Better DSLR Camera?

Jman18

Hey guys, I'm looking for a nice beginner's DSLR and I can't decide between the Sony α (alpha) DSLR-A100K or the Canon Digital Rebel XTI they both seem to have about the same features and I would like to know what the majority of the people would prefer. Thanks!

Answer
Here is a test that includes both of these cameras.

The February 2007 issue of Popular Photography has an article where they compared the top 10 MP DSLR's. I took the scores and ranked the cameras similar to the way Formula 1 gives championship points. I just gave 5 for 1st place down to 1 for last place, splitting the difference when cameras tied in their catagories.

They evaluated Image Quality (giving this twice as much weight as anything else), Ease of Use, Control, and System Flexibility.

The final order and my scores are:

Nikon D80 - 17.5 points
- BEST in Image Quality, Control and System Flexibility
Canon Rebel XTi (400D) - 13.5 points
- Tied for best in System Flexibility
Pentax K10D - 11 points
- Tied for best in Ease of Use
Samsung GX10 - 11 points
- Tied for best in Ease of Use
Sony Alpha 100 - 7 points
- LAST in Image Quality, Ease of Use and System Flexibility."

Then again, this is the same magazine that put the Sony Alpha 100 dead last in this comparison named it the camera of the year in the previous issue! (In a follow-up to this seeming error, Pop Photo published the explanation that only the D80 and the Sony had been tested by the end-of-year deadline for choosing the Camera of the Year. Sony won on the strength of low price and built-in image stabilization. The other 3 that beat Sony in shoot-out were not tested until after the Camera of the Year was selected, because they were not yet available.)

Go to the original question and read the responses for more opinions.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AiG00eHyd0oq5b.X7J.jiULzy6IX?qid=20070113133139AAHWJY0

If you want to get the "best" for the real world, consider the Nikon D200 or Canon 30D if you can afford it. For about $300-500 less, look at the results of the recent PopPhoto test and choose from that list according to your taste.

Personally, I use a Nikon D200 and would recommend it without hesitation to someone who has some knowledge of photography. For someone who wants the "best," but is starting with somewhat of an "entry level" knowledge base, I'd suggest the Nikon D80.

There are people out there who will state their preference for the Canon cameras and I will not argue with them. The Canon 30D and 400D are excellent cameras as well. You would have to visit a camera store or camera department and pick them up and see what you think.

This review is now available online at:

http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/3569/10mp-dslr-shootout.html

Here's another reference from outside the photographic press. Consumer reports compared the Nikon D80, Canon Rebel XTi and Sony Alpha. Personally, I'd say that the Nikon came out on top here, also. It beats the Sony in "noise-free ISO" with an acceptable rating at ISO 1600 (kind of optimistic, I think...) compared to the Sony's ISO 400. It beats the Canon (in my opinion) by having a spot meter that the Canon does not offer.

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/news-electronics-computers/november-2006/shootout-10-megapixel-digital-slr-cameras-11-06/overview/0611_digital-slr-shoot-out.htm

Here's another comparison or interest:

http://www.digitalcamerainfo.com/content/Canon-Rebel-XTi-vs-Nikon-D80-vs-Sony-Alpha-A100-Head-to-Head-to-Head-Digital-Camera-Review-.htm
[Note the navigation menu near the top of the review]

The next thing to consider is what lens to start with and where you go from there. If you are new to this, I'd say to just get the "kit" lens, which seems to be the 18-135 lens for the D80, and get started. Once you know where you really want to go with your photography, Nikon has an almost unlimited family of lenses to choose from.

Canon vs Nikon dslr camera?

oddperson6

I am looking to buy an slr camera. I have narrowed it down to the Canon XS (1000D) or the Nikon D3100. Does anybody know which one is better, or can you give me some pros and cons if you have used one of the two cameras. Or is there another one you like better? Thanks

Answer
I just upgraded from a 6 year old Nikon D50 camera to the D3100. The Nikon D3100 has everything I need for work related / family / amateur photography in one very adaptable unit. It is easy to take good photos using simple category settings for various situations.

We shoot family photos indoors using the standard 18-55mm VR lens. The camera adapts easily for video using the same lens. The VR does an excellent job of cleaning up the shakes and vibrations. Auto focus does a decent job keeping up with faces & motion. It has basically eliminated carrying an additional video camera for family events. Carry extra batteries. The batteries have about 1/4 of the life of my D50 battery. Video seems to eat batteries more quickly.

I also use my Nikon D3100 camera for work related photography - mostly with a 55-300mm VR zoom lens. I use it for taking photos of architectural projects, finished products, and factory applications for website and promotional purposes, as well as technical documentation. The camera is very adaptable to light conditions and produces professional looking photos with ease.

Using the zoom lens for video is an impressive option, but has some limitations. I was able to shoot video of a children's school program on a tripod with outstanding results. The clarity of the lens and camera's performance captured very high quality long-distance video. The sound quality was a little weak - I could use an external microphone option if available. The lens noise was also noticeable when using both auto-focus and VR stabilization. I recommend using a tripod and enabling VR, but using manual focus to decrease motor noise. It may pick up some VR noise, but the benefits outweigh the negatives.

Overall, I am enjoying my new toy and think it is exactly what I wanted at a reasonable price.

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Whats the Difference between a regular Digital camera and a Dslr camera?

Lightsxx

I'm considering on buying one.
I just want to know if it has more features than a regular digital camera / if its Better or not. because i have a Good digital camera that's about 10.2 mega pixels but i want Professional looking pictures and i think the different Lenses dslr cameras Have are amazing.
Any help would be nice! :) i don't know much..so! lol yes.

Answer
Well the major difference between a digital cams and DSL Rs is in the way of viewing the picture or the scene. Digital cams use LCD or an Electronic Viewfinder while the DSLR or the so called Digital Single Lens Reflex have the optical viewfinders, this means it consist of a return mirror and a pen ta prism.

Another difference between the two includes the chip size, Most DSL Rss use an imaging.
There are DSL Rs with 6 Mega pixel chips, and the digital cams with 8 Mega pixel, as far as I Know Mega pixels are only part of the image quality, and frequently not important. The Size and weight between the two are also different.

DSLR are excellent in image quality at low ISO level, lower noise at a high ISO level, have a wide range of exchangeable lenses, the availability of Image lenses, much brighter and clearer viewfinder compared to the digital cams. DSLR have a high frames rates even if you are in a RAW mode settings and allowing rapid shooting without freezing

Digital Cameras are smaller and lighter weight. The zoom lens is included depending on the price. No shutter and mirror noise. Macro shooting accessibility without other lenses depending on the model; Tilting and revolving the Lcds are allow for framing purposes at short angles. Depth of field at any given image exaggeration and the switching between LCD and E VF is slow.

DSLR don't have real-time histogram, the sensor dust is always a problem, shutter and mirror noise depends on the situation. Large size, particularly with long lenses while digi cams have more issues on viewfinder, slower focus, poor and noisy image quality when the ISO is greater than 100, limited multi frame shooting. Digi cams are slow in focus and can't shoot quickly. Digital Camera freezes for about 6-15 seconds after each RAW shot

Why do my pictures upload with such bad quality even though i use a DSLR camera?

pinklemona

Okay, i have a pentax k2000 dslr camera. I LOVE LOVE LOVE to take pictures of anything and everything. Recently, i have been trying to really learn how to use my camera "right" by reading books and all that. So... the main point of this is that i feel like the i take such good pictures when i see them on the camera, but then i upload them and they look like crap.... haha please help!

Answer
First, what resolution are you using? Your camera has three choices:

10M which is 3872x2592 pixels. At this resolution you could print an 8.6" x 13" print at 300dpi (dots per inch) which is considered magazine quality.

6M which is 3008x2000 pixels. At this resolution you could print a 6.7" x 10'' print at 300dpi.

2M which is 1824x1216 pixels. At this resolution you could print a 4" x 6" print at 300dpi.

For the optimum results shoot at 10M.

Second, what ISO are you using? You can manually select from ISO 100 to ISO 3200. For outdoor photography ISO 100 is usually sufficient and will give you the best results. Always remember that as you increase the ISO you also increase the amount of digital noise.

So make sure you're using 10M and ISO 100 if you want the best possible results.

Another contributing factor to less than ideal image quality can be the aperture you're using. If you shoot with your lens wide open (I'm guessing you have the 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 zoom) you shouldn't expect the best image quality. Lenses usually perform best at between f8 to f11. So avoid using f3.5 at 18mm and f5.6 at 55mm. Here is a review of the 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 lens. Ignore the chart and just read the text in the gray shaded box.

http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/pentax_18-55_3p5-5p6_p15/page3.asp

You will also see an improvement in your pictures if you use a tripod as often as possible. You'll have to turn the Shake Reduction "OFF" when using a tripod. I consider a tripod as mandatory for good landscape photography.

I've no idea what books you've been reading so forgive me if this list is redundant.

'Understanding Exposure', 'Understanding Shutter Speed' and 'Understanding Photography Field Guide' all by Bryan Peterson.

Photographer and author David Busch writes a Guide for every DSLR available. Pick up a copy of the one he wrote for your camera. http://www.dbusch.com

So always shoot at your camera's highest resolution, use a low ISO and use a tripod whenever possible.

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