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.

Sony A900 boasts the biggest megapixel so far in digital slr, which is 24megapixel. Nikon D700 will be the other main rival for the Sony A900, as both bodies are priced at roughly the same point (US$3K). So would you rather buy a 12MP Nikon D700 or 24MP Sony A900? Here is a table of the two cameras’ specifications.

Just mentioned before, the biggest advantages of Song A900 is high 24.6 Megapixels, double the Nikon’s D700. But 24 megapixel seems like a little bit excessive for casual picture taking and it took out storage spaces. They also share same features including: full-frame sensors, 5fps continuous shooting, 3in VGA screens and HDMI outputs.

Nikon D700 has a much higher maximum sensitivity of 25,600 ISO, but the maximum ISO Sony A900 can handle is 6400 which is worse than Nikon D700. Nikon D700 has 51 points auto focus system with 15 high sensitive points and Sony has only 9 dual cross type (highly sensitive) AF points. Without them, Nikon D700 also features Live View capabilities, a popup flash which can be used as a controller, on-demand grid lines in the viewfinder, in-camera vignette and chromatic aberration correction, a shutter block rated for 50% more cycles, a virtual horizon facility and a more detailed upper information screen; there’s also an optional Wifi accessory.

Sony A900 has advantages on the huge image resolution, built-in body stabilization that made all of the Sony lenses or compatible lenses gain image stabilization 2-4 stops, a 100% viewfinder (which Nikon D700 features 95%).

Well, I guess if resolution is your only factor, then by all means go for the A900. Of course, if you have lots of Nikon lenses, the choice is clear (or wait for D3x, D800, etc, to come out). But for others without legacy considerations, the A900 seems to offer unbeatable value (less than half the 1DsMkIII) with more resolution than you will need for a long, long time… with awesome Zeiss lenses as bonus.

The Nikon story actually starts in 1948, the year that the Nikon I, the company’s first camera was released. Among its famous products are Nikkor imaging lenses (for F-mount cameras, large format photography, photographic enlargers, and other applications), the Nikon F-series of 135 film SLR cameras, the Nikon D-series of digital SLR cameras, and the Nikonos series of underwater cameras. This post mainly focus on Nikon latest D-series and aims to help you make a better choice if you interested in Nikon D-series.
Nikon D40

The D40 is a wonderful choice for someone who wants to be able to take high-quality digital photographs and take advantage of the Nikon system of lenses and flashes, but does not want to spend the kind of money involved in the higher-end cameras.

Here are the pros and cons of the D40 in my opinion:

Pros:
1. Nice out of the camera result picture quality
2. Affordable price
3. Compact size and light weight
4. Large and bright 2.5 inch LCD
5. 2.5 frames per second
6. B/W, Sepia, several more in-camera editing features.
7. Instant power on, fast autofocus and no shutter lag
8. Noise is acceptable at high ISO settings. Auto ISO settings available.
9. Great 18-55mm II AF-S kit lens.
10. Great battery life (400+ on a single charge. 1000+ if flash is not used).
11. Auto (flash off) mode available
12. 1/500 flash sync

Cons:
1. No direct button to change QUAL, WB and ISO settings
2. Grip comfortably but might be a bit too small for some people
3. No top LCD and no front command dial
4. Autofocus will not work with non AF-S or non AF-I lenses (such as the 70-300m G and 50mm f/1.8D lens)
5. No AF/MF switch (have to use the switch on the lens)
6. Only 3 autofocus point
7. 6 Megapixel (More Megapixel needed to print larger than 12 X 18 at 300 dpi)
8. No night landscape mode in pre-programmed settings
9. No in camera image stabilization (like Sony and Pentax) but Nikon has lenses with it (VR).
10. No depth-of-field preview button

Release Date                        December 2006
Key Features                         6.1 megapixels, 2.5in. LCD, SD Memory
Uniqueness                          Helpful LCD,Great For Learning photography
Level                                    Beginner
Avg. Kit Price                       $460
Competitors                         Canon 350D, Pentax K110D, Samsung GX-1L

Nikon D60

The Nikon D60 may not be a world apart from its predecessor, but it remains a good, solid, 10 Megapixel entry-level DSLR. The big improvements are a dust control system that includes an airflow control to blow dust away from the sensor and improved autofocus.

Key Features              10.2 megapixels, dust  control,small and light
Uniqueness                Smallest Nikon SLR ,Great For Learning photography
Level                          Beginner
Avg. Kit Price             $630
Competitors               Canon Rebel XS, Pentax K200D, Olympus E-420

Nikon D80

Nikon D80 has been on the market for more than two years, but I still think it is a good camera. One of the key advances developed for the D80 is Nikon’s own high-resolution image processing engine that inherits best-of-breed technologies from Nikon’s latest professional digital SLR cameras, including color independent analog pre-conditioning and high-precision 12-bit digital image processing algorithms, which combine to produce natural-looking images that benefit from faithful color and tone reproduction.

Release Date                        August 2006
Key Features                        10 megapixels, fast response
Uniqueness                          Multiple exposures ,Great For Action
Level                                    Intermediate to advanced
Avg. Kit Price                       $854
Competitors                        Canon xTi, Olympus E-510, Pentax K10D, Sony A100

Nikon D90

The Nikon D90 is the world’s first DSLR camera that shoots High Definition video. As the world’s first D-SLR with movie function, this remarkable camera offers truly cinematic results, stunning image quality and innovative high-performance features inherited from Nikon’s new-generation DX-format flagship D300. The D90 will open new doors for photography enthusiasts of any level.

Release Date      September 2008
Key Features      12.3 megapixels, dust control, live view, face detection, movie mode
Great For Action, Family, Travel
Level         Intermediate to advanced
Avg. Kit Price        $1,300
Competitors          Canon XSi

Nikon D200

The D200 has been crafted to connect a range of newly developed Nikon technologies with advanced features inherited from the Nikon D2x, ensuring an ultimate shooting experience with exceptional and versatile imaging performance, high speed, and an instant response. The result is a blend of superb features, high-quality components, and fantastic results.
Release Date                          November 2005
Key Features                          10 megapixels, fast response
Uniqueness                            Speed, Great For Action
Level                                      Advanced to semi-professional
Avg. Price                               $1,290
Competitors                           Canon 30D

Nikon D300

The Nikon D300 has more features than the beginner photographer would ever need. It now also features Live View, which works like in most other DSLRs. Which is to say, it is not like what you are used to on your consumer point-and-shoot digicams. The D300 is not really for the P&S crowd looking to upgrade to a DSLR nor is it for the amateur photographer looking for a first entry-level DLSR.

Release Date                           November 2007
Key Features                           12.3 megapixels, 51-point autofocus, dust control, live view
Uniqueness                             Fastest consumer SLR, Great For Action
Level                                       Advanced to semi-professional
Avg. Price                                $1,800
Competitors                            Canon 40D, Sony DSLR-A700, Olympus E-3

Nikon D700

Nikon’s D700 is positioned between the ‘pro-sumer’ D300 and the professional D3 models and is the second Nikon DSLR with an FX-format (35mm sized) CMOS sensor.

Pros:
• Exceptional high ISO performance
• Great image quality
• Solid construction
• All-around high performance

Cons:
• Viewfinder only 95 percent
• Shorter shutter duty cycle
• AF times out a hair slower than the D3, but performs comparably in the real world

Release Date        July 2008
Key Features      12.1 megapixels, 51-point autofocus, dust control, live view
Uniqueness        Full frame sensor,Great For Action
Level                  Semi-pro to Professional
Avg. Price          $3,000 (no lens)
Competitors      Canon 5D

Sony Alpha announced their flagship DSLR in Sony Alpha a900. This is their first full frame camera in their growing camera range. However, no-one can deny that it’s a great move from Sony, especially at the $3000 suggested retail price. Sony A900 will definitely compete directly with Nikon D700 Full frame camera which is also released this year and coincidentally has the same price tag: $3,000. Same core specs of Sony Alpha A900 you’ve known forever: 24.6 Exmor CMOS sensor, dual BIONZ image processors, ISO 6400 sensitivity, 3.0-inch LCD, an enormous optical viewfinder that shows 100% of the frame, 5fps shooting, great battery life, and SteadyShot INSIDE in-body optical image stabilization. Sony’s also launching a few new Alpha lenses to complement this beast, including a Carl Zeiss 70-400mm f4-5.6 zoom. So Nikon’s D700 will be one of the A900’s biggest rivals.

Here is a table comparing Nikon D700 Body and Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 Body:

                                       Nikon D700 Body                   Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 Body 

BASIC SPECIFICATIONS

Announced                          2008-07-01                         2008-09-09

Dimensions                         147×123x77 mm                  156×117x82 mm

Weight                                 995 grams                             850 (without batteries), 895 grams

Viewfinder                          Reflecting (TTL)                      Reflecting (TTL)

Image Stabilizer                                                                 optical

SENSOR

Resolution                          12.87 Megapixels                   25.7 Megapixels

Sensor Size                          35 mm (36 x 24 mm)             35 mm (36 x 24 mm)

Color Depth                          42 

ISO Min                                                                              100

ISO Max                                                                              6400

Min Shutter                          1/8000 s 

Max Shutter                          30 s 

Photo Max Size                          4256×2832                    6048×4032

VIDEO & SOUND

Record Sound                          No                                       No

Record Video                          No                                        No

ADDITIONALS FEATURES

Manual Focus                          Yes                                       Yes

Exposure Compensation         +/- 5 EV with step 1/3        +/- 3 EV with step 1/3

White Balance                          auto, manual, from the list,     auto, manual, from the list,

BATTERY & MEMORY & COMPLECTATION

Image Formats                   3 JPEG, RAW                       3 JPEG, RAW

Interfaces                          USB 2.0, video, HDMI,                USB 2.0, video, HD-video, HDMI,

Memory type                    CompactFlash, CompactFlash Type II         CompactFlash, CompactFlash     Type II, Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo

Nikon D700 is approximately 100g heavier, Ergonomically, both camera has great design and very nice to hold on.As we know, both have full-frame sensors, TTL viewfinder, 5fps continuous shooting, 3 JPEG RAW Image Formats, 3in VGA screens and HDMI outputs. The A900 boasts double the total pixel count, built-in anti-shake and a 100% viewfinder. The DSLR-A900’s newly-developed, body-integrated SteadyShot Inside unit achieves an anti-shake effect equivalent to shutter speeds faster by 2.5 to 4 stops. This new unit provides stabilization for Sony, Minolta and Konica-Minolta wide angle, large-aperture lenses, which is difficult for lens-integrated systems.It is currently the only full-frame camera in the world with sensor-shift image stabilization.This feature is good, especially for telephoto zoom or prime lens (fixed focal length lenses).

VS

The Nikon D700 features a more sophisticated 51-point AF system, Live View capabilities, a popup flash, on-demand grid lines in the viewfinder, a virtual horizon facility and a more detailed upper information screen. The maximum ISO Sony A900 can handle is 6400, it is worst than Nikon D700 which provide up to ISO 25600 or 2 stops higher (4X the light gathering).

To some people, the absence of live view ,only 9 dual cross type (highly sensitive) AF points and lack of other things many people maybe like such as high ISO and better ISO handling in high ISO, and faster continuous burst of Sony A900 will be disappointed. But to professional photographers or “rich enthusiasts” that need to print photos in a very big size and wide angle landscape shooters is a good choice.  Nikon D700 is more engineered to sport and action photography since it will have better burst rate with grip (up to 8 fps) and extreme low light shooting due to the high iso and good iso handling.

Canon revealed the new successor to Canon 5D, which called Canon EOS 5D Mark II. The Canon 5D Mark II was clearly meant to compete with the Nikon D700. Nikon’s D700 is the company’s first ‘affordable’ full-frame DSLR, and costing only slightly more than the EOS 5D Mark II’s launch price, is a key rival for the new Canon.

                                                  Canon EOS 5D Mark II                    Nikon D700
Price                                           $2700                                                 AU$3,999 

Sensor resolution                        21.1-megapixel                               12.1-megapixel

Analog/digital conversion           14-bit                                               14-bit

ISO sensitivity (expanded)           >50 – 25,600                                   100 – 25,600  

LCD size                                      3-inch                                                3-inch 

LCD dots                                     920,000                                               920,000

Continuous shooting speed        3.9fps                                        5fps (8fps with optional battery grip) 

Continuous shooting frames     unlimited                                                100 

Continuous shooting frames (RAW)   14                                                    17 

Viewfinder coverage                  98%                                                            95% 

Viewfinder magnification           N/A                                           0.72x 

Interchangeable focusing screen    Yes                                           No 

Autofocus points                              15                                           51 

Live View                                      Yes                                           Yes 

Shutter durability (cycles)            150,000                                   150,000  

Video recording                             Yes                                           No

Comparing with Nikon D700, Canon 5D Mark II has the HD movie function which can take 1080 videos.  For many, this will be the main reason to buy Canon 5D Mark II. It features video recording and trumps Nikon’s own D90 to offer Full HD rather than ‘just’ 720p, along with a microphone jack.  Canon 5D Mark II has a much higher resolution 21.1 Megapixels verse 12.1 Megapixels on Nikon D700.  Canon 5D Mark II also has the greater coverage of viewfinder (98%) than Nikon 700 (95%). The launch price is also slightly cheaper than D700 online prices at the time of writing.

The Nikon D700 features quicker 5fps continuous shooting (or up to 8 with the optional battery grip), a considerably more sophisticated 51-point AF system, a popup flash, on-demand grid lines in its optical viewfinder, a virtual horizon facility and in-camera correction of chromatic aberrations.

The Nikon D700 possesses a beautifully polished, sensual look, while the Canon 5D Mark II looks alot like the Canon Xsi - cheap.  Style hounds, the Nikon D700 is clearly the looker of the two.  Sports and photo journalists will also be drawn to the Nikon D700’s autofocus system, as well as its 8 frames per second (with optional battery pack).

Because of those, Canon 5D Mark II will be most suited for wide angle scene shot (landscape), artistic shot and might be a good video recorder. Nikon D700 are more engineered for action photography.

Full frame sensors have always been the favorite of professionals - there must be some reasoning behind that. A full-frame digital SLR is a digital single-lens reflex camera fitted with an image sensor that is the same size as a 35 mm (36×24 mm) film frame. This is in contrast to cameras with smaller sensors, typically of a size equivalent to APS-C-size film, much smaller than a full 35 mm frame. The majority of digital cameras, both compact and SLR models, use a smaller-than-35 mm frame, as it is easier and cheaper to manufacture imaging sensors at a smaller size. Available full frame models are: Canon 5D, Canon 1Ds, Canon 1Ds Mk II, Canon 1Ds Mk III, Kodak dcs-14n, Nikon D3 and the new Nikon D700.

Some characteristics of Full Frame that some find useful include:

1.Large sensor. Large sensors allow a camera to capture more tonality in an image. Pictures can be richer, with more depth if you shoot it right. Large sensors also reduce the problem of “light spillover” because photodiodes on a large sensor are not so closely packed as in a small sensor.

2.A greater range of useful apertures with a given lens. While diffraction begins to affect image quality “sooner” (at smaller apertures) on crop sensor bodies, one can shoot to f/16 without visible diffraction softness in prints on FF. If I’m using, say, the 24-105mm f/4 L, on crop I get the following “full” apertures before I have to consider diffraction: f/4, f/5.6, f/8. On FF I get f/4, f/5.6, f/8, f/11, and f/16.

3. One advantage of full-frame DSLR cameras is that lenses designed for 35 mm film cameras provide the same angle of view on the new DSLRs as that to which photographers were accustomed on their film cameras. This can be very useful with wide-angle lenses and with zoom lenses whose ranges were chosen for the full-frame 35 mm format. The full-frame sensor can also be useful with perspspective control or tilt/shift lenses; in particular, the wider angle of view is often more suitable for architectural photography.</