probably never use them. This article is aimed to provide you with some advice on how to purchase a good camera. First of all, image quality should be the main factor, and the higher the resolution, the better the image. You may hear people raving about digital zooming and how much can you do with it. However, it is better to choose a camera with optical zoom, even if it is smaller. Digital zoom artificially enlarges the picture and may look unnatural. An optical zoom will give you some interesting effects. It is also better to buy a camera with rechargeable batteries as you'll save some money on the long term. You can charge them at any time, even if they are not completely discharged.
Digital cameras come with some sophisticated incorporated software which can create custom photos. Some of these additional features include picture frame effects, panoramic images and multiple exposures. They may come in handy at times. High resolution cameras generally require more space to store the images so if you want to take many pictures you need an additional storage card. If you like photographing and expect to take a lot of pictures, you need a larger size so you don't run out of space. You should look for cards that have over 1 GB. Otherwise you may run out of storage space after a hundred photos.
Digital cameras sold nowadays are generally very small compared to what most photographers used few years ago. If you're an amateur photographer there's no need to walk around with bulky and heavy models. Even a small camera that can be slipped in your pocket can help you take a lot of great pictures.
We hope the short shopper's guide provided here will help you when choosing the camera that best suits your needs. Digital cameras have reinvented photography and the trend is set to continue in the coming years.
Read More......
High-quality cameras use a charge couple device to capture light, while lower-end models use a CMOS device. After the discovery of CMOS, prices for digital cameras have been declining, as these sensors are easier and less expensive to manufacture compared to charge couple devices (CCD). Both CCD and CMOS achieve the same effect but the techniques they use to do this are significantly different.
There are many different cameras available on the market today and you may feel overwhelmed about their high variety and the multitude of functions each of them has. Most functions you don't even know what are all about and you will probably never use them. This article is aimed to provide you with some advice on how to purchase a good camera. First of all, image quality should be the main factor, and the higher the resolution, the better the image. You may hear people raving about digital zooming and how much can you do with it. However, it is better to choose a camera with optical zoom, even if it is smaller. Digital zoom artificially enlarges the picture and may look unnatural. An optical zoom will give you some interesting effects. It is also better to buy a camera with rechargeable batteries as you'll save some money on the long term. You can charge them at any time, even if they are not completely discharged.
Digital cameras come with some sophisticated incorporated software which can create custom photos. Some of these additional features include picture frame effects, panoramic images and multiple exposures. They may come in handy at times. High resolution cameras generally require more space to store the images so if you want to take many pictures you need an additional storage card. If you like photographing and expect to take a lot of pictures, you need a larger size so you don't run out of space. You should look for cards that have over 1 GB. Otherwise you may run out of storage space after a hundred photos.
Digital cameras sold nowadays are generally very small compared to what most photographers used few years ago. If you're an amateur photographer there's no need to walk around with bulky and heavy models. Even a small camera that can be slipped in your pocket can help you take a lot of great pictures.
We hope the short shopper's guide provided here will help you when choosing the camera that best suits your needs. Digital cameras have reinvented photography and the trend is set to continue in the coming years.
Read More......
Kamis, 18 September 2008
Do You Want to Know? Tips to Buying a Digital Camera
If you want to be sure your decision to purchase a certain digital camera, then you need to be read at some point that this article will give you all the information you need to access this gadget before buying.
The challenge for the purchase of a digital camera is that as soon as the latest brand new one, another one is better in the market. It was not always so, I mean back in the day on which the process of evolution was terrible film slowly through the system.
A normal consumer, have a preferred product for a little while before they agree to exchange for a newer version can not with the speed with which improvements are made to digital cameras. Today we have the optical zoom is improving with each new product, the size of the cameras is always small and the storage capacity has increased dramatically.
So for the purchase of a digital camera can be daunting task. Most South African buyers can hardly a best choice because of the fluctuations and continuous improvement of digital cameras. Let us a few things you can do before you walk in a store the click on the button Check out an online store.
There are a number of websites, electronic feedback on equipment purchased by consumers. In these pages you will find contributions from people bought the same products that you are interested in and be in a position to determine how he worked and for others, if they deliver on your expectations. There are other sites that link to feedback from experts and posted not necessarily ordinary consumers. In these technical review sites, you will often find that the reports you can at no cost.
You know, why do the camera
Each company tries to improve its camera line of digital cameras through the provision of new features, better functionality in regard to some specific features and of course they are sold, these gadgets at discounted prices. Access your photography needs, so you will not feel overwhelmed by the many functions on offer. You may not need some add-on features that you pay a higher amount than necessary. I hope I have made clear why it is important to know why you need to determine before you have to buy the next big thing.
DSLRs vs. point and shoot
Digital SLR cameras are high quality, expensive cameras are normally provided by professionals and hobby. You should consider buying a photograph your needs are at an advanced level, so you want to take action, photos, pictures, etc. macro. With these reflex cameras You need to call the shots you do not, there is automatic and can be connected to a microscope and telescope as well.
If you are not a professional, the point and shoot digital camera is for you. The point and shoot is very easy to use and most of its functions are done automatically as auto-focus. They have also not have to worry about the color settings or lighting. The point-and-shoot cameras also easily connect to PCs, even without software in most cases.
There is more I can share with you, but let me conclude with the following summary. Consider the camera resolution, which is described in pixels, if they are large, it is good, but it may be unnecessarily greater for other users, the optical zoom, the more you are able to zoom into and out of the better check the storage capacity ask how many pictures you can save.
Although it might look simple, it is a major financial decision to buy a digital camera, so you take your time and check all the recommended sources and functions.
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Senin, 08 September 2008
Do You Know? You Can Unlock Advanced Features on Your Canon Digital Camera
Your point-and-shoot camera may not have come with many high-end features, but a simple software hack adds new tricks to dozens of Canon cameras. Beginners will likely be satisfied by their camera's default features, but as your photo skills grow, this relatively easy hack will let you wring extra value from your hardware with no added investment. With it, you can activate an always-on battery meter, shoot high-quality RAW files, read a live histogram to help with exposure, snap much longer--or shorter--exposure times, and more.
The Canon Hacker's Development Kit (CHDK) is an open-source software framework that some motivated hackers have used to add cool features to Canon cameras. Though results vary slightly depending on which Canon digital camera you own, similar sensors and internal parts allow the hack to work with a wide variety of Canons. (Unfortunately, cameras from other vendors are not compatible, and there are some Canon models that don't support this hack.) Since your results might vary, and since Canon might not support its warranty after you use this update, I recommend it only to people who are trying to teach their old cameras new tricks.
From a technical perspective, it's hard to imagine how Canon could ever find out that you tried this hack (and therefore void your warranty), since it does nothing to affect your camera permanently or to alter its firmware; the software runs on your flash memory card, and the camera will return to its default state if you remove the card.
Here's how to download and use the free CHDK software to supercharge your camera.
Get and Install CHDK
CHDK works on dozens of Canon cameras, including the SD870IS, the A570IS, the G7, and the TX1; to see whether yours is supported, check the list at the CHDK Web site. Once you've verified that the hardware is compatible, you'll need to identify the specific CHDK version that you need based on your camera's firmware.
To locate your camera's firmware version, set the camera to play mode, and then turn it on. Hold down the Func Set button and press the Disp button. A window should appear, identifying your camera's firmware. Look for the number with a letter following it. On my test Canon Powershot SD870 IS, the ID was "Firmware Ver GM1.00C."
Grab an SD Card that you don't mind erasing, and then download and install a flash management utility called Card Tricks. Insert the SD Card into your PC's card reader, and launch Card Tricks. Click the SD Card icon and select your card. Click Format as FAT. Once the formatting is complete, select the card again by clicking the SD Card icon, and then click Make Bootable. Choose Download CHDK, and the software should open a Web page where you can choose your camera model. If more than one version of CHDK is available, match your camera firmware's final letter with the available downloads. Save the zipped file to your Desktop without extracting it.
In Card Tricks, click CHDK-]Card, and select your .zip file. After the status messages disappear, eject the card, and slide the card's physical lock switch to its locked position. Insert the card back into the camera, and power it up. You should see a brief splash screen signifying that CHDK has launched. Now you're ready to activate your Canon's newfound superpowers.
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The Canon Hacker's Development Kit (CHDK) is an open-source software framework that some motivated hackers have used to add cool features to Canon cameras. Though results vary slightly depending on which Canon digital camera you own, similar sensors and internal parts allow the hack to work with a wide variety of Canons. (Unfortunately, cameras from other vendors are not compatible, and there are some Canon models that don't support this hack.) Since your results might vary, and since Canon might not support its warranty after you use this update, I recommend it only to people who are trying to teach their old cameras new tricks.
From a technical perspective, it's hard to imagine how Canon could ever find out that you tried this hack (and therefore void your warranty), since it does nothing to affect your camera permanently or to alter its firmware; the software runs on your flash memory card, and the camera will return to its default state if you remove the card.
Here's how to download and use the free CHDK software to supercharge your camera.
Get and Install CHDK
CHDK works on dozens of Canon cameras, including the SD870IS, the A570IS, the G7, and the TX1; to see whether yours is supported, check the list at the CHDK Web site. Once you've verified that the hardware is compatible, you'll need to identify the specific CHDK version that you need based on your camera's firmware.
To locate your camera's firmware version, set the camera to play mode, and then turn it on. Hold down the Func Set button and press the Disp button. A window should appear, identifying your camera's firmware. Look for the number with a letter following it. On my test Canon Powershot SD870 IS, the ID was "Firmware Ver GM1.00C."
Grab an SD Card that you don't mind erasing, and then download and install a flash management utility called Card Tricks. Insert the SD Card into your PC's card reader, and launch Card Tricks. Click the SD Card icon and select your card. Click Format as FAT. Once the formatting is complete, select the card again by clicking the SD Card icon, and then click Make Bootable. Choose Download CHDK, and the software should open a Web page where you can choose your camera model. If more than one version of CHDK is available, match your camera firmware's final letter with the available downloads. Save the zipped file to your Desktop without extracting it.
In Card Tricks, click CHDK-]Card, and select your .zip file. After the status messages disappear, eject the card, and slide the card's physical lock switch to its locked position. Insert the card back into the camera, and power it up. You should see a brief splash screen signifying that CHDK has launched. Now you're ready to activate your Canon's newfound superpowers.
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Kamis, 04 September 2008
Olympus Evolt E-510 - with a live-preview LCD...........
While many digital SLRs priced under $1000 have severely limited features, Olympus's Evolt E-510 bucks the trend. Priced at $900 with a standard lens (as of August 8, 2007), this 10.2-megapixel camera is designed for photo enthusiasts who have a basic command of photographic technique and want a camera that can handle almost any situation. And though its multitude of features might make it a bit daunting to some, the E-510 is a solid, flexible camera that takes very good pictures under most conditions.
Together, the camera and its standard 14mm-to-42mm zoom lens weigh less than 2 pounds. The E-510 doesn't feel flimsy, however. The body is well-built, and the grip felt comfortable in my hand. Even with the new 40mm-to-150mm telephoto zoom lens (available as part of the $1000 two-lens bundle), you won't feel weighed down.
When you're ready to start taking pictures, the shutter and exposure compensation buttons are easy to find, and the big control dial on top invites you to select the shooting mode you want. The dial offers five dedicated scene modes (portrait, landscape, macro, sports, and night portrait), and thirteen other modes--designed to account for shooting situations that range from fireworks to documents to panoramas--are accessible via menus.
Unlike some digital SLRs in its class, the E-510 has a great many features built in. For example, in addition to offering exposure bracketing--the ability to take multiple versions of a picture at different settings, thereby raising your chances of capturing a properly exposed image under difficult lighting conditions--this model can bracket shots for flash and white balance. You also get two levels of image stabilization to help minimize camera shake, a depth-of-field preview button, multiple metering modes (including a spot meter), and a dust-removal feature that vibrates the sensor when you turn the camera on. Additional extras include variable flash strength, mirror lockup capability (to minimize camera shake further), and support for both CompactFlash and XD Picture Card formats.
The E-510's Live View mode, which lets you use the 2.5-inch LCD as a viewfinder, is especially handy when you can't position your eye on the viewfinder to get the shot. It's not really designed to be used all the time, however; overuse can heat up the camera's sensor and introduce noise into your images.
My primary complaint about the camera is that the interface to some of the advanced features is a bit clunky, but that's counterbalanced by the fact that access to the primary features is intuitive and easy. Another drawback is the absence of focus switches on the Olympus lenses; to adjust a lens's focus, you need to change the autofocus setting in the camera. But aside from these minor issues, the E-510 has all of the basic functionality that an entry-level or serious shooter needs.
Features wouldn't be worth much if the E-510's pictures weren't of high quality, and Olympus didn't disappoint in this respect either. Color fidelity and saturation were very good, and the E-510 handled most shooting conditions easily. At lower ISO ranges, the E-510's images show very little noise; as you reach and exceed ISO 800, color noise begins to appear, though it's no worse than on other cameras of a similar price.
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Together, the camera and its standard 14mm-to-42mm zoom lens weigh less than 2 pounds. The E-510 doesn't feel flimsy, however. The body is well-built, and the grip felt comfortable in my hand. Even with the new 40mm-to-150mm telephoto zoom lens (available as part of the $1000 two-lens bundle), you won't feel weighed down.
When you're ready to start taking pictures, the shutter and exposure compensation buttons are easy to find, and the big control dial on top invites you to select the shooting mode you want. The dial offers five dedicated scene modes (portrait, landscape, macro, sports, and night portrait), and thirteen other modes--designed to account for shooting situations that range from fireworks to documents to panoramas--are accessible via menus.
Unlike some digital SLRs in its class, the E-510 has a great many features built in. For example, in addition to offering exposure bracketing--the ability to take multiple versions of a picture at different settings, thereby raising your chances of capturing a properly exposed image under difficult lighting conditions--this model can bracket shots for flash and white balance. You also get two levels of image stabilization to help minimize camera shake, a depth-of-field preview button, multiple metering modes (including a spot meter), and a dust-removal feature that vibrates the sensor when you turn the camera on. Additional extras include variable flash strength, mirror lockup capability (to minimize camera shake further), and support for both CompactFlash and XD Picture Card formats.
The E-510's Live View mode, which lets you use the 2.5-inch LCD as a viewfinder, is especially handy when you can't position your eye on the viewfinder to get the shot. It's not really designed to be used all the time, however; overuse can heat up the camera's sensor and introduce noise into your images.
My primary complaint about the camera is that the interface to some of the advanced features is a bit clunky, but that's counterbalanced by the fact that access to the primary features is intuitive and easy. Another drawback is the absence of focus switches on the Olympus lenses; to adjust a lens's focus, you need to change the autofocus setting in the camera. But aside from these minor issues, the E-510 has all of the basic functionality that an entry-level or serious shooter needs.
Features wouldn't be worth much if the E-510's pictures weren't of high quality, and Olympus didn't disappoint in this respect either. Color fidelity and saturation were very good, and the E-510 handled most shooting conditions easily. At lower ISO ranges, the E-510's images show very little noise; as you reach and exceed ISO 800, color noise begins to appear, though it's no worse than on other cameras of a similar price.
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Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 Digital SLR Camera - real-time Live View LCD............
Like competing compact digital SLRs designed for users stepping up from the point-and-shoot realm, the 10.2-megapixel Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 has Live View functions--but it enjoys an edge over its rivals in that its flexible Live View LCD works in real time. Priced at $700 (available in a kit only, with a 18mm-to-70mm lens; price as of 6/10/08), the A300 doesn't come cheap, but this camera's tilt-screen tricks may make it attractive to stealth shooters and to people who want to capture unique images.
The 2.7-inch Live View screen offers optional real-time viewing, so you can compose images using your LCD just as you would with a point-and-shoot camera. A mechanical switch allows you to toggle back and forth between using the Live View LCD or the viewfinder for composing. Because the Alpha DSLR-A300's Live View (as on the Alpha DSLR-A350) uses a separate mirror and sensor to transmit what it sees, Live View mode imposes no slowdown on the sensor's handling of the actual images as you shoot. If you prefer to use the traditional viewfinder, though, Sony's works just fine; its eyecup and diopter comfortably fit my eye.
Thanks to the Live View mode, composing shots of subjects at ground level was a breeze, since I didn't have to crouch down onto the ground to look through the viewfinder. Though both the LCD's quality and Live View won me over, I was a little disappointed to see that it folds out and extends only vertically. The design allowed me to point the lens around a corner periscope-style, but only in that one way. I can imagine how constructing a sturdy, fully swiveling screen might be difficult, but here's hoping that Sony will achieve such a thing in future models.
The A300 weighs just 0.2 ounces more than the Nikon D60, but it seems a bit heavy at 16.3 ounces; still, the camera's ergonomic design gives it a solid and balanced feel in the hand.
If you put your fingers on the camera's grip, they won't get in the way of the bundled 18mm-to-70mm lens (f/3.5-5.6, effective 35mm focal length of 27mm to 105mm) or block the pop-up flash. Commonly used settings are accessible from the top of the camera for quick access. Menu controls are available on the back, and all settings are viewable on screen.
I found the camera intuitive to use. The A300 offers a 3-frames-per-second burst mode for sports and other fast-moving action, but that mode steps down to 2 frames per second if you use Live View. The camera will also let you get close for macro shots. It has dial settings for landscape, portraits, and sunsets, and offers in-camera image stabilization. Several cool pre-shooting, image-enhancement features--including saturation, nighttime, and black-and-white settings--are easily accessible within the menu.
The noise-reduction and dynamic range expansion settings made quite a difference during long exposures at high ISOs (which range from 100 to 3200). That said, I observed a good deal of noise in shots not employing noise reduction; I also noticed some artifacting along high-contrast edges, a bit more than I would like in a high-quality image file. Even so, in the final evaluation of PC World Test Center tests, this model earned a score of Superior for its overall image quality, including its excellent flash exposures.
Manual settings are easy to dial up, as are the aperture- and shutter-priority modes. I particularly liked the A300's Exposure Shift setting, which novice photographers may find valuable: First, you set what you perceive as a proper exposure, and then, with the shift function, you can make equivalent exposures using different combinations of shutter speeds and apertures. White-balance settings are similarly simple to adjust and customize via the menu, and the camera will also shoot bracketing for white balance, which allows you to see multiple takes of ambient color in your shots so you can pick the ones you like best.
The Sony Alpha DSLR-A300's smooth Live View handling makes this model worth consideration for anyone graduating from a point-and-shoot camera. That this model offers advanced features in a fun-to-use, uncomplicated form should only make for more photographic joy.
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The 2.7-inch Live View screen offers optional real-time viewing, so you can compose images using your LCD just as you would with a point-and-shoot camera. A mechanical switch allows you to toggle back and forth between using the Live View LCD or the viewfinder for composing. Because the Alpha DSLR-A300's Live View (as on the Alpha DSLR-A350) uses a separate mirror and sensor to transmit what it sees, Live View mode imposes no slowdown on the sensor's handling of the actual images as you shoot. If you prefer to use the traditional viewfinder, though, Sony's works just fine; its eyecup and diopter comfortably fit my eye.
Thanks to the Live View mode, composing shots of subjects at ground level was a breeze, since I didn't have to crouch down onto the ground to look through the viewfinder. Though both the LCD's quality and Live View won me over, I was a little disappointed to see that it folds out and extends only vertically. The design allowed me to point the lens around a corner periscope-style, but only in that one way. I can imagine how constructing a sturdy, fully swiveling screen might be difficult, but here's hoping that Sony will achieve such a thing in future models.
The A300 weighs just 0.2 ounces more than the Nikon D60, but it seems a bit heavy at 16.3 ounces; still, the camera's ergonomic design gives it a solid and balanced feel in the hand.
If you put your fingers on the camera's grip, they won't get in the way of the bundled 18mm-to-70mm lens (f/3.5-5.6, effective 35mm focal length of 27mm to 105mm) or block the pop-up flash. Commonly used settings are accessible from the top of the camera for quick access. Menu controls are available on the back, and all settings are viewable on screen.
I found the camera intuitive to use. The A300 offers a 3-frames-per-second burst mode for sports and other fast-moving action, but that mode steps down to 2 frames per second if you use Live View. The camera will also let you get close for macro shots. It has dial settings for landscape, portraits, and sunsets, and offers in-camera image stabilization. Several cool pre-shooting, image-enhancement features--including saturation, nighttime, and black-and-white settings--are easily accessible within the menu.
The noise-reduction and dynamic range expansion settings made quite a difference during long exposures at high ISOs (which range from 100 to 3200). That said, I observed a good deal of noise in shots not employing noise reduction; I also noticed some artifacting along high-contrast edges, a bit more than I would like in a high-quality image file. Even so, in the final evaluation of PC World Test Center tests, this model earned a score of Superior for its overall image quality, including its excellent flash exposures.
Manual settings are easy to dial up, as are the aperture- and shutter-priority modes. I particularly liked the A300's Exposure Shift setting, which novice photographers may find valuable: First, you set what you perceive as a proper exposure, and then, with the shift function, you can make equivalent exposures using different combinations of shutter speeds and apertures. White-balance settings are similarly simple to adjust and customize via the menu, and the camera will also shoot bracketing for white balance, which allows you to see multiple takes of ambient color in your shots so you can pick the ones you like best.
The Sony Alpha DSLR-A300's smooth Live View handling makes this model worth consideration for anyone graduating from a point-and-shoot camera. That this model offers advanced features in a fun-to-use, uncomplicated form should only make for more photographic joy.
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Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi Digital SLR Camera - Powerful and versatile entry-level...........
The 12-megapixel Canon Digital Rebel XSi, which targets entry-level digital SLR shooters, has all the features that novices expect--as well as an alluring array of advanced options that will appeal to more seasoned photographers. Priced at $900 (with kit lens, price as of 6/10/08), this camera may be the most expensive choice in its field, but it also offers the most versatility.
When purchased as part of a kit, this model comes with an 18mm-to-55mm IS lens (f/3.5-5.6), which provides image stabilization and a respectable 35mm focal length range of 29mm to 88mm. The camera can handle up to 3.5 frames per second in burst mode.
The Digital Rebel XSi has a solid feel, with a textured grip that makes it easy to hold one-handed. A roomy 3-inch Live View LCD sits on the back of the camera, but it isn't a high-resolution LCD as some higher-end digital SLRs have. On top of the camera is a dial that offers the usual portrait, sports, landscape, and macro modes, along with aperture priority, shutter priority, or manual operation. All essential exposure settings display clearly on the bright LCD, and are also visible through the viewfinder; this arrangement allows you to compose and shoot easily, whichever way you prefer.
The Digital Rebel's Live View mode allows you to compose shots on screen and employs the sensor for both image preview and capture duties, so what you see on the screen is what the camera is actually recording. This setup has its benefits, but given the display's limitation of 30 frames per second, the performance of Canon's Live View is slower in comparison to the Sony A350's flashy tilt screen, which works in real time (thanks to the inclusion of a second sensor for rendering the live preview). Canon's Live View mode lets you zoom in on your image as you're composing it; you also can check on the focus in specific areas, a feature I appreciated when out in the field.
Essential camera settings are quick and easy to change, but I found accessing some of the more advanced options daunting. Though many features await you in the Custom Functions menus, they require some drilling to get to. The good news is that Canon has incorporated the useful My Menu feature from the EOS 40D, which lets you group and save your frequently used settings. If you prefer a little extra insurance, shoot with bracketing enabled, either for white balance or for exposure.
Another feature on the mode dial, A-Dep, is particularly useful when you're taking pictures of small groups. A-Dep assesses the scene in three spots and adjusts the depth of field so that your subjects are all in focus. Advanced shooters will appreciate that the Rebel has spot metering and Highlight Tone Priority in its arsenal; the latter lets you retain a bit more detail in highlights, though you lose ISO 100 when you do so. A noise-reduction mode helps control noise at high ISOs.
I found the Digital Rebel XSi's Picture Styles genuinely effective; Landscape, for example, greens up foliage. Other in-camera adjustment parameters include saturation, contrast, sharpness, and monochrome adjustments that allow you to customize the look of black-and-white images.
In tests, pictures were sharp (the XSi topped our current field of cameras in this area) and well exposed (another area where this model came out ahead). Images showed very little noise in shadows and minimal artifacting along high-contrast edges.
The Canon Digital Rebel XSi stands out as a versatile digital SLR that is easily navigable on the surface but also offers powerful options, some that you may never even get to. Once you get the hang of the basics, this camera has the depth to take things further.
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When purchased as part of a kit, this model comes with an 18mm-to-55mm IS lens (f/3.5-5.6), which provides image stabilization and a respectable 35mm focal length range of 29mm to 88mm. The camera can handle up to 3.5 frames per second in burst mode.
The Digital Rebel XSi has a solid feel, with a textured grip that makes it easy to hold one-handed. A roomy 3-inch Live View LCD sits on the back of the camera, but it isn't a high-resolution LCD as some higher-end digital SLRs have. On top of the camera is a dial that offers the usual portrait, sports, landscape, and macro modes, along with aperture priority, shutter priority, or manual operation. All essential exposure settings display clearly on the bright LCD, and are also visible through the viewfinder; this arrangement allows you to compose and shoot easily, whichever way you prefer.
The Digital Rebel's Live View mode allows you to compose shots on screen and employs the sensor for both image preview and capture duties, so what you see on the screen is what the camera is actually recording. This setup has its benefits, but given the display's limitation of 30 frames per second, the performance of Canon's Live View is slower in comparison to the Sony A350's flashy tilt screen, which works in real time (thanks to the inclusion of a second sensor for rendering the live preview). Canon's Live View mode lets you zoom in on your image as you're composing it; you also can check on the focus in specific areas, a feature I appreciated when out in the field.
Essential camera settings are quick and easy to change, but I found accessing some of the more advanced options daunting. Though many features await you in the Custom Functions menus, they require some drilling to get to. The good news is that Canon has incorporated the useful My Menu feature from the EOS 40D, which lets you group and save your frequently used settings. If you prefer a little extra insurance, shoot with bracketing enabled, either for white balance or for exposure.
Another feature on the mode dial, A-Dep, is particularly useful when you're taking pictures of small groups. A-Dep assesses the scene in three spots and adjusts the depth of field so that your subjects are all in focus. Advanced shooters will appreciate that the Rebel has spot metering and Highlight Tone Priority in its arsenal; the latter lets you retain a bit more detail in highlights, though you lose ISO 100 when you do so. A noise-reduction mode helps control noise at high ISOs.
I found the Digital Rebel XSi's Picture Styles genuinely effective; Landscape, for example, greens up foliage. Other in-camera adjustment parameters include saturation, contrast, sharpness, and monochrome adjustments that allow you to customize the look of black-and-white images.
In tests, pictures were sharp (the XSi topped our current field of cameras in this area) and well exposed (another area where this model came out ahead). Images showed very little noise in shadows and minimal artifacting along high-contrast edges.
The Canon Digital Rebel XSi stands out as a versatile digital SLR that is easily navigable on the surface but also offers powerful options, some that you may never even get to. Once you get the hang of the basics, this camera has the depth to take things further.
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Do You Want To Know It? Top 10 Point-and-Shoot Cameras
Easy to use, point-and-shoot cameras are a great choice for the casual photographer. Ratings and rankings can change due to pricing and technology changes, so check back frequently for the latest info.
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Selasa, 12 Agustus 2008
Olympus EVolt E-300 - This rugged SLR is fast and can shoot in long bursts
This rugged SLR is fast and can shoot in long bursts, but it requires specific lenses.
The Olympus EVolt E-300 digital SLR ($900 with lens, $800 otherwise) comes with a slew of creative features. Once you master them--particularly the exposure controls--you can take some truly dazzling photos. Digital photographers looking to move beyond a simple point-and-shoot model likely won't be disappointed by the EVolt E-300's strengths, though it does have some distinct weaknesses.
The EVolt's design is eye-catching. There's no hump on the top of the camera--the signature mark of all SLRs for the past 45 years. Olympus moved the viewfinder's optical path to the left side of the body, which makes the camera slightly shorter than most other digital SLRs. Though it isn't a significant savings in size, the flat-top design does seem to help the EVolt slide in and out of an overstuffed camera bag more easily. Our shipping Olympus has a polished look and feel. Its solid, bricklike body feels as if you could pound nails with it. The dials turn smoothly and easily, and the body fits firmly in two hands.
The E-300 will easily serve photographers of any skill level--convenient for those times when you have to hand your camera to someone who's comfortable with only point-and-shoot models. In addition to full automatic exposure mode, the E-300 has a selection of preset scene modes that quickly adjust your settings to specific situations. The E-300 provides a total of 15 scene modes in its menus; five of them also are located on its dial.
In the past we've praised Olympus cameras for their intuitive menus, but the E-300 takes a slight step backward. The submenus are not as well labeled as those of the Olympus C-8080 we tested previously, and working out the location of the camera's many settings takes some time. For example, the camera's white-balance controls are spread across three of the five menu sublevels. And you can't customize the menus as extensively as you can the Nikon D70's, for example, or even those of some earlier Olympus models.
On the plus side, the Olympus responds more quickly as you use it. Many of the key exposure controls change rapidly with the press of a dedicated button and a spin of the camera's selector dial. Also, I especially like the Olympus's status screen on its 1.8-inch LCD. It's easy to read, with blue letters on a black background, and it tied in nicely to the camera's controls.
For our formal image-quality tests, we took some shots in the camera's default fully automatic mode. It's a good test of a camera's ability to capture details and accurate color, before you add your exposure-correction preferences. The E-300's images looked similar to those from Canon's semiprofessional EOS 20D: a bit underexposed, with colors that were slightly less saturated than the hues of the original subject. (Some digital photographers prefer default settings that produce slightly underexposed images that allow them to make adjustments on a PC without losing details, as would happen in overexposed areas.) In tests with automatic mode, the E-300 earned very high image quality scores--significantly higher than those of the Nikon D70s--and scored well for color accuracy when we used a custom white balance and manually adjusted the exposure settings (though here the D70s earned similarly high scores).
The EVolt E-300 has an 8.2-megapixel CCD--higher than on a few other affordably priced SLRs, such as the Nikon D70s and the Pentax *ist DS, which have a 6.1-megapixel CCD. In our test photo, the Olympus reproduced better fine-line details than the Nikon D70s--in fact, its output was comparable to that of the much more expensive, semiprofessional 8.2-megapixel Canon EOS 20D. The Olympus's high-resolution CCD will come in handy if you often crop and enlarge pictures to the practical limits of the images.
One innovative feature of the E-300 is a dust filter that sits between the shutter and the sensor and that vibrates to release dust particles. Dust specks in images shot by digital SLRs are a common problem, partly because changing lenses on an SLR exposes the camera's interior to dust (see "The Dirt on Digital SLRs' Dust").
On the downside, in our new test that evaluates how much digital noise cameras introduce to images, the EVolt E-300 produced noisier images at ISO 1600 than the other SLRs we tested.
In burst mode, the Olympus proved almost indefatigable. Capturing images in its second-best JPEG setting, the Olympus consistently fired off at about 2.5 frames per second, stopping only when I ran out of space on my CompactFlash card. At the highest JPEG setting, the camera is rated to take 12 consecutive frames. By contrast, burst mode on the SD Card-based Pentax *ist DS was less consistent, with the frames-per-second speed revving up and down, but averaging roughly 1.5 fps.
Unfortunately, the E-300 requires specific lenses. Unlike the digital SLRs from Canon, Nikon, and Pentax, there is no massive base of existing 35mm film camera lenses to choose from. If you're starting from scratch, buying clean used lenses for these cameras could save you a significant amount of money, but you don't have this option with the E-300. And while Olympus's selection of Zuiko Digital lenses is pretty good, it's still a fairly new line and doesn't have nearly the breadth of the competition. The Zuiko lens we received has a focal ring that is connected by wire to an electronic motor. By comparison, the focal rings on the other tested SLR lenses move glass inside the lens mechanically. The E-300's method lacks the tactile feedback the other lenses provide when focusing manually, though we did find the E-300's mechanism helpful for fine-tuning the autofocus.
Upshot: Though the lenses available are limited, the E-300 delivers high image quality, and its features are well suited to photographers of all skill levels.
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Olympus C-7070 Wide Zoom - Olympus boosts its rugged, wide-angle digital camera to 7 megapixels
Olympus boosts its rugged, wide-angle digital camera to 7 megapixels.
It would be easy to classify the Olympus C-7070 Wide Zoom as a simple case of keeping up with the Joneses. A near twin to the older C-5060 that it replaces, the C-7070's bump in resolution from the now pedestrian 5 megapixels up to a more desirable 7.1 megapixels keeps it competitive with the slew of recently released 7- and 8-megapixel cameras. But Olympus has also added numerous refinements to the C-5060's prodigious collection of creative controls and made the C-7070 noticeably easier to use.
I will confess at this point that I own the C-5060, having purchased it based on our own Best Buy recommendation. Smaller and lighter than an SLR, the C-5060 made a good choice for the back-country and travel photography I do. The new C-7070 has all of the qualities that made its predecessor attractive, including a well-thought-out selection of control buttons and menus, plus extras like dual-media support (XD-Picture Card and CompactFlash) and a swiveling LCD--the latter being especially useful for shooting low-lying wildflowers.
The C-7070's refinements include the capability to capture RAW and JPEG images at the same time--useful if you want to display your work immediately, then go back and process the RAW files at a later time. The scene mode function is improved somewhat--though there are no longer individual settings on the mode dial, they are still easily selected by picking from a list on the LCD. Each scene mode choice now displays a sample image, helpful for less-experienced photographers.
Two completely new features are the in-camera red-eye fix and the so-called oracle auto focus, a function that might help sports photographers. It works like this: After you set the exposure lock on a moving subject, oracle AF tries to predict the correct distance to the subject at the time you actually press the trigger. To test this, I shot cars moving down a city street using either traditional autofocus or the oracle AF setting. I can't say that oracle AF was more successful in freezing my desired subject.
The focal length of the camera remains unchanged. The 4X optical zoom starts at the 35mm equivalent of 27mm--ideal for interior and landscape shooting. The f-stop range, however, is a little better on the newer model: f2.8 to f11 versus f2.8 to f8. That's helpful for a little more depth of field, but it would have been more useful if Olympus had made the lens faster--the now ancient C-5050 started at f1.8, and there were complaints from users when the C-5060 went to f2.8.
My expectations for the C-7070's image quality were not matched by the results of PC World's lab tests and my less-formal shots. Though it received an overall score of Very Good, the C-7070's image sharpness was only marginally better than that of the C-5060's images. Like a number of 7-megapixel models I've seen recently, there was a distinct falloff in sharpness when I viewed the C-7070's shots at 100 percent in Photoshop. Test images also had somewhat more noise than I expect to see in this level of camera. It's not objectionable in a standard 8 by 10 print, but will likely be pronounced if you crop and enlarge much.
Upshot: Though image quality is not quite what you'd expect, the C-7070 is still one of the most powerful and flexible advanced digital cameras available.
Olympus C-7070 Wide Zoom
7.1 megapixels, 3072 by 2304 maximum resolution, 27mm to 110mm focal range (35mm equivalent), f2.6 to f11 maximum aperture range, shutter speeds from 16 seconds to 1/4000 second, optical and LCD viewfinders, USB connection, XD-Picture Card and CompactFlash slots, rechargeable lithium ion battery, 13.5 ounces with battery, Olympus Master software. One-year parts and labor warranty, 13-hour weekday toll-free support.
$600
888/553-4448
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Rabu, 06 Agustus 2008
10 Efficiency Tips for Digital Photographers - do you like it?
Digital Focus readers share their favorite ways to save time, save money, and protect their photos.
For some people, "efficiency" brings to mind a hotel room with a kitchenette. When other folks hear the word, they think about ways to work faster and smarter. I suppose I fall into the second category.
Not long ago I wrote about a few ways to be a more efficient photographer, and I concluded by asking you to send me your tips for shooting, organizing, editing, and sharing photos faster or more efficiently. Many of you responded; this week, here are the top ten suggestions.
1. Don't Procrastinate
Delete obviously bad shots before you download them to my computer. In the past, I promised myself I would weed out the good from the bad while sifting through folder after folder of photos on my laptop, but by then the job is very daunting. These days, I make myself stop and delete unwanted pictures from my camera, and I am much happier with the scope of my photo library.
--Patricia Moorhead, Ontario, Canada
2. Choose Your Best Shot
When uploading photos to Flickr, be sure to upload your best shot last, since that's the one that will be at the top of the page. And remember that uploading a bunch of photo to Flickr all at once is okay, but it'll be a waste because no one will generally see all but the very last few that you upload. It's better to upload a few at a time, spaced out over the course of a week.
--Susan Monroe, Louisville, Kentucky
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For some people, "efficiency" brings to mind a hotel room with a kitchenette. When other folks hear the word, they think about ways to work faster and smarter. I suppose I fall into the second category.
Not long ago I wrote about a few ways to be a more efficient photographer, and I concluded by asking you to send me your tips for shooting, organizing, editing, and sharing photos faster or more efficiently. Many of you responded; this week, here are the top ten suggestions.
1. Don't Procrastinate
Delete obviously bad shots before you download them to my computer. In the past, I promised myself I would weed out the good from the bad while sifting through folder after folder of photos on my laptop, but by then the job is very daunting. These days, I make myself stop and delete unwanted pictures from my camera, and I am much happier with the scope of my photo library.
--Patricia Moorhead, Ontario, Canada
2. Choose Your Best Shot
When uploading photos to Flickr, be sure to upload your best shot last, since that's the one that will be at the top of the page. And remember that uploading a bunch of photo to Flickr all at once is okay, but it'll be a waste because no one will generally see all but the very last few that you upload. It's better to upload a few at a time, spaced out over the course of a week.
--Susan Monroe, Louisville, Kentucky
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You should know - The Best Digital SLR Cameras
New models from Canon and Sony land at the top of PC World's rankings, bolstered by such additions as a live-image preview on the LCD to help compose images.
The Best Digital SLRs
You've just missed the shot. You know the one--the shot that you have a millisecond to capture, be it of your toddler running across the lawn, of your buddy's home-run swing at the company softball game, or of a jet plane swooping above you at a summertime air show.
If missing pictures is a frequent lament of yours, you're probably ready to graduate from a compact point-and-shoot digital camera--and its seemingly interminable shutter lag--and explore the wider realm of digital SLR (single-lens reflex) models. Fortunately, the latest digital SLR cameras come with a host of features that are aimed at helping newcomers make the transition from a compact, point-and-shoot camera.
One of the chief shooter-friendly additions to digital SLRs is a Live View mode, which lets you compose an image within the camera's LCD just as you would with a compact digital camera. Live View has been making its way into digital SLRs steadily over the past year. Both the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi and the Sony highlighted in this article offer Live View; they're the first sub-$1000 digital SLRs we've evaluated that have the feature.
A digital SLR may not fit in your pocket the way a compact point-and-shoot digital camera does, but if you take the plunge, you'll find a world of new images available for you to capture.
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The Best Digital SLRs
You've just missed the shot. You know the one--the shot that you have a millisecond to capture, be it of your toddler running across the lawn, of your buddy's home-run swing at the company softball game, or of a jet plane swooping above you at a summertime air show.
If missing pictures is a frequent lament of yours, you're probably ready to graduate from a compact point-and-shoot digital camera--and its seemingly interminable shutter lag--and explore the wider realm of digital SLR (single-lens reflex) models. Fortunately, the latest digital SLR cameras come with a host of features that are aimed at helping newcomers make the transition from a compact, point-and-shoot camera.
One of the chief shooter-friendly additions to digital SLRs is a Live View mode, which lets you compose an image within the camera's LCD just as you would with a compact digital camera. Live View has been making its way into digital SLRs steadily over the past year. Both the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi and the Sony highlighted in this article offer Live View; they're the first sub-$1000 digital SLRs we've evaluated that have the feature.
A digital SLR may not fit in your pocket the way a compact point-and-shoot digital camera does, but if you take the plunge, you'll find a world of new images available for you to capture.
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