Digital Camera Product Reviews Blog

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.

Since the introduction of the first single-lens reflex (SLR) camera, photographers have prized SLRs because they can see with the naked eye, through an optical viewfinder, exactly what is passing through the camera’s lens. The “reflex” of a mirrored shutter that bends light to the camera’s viewfinder, and then snaps open rapidly to create exposures, makes this possible and gives the SLR its advantage. But there is a problem: the image sensor is blocked by the mirror and shutter until the moment the shutter button is pressed, the mirror and shutter mechanism prevents a traditional digital SLR from viewing and composing a photo using only the camera’s Liquid Crystal Display as a viewfinder. The solution to this technical challenge is the revolutionary Olympus EVOLT E-330 digital SLR - the world’s first interchangeable lens digital SLR to feature a true “Live View” image on the LCD screen, in addition to the optical viewfinder, and unite the best of both worlds. Now, there are many digital SLR cameras with Live View LCD, such as Canon 450D,  Canon EOS 40D, Nikon D300, Olympus E-410, Olympus E-510, Olympus E-3, Pentax K20D, Sony A300，Sony A350 and so on. Live view digital SLR cameras let you see a preview of the image you’re about to take on the camera’s LCD screen. It great for people who don’t want to be limited to viewfinder composition, and enjoy taking photos from the hip, high up, or from odd angles.

So seek out a camera with a live view LCD if:

• You don’t want to always look through the viewfinder to compose photos

• You want to take photos at odd angles

• You take photos primarily of non-moving subjects

Don’t worry about whether or not a camera has live view if:

• You want to use the camera for action photography

• You don’t mind always using the viewfinder

• You don’t intend to photograph from waist level or at arm’s length

Nikon has finally announced the long-awaited Nikon D90–just days after Canon announced the EOS 50D. The predecessor of the 50D-the Canon 40D has been heavily discounted in recent times, and its body-only price is now identical to that of the Nikon D90’s launch price. To people who in the market for the first digital SLR, the most difficult choice is among Canon 40D and Nikon D90. So many people may wonder “should I buy a Nikon D90 or a Canon 40D?”

Here is a quick comparison between these two digital cameras:

                            Nikon D90                                                      Canon EOS 40D

Sensor                   12.3 megapixels15.8×23.6mm CMOS          10.1 megapixels14.8×22.2mm CMOS

Continuous Shooting Speed    4.5 fps                                         6.5 fps

LCD                            3-inch, 920,000 pixels                             3-inch, 230,000 pixels

Autofocus                    11-point                                                  9-point

Sensitivity                    ISO 100-6400                                          ISO 100-3200

Live View                    Yes                                                             Yes

Live View Face Detection    Yes                                                     No

Movie Mode                    YES!!!                                                       No

Dimensions                    5.2×4.1×3.0 inches                               5.7×4.2×2.9 inches

Weight                            22 oz                                                       26.1 oz

From above, we can see clearly Nikon D90 has some advantages over Canon 40D:

• 2 extra Megapixels

• Ability to record movie at 24fps with sound(D90 is the first DSLR to shoot video)

• 11-point AF system with Face Priority

• a more detailed screen with VGA resolution, high resolution 3″ inch screen 920,000 dots VS 230,000 dots

• ISO range up to 3200, boost able to 6400

• In-camera vignette reduction

• HDMI output

• Contrast-based AF in Live View

• The D90 is also a little smaller and lighter .

Canon 40D advantages:

• Magnesium Alloy body(superior build quality)

• 6.5 fps compare to D90’s 4.5 fps

• A PC Sync port for external lighting

• 14-bit recording

• A live histogram in live view and comes supplied with software for PCs and Macs which allow you to fully remote control the camera including focusing and live view.

In conclusion, for reporter or casual family events shooters. Nikon D90 is a nice choice because its movie mode and 11 point AF with Face Priority. The 40D has a reputation of taking quality pictures and has proven itself in the market for some time. It has the advantage of continuous shooting 6.5 frames per second and highest max shutter speed (1/8000 instead of 1/4000). So Canon 40D is a camera for sports shooter and outdoor lovers.

Nearly a year after the arrival of the Canon EOS 40D, Canon has announced the 50D. For most 40D owners, they may wonder: How much improvement is Canon 50D over Canon 40D? What has changed?  Should I upgrade Canon 40D to Canon 50D? Here’s a comparison of pros and cons of the Canon 50D and the 40D.

Canon 40D and the new 50D share a number of key respects. Both bodies may use 3in screens. Both cameras share essentially the same body design, viewfinder and 9-point AF specification; they also share the same external accessories including the BG-E2N battery grip and WFT-E3(A) wireless transmitter. Continuous shooting is also similar at 6.5fps on the 40D to 6.3fps on the 50D, although when equipped with a UDMA CF card, the 50D can shoot larger bursts of JPEGs.

Off course, this camera will be more likely to have all the features from 40D plus some enhancements.

Canon 50D has a 15.1 MP CMOS sensor comparing with a 10.1 MP CMOS sensor in 40D. Users are not only get five extra megapixels, but Canon claims that this new sensor handles better noise. As a result, now the ISO range is expanded to 100-3200 and can be boosted to: H1: 6400 and H2: 12800. Canon 40D ISO 100 to 1600 with extendable to 3200.

The EOS 50D additionally sports the latest DIGIC 4 image processor, which supports in-camera correction of lens vignetting and a refined user interface. The EOS 50D is also the first Canon SLR to get the new DIGIC 4 processor, which is fast enough to push 15MP images onto the card at a rate of up to 6.3 fps. There’s also micro AF adjustment of lenses - a feature inherited from the 1D Mark III. That means with the 40D, you’d have to send in your camera and lenses to Canon Service for AF calibration if such a situation arises. The 50D on the other hand, allows you to fine-tune the AF yourself, ensuring that each of your lenses can focus as close to perfection as possible with the camera.

Although both of them have 3in screens, the Canon 50D has improved LCD Monitor pixel counts, 3.0-inch Clear View LCD (920,000 dots/VGA) with multiple coatings for improved viewing and smudge-resistant protection, compared with only 230,000 dots for 40D. The playback mode will be a lot more accurate and enjoyable to watch.

The 50D also boasts HDMI output for connection to High Definition displays which works for playback and Live View. Canon 50D’s coverage is at 95%, with a 0.97x magnification. This is slightly better than on the 40D which has the same coverage but slightly lower magnification of 0.95x.

For people in the market to buy Canon 40D or 50D, if you need it right now, 40D is still a good choice for the lower price. If you can wait, Canon 50D might be a better choice for its LCD display, higher ISO and digic 4 processor.

Thanks for reading….

Canon Semi-Professional Cameras

Owning one semi professional DSLR camera, you can start to think about taking better, more professional pictures, and start to earn money if you wish.

Canon EOS 30D

Canon says they listened to feedback from 20D customers and made modifications to make an even better 20D. The resulting Canon 30D still has the same 8 megapixel sensor, main processor, and basic body design of the 20D, but it’s been augmented with a larger screen, a more durable shutter, and a 3.5% spot metering mode, among other improvements. As did the 20D, the new Canon 30D offers impressive noise performance at high ISOs, with the result that its images at ISO 1600 are remarkably clean-looking, and its shots at ISO 3200 are very usable. Simultaneous with the increase in resolution, the Canon EOS 30D also brings improved shooting speed, with a 5 frame/second continuous mode and unusually deep buffer memory. The Canon 30D is a good camera for advanced action photographers.

Canon EOS 40D

The Canon EOS 40D Digital Camera is supremely equipped for the discerning photographer. The 40D has many similar characteristics to its predecessors the 20D and 30D. This includes various shooting modes, ability to change ISO and white balance, a pop-up flash unit, and an LCD screen. The LCD screen is larger than the previous models (3.0″ from 2.5″ previously).The 40D has more megapixels, and the resolution sizes are slightly higher than the 20D and 30D. Its RAW format is 14-bit.A new feature is Live View, which allows photographers to use the LCD screen as the viewfinder. The shutter noise is quieter in this mode. The crop sensor combined with state-of-the-art systems makes the Canon 40D the best digital SLR body for budget-conscious wildlife photographers. Adding the 6.5 frames per second capture rate makes the 40D the best digital SLR body for sports photographers who don’t want to buy the expensive Canon EOS 1D Mark III.

Canon EOS 50D - NEW!

Canon EOS 50D will be available at the end of September 2008.

Features:

• 15.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor (APS-C size)

• DIGIC 4 processor (new and faster)

• ISO 100-3200, expandable to 12800

• Live View mode - 3 AF modes including Face Detection Live AF

• new Quick Control screen - most commonly used settings

• 6.3fps continuous shooting, max. burst 90 JPEGs with UDMA card

• HDMI connection

• Full compatibility with Canon EF and EF-S lenses and EX-series Speedlites

• 9-point wide area AF

Canon Professional Cameras

Canon professional digital cameras are designed for the demanding graphic designer or photographer.

Canon EOS 5D

Built around a 12.8-megapixel (effective) CMOS sensor, covering the same area as a 35mm film frame, the Canon EOS 5D provides “full frame” digital SLR technology at a much more affordable price point than ever before. The Canon EOS 5D offers advanced photographers a lightweight, robust digital SLR that uses Canon’s superlative EF lenses without a conversion factor. Its full-frame 12.8 Megapixel CMOS sensor combines with Canon’s DIGIC II Image Processor, a high-precision 9-point AF system with 6 assist points, and “Picture Style” colour control to deliver images of superior quality with enough resolution for any application. With its wide-angle capabilities, 2.5 inch LCD and magnesium-alloy body, the 5D is the perfect addition to the Digital EOS line.

Here is my thorough research of the top rated 10 megapixels digital cameras:

Nikon D80

The Nikon D80 digital SLR camera provides photographers with many benefits of the popular D200 with a cheaper under-$1,000 pricetag. It features 10.2 megapixels, instant startup, in-camera image retouching and high-speed continuous shooting. It has a high-resolution processing engine designed to streamline and accelerate performance, and use less power. Nikon boasts that the D80 can shoot up to 2,700 images on one battery charge.

Canon400D

Canon EOS 400D’s 10.1 megapixel sensor employs the same outstanding CMOS image quality advantage of its big brothers in the professional EOS 1 range. Super sensitive in low light and virtually noise free, CMOS is also fast and power efficient. For consistently pristine results, a complete dust prevention and cleaning system works to keep the EOS 400D’s sensor spotless. A combination of technologies reduces, repels and removes dust and includes a Self-Cleaning Sensor Unit that shakes dust from the sensor with each power on. Reviewing your work is a delight with the super bright 2.5″ 230k pixel display. Photos feel crisper, richer and more saturated, while a 160° viewing angle makes for easy at-a-glance checking and sharing. Shoot at 3 fps for continuous bursts of up to 27 large JPEG images (10 RAW): like shooting a whole roll of film in a single burst. Switching between Picture Style presets is like being able to change film mid-roll to achieve different color response and Black & White effects. Sharpness, contrast, color tone and saturation are individually adjustable. Select from one of nine fixed focusing points across the scene for fast, accurate focusing - even with off-center subjects and ‘rule-of-thirds’ compositions. DIGIC II is a tiny super-computer that renders colors with precision, accuracy and speed. Fast and power efficient, DIGIC II also delivers instant 0.2 second start up time.

Nikon Coolpix P5000

Nikon P5000 offers a sensor resolution of 10 megapixels coupled to a Nikkor-branded 3.5x optical zoom lens with optical vibration reduction — a useful addition that helps avoid blurring caused by camera shake in low light situations. There’s also a sizeable 2.5 inches LCD display with anti-reflective coating on the Nikon P5000, and both Shutter- and Aperture-priority modes plus a true Manual mode to help unleash your creative side. If you prefer ease of use (or you might share the camera with a less experienced photographer), you’ll be happy to know that the Nikon Coolpix P5000 can do all the work — just put it in full Auto mode, or one of 16 different Scene modes. The Nikon Coolpix P5000 is a good camera and would’ve gotten a higher grade if there weren’t issues with responsiveness—saving files as well as focusing. At a low price, it’s definitely worth considering.

Nikon D60

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Are you looking for a real digital SLR that’s easy to use? Do you want mobility without sacrificing capability? Would you like simple operation and enough features to step forward creatively? If so, then get to know the Nikon D60.The Nikon D60 offers a 10-megapixel APS-H sensor and an optically stabilized lens, all for an excellent, entry-level price. As always, Nikon has designed the D60’s body within an inch of perfection, and the camera has all the prosumer features that you’d expect of DSLR, including a fast burst-mode and full RAW support. Image-quality wasn’t quite as exemplary as the camera’s particulars - there were some major diffraction issues - but overall detail, color, and noise were excellent, and Nikon’s ‘D-Lighting’ remains a great dynamic-range booster. All in all, the D60 could be a superb introduction to DSLRs.

Canon 40D

The EOS 40D, a 10-megapixel D-SLR targeted to serious photographers. This camera is targeted for anyone looking at the older 10-megapixel Nikon D80 or the newer 12.2MP Sony alpha DSLR-A700, a camera I liked a great deal. In other words, it’s for those more than willing to go beyond Auto and make the most of a sophisticated imaging capture device (a.k.a camera). How advanced is the 40D? Rather than the usual 3 frames per second, this one cranks off 6.5 fps up to 17 huge RAW files before it stops for a breather. If you shoot in smaller JPEGs, you can crank off 100 shots. If your child is a budding athlete, this D-SLR will capture him or her in full stride. The Auto Focus system has been beefed up for quicker response (Canon claims it’s 30 percent faster than the EOS 30D) plus it has Live View so you can use the larger 3-inch LCD to frame your shots. All these things sound great on paper but it’s in the real world your camera gets its workout. And that’s exactly where we took it…

You really can’t wrong buying the Canon EOS 40D. Photo quality is very good, there are a ton of manual adjustments, it feels right—and then there’s that startling 6.5 fps burst mode. It’s like stepping on a Porsche’s gas pedal and enjoying the ride. Although on the expensive side, if you’re serious about photography, give it a long look.

Nikon Coolpix P80

The Nikon Coolpix P80 can take photos at 18x zoom, but, ironically, it’s most competitive at more standard zoom ranges. Photos at 18x tended towards hazy colors and loss of resolution, as do all ultrazoom cameras, but photos taken at more reasonable zooms turned in much better results. The P80 is also aided by D-lighting and distortion correction, both of which can go a long way in making good photos great, and its manual mode is the best we’ve outside DSLRs. We’re still not sold on the ultrazoom niche, but the P80 performed so well at everything else that it might be a moot point. Think of it as a solid compact that also doubles as a telescope.

The Canon EOS 40D combines Canon’s tremendous know-how in both the digital and photographic worlds, creating a camera that not only does everything one would expect of a traditional digital SLR, but one that incorporates staggering leaps forward in technological innovation. Nikon D300 features a new Active D-Lighting mode that, when enabled, provides remarkable real-time highlight and shadow correction with optimized image contrast. Both of them are excellent cameras. So which one should you buy?

The Canon is a good bit lighter and more modestly sealed against dust and water. The Nikon is heftier and more weatherproof, making it the better choice in hostile conditions. In addition, both cameras have self-cleaning sensor systems that automatically remove dust at startup/shutdown. Both viewfinders are generous for cropped-sensor cameras, but the Nikon’s is slightly larger, brighter and clearer. And it covers 100% of the frame, versus the 40D’s 95%.

The LCD screen on the D300 is nothing less than amazing. The D300’s record-setting 920,000 dots are twice as sharp as the 40D’s 230,000 dots, enabling us to see much finer details. Live View shooting, is available in both cameras, which let us compose live, sensor-generated images on the LCD screen instead of sighting through the optical finder. Each allowed us to focus in Live View by hitting the AF-On button, which momentarily swung the mirror down, engaged the optical AF sensors, then flipped it up again. But the Nikon (not the Canon) flipped its mirror down every time we shot, disabling Live View until we reengaged it manually (by half-pressing the shutter release). That’s the major reason we preferred the Canon for Live View; it also has a real-time histogram, exposure simulation, optional grid overlay and two quieter shooting modes.

The 40D can rip off up to 6.5 frames per second for up to 75 images. The D300 is close at 6 frames/sec but for 100 frames. With the optional battery grip the D300 can do up to 8 frames/sec. Decent advantage goes to Nikon especially when you consider the focusing mechanisms. 40D has 9 cross-point sensors. The D300 has 51 total sensors and 15 that are cross-point. Knowing the Nikon is processing information from 51 sensors and saving more photos at higher megapixles, it’s clear the Nikon is a quicker thinker, and that translates into a higher percentage of shots in focus. Here is a tangible advantage, one that directly relates to what you plan use the camera for.

Both cameras’ sensors are APS-C format, roughly half the size of a 35mm frame. The EOS 40D’s own CMOS chip is 10.1MP, with a 1.6x cropping factor; the D300’s, 12.3MP, and 1.5x. The 2MP difference in resolution is negligible, output from the two cameras being virtually indistinguishable to us when we compared RAW files in Adobe Lightroom. But with JPEGs shot at ISO 800 and up (to 3200 in the EOS 40D, 6400 in the D300) we could see the Nikon was applying more in-camera noise reduction (Normal setting) than the Canon.

As for lenses, Canon has a larger selection and more versatile overall system. Nikon has an edge in image quality at the wide-angle end, especially with the new 14-24 f2.8. Canon has a better selection overall but especially at the long end. If you watch professional sports you will notice all the lenses on Football & Baseball fields are the big white Canons. The Nikon D3 should start changing that scenario though.

Although D300 costs 50 percent more than the EOS 40D, in fact, each system has slight advantages over the other. Overall the end result photo quality is going to be very close, so close that the user experience and personal preferences may become the deciding factors.