Archive for the ‘Cameras’ Category
Canon PowerShot D10 12.1 MP Waterproof Digital Camera
The Canon Powershot D10 seems to be a pretty good camera for those who need to take shots in wet conditions, be it underwater, in the rain or while rafting. It is a nice little unit that is capable of taking excellent pictures no matter where it is used. It can give bright, and colorful results where it is usually difficult to get one and id hence a consistently reliable unit. The features of the camera work collectively to get optimum results that are pleasing and surprising to know that they come from a unit that is affordable too.
The build of the camera is satisfactory as it is capable of using under water too and is therefore tough enough to withstand unexpected shocks. Apart from using it as an underwater camera, it can be used as an everyday unit for taking casual pictures in any kind of situation as it has several modes like portrait, kids and pets, sunset, beach, landscape etc., that are suitable for each kind of location and surroundings. The auto mode of the camera is always there in case the user is unsure about the settings that have to be changed to take a good shot, as it is good enough to produce satisfactory results almost everywhere. After using the unit to take pictures under water it can immediately take pictures above it without any hassle as it is water proof and the water does not sink into the unit easily.
The build of the unit is compact and light, making it easy to carry during outdoor activities, as it is the main purpose of purchasing the product for most of the users. The operation of the unit is fast as the lag times are very slow and this aspect is particularly useful while taking action shots. The image stabilization works really well even with the video to produce high quality results. The auto focus of the camera is very useful for almost all the users and the unit is simple to operate making it comfortable for even kids to handle the unit. The self timer feature of the camera is special as it is capable of taking a few extra shots when it recognizes new faces in the focus.
It is difficult to toggle between the photo and video modes of the camera as it takes a lot of input from the user and would have been better if it used a single button like most other cameras. The material used in manufacturing the body of the unit attracts a lot of fingerprints and hence needs a lot of maintenance. There is no lens cover to the device and that makes it prone to accidents and dust accumulation over the lens. The videos shot are in the .mov format by default and this is not pleasing for windows users though it is good for Mac.
The device is a dependable unit for people who need a camera for outdoor activities that is tough and durable.
Nikon Coolpix S570 12MP Digital Camera
The S570 is a point and shoot camera from Nikon that is capable of taking high quality pictures apart from being compact in size and portable. It has a lot of pleasing features that are usually seen in costlier cameras and the user needs to adjust all the available setting optimally to get the best output. It is therefore good for a person who is aware of the techniques of photography and can make use of its features to the maximum. The price of the unit too is much low when compared to similar models and can be used even by professional photographers as a portable camera.
The camera has an option called vivid and it is capable of shooting pictures with beautiful colors and sharpness when the option is chosen. The controls of the unit are arranged well making it easy to operate the camera. The best feature of the camera is the lens which is f2.7 which is bigger than most other alternate models. The lens is wide angle and makes the objects look farther than they actually are. The unit also has the smile detection feature and it is capable of taking pictures automatically when it detects a smile on the objects face. There are four modes of taking photographs using the camera and they are auto, scene, smile and movie. The camera also has a feature called four way vibration reduction whose purpose is to increase shutter speed and ISO automatically.
The optical zoom range of the unit is 5X, which is justified by the price paid for the camera and is sufficient for the average user. The auto mode seems to fit most of the situations and hence the camera is also suitable for those who do not wish to go through all the settings to get the best output. The picture quality is good for the compact camera size and the menu of the device is easy to navigate as it is user friendly. It has the capability to record videos too though it was not made for that purpose. The video quality is satisfactory and good to shoot in emergencies where nicer video cameras are not available.
There is a problem with the focus of the camera as the auto focus feature does not seem to be working for most of the pictures. The time lag between pictures is another major drawback of the unit as it takes very long to store the present picture and get ready to take the next one and the user might miss a picture while waiting for it. The image quality has to be compromised if this problem has to be solved as the megapixels of the pictures have to be reduced in the settings. There is no image stabilizer in the camera and that may turn the pictures blurry is the hands are shaky during shooting.
The unit is good for a point and shoot though it cannot be the first and only choice for professionals. It basically does the job and is a reliable piece of technology.
Nikon D90 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera
The D90 from Nikon is more like an entry level camera in the SLR models. The ease of use of the product and the scope the user has to experiment with the modes and settings of the camera to produce excellent results make it such a unit. Since Nikon is a well known and reliable brand when it comes to cameras, the D90 can also be trusted blindly as it further enhances the brand name by being an efficient unit that has the capacity to rule the market of SLR cameras.
The size and weight of the camera are optimum making it easy for the user to hold the device and produce non blurry images as it is not too light. The build of the camera is also good and the controls are placed at convenient locations on the device. The picture quality is outstanding and is not surprising as it comes from Nikon. The camera also has the capability to record videos in 780p format which is obviously of good quality. This function can be made use of when having to shoot videos suddenly without notice as it is not a video camera by its primary purpose. The performance of the camera in low light is also fairly good and if the user gets to balance the unit well in his hands, he may not even need a tripod to get super steady shots.
The quick start manual of the camera is very informative for first time SLR users. The menus are easy to navigate and the controls are easy to use. The kit lens of the camera is sufficient for the beginners in the SLR field and is capable of doing most of the basic job well. Special lens can always be bought if the user feels the need for. Since the LCD screen size of this camera is huge, there is no need for the user to zoom in on the pictures to see clearly how they have come. There is an option to edit the pictures in the camera itself before even transferring them to the computer and a few basic effects and touch ups can be done using this feature. The battery life of the camera is much better than that of the alternate models and the auto mode of the camera is very useful for beginners as it is suitable for most of the situations.
Though there are not many flaws to the unit, those present have to be mentioned to give a fair review and here they go. There is a compatibility issue between the kit lens and the body of the camera. This makes the camera show strange messages and stop functioning at times. There is also no auto focus in the video mode of the unit. The live view function of the camera is practically worthless and the price of the camera is considered to be a bit high for the kit lens it comes with as it is very basic and also has other issues.
The camera thus, is good for SLR amateurs and the kit lens is fairly sufficient for beginners.
Nikon Coolpix S70 12.1MP Digital Camera
The coolpix S70 from Nikon seems to be having more haters than lovers and this maybe partly due to the fact that it is a bit different from most other basic point and shoot digital cameras and so the users may find it difficult to use it or may not be aware of making use of it efficiently, and partly due to the flaws present in the camera itself. The fact that it comes from a very respectable brand in the field of photography has always raised high expectations from this device. It can be considered as an experimental model from the manufacturer if the users do not find it attractive.
The first noticeable feature of the device is that it has a 3.5 inch wide OLED touch screen and this can prove to be both, an advantage and a disadvantage for the camera. The overall look of the camera is great as it holds a touch screen which is highly responsive. The process of turning the camera on is very easy with this unit as it is efficiently designed in this aspect. The touch screen also makes it easy to change the setting within no time. The focus of the camera can be changed by touching where the object to be focused is on the screen and this is a very convenient feature for the user. The screen clarity and visibility is excellent even in brightly lit surroundings.
The menus of the camera are well organized and controlling them with the touch screen is a pleasure. There are a few basic retouch options present in the camera itself and the user can crop and retouch them with the minimum effort. The auto mode of the camera is suitable for most of the situations and is hence advantageous for those who are not professionals at taking decent pictures. The pictures taken are saved on an SD card and since they are almost a universal storage medium for cameras, which is an advantage. The body of the camera is made of metal and also comes in a number of attractive colors letting the user have a wide range of choice. The 12 MP, the 3.5 inch OLED touch screen and the 5X wide angle optical vibration reduction all are a nice combination of features for a point and shoot unit.
There is one basic disadvantage to the unit and that is the most basic functionality expected out of any camera too. Though the unit boasts of several interesting features that are packed in a single place, the results of the camera are not satisfactory and the pictures seem to be of low quality. This is not acceptable because what ultimately matters is the picture quality and if this is not perfect, the features of the camera do not have any use. Also, the touch screen of the device is very responsive and sensitive and this sensitivity can be a disadvantage too. The screen covers almost the entire area on the back of the unit and makes I difficult for the user to hold the camera without touching somewhere on the screen. This can change the settings or take a picture accidentally, which can be quite disturbing.
Finally, the price of the camera is not justified by the poor picture quality though it has many interesting features.
Nikon Coolpix L20 10MP Digital Camera
Fujifilm FinePix J28 10.2MP Digital Camera
The J series of finepix cameras by Fujifilm belong to one of the latest products by the manufacturer in terms of a budget camera without having to compromise on the quality of pictures and video. The point and shoot cameras by Fuji are well known for their portable size, ease of use and reliability. For a non professional photographer not interested in knowing about every minute detail of taking breath-taking photos, this camera is more than sufficient.
A very appreciable feature present in this model and not in any other is the scene recognition. While most cameras require the user to set the suitable mode while taking pictures, this one automatically comes out of the auto mode into the apt one out of the six available and takes pictures of high quality. Face recognition is also very useful in making sure the exposure and focus are well adjusted according to the subject being photographed. It may not get the complex shots with on a satisfactory level but is very good for everyday use to take regular pictures in normal light. The LCD screen of the camera is large making it a pleasure to view the pictures on the camera itself.
The startup is very fast and comes very handy when a shot has to be taken immediately without prior notice. The image stabilization too works fine to give a blur free image. The interface of the camera is also really good and comes at an entry level price, which is the most attractive feature of all. The camera makes use of a lithium ion battery that contributes to its sleek design making it a portable device, as easy as carrying a mobile phone. The battery is very light and compact, and can even remain charged for up to eighteen months when not in use. An ISO of 1600 is another distinguishing feature of this point and shoot camera. There is also a self timer in this camera making it easy to take shots with no one’s assistance. Even if the user does not understand this very simple device, there is always an even user friendly manual that explains everything in detail.
The first drawback of this camera is that it does not have a viewfinder, which can make it quite difficult to shoot on brighter days. The capturing capability of the device, though is better than many other alternatives does not do the job in true 16:9 resulting in a not so clear image when viewed on flat screen televisions. The mode of macro is not up to the mark and the lens mechanism is a bit noisy. The zoom is also found to be a bit slow during both, shooting and playback. Though the usage of a lithium ion battery is an advantage when it comes to the size of the unit, it can be considered a disadvantage as it has to be regularly charged instead of making use of replaceable batteries.
It is said that you get what you pay for, but this product in fact offers a lot more than that. It is the best device for beginners who can later jump to more complex cameras and for those who need one everyday.
Nikon Coolpix S620 12.2MP Digital Camera
The S620 is a point and shoot camera that has all the attractive features of a nice portable unit with quality functionality that is consistent and reliable. Like most other cameras from Nikon, it has various useful aspects that come in an ergonomic package making it suitable even for important occasions where clarity cannot be compromised. It is an amazing device for an amateur or hobbyist who does not want a moment to go by without having a memory of it when it comes all of a sudden.
The size of the device is very comfortable as it is easy to hold and hence does not strain the palm when pictures have be taken continuously. The start up time of the camera is about four seconds which is quite satisfactory and the shooting of pictures can be done very quickly as the shutter lag time is very less. This takes out any apprehension from the user when taking action shots as the moments pass by very quickly without notice. The auto mode of the camera is suitable for most of the situations and thus does not require the user to be a professional in order to take high quality pictures by adjusting all the available settings. The camera has an automatic lens cover, making it protective without the need of any intervention from the user.
The twelve megapixel works very well in a combination with 4X optical zoom to produce pictures that do not miss even the slightest details. The vibration reduction feature, normally called as auto stabilization works fine in reducing the blur that usually is a result of shaky hands. The picture quality is good even in low light conditions and the wide angle lens makes it easy for the user to shoot without having to step back to take a wider shot. The software that comes with the camera is easy to install and is also very user friendly. The face detection and smile detection feature work as promised and the macro mode seems to work pretty well too capable of shooting objects less than an inch. The ISO can be adjusted automatically leaving the user care free.
The USB cable that is included in the box is not a standard cable and is a troublesome aspect. The LCD screen of the unit seems to be raised when compared to the rest of the surface making it prone to scratches when placed on its back. Though the start up time is pretty good, a few users may find it to be slow.
The camera has a lot to offer and has almost no drawbacks. It can be considered the best point and shoot for the price. In total, it is a bundled package of all the good features leaving no room for any negative aspects. When amazing picture equality with a lot of settings and portability is needed in a camera, the Nikon Coolpix S620 can never go wrong.
