Which Camera Is Right for Me? Continued

Last week we began getting into the specifics of DSLR cameras, dependent upon photography needs. Today we will continue with more expectations for professionals. In general, pro photographers spend around $2,500 or more. Both the Canon EOS 7D and EOS 5D Mark III are great examples of more affordable cameras that still provide features to meet your expectations. Many photographers end up spending more on lenses than the body. Balance your budget between both and remember you do not need to spend $8,000 on a camera.

• Documentary/travel/wildlife: All three have their pictures printed in high quality, either in magazines, books, or printed for large displays in exhibits, etc. Resolution should be 12 megapixels or more, preferably with a full-frame sensor. The frame rate should be at least 5fps and a 20-shot burst depth. Video is not as important but a 30fps for video can come in handy—if you think you will use it. Wildlife photographers will want a lightweight body as they trek across terrain.
• Studio/landscape/fine art: Portraits, fashion, products, ads, abstract—you need a camera that can handle it all. 12 megapixels is the minimum but 14 or more is preferred. The frame rate need only be 3fps or more with a burst depth of 6 or more. Again, video not entirely important. Instead look for great raw-conversion software, flash-control features, and a range of color modes.
• Wedding/events: A camera with at least 12 megapixels and a full-frame sensor is good place to start. 3fps or more for the frame rate is ideal with a 6-shot burst depth. If you plan on taking video, 30fps with manual controls for shutter and aperture is ideal, but not the only option. Also look for excellent flash control features, white-balance controls, and a solid battery.

Do not feel confined by these recommendations. Even without an expensive camera full of feature after feature, photographers can still take amazing shots. Equipment is important, but skill reigns supreme.

Which Camera Is Right for Me?

A few weeks ago we delved into the different types of DSLR cameras available on the market. You feel a bit more confident, but you are still not sure which features to look for or how much to spend on a camera. It all depends on your purpose. Are you an amateur or a student? Are you interested in sports or news photography? Let's go over the features each type of photographer needs.

• Hobbyists: Not ready to make an expensive plunge? Do not spend more than $600 for the body and starter lens. Resolution can be anywhere from 6-15 megapixels with a frame rate of 2fps to 5fps and a burst depth of 5 to 6 shots. Also look for a compact body and a lightweight zoom lens.
• Students: Students who are seriously considering photography as a career should spend less than $1,000 on a body and starter lens. 12-18 megapixels offers great resolution. The frame rate should be 5fps to 8fps or faster with a burst depth of 10 shots or more. AF speed and tracking should be the best you can afford and video should be 24 or 30fps. The DSLR should have a comprehensive viewfinder, good raw-conversion software, and comprehensive flash-control features.
• News/sports/action: Whether your pictures are printed in magazines, newspaper, or on the Internet, a DSLR for you is a serious investment. Expect to pay $1,000 and up for the body. Resolution needs to be 10 megapixels or more while the body all metal and weather-resistant. The frame rate should be 8fps to 10fps and a burst depth of 40 shots or more. Video should also be 30fps or faster. Purchase an extensive telephoto lens and look for simultaneous raw-plus-JPEG capture, flexible white-balance, and good battery life.

Check back next week when we dive into other types of photography and the best features to have.

A Look at the Sigma DP2 Merrill Digital Camera

Photographers in the market for a high-end point-and-shoot with all the latest advancements, need look no farther than the Sigma DP2 Merrill digital camera. Foveon devotees will flock to this camera which boasts 46 megapixels thanks to a Foveon X3 Direct Image Sensor. For those who are unaware, the Foveon X3 Sensor features three layers of pixels, each made up of slightly more than 15 megapixels and each layer sensitive to a different color --hence why Sigma can say it is a 46-megapixel camera. The result is vibrant and detailed photographs.

Readers might recognize the technology from the SD1, a DSLR. However, this digital camera features a high-performance fixed lens, a 32mm F2.8 lens to be more precise. Unlike a DSLR, this camera is lightweight and compact, making it easy to tote around on your photography adventures. It also has the ability to shoot in both RAW and JPEG, simultaneously too, giving photographers greater flexibility. Manual focus is available for use and there is even a focus ring just like on an SLR –a feature you do not often find on a compact camera. Also like a DSLR, the DP2 has a 3.0'' TFT LCD to quickly change menu options.

The DP2 Merrill is ideal not just for serious hobbyists and amateurs, but professionals who may not be able to tote a large camera and equipment.

The Heart of a Digital SLR: The Sensor

The sensor is an important part of your camera. And while it should never be the “be all and end all” when making a camera purchase, you should put thought and consideration into the type and size.

The CCD (charged-coupled device) is the most common type of sensor in a digital SLR. Every manufacturer offers at least one model with a CCD. They offer the highest image quality, hands down, but they are of course, the most expensive and use a lot of power.

CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) strip away extra circuits on the chip to increase a pixel's light-collecting area while reducing costs and using less power than a CCD. The only con is they are bigger and therefore, the cameras are bigger.

What about sensor size? There are three standard sizes. The first is called Four Thirds, found on Olympus and Panasonic cameras. It's a standard size that was created by Olympus and Kodak, measuring 17.3mm by 13mm. Most other DSLRs use an APS sized sensor, the second standard size. It is a fairly loose term for a sensor the size of an APS-C or APS-H film format. Finally, we have the 35mm-film format, also called a full-frame because it is the size of a standard frame on a roll of 35mm film. These sensors are big and expensive to build. You'll find them on the Canon EOS 5D and the Nikon D3.

We can thank large sensors for giving us better photos with less noise, a greater dynamic range, and better performance at high ISO settings.  

Battle of the Cameras: DSLR vs. Interchangeable-Lens Camera

Last week we saw a digital SLR do battle with a high-end point-and-shoot—today the DSLR faces its hybrid challenger, the interchangeable-lens camera. The main difference between these two cameras is that the latter does not have a mirror to bounce the image to the viewfinder.

The major difference between these two cameras lends itself to the main advantage of a DSLR over an ILC. The viewfinder on a DSLR is superior and ensures there is no update lag. The mirror allows the photographer to see what is currently happening in the viewfinder, while an ILC can only show you what has already happened. The advantage to the EVF, however, is that it accurately displays exposure and white balance. Some optical viewfinders on DSLRs can do this, but it comes at a greater cost.

While there are certainly plenty of digital camera lenses to choose from for ILCs, the selection is still larger for digital SLRs. DSLRs also have the ability to use older film-camera lenses without an adapter. But with better technology and bulky lenses, DSLRs tend to be bigger and heavier than ILCs (though there are compact DSLRs, as well as large ILCs on the market).

The bottom line is that the ILC is a good stepping stone for consumers who want a step above their point-and-shoot but without the bulk and the high cost.  

Battle of the Cameras: DSLR vs. High-End Point-and-Shoot

As an effort to keep consumers purchasing the standard point-and-shoot, we have seen a great insurgence of more high-end digital cameras. These are a great option for photographers looking to increase the quality of their photos without breaking their budget. But can they really compete with the quality of a DSLR? Let's find out in this head-to-head battle.

An SLR offers superb lens versatility. Most manufacturers offer at least 40 digital camera lenses, allowing you to accurately target and compose your shot. The disadvantage? The pentraprism we talked about last week isn't light as a feather. SLRs are much bulkier, and so are many of their accessories. However, most entry-level models are lighter than their more expensive counterparts.

One cannot doubt the increased image quality of an SLR. 10 megapixels on an SLR is better than 10 megapixels on a digicam. It's even more apparent at higher light sensitivities. With better quality, though, comes more complexity. For some, it's a welcomed lesson, while for others it's a confusing chore.

The performance of an SLR cannot be beat. They have a faster autofocus, shorter shutter delay, continuous shooting, and more memory. And all that comes at a higher price. But cheaper SLRs are now about the same price as high-end point-and-shoots.

The digital SLR doesn't just come with great lens choices, they also have a host of accessories to improve quality, including external flashes, wireless transmitters, remote triggering, and more. With an SLR, more is, well, more! If more sounds good to you, then opt for the SLR.  

The Leap to Digital SLR Cameras

Over the next few weeks I'd like to devote some time to amateur photographers. As of late, there has been an increased interest in the purchase of SLR cameras. A decade or so ago they were used solely by professionals, students, and serious hobbyists. But today, we all know someone with little-to-no photography knowledge desiring the quality of a digital SLR. We may as well give them some advice before they purchase and we sincerely hope that the occasional photographer turns into a more serious hobbyist!

So what the heck is an SLR? It stands for digital single lens reflex because these cameras use a mirror behind the lens to direct light towards the viewfinder. As the shutter is released, the mirror moves out of the way, allowing light to travel to the sensor and briefly blacking out the viewfinder. A prism inside the viewfinder flips the image right side up and bounces it onto the screen.

All SLR cameras are not created equal, however. There are several types and you should know the difference before investing. The one most people are referring to when speaking of one is a full system digital SLR with an interchangeable lens. Users can remove the lens and replace it with another. Almost all SLRs today are this type.

A fixed-lens digital SLR is one in which the lens cannot be removed. Most use a semitransparent, non-moving mirror to bounce some of the light to the viewfinder, while the rest of the light goes through the main sensor. This translates to using the LCD to compose the shot.

An SLR-like, or SLR-style, is actually a standard digicam that uses an electronic viewfinder (EVF) instead of the standard pentaprism. They're technically not an SLR because they don't use a mirror and the image quality does not compare.

And lastly, we have the interchangeable lens camera, also known as a hybrid camera. They use the technology of a point-and-shoot with the ability to change digital camera lenses. However, they too use an EVF and lack a mirror in the viewfinder.