Digital Camera Product Reviews Blog

The price gap between the upper-entry-level Olympus E-520 and more expensive E-3 has always suggested there is room for a mid-range DSLR to sit between them. Olympus has announced the E-30, a new 12.3 megapixel Four Thirds Standard DSLR camera that is positioned between the pro E-3 and consumer E-520 models to compete with the Nikon D90, the Canon EOS 40D, and the Canon EOS 50D. It has more AF points than the 50D but less megapixels and lower color depth, a better viewfinder than the D90 but weaker ISO settings and a smaller (albeit rotating) screen. The Olympus E-30 will be available from mid-January 2009 and retail for $1300 body only. If you are interested in Olympus E-30, and feel confused between Canon50D,Nikon D90, here is a specs to help you to choose.

Dust spots on your D-SLR’s sensor appear as tiny black specks on the image. When photographers change lenses, dust can enter the camera and lodge on the filter or protective glass that covers the sensor. These dust spots can show up as dark blotches in subsequent shots. A camera with Dust Control Systems will prevent dust from settling on your camera’s sensor which is exposed to the elements every time you take the lens off. This technology is only found in interchangeable-lens DSLR cameras, such as Canon 450D, Canon 50D and so on, where it is a virtual necessity.

Olympus was the first camera manufacturer to install dust-reduction technology in its DSLR cameras, with a special Supersonic Wave Filter (SSWF) system that vibrates the filter in front of the sensor to dislodge dust. The dust collects in a tray below the sensor, which is cleaned when the camera is serviced. Other manufacturers have followed with similar systems - but they may only be included in one or two models.

Some manufacturers combine the vibrating filter with anti-static materials in the camera’s mirror box, while Canon adds a Dust Delete detection/removal system via software. Only Canon’s system deals effectively with dust that becomes ‘welded on’ when a camera with dust on its sensor is moved between low and high humidity.

Listed below are a part of the latest digital SLR cameras that include dust control systems.

Taking professional quality wedding images is a big challenge to new photographers. Any digital SLR body combined with a decent lens (see below) is a good start. Most professional wedding photographers, however, use a set of three zoom lenses: a wide-angle zoom, a wide-to-tele zoom, and an image-stabilized telephoto zoom. Most professional wedding photographers recommend that for small sensor, Canon 40D or 50D, Nikon D90 or D300 are good ones；for Full frame cameras, they suggest Canon 5D, 5D Mark II, Nikon D700 or D3. If you are serious about photography, try to buy a DSLR. That way you will be able to purchase separate, high quality, lenses. A resolution of at least 6 megapixel is important. The flash unit is as important, if not more important than the camera. I have a really old Canon Point & Shoot digital camera - but it has an external flash shoe. With it, I can take indoor bounce-flash photos that have incredible lighting; no one would guess they come from an old digital camera. When buying a digital camera, make sure you get a quality external flash that allows you to rotate the flash head vertically and horizontally.

Camera with Image stabilization option and ability to handle high ISO is essential. Camera should be responsive and auto focus must be fast and accurate. Lenses with a large maximum aperture of f/2.8 or larger are extremely valuable for weddings. The wide-angle zoom lens makes it possible to photograph in confined spaces, such as the bride’s dressing room or a packed dance floor. The wide-to-tele lens is wide enough to take a group photograph, but still long enough to take a three-quarter portrait of a couple without the unflattering effects of wide-angle perspective distortion.

Flashes and Accessories

1. 2-3 500-800 w/s monolight heads
2. 2-3 “speedlight” on-camera TTL flashes
3. light stands for each flash
4. umbrellas/softboxes for each flash
5. flash triggering device (radio slaves, optical triggers, or PC cords)
6. hand held flash meter

Wedding photos are a challenge to take, simply because of the flurry of activities that go on and the wide variety of lighting conditions that may occur.  But do remember that while wedding photos are challenging to take, they can be very rewarding. Especially when you see the couple smiling and reminiscing about how wonderful their wedding day was.

This is always the rub when choosing between Canon & Nikon.  It is difficult to make  a very tough decision on which DSLR camera to take, an old Nikon D80 or the newly released Canon EOS 40D. After some further researching, I finally decided to go for the Canon 40D.

Nikon D80 or Canon EOS 40D，the truth is these two are not at the same level comparison… Canon 40D is at the better level and I should really be comparing to Nikon D200 or even D300. Although Canon 40D is a little expensive, but it really has some features that Nikon D80 doesn’t (There will be other differences but these are just a few):

1. 6.5 and 3 fps continuous shooting (D80 has 3fps only).

2.  14 bit files (D80 has 12 bit)

3.  Live view and live view simulation (more useable than the D300; D80 doesn’t have this at all) - great for macro and landscapes

4. Low noise and good definition at all ISO - considerably better than D80. The Canon EOS 40D stands up well against the Nikon D80 in terms of noise when both are using their default image settings and best-quality JPEG modes.

5.  Custom settings, c1,c2 and c3 (not on the D80) - very useful to set up and switch between different types of shooting

6.  Free software - DPP and EOS Utility being the most useful - also zoom browser, very handy (you would have to buy the Nikon software separately if you wanted it).

VS

Another thing that is nice about Canon is that your non-DX lenses (like the 10-22mm and 17-55mm) can be used on a crop camera like the 40D and later on a full frame camera like the 5D. The 5D has its limitations but at roughly $2000 it is much more affordable for many photographers than the $5000 full frame D3 from Nikon.

The 40D is a relatively recent camera but that is not true with the D80. I would expect Nikon to produce a replacement for the D80 sometime this year that is closer in performance and features to the 40D, and maybe even better.

The Pentax K200D shares a playing field with the Canon EOS 450D, Nikon D60 and Sony Alpha A200. Canon 450D, as a multi-function digital camera,of course has many competitors, including Pentax K200D. This post simply discusses the pros and cons of Canon 450D and Pentax K200D.

The Canon 450D / XSi with a stabilised kit lens costs roughly 30% more than the Pentax K200D kit. Of course, coming with the expensive price, Canon 450D also has more features: two extra Megapixels, a bigger 3in screen, faster 3.5fps continuous shooting with a bigger buffer, Live View facilities with contrast-based AF, 14-bit image processing, a bigger viewfinder, and PC remote control software which includes a live on-screen preview.

Canon 450D

The Pentax K200D boasts far superior weatherproof build quality (although is heavier), built-in Shake Reduction which works with any lens, a slightly more sophisticated 11-point AF system, an upper LCD information screen, a dedicated RAW button, support for Adobe’s open DNG format, and is powered by four AA batteries which are readily available almost anywhere in the World.

Pentax K200D

Conclusion

Canon XSI (450D) - best in class if not for the high price
• Pros: Lots of features; somewhat inconvenient live view but it’s there; light and compact; great autofocus; IS kit lens; can use lenses from many other manufacturers with adapter.
• Cons: No build-in IS; most expensive of the entry levels.

Pentax K200D - fully featured, cheap but big and heavy
• Pros: Weather and dust resistant ; good viewfinder; in-body SR; Best kit lens among competition; cheap.
• Cons: Heavy; biggish; slower auto focus.

Until the Canon EOS 50D was released, the K20D and GX-20 held the record for the highest resolution sensor in the APS-C image sensor format - 14.6 megapixels. Both cameras are currently at the top of the APS-C resolution game, but which is the right camera for you? Pentax K20 is one of the first cameras that introduce 14 megapixels for semi-pro class. After the Canon 50D’s  quick release, I don’t think it affects the K20D much though it does have a few cool features: much better liveview (including face detection…P&S time) with contrast AF finally, high speed shooting even w/ the larger images, and finally an option to disable Canon’s heavy-handed NR.

Pentax K20D

Canon 50D