I own a Nikon D90. My friends often ask me which dSLR I would recommend to them. I ask them what they intend to do with the camera. I often find that they would spend most time shooting people and land mark photography in events and outings. My suggestion to my fiends would be to research and pick a good point and shoot.
I consider the following factors in choosing a camera
I consider the following factors in choosing a camera
1. Sensor size: Larger sensors provide better images. A full format camera like Nikon D700 has a sensor size of 23.6x36mm and produces a 12.1 MP image. At the same time, a compact camera such as a Nikon Coolpix S3100 has a sensor size of 6.17 x 4.55 mm producing the same image size. Effectively, the mega pixel to sensor area ratio is higher for compact cameras. In other words, a smaller sensor area contributes to the same amount of image resolution. This affects the quality of the image
2. Aperture value: Aperture controls the amount of light the lens allows to the sensor. The smaller the aperture value the larger the aperture size. Smaller aperture values help in low light photography. I have seen that Canon cameras have a good aperture value range. Typical ranges are between 2.7 and 6.3.
3. ISO Range: It is good to have a good ISO range. The higher the ISO more the noise and lower the light requirements. As the image sensor is small, ISO ranges for compact cameras usually range between 80 and 3200.
4. Zoom: Zoom is often represented in terms of multiples of the widest view focal length! This value by itself does not carry any meaning. Secondly, focal length of a lens is absolute. It is distance from the lens where the image is brought to focus. That does not change! However, the combination of the sensor size and the focal length of the lens changes the angle of view of the camera! So, look for the 35mm equivalent angle of view. It is often listed under 35mm equivalent focal length (which is the wrong label)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crop_factor
5. Video capability: 1080p aka Full HD. I shoot video more than we think I do!
2. Aperture value: Aperture controls the amount of light the lens allows to the sensor. The smaller the aperture value the larger the aperture size. Smaller aperture values help in low light photography. I have seen that Canon cameras have a good aperture value range. Typical ranges are between 2.7 and 6.3.
3. ISO Range: It is good to have a good ISO range. The higher the ISO more the noise and lower the light requirements. As the image sensor is small, ISO ranges for compact cameras usually range between 80 and 3200.
4. Zoom: Zoom is often represented in terms of multiples of the widest view focal length! This value by itself does not carry any meaning. Secondly, focal length of a lens is absolute. It is distance from the lens where the image is brought to focus. That does not change! However, the combination of the sensor size and the focal length of the lens changes the angle of view of the camera! So, look for the 35mm equivalent angle of view. It is often listed under 35mm equivalent focal length (which is the wrong label)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crop_factor
5. Video capability: 1080p aka Full HD. I shoot video more than we think I do!
6. Size and Weight: There is no easy way to say. I like it small without any protrusions. The best way to figure out how the size is by seeing 'unboxing' videos in a video sharing service (I like Youtube!). About 150g sounds about right for a compact camera!
7. Others:
- I do not like cameras that have protruding lenses when powered off. Some high performance cameras do!
- Check out continuous shooting speed. Anything more than 6 shots/sec is good
- Check for White Balance (WB) ...Tungsten, Fluorescent, cloudy and daylight are most useful
- Larger LCD is favorable. This helps in preview
- Macro - Comes in handy ... often produces good results!
- Image stabilization is a must have. Lens based stabilization is better than sensor shift!
- Face detection improves auto shooting!
- CMOS Image Sensor is better than CCD
- I do not like cameras that required regular AAA or AA batteries. The operating costs are more than they should be
Please research well before you invest. It always helps. I read reviews, customer reviews and research in CNET, DP Review, Snapsort, Kenrockwell.com, bythom.com, Amazon and the manufacturers site. Always read customer reviews that are bad. They offer a lot of information that you need to evaluate in your context.
7. Others:
- I do not like cameras that have protruding lenses when powered off. Some high performance cameras do!
- Check out continuous shooting speed. Anything more than 6 shots/sec is good
- Check for White Balance (WB) ...Tungsten, Fluorescent, cloudy and daylight are most useful
- Larger LCD is favorable. This helps in preview
- Macro - Comes in handy ... often produces good results!
- Image stabilization is a must have. Lens based stabilization is better than sensor shift!
- Face detection improves auto shooting!
- CMOS Image Sensor is better than CCD
- I do not like cameras that required regular AAA or AA batteries. The operating costs are more than they should be
Please research well before you invest. It always helps. I read reviews, customer reviews and research in CNET, DP Review, Snapsort, Kenrockwell.com, bythom.com, Amazon and the manufacturers site. Always read customer reviews that are bad. They offer a lot of information that you need to evaluate in your context.
