Archive for the ‘Cameras’ Category
Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flash for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
This product can be considered if users of 420 EX need an upgrade, as it is quite a dependable product that is known for its accurate functionality. It can be a better flash when compared to the inbuilt ones as it has its own space and is designed to meet the expectations of several canon digital camera users. Hence it is compatible with many cameras and since it is an individual flash unit there is expertise involved in its design as the designers are only concerned about the flash as a whole product. It allows the user of the camera to experiment with lighting and is an excellent learning tool for amateurs.
The auto focus of the camera works excellently in low light conditions when this flash is used as it is capable of producing the flash efficiently that eliminate the drawbacks of the light conditions present in the surroundings. The exposure is perfect when the flash is used with any camera that is compatible with the unit. The recycle time of the flash is also fairly above satisfactory as the images are not blown out like what the user can observe with many in built flash units. The foot of the device is made of metal and is capable of withstanding shocks that that sometimes come unnoticed and hence is strong and durable. There is a lever system of lock on the unit which is considered to be far more advantageous than the screw system of locking the unit.
The flash can be controlled using the camera it is being used with and that is a welcome feature. There is a wide angle diffuser that makes things better while shooting with wide angle lens as the flash covers the entire area being shot instead of leaving dark areas at the sides. Also, the flash has a lot of power, enough to produce high quality and efficiently lit pictures in all kinds of lighting. The size of the flash is another advantage as it is not too large and is comparable to the lens size of most digital cameras and there is a carrying case included in the box of the product too. The pictures taken using this unit seem to be clearly lit with sufficient light without any shadows. The pictures are also not washed out when the object is very near to the camera. This makes it a highly desirable unit when compared to the alternate models.
There are not many complaints of the unit as it is a highly recommended product by almost everyone. A few of the users might have a problem with the white balance when using the flash as it needs to be operated carefully and with expertise to get optimum results. The weight of the flash is another problem and it is considered heavy for most of the cameras, adding to the already heavy camera’s weight.
So, the 40 EX seems to be a highly recommended product for those who need an external flash. There are no serious competitors to it at least as of now.
Nikon Coolpix P90 12.1MP Digital Camera
If the user wants SLR like features to experiment with, to take exceedingly high quality pictures without having to spend so much, the P90 of the coolpix series by Nikon is a must buy as the cost too is affordable compared to what the user gets in return. Nikons high quality cameras are always trusted by users for their performance and sustainability. It has many improved features compared to P80, its earlier version. This unit is in the market to stay for a while like very few devices when new technology comes in regularly.
The P90’s zooming capability is one of its important feature as it can be used from wide angle to telephoto. The 3 inch LCD screen is attractive with bright colors and very good sharpness. It has functions similar to an SLR and lets the user manually adjust a lot of settings to shoot customized pictures. Though the picture quality is very good when the LCD screen is made use of, the shots seem to be steadier when the viewfinder is used and the best when a tripod is used as there would be no involvement of the human hand. The camera is very good for taking pictures outdoors and the ones inside can be taken fairly well using the indoor mode available. The device can give 15 fps at a resolution of 3 mega pixel and also has the 26mm to 624mm zoom lens which can work wonders for the user when utilized properly.
The video quality too is satisfactory and the focus is very fast with good wide angle features which are very much useful when shooting outdoors. The shutter priority is fairly good both, with and without flash. In order to make maximum use of the 24x zooming capability, the camera has to be placed on a tripod which can give amazing results. This zoom is the best of its class without all the trouble of having to change the lens when using an SLR. It is also pretty easy to handle the unit when compared to the previous model. The pictures have increased sharpness and a lot of detail in them. The ISO is variable and can be adjusted depending on the situation. There is four-way image stabilization on this device and the swivel screen is just great for macros. The look of the unit is bulky but it is very light and does not strain the hand when it has to be used extensively.
The major let down of the unit is the lack of threading on the lens filter, which is also seen in a few other cameras. The battery life too is not satisfactory and a spare battery is almost mandatory. It is difficult to get good results in the sport shooting mode using this camera and the auto focus mode too does not always offer good results as it may not suit for all kinds of surroundings.
The P90 is the best device for the one who wants to do a lot of experimentation with photography and learn from it. It also comes with a reasonable price tag for all it has in store.
Canon PowerShot SX120IS 10MP Digital Camera
For users who gave got enough of point and shoot cameras that belong to the average range and any other digital camera that stands at a lower level, the Canon Power shot SX20IS can be a very promising replacement. This camera can be considered a bridge camera when one intends to go for SLRs but maybe in the future as it is good enough for a newbie in the professional like photo taking arena. It has features almost similar to any SLR with ease of use of different functions that makes it convenient for the user even if the features are totally new to him.
A very important feature of this camera is that it has an optical zoom of 20X. The feature set, optical stabilizer, conventional battery usage, ease of use and SLR like features are what makes the product really appealing. All these contribute to the perfect stills and action shots, using very able lighting, focus and color. All the options of the menu are well laid up, that don’t mess with each other. The viewfinder is adjustable so that video can be viewed and shot at the same time. The HD video thus taken also looks very good on the TV of the user with amazing clarity and sharpness. The use of AA batteries makes it even more convenient, though it increases the weight of the camera a bit as it takes four of them at a time.
Once the user gets to know about taking pictures in modes other than the automatic one, the camera can work wonders for him. The product has to be viewed like an SLR and maximum utilization of all the menus and settings has to be done to get amazing output. This should not be a big deal as the menus are very user friendly and access to settings that are used frequently is also easy. It has a swivel screen, a very quiet 20X optical zoom, an articulating display, variable ISO in the range of 100-3200, fast menu display, and gives amazing quality to both pictures and videos. The battery life too is very satisfactory when compared to other cameras of the same class. The optical zoom can be put to work in a combination with the digital zoom with different settings like portrait, macro and indoor shots to get high quality results.
Coming to the downsides of the camera, what most of the users find disappointing is the lens cap of the camera. It is not attached to the camera in any way and this makes it very easy to lose it. The problem arose by not giving threads to the lens filter, which would have made it an easier fit. Using the camera in low light has also proved to be disadvantageous as the picture becomes darker than the actual environment and very grainy. So it makes the use of a tripod mandatory in this case. If zoomed onto an object in low light, it may get even darker and hence is not recommended. There have been disappointments with the quality of the sensor and the lack of superfine JPEG compression too. Also, the camera does not offer remote shutter capabilities.
The product is a very reliable one and has many features to offer. Lot of experimentation can be done with the options to get wonderful pictures and is cheaper and less bulkier than an SLR. In short, it is highly recommended.
Canon PowerShot G11 10MP Digital Camera
The Powershot G11 is a point and shoot camera that has advanced feature that work efficiently and the results are comparable to those of a DSLR. It is a very advantageous unit as it offers advanced features along with the portability of a point and shoot. It has a lot to experiment with and allows the user to be creative as all the modes are very carefully designed. The price paid for the device would not be justified if the user just needs the auto mode. It lets the user learn the tricks of taking high quality professional like photos and hence is beneficial for beginners who would like to go further in the field of photography.
Most of the controls of the camera are placed on the top of the unit and the user does not have to go through the menus to change whatever needed. It is easy to set up the unit and start using it as the user manual is informative explaining all the features in sufficient detail. The firs and most important thing that has to be noticed is that the image quality is exceptional for a point and shoot unit. The swivel LCD is very useful to take shots and view images in different angles and the build quality of the device is also good. The zooming capability of the device is sufficient to take good close up shots and the low light picture quality too is satisfactory.
The device includes professional features like manual exposure controls, hot shoe, raw format etc. The device also includes a viewfinder which is usually not seen in most of the point and shoot cameras. This makes it easy to take pictures on a bright sunny day as the LCD screen cannot be seen clearly at those times. It can be used in a variety of modes with a lot of combinations of the input features from fully automatic to fully manual. This can be utilized to the maximum while taking shots at difficult situations to produce high quality results. The material used to make the body of the camera contributes to the light weight of the device and hence does not strain the hand while outdoors and have to take shots continuously.
When the camera is used with auto ISO, the images tend to get grainy and the unit works best with an ISO of 400 or lower. Although the device can be good for those who would like to experiment with the features to get the best output, it might be disappointing for those in need of a camera that is capable of taking good shots in almost any situation without needing any input from the user. The size is smaller than an SLR but it is considered bulky for a point and shoot camera. Sequential shots cannot be taken instantly and same is the case when using the auto mode.
The device is good for wannabe photographers as it offers a lot of features for a price much lesser than the SLR and is a promising one as far as the functionality is concerned.
Canon PowerShot D10 12.1 MP Waterproof Digital Camera
The Canon Powershot D10 is a quality product from Canon that is weather resistant and is very small in size like most of the point and shoot cameras. It is also shock proof along with being weather proof and that leaves the user with no worry regarding taking care of the device while traveling. The quality of photos is comparable to that of an SLR as the different shooting modes are designed with utmost care and well serve their purpose. The portability of the unit is another plus point as the user need not worry about missing a shot that comes unnoticed during everyday activity as it easily fits into a pocket or purse.
The device is very user friendly and as there are many different functions and options, the user might be apprehensive as it may take a long time to get to know all of them. But that is not the case with this particular unit as it comes with a very user friendly manual in case the user is doubtful. The auto focus feature works excellently and is capable of taking wonderful shots in almost any kind of situation by changing the mode automatically if needed. The timer feature of the camera is another advantage where the clock starts ticking when the person being shot actually starts looking at the camera. This is an intelligent attempt on the company’s part and hence is praise worthy.
The weather proof nature of the camera makes it a suitable little unit that can be carried for any kind of outdoor activity including water sports. It is also a very tough device and can be handled with the least care. The camera is also capable of recording videos and there is an auto stabilization feature for both, pictures and videos. The face detection feature comes in very handy when the user is not sure about the focus and is not a professional photographer. The camera is capable of taking pictures underwater and hence beautiful pictures can be taken which would not be possible with most other cameras. The image quality is very good even bright light too, making it an adaptable device for any kind of situation.
The battery life of the camera is not up to the mark and a person who needs to take shots extensively might want to carry an extra battery if he is not to be disappointed. The lens of the camera is very delicate and tends to hold in water around the edges when used in wet areas. This makes it difficult to take the next shots on dry land as the image gets blurry on the circumference. It is therefore necessary to clean the lens after using it in damp locations. The process of shifting back and forth between the picture and video mode is difficult when compared to the alternate models.
The unit is quite good for any kind of situation and is recommended for those who need to take a lot of outdoor active shots.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20/B 10.1 MP Digital Camera
Sony has always been known for delivering quality products in whatever area it enters. Cameras of the same brand are no different and offer a tough competition to their alternatives with respect to reliability. All the features included are very impressive and having them in so small a package is what is really attractive. It is an upgrade to the earlier version H10 and is a lot better in various aspects.
The large screen of the camera makes it easy to view photos and videos on the go and helps in letting the user decide which of them are going to stay. The auto mode on all regular cameras is called the easy mode in this one and is a breeze as it takes almost all shots with amazing clarity and sharpness. The shots can be taken with a very high speed as the shutter lag of this device is really less. The ISO mode is very helpful in taking low light photographs without flash. It is also possible to set the ISO manually in any mode chosen. The scene features like beach, landscape, gourmet food etc can be used wherever necessary to make maximum use of what it has in store for the user.
The battery life is satisfactory and the 10X zoom capability of the device is its best feature. It is also possible to record HD videos on this device. The additional feature is that the zoom option can be used while recording video and not just for pictures. The ISO of the device can be manually set anywhere between 80 and 3200 making it customizable. When the camera is not sure of the exposure it automatically takes two shots and lets the user decide which one is the best. It also has the option to select the file size while taking pictures and this makes it convenient to email them later. The burst feature of the camera takes 10 pictures in an action mode and there ere re-touch features in the camera like retro, fisheye and partial color. The unit is compatible with different lens and filters by making use of an adaptor ring that is available in the market. The manual is very informative and includes all kinds of necessary information.
The camera lacks a viewfinder like most of its alternatives and the lens of the unit is not really wide. There is no option of including the date on the picture in this camera. Also it does not have the option of force flash on in the auto mode. The default settings of the camera may not always suit the situation and tend to overexpose the pictures. There is no built in lens shutter for the device. All it has is a lens cap that has to be manually removed. The size of the unit is not as small as its alternatives, making it a bit difficult to carry in the pocket. So it would be better if the camera came with a neck strap.
Brand wise and feature wise, a must buy for the price. The cons are very few and trivial when compared to the overall package.
Canon PowerShot A1100IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera
The A1100IS is the best point and shoot camera one would find in the $100-200 price class. It can be considered a top product among all the low end cameras that Canon has produced so far and is a highly recommended product for beginners in the field of digital cameras. The overall quality seems to be pretty good with a few flaws, like any other camera.
The first thing to be noticed of this camera is its very convenient size, in spite of being able to hold AA batteries in it. This makes it easy to handle and carry around and also doesn’t pose a problem with the batteries while on the go, as they can be replaced anytime. Also, the size of the display screen is large, which makes it easy to view the pictures taken. The 12 mega pixel capacity gives the pictures great clarity and comparable to those taken by a professional camera. One feature that most of the other cameras of this class don’t have is the optical viewfinder. But this camera has it in addition to the display screen and makes it very convenient for the user. It also has the video recording option in it with satisfactory exposure and speed. The camera also comes in various colors which makes it even more attractive.
The camera has a motion stabilizer, and this makes it easy to focus on the object and take a clear picture. There is one special feature in this camera called the pets and kids option of taking pictures. As both are very unstable, the device takes maximum care in stabilizing them while shooting. The automatic settings that come with the camera are very good and suitable to take pictures almost anytime and anywhere without changing the mode. The software that comes with the device is also very friendly, just like the camera itself. There are also options of tagging the pictures and using a touch-up feature on the pictures using this software, apart from a slide show application it offers.
Canon has always been a leading manufacturer of very good cameras and this piece is no exception. But a major drawback of this device is its battery usage. The camera makes use of batteries really fast and is very disappointing. The shutter lag and the lag between pictures is very slow and that makes it very inconvenient to shoot moving objects. The ISO of the camera is not changeable and it sometimes repeatedly shuts itself off. The auto focus sometimes does not focus on the intended object and that brings a kind of a blur to the picture. The battery and memory card compartment is not of good quality and sometimes doesn’t open up too.
It is a very satisfactory camera as far as the functionality is concerned for non-professional photographers. It basically does what it is made for. There are a few cons, though, but keeping in view the price it asks for, it is a wonderful and recommended product.
