The Best excuse to go digital

 

Canon EOS 300D Digital SLR Camera [6MP] with EF18-55mm Lens

The Best excuse to go digital 12 Nov 2004

By A Customer

I've been using this camera for 6 months and at a rough count have probably taken 2000 images. I've also bought a canon 28-105 usmII lens which I'm very pleased with. Previously i've used an Olympus OM10 with manual focus. A re kindled interest in photography and the ease of use of a digital, autofocus camera account for the prolific turnover of photos!

I would say the strengths of this camera are:

Potential for superb quality photos easily up to 15x10 print size. With the 18-55 lens supplied in the kit the camera is lightweight and ideal for varied everyday use, the lens being very unobtrusive. The TTL focus points are easy to use (though read up on the actual arrangement of the sensors. I've seen this in a review and it is useful information to know. Canon should show this in the manual) The autofocus system is fast and accurate 99% of the time. The ISO range is wide and even at 1600 gives very good results in low light with manageable shutter speeds. The white balance options allow for both accurate representations and more inventive representations (with limitations).It will also white balance bracket. For most occasions the evaluative metering system is accurate though trickier lighting situations do need either bracketing or centre weighted metering - both available on the camera. I find the best (quickest) way is a quick check on the screen and then exposure compensate and take more shots - very easy on this camera.

Although plastic, the camera body is tough and durable (and so far water resistant!) The very slow shutter speeds coupled with ISO100 are very useful. Battery life is OK so long as the LCD screen is not over used in the field. Buy a spare battery or two. There appear to be lots of other lens available. The std lens has a usefully wide angle capability at 18mm and I use this setting a lot. The instruction manual is actually very easy to use and understand.

I would say the weaknesses are:

The std 18-55 lens is not easy to manual focus as the focus ring is too narrow and the slightest touch will upset the focus in manual mode (not in auto mode). Also, being at the front, it is easy for your fingers to smear the lens whilst trying to focus or trying to find the focus ring whilst composing the picture. This presumably is the penalty for compactness and lightweight and as many other canon lens are available I find this an acceptable compromise on the std lens. My 28-105 lens is not like this and is excellent in this area by comparison (quieter in auto focus mode too) so horses for courses. The auto focus sometimes "hunts" in very low light or into very bright light so this is one occasion when you will need manual focus. The std lens is very good 99% of the time. I find I could use more flexibilty in white balance settings ie: individual temperature settings. Also direct access to spot metering is a must on this class of camera. Start up time is annoyingly slow though you get into the habit of switching on as soon as you feel a photo coming on! The switch itself is well designed and well placed. Manual selection of focus points is slightly tricky as the thumb button is too far to the right though practice will sort this!

Summary:

Very pleased with the capability of this camera and overall design also it's scope for accepting a wide range of other lens. I would certainly buy this camera again even with the benefit of hindsight. At the moment it is excellent value for money. Buy it.

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How to Choose the Best Digital Camera to Buy?

Nikon D3200 Digital SLR Camera with 18-55VR Lens Kit - Black (24.2MP) 3 inch LCD

By Minnisha D. Williams
Recent studies show that more people are becoming visually inclined as opposed to anything else. Every day we view things in our environment, and photography allows us to capture those images. These are things to keep in mind when deciding the best digital camera to buy, it's all about knowing which kind of digital camera you need.

Compact digital cameras are small and lightweight which can fit into your pocket or a ladies purse. Prices will vary depending on the capabilities and different features each one has. Though you might be excited to shop for your new gadget be sure to take the time to really research different options before making a purchase. Point and shoot cameras are simply just enough to do the job, this would be ideal for someone who is not a fan of technical stuff.

Advanced digital cameras are much more complicated than compact and point and shoot cameras. These models usually have more feature options such as fully automatic, manual, and semi automatic. There are also some other advanced features that involve accessories and add-ons such as wide-angle and telephoto lenses, filters, remote-controls, and external flashes. Advanced digital cameras also include high-end power-shot with a creative performance ability.

Digital single lens reflex cameras offer various advanced features that can be adjusted by the user. These cameras have the ability to be interchangeable with many different lenses, newer models have even more advanced features like live preview and HD digital recording. The design of these cameras with a proprietary lens mount. A movable mechanical mirror system, it is switched at a 45 degree angle to direct light from the lens over a flat focusing. Focusing can be either manual or automatic by pressing the shutter case or AF button on the camera. Although digital single lens designed cameras are becoming smaller, the reflex mirror-less design of these types have become more popular because of their lightweight as opposed to other digital single lens reflex cameras heavier weight and bulkier designs.

While Nikon, Cannon, Panasonic, Olympus and Sony are all on the best sellers list, the best digital camera to buy is Nikon according to consumers. Nikon is the world leader in digital imaging, precision optics and photo imaging technology and is globally recognized for setting new standards in product design and performance. They have proven to build high quality and great performing digital products over and over again and gained a very unparalleled successful branding globally.
You can visit our web page to learn more about bestselling electronics and the best digital camera to buy.
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http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Choose-the-Best-Digital-Camera-to-Buy&id=6973919

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All About Sony Digital Cameras

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V Super Advanced High Zoom Camera - Black (18.2MP, 20x Optical Zoom) 3 inch LCD

By Merdith Stone
Sony has been a trusted name in producing high-quality electronic innovations, including television sets, audio players, computers, video game consoles, and other entertainment gadgets. Its products are known to deliver excellent sights and sounds. Today, Sony digital cameras are also among the preferred models of both professional photographers and hobbyists. They have both point-and-shoot and DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) cameras.

Cyber-shot is the brand's line of digital point-and-shoot cameras. This is something for you if you're just beginning to take photos or if you're looking for a handy camera that takes quality photos of your travels. Its models come in different specifications and prices. The Sony Cyber-shot HX200V is one of the highest-rated cameras of the brand. It's equipped with an 18.2-megapixel sensor, an impressive 30x optical zoom, and high-speed shooting capability of 10 frames per second. It gives you images with rich, clear details. But even the lowest Sony Cyber-shot cameras have high megapixel sensors (from 10 to 14.1) and are equipped with the brand's own Face Detection and SteadyShot technologies.

All cameras in the digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) line of Sony are named Alpha. Its Alpha models are classified into three - prosumer, single-lens translucent (SLT), and professional SLR. The prosumer is DSLR for the beginners. Its features and functions are specifically made to help those who have been using only point-and-shoot cameras, but would like to go into advanced photography. One example is the a390, which comes with an intuitive Graphic Display that helps you understand easily the relation between shutter speed and aperture, as well as the effects of your exposure settings on the final image. It comes with a 14.2-megapixel sensor that gives you low-noise images.

Single-Lens Translucent (SLT) is the brand's name for their products that are in between DSLRs and mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras (MILC). It has the brand's patented Translucent Mirror Technology, which enables you to effortlessly focus and shoot at the same time. One Sony SLT digital camera that's highly recommended is the a77 model. Said to be the world's fastest DSLR, it lets you shoot continuously up to 12 frames per second. It also has a 24.3-megapixel sensor that provides you with clear and detailed photos that are ideal even for enlarged printing.

Its DSLR-a900 boasts a 24 x 35.9mm-size CMOS sensor that's specifically created for this camera. Users of the older a700 rave about this newer model's features and capabilities, which are considerable improvements from the a700's. It is a "full frame" camera, which means you get a view of the actual size of the image that you'd like to take.

Whether it's a Sony DSLR or a point-and-shoot camera that you're planning to buy, check the features and functions of the model to make sure that that's what you need. Both the Cyber-shot and Alpha lines of Sony offer a wide range of specifications that will satisfy various imaging needs.
Looking for Sony digital cameras at their best prices? Check out the list on the Get Price website. You need only this one site to know the Sony cameras offered by various online vendors.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Merdith_Stone
http://EzineArticles.com/?All-About-Sony-Digital-Cameras&id=7033301

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Lovely littlePanasonic DMC camera

 

  Panasonic DMC-SZ1EB-K Black 10x Super Zoom Compact Camera with 25mm LEICA Lens and HD Movie

15 May 2012

By Sark Lover

 My trusty old Canon Ixus 70 (my third Canon) finally packed up. I researched in Which?, read all the reviews, and decided to go for the Panasonic Lumix on the personal recommendation of two different people, who had one themselves. I paid a bit more for the DMCSZ1, fairly new on the market, because it offered the Leica lens and the 10x Super Zoom. I like its very simple design, its easy-to-use instructions and its intelligent auto mode which gives good clear shots and excellent colour. It also does well in evening half light, which is nice. You can also photograph quite a large object in a small room without having to stand too far away from it, which is very handy. The Lumix has a brilliant small, light and simple charger, and the memory card from my Canon camera fitted it, which was useful. In fact you don't need to use a memory card. Having got used to the new camera in grey, rainy London, I then took it to Paris in the Springtime, which was bathed in brilliant sunshine, and there one big drawback revealed itself. Unless one could find a patch of shade to stand in, it was almost impossible to take pictures in bright sunshine; all you got was a reflection of yourself in the big viewfinder. You couldn't see your subject at all and had to aim and shoot and hope for the best. 

This is such a pity, as the big viewfinder itself is excellent (out of the sun), and the zoom is fantastic - I took a brilliant picture of Sacre Coeur from literally miles away. Why oh why have all the manufacturers of compact cameras got rid of the small extra viewfinder that you used to be able to look through if you needed to. As a non-techie, I have not yet tried to use the advanced features, but I am sure they will all work well. My only other tiny complaint is that the little metal cover for inserting the USB connection cable to recharge or download photos looks as if it won't survive intact very long. 

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Camcorder Video Tips - Settings For the Best Video Camera Footage

 Tips - Settings For the Best Video Camera Footage
By Jennica Musselman

Wired--up v1.3A HDMI to HDMI Gold Plated Connectors 1.8m Cable for HD TV's/ Xbox 360/ PS3  Camcorder Video

What's the difference between a video that looks professional and one that screams "amateur"? You might think that filming technique and editing style are the main considerations. But the easiest way to instantly raise the quality of your home video lies in your camcorder settings and how you choose to employ them.

Tally Light
Try an experiment: press the record button on your camcorder. Then turn the camcorder around so it's facing you. See that little red light? This is called the tally light. Something about this tiny red light makes most people incredibly self-conscious when they're being filmed!
Fortunately, nearly every camcorder includes the option of turning the tally light off. Your subjects will be far more comfortable and relaxed without that red light glaring. Remember, the less obtrusive you are as a videographer, the more natural your footage will be. Eliminating the tally light is an important step in this direction.

Date and Time Stamp
The date and time stamp is a setting that records the current date and time at the bottom of the video picture. On analog video cameras, such as those using VHS-C and 8mm video tape formats, the date and time stamp is permanently burned into the picture. (By comparison, a digital camcorder records date and time information on a separate, removable video track.)
Many people like to use the date and time stamp because it makes it easier to keep track of when a video was shot. But a permanent stamp looks horrible, whether you are watching raw footage or a carefully edited movie. Turn the stamp off, and mark the tape label with the date instead.


Digital Zoom
All camcorders have an optical zoom, which is a physical function of the lens. However, many camera manufacturers also advertise a "digital zoom," which seemingly offers zoom lengths far beyond the capabilities of the optical zoom.
Digital zoom is simply a software program in the camcorder that interpolates existing pixels in order to enlarge the image. As such, digital zoom is nothing more than marketing hype, since the image it creates is fake. And moreover, a digitally-zoomed image looks terribly pixilated.
Thus, always ensure that the digital zoom setting in your camcorder is turned off. "Off" is usually the default setting, but it doesn't hurt to check. If you need to zoom closer than the optical lens allows, move your feet instead.

The Built-In Microphone
While most camcorders have top-notch lenses, most only possess a tiny, low-power microphone. Fortunately, most video cameras also include an audio input, which enables you to attach an external microphone and gain better sound.
A shotgun microphone, which mounts on a camcorder's accessory shoe, is the best option for consumer camcorders. This type of microphone can make a world of difference in your audio. Just keep in mind that shotgun mikes are extremely directional. They're great for boosting a single, stable audio source, such as bands playing on a stage or a speaker giving a presentation. But they are not as useful for capturing well-rounded audio in a roomful of people.

Special Effects
In the 1990s, manufacturers began releasing camcorders that could shoot in negative, sepia tones, psychedelic colors, and many other unusual effects. Today's video cameras have these same special effects and many more. Unfortunately, if you use these settings while you are filming, your video is stuck that way...forever.
Conversely, if you shoot video normally, you can easily add special effects in any video editing program. Your software will also have more effects options than your camcorder offers. So shoot without the special effects--you'll be glad you did!

Recording Quality
Every video camera has the option of recording video in a high-quality mode (SP or XP) and lower-quality modes (usually called LP or EP). SP and XP always provide the best picture quality. However, many amateur videographers often switch to a lower-quality recording mode in order to fit more footage on a tape or Flash memory card.
This is a mistake. LP, EP, and similar modes record video at significantly poorer quality. If you use them, you will regret your choice when you watch your video in the future. In addition, video recorded on tape at LP or EP speeds is tougher to convert to DVD because it is harder to track and requires more complex compression.
Buy a few extra video tapes or more Flash memory, and use the highest-quality setting on your video camera. A few extra bucks spent on an additional tape or card is far better than an entire blurry or pixilated video.

Setting up a camcorder and operating it correctly is half the battle to creating watchable video. Take the above tips into account, and you'll be well ahead of most amateur videographers!
Jennica Musselman is the owner of Timeless DVD, a studio offering high-quality DVD transfer, DVD duplication, and assorted video transfer services. We can convert video from all camcorder tape formats, including VHS, VHS-C, Betamax, Mini DV, DVCAM, Digital 8, Hi8, and 8mm video, as well as from tapeless video cameras.

Timeless DVD specializes in providing the highest-quality video transfer possible. Our studio features broadcast-grade decks and professional video processing hardware that can extract every drop of quality from each video tape. Unlike large media transfer companies, we carefully monitor every tape transfer for quality control. DVD projects are archived free for our customers' convenience, and all work is done on-site in our studio--never outsourced. Timeless DVD can also transfer tapes to AVI or MOV files, a service that enables customers to easily edit their camcorder videos at home. And we provide video conversion to DVD for Mini DVD, Flash memory, and hard drive camcorders. Our DVD design is second to none. We offer a variety of beautiful DVD covers, all created and developed by our in-house graphic designer. Our studio exclusively uses the highest-rated DVD media for every project, with on-disc c

Timeless DVD simply provides the most professional video transfer available. View this article and more on the Timeless DVD Blog at http://timelessdvd.com/blog/2010/07/camcorder-video-tips-settings/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennica_Musselman
http://EzineArticles.com/?Camcorder-Video-Tips---Settings-For-the-Best-Video-Camera-Footage&id=4731317

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Digital Cameras Top Rated

Panasonic DMC-SZ1EB-K Black 10x Super Zoom Compact Camera with 25mm LEICA Lens and HD Movie

Technical Details

• 25mm Wide-angle 10x Optical Zoom LEICA DC Lens
• 16.1MP High Sensitivity MOS Sensor
• iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode with MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer)
• 20x Intelligent Zoom with Intelligent Resolution Technology
• Intuitive Touch-control Shooting with 3.0-inch Intelligent LCD

I've always used SLRs for photos but needed a good quality compact for times and places demanded something less obtrusive. This little gem hits the spot completely. A Leica lens produces brilliant sharp images, as you'd expect, enhanced with an optical image stabiliser. The x10 optical zoom is a dream, but of course at full zoom, the better the light the better the image. The HD video is excellent quality and is surprisingly easy to hand-hold and get really good images. And as a real bonus for a HD compact, it allows you to zoom in and out whilst recording. That wasn't the case on our last Sony Compact. Battery life is tops and so is the large, bright 3" LCD screen.

The camera has a range if settings from automatic to a range of pre-settings. Many are as you'd expect (sports, night scene, soft-focus portrait etc) but there's some interesting new or newish options - auto-settings for photos of food (!), photos through glass (which may just be a way of switching off the flash - haven't checked that out and two baby settings. Using these the camera will recognise up to two individual faces (and one for a pet!) Enter their date of birth and if you wish the photos can show the age of the child in question every time a photo is taken! Oh, and a panorama setting which makes taking panorama photos as easy as pie.

I bought mine in Bangkok last week and paid about the same as Amazon are now quoting (£166) but had a leather belt purse (Panasonic DMW-PSS13KK Leather Case) and 4GB card in that price. The 4GB card allows you to take about 650 - 800 photos at 6-6.5MB each, but double that number for 2-3MB photos. And for the record, it worked well in 40 C temperatures.




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