A snapshot look at high-end digitals
Published Monday October 6th, 2008
Amateur digital camera users are discovering the joy of getting back to film-like professional photography with a growing number of affordable digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras.
Recent research shows the DSLR adoption rate is twice that of point-and-shoot digital cameras, so you, too, might consider upgrading your digital camera before long.
DSLR cameras use a prism, mirror and optical viewfinder through which you see exactly what the lens "sees." Pressing the shutter button flips the mirror up for a fraction of a second when the photo is taken.
These cameras shoot just as fast as SLR film cameras and can fire more sequential frames for capturing the right moment. They also let you use interchangeable lenses for more creative photography.
Newer consumer DSLR models also feature "live view," showing the lens view on the digital viewfinder before you take the photo.
Although most pros using more expensive DSLRs still prefer the faster optical viewfinder, new users who are used to live view on their point-and-shoot cameras will like doing the same on a DSLR.
On live view, you can hold the camera away from your eye and compose pictures from high, low or side angles. Most live-view DSLRs also show colour balance and exposure changes before you take the photo.
The choices are many, with prices from $500 to $1,500. How do you pick the right model for you?
Here are a few DSLR buying tips:
*Additional lenses that take wider view or longer telephoto pictures can cost more than the original camera. Some popular brands, like Canon, Nikon and Pentax, have a wider selection of used lenses.
*Look for money-saving two-lens kits, both zoom lenses for a wide range of wide to telephoto shooting.
* Budget for an additional external flash to vastly improve your photography.
* DSLRs with a built-in image stabilizer are cheaper to buy additional lenses for. Cameras that don't must depend on more expensive lenses, each with its own built-in image stabilizer.
* When comparing the button controls, hold the camera to your face to see how easily you can access them.
* Bring your own memory card to a camera store and try shooting photos with different cameras you can later compare on your home PC.
I spent the past several weeks with three popular live-view DSLRs selling for less than $1,000 each, and found each has unique features, making it hard to pick an overall winner. Here are the features I liked best on each model. With live view turned off and using the optical viewfinder, all three models had a delay of less than one-eighth of a second when shooting action photos.
Olympus E-520 DSLR, 10 megapixel with equivalent 28-84 mm f3.5-5.6 zoom lens $699.99:
* The smallest-sized camera
* Built-in image stabilizer with two additional settings that allow panning while holding camera vertically or horizontally
* The absolute best wireless-flash system, allowing remote-control firing and settings of up to three external flashes
* Best onscreen menu, with three different ways to change camera settings
* Uses two memory types, xD and CF, ideal for transferring files
* Sharper-than-average lenses, making up for the smallest number of megapixels
Sony A-350 Alpha DSLR, 14.2 megapixel, with equivalent to 27-105 mm f3.5-5.6 zoom lens, $849:
* The pullout viewfinder for over-the-head and ground-level picture-taking is cool
* It offers the fastest live-view auto focus picture-shooting response (the only camera with two sensors), taking the actual photo 0.25 seconds after pressing the shutter;
* Handled high-contrast lighting better;
* Longest zoom range in a kit lens, and best for close-up photography;
* Brightest viewfinder
* Built-in image stabilizer;
* Able to take more than 700 photos, half with flash, on one battery charge.
Canon Digital Rebel XSi DSLR, 12.2 megapixel, equivalent 28-83 mm f3.5-5.6 zoom lens, $849:
* The largest viewscreen at three inches diagonal
* The best-designed optical view finder, especially for glasses wearers, bringing you closer to the image while composing
* Shoots the most noise-free flashless photos in low light
* The in-lens image stabilizer was able to shoot acceptably sharp hand-held photos at 1.5 seconds in telephoto mode, the best in this group for shake-free pictures. All models here were able to shoot consistently sharp pictures at least two stops slower than safe hand-held shutter speeds
* It has the most precise focusing in this price range, with nine spread-out sensors
* It also auto-focuses the fastest in dark scenes.
So what is the bottom line?
* Best bang for the dollar - Olympus E-520
* Best live view and consistent performer - Sony Alpha 350
* Best-quality image in available light - Canon Rebel XSi.
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