CameraRec » Mid-Priced DSLR

Digital Camera Buying Guide

toby — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 01:16:57 +0000

Let’s keep this short and sweet – If I had $____ to spend on a camera what would I buy. . . (see below for lens ideas)

	If I had $200 to spend I would buy the Canon HS300 This little P&S is little! but offers excellent quality, 1080p with stereo audio and the neat feature of slow mo video. I would spend the extra $50 on an 8GB SD Card (it comes w/ a 4GB and HDMI cable) an Ultra Compact Camera Case and a Joby Flexible Tripod. NOTE: This Camera at $149 is already blackfriday discounted – Amazon’s price matches the expected door buster price being offered by BestBuy.
	If I had $400 I would buy the Canon PowerShot S100 & that would require me to scrounge a bit for an extra $30 but it wold be worth it. The new DIGIC 5 Image Processor means fast performance and excellent low light images. Additional features similar to the HS300 above but with a very cool control ring for manual control over a range of settings and GPS for automatic location tagging of your photos.
	If I had $600 I would buy the Panasonic LUMIX G3 Four-Thirds Camera with 14-42mm Lens And just like that we are now in the territory of cameras with removeable lenses – DSLR like – this is not a true DSLR because it doesn’t have a mirror that directs the image that comes through the lens to an optical viewfinder. What it does have and offers is an electronic viewfinder and a flip out LCD screen with touch to focus (and lots of other touch to do something options) Fast and silent autofocus, 360 motion panorama and loads of video options. Downside- battery life isn’t great and additional lenses aren’t cheap. There are other really close competitors for my heart at this price range.
	If I had $800 I would buy the Canon EOS Rebel T3i with EF-S 18-55m IS Lens You get a whole lot of DSLR for this price- a gorgeous flipity out LCD screen, 1080P recording – in fact the T3i shares same image/video quality with the much more expensive 7D and even offers a few features like video zoom that you don’t get in the 7D. And for those that dream of going big as a photographer wireless flash control is a cherry on the T3i pie.
	If I had $1000 I would buy the Canon EOS Rebel T3i with EF-S 18-55m IS Lens (yep same as above) and add an external flash like Speedlite 320EX Flash – This is going to do loads for your indoor & outdoor photos and has a video light AND has a remote for triggering the shutter on the camera.
	If I had $1200 I would buy the Fujifilm X100 – this is a DSLR sensor in a small range finder like body with a fixed lens. Sure you are giving up the versatility of a DSLR with removable lenses and no zoom but what you get is a fantastically peppy camera, superb quality and it is all packaged in a stylish body.

Holiday Shopping: Camera Guide – If I had. . .

toby — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 23:24:57 +0000

Cape Neddick ("Nubble") Light - Copyright Tobias Gelston

Let’s keep this short and sweet – If I had $____ to spend on a camera what would I buy. . . (see below for lens ideas)

Black Friday Updates 7am

HS300 at $149 -See description below, Excellent buy for a tiny but high quality camera

SX230 at $199 – Very similar in quality and features to HS300 (which is to say excellent) AND adds 3″ LCD screen, 14x zoom GPS for tagging photos – this is a stellar buy – View on Amazon Price includes a 4GB SD card and Mini HDMI Cable

Sony Cyber-ShotTX10 16.2 MP Waterproof Camera is Amazon’s Gold Box Deal of the day and at $169 for a waterproof rugged camera that shoots 16MP and 1080i video is very tempting. Be warned that this camera is sloooooow, slow to start up and slow to take photo/video. Also the touch screen that lets you control most of the operations is no fun to use especially once the screen gets wet. . like underwater!! Amazon’s return policy is good so if you are dying to try out a waterproof camera you could give it a shot. The next waterproof camera I feel comfortable recommending is $100 more, the excellent Panasonic LumixTS3 12.1 MP Rugged/Waterproof Camera Simple controls and truly feels like it can take some abuse and spend some time underwater.

More Amazon Black Friday Deals & BF Electronic Deals

	If I had $200 to spend I would buy the Canon HS300 This little P&S is little! but offers excellent quality, 1080p with stereo audio and the neat feature of slow mo video. I would spend the extra $50 on an 8GB SD Card (it comes w/ a 4GB and HDMI cable) an Ultra Compact Camera Case and a Joby Flexible Tripod. NOTE: This Camera at $149 is already blackfriday discounted – Amazon’s price matches the expected door buster price being offered by BestBuy.
	If I had $400 I would buy the Canon PowerShot S100 & that would require me to scrounge a bit for an extra $30 but it wold be worth it. The new DIGIC 5 Image Processor means fast performance and excellent low light images. Additional features similar to the HS300 above but with a very cool control ring for manual control over a range of settings and GPS for automatic location tagging of your photos.
	If I had $600 I would buy the Panasonic LUMIX G3 Four-Thirds Camera with 14-42mm Lens And just like that we are now in the territory of cameras with removeable lenses – DSLR like – this is not a true DSLR because it doesn’t have a mirror that directs the image that comes through the lens to an optical viewfinder. What it does have and offers is an electronic viewfinder and a flip out LCD screen with touch to focus (and lots of other touch to do something options) Fast and silent autofocus, 360 motion panorama and loads of video options. Downside- battery life isn’t great and additional lenses aren’t cheap. There are other really close competitors for my heart at this price range.
	If I had $800 I would buy the Canon EOS Rebel T3i with EF-S 18-55m IS Lens You get a whole lot of DSLR for this price- a gorgeous flipity out LCD screen, 1080P recording – in fact the T3i shares same image/video quality with the much more expensive 7D and even offers a few features like video zoom that you don’t get in the 7D. And for those that dream of going big as a photographer wireless flash control is a cherry on the T3i pie.
	If I had $1000 I would buy the Canon EOS Rebel T3i with EF-S 18-55m IS Lens (yep same as above) and add an external flash like Speedlite 320EX Flash – This is going to do loads for your indoor & outdoor photos and has a video light AND has a remote for triggering the shutter on the camera.
	If I had $1200 I would buy the Fujifilm X100 – this is a DSLR sensor in a small range finder like body with a fixed lens. Sure you are giving up the versatility of a DSLR with removable lenses and no zoom but what you get is a fantastically peppy camera, superb quality and it is all packaged in a stylish body.

Bundled Deals for Canon

toby — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 00:08:51 +0000

Lots of inquires about deals on DSLRS and Lenses. I should point folks toward the Canon DSLR/Lens bundles that can offer some nice savings A few other deals float around too – Free SLR Backpack and 8GB SD card with some DSLR purchases Free 4GB SD Card and Mini HDMI Cable when you buy the HS300 Save Big When You Bundle Select Canon DSLRs with Qualifying Canon Lenses and/or Printers While supplies last, purchase a select Canon digital SLR camera along with qualifying Canon lenses and/or printers and receive up to $350 off the lenses at checkout and up to $500 off the printer via mail-in-rebate. Bundle Discount and Eligibility: $100 off the EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III when purchased with select Canon EOS T2i, and T3i cameras. This is a budget zoom lens and with the discount is a decent value. Don’t expect amazing results, just decent results and you will need good light (bright) at the long range of the zoom to avoid blur. OK if on very tight budget. After discount cost is ~$50 $200 off the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM when purchased with a Canon EOS 7D cameras. Similar to the range of the lens above but with Image Stabilization(IS) and UltraSonicMotors(USM) for focus- This means that with IS you can avoid some of the blurry shots you would get with the cheaper version and with USM you have quick and quiet focus. This lens is an excellent value at it’s normal price and one of the sharpest lenses in this price range. Excellent buy especially with discount. After discount cost is $280 and this is my pick for best value though I do realize it is still a chunk of money even with the discount. $150 off the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II when purchased with select Canon EOS 7D, T2i, and T3i cameras. This lens fits nicely with the kit starting off where the other stops. It has IS and is a bit sharper than the EF 75-300 listed at the top. Otherwise I feel about the same about it as I do the 75-300. Though at $150 off this leaves the total cost of the lens at ~$50 which is also similar to the 75-300 and would be my preferred pick of the two. $250-$350 savings if you purchase a DSLR with 2 qualifying lenses. Everything conveniently listed for purchase - Canon DSLR/Lens bundles or Listed in bundles Add a printer to your digital SLR camera purchase to qualify for the following savings: Get a $400 American Express Reward Card via mail-in rebate with the combined purchase of the Canon PIXMA Pro9000 Mark II photo printer and qualifying Canon cameras. Get a $500 American Express Reward Card via mail-in rebate with the combined purchase of the Canon PIXMA Pro9500 Mark II photo printer and qualifying Canon cameras. These printers are excellent but before jumping into this purchase you need to decide – only really worth it if you plan on printing a few times a week – ink/paper costs will add up and you will be printing at a cost of ~0.60 per print. That is getting pricey. Some have been buying and ebaying the printers – enough that the price you can expect to get for them is not nearly new prices, so if considering that check first. - Printer offer is valid through December 31, 2011, or while supplies last. - Savings on lenses are valid through November 23, 2011, or while supplies last. Note on Availability: Select digital SLRs, lenses, and printers are in high demand and their availability may fluctuate. If you don’t see the digital SLR, lens, or printer that you’re looking for, check back periodically. Savings apply only to purchases of products sold by Amazon.com and does not apply to products sold by third-party merchants and other sellers through the Amazon.com site. To receive any of the discounts above, the eligible lens and printer must be purchased together with the qualifying camera in the same order. Amazon.com reserves the right to end or modify this offer at any time.

Sony and Nikon Announcements

toby — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 18:28:21 +0000

Just a quick run down of SOME of the announced cameras Sony’s new A77 (Amazon video) (pre-order) $1400 Body Only

This is their flagship APS-C sized sensor, not full frame. Loads of technology crammed into this body of which the most significant is their translucent mirror technology which allows full time AutoFocus during video. This is the fast Autofocus, not that slow crap that is in the current Nikon DSLRs and Canon doesn’t have anything approaching. No flippy-uppy mirror means blazing fast FPS is also possible – 12fps.
OLED Viewfinder with 2 million dots resolution. 2x times the resolution of the gorgeous screens on the back of the newer Canon Rebels.
The world’s shortest release time lag at only 0.05 seconds. (How long it takes from having focus to taking the photo)
Face Recognition and face prioritizing – it will recognize family and friends and prioritize exposure of their faces
GPS
Tilt-able LCD

If I was an enthusiast just taking photos for fun, especially sports or fast action I would seriously consider this camera. Sony still lacks in the lenses department but this is improving. Sony NEX-7 (Wired Article) (pre-order) $1200 Body Only

This is most of the A77 tech crammed into Sony’s “pocketable” camera
APS-C sensor in a smaller body (larger sensor than the Micro 4/3 line)
10FPS
Offers a hot shoe, customizable dials, and tiltable LCD
Electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage
HDvideo with full manual control

Ths is being billed as professional camera that will fit in your pocket. Sure, with no lens it will easily slip into most pockets but the lens quickly adds bulk and the camera becomes a bit more awkward to hold. That said this camera is, size-wise, on par with the 4/3 line like the GF3 but offers a good bit more technology and not only better low light performance but better image quality all around. It is almost 2x the cost of the GF3 and other similar cameras and certainly more expensive than the entry level DSLRS. NEX – 7 Hands on video They also announced the NEX-5N (pre-order) $699 - 16MP APS-C sensor and touchscreen. This is designed to compete with the 4/3 line, price is similar but missing the hot shoe of the NEX-7 and the nice controls. Touch screens can be useful but not an excellent way to really get into the manual control of a camera. High FPS gives parents of sport/dance active children a really nice tool for capturing those shots. Nikon Announced the P7100 (Order) (Promo Video)- the successor to the P7000 that was billed as a Canon G12 competitor. The problem with the P7000 was the sluggishness of the camera. This looks to be addressed in the P7100 and it now offers a control dial on the front(love that) and the tilt-sivel LCD that has become so common on the larger P&S and entry level DSLRS

7.1x and 10.1MP
Ability to shoot RAW files
HD movie (720p) with stereo sound recording zoom and autofocus are available during recording
3″ 921K LCD
Optical Viewfinder – you be surprised how often I get asked which cameras still offer an optical viewfinder. This is one of the few that still does.

There is are a few more P&S from Nikon – nothing that looks to exciting except the AW100(rugged/waterproof) I wrote about yesterday I hope I have helped you make a bit more sense of these new releases. I will be expanding my thoughts on these over the next few days and I am always happy to answer questions or help you decide which is best for you. Find me on twitter @camerarec, use the chat link above or come post on the wall!

T3i Bundle Deal on Amazon

toby — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 12:30:43 +0000

You have to work a bit for this- involves selling extra lenses and a printer but the effort could pay off and you end up with a T3i and kit lens for almos $300 less than retail. All of the following need to be purchased from Amazon NOT a 3rd party retailer through Amazon

Canon EOS Rebel T3i 18MP DSLR Camera w/ EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens + EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS Lens + EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Lens + UV Filter + Canon PIXMA Pro 9000 Mark II I

Canon EOS Rebel T3i 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera and DIGIC 4 Imaging with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens = $849.00 Tiffen 58mm UV Protection Filter = $12.39 Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras = $199.00 Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras = $200.00 Canon PIXMA Pro9000 Mark II Inkjet Photo Printer (3295B002) = $449.99Total: $849.00 + $12.39 + $199.00 + $200.00 + $449.99 – $12.39 (UV filter instant rebate) $150 (55-250mm instant rebate) – $100 (75-300mm instant rebate) – $400 (printer mail-in rebate [images-amazon.com]) = $1047

You have to add everything to your cart, must be from Amazon and before checkout you will see the discount applied.Then sell the following: Printer = ~$200 55-250mm lens = ~$150 75-300mm lens = ~$110 For a net total of ~$587.00 on the T3i 18-55mm kit.

It is a bit of work and there are no guarantees on the sell prices, especially if you have to do Ebay fees + shipping costs but those are fairly reasonable estimates for sale prices. Good Luck!

Canon T3i(600D) vs T2i(550D)

toby — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 13:15:02 +0000

Both cameras share the same sensor and as a result have nearly identical image quality. Reasons you may want to consider a T3i over a T2i

Flip out LCD Screen
Wireless Flash Commander – Ability to fire external flashes not connected to the camera
Digital Video Zoom – This is different from the horrible digital zoom of most cameras and offers 3-10x zoom at no loss of quality.
In camera rating of images (adding stars) and some post processing features added to RAW files

Reasons you may want to consider the T2i

Tight budget – T2i currently selling for less
A bit smaller and lighter – though not significantly

Bottom line – The T3i offers a good bit more value, at a slight cost increase, but only if those features listed above appeal to you. And carefully consider the future, will they at some point ?

Other cameras to consider - Nikon D3100, Nikon D5100, Canon 60D, Nikon D7000, Canon 7D – Thoughts on those

Which DSLR should I buy [May 2011]

toby — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 19:56:40 +0000

Everytime I revisit this post I have a harder time recomending one model/brand over another – at this point all of the cameras on this list are excellent and will produce superb images under normal conditions. It is important that you read over the pros and cons of each and decide what is right for you. I encourage you to ask questions via twitter(@camerarec), leaving a comment or using the chat window to the right. I am here to help and guide you toward the best camera for YOU! Prices can and do fluctuate a good bit. If your budget is very tight check with me, I am happy to try and hunt down a deal or make alternate recommendations based on your needs. Keeping it short and sweet. . . The very short & sweet guide: My Recs [<$500 = Buy a used XSi, Budget($650) = Nikon D3100, $800-$1000 = Canon T3i, $1000-$1500 = Nikon D7000, Above $1500 = Canon 7D] Slightly longer guide:

Budget (~ $600)

Best of the bunch: Nikon D3100 Buy a Nikon D3100 14MP, 1080P video @ 24 FPS, very user friendly with guide mode, full time auto focus in video mode*, Good low light performance at this price point (~$650) Cheaper but without video functions- Buy a used Canon XSi 10 MP megapixels, Live View, 3″ LCD with 230K resolution (~$400) *The Autofocus used during video is slow and somewhat noisy, meaning the on camera mic will record the sound of the camera focusing. If you want to capture your child in a play or a predictable sporting event the AF is fine. If you are trying to capture someone or something moving in unpredictable patterns you may find yourself frustrated as the AF “hunts” for focus lock. If you are planning on doing more serious video you should consider the Canon T3i(below) and learn to manual focus. Another benefit of the T3i and D5100 is the addition of a mic port, letting you connect an external microphone and getting much better audio quality. $700 – $1000 Best of the bunch: Canon T3i (But . . .)


Canon T3i (600D)	Nikon D5100	Panasonic GH2
18MP – Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, (12800 with boost) ISO	16MP – Auto, 100- 6400 (plus 12800, 25600 with boost) ISO	16MP – Auto, Intelligent ISO, 160, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800 ISO
Video: 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 480 (60, 50 fps)	1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps)	1920 x 1080 (24, 60fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30fps)
LCD: Articulated 3″ 1,040,000 dots	Articulated 3″ 921,000 dots	Articulated 3″ 460,000 dots

The T3i builds on a very succesful and popular T2i that feels like it was released just yesterday. The obvious change is the articulaed LCD screen, a gorgeous 1 million dot articulating LCD appeals to both the photographer reviewing their shots, you can really tell if the focus is sharp and the videographer that wants to shoot at odd angles. Inside the camera is using the same sensor as the 7D, performance and quality is excellent though at low light the D5100 outperforms. An internal change from the T2i is the ability to wireleslsy control multiple flashes (or just one) giving the budding photographer a great way to get creative lighting shots without resorting to expensive radio triggers. Final note the ergonomics have been tweaked and getting excellent reviews from both a how it feels when you hold it and ease of adjustments. Bottom line – Lots of features are packed into this camera that provides the beginner photographer/videographer plenty of room to grow.	Shares a sensor with the excellent D7000 so you know you will get excellent still images and at this price point superb low light performance though the difference isn’t THAT great when compared against the T3i. Video performance is capable if you are serious about video the additional frame rates of the T3i provide greater flexibility in shooting. Some complaints about the redesign layout, not as friendly, especially when adjusting settings in manual mode as the T3i. Camera also lacks an inbody focus motor, this means some lenses will not AF on the camera, though as I write this Nikon is announcing a 50mm f/1.8 that makes this less of an issue. Bottom line – There is lots of camera to love here but if you are serious about photography the T3i gives you more room to grow, and if you’re not serious about photography you should consider the D3100 and save a few dollars.	The GH2 is not a true DSLR, no mirror that directs what the lens sees to the viewfinder. And the sensor is a smaller 4/3 sensor, smaller than the APS-C size of the T3i and the D5100. Smaller sensor usually means poor low light performance but the GH2 is really impressive and in a smaller body you get performance nearly on par with the two other cameras in this class especially up to ISO 3200. Where the GH2 really shines is in video control and performance. Bottom line – Fantastic controls, features and options make this an excellent video machine that also happens to take solid still photos and all in a slightly smaller package. You do pay for this performance in a smaller package.
Wireless flash control, Auto focus capabilities with cheap 50mm prime lens, 60,50 fps at 720, very good build and button placement, video clip mode (stiches multiple short video clips into one longer video), video zoom 3x-10x	Beginner friendly, full time autofocus during video*see note about D3100 above, better lowlight performance, built in HDR	Micro 4/3 camera (means smaller sensor and no mirror) uses an electronic viewfinder and touch screen LCD for controls. 60fps at 1080p and excellent autofocus with built in stereo mic.
Canon EOS Rebel T3i	Nikon D5100	Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2

$1000 – $1500

Best of the bunch: Nikon D7000 Buy a Nikon D7000 ($1499 w/ 18-105 lens) 16MP, Excellent low-light performance, HD video, 920k LCD , 100% viewfinder, built in wireless flash capabilities, dual SD card slots Buy a Canon 60D ($1399 w/ 18-135 lens) Same sensor as t2i and 7D = same image and video options/quality. What sets 60D apart is articulating LCD, manual audio controls for shooting video and a build that is still plastic and similar to the rebel line but w/ top LCD and a more solid(good) feel.

> $1500

Canon’s 7D 18MP, 100% viewfinder, Dual DIGIC 4 and new AutoFocus are great. Stellar HD video. Excellent build quality (weather sealed & ergonomics). More here (~$1499) Buy a D300s12MP w/ 18-200mm VR II Lens – Not full frame but excellent quality, low-light performance and video in a much more affordable package (~$2500 w/ very nice 18-200 lens) (~$1800 body only) > $2500 Buy a 5D Mark II 21.1MP Full Frame 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens – Gorgeous giant images and jaw dropping HD video (~$3000) If you buy a Canon take a moment to look at my recommended lens list. This list covers the basics, if you are considering any of these cameras find me on twitter(@camerarec) and let’s talk about which is best for you

Nikon D5100 First Look

toby — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 16:00:38 +0000

Nikon D5100 first look preview from Amateur Photographer magazine Take aways from this video -

Performance of the D7000 in a smaller body (this is very similar setup to the 600D, 60D and 7D on Canon)
10% smaller than the D5000
12,800 Extended ISO and a night vision mode that equals B&W using ISO 102,000
Video is recorded in H.264 w/ faster AF (I am interested to see how much this is tweaked. The D3100 constant AF is not seamless.
Screen looks great, the on screen tutorials have been tweaked and look very useful not only helping you get great shots but teaching as you use the camera.

Preorder on Amazon -Nikon D5100 16.2MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens

Nikon D5100 Specs compared to other Entry Level DSLRs

toby — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 19:36:22 +0000

The Nikon D5100 has been outed by Nikon Romania – oops. I have the knows specs listed along with the other Nikon and Canon models in this price range

Nikon D5100 (NEW)	Nikon D5000	Nikon D3100	Canon T3i/600D
16.2 MP	12.3	14.2	18.0
Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, (102400 w/ night vision mode)	Auto, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 (6400 w/ boost)	Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 (12800 w/ boost)	Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, (12800 w/ boost)
Side Articulated LCD 921,000 dots	2.7″ Bottom Articulated LCD 230,000 dots	3″ Fixed LCD 230,000 dots	3″ Articulated LCD 1,040,000 dots
4 fps	4	3	3.4
(1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24fps), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps))	(1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps), 320 x 216 (24 fps))	(1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps))	(1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 480 (60, 50 fps))
HDR Feature
Quiet Shutter Feature
Special Effects during video			Picture styles useable during video
EN-EL14 battery (Same battery used by Nikon D3100)
$899 [Amazon]	$699	$599 [Amazon]	$899 [Amazon]

The D5100 will likely best the T3i in high ISO/low light performance, the D5000 did a better job over the T2i and these newer sensors that Nikon is using look to be quite excellent in lowlight. Despite this I still have trouble recommending the D5000 and now the D5100. They are excellent cameras, beginner friendly, and most folks find them pleasingly ergonomic. My Reasons for picking the entry level Canons over Nikon? The LCD screen, the wireless flash controls of the T3i and the ability to auto focus with a cheap lens like the nifty-fifty (canon 50mm). The LCD screen on the Canon T2i/T3i is gorgeous and you can really get a good sense of your shots just glancing at that screen. UPDATE: It looks like the Nikon is going to have a very similar LCD screen. If you are serious about photography but on a limited budget the ability to AF with cheap lenses and have the ability to wirelessly control a flash(es) gives the Canon T2i/T3i shooter loads of room to grow as a photographer. That all said, if you want a DSLR but don’t have plans or dreams of professional photography the D5100 may be perfect for you. One point worth mentioning – the Nikon does have full time autofocus during video, I have been fairly critical of the usefulness of this feature, it is still on the slow slide and serious videographers manually focus but for parents just trying to capture their child in a play or sporting event this can be a lifesaver. So parents, if you want one device that is going to give you excellent video and still quality I think you will be very happy with this camera. I have added the full press release below that includes information about a new external mic that will retail for $150 and give you nice stereo sound quality with any camera that has the 3.5mm mic jack. Looks like a slightly smaller version of the Rode. The nikon D3000, D5000 and now D5100 do not have an in-body focus motor, this limits the number of lenses that will allow autofocusing when attached to one of those three cameras. Sometimes I feel like I make a bigger deal out of this than necessary. You can still find a lens in just about every focal length you want, in a few cases you do have to pay a bit more than otherwise but it really is in just a few cases. As always find me on twitter @camerarec or use the chat link on the right to ask questions, advice or just share your thoughts. FULL Press release Ready for the Adventure of Life The D5100 allows photographers of all levels to confidently execute newand creative ways to tell stories with amazing colour and clarity.Whether shooting over crowds or down low from a toddlers point of view,the swing-out style, Vari-angle LCD screen makes it easy to compose andshare great images. Displaying even the most subtle details withclarity, the super sharp LCD has a 1000:1 contrast ratio and 921,000-dotresolution with the ability to pivot 180 degrees horizontally andvertically. To further test creative boundaries, photographers can take advantageof the D5100s in-camera Special Effects Mode. Applied to either stillsor D-Movies, these innovative effects are easy to implement and add ahigh level of creativity. By selecting the Effects position on the modedial located on top of the camera, photographers can easily applyeffects such as Selective Colour and choose up to three differentcolours while the remainder of the scene is converted to monochrome.Colour Sketch creates photos and a stop-motion movie in a colourfulsketched drawing style, while the Miniature effect records photos andhigh-speed movies to bestow a feeling of a mini-scale scene. To record photos in extreme lighting conditions or to produce movieswith a gritty appearance, the new Night Vision mode calls upon Nikonspro digital SLR low-light technology to offer extreme low-lightcapability by enabling the camera to shoot up to a super-high 102,400ISO. In addition to the Effects mode, users can create photos withamazing tonal range by selecting the high dynamic range (HDR) functionwithin the camera. With this selected, the D5100 will automaticallybracket up to three exposure stops with two images in rapid successionto produce a finished photo with an amazing range of midtones andhighlights that wouldnt otherwise be possible in a single shot.Additionally, Active D-Lighting can be selected and combined with HDRfor even more dramatic effects. The versatile Nikon D5100 digital SLR will motivate shooters to furtherexplore creativity with its advanced camera features including fullmanual controls (P,S,A,M on the mode dial) offering the ability tomanage the cameras aperture and shutter speeds. Once a photo iscaptured, photographers have the flexible retouch menu at their disposalto apply additional in-camera effects and editing options includingcolour and filter effects, red eye correction and NEF (RAW) processing. The remarkably wide ISO range of 100-6,400 (expandable to a staggering25,600 ISO) allows photographers to shoot confidently in outdoor andindoor low-light situations, even handheld with low noise. Inchallenging lighting conditions such as when a subject is backlit,Nikons Active D-Lighting feature keeps shadows and highlights consistentfor even exposures. To further unleash creativity, the Picture Control system allows thechoice of Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome, Portrait, or Landscapesettings to apply a personal look and feel to pictures, and theversatile Scene Modes let photographers choose from Portrait, Landscape,Child, Sports, Close-up or Night Portrait for stunning results in justabout all possible lighting conditions. Create Full HD Movies The Nikon D5100 captures full 1080p HD movies with full-time autofocus.Users can quickly switch focus modes to stay with the action through avariety of AF functions, including Face Priority which can track up to35 human faces, Subject Tracking and normal or wide-area autofocus. Toactivate movie mode and Live View, a new switch is positioned on the topof the camera near the shutter button for improved ergonomics and easieraccess. The D5100 digital SLR offers variable frame rates and resolutions, andcan record 1080p at a cinema-like 24 frames per second (fps).Alternatively, for playback on HD devices, it can record at 30 fps or aweb-friendly 720p at either 24 or 30 fps. All clips can record for up to20 minutes in the AVC-HD H.264 codec. Once recorded, movie clips can betrimmed in the camera to save time in post-production. Whether utilizinga wireless or hot shoe-mounted microphone such as the new ME-1, soundcan be recorded via the stereo microphone input for professional audioresults. Captured movies can be easily shared via HDMI output, andcontrolled remotely with HDMI CEC compatibility. Superior Image Quality The 16.2 megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor is capable of capturing imagesthat erupt with colour, offering amazing sharpness and clarity to createimages and full HD movies even in low-light conditions. Coupled withNikons exclusive EXPEED 2 TM image-processing engine, images are broughtto life with vivid colours and amazing contrast, accurate exposure andlow noise levels resulting in brilliant image quality. The EXPEED 2 TMengine also drives the quick 11-point AF system on the D5100 to providefor rapid focus acquisition even on fast-moving subjects. When shootingaction, split-second shutter response and four frames per second burstrate make sure no moment is missed, forever putting to rest the story ofthe one that got away. Whether shooting lush wilderness landscapes or an urban skyline, theD5100 utilizes Nikons exclusive Scene Recognition System to analyzesubject information from a database containing more than 30,000 imagesto optimize focus, exposure, i-TTL flash exposure and white balance. Toassist in creating amazing imagery, the Scene Recognition System readsdata from the 420-pixel 3D Colour Matrix Meter RGB sensor that examinesthe scenes brightness and colour data then optimizes the camerasperformance prior to the actual exposure. An entirely greater world of creativity will open up to photographerswhen adding versatile AF-S NIKKOR lenses to the equation. With a widerange of focal lengths and versatile features, AF-S NIKKOR lenses helpto create a variety of photo perspectives to images and movies such asthe ability to isolate subjects with a shallow depth of field or zoomclose to the action from afar. Combining the D5100 digital SLR withNIKKOR lenses also delivers the sharpness essential for HD movies, andNikons innovative Vibration Reduction (VR) II technology helps toeliminate the effects of camera shake. New ME-1 microphone To address the needs of the ever growing community of shootersabandoning their video cameras for the versatility of a digital SLR,Nikon now offers the ME-1 stereo microphone. Engineered specifically fora digital SLR, the new ME-1 microphone attaches to the hot shoe and hasnoise dampening components designed to minimize noise resulting from AFoperation. The microphone also has a low-cut filter to reduce wind noisenot already blocked by the wind screen. Designed with digital SLR usersin mind, the ME-1 also features a cable stop to keep the cable out ofthe way when using the camera, and reduce instances of noise fromunintentional contact. Because it utilizes a standard 3.5mm stereo jack,the ME-1 is ideal for the D5100 and other Nikon HD movie capable digitalSLRs such as the D3s, D300s, D7000 and the COOLPIX P7000.

Canon T3i vs T2i vs 60D

toby — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 16:09:09 +0000

Subtitle of this post – making sense of these three very similar cameras Canon T2i (550D) Price: Body only $657 | Kit w/ 18-55 lens $769 General Stats – Released 2/2010, 18MP, 3″ 1 million dot LCD, 1080p video

Excellent camera that wowed the tech world with true HD video at the 899 price point. Features multiple frame rates at 1080 and 720 Canon T3i (600D) Price: Body only $799 | Kit w/ 18-55 lens $899 General Stats – Released 2/2011(shipping mid march), 18MP, 3″ 1 million dot articulating LCD, 1080p video

Differences from T2i – Articulating LCD, more beginner friendly with Basic+ mode, more intelligent scene mode, wireless flash control, updated kit lens(cosmetically upgraded), video snapshot mode(stiches short video clips together into one movie in camera), 3-10x video zoom. If you are going to be using this as a video camera the articulating LCD is a nice upgrade from the T2i. As a photo camera the addition of wireless flash control gives this beginner friendly camera loads of room to grow making it a VERY attractive buy. The range of photographers that the T2i appealed to was quite broad, the T3i takes that range and spreads it at both ends w/o sacrificing anything in the middle. And Canon has slightly improved the grip and button responsiveness, early reviews are very positive. Canon 60D Price: Body only $888 | Kit w/ 18-135 lens $1099 General Stats – Released 8/1010, 18MP, 3″ 1 million dot articulating LCD, 1080p video

Differences from T2i/T3i are mostly in build and handling. The camera is larger, has a top LCD and rear dial and the mode dial has a lock, avoiding accidental mode changes. Internally the 60D offers slightly faster FPS(5.3 vs 3.7) for still shots, viewfinder is a touch brighter (pentaprism type vs pentamirror of T2i/T3i) and in body RAW conversion to JPEG. I see little reason to choose the 60D over the T3i. If you are going to be seriously shooting sports you might consider the 60D with the slightly faster FPS but if you are serious about it you should consider the Canon 7D. The additional rear dial and top LCD are nice, and make the camera easier to control, that along with the slightly larger build may make this more comfortable for those with larger hands but this is a fairly narrow market. Back of all three cameras


T2i/550D	T3i/600D	60D

Bottom Line – T3i looks to be excellent, taking everything that was loved about the T2i and adding some nice features. If you are on a tight budget and want to use a DSLR primarily as a video camera consider the T2i. If you are on a tight budget and primarily interested in still the Nikon D3100 offers plenty for less (comparison coming soon).