Cameras for Christmas ~ 2008 |
Bridge and SLR Cameras |
| Serious photographers usually carry a backup, and
typically it's a "bridge" or fixed lens camera that fits into
a pouch or pocket. The advantage is obvious if you've ever tried to
frame a shot that is too close for a long lens, or too far away for a
wide angle, and there's no time to change lenses on your SLR. Naturally
the idea is to get the shot.
Amateurs typically buy a bridge camera because of the advanced features that rival the controls that an SLR offers, but the price point has blurred and simply stuffing more pixels into the sensors hasn't improved image quality. So there are fewer reasons in favor of the current offerings. As manufacturers lower the price of SLRs the main consideration is lens selection. This is a critical point for amateurs. Some cameras will accept older lenses, some lenses are made specifically for cropped sensors (smaller than a 35mm film frame) and that limits the photographer's ability to upgrade to full sized cameras, and now we're seeing image stabilization on kit lenses which is a bonus for buyers. My best advice is to read as many reviews as are available, and after narrowing the field get your hands on your prospective selections, and do some test shots. Even in the showroom you should be able to load a memory card for image comparison before you plunk out $500 plus on a piece of gear that will depreciate the moment you hand over your credit card or hard earned cash.
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Canon Powershot G10 $429.95Equipped with a 35-140mm, f2.8-f4.8 image stabilized lens and a 14.7 MP CCD sensor, Canon goes all out in terms of features, build and ergometrics, yet the images suffer from noise, chromatic aberration, and a so-so lens. Frankly it would have more sense to equip it with the same 10 MP CMOS sensor that's found in the 1000D rather than this monster CCD. Of course, the dilemma manufacturers face when building a "bridge" camera that incorporates the simplicity and portability of a point and shoot with SLR-like controls and imaging is that the field has become so narrow that sales of the SLRs can be compromised if the bridge camera is too good. Canon needn't worry about that problem with the G10. Still, reviews are good and there's a market for it. Reviews |
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Panasonic DMC-LX3K $449.00Sporting a 24-60mm, f2.0-f2.8 lens and a 10 MP CCD sensor the LX3 employs a retro design though it lacks an optical viewfinder. Panasonic has a reputation for hot chips as well for their efforts to control noise, and chromatic aberration - most notably the fringing that occurs in high contrast areas of the image. It's not a perfect system but it works pretty well on the LX3. The super wide 24mm zoom offers excellent field of view for
landscapes and street shots, with low light capability and image
stabilization. RAW files may capture an added range of exposure and more
detail, though in-camera processing may better reduce artifacts such as
moire and lens aberrations. Despite the limited range of the lens, the
LX3 is a better buy for serious photographers than the G10. |
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Canon 1000D aka Rebel XS $479.00Frankly, if you're going to spend over $400 on either of the above cameras, you might consider moving up to a SLR that allows you to add lenses as you progress or become more specialized in your photography, and will better hold it's value if you decide to sell it. All Canon SLRs feature a CMOS sensor for better performance, and like it's more expensive siblings the 1000D offers multiple levels of noise reduction. The kit lens features Image Stabilization and an effective 28.8 mm field of view – almost as wide as the Panasonic lens. The Rebel XS also offers Live View for composing photos using the rear LCD. This may seem more familiar for those who are moving up from the standard point and shoot and not used to optical viewfinders, but it can also assist the photographer in confirming depth of field when using manual focus, and it's especially useful for macros. Originally the price was only $70 less than the Rebel XSi, but the spread has widened as the XS has been discounted. All things considered, a bargain that will serve you well for many years. Reviews |
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Pentax 200D $475.00 (body only) |
| Often overlooked, the Pentax line generally eschews
the latest gadgetry and favors the pragmatic. That doesn't mean
they get everything right as a close comparative examination of the
200D's jpeg output reveals. Yet for a serious photographer on a budget
this is a camera to consider.
First, it's size fits a larger hand, and the 200D's environmental seals protect the camera from contamination and water damage in inclement weather, a real plus for outdoor enthusiasts. Unlike it's entry level competitors the 200D really feels like a true SLR with a stainless steel frame, good balance and a logical set of controls. One very attractive feature is the backward compatibility to lenses produced by Pentax and other lens makers for the past 40 years, including the revered M42 mounts that number at least 482 lenses of pristine quality. A current database may be found here if you are interested. While in-camera processing of jpegs is less than stellar, advanced amateurs will appreciate the detail captured in the RAW data which can be saved in Adobe's DNG format or Pentax's proprietary file system. Image stabilization uses an internal device that shifts the sensor when the camera shakes allowing the photographer to use the older lenses mentioned above, and the sensor can be cleared of dust through vibration. Reviews |
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