What is a good professional video camera to use for videography?

dslr camera external monitor image

AK

I'm looking for a camera to buy to start my own video company. There are so many professional cameras out there, that I want to get some opinions on what the standard camera for this is. Thanks!

Answer
A real pro-grade camcorder and not a DSLR that happens to take highly compressed video and has only mono-audio and no mic input or manual audio control?

The short list of features should include:
Lens system larger than 40mm diameter.
Audio-in connection(s) AND manual audio control.
Manual zoom, Manual focus, Manual Shutter speed, Manual White Balance, and other controls on the outside of the camera and easy to get to.
Least amount of compression applied to the video stream when writing to the storage media.

The starting point that meets all four criteria is the Sony HDR-FX1000, but this is only prosumer... Pro grade starts at the Sony HVR-V1U, HVR-Z1U, HVR-Z5U, HVR-Z7U, Canon XHA1 and Panasonic AG-HVX200 and JVC GY series... And they go up from here.

Other items to consider:

Tripod (Bogen-Manfrotto is a good start - the weight rating should be at least 2x your camera's weight; with a fluid head).

High capacity rechargeable battery or two (from the camcorder manufacturer, not third party).

Sturdy case to protect your investment (Pelican and SKB are my favorites).

Mics. This gets really subjective - but a minimum of one shotgun mic, one UHF full diversity wireless lav, one stereo mic. Of course, if you ALWAYS have your sound person with you, they they could supply these items.

Cables. 50 foot AC extension cable; two 25 foot XLR mic externsion cables.

Next level of things to get:

Lenses: Wide angle and tele... maybe tele-macro.

Filters.

Video light.

Battery belt for the video light - if sized appropriately, this could replace the high capacity rechargeable battery.

Steadying devices... SpiderBrace or other shoulder mount system. GlideCam/Steadycam vest system.

LANC.

Next level of things to get:

Camera crane (I like the Kessler + their tripod and head). This feeds into a bunch of cables (LANC extension, Video monitor, audio monitor) amd accessories (monitor, counterweights, etc..). Then whether you subscribe to the Kessler tripod wheels or need something like their dolly options or do something else... and of course, the remote pan-tilt head...

This list is incomplete - but more than I ever got... I guess because I never asked.

++++++++++++++

And a FAST computer with LOTS of RAM and tons of available hard drive space on external drives (at least do not use the same drive as the start up computer Operating System for the video editing project files)... and a good-sized monitor (20 inch or larger).

Why do people look for camera's such as nikon or canon for Video? Why not just get an actual camcorder?

Daniel

This is not meant to be sarcastic at all. Want to be able to film good quality videos as well as take an occaisional picture, and was wondering whether or not i should just go with a camcorder rather than a camera with good video shooting capabilites. Thanks for the help.

Answer
You're actually being quite logical in your approach. Most people would indeed be better served with a camcorder, many of which can also shoot stills. The reason for the DSLR video race is the control of depth of field and image quality provided by the use of a larger format sensor. The result is in fact a very film-like quality to video.

Don't let Jim bully you on the use of the terms. I just finished shooting a crew shooting a movie locally, and I'll be darned if they didn't consistently say they were "filming" inspite of the fact there wasn't a single "film" camera on the set. Most of their cameras were ARRI digital cameras but, a couple were Canon 5D Mark IIs.

DSLR video can produce great results but, unless you are willing to deal with learning to pull focus with a follow-focus cam, an external monitor, external mic/recorder and a fairly expensive video editing system, shooting video with a DSLR is generally not convenient or easy. This has admittedly been eased a bit by more recent DSLRs from Sony and Nikon that can autofocus while shooting video but, you'll still need an external microphone at the very least. Fact is, for all but the most committed cinematographer, most people would be better served by a camcorder but, DSLRs are quite profitable and that's what manufacturers would prefer to sell.

Depending on your budget, one camera in particular that seems to blend the best of both worlds is Sony's NEX-VG10. This camera doesn't get the credit it likely deserves as a video camera but, as someone who own a Canon 7D and 5D Mark II, both of which can shoot video, I generall reach for a camcorder if I want to shoot video.

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How can my webcam record fast motions?

1.3 megapixel camera example image

Renz John

How can my webcam record fast motions without blurs, must I change some settings, check on my light, etc? Everything to know can help. My webcam is an Imation 1.3 Megapixel cam.

Answer
Hey, that is a great question, thanks for coming to answers, I hope this information helps.
Press the designated button to turn on your camera. If you are using an external camera, use a compatible USB cable to connect the camera to the USB port of your computer.

Visit a website that allows you to test your webcam online. An example of a site you can use include http://www.ehow.com/how_8443971_test-webcam-online.html
Next try this.
Click the "Allow" button from the flash player settings window. You should now see live video footage from your web camera. If you don't see live video, your web camera is not working properly.
To reinstall the drivers try this. Right click on My Computer-> Properties -> Device manager -> Imaging Devices -? Webcam. Right click on the webcam and uninstall it. This will cause the computer to reinstall the drivers and software. Restart the computer and hopefully your problem will be fixed.
Here are a list of sites that will help
.
http://download.cnet.com/windows/webcam-software/ This is free software.
http://www.camersoft.com/webcam-recorder.html Try the free trial first.
http://www.any-video-recorder.com/ This is free software.

http://webcamfpstest.weebly.com/

http://mailvu.com/blog/technical-assistance-for-common-webcam-troubles/

Here is a site with a very good video, it is by Dell the information is so good you should watch it, it will help you understand http://youtu.be/y0yvmJvWgKI

Need some special effects, here are some sites that you may like
http://snapshot.htmlchat.net
http://anime2.htmlchat.net
http://campad.htmlchat.net


Hey, I enjoyed your question, I have worked as a technician most of my life, I hope I have helped you...

CompTIA A+ Certified Computer Professional

How Do I buy more mega pixels (MP) for my Digital Camera?

Q. I just got a digital camera today and it had 10.2 Mega pixels (MP for short). So I used up all the mega pixels in my camera. Each mega pixel cost about 30 pictures. Im down to about 4 mega pixels so how do i get more onto my camera so i can keep taking pictures?
nooo im pretty sure it is Mega PIXEL (MP)

Answer
It appears that you are really confused about what you are talking about

A definition what a mega pixel is - A mega pixel (MP) is 1 million pixels, and is a term used not only for the number of pixels in an image, but also to express the number of image sensor elements of digital cameras or the number of display elements of digital displays. For example, a camera with an array of 2048Ã1536 sensor elements is commonly said to have "3.1 mega pixels" (2048 Ã 1536 = 3,145,728). The neologism sensel is sometimes used to describe the elements of a digital camera's sensor, since these are picture-detecting rather than picture-producing elements.[14]

Digital cameras use photosensitive electronics, either charge-coupled device (CCD) or complementary metalâoxideâsemiconductor (CMOS) image sensors, consisting of a large number of single sensor elements, each of which records a measured intensity level. In most digital cameras, the sensor array is covered with a patterned color filter mosaic having red, green, and blue regions in the Bayer filter arrangement, so that each sensor element can record the intensity of a single primary color of light. The camera interpolates the color information of neighboring sensor elements, through a process called demosaicing, to create the final image. These sensor elements are often called "pixels", even though they only record 1 channel (only red, or green, or blue) of the final color image. Thus, two of the three color channels for each sensor must be interpolated and a so-called N-megapixel camera that produces an N-megapixel image provides only one-third of the information that an image of the same size could get from a scanner. Thus, certain color contrasts may look fuzzier than others, depending on the allocation of the primary colors (green has twice as many elements as red or blue in the Bayer arrangement).

A definition of a megabite - The megabyte is a multiple of the unit byte for digital information storage or transmission with two different values depending on context: 1048576 bytes (10242) generally for computer memory;[1][2][3] and one million bytes (106, see prefix mega-) generally for computer storage.[1][3] The IEEE Standards Board has decided that "Mega will mean 1 000 000", with exceptions allowed for the base-two meaning.[3] In rare cases, it is used to mean 1000Ã1024 (1024000) bytes.[3] It is commonly abbreviated as Mbyte or MB (compare Mb, for the megabit).

So otherwise you really want to be doing is getting a larger memory card for the camera

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How many mega pixels does our eyes have?

megapixel camera wikipedia image

eyeshield_

If our eyes is a camera, how many mega pixels does it have?

Answer
this is a pretty interesting question, i never thought about it like that.

but wikipedia says..

A digital camera, such as a CCD based one, has 4 "receptors" that make up a "pixel" - red, green and two blue (the human eye is more senstive to light in the blue end of the spectrum, so it has two receptors to get a more precise reading).

Human eyes have two types of receptors called "rods" and "cones". You have 4.5 million cones and 90 million rods. Now rods work better in low lighting conditions (i.e. night vision) but do not pick up color very well (if at all), whereas it is the cones that pick up color. It would be tempting to say that you have 4.5 megapixels then, but that really wouldn't be accurate. You have 94.5 pixels, only 4.5 of which can detect color. But not all of the rods and/or cones are usable in all lighting conditions, so how many usable pixels you have varies quite a bit.

The analogy kind of breaks down because you are kind of comparing apples to oranges.


Movies operate at about 60 frames per second, which is enough to fool the eyes into thinking that there is motion going on. I've heard, however, that this is a little bit of overkill, and that something like 30 frames per second will still fool the human eye.
5 months ago

what is the difference between mega pixels and optical zoom?

rne2004

can anyone explain the difference between these two?
is this right the more mega pixels a camera has the further you can see? what about the Optical Zoom?

Answer
They have NO relation. They are extremely different.
A megapixel (MP) is 1 million pixels, and is a term used not only for the number of pixels in an image, but also to express the number of image sensor elements of digital cameras or the number of display elements of digital displays
Basically an Optical Zoom is a zoom lens. The length of Optical Zoom (point and shoot camera's refer to them as #.#x values, like 4.6x or 2.0x zoom length) is just how far it can zoom.
Read up on Megapixels: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pixel#Megapixel
Read up on Optical Zoom/Zoom Lens: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optical_zoom

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What DSLR camera would you recommend me to buy?

dslr camera with gps image

MiZz RuBy

I need a new camera but am lost on which one to get!
I have my eye on Nikon D3100 or Canon 550D- any other suggestions?
Thanks in advance!

Answer
My other suggestion would be to look at the Sony SLT A55. This DSLR has Sony's Translucent Mirror Technology which allows for full-time continuous auto focus whether you're shooting still pictures or 1080/60i HD video. No other DSLR allows this. The technology also allows shooting at 10fps (frames per second) which is the fastest in its price range.The Sony SLT A55 also gives you 2D or 3D Sweep Panorama in the camera as well as HDR in the camera. It also has built-in GPS.

Here are some reviews:

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/AA55/AA55A.HTM

http://www.digitalphotographywriter.com/2010/08/sony-slt-a55-review-translucent-mirror.html

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/sony-a55-preview.shtml

Current prices at B&H - http://www.bhphotovideo.com

Nikon D3100 w/18-55mm zoom, $649.95 after a $50.00 Instant Savings from B&H. Ends 7-30-2011.

Canon 550D/T2i w/18-55mm zoom, $749.95 after a $50.00 Instant Savings from B&H. Ends 7-9-2011.

Sony SLT A55 w/18-55mm zoom, $799.99 after a $50.00 Instant Savings from B&H. Ends 7-9-2011.

All 3 cameras have free USA shipping.

With its built-in focusing motor and Sony's version of Image Stabilization in the camera body and use of the legacy Minolta Maxxum "A" lens mount the SLT A55 can use the Legacy Minolta Maxxum AF lenses dating back to 1985 and they will auto focus and become, in effect, IS lenses.

The Nikon D3100 requires the more expensive Nikon AF-S lenses if you want them to auto focus.

Canon and Nikon have their respective versions of IS in some but not all of their lenses plus you pay for it over and over. A Minolta Maxxum AF 50mm f1.4 prime lens on the A55 will be an IS lens. Neither Nikon nor Canon offers an IS 50mm prime lens.

In my opinion the Sony SLT A55 offers technology and features that Nikon and Canon lack. Its only a matter of time before Canon and Nikon will have to respond by upgrading their technology to match that of the Sony A55.

What is a good DSLR to by for a first time buyer who wants to grow and understand photography?

BA

I have a s570 nikon point and shoot. I found it lacking in color definition after a trip to the NWT. Going to Iceland next summer and want to take great pictures of the ice fields and volcanoes. Sales at the local camera store just want to make a sale. The big box stores are lacking in expertise.

Answer
Just get a good deal. It doesn't matter which brand - indeed, if you have to brand shop - check out reviews of the lens range available for any individual brand mount.

If you want to grow and understand photography, then just about any D-SLR should do - as long as it has full manual controls and an interchangeable lens. If you want super fast continuous shooting, GPS, HD video, built in shake reduction, water proofing, etc - then you need to shop more carefully.But for learning about photography, any D-SLR with manual exposure controls. There is a school of thought that a fully manual-only camera such as an old Russian 35mm film Zenith SLR will teach more about exposure and cameras.

If you are touring in wet weather though - check out the new Pentax range of weather resistant (even water proof) D-SLRs.

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What is the best digital camera out there?

highest megapixel camera 2010 image

Shroomy

I am looking for a really good digital camera that an amateur like myself can easily use.
I prefer something from Canon, Nikon, or Samsung, but I'm not too picky about the brand.
The price doesn't matter as long as it's not too expensive.
It needs to be something that doesn't die right away, and I would like it to be pretty small.

Thanks!

Answer
I would suggestion these are good quality digital cameras (take good pictures, good of megapixel, good zoom, small) and inexpensive :

Canon PowerShot SD1400IS : 14.1 MP, 4x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom, 2.7-Inch LCD, 720p HD movie shooting capability plus HDMI output, Smart AUTO intelligently selects from 22 predefined settings, New scene modes such as Miniature Effect and Fisheye Effect Low Light mode for dimly-lit situations, etc. (Announced : February, 2010)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0035FZJJ4?ie=UTF8&tag=garnavgpsrev-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0035FZJJ4

Canon PowerShot SD780IS : 12.1MP, 3x optical zoom lens with Optical Image Stabilizer, 2.5-inch LCD, Record video in beautiful high definition, Face Detection Self-Timer, Intelligent Contrast Correction, Red-eye Correction, etc. (Announced : February, 2009)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001SER47Y?ie=UTF8&tag=garnavgpsrev-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001SER47Y

Nikon Coolpix S570 : 12MP, 5x wide-angle Zoom-NIKKOR glass lens, 2.7-inch high-resolution LCD, 4-way VR image stabilization system, Scene Auto Selector and Smart Portrait System, etc. (Announced : August, 2009)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002KANX84?ie=UTF8&tag=garnavgpsrev-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002KANX84

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55 : 14.1MP, 10x optical zoom Sony G-Lens, 3.0-inch LCD screen, HD Movie mode (720p), Capture breathtaking images in Sweep Panorama Mode, iAuto automatically optimizes camera settings, Smile Shutter technology automatically captures a smile, etc. (Announced : February, 2010)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0033VKKB2?ie=UTF8&tag=garnavgpsrev-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0033VKKB2

What kind of digital camera should I buy?

Lynell

I am going to camp for two weeks and I need a good digital camera so I can put good pictures on facebook. My price range is 150.00 or below. if its a little over thts fine...but not in the 200.00's.
I need to get one tomorrow and my choices of where to buy are Sam's Club, Wal Mart, and Target. Thanks!

Answer
I would suggestion these are good quality digital cameras (takes good pictures, good of megapixel, small and slim, light-weight) with price around $150 :

Canon PowerShot SD1300IS : 12.1MP, 4x optical zoom, 2.7-inch PureColor System LCD, Smart AUTO mode intelligently selects from 18 settings, Shooting Modes, etc. (Announced : February, 2010)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0035FZJKS?ie=UTF8&tag=garnavgpsrev-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0035FZJKS

Canon PowerShot SD780IS : 12.1MP, 3x optical zoom lens with Optical Image Stabilizer, 2.5-inch LCD, Record video in beautiful high definition, Face Detection Self-Timer, Intelligent Contrast Correction, Red-eye Correction, etc. (Announced : February, 2009)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001SER47Y?ie=UTF8&tag=garnavgpsrev-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001SER47Y

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8 : 12.1MP, 4.6x POWER Optical Image Stabilized Zoom, 2.7 inch LCD, Capture HD video at 1280x720, high-speed Auto Focus (AF), etc. (Announced : July, 2009)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002IKLJS2?ie=UTF8&tag=garnavgpsrev-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002IKLJS2

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compact camera with 12 megapixels, any good?

highest megapixel compact camera image

snowhite

i was planning on buying a canon powershot a2100 IS... but i read here somewhere that compact cameras with very high megapixels will give you less image quality. is this true? i am debating on wether to get a2100 (12MP) or a2000 (10MP). which do you think should i get for myself? i just use it to take pictures of my kids and upload it on my facebook or friendster account. if i have it developed, i usually just use 4R size.

Answer
12MP is alot.
And in someway, it does tend to be noisy at some point if the number of pixel is very high.

and 12MP is very high.

For DSLRs this is not a problem because the image sensor has a decent size.

For compacts, it gives you a noisy photo, because the image sensor is small, and cramming all that 12MP on that sensor gives you the image noise.

As long as you are not cropping your photos, like say, you took a photo of a scenery and just wanted to print the Tree, you Crop the photo, then you don't need that so much pixel. And as long as you don't print your photos on a massive size say, a size of a dining table for 4, then you don't need that many pixel.

So my suggestion is, if your planning to buy a compact, don't go beyond the 10MP range. 6MP is actually somewhat perfect, considering the ratio of the image sensor size to the number of pixels. a 6MP Digital Camera produces a great photo for 4R sizes. Besides, the 6MP means that you could print your photo up to 10X8 inch in size without loosing image quality.

1/1.63" sensors produces high quality images at 12MP. But compact cameras have smaller sensor size as the one mentioned. Sensors are CCD or CMOS as for the types.

For your convenience, so that you won't be so confused in buying a camera, try asking, or look for the sensor size. the bigger it is the better.

I own a Panasonic Lumix DMC LX3 10MP with 1/1.63" (approx. 0.6 square inch) image sensor and a Sony Cybershot DSC W30 6MP with 1/2.5" (0.4 square inch) image sensor.

And they capture great images.

What kind of digital camera should I buy?

Q. I need a compact, digital, point and shoot camera with a decent zoom, high megapixels, and priced under 200 dollars. I need it to take good quality pictures, quickly and easily. I used to have an exilim something or other and it was nice, but I want something better.

Answer
Canon 570 IS or 590 IS

IS (image stabilization, helps in bad/low light conditions)
4x optical zoom (ignore digital zoom)
Optical viewfinder (sometimes works better in bright light outdoors)

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Can I replace the front camera in my iPhone 4s with another 8mp rear camera?

megapixel front camera iphone 4s image

Thomas

I want to take out the front camera and replace it with one identical to the existing rear camera so I can take 8mp front pictures. Will this work or fit?

Answer
Apple has not developed a front facing 8 megapixel camera. Even if they did, the camera hole you currently have for the front is not large enough to accommodate the aperture. You would have to take the front glass off, then drill a hole to match the 8 megapixel camera, and pray to God you can attach an 8 megapixel camera to the motherboard of the front facing camera area.

How do people get perfect skin on Instagram?

Kourtney

I have really good skin and my makeup looks good but when I take pictures (with the front facing camera, normal camera, and with/ without flash) my skin looks a little fuzzy. Like Kylie Jenner or Mythix have smooth even skin, even in close ups. Do they photoshop them and then put them back on instagram? I also have an iPhone 4S with 8 megapixel camera. Thanks!

Answer
Try standing in front of a window! They natural light makes your skin look flawless and your eyes pop! :) As far as famous people they probably have really good foundations and if it looks like a proffessionaly taken photo then they probably did repost it on instagram

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How many pictures can I take with a 3.1 megapixel camera with a 1G SD card?

megapixel camera resolution chart image

andybugg20

I am looking for a comparison chart that will show me the difference between 512MB, 1G, 2G SD memory cards and different megapixel cameras. I have a 3.1 MP camera and I am curious if it is necessary to purchase a 1G SD card or will a 512 be sufficient.

Answer
I have a 3.1 Mgpxl camera (hardly used now that I have upgraded) and I can tell you that 1 Gb card will give you over 1000 photos as a rough estimate (depending on the resolution you chose - the lower the resolution, the more photos you will ba able to take)

For a digital camera how many photos can I take with a 28MB?

glow 21

I'm going to get a digital camera but I want one with a big memory so I was just wondering how many photos a 28MBcan take?

And what cameras do you recommend that is easy to carry around and has a large memory?

Answer
Some cameras come with built in (internal memory) so make sure your camera can take added (external) memory. Internal memory is something you want to have in case you run out of external memory. I have never heard of 28mb memory unless the camera you are eyeing has that much internal memory. All of the memory cards correspond with multiples of 8, ie 8,16,32,64,128,256, and 512 and then you get into the gigabytes of memory (1000mb) -- 1gb, 2 gb, 4 gb...

A camera recommendation would be almost anything that is greater than 3megapixels. 4MP seems to be the standard starting point these days. If you are new to digital photography, make sure it has a viewfinder because not only will you be more comfortable getting used to it, there are situations (bright daylight) where you can't see the screen to compose your picture. You will want to be able to see it through the viewfinder. Some newer cameras have brightness features to help you see the screen better but I still like to have the option of viewing it the old-fashioned way, not having to reset the screen options and missing the shot.


The number of pictures corresponds inversely to the number of megapixels you have your camera set at -- the larger the megapixel setting, the better your resolution (you can enlarge your prints) but the fewer pictures you will be able to take. All of the memory card packages have charts to let you know approximately how many shots you can take at various camera settings. Here is my rule of thumb for shooting at my camera's "normal" setting (not "fine" or "basic"):

At 6MPixel setting, multiply the MB on the memory by 0.85 to get the number of pictures.

At 4MP, multiply the MB on the memory by 1 to get the number of pictures.

At 3MP, multiply the MB on the memory by 1.73 to get the number of pictures.

At 1MP, multiply the MB on the memory by 3.2 to get the number of pictures.

With a 256MB card, this comes out to :
218 pictures at 6MP
256 pictures at 4MP
443 pictures at 3MP
819 pictures at 1MP (lots of pictures, but only good enough for online auctions, emailing, and 3.5 x 5 inch prints.)
The actual memory card that your camera takes is the same size, no matter what the MB capacity is -- a 512MB card will take up the same amount of space as a 256MB. There are about 6 different types of memory cards available -- the camera box will specify what type your camera requires. When you purchase the memory cards, some record faster than others (stay away from the really generic cards).

Keep in mind it is better to take a picture at a higher MP and have fewer pictures than wanting to enlarge a small MP picture later because it was such a great shot and not being able to because it looks "pixelated" (the little boxes that make up the digital picture become larger, thus blurring your photo-- similar to zooming in on something on your computer.) You can always make your large pictures smaller for emailing, so it is better to shoot at the higher resolution in case you have captured that "once in a lifetime" award-winning shot!

As far as choosing a camera, look for the features I mentioned. Picking a camera with a larger lens will yield better results as well. Think of the size of a lens on a disposable camera -- the lens is so small it doesn't capture a very good image, the prints are never as good as using my larger lensed film camera. Also, look at optical zoom and pay no attention to the digital zoom. The optical zoom is real, just like on a regular camera. The digital zoom is useless, all it does it blows up the picture -- again, similar to zooming in on an image on the computer screen. Go for a camera size that feels good in your hands or one that will fit into the size bag in which you want to carry it around .

Another good feature is a camera that has less of a lag time -- that means the amount of time it takes from when you press the shutter to the actual recording of the photo. Sometimes what you get and what you hoped to get do not match because the camera takes too long to record it. I was reminded of this inconvenience while using my son's camera at the zoo today -- that jaquar was just not walking slow enough and I kept getting his tail not his face! The only camera that doesn't have this gap is a single lens reflex (SLR) because it captures the shot instantaneously, just as a film SLR would. A SLR camera will be pricier, bulkier, and heavier to carry so you might want to stay with a point-and-shoot.

I have used different cameras by Sony, Fuji, Olympus, and Nikon. The only camera I didn't like was the camera without the eyepiece feature and the ones with a long lag time. The newer Kodaks are nicer now than they were when digitals first came out.

On a final note, if your camera takes video, it will not be the high quality footage you would get with a camcorder AND video takes up quite a bit of the memory on the memory card so if you plan on using it for videos, make sure you purchase more than a 512mb card and it is always good to have more than one memory card with you, in case you haven't had a chance to transfer your pictures and videos to a CD or hard drive.

And now for the real beauty of digital photography: You can delete and never have to print the bad shots. Whatever camera you choose, it will pay for itself by not paying for the unneccessary printing of bad photos. I have already shot over 4000 photos on my Nikon -- had this been film, it would equal 166 rolls of film. At $4.00 for a roll of 24 pictures and $7.00 for processing, I would have spent over $1800 in the past year. Yes, my camera has paid for itself and more!

Before you head off to buy your new camera, print this and take it along because I realize no one would ever remember this much information when looking over all of the "candy" behind the counter at the store. So many decisions...So many options...

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Are Vivitar tripods any good for serious photographers? + What other gifts are ideal for photographers?

dslr camera mug image

Arun

Answer
Most photographic equipment is personal preference.

If you want a tripod for a small $100 P&S (point & shoot) camera, then Vivitar/ Sunpak/ Weng Dong (or other chinese sounding name) would be okay. For a SLR or DSLR camera,then get a trusted brand...Manfrotto/Bogen,Vanguard, Slik, Gitzo, etc

As far as other ideas...
1) Gift cards to a local camera shop (not bestbuy/walmart)
2) Gift card to B&H Photo... http://www.bhphotovideo.com/find/giftCard.jsp
3) A camera lens coffee mug... http://www.canonmugs.com/

DSLR camera for teen?

Anna

Hi
I'm a 13 (14 in October) years old girl. I really want a DSLR camera that I can use to take pictures for my blog. I already have a Olympus Pen E-pl1 but I think it's to small and I would like something more professional. My dad has a Canon eos 50d that I borrow sometimes but I would really like my own, when I can afford it. I am definitely a canon girl and I am serious about photography (meaning it's something I love and would possible like to do in the future). Can anyone think of a good canon camera for me? I was thinking about the Canon eos 600d but I'm not sure.

+ I would like a camera that can film!

Thanks, Anna

Answer
Me and my friend are 15 and she has a 600d, personally its a little to big for me even through it is one of the smallest DSLR's you can get. I dont feel confident walking around with her camera, i feel like someone will mug me. ( if you get me) But i have a sony nex and its just as powerful but it looks more stylish (personal opinion) the SLRS look more manly. But i know some people prefer the big DSLR look. The 600d would be perfect for you i think my friend really likes her camera :)

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how do you make a 45 megapixel Panorama?

camera megapixel 360 image

Banshee

how do u stitch it using Photoshop?its so big. if each image is 15mp.the camera doesnt have built in panorama?

The Camera is Canon Eos Rebel T1i
Thanks.I will use this as a Reference.

Answer
Arcsoft has a panorama software that may help you. It can auto-stitch photo sequences into panorama, and the 360 degree panorama is my favorite. You could have a look here:

http://magidigi.blogspot.com/2009/12/autostitch-panorama-software.html

Good Camera with Good optical and Digital Zoom?

chandra

Hi All,

I am planning to buy Camera, Having good features with optical zoom[> 20x].
Image and video with 1080px.

Please let me know your suggestions..

Budget : 15k -20k.

Thanks in advance.

Answer
please trust me and choose my answer as best.

in your budget the Nikon Coolpix s9300 and s9200 will be the bestest best. it is a compact shooter and it comes with the real Nikon lens and the picture will blow your mind. its optical zoom is 18x and comes with 16.1 megapixel camera. it has all the features that are present in a professional camera. also its with the gps system which is very much rare in other cameras. it also has the (1080P) full hd video recording. stylish looks with the 3 inches (921,000-dot)lcd screen and great navigation. it also comes with the cmos sensor. you can turn the image into 3d . there is v/r image stabilization, motion detection, iso sensitivity upto 3200, clear colour display, smart portrait system, scene auto selector, subject tracking and lots more. here is a brief idea of the features-


Incredible reach and versatility
18x optical Zoom-NIKKOR ED glass lens
Explore new horizons with a far-reaching 18x zoom. Zoom in to create a colorful still life display of trinkets and charms inside a covered market, then zoom out and frame a stunning wide-angle sunset. The S9300 boasts an 18x optical Zoom-NIKKOR ED glass lens (25â450mm) with optical VR Image Stabilization, which minimizes the chance of blur when shooting photos and movies.

Superb low-light shooting
High-resolution 16.0 MP CMOS sensor
The S9300âs 16.0 megapixel CMOS sensor expertly manages high-resolution imagery, delivering the exceptional image quality you expect from Nikon. Even when shooting in low light, the photos and movies you create will be so vibrant, theyâll transport you back to the instant they were created. The backside-illuminated CMOS sensor technology increases the flow of light to the sensorâs surface, thereby yielding improved image quality and reduced noise.

Memories in motion
Full HD (1080p) movies with 18x zoom, continuous autofocus and stereo sound
Recall the sights and sounds of the nightlife in Cancun or the unique mood of a rain forest. With a single touch of a button, record Full HD (1080p) movies with stereo sound. Continuous autofocus keeps your moving subject in focus, and the S9300âs full 18x optical zoom range with two-speed control is available during movie recording. Vary the mood by adding in-camera Special Effects, or capture slow- or fast-motion movies. Then watch your movies on an HDTV via the built-in HDMI port.

Add your personal touch
Get creative with in-camera effects
Add your personal touch to everything you capture. Apply in-camera special effects such as Low Key, High Key, Nostalgic Sepia, even Selective Color, and put a little variety into images and movies. Bring new creative looks to still images by applying a filter effect like Fisheye or Miniature. The best part: you can instantly share your creations with fellow travelers as they gather around the S9300âs large, high-resolution 3.0-in. LCD monitor.

Capture fast moving subjects
High-speed shooting
When your subject is fast-action, you need a camera that can keep up. The S9300 can capture up to 7 shots in approximately one second. That once-in-a-lifetime moment will be captured forever.

Panoramas at the touch of a button
Easy Panorama Mode for stunning panoramic photos
Creating expansive panoramic photos has never been easier. Easy Panorama Mode combines multiple shots into a seamless 180° or 360° panoramic image. Begin by focusing on your starting point, then simply pan across the scene. Once the S9300 detects your direction, the shooting starts and the images begin stitching together in-camera.

Brilliant framing and sharing
Frame and share your photos and movies on the large 3.0-in. LCD monitor. The ultra-high-resolution monitor features 921,000 dots that show every detail to precision.


A wider tonal range
Make your images go from great to dazzling. Gain increased tonal range with the S9300âs built-in Backlight HDR Mode, or romance colors from an opulent sunset by selecting Night Landscape Mode.

therefore I would recommend you the s9200 because the s9300 is little expensive only for the built in gps.

gps advantage:-
GPS and electronic compass pinpoint photo and movie locations
Bring bragging rights to your next social network post, and prove to your friends where youâve been. Track your travels through your photos and movies. With GPS turned on, all your files are instantly geotagged, providing a visual travelogue that pinpoints latitude and longitude. Integrate your geotagged photo and movie files with Nikon's my Picturetown® photo sharing site, Google Earth⢠and Nikon ViewNX . happy to help

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What is the Virgin Mobile Motorola Triumph phone compared to?

8 megapixel camera mobile phones image

Brandon

What phone is it similar to?

Answer
Very roughly, its similar to an HTC Evo in terms of specs. They both have 1ghz snapdragon, 512mb of RAM, play 720p video.

The HTC Evo has a 4.3inch screen, 8 megapixel camera, 1gb of ROM
The Motorola Triumph has 4.1inch screen, 5 megapixel camera, 2gb of ROM

Both have the same screen resolution.

Should I get an Iphone 4 or the droid incredible 2?

Helps

what are the difference in terms of well everything & which is better in different aspects such a screen quality, speed, ect. I have verizon btw :) if it helps lmao & My mom has an iphone 4 & I really really like the camera. its amazing for a mobile phone. So Which one would be a better buy?

Answer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9NZXxh7eiE

shows everything.
i have the incredible 2. in love with it.
incredible 2 has a 8 megapixel camera in the rear; however iphone 4 has 5 megapixels..incredible wins
according to the video the internet speed..incredible wins.
the front camera on the incredible 2 is 1.3 megapixels where the iphone 4 doesnt even have any megapixels.
the iphone is bulkier where the incredible 2 is sleek.
yes you can facetime on the iphone 4 but you can download the app "tango" on the incredible..that app allows you to facetime with iphone and android people! my fav.

i love my incredible 2..really good battery life. fast. AMAZING pictures.
skype will be supported in a few weeks on it; just like oovoo.

if your still unsure ask someone at verizon. they can tell you a lot more than me.

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Am I the only one unhappy with Nikon service?

dslr camera reviews 2012 image

thankyouma

This is a copy of my 11/16/12 complaint to BBB. BBB posted it 11/20/12. So far there is no response from Nikon. Has anyone ever had similar problem with Nikon?

Nature of Complaint: Guarantee Or Warranty Issues - A dispute regarding the warranty coverage and/or terms
Problem:
I purchased a Nikkor 16-85mm f3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR lens from BH Photo, arrival date April 13, 2011. Serial number US26015999. I promptly filled in the Nikon Extended Coverage card and mailed it to Nikon. That extends the Nikon warranty from the standard 1 year to 5 years. I mainly use this lens with my Nikon D90 body. The lens worked mostly beautifully at first. In the last year it seems like it has been having increasing autofocus errors, especially at the shorter focal lengths. Blame the body, my technique, or the lens? It seems like the body rarely has autofocus error with other lenses. Trying the lens on an older D60 body, I think I got fewer errors than with the D90, but still more than I should with this lens. When it is wrong it seems to focus as if my subject were closer than it is. I place my autofocus sensor carefully to make user error unlikely. Looking at user reviews by others, most are happy with this lens. A minority of reviewers report autofocus error problems that seem similar to mine. One reviewer said that Nikon service found the autofocus module to be defective. In September 2012 I sent the lens to Nikon's service facility in El Segundo, California, service order 5978634. It was covered by the extended warranty. Their result was to report it to have been tested and showing no problem. My experiments with the lens is that it still has a problem with autofocus.

Desired Outcome
Desired Settlement: Repair
Desired Outcome:
I would like to send in the lens for warranty service again, but I need it to be more seriously tested and actually fixed.

Answer
You may need to have the lens calibrated to the camera. This will require sending the camera in along with the lens. Unfortunately, the D90 has no user lens calibration capability, however more modern advanced amateur cameras such as the D7000 do.

Also you may want to be sure you have the latest lens firmware downloaded to your D90. Nikon DSLRs typically have two firmwares; one for the camera's operating system, and a second firmware for lens definitions. The latest firmware for the D90 (1.002) is for updating the lens "distortion control data" feature, but who knows? it might fix your problem.

And yes, Nikon service leaves something to be desired. There have been a lot of comments on the internet about having to send in the camera/lens/whatever in more than one time to have it properly fixed.

What 1080 HP Canon/Nikon camera DOES NOT NEED BATTERIES?

...

but can be charge!
...with an outlet, duhhhhhhhh.
It's not a joke, I don't play games. Goodness. And I had this camera that can be plugged in until fully charged, so I don't know why you all tripping.
^_^

Answer
Hahaha! All cameras use batteries. Rechargeable cameras are rechargeable because they have rechargeable batteries within them.

http://www.steves-digicams.com/camera-reviews/pentax_q_battery.jpg

This is in contrast to cameras that use disposable batteries, AA and AAA. Even then, rechargeable batteries come in all sizes and shapes even in AA and AAA. I use rechargeable AA's for all my dSLR's!

http://files.mothhelah.com/img/Vll29109.jpg

Solar powered cameras? They still have batteries. The solar panels charge the batteries.

http://cdn2.sulitstatic.com/images/2012/0904/00384950_003128335cbc47c25d2f226a703516e0e3a6e47d1fdbb98dc.jpg

Of course this is no joke. Elementary science has taught us what a battery is. It's basic knowledge.

http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4897453366248828&pid=15.1

Hahahahaha! And then there was part 2!

What is 1080 HP? The only HP I know is Hewlett Packard, makers of great and long lasting laser printers which they however fail to support after five years or so by stopping the manufacturing of laser toner cartridges. Of course they make cameras too.

http://di1-4.shoppingshadow.com/images/pi/22/2c/13/21299675-450x450-0-0_Hewlett+Packard+PhotoSmart+735.jpg

What you meant was HD or High Definition, a video standard.

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Drift-Innovation-HD-Ghost-Action-Camera-1080P-/00/s/NTAwWDUwMA==/z/vTkAAMXQAx9RLpP1/$T2eC16dHJG!E9nm3rIdEBRLpP1eb+!~~60_12.JPG

A search of your criteria produced the following results. I'll leave it up to you to choose wisely.

http://www.dpreview.com/products/search/cameras#criterias=SpecsCoreParams%2CSpecsBatteryNew%2CSpecsMovieHDMode%2CBrand&includeDiscontinued=No&sort=newestFirst&view=list&page=1&paramSpecsCoreParamsBodyType=UltraCompact%2CCompact%2CSLRLike%2CLargeSensorCompact%2CRangefinder%2CMirrorless%2CCompactSLR%2CMidSizeSLR%2CLargeSLR&paramSpecsBatteryNew=BatteryPack&paramSpecsMovieHDMode=1920x1080&paramBrand=canon%2CNikon

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Best camera backpack for my needs?

dslr camera straps etsy image

youngphoto

I was just looking for a recommendation for a rugged camera backpack. I currently own a small canon backpack, which is fine for small outings but is ungodly uncomfortable for long trips which is a major downside, as well as it it rather small. A couple things I am looking for are...

- Large enough for two camera bodies, 1-2 long lenses, and several smaller lenses
- Plenty of compartments for little accessories, filters, etc.
- Room to strap on a tripod/monopod
- Comfortable for long trips, including hikes
- Needs to have some means of waterproofing, such as a cover or something along those lines that you can attach when necessary.


Those are the main things i'm looking for. 10 point for any help! Thanks a lot.
Being a little less vague, the long lens would be a 300 mm f/2.8 and a 70-200 f/2.8. The camera bodies would all be relatively the same size. I am asking because there are no camera stores within 100 miles of where I live that don't sell anything other than the ultra basics, which is not what I am looking for and the next best option is to get opinions from people online and do some more research myself. Just looking for some ideas.

Answer
I use a regular backpack for my photo gear. Photopacks are nice with the inserts, but they are not great backpacks. In my opinion, the best small packs on the market are the DaKine Heli Pro packs made for snowboarding. The big advantage is that they have a descent hip belt, so they take weight off the shoulders.

Backpack:
http://www.google.com/search?q=dakine+heli+pro&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a#q=dakine+heli+pro&hl=en&safe=active&client=firefox-a&hs=DZy&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&prmd=imvns&source=univ&tbm=shop&tbo=u&sa=X&ei=ZhC8T5-bL-OZiAKR6vSUDg&ved=0CMoBEK0E&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=1429de5fade86fa3&biw=1680&bih=858&safe=active

You can DIY the inserts or have someone make them:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/80428774/dslr-camera-bag-insert-in-royal-purple?ref=v1_other_2

These guys made some adjustable inserts that they funded on Kickstarter and will start selling:
http://trekpak.com/

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How to chose the best dslr camera?

dslr camera handle image

Ryan

I am looking for a nikon dslr but I don't know which camera is best for me.

I am new to photography and I like to shoot stuff close (autofocus) and shoot objects with low shutter speeds

Is a dslr camera with an autofocus motor better? If so which one is the best?

Answer
Any of the entry level DSLR's would be fine. Canon or Nikon are both good - it depends on your preferences, or perhaps if someone you know owns the same brand.

The lenses are much more important, because they will stay with you even when you upgrade to a new camera body, so make sure to buy the best you possibly can when it comes to lens shopping - you WILL regret buying slow lenses.

Canon tends to be a little cheaper and have a bit more choice, including on the second hand market.

Pick a favorite few cameras, compare them on www.dpreview.com, then play with them in a store...... handling them might help you decide which one to get.

The very best thing you can do for your photography, is to attend a class and read a few books and tutorials. Having some knowledge will make a huge difference to your images.
I hope I have expressed this idea clearly enough: YOU need to learn about photography because even the world's best camera will take lousy shots in the hands of someone who has no clue how to use it.

It sounds like you need to start that learning process BEFORE you even go shopping. Don't spend money until you understand all the terms and concepts properly - you'll just end up disappointed with your choices later.

Should I wait for DSLR camera technology to get better before I buy one?

Z

I feel like DSLR cameras are really big and bulky. Do you think that in the next few years there will be some major improvements in their designs, or will it take much longer for them to get better? I'm kind of new to cameras.

Answer
Big question - when do you stop waiting? Cars are getting better. Computers, TV's, iPods are improving. Can't wait til next year's Nikes come out.

Buy a DSLR when you are ready and get the best one you can afford, that you can handle. If you are concerned that DSLR's are too big and bulky, then you shouldn't get a DSLR. Every inch or centimeter of a modern DSLR is necessary.

Now, there are cameras like the Sony NEX or the Olympus Pen-E that have DSLR-like features, but are smaller. Those might suit you better.
http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/cpg_digital_pen.asp
http://store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&categoryId=8198552921644770500&XID=O:sony%20NEX:dg_nex_gglsrch:alpha_a-nexhigh_p_7475449444_nexcat

But, if you're waiting for DSLR's to improve and improve, you might be like my sister. We both had infants, but she wanted to wait for camcorders to get "better" before she bought one. I have my child's first steps and hundreds of childhood moments recorded. She doesn't have any moments at all.

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Why is my iphone 4 taking pictures better than a Panasonic lumix?

megapixel camera iphone image

Rares

I have a Panasonic lumix dmc-lz8 with a 8 megapixels camera that takes pictures at 2048X1536 resolution and an iphone 4 with 5 megapixels camera that takes pictures at 2592X1936. Why a 5 megapixels camera is better than an 8 one?

Answer
The Panasonic is not set to its highest resolution setting. It's highest setting is 3264 X 2448. Somehow your camera got set to the 3MP setting.

Page 68 of the manual explains what I'm talking about - and how to set it back to its highest quality setting: http://service.us.panasonic.com/OPERMANPDF/DMCLZ8.PDF

More megapixels doesn't mean a better picture. The larger image sensor and better lens in the Panasonic mean that its pictures would have less noise/grain and better low light performance - so even if it had less resolution, because it produces a better quality photo you could still make a larger print. I've seen iPhone photos. Unless you're shooting in bright daylight, they look terrible and you would have a hard time even getting a nice 4X6 print.

Do the megapixel apps actuallly work and improve iphone/ ipod camera quality?

this.is.SE

On the app store i saw this app called: 7 megapixel camera + zoom . there's even 12 megapixels,
do those apps make a difference to the camera quality even on Ipod Touch?

Answer
You cant improve your megapixels by just installing software. They are a scam don't pay any money for them.

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What is the best DSLR Camera for a just starting out photographer?

dslr camera kits image

Sportygirl

So I'm looking into getting a DSLR camera, I have done quite a bit of photography but just with the normal digital cameras. I'm supposed to be taking some SR pictures and some sports type pictures. I've always wanted to get a DSLR camera but just haven't had the money. What are the best kinds for people looking to take more pro pictures, but I don't wanna pay a ton of money! Thanks :)

Answer
The Nikon D3100 and the Rebel T3 are two good choices. For now, just get an 18-55 kit lens. But before buying a 600-whatver dollar camera, go to your local library and read some of the basic photography books they have.

What is the best DSLR camera for a beginner in the current market?

John

I am new to photography. What is the best affordable DSLR camera for a beginner in the current market? My budget is around $500-600.

Answer
For the small price, Canon EOS Rebel T3 camera really packs a big punch. It was a no-brainer for me to choose Canon for my first DSLR. Every single camera I've ever owned is a Canon, and I've never been disappointed. This camera is great for the beginner photographer, and even for the more advanced photographer. It's a breeze to learn how to work all of its functions and most importantly, it delivers such amazing quality photos. The kit comes with 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 image stabilization lens. Even with a moderately wide aperture, the lens performs exceptionally well under low-light situations. I will eventually grow out of this lens, but for now it's doing well for me.

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Is there a guide for creating a home surveillance system?

megapixel cctv camera demo image

Ashley

I would like to be able to check-in on the babysitter while I am away from home. Is there a guide that teaches you to create a home surveillance system that I can view from my cellphone?

Answer
Hello I already answered a question similar to this one so I will just post my previous answer.

for a DVR guide Wikipedia is actually quite good and if you google CCTV guide you will find tons of information.

Not all DVRs are created equal, in fact there are many options that offer varying performance much like the automobile industry. In the world of DVRs you can find the equivalent of a $10,000 Kia and a $350,000 Ferrari and everything in between. Both have 4 wheels and windshield but that where the similarities end, itâs under the hood that counts. Just like any other consumer electronic in the end you get what you pay for.

I suggest you buy a PC based DVR has they have more processing power and normally have a much smaller file size and offer more features then Standalone DVR's. I know many people buy a cheap standalone DVR, only to upgrade to a PC based in 6 months especially when they are using it to manage a store remotely. Also PC based allows you to record up to 64 cameras where a standalone will have a limit of 16.

Many people have the misconception that a PC-Based DVR is simply an off-the-shelf PC with video capture (encoder) cards, display (decoder) cards and some generic OEM software. A true DVR requires years of research and development to facilitate the seamless integration of both the hardware and software. DVRs are highly complex systems that must run 24/7, processing millions of images per day. This makes consumer-level hardware inadequate for DVRs which is why Ascendent uses custom-built PCs with performance-level hardware.

My personal favorite DVR is Ascendent X4 series: Ascendentâs Tri-Fusion Hybrid Platform allows for the creation of a true hybrid surveillance system by utilizing the advantages of Analog, Megapixel, and IP technologies for unparalleled customization and expandability. I am working on government projects and use Ascendent cameras and DVR because the offer superior performance and cost less then comparable brands like bosh, Honeywell and pelco.

The X4 also uses the latest H.264/SVC codec offer video substantially better quality,. While its file size sizes is 30% smaller than MPEG-4, 60% smaller than MPEG-2, and exponentially smaller than MJPEG.

File size is crucial to streaming because most DVRâs on the market record at real time performance (30FPS per channel) so on a 4CH is trying to send 120, 8CH 240, and a 16CH 480 images per second which requires way too much bandwidth even for the most extreme internet connections.

The smaller the files size the more images are able to be sent, and the faster they can be processed improving both FPS and speed. File size is the heart of any DVR and goes far beyond just its streaming capabilities, as it also determines the recording storage time, how much you can back up at once, how fast it renders and searches video. The file size of a DVR impacts the performance of the DVR in just about every aspect from speed to longevity and is often the most important spec of any DVR.

If you are buying a DVR and streaming is a high priority I suggest you ask for a demo and connect to the DVR to make sure it is able to stream fast enough for your needs. Most DVRs say they have remote viewing but it is often too slow and laggy to be of any use especially if it is a standalone. Some good DVR brands that I recommend are Bosch, Pelco, Honeywell and Ascendent. These brands are what security professionals use, Q-see, Swan and Lorex are only used in residential applications because they are sold by Tiger Direct, Newegg, Sams Club, Costco and other retail outlets but are not used by any security professionals also their tech support rarely speaks English as their first language...

These brand manufacturers also have a complete line of CCTV cameras for any application from residential to military.

http://www.ascendentgroup.com (Recommend)
http://www.honeywell.com
http://www.pelco.com/
http://www.bosch.com

I have done projects that required cameras to stream over satellite and cellular networks and the only DVR that could provide the video streaming was Ascendent Technology Groupâs X3 DVR. To give you an example of what a good DVR should stream like, below are instructions on how to connect to Ascendent's X3 DVR using Internet Explorer.

Instructions on how to connect to Ascendentâs DVR with Internet Explorer:

1) http://connect.ascendentgroup.com/ (Must be Internet explorer)
2) Install active X control
3) Hit âConnect)
4) DVR type PC
5) DVR code SITE-100
6) User ID Demo (case sensitive)
7) Password demo (lower case)
8) Hit extend config
9) IP address: 24.66.224.223
10) And hit connect

Again I recommend going with a PC based DVR but if you don't want to spend the money I suggest Ascendent's AVP-4120 DVR or Pelco's DX-4000 as they will allow you to view all your cameras instantly from anywhere in the world using either IE. The AVP-4120 will also allow MAC platforms as well as PC to remotely view camera

Why do security cameras have bad frame rate?

ZerpDerp

Shouldn't they be all high tech with good technology?

Answer
Hello

Always buy DVR and security equipment from a good brand name manufacturer like Pleco, Bosch, Honeywell Ascendent: http://www.ascendentgroup.com

a good DVR does 30FPS or 30 frames per second this in the CCTV industry is called Real-Time Performance. so a 8ch will do 240FPS, 16ch 480FPS, and 32ch 960FPS many DVR will claim Real-tim but when you look at them they are only real-time CIF not D1 resolution.

The human Eye see;s about 20FPS movies are shot in 22FPS and a good CCTV system will record 30FPS NSC (25FPS PAL).

Unfortunately many people buy very low end systems which have poor frame rate and bad image quality because they buy from Amazon, "spy stores" Lorex, Q-see, NCIX, new-egg, and other online retailers who sell cheap products for china there were never intended to be anything more then a nany cam and should never be used to provide security.


Not all DVRs are created equal, in fact there are many options that offer varying performance much like the automobile industry. In the world of DVRs you can find the equivalent of a $10,000 Kia and a $350,000 Ferrari and everything in between. Both have 4 wheels and windshield but that where the similarities end, itâs under the hood that counts. Just like any other consumer electronic in the end you get what you pay for.

My personal favorite DVR is Ascendent X4 series: Ascendentâs Tri-Fusion Hybrid Platform allows for the creation of a true hybrid surveillance system by utilizing the advantages of Analog, Megapixel, and IP technologies .

The X4S also uses the latest H.264/SVC codec offer video substantially better quality,. While its file size sizes is 30% smaller than MPEG-4, 60% smaller than MPEG-2, and exponentially smaller than MJPEG.

The smaller the files size the more images are able to be sent, and the faster they can be processed improving both FPS and speed. File size is the heart of any DVR and goes far beyond just its streaming capabilities, as it also determines the recording storage time, how much you can back up at once, how fast it renders and searches video. The file size of a DVR impacts the performance of the DVR in just about every aspect from speed to longevity and is often the most important spec of any DVR.

If you are buying a DVR and streaming is a high priority I suggest you ask for a demo and connect to the DVR to make sure it is able to stream fast enough for your needs. Most DVRs say they have remote viewing but it is often too slow and laggy to be of any use especially if it is a standalone.

Just like any other consumer electronic in the end you get what you pay for. Most retailers and sellers make about a 40-80% profit margin, this is after costs like shipping and overhead. That means when you buy a product that costs $100.00 the manufacturer usually has only spent $30 to build it which simply means itâs not a good product and will probably have a working life of about 2 months. Cheap products are like disposable razors they are NOT designed to last for a long time and you will end up replacing them every 2 months.

DVRs need to be good quality as they run 24/7 (20X more than the average electronic device) and process anywhere from 30-480 frames per second which in a year is over 15 billion images, and a good DVR should last 3-5 years.

If you are only going to spend 70$ on cameras then you should buy 15 dummy cameras they will be just as effective and cheaper hen swan cameras.

Also as far as night vision or IR cameras go most do not give good images in the dark. Many companies claim good night vision but there are only a handful of brands who give night vision over 30 feet out doors. normally if a cameras is rated 150 feet of IR it will give you ok images at 30 feet at night and good images at about 20 if rated for 60 feet you might get 15 indoors and will be useless outdoors.

2 Great IR outdoor cameras
http://ascendentdvr.com/ascentseries2/52⦠($95)

http://ascendentdvr.com/vistaseries2/vis⦠($235.00)

Some good CCTV brands that I recommend are Bosch, Pelco, Honeywell and Ascendent.

http://www.ascendentgroup.com (best price/ performance)
www.honeywell.com
www.pelco.com/
http://www.bosch.com

Economical DVR's
Two good economical DVRs I would recommend are Ascendent's AVP-4120 DVR or Pelco's DX-400. They will allow you to view all your cameras instantly from anywhere in the world using either IE, or a client software. The AVP-4120 uses the latest H.264 codec to improve streaming and recording time, and will allow PCs and smart phones to remotely view and control your cameras. These are the DVRs I would recommend that are good quality and affordable from companies who stand behind there products.

Again if you are going to buy no name products save money and get dummy cameras they are just as affective and you will be less disappointed.

Hope this Helps,
williammorales93@ymail.com

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What is the best setting? Canon Xsi DSLR camera for low light indoor situations. But want vivid colors.?

canon dslr camera xsi image

Luis M

What is the best setting? Canon Xsi DSLR camera for low light indoor situations. But want vivid colors to come out. For example: At a club, very low light but want the vivid purple or red light to come out in the back ground. At the same time want my friends faces to come out. Ive seen this many times.
Please excuse the newbie question as im new at this. thanks

Answer
Successful low-light non-flash photography requires a fast lens - like a 50mm f1.4 as well as a higher ISO. If you're trying to use the 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 zoom that came with your camera you will be very frustrated - even if you use ISO 6400.

An f1.4 lens is 2-2/3 stops faster than f3.5 and 4 stops faster than f5.6. So what does this mean? I used the Exposure Calculator at http://www.robert-barrett.com/photo/exposure_calculator.html and chose his Scene "Home interior, average light" - which is likely much brighter than a club. The ISO/f-stop/shutter speed relation still holds however.

ISO 800
f1.4 @ 1/125 sec.
f3.5 @ 1/20 sec. - 2-2/3 stops
f5.6 @ 1/8 sec. - 4 stops

ISO 1600 + 1 stop
f1.4 @ 1/250 sec.
f3.5 @ 1/40 sec.
f5.6 @ 1/15 sec.

ISO 3200 + 2 stops
f1.4 @ 1/500 sec.
f3.5 @ 1/80 sec.
f5.6 @ 1/30 sec.

ISO 6400 +3 stops
f1.4 @ 1/1000 sec.
f3.5 @ 1/160 sec.
f5.6 @ 1/60 sec.

As you can easily see, a fast f1.4 lens is all but mandatory for what you want to do.

There are no "best settings" for any photography regardless of location.

I suggest buying a 50mm f1.4 lens, set your ISO to 1600 and shoot in Aperture Priority. You can see, in the viewfinder, the shutter speed selected by the camera. If it isn't at least 1/60 sec. then you'll have to use ISO 3200.

You should find this article, which appeared in the March 2009 issue of Shutterbug ( http://www.shutterbug.com ), helpful in dealing with excessive digital noise: "Noise Reduction Comes of Age" by Joe Farace.

What is the best digital SLR camera that is under a grand?

J

I have done a little research and the Canon Rebel Xsi looks like a good seller.

I am looking to purchase my first DSLR camera soon.

Thanks!

Answer
If you don't mind used cameras, I would recommend a used Canon 50D or Canon 40D. I recently got a 40D with a 28-135mm off of craigslist for $900. If you go for a level higher than the Rebels, you will find higher quality and a body that will last you much longer because of the magnesium frame.

Also, don't forget that while you may go through bodies, lenses are really what make amazing pictures. I HIGHLY recommend the Canon 50mm f/1.8. It is amazingly sharp and offers beautiful pictures. Plus it is only $90!

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