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.

The new Nikon D90 DSLR camera has just been announced for a few weeks. It definitely will be one of the hottest selling SLR cameras this Holiday season. The new Nikon D90 is among the first D-SLRs to be able to capture high-def video, being able to capture video with any lens or any setting defined in the camera which in itself is a breakthrough change in the Digital SLR.  It offers a movie function, allowing you to shoot movies in three different motion JPEG formats: 320 x 216 pixels, 640 x 424 pixels and 1,280 x 720 pixels. Now you can capture life’s moving moments with added drama by using many of Nikon’s NIKKOR lenses, including the AF DX Fisheye 10.5mm f/2.8G ED and the Micro-NIKKOR lenses. The shallow depth of field can give your movies a more creative and emotional impact. An additional benefit is the D90 image sensor, which is much larger than a typical camcorder for higher image quality and exceptional high ISO performance during low-light shooting.

Good points:
Big Live View viewfinder and detailed screen
First DSLR with movie mode
4.5fps shooting & 11-point AF
Great handling and ergonomics
Fair Priced

The Bad:
Resolution not a big step from D80.
Remote & RAW software costs extra.
Video Recording needs lots of storage space and is limited in length to protect the CCD chip.
No Autofocus during video recording.
It is a SLR camera, therefore it does not fit in your pant pocket.

For Whom:
There’s no doubt the D90 should be short-listed by anyone shopping in its price-bracket, and should its features match your requirements, you’ll be very happy with it. Existing D80 owners should however think very carefully about whether it really offers them an upgrade, or whether stretching to the D300 – or indeed waiting – is a better bet. The Nikon D90 is a great gift for anybody who wants to seriously start taking high quality photos with SLR technology.

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.

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

Canon Rebel XSi 450D

Advantages: Fantastic picture quality, low noise, superb resolution, good per-pixel sharpness, quite light weight for a digital SLR.

Limitations: Some people think it is a little pricy. But the price has dropped a lot these days. The only real limitation of the XSi is that it doesn’t have built-in image stabilization. While the camera does come packaged with an IS lens, if you ultimately want to buy OTHER lenses for it, you’ll have to pay a premium since stabilized lenses cost more than their non-IS counterparts.

Nikon D60

Advantages: The Nikon D60 offers a variety of ways to experience more fun and creativity when taking pictures. Users can easily capture dynamic images in different shooting situations with a simple turn of the mode dial. If you like the Nikon brand but don’t want a huge camera to lug around then the D60 is optimal - it’s the smallest and lightest Nikon digital SLR.

Limitations: The D60 - like the D40 and D40x before it - only works with a limited number of lenses with built-in autofocus motors (called AF-S or AF-I lenses). If you get a non AF-S or AF-I lens it can be attached to the camera, but autofocus will be disabled. This reduces the compatibility of this camera with a wide range of great Nikon and third party lenses that don’t have AF-S.

Olympus E-420

Advantages: The E-420, world’s thinnest, smallest digital SLR camera. It also seems that the E-420 will be a great transition camera for anyone moving up from a compact point-and-shoot.

Limitations: Even though it’s packed with other features, the E-420 does not include a built-in image stabilization system, nor are there any Olympus lenses with stabilization. If this feature is high on your list of must-have’s, then the E-420 is not the right SLR for you.

Olympus E-520

Advantages: The E-520 packs a huge number of features into a compact camera that is priced for the photographer who wants a lot of bang for the buck. It has 5 point AF, autofocus live view, and every lens designed for the 4/3rds cameras are digital and firmware upgradable.

Limitations: The sole limitation of the E-520 is that - like other modern Olympus digital SLRs - it’s only compatible with the new 4/3 lenses and won’t work with legacy Olympus film lenses.

Pentax K200D

Advantages: The 200D is aimed more at entry level photographers and includes lots of preprogrammed scene modes and more things are controlled using menu options. It has two leasts: it is the least expensive camera to also include weather sealing and one of the least expensive that has a built-in image stabilization system. Great value for money.

Limitations: While inexpensive, the K200D lacks a live view LCD. If this feature is important to you, then consider the Canon XSi, Pentax K20D or one of the Sony digital SLRs.

Pentax K20D

Advantages: The K20Ds major advantages are its noise reduction system and its revolutionary sensitivity range of up to 6400 ISO, which ensure perfect photos without any loss in quality. 

Limitations: Somewhat more difficult to locate targets and accessories that other brands

Sony DSLR-A200

Advantages: The A200 is a camera that’s equivalent in many ways to the A300, but lacks the live view flip-out LCD. If that’s not really important to you, save a couple of hundred dollars and pick up an A200.

Limitations: The most obvious omission in the A200 is a live view LCD, but it also doesn’t have the flip-out LCD that will soon be available on the A300 and A350. If you’re into high and low-angle photography, this camera isn’t the best choice.

Sony DSLR-A300

Advantages: 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.

Limitations: There really aren’t any obvious limitations of the A300 at this point in time. It’s got every feature in the book, and its 10.2 megapixel sensor is fairly standard these days. Only time - and testing - will reveal if this camera has a weakness relative to its competition.

Sony DSLR-A350

Advantages: All the features of the A300, plus that gigantic sensor: this is the best option for those who like what Sony has to offer and also want to make large prints of their photos.

Limitations: The A350 has the same issue as the Pentax K20D: the size of the 14.2 megapixel files it captures can be a real drag on a computer system that’s not top-of-the-line.

These three years has been awesome years for Digital SLR cameras.  Many new innovation and technology has appeared in many new digital cameras, especially in digital SLR cameras. There are five big features that have recently emerged in digital SLR cameras that the manufacturers are using to help set their cameras apart. They are including image stabilization, dust control sensors, live view LCD screens, extended dynamic range, D-movie HD video mode.

Image Stabilization (IS)

Image stabilization is somewhat a mixed bag. It does allow one to handhold a camera with a shutter speed 2-3 stops slower then without. It also adds weight, complexity, and cost to the camera. So it’s biggest advantage is when shooting with a long telephoto indoors or in poor light outdoors. Nikon and Canon have been including stabilization systems in their lenses for years. But many of their competitors have included image stabilization (IS) in their camera bodies, providing great value to their customers. Maybe both Nikon and Canon should offer IS in both lenses and in camera bodies at ALL levels (pro, pro-am, and am). New Cameras with Image Stabilization including: Canon 450D(with kit lens), Canon 50D, Nikon D60, Nikon D90, Pentax K200D(build in), Pentax K20D, Sony DSLR-A200, Sony DSLR-A300, Sony DSLR-A350.

Live View LCD

Simply stated, Live View is the ability to frame your shot with the LCD monitor on the back of certain DSLR cameras instead of through the optical viewfinder. That is to say you can preview the photo you’re about to take using the large LCD on the back of the camera. Live View lets you see the changes in real time. That’s what “Live” View means. Considering the current market trend, it may be difficult in the near future to find a camera that does NOT have Live View. ( Canon Rebel XSi, Canon 50D, Nikon D90, Olympus E-420, Olympus E-520,Pentax K20D, Sony DSLR-A300, Sony DSLR-A350)

Dust Control Sensors

Dust control digital SLR cameras prevent dust from attaching to your camera’s sensor and ruining your photos. Without a dust control system, dust can contaminate the digital sensor of your SLR camera and will be evident as little black spots in every photo you take. Dust control are common today.

Extended Dynamic Range

Extended dynamic range imaging (EDRI) is a proprietary image acquisition technique that enables quality analysis of comet images generated in the single cell gel electrophoresis assay. The EDRI technique overcomes serious limitations with respect to the range of light intensities that conventional digital image acquisition systems support. EDRI provides high dynamic range images that yield much more stable and reliable analytic results than conventional image acquisition systems can provide. Digital SLR cameras that feature “extended dynamic range” attempt to compensate for this either by limiting the brightness of highlights or by increasing the brightness of shadows to create a more balanced image.
 
D-movie

Nikon D90 is the world’s first D-SLR with Movie function. The D90 offers a movie function, allowing you to shoot HD720p (1,280 x 720 pixels), 640 x 424 pixels or 320 x 216 pixels movies at the professional smoothness of 24 frames per second in motion JPEG format. The D90’s sensor, which is much larger than the sensor of a typical camcorder, ensures higher image quality and exceptional low-noise, high ISO sensitivity performance, even during movie shooting. Capturing creative movie clips or the drama of life’s moving moments is further enhanced by the wide selection of incredibly sharp NIKKOR interchangeable lenses that are available, from fisheye to wide-angle to super-telephoto. And Micro NIKKOR lenses bring the magic of extreme close-up imagery to movie making.

2008 is a great year. The past two years has been an awesome years for digital SLR cameras. This year, many new great digital SLR cameras appeared in the market with new innovation in technology. The new gadgets are including: Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 (February 29), Pentax K20D (March), Nikon D60 (March 29), Pentax K200D（April 1），Canon Rebel XSi (450D)（April 15），Sony Alpha DSLR-A350（April 25）, Olympus E-420(May 20), Sony Alpha DSLR-A300（May 25），Olympus E-520(August 10), Nikon D90(September 8), Canon 50D(October 10). This post is concerned about all the new digital SLR cameras in 2008 and if you want to find a new camera of this year, this post will help. Of course, as the new cameras are announced and I will add the information in time. Here I will introduce the cameras according the release date。

Sony Alpha DSLR-A200

The Sony α (alpha) DSLR-A200 camera is perfectly positioned to carry a new generation of photographers into the creative world of DSLR performance.

Megapixels: 10.2
Autofocus Points: 9
Continuous Speed: 3 photos per second
LCD Size: 2.7 inch
ISO Range: 100 to 3200
Crop Factor: 1.5x
Lenses: Sony and Konica Minolta A-Mount
Memory Media: Compact Flash / Memory Stick

Pentax K20D

The PENTAX K20D digital SLR offers advanced photo enthusiasts an array of exciting PENTAX innovations. It is also the only Pentax digital SLR camera with a live view LCD, and it features an extended ISO range that goes all the way up to 6400.

Megapixels: 14.6
Autofocus Points: 11
Continuous Speed: 3 photos per second
LCD Size: 2.7 inch
ISO Range: 100 to 6400
Crop Factor: 1.5x
Lenses: All Pentax
Memory Media: SD / SDHC

Nikon D60

Nikon D60 is Nikon’s smallest Digital SLR ever. It’s Nikon’s 16th digital SLR and is placed between the D40x and the D80 in terms of specification, price and audience.

Megapixels: 10.2
Autofocus Points: 3
Continuous Speed: 3 photos per second
LCD Size: 2.5 inch
ISO Range: 100 to 3200
Crop Factor: 1.5x
Lenses: Only Nikon AF-S and AF-I
Memory Media: SD / SDHC

Pentax K200D

The latest entry level model from Pentax is the K200D, replacing last years K100D Super. What sets the K200D apart from other cameras in its price range is that the camera body is sealed against weather and dust - assuring that you can continue taking photos even when the weather turns foul.

Megapixels: 10.2
Autofocus Points: 11
Continuous Speed: 3 photos per second
LCD Size: 2.7 inch
ISO Range: 100 to 1600
Crop Factor: 1.5x
Lenses: All Pentax
Memory Media: SD / SDHC
Canon Rebel XSi (450D)

“For stunning photography with point-and-shoot ease, look no further than Canon’s EOS Rebel XSi. The EOS Rebel XSi brings staggering technological innovation to the masses. It features Canon’s EOS Integrated Cleaning System, Live View Function, a powerful DIGIC III Image Processor…”

Megapixels: 12.2
Autofocus Points: 9
Continuous Speed: 3.5 photos per second