Digital SLR Camera Review

Review : Canon EOS 30D 8.2MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens

2008-01-16T04:47:00.000-08:00

Price : $1,149 with Free Super Saver Shipping

First of all I won't get into all the features on this camera, that's been covered enough. I agree with everything that was said concerning those features. I'm also happy that there are those that think this camera is the best thing ever. Where my disappointment takes place in the photos themselves. I'm not a newcomer to photography (I started in 1955), nor am I new to digital. I have the Fuji S7000 (6.3MP) and the pictures it produces are fantastic. I assumed if I were to upgrade to 8MP or 9MP things would be even better. I spent the better part of three weeks researching and reading everything I could get my hands on. Everything I read about the 30D was overwhelming, so I purchased one. I would like to say that in the past seven weeks I've shot 3700 photos and barely half of them are equal to my S7000. That's not to say I haven't produced some very creditable shots. I have. It's just that I expect the majority of them to be that way. If I were to have shot the giraffe, that a customer attached, with my S7000 you'd be able to see every hair. The birds shots would have been more distinct. You'd not only see the individual feathers but the patterns in the feathers as well. When I spend $1400 on a camera I expect it to produce unequaled photos. I'll continue to use it, but for those photos that are must have's I will more than likely use my Fuji S7000. I still have all my 35mm SLR's and both of my twin-reflex type cameras. I'm finding it hard to give them up. I got my first digital camera five years ago. It was only 1MP and I grew tired of the shots it produced. So I kept upgrading. It's been a good trip. I'm not sorry I bought the Canon 30D because I can change lenses, which I cannot do with my Fuji. But I'm not thrilled...yet. Since I wrote my review some time ago my 30D began acting up. It would only take time exposure shots. No matter what setting I chose to put the camera in it would only take a time exposure. Needless to say the shots I attempted were a disaster. I tried everything imaginable and nothing worked. As a last result I contacted Canon Service Representative and we went over a dozen different scenarios with no result. Finally, I was directed to send it directly to Canon with a letter explaining the problem. In less than a week I had the camera back and it appears to be working fine. I have to commend Canon for their fast and thorough corrections to the problem at no charge to me because it was still under warranty. Also, I've noted since my first review of this camera that if I put the camera on a tripod the shots come out a little better; however, I don't have to do the same with my other cameras. I still don't feel like I should have to do it with this camera...but I'll live with it for now. I gave the camera 4 stars, because a distinct photo means a great deal to me. I would have rated 3.5, but there are a lot of features that are noteworthy.

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Review : Canon EOS 30D 8.2MP Digital SLR Camera with EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Standard Zoom Lens

2008-01-16T04:44:00.000-08:00

Price : $1500 with Free Super Saver Shipping

"I consider myself an amateur/semi-pro photographer who uses my photo equipment for travel pics for the most part. I wanted to move from film (EOS-3 and EOS-1V) to D-SLR and have waited many years to do so. I could neither justify $4K or $8K for the two high-end cameras either for cost or use. Then the 5D came out and I seriously considered it because it was a true pro-level camera for photographers truly not in the business. And, it has a FF CMOS to boot--no FOVCF to deal with. Then, Canon brought out the 30D and after doing the comparative homework, the quality is, for the most part, equal and sometimes better than the 5D. For those of us who are not in possession of 300mm+ lenses, the 1.6 FOVCF is super, except, of course, for ultra-wide FOVs. But camera to camera, function to function, versatility to versatility, or any other category you might wish to compare, the 30D is a superlative camera and a photographer's dream. This camera is truly "WOW! to the MAX." For those who think that having a pop-up flash should NEVER be on a pro level camera, think again! It's a true plus. With 5FPS for use at sporting events or other fast-moving venues vs. 3FPS for the 5D, this makes the 30D all the better. So, the 30D along with the unbelievable EF-S10-22mm f/2.5-3.5 USM lens, the EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM, the EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS UMS, the EF100 f/2.8 macro USM, the Battery Grip BG-E2, the Speedlite 580EX along with the Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX and/or the Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX, which is the total equipment I have in my bags, you can't do better. Oh, I am sure Canon will soon come out with a 40D, but I can't imagine what they could add without moving to the 5D level-camera. In fact, we may soon see the demise of the SLR with less than a FF CMOS, so I advise that if you want the advantages of the 1.6 multiplier SLR, get this camera now. Don't wait; there's no reason to do so and at $1500 give or take, it's very inexpensive for what Canon gives us in return. What I have not told you is that I purchased both the 30D and the 5D and returned the 5D--for the reasons I iterated above. And I don't regret it, even for a minute. Nikon can't come close to this camera. There are far more Nikon to Canon convertees than Canon to Nikon and it's for cameras like the 30D that has caused this to occur. Friends of mine that were diehard Nikonites are now Canonites. And I am not aware of any of them who have regretted the move."

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Review : Canon EF 50mm f1.2L II USM Standard Lens

2008-01-16T04:38:00.000-08:00

"Compatible with all EOS dSLR camerasAspherical lens element suppresses aberrations and ensures excellent imaging performance Ring-type USMHigh-speed AF and circular aperture create a shallow depth-of-field 7-group 8-element design Focusing range: 3.2' to infinity Filter Size: 72mm3 3/5" dia. x 3 3/10" L; weight: 36.2 oz"

Product Dimensions: 2 pounds
Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
ASIN: B000IDYM1M
Average Customer Review
Amazon.com Sales Rank: #30,501 in Electronics
Date first available at Amazon.com: September 14, 2004

Canon EF 50mm f1.2L II USM Standard Lens

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Review : OLYMPUS EVOLT E-330 SLR 7.5 Megapixel Digital Camera Kit 1

2008-01-16T04:33:00.000-08:00

"The EVOLT E-330 is the world's first digital SLR to offer "Live" viewing through the Color LCD, making it easier to compose and capture the perfect shot. This big 2.5" LCD also features HyperCrystal technology and is designed with advanced swivel capability so you can capture one dramatic result after another from up top, down low, and everywhere in-between. With innovations like these - combined with world-class optics and our patented Dust Reduction System - the E-330 lets you shoot like no other digital interchangeable lens SLR before. Multiple-angle 2.5 HyperCrystal LCD Digital Image Stabilization Mode when shooting and capture clear pictures free from blur associated with moving subjects or camera shake 3 Color Parameters (Vibrant, Natural, or Muted) allow you to control color saturation, contrast and sharpness within each parameter individually / 5 Black-and-White monochrome modes are available to add dramatic effect to your images Direct Print enabled with PictBridge Control your flash photos with the Pop-up flash and 6 flash modes, or attach an external flash such as the FL-36 to the Hot Shoe for even more choices 4 available Recording Formats (TIFF, RAW, JPEG, RAW+JPEG) Accepts Compact Flash Card (Type I, II), Micro Drive, xD-Picture Type-H, Type-M and Standard Card (Dual Slot) Unit Size - 5.5 x 3.4 x 2.8 inches / Weighs 19 oz.

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Review : Olympus Evolt E510 10MP Digital SLR Camera with CCD Shift Image Stabilization and 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 and 40-150mm f/4.0-5.6 Zuiko Lenses

2008-01-13T02:40:00.000-08:00

Price $650 with Free Super Saver Shipping

"I got this camera after reviewing & trying out several different brands at local stores. Compared with the others, the only one I liked better in the hand was the N80, which is considerably more expensive & lacks anti-dust & body-based image stabilization. The viewfinder on this camera is smaller than you're used to if you've shot 35mm SLRs for years, but it's not bad. Now that I've been using this for a couple of weeks, I like it even more. The body-based image stabilization works well, I can hand-hold the long lens of the set (150mm) for a 1/20 second shot, and it comes out very clear, no visible shake. I can't really comment on the usefulness of the anti-dust capabilities, but have switched out lenses several times, & no dust spots are apparent on my shots. Image quality is great, but the Oly software is worthless. Terrible UI, and the included software that can do decent post-processing of the raw files is trial only. Photoshop Elements w/ Adobe's raw processing & batch conversion from the camera's ORF files to DNG's works great for me. The kit lenses are good, very comparable to old Zuiko lenses from the manual focus 35mm days. Fewer lenses are available for this system than for e.g. Canon or Nikon, but most of the needed lenses are out there. Only thing I really miss is a good fast prime (25mm f/1.4 or f/1.8 would be very appreciated, Oly!) Overall, I'm totally pleased w/ this camera & would recommend it."

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Review : Nikon 50mm f/1.4D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

2008-01-13T02:36:00.000-08:00

Price $289.95 with Free Super Saver Shipping

"I owned both the 50mm f/1.8 and 50mm f/1.4 lens. I also own a Nikon D70s and D200. I took test shots to compare the sharpness of these two lenses. The 50mm at f/1.4 is very very soft. The pictures at f/1.4 look like you are looking through a sheer veil. A dreamy look for sure, but not at all pleasing. At an aperture of f/1.8 the 50mm f/1.8 is still sharper than the 50mm f/1.4 at f/1.8. It isn't until the 50mm f/1.4 is at f/2.8 that the two lenses have similar sharpness. At no aperture was the 50mm f/1.4 better than the 50mm f/1.8. Why spend so much more money for the 50mm f/1.4, when it is so soft at f/1.4 as to be useless and does not match the sharpness of the 50mm f/1.8? Softness at f/1.4 will also affect the ability of your camera to autofocus correctly because the lens autofocuses with its widest aperture. If the autofocus sees a soft image, you'll have problems getting a focus lock. The 50mm f/1.8 works like magic on the D50/D70/D200 cameras. Trust me."

"I have had my 50mm Nikon AF 1.4 lens for 20 years. It worked on my Nikon N-4004 until I bought a Coolpix 5700, it slept for two years, and it woke up when I got my D-100 digital SLR six months ago. If you are a candid and available light photographer, and you can live with a very fast 75mm field of view, you will get a lot of shots that others will miss. The color rendition and sharpness of focus are perfect for digital use. With a good editing program you will work miracles. Zoom lenses are great, but the tried and true, fixed and fast 50 mm f-1.4 will outlast them all!"

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Review : Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Nikkor Zoom Lens

2008-01-13T02:28:00.000-08:00

Price : $114.95 with Free Super Saver Shipping

"All the praise heaped on this little lens is well-deserved. It's sharp, has acceptable bokeh (aka out-of-focus blurring), is featherlight, cheap enough to not constantly worry about damaging it, can focus on objects reasonably close to the lens, focuses quickly with its entry-level hypersonic ("Silent Wave") focusing motor, and has wide enough apertures to support most daytime use. Of course, it's limited by its maximum aperture. A truly fast lens begins around f/2.8, and many amateurs wind up insisting on f/2.8 lenses eventually. Also, many photographers find it's easier on the brain to use a zoom with a consistent maximum aperture than one that can do different maximums at the two ends of its zoom range. So many upgrade to something like the Sigma f/2.8 18-50mm HSM Macro lens for four times the price of this Nikkor lens. But this is a terrific place to start. IMPORTANT: Nikon has just released this lens' upgrade, which adds a Vibration Reduction (VR) motor. This should be a big improvement, because it reduces risk of blurred images when hand-holding the camera. Of course, VR can have a downside. First, VR reduces battery life. Second, it sometimes adds a whirring or grumbling noise. Third, it may add weight. Fourth, the price will probably be approximately twice the non-VR version. Fifth, all else being equal, a truly fast lens (f/2.8 or wider) is more advantageous than VR. Nonetheless users tend to overwhelmingly prefer the VR version to the non-VR version of the same lens. It reduces the number of missed shots in dim light shots."

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Review : Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

2008-01-13T02:17:00.000-08:00

Price $464.94 with Free Super Saver Shipping

"I got this lens to replace my older Quantaray 70-300mm. I got tired to losing a lot of images to camera shake at the 300mm end. Plus the lens I had was old (almost 10 years) and optically it wasn't that great. The Nikkor 70-300mm w/VRII is perfect for me. I love the way the VR works. I've been able to get useable images taken at the 300mm end with a 1/6th shutter. Very impressive. No more camera shake issues at the long end. I'm also very impressed with how sharp it is (it is sharper than my 18-70mm) and also the focus is fast and quiet. It is on the big side, but not to much larger than any other 70-300mm lens. I'm very happy with the performance of this lens. I find the addition of the VR to be very much worth it. Granted its not a fast lens and I never intended it to take the place of or performe like an f/2.8 lens. Its not fair to compare it to any f/2.8 lens. Comparing to the previous 2 Nikkor 70-300mm models or any of the 3rd party 70-300mm's, this newest Nikkor addition is the best. For the average amerture hobbiest this is a great lens to compliment any of the kit lenses."

"I needed more reach than I have with my 18-200 VR, and was not able to obtain the 80-400VR, so I got this lens thinking I could get rid of it if I didn't like it. I am very happy that I did! I am extremely impressed with this lens. It appears to me that the VR is actually better than on my 18-200VR. The lens has superior balance, size and weight for handheld nature photography. Lens flare (when I could get it to appear) was acceptable, the contrast is tremendous, and the bokeh was quite pleasant. Auto-focus is very accurate and quick. In addition, the lens was extraordinarily sharp all the way to 300mm."

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Review : Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

2008-01-13T02:08:00.000-08:00

Price : $109.95 with Free Super Saver Shipping

"This is the lens to get for any Nikon SLR, from the simple N75 all the way to the Digital D70. It's faster than a zoom and much, much sharper. That's right, no zooming! If you want to make the image bigger, move closer. Want to make a wider view? Step back. This is the lens that all photographers should start with. Most of Henri Cartier Bresson's photos were taken with a 50mm lens. It forces you to think about perspective, composition, and arrangement. You can take more pictures without the intrusive light of a flash. It's cheap too. This lens is a classic and will make you a better photographer by enabling you to make creative choices. It works on almost every Nikon ever made. What more do you need to know? Get one."

"This lens is probably the sharpest lens that Nikon makes--see lens reviews/specs at www.photodo.com. I use this lens for low light situations outdoors and indoors so I don't need a flash. also, small dept-of-field. Using this at f/2.0 I will get at least four-six times as much light (which means four-six times faster shutter speed) as my zoom at around f/4.8 and also have a sharper image. For $99.00 this f/1.8 is a steal and a much better buy than the f/1.4 which is almost as sharp a lens and costs about $250.00--it's a no brainer."

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Review : Nikon D50 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)

2008-01-12T03:55:00.000-08:00

Price : $450 with Free Super Saver Shipping

"This camera feels so much like my old Nikon film camera, it was love from the first moment I held it in my hand. Using a 1 Gig memory card I can now shoot 350+ "fine" quality photos without having to change out ten rolls of film...or pay the processing! And a handy battery recharger quickly restores battery capacity when needed. Even with lots of flash pictures its charge remained strong for very long periods of time. A handy icon appears in the info screen area to let you see at a glance who much power remains. I bought the D50 for a vacation to the photogenic Southwest, and this camera was more than up to the task. The fast auto-focus, the simplfied auto controls that give quick choices for portrait, landscape and full sun, cloudy, night etc. let me shoot like a pro while it was the Nikon that converted my impulses into reality. Neat. With the ability to interchange lenses, and a great Nikon Zoom lens to start, I believe this camera proves that it is the optics which are every bit as important as the pixels. My earlier digital camera has suffered sudden retirement. I have a wide carriage Epson printer and have been printing out some of the images as 12x18 prints. Even with cropping, the images look like they were taken with a medium format camera. Progress! If you like crisp and detailed images with no hint of digital-itis, this camera is a great choice. I love precisely composing pictures through the lens rather than approximating the cropping with the display screen; but I also benefit from the ability to quickly check that screen to see the results at once. Never could do that with my old SLR without a Polaroid back! Overall, this camera and lens is a real find and I do not think you can go wrong with it. Its only drawback is a short learning curve to become familiar with the many features and options it includes, and that is not really a complaint. This camera has more tricks than I will ever use!"

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Review : Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

2008-01-12T03:50:00.000-08:00

Price : $661.65 with Free Super Saver Shipping

"The Nikon D40 is a quite capable Digital SLR, that should deliver good picture quality, in a compact and affordable camera. It has all the basic features you'd expect (listed quite well by the staff at Amazon), so let me go into comparisons with other cameras. First and foremost, the D40 lacks the focusing motor built into the body of the camera (like all previous Nikon DSLRs). Instead, it must have a motor built into the lens (Nikon calls these type "Silent Wave" or AF-S), otherwise, you lose autofocusing. While Nikon offers several AF-S lenses, they offer only a handful under $1,000. Additionally, the D40 will only be available in the US with the 18-55 kit, and most the other lenses under $1,000 over lap very much with this lens. Tamron and Tokina currently offer NO lenses with the motor built-in for Nikon cameras, and Sigma only offers a very few. If you want a zoom going to 300mm any time soon, be prepared to shell out about $600 for Nikon's new 70-300VR lens if you require autofocus. It promises to be a very nice lens, but you can get a basic Canon or Sony 75-300 for a bit over $200. Thus, if your considering the D40 because you have a bag full of Nikon AF lenses, then you might instead look at the soon to be disappearing D50. Compared to other Nikon DSLRs, the D40 is much smaller, very similar to the Canon Digital Rebel XTi. While this results in a smaller, lighter camera, it also means it will have some of the same drawbacks that many Nikon owners have teased Rebel owners. The camera will have a smaller grip; a smaller, less powerful battery; will lose the top info LCD and use the rear 2.5" screen instead; and, the feature Nikon users typically point to when they refer to "ergonomics" is the viewfinder. While the D80 has a .94x viewfinder, the D40 matches the smaller .80x of the XTi. The autofocusing points will also drop to 3, with 5 being the previous low on a Nikon DSLR. The D40 will do very well, especially since Canon & Sony aren't currently offering a lower cost, 6 megapixel camera. The directly comparable camera would be Pentax's K110D, which retails for about $550 with lens and after rebate. It uses the same 6 megapixel sensor supplies by Sony as the D40. A bit heavier, is uses 4 AA batteries instead of the LithiumIon. I prefer the latter, but there are many fans of the inexpensive AA NiMH rechargables. The viewfinder is also larger, and has a very nice 11 point AF system. Pentax also offers the more popular K100D, which is the same as the K110D, but with SR ("Shake Reduction") built into the camera body. This retails, after rebate, for about $50 more than the D40."

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Review : Nikon D80 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

2008-01-12T03:42:00.000-08:00

Price : $869.88 with Free Super Saver Shipping

"So far, so good, but if you use a UV filter you will find that shots taken in low light or those involving prolonged shutter exposure will cause light to reflect off of the lenses. If it was possible for me to attach an example to this review I would attach about 100 pics I shot within the past 2 weeks. Other than that this camera is easy and fun to learn. The only drawback to camera operation is that sometimes the autofocus does not know what to lock onto if there is too much sky or solid color in the picture, which will prevent the camera from taking the picture unless you switch it to manual operation."

"i bought this camera for my girlfriend and she loves it. she is a bit of amateur photographer with a great eye and this camera is very user friendly that takes beautiful pictures. it is user friendly enough for the beginner yet has enough features to allow you to grow with it to professional. she loves it. "

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Review : Canon EOS 30D 8.2MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

2008-01-11T00:28:00.001-08:00

Price : $1,299.00 with free super saver shipping

"This camera offers a few well considered improvements over the 20D it replaces. The sensor and processor are the same so the image quality will not differ one iota, BUT an enlarged LCD monitor, spot metering, vastly improved shutter life and ISO displayed on the viewfinder are worthy improvements easily justifying the upgrade from the 20D. If one is considering an upgrade from the 10D my advice would be to definitely go for it. The 20D and 30D both have the "instant on" feature and this represents a vast improvement over the 10D. The 10D was felt by many to have focusing issues and though I did not have any significant problem with my 10D in that regard the 30D represents a substantial improvement in this area. Canon still is not offering (in this price range) a camera with eye control or 45 focusing points, BUT the nine focusing points that ARE offered are well placed and the camera focuses quickly and surely resulting in tack sharp photos. The pictures this camera takes are simply beyond belief. Beautifully saturated, tack sharp, NO, and I mean NO noise at 400 or below and barely discernible noise all the way up to 1600 ISO. For all practical purposes 1600 ISO is an entirely usable speed resulting in fantastic pictures. What Canon has accomplished in reducing noise and increasing pixel density proves that they are, for now, the technology leader. Canon for now is doing a better job at controlling noise than Nikon though Nikon with the D200 comes pretty darn close except at 800 ISO and above. The new flash system, ETTL II, available first on the 20D is a vast improvement over previous systems. The in camera processing results in exceptional and pleasing pictures. This camera has a fixed continuous shooting rate which was not present on the 20D. The megapixels stay constant at 8.2 million pixels. Many may be disappointed that the MP count was not increased and feel that perhaps a nominal increase to 10MP would have better justified an upgrade. Canon obviously feels that noise and other features are more important at this point than raw MP's and I would agree. The holy grail of digital photography is now dynamic range. And while this camera offers no improvement in dynamic range I think we can expect to see such improvements in future offerings from Canon and the other manufacturers. One of the greatest things about digital photography is the ability to build a digital dark room for next to nothing. With the included Photoshop Elements you are well on your way to producing pictures that you could only have imagined in the pre-digital days. I am able to recoup pictures that I never would have considered salvageable before this camera. And while Elements is a great program and more than adequate for most needs I would recommend considering Photoshop CS2 for those who intend to plumb the depths of this hobby. Another thing I like about Canon is the lens system which IMO is second to none. Also, Canon continues to innovate at a furious pace driving the price of these digital cameras relentlessly downward. This camera is being introduced at a lower price than either the 10D or the 20D. The 5D is plummeting in price and is approaching my "strike point" for purchase. I expect that we will see a sub $2000 10 MP camera with a full frame sensor in the next 18 months. Such are the economics of digital photography. It would seem that Moore's law is driving the prices down inexorably"

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Review : Canon EOS 40D 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)

2008-01-11T00:16:00.000-08:00

Price : $1,149.00 with Free Super Saver Shipping

"Canon's new cameras at this level are often criticized as "merely an upgrade". This stems from two facts, Canon wishes to produce a desirable camera at a reasonable price, and they are starting from a pretty solid base. Yet if you look deeper, the 40D is the most significant upgrade in the 10D, 20D, 30D line. Of course, most things are much like the previous cameras. As far as size and weight, it's very similar, although I thought the grip improvements made the camera fit a little better in my hands. (I did not have an optional grip to try on the camera). Most of the hype will be on the upgrade to 10 megapixels and the 3" LCD with "Live View". While the former may be criticized as merely catching up to the XTi and competition, we must not overlook the 14-bit processing. This is a huge boost in image capability if used properly. Those that shoot RAW, and those that understand the desirability of the "Hightone Priority", will gain the most benefit. The LCD upgrade is handy, especially combined with its greater color range, but "Live View" without autofocusing my not be that beneficial to most. However, something very interesting for some is "PC Live", which allows the user to connect to a computer, view the image live on that computer, and operate the camera (including focus) remotely from the computer. While the AF improvements usually get second billing, this may actually be the biggest benefit to sports photographers (although the boost to 6.5 fps is welcome). The 30D only used a cross-basis system at the center point, where the 40D uses this system at all nine positions. This should greatly improve the off center speed and accuracy. Additionally, the center point (the most often used) has been boosted in performance. The viewfinder has been increased in magnification, which should be welcomed to all. But people who must use eyeglasses should be amazed at the viewfinder being both larger and better eye relief (meaning they will be able to see the viewfinder better, even though their eyeglasses push their eye further back). Durability has been improved (including extending the internal metal chassis inside the grip) making a good design even better. The sensor cleaning filter is also welcome. Images look sharp, but I haven't really put the continuous AF (Servo) to a real sports challenge (just cars down a city street). Additionally, I don't have any real feedback on high ISO shooting, although Canon has traditionally done well here. Comparisons to the competition are everywhere. Image quality wise, the 14-bit processing and hightone control can come in handy for more critical users vs. all other 10 megapixel cameras that are cheaper. For sports guys, the 6.5fps comes cheap, as $1,000 will only get you 3fps. Only the Pentax K10D comes close in build quality, under $1 grand. As of this writing, Nikon has introduced, but is not close to shipping, the D300. On paper, it's all of the 40D and more (12 megapixel, higher quality LCD, more AF points), but at a price rumored to be $1,800-$2,000, body only. Additionally, Sony will soon have a higher end product. Will they have enough more to justify the price? Your call.

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Review : CANON 0206B001 8.0 Megapixel Digital Rebel XT SLR Camera

2008-01-11T00:12:00.000-08:00

"8.0 megapixel CMOS Sensor & Digic(R) II Image Processor ; Fast 3 fps shooting with a 14 frame burst & 2.0 second start-up time ; High-speed, wide area 7-pt AF with super-imposed focusing points ; User-selectable metering patterns, AF modes, custom functions;& flash exposure compensation ; Direct print support with PictBridge(TM) ;compatible printers ; USB 2.0 hi-speed interface ;for quick downloads ; Compatible with more than 50 EF & EF-S lenses & most ;EOS System accessories ;including EX-series ; Digital Rebel XT body, ;battery charger, ;battery pack, interface cable,;EOS Digital Solution Disk ;v10.0, digital photo;instruction manuals,;camera cap & eyecap"

Product Description =
Shipping Weight: 6 pounds
ASIN: B000KMI186
Amazon.com Sales Rank: #39,127 in Everything Else

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Review : Canon Digital Rebel XT 8MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 Lens (Black)

2008-01-11T00:05:00.000-08:00

"We were using a Digital Rebel 6.3MP and an old Sony 5.0 MP 7X optical when the Sony got wet and began working intermittently. Time to replace the Sony and move up a notch! Having been well-impressed with the Rebel 6.3 and the two lenses we'd added (EF 55-200 4.5-5.6 USM and the superb EF 700-200 2.8 with Canon's 2X extender bought used), we decided to jump on the Digital Rebel XT with the 18-55 lens. It arrived Thursday, and we sent it back Monday. Here's why. It was too small. Smaller is usually better, but the XT started to feel and look like a toy camera, or at least a point-and-shoot. My wife and I both have smallish hands, and the XT was bordering on being too small to be ergonomic for us. With the 70-200 lens attached, the Rebel XT disappeared. The second why is features. This is not a knock on the XT, which is a fine (excellent, really) camera with significant improvements over the original Digital Rebel. When we sent the XT back, we got Canon's 20D. Aha! you say. The XT and the 20D are basically the same camera. Not completely, and here's Canon's language comparing the two: "There are, of course, some very real differences between the EOS Digital Rebel XT digital camera and the more advanced EOS 20D. While the 20D SLR includes performance features such as faster continuous shooting speed (5 frames per second [fps] vs. 3 fps) with larger burst capability (23 frames vs. 14 frames) and custom function settings (18 vs. 9) that more than justify its heftier price tag, this new Rebel XT model was created for those dedicated SLR users who are migrating to digital for the first time and don't wish to give up the flexibility an SLR system offers." After using the Digital Rebel and three lenses (plus extender) we evolved from point-and-shoot to serious amateurs, and now we're knocking on the door of "prosumer." The 20D puts us there. It also uses the same batteries as the Digital Rebel, which is a plus. Like the Digital Rebel, the 20D is the size of a traditional SLR and easier to handle than the XT, even if it weighs a bit more. This is not a rip on the XT, but a word to the wise for folks like us who feel ready to move to the next level. We took some fine photos with the XT, which we aren't discarding just because we sent back the XT. A final note: If you get the XT (and that is not a bad thing), get the body only and a lens other than the 18-55 that comes standard in the Digital Rebel and XT kits. Again, this is a fine lens with good, middle-of-the-road capability. But if you're getting serious, you need all the lens you can afford, or even a little more than you can afford. The Canon EF-S 17-85 4.5-5.6 gives a lot of range and versatility and would be great with an XT if you're trying for really good photos while keeping life simple and your camera-lens package light. Even better is the EF-S 10-22 3.5-4.5. But the prize of our collection is the EF 24-70 2.8. It provides superb performance. Yes, the cheapest of those is about the price of an XT body. You get what you pay for. We were lucky enough to have fallen into a little cash and put it into a 20D and a great lens (24-70), a really good lens (10-22), and a relatively compact versatile lens that performs well in good light (17-85). If you're sitting on the fence as to your photographic future, I hope this helps."

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Review : Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S VR DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

2008-01-10T03:30:00.001-08:00

"This lens is quite literally a miracle of technology. It provides sharp, decent performance as a 18mm to 200mm zoom lens. (It provides a 27-300 focal range on a Nikon digital camera due to the 1.5 sensor crop). This is a DX lens, and therefore is designed only for Nikon digital cameras, not film cameras. The fact that it is a DX lens also enables this lens to be lighter and smaller than a conventional "full crop" lens. I have been told by pros that this lens would be a "monster" in size were it not for the fact that it is a DX lens. As it is, it is small and light, and feels great mounted on my D70s. This is not a cheap lens. It is capable of providing professional-level quality images throughout its range, although it is certainly not the best lens at a given range--no zoom lense is that. The fantastic (yes, I mean it, fantastic) thing about this lens is that over an incredible focal range from wide-angle to telescopic, it provides sharp, bright images. Oh, many prime lenses can produce brighter images, and the much more expensive and larger, heavier 70-200 VR Nikkor provides brighter images with better bokeh, and many wide-angle Nikkor zooms outperform this lens at the other end of its range, but no other lens I know of can touch this lens for its overall range. This lens is capable of producing pleasing, bright, and vivid images througout its range. One big feature of the 18-200 VR is the Vibration Reduction technology that is built into the lens. This stabilizes the lens and allows it to take good photographs in much dimmer light than would otherwise be practical, and to some extent VR does the same thing that a tripod would do, i.e. stabilize the camera. The VR works, too, contributing to the sharpness of the images. VR is not a substitute for fast glass, which is one reason that very serious photographers will not be junking their heavy professional lenses (such as the incomparable 70-200 VR zoom, for example, or the wonderful 17-55 zoom). A discussion of the shortcomings and advantages of VR is beyond the scope of this review, but suffice to say that the VR on this 18-200 VR lens contributes to its ability to produce very sharp images. This is the ultimate "walking around" lens, and it is absolutely the lens of choice in many/most situations in which it is simply impractical to either change lenses, or bring along more than one lens. Almost all users of Nikon digital cameras will want to consider this lens. I am blown away with the images that I have been able to achieve using the 18-200VR."

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Review : Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR Zoom Nikkor Lens

2008-01-10T03:26:00.000-08:00

"My Nikon ownership goes back nearly 30 years to the days when cameras were made of metal and carrying one with a few lenses tested your stamina. Times sure have changed. There's hardly a metal camera to be found and you can carry a bag full of equipment in one hand. The Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR Zoom Nikkor is the latest lightweight from this heavyweight of the camera industry. Plastic construction right down to its lens mount. This thing looks and feels like the label should say Fisher Price and not Nikon. However, looks can be deceiving as I soon found out. My only reason for buying this lens was that I needed to fill a void in my kit until I saved up enough for a 70-200mm f2.8. I had no intention of keeping the 55-200 VR once the 70-200 arrived. After shooting with the 55-200 for a few months I've come to appreciate what it can do. It's limited to use in good light as even VR can't change the laws of physics. In this case, it's not even the current VR-II but the original VR that Nikon developed a few years ago. With sufficient light and good technique, the 55-200 is capable of very good performance. No, it's not as sharp and contrasty as the 70-200. It's also not going to survive the bad weather or a few solid knocks that professional use would expose it to. Where the 55-200 excels is in its portability and above average performance. For travel or just walking around, it would be hard to beat this lens if it's used within its limits. I use mine on a D80 and have no problem getting excellent 13x19" prints. As an added bonus, it works very well with the Nikon CL3T closeup lens and does double duty as a macro zoom. Again, it's not a substitute for a real macro zoom like the Nikon 70-180, but it's not intended to be. Given my original opinion of this lens, I have to admit that I've gotten much more than my money's worth out of it. Instead of selling it, I'm going to keep it and use it when my 70-200 is just to big and heavy to carry around. If you're on a budget or just want a nice, lightweight lens in this range, take a look at the Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR. Like me, you may be very much surprised at what it can do."

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Review : Nikon D80 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera

2008-01-10T03:22:00.000-08:00

"Obviously, I am enamored with the Nikon D80. As one who has extensively used the D100, D70s, and D200, I was curious as to how the D80 would "shake out" in comparison with these fine cameras. The answer is that it does very well indeed. The most obvious improvement in D80 over the D70s and D100 is the upgrade from 6.1 to 10.2 Megapixels--the same as its "Big Brother," the D200 This is not a major issue for many users, as a 6.1 MP image (uncropped) looks essentially exactly the same as a 10.2 MP image. However, if the user intends to crop images in post-processing, the larger amount of resolution becomes important--the more megapixels the more detail when images are cropped. Shooters of wildlife, for example, will appreciate the additional resolution of the D80, as it is often necessary to photograph wildlife at a distance and then crop the image to cause the subject to dominate the frame. The other very obvious D80 improvements are the larger viewfinder and larger rear-LCD. These are very welcome improvements, also borrowed from the D200. The viewfinder is wide, bright, and a literal joy to use. Combined with the 11-point autofocus system (basically the same as that of the D200 although with some differences in options) the viewfinder makes the D80 a powerhouse camera for moving subjects, or for framing the subject in places other than the center of the image. The autofocus is fast and sure. I literally never use manual focus with the D80--the autofocus is just too good not to use for almost every conceivable situation. The 2.5 inch rear LCD is bright and vivid--a joy to use. This too, as mentioned above, is borrowed from the D200. The menu selections in the D80 closely track those of the D200 and are largely pretty intuitive for anyone who is somewhat familiar with the Nikon system. A few nits. First of all, the D80 does not have a selection for focus-priority continuous focus mode. This is unfortunate, as such an option (present on the D200) allows fast action shots using continuous-focus with surety that the subject is, in fact, in focus. Happily, this absence (which I predict and hope Nikon will correct in a later firmware revision) is not a huge loss. I have shot hundreds of images of fast-flying birds using continuous focus with the D80 and the images are almost all perfectly focused. The user can trust the D80 in continuous focus mode, focus priority or no. Nikon chose to equip the D80 with SD cards rather than CF cards. Why Nikon did this is a mystery to many of us as the D80 clearly is an upgrade to the wonderful D70s, which uses CF cards. Further, the D80 is a fantastic backup camera for D200 users, and the D200, of course, also uses CF cards rather than SD cards. CF cards would have been a more logical choice in my opinion for the D80. Fortunately, the cost of these media is dropping so fast that this is less of an issue than it would have been a few years ago. The D80 sucks up power a lot faster than the D70s. That 2.5 inch LCD entails higher power use as a price. Most users will want to own a spare battery. As to ergonomics, the D80 is terrific! I have just finished an 8 day stay on Maui, Hawaii, during which my D80 was literally always with me. The weight of the camera is low, and its bulk, reasonable. There is no digital SLR I would rather carry for an extended period than the compact D80. The placement of the various controls is excellent, and pretty intuitive. The quality of the D80 body construction is standard Nikon-Prosumer grade, which is to say, excellent albeit not as heavy-duty as the metal-body D200. Overall, the D80 is destined to become one of the great Nikon cameras that will find a place with users all over the world"

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Review : Kingston 2GB Secure Digital Memory Card (SD/2GB, Retail Package)

2008-01-09T07:00:00.001-08:00

"This review is for the Kingston 2GB Secure Digital Memory Card (SD/2GB). I received this memory card free as a bonus from Amazon when I bought my digital camera, a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8K. I have been putting this chip through its paces for weeks now and I have to say it holds a LOT of pictures and is extremely reliable. I have not had any issues with my camera loading images into the memory nor have I had any problems pulling them back out onto my pc. For around 20 bucks, this is a fantastic memory card at a great price... I highly recommend this product"

"This item came in a package with my Pentax *ist DS - my first digital camera - and I wondered how others rated it and what the replacement cost would be. Too bad I am the first to review it. While Kingston has a mediocre reputation, I have had absolutely no problems with my 1GB card, it has worked flawlessly for four months and many hundreds of pictures. The working volume (after formatting, device files etc.) is 980M and this is enough to allow me to take 94 shots of EXTREMELY high quality - ~2000x3000 pixels and ~10.2M per shot - or - over 2000 shots at the lowest quality! I would not hesitate to go on a two week vacation with only two of these cards. The card physically is not much larger than a postage stamp and has a tiny slide that allows you to "lock" it, so that no pictures will be erased. I use an inexpensive card reader (USB 2.0) and can load 500MB into my computer in under ten minutes, so the speed is good. I am very pleased"

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Review : Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8K 7.2MP Digital Camera with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black)

2008-01-09T06:55:00.000-08:00

"I have used quite a variety of point and shoot digital cameras over the years and for not much more money this camera is infinitely better than all of them. I really appreciate the size and quality feel of this camera's construction, the intuitive controls, and all of the included accessories (Leica lens, lens adapter, lens hood, etc). I was able to figure out the controls and start taking great pictures within a half hour of opening the box. As a novice but "improving" photographer, I love the adaptability of this camera. Many light conditions can be overcome with just a few tweaks to the settings. The shutter speed is also a godsend as compared to the Canon point-and-shoot models. Just hold the button down and the rapid-fire shots pour into this camera. I am also absolutely thrilled with the battery life - hundreds of pics on one charge! This is a crucial improvement over the older cameras that absolutely devoured AA batteries. On the downside, this camera is bigger than a point and shoot so carrying it can be an issue. Also, the internal memory is a joke, so I recommend that you buy a 2 gig memory card immediately. With that card installed I can store well over 500 high quality shots. Basically if you are a no-fuss user, set it on simple mode and take a lot of great pics. If you are more advanced and take the time to figure out ISO seetings, you can set up some VERY good shots with this camera. I would never call it the be-all end-all digital camera but you will not find an equally good set of features without spending hundreds more. Highly recommended!"

"I just got this last week and the quality of the photos are excellent! The videos are really good as well! No complaints so far. This is perfect for point-and-shoot folks but then the camera features a whole a lot more if you want to get creative. Just be careful in buying SD cards larger than 2Gb, but just make sure the SD card has 'SDHC' stamped on it. I made the mistake of buying a regular 4Gb SD card and it did not work on the camera. Good thing the SD card worked on my Nikon D50. Live and learn!"

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Review : Tamrac 5210 Explorer 10 Camera Bag (Black)

2008-01-09T06:49:00.000-08:00

"This bag ended up being a little larger than I wanted to carry around. I bought it for my Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8K. The camera fits, but due to the design, it "sticks" a little when you are trying to get it in and out (strips of velcro on the inside get in the way). It just seems like sort of an odd size - too big for just the camera & a couple of memory cards, but too small for all of the accessories that come with the camera. It's a fine case, but just didn't work well for me. I found a Case Logic case that ended up working much better."

I bought this bag as it was the Amazon recommended bag for the new Panasonic Lumix FZ8 camera I bought at the same time. Shortly after receipt, I took both on a 10 day vacation to Hawaii. I found the bag to work well when carrying the camera and a few basic accessories. But the bag was too small for carry additional accessories such as a small 5" tripod and those same basic items. I ended up carrying the tripod tied to the shoulder strap where it was easy to use.

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Review : Canon PowerShot Pro Series S5 IS 8.0MP Digital Camera with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

2008-01-08T08:27:00.000-08:00

Is anyone else as flummoxed by the negative consumer and expert reviews of this camera as I am? If I were paranoid, I'd think a conspiracy existed to drive down the cost of this remarkable camera. The range of controls is very broad, their setup is intuitive, and the camera's performance is exemplary. Not only am I pleased with how the camera handles and what it will do, but I'm WAY pleased with the images it produces. I've had my camera for a week now; I've played with all the shooting modes and have taken pictures in all sorts of lighting. As long as the camera is set correctly for the shot, images are consistently superb. The ones that have been anything less than stellar were caused by my own hastiness or error. Movies also are awesome, and stereo sound is a huge plus. Maybe I just lucked out and got a good copy. Maybe it isn't really the fantastic piece of photographic wizardry I believe it is. But I am a long-in-the-tooth advanced amateur with perfectionistic tendencies. And in my estimation the S5 IS is an amazing tool. Minor issues inherent in a camera of this sensor size and lens zoom range do exist. According to the many expert camera reviews, there presently is not a mega-zoom on the market that is completely free of chromatic aberration and some noise at higher ISOs. If you're planning to print poster-sized images, get a 35mm digital SLR and some very expensive lenses--you'll be pleased with nothing less. But if you're looking for a go-anywhere camera that bridges the gap between that big D-SLR and the teensy little super-compact in your photo bag, if most of your prints are average size, and you do the majority of your viewing on a computer, look no further. You can't go wrong with the S5 IS.

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Review : Olympus PT-E01 Underwater Housing for EVOLT E-300 Digital SLR Camera

2008-01-08T08:21:00.000-08:00

The PT-E01 underwater housing is made of durable transparent polycarbonate with grips and levers fashioned out of durable polycarbonate. The transparent nature of the housings ensures that users can view their shots with ease, as well as show off the stylish bodies of their cameras. To reduce glare caused by sunlighton a digital camera LCD, the housing features an LCD hood located on the outsideback of the housing that makes viewing the LCD easier above and below water Olympus has thought of everything to keep digital cameras safe and dry within the housings. O-ring seals, special rubber rings engineered to fit perfectly within corresponding grooves, expand under water pressure to tighten the seal when the shells of the housings are locked. Furthermore, safety locks on all of the housings prevent accidental opening. The housings' stainless steel nickel-plated brass mechanical control buttons, also sealed with silicon O-rings, allow full access to the cameras' functions and menus. With the touch of levers, zoom and shutter are easily operated. For crystal clear shots, the integrated flash diffuser panel cuts down on glare fromparticles suspended in the water that otherwise would create a haze in the image. To deliver more flash options under water an external FL-36 flash can be placed inside the PFL-01 Underwater Housing and supported by the PTBK-E01 flash bracket also available for the EVOLT.

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Review : Canon Digital Rebel XT 8MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 Lens (Silver)

2008-01-08T08:06:00.000-08:00

The XT is amazing. The battery comes partly charged so you can immedietly start using the camera (thank you Canon!) I've already shot about 200 pictures with it and the battery hasn't died yet. I can't give you a comparison between the XT and the 20D as I haven't owned a 20D, I can tell you a few things you may wish to know before buying. This camera, is TINY. Extremely tiny. I'm a woman in my early twenties and I have small hands. The camera fits just right in my hands, but honestly, I don't see how someone with bigger hands would be 100% comfortable holding this. If my hands were any larger, they would be slipping off the bottom. I had tried holding a 20D at a camera shop once and it felt too large in my hands to grip. The camera size is perfect for me, but just beware if you have larger hands. You may want to look into the battery grip, or test out holding the camera at a store before you order it. See the picture I uploaded above to get a size relation and how the camera fits in my hands. For anyone who is migrating to this camera from a standard point and shoot digital camera, you cannot frame the image you are about to take using the LCD screen on the back. You must look through the viewfinder. The LCD screen is soley for menu use and preview mode after the picture has been taken, nothing more. Something I've noticed is the camera makes a ratteling sound when moved around. I couldn't figure out what the heck it was, and then I finally reazlized it's the hinges from the pop-up flash. It sounds like they are loose when the flash is closed. I went to Best Buy and looked at their display model, and yep, it has the same problem. Well, it's not really a *problem* but frankly something ratteling around like that sounds cheaply made to me. My Canon film SLR doesn't make that sound. I use a 420EX Speedlite flash with my SLRs so the popup flash doesn't concern me, but it was something I noticed and thought I would share. I love that Canon gave the option to have a black finish over a silver one. The startup time is instantaneous which is absolutely wonderful. The burst mode is excellent with 3 fps. It's extremely quiet. The image quality is excellent. You can get photo quality prints at 20x30, and even then I bet you could push it further. I really can't elaborate more then what other reviews have said. If you are looking for a step into the digital SLR world, this is the ticket. Or you can even check out the newly reduced original Digital Rebel, but for the extra hundred bucks or so, I would just get the XT. You will not be sorry. Two upgrades I would make right away: Get a Speedlite flash and the Canon 28-135mm lens. Also, I don't know why people are submitting bad reviews grading Amazon on shipping for the Rebel XT. When I preordered the XT from Amazon (not from another 3rd party), it said it would be released March 20th. I got my Rebel XT in the mail yesterday (the 22nd) which if you ask me, is pretty darn good. Want something right away? Then walk into a store and buy it instead of ordering from the internet.

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Nice Tips : Digital Camera Buying Guide

2008-01-06T05:38:00.000-08:00

Todays digital camera market is moving in leaps and bounds. The worst thing happening is the megapixel race! Please do NOT fall into this trap. The amount of megapixels honestly do not play a large part in camera quality anymore. Megapixels are more so there for a selling point because many consumers honestly think that the more megapixels the better the camera. With the current cameras on the market the quality of the megapixels is far more important then the amount of them. More is NOT always better ;) With the P&S (point and shoot) digital cameras the sensor is so small and to be honest 5MP is about the max that is efficient in my opinion. Above these 5MPs the quality tends to take a hit in order to cram all those MPs on the small sensor. Now, with dSLRs (atleast the APS-C cropped sensor cameras) I would venture to say that around 8MPs is the happy amount, above that the quality starts taking a small hit.What about prints you ask!? Well, lets see, if all you plan on printing is 4×6″ or smaller then any 3.1MP camera or smaller will do more then enough, even upto 5×7″ would be fine. Any of the current 5MP cameras will easily print upto an 8×10″ and possible upto an 11×14″ if the image is great to start with. If you want larger then you honestly should consider a dSLR.There are alot of abbreviations out there, like IS, OIS, AS, OS, etc. These all pretty much stand for image stabilization, which basically translates simply to anti-shake. This is one of the more important features to look for in your camera. This feature can be very helpful in lower light or for those who are not so steady. Now be careful though when choosing your camera! Some companies anti-shake isn’t really image stabilization but instead is a feature that automatically raises the camera’s ISO setting higher and higher until a proper shutter speed is accomplished. With P&S cameras this is a very very bad idea! Higher ISO means much more noise and far less details. What you want is to make sure the image stabilization is real, like Canon and Panasonic, and not just an automatic raising of the ISO, like Fuji.Another key feature to look at is your Zoom. Now do not be fooled with the 10x, 5x, 2x numbers though; instead look at the actual focal ranges covered. For example a 5-50mm lens would be a 10x zoom, but so would a 100-1000mm. The “x” focal length designation is actually the amount of range between the lenses widest point and its longest point. So, you are better off looking at the specifications and looking at the actual focal ranges. Also, do NOT be fooled by large zooms that include “digital zooms”!! I ca not stress this enough, Turn off digital zooms!!! First thing to do when you get your batteries charged is to go into the cameras menu and turn off digital zoom. Digital zooms degrade image quality far too much to be useful. What is important is your Optical Zoom.The last thing to keep in ind is actually a two part deal. Firstly you must make sure the camera is comfortable in your hands. If the camera is not comfortable then it is a bad choice! You wouldn’t buy pants that don’t fit would you!? So don’t buy a camera that doesn’t fit in your hands ;) Secondly, check your features. Some P&S cameras offer advanced settings for those who know about photography or would like to learn. These advanced settings allow you the user to set things like ISO, Aperture, Shutter Speed, etc. all by hand instead of letting it upto the camera. This is important to some but not to others.Below you will find a few Categories and a list to go with each of which cameras are your best bang for the buck at the time of this writing. As you will notice many of the models I chose are Panasonic, this is because of the greater fine details.. accurate color reproduction... superb features/lenses.. and overall image quality they provide.Large P&S1. Panasonic FZ50 is a superb camera with all the features and functions of a nice Professional dSLR, but in a P&S fixed lens camera. or the Panasonic FZ8.. the FZ8 is especially great for close-up and macro work!2. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ73. Canon S3 IS4. Sony H-5/7 or H-2Medium Sized P&S1. Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3. Really the only medium sized camera I would even think of buying. The camera boasts image stabilization, top end lens, large zoom, excellent image quality.Small P&S1. Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2, hard to beat this camera. Even has every option to keep an experienced user content & happy! It has all the features of the big boys but in a small tidy little package.2. Panasonic LZ3 or LZ5/6/73. Fuji F31. Great for higher ISO and low light work.4. Canon SD800 IS or A6405. Sony S600/700Super Compact1. Fuji Z3Best Price and Easy to Use1. Panasonic LZ3/LZ5/6/7. This camera really can not be beat for the money nor for ease of use. This is a camera for anyone who doesn’t want to spend much but wants the best image quality they can get. As long as you aren’t after a bunch of manual settings the LZ3 or LZ5/6/7 will work just fine for you. They really are remarkable cameras when it comes to image quality. They also boast image stabilization as well as top notch optics.What About dSLRs?Now this opens up an entirely new way of thinking. When you are buying a dSLR you are investing into a system. You need to look at what accessories and lenses are available for the dSLR you are considering and make sure everything you may need or want is offered by the Company or 3rd Party Manufacturers. In fact, 3rd Party Manufacturers like Sigma, Tamron, and Tokina are some of your best outlets for top quality lenses at a more affordable price instead of the over priced OEM products; And 9/10 times the 3rd Party product will do everything the OEM product will and it will do it just as well or possibly even better!Which one to choose!? That is the question of the century! You really need to go handle the models you are considering. This is very important, because if a camera is not comfortable in your hands you will never get great shots with it.

You really can not go wrong with any of the dSLRs on the market right now. They are all pretty darn nice cameras. The only ones I wouldn’t recommend are the Olympus E series and the Sony A series dSLRs, they are far to noisy and their accessories are just too darn expensive. The competition really blows them out of the water. I would say the most popular dSLRs are Canon and coming in at a close 2nd is Nikon. I personally find the Canon Rebel series (aside from the older 300D) entirely too small and unbalanced when a larger/longer lens is placed on them, if you have smaller hands this may not be an issue for you. The Canon 20D/30D cameras are very nice and both are built far better then the Rebel series. With Nikon you have the D50, D70, and the D80 at the starting end. All are decent cameras but the D80 really shines through. The next step up is the D200 which is designed more around the Professional.Let us talk about a hot new/old competitor in the market right now, Pentax. Pentax is making leaps ahead of the competition right now, especially with the release of their K10D. One benefit of the Pentax, and a big one, is you can use virtually any lens ever made for Pentax cameras and most importantly… every single one of them becomes image stabilized when used on the K10D!!! The K10D also offers anti-dust and a nice weather sealed body too! The image quality on the K10D is more competitive with the competition as well. Pentax also offers the K100D and K110D which are both nice cameras at an excellent price!So yet again we arrive at the main question, Which one should I buy? To be honest, only you can answer that question!! But below you will find my list:1. Pentax K10D2. Nikon D803. Canon 20D or 30D4. Pentax K100D5. Canon 350XT6. Pentax K110D or Nikon D70I know I left out Fuji’s dSLR, Sigma’s dSLR, as well as the upper end models from Canon and Nikon. I did this because these are really specialty cameras and if you are looking at any of them then you already know what they are for and how they work and shouldn’t need help ;)Edit: I do have to make a small addition here. I need to address the “noise” issues that seem to run rampant around the Internet about Panasonic cameras. This is mostly exaggeration. They do have noise, but not much more then any other P&S camera. The difference is that the type of noise that the Panasonic cameras have is very easily removed without destroying the finer details as much, unlike other cameras where removing the noise destroys the details. I personally prefer Neat Image to do this... It is an excellent program at a very reasonable price and no digital camera owner should be without it!! Also if you set your Panasonic to "Natural" in the menu the noise becomes even less yet

Review : Nikon D40x 10.2 Megapixel

2008-01-06T05:32:00.000-08:00

Strengths: Very nice value for the feature set, gorgeous 2.5" LCD screen, Auto-Flash Off exposure program, Nikon takes their simplest dSLR (the D40) and adds 10.2MP resolution and 3fps! Cons: Only fully compatible with AF-S lenses, no top LCD, no second command wheel Like the D40, the D40x is designed to capture the "entry-level" dSLR user and folks migrating from point and shoot cameras. The D40x does a nice job introducing aspiring photographers into the dSLR world. It is powerful enough that it will allow most camera users new to dSLR photography to grow into the features it has. But the D40 can still be used as a super P&S - just put it in P or A mode and start shooting away! I particularly like the Auto-Flash Off feature. Instead of forcing the consumer to fumble with menus to disable the flash (for when you're in a church or museum, for example), this automatic exposure program is an easy one step process. I continue to be impressed by how Nikon designs its products. Unlike other camera companies, Nikon does not cripple its lower end products by hardwiring limits to high end components. It assembles the best components it has to come up with a complete camera to meet a particular price point. For example, all of Nikon's dSLR cameras today have 2.5" LCDs from their most expensive to their entry level dSLR. Also, the D40x shares the D80's 10.2MP resolution and matches the D80's 3 frames per second performance. Nice. So why would you buy the D40x instead of the D40? For the higher resolution (10.2MP vs 6.1MP), higher frame rate (3fps vs 2.5fps) and lower starting ISO (100 vs 200). That's it! If you crop your photos a lot, the D40x is what you want. Otherwise, the D40 should suit you just fine. What do you give up by not going up to the D80? The D80's top LCD, main LCD cover, second command wheel, flash commander mode, depth of field preview button, high speed flash sync, less focus areas, continuous AF engine, and on-demand viewfinder gridlines. Also, only AF-S lenses will have all functions work with the D40x while all AF lenses will work with the D80. Will you miss these features of the D80 by going to a D40x? It depends on the photographer. Ninety percent of photographers will be perfectly happy with the D40x while more advanced/serious photographers will want the D80 or more. Lots to love about the D40x. Nikon's image quality, as expected, shines through. And ergonomics are top notch. The D40x is Nikon's smallest and lightest dSLR but it manages to feel substantial and solidly built. I would highly recommend this camera. Good luck!

My Score : 8

Review : Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi 10.1 Megapixel

2008-01-06T04:48:00.000-08:00

Before I write a review, first let me run a short history of Digital Rebel series since some of you may not know much about Canon DSLR. As some of you already know, Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi(AKA EOS 400D) is 3rd generation of Digital Rebel series. First one was introduced back in August of 2003 and it had 6 mega pixels with sub $1000 price tag. Last year, on February 2005 they brought Digital Rebel XT with 8 mega pixel which was an excellent upgrade to 1st generation camera with extra pixels, instant up time, faster image process with Digic II image processor, increased buffer, E-TTL II Flash to name a few. Canon Digital Rebel XTi(I personally like 400D name better though) is the 3rd version of Digital Rebel and it's got some cool features that you might want to consider when purchasing. I've listed 10 best here. 1. 10 mega pixel CMOS sensor with improved micro-lens array, and lower noise. 2. EOS Integrated Cleaning System ++++ GOOOOOOD ++++ - Anti-static coatings on sensor surfaces - Separate low pass filter with ultra-sonic vibration - Software based dust mapping and removal 3. Nine point Auto Focus sensor (Same as its big brother EOS 30D) 4. Continuous shooting burst up to 27 JPEG and 10 RAW images. (up from 20 & 6) 5. Bright 2.5" LCD monitor with 160° viewing angles (Horizontal & Vertical) 6. Camera settings and adjustment on LCD monitor 7. New viewfinder view includes 9 AF points as well as EOS 30D style status bar 8. Improved user interface 9. Improved print/share/direct print features 10. Lower introductory list price The most exciting feature on XTi is probably the Integrated Cleaning System. No matter how careful you use your camera, eventually the dust will make its way into your sensor somehow. I'm sure you've had same situation where dust got into the sensor and had to find a way to clean it off without damaging the sensor. If you shoot a white paper that covers entire screen and if you see small blurred dark spots here and there - THAT'S THE DUST ON THE SENSOR. It appears to be not noticeable when shooting textured, busy scene, but it definitely shows when shooting solid color such as clear blue sky or white backdrop. I had same issue and I've tried blowing can-air several times, but it only removed a few and sometimes created more dusts. ARRRRR!! This New cleaning system is a heaven's call. To fight the dust problem, Canon has done these to address this issue. 1. Used materials in the mirror box and shutter chamber which are less likely to generate dust. 2. Improved the body cap, again to not generate dust. 3. Used anti-static coating on the sensor surface. 4. Created a new separated anti-alias filter which vibrates to shake off dust. 5. Added a Dust Delete Data(DDD) feature which can map stubborn dust to be removed in software. I believe this feature is going to be present on all future Canon EOS lines from now on. My review space is almost out, so I'll make final comments. The XTi in my opinion is a very good entry camera and if you are thinking of upgrading point-n-shoot camera or from 1st generation Digital Rebel, I'd recommend this camera without any hesitation. Current XT users might want to wait for the upcoming 30D upgrade. XTi is great for Amateur, Semi-pro, or even some of the pros out there and as Pro myself, I am thinking to purchase this camera for back up/2nd camera to my 5D. Price you should expect is between $850~$900. Good luck and Happy Shooting!!!

Review : Nikon D40 6.1 Megapixel

2008-01-06T04:10:00.000-08:00

The Nikon D40 is a compact and lightweight high-performance camera that makes it possible for anyone to create stunning images with an SLR. Designed specifically for ease of use, the D40 lets you use the kind of digital and optical technologies that professionals use without the need to deal with complex functions. Whatever you shoot there is an automated Digital Vari Program that lets you achieve fantastic results in any situation. Help menus are easy to navigate and the in-camera retouch menu makes it simple to edit and enhance your images on the large, bright 2.5-inch LCD monitor. Perfect for people who want an affordable camera to explore what it is that makes SLR photography stand out, the D40 is so user-friendly that all you have to do is concentrate on the scene you want to photograph and the camera's advanced Nikon technologies will take care of the rest.

Details
Dimensions (WxDxH):
12.6 cm x 6.4 cm x 9.4 cm

Weight:
475 g

Additional Features:
text input to Exif header
Lens Features

Optical Sensor Type:
CCD

Optical Sensor Size:
15.6 x 23.7mm

Maximum Focal Length:
135 mm, 55 mm

Minimum Focal Length:
18 mm

Display:
LCD display - TFT active matrix - 2.5" - color
Flash Features

Flash Type:
Pop-up flash

Red Eye Reduction:
Yes

Some notable new features: 1. Auto (no flash) mode. Without this mode the flash will pop-up (on all other pre-programmed mode) even when you don't want to use flash (which can be annoying) 2. In camera editing capability such as black and white, sepia and some filter effects etc. While sounds gimmicky, these features are useful especially for those who doesn't have Adobe Photoshop To date, D40 is the smallest and lightest among all the Nikon DSLR. I believe that choosing a camera that fits comfortably with your hands is important. Therefore, I recommend people to test the camera before buying About the 18-55mm II AF-S kit lens: A good lens producing sharp photos (though not a very fast lens). Also decent for close-up/macro photography. Lens uses internal focus technology and focusing operation is silent. A very decent kit lens. Lens compatibility: Notice that with D40, autofocus function will not work for non AF-S/AF-I lens. If you already have non AF-S Nikon lenses and want a backup or replacement camera, you will be better off buying D50, D70s or D80. If you buy the D40, it will be convenient to stick with AF-S type lenses. 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 (400-1000 on a single charge). 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 lenses 5. No AF/MF switch 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 In conclusion, the D40 is perfect for those who want high quality pictures, more control, and have a DSLR experience (instant power on and no shutter lag), without having to carry a bulky camera. And unless you are shooting sports/actions professionaly), the D40 is pretty much all you will need.

My Score : 7.50