Construction dairy

Hiển thị các bài đăng có nhãn Panasonic. Hiển thị tất cả bài đăng

A Few Quick Compact Camera Reviews and Recommendations

Some of my friends have been asking for my recommendation on camera gear, so this week I'll be diverging a bit from the usual Reel Foto blog photographers' series and give you a quick rundown of what I think are the best compact cameras out in the market today, along with a few links to more reviews and recommendations. I won't go into detail about each product, or describe their pros and cons. I'm simply listing down three compact cameras that should suit 99% of your everyday photography needs based on my very biased view.

Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS

The Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS is the latest offering by the industry giant in the budget range. For $160, you get 12.1 MP of picture resolution plus 1080p HD video in a compact package that comes with 5x optical zoom. That's probably more resolution and zoom you'll need for casual occasions.

The only downside in my experience is the so-so build quality; I've seen a few older ELPH and IXUS cameras with their paintwork faded away, but the real concern is the plastic housing, especially around the lens mechanism (the glass opening at the center) as I've had a friend's IXUS camera shut down after its lens covering wouldn't open. That was with an older model however, and for less than $200, it was well worth the thousands of pictures she took with it.

If you have absolutely no idea about where to start with compact cameras and you're only willing to spend less than $200, then this is the best choice in the market right now. Here are few more sites that might be helpful.

Canon Powershot S100

The Canon PowerShot S100 looks conspicuously like it's little brother the ELPH 300 above. With the ability to take 12.1 MP images and 1080p HD video in a 5x optical zoom package, it even sounds like the same camera. However, the similarities end there. This solidly-built camera has a fast f/2.0 lens at its widest zoom (meaning it captures slightly better pictures with less light available), captures in RAW format (which is a better format for storing and manipulating images) and has full manual controls for precise picture taking.

For $370, you would think that you'd get more than 5x optical zoom, but the S100 already delivers quite a punch for its slim form. In fact, it's small size is what swayed me when choosing between this and its equally impressive and much more established cousin the Canon G12 (pictured in the header photo above); I mean, if I needed the added functionality of the G12, I would just bring my DSLR.

This camera is really meant for professional photographers who want a compact camera for everyday use, or for serious hobbyists who don't want to spend $1,000 on bodies and lenses.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 can capture 10.1 MP images and 720p HD video with its 3.8x optical zoom. If you're wondering why this Panasonic camera has slightly less features than its comparable Canon offerings, its because this camera was introduced in 2010 and hasn't been updated since. Still, it has the same tantalizing fast f/2.0 lens along with a hotshoe, something the Canon S100 doesn't have.

The most impressive feature for this camera is its DC Vario-Summicron lens provided by the German optics leader Leica. In fact, this is almost the exact same camera as the more prestigious and expensive Leica D-LUX5 as both are made by the same Japanese manufacturer, only the Panasonic is $400 cheaper.

Aside from the difference in resolution and lens zoom, there's really nothing substantial that you can compare with this camera and the Canon S100. Both cameras can capture great images, and in the hands of people who know what they're doing, it would be hard to tell the difference unless you were really nitpicking. The bottom line is: both cameras are fine choices.

Conclusion

If you're just starting out in photography and don't know which compact is best, go with the Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS. Otherwise, if you already know what you're doing more or less, go with the Canon PowerShot S100 or Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5.

CanoNikon

CanoNikon is the term most often used to describe the rivalry between fans of Canon and Nikon. Both companies are the worldwide leaders when it comes to modern 35mm cameras and for good reason; the quality of their bodies and lenses rank among the best anywhere. Professionals use them for portraiture, sports, photojournalism, etc. Visit any country and one of either will have a large presence. It's the same in my locality where the two are neck-and-neck in terms of sales.

Other companies like Pentax and Olympus, although very established camera brands, have only recently become more aggressive in terms of DSLR innovations. This has allowed newcomers like Panasonic and Samsung to come in and take a slice of the pie.

Recently, I've seen some photographers sport Sony bodies and lenses, although they are the exception as Sony's prices are too prohibitive to take a bigger share of the market; the quality of their cameras is quite good, but at their current prices, you would expect something quite spectacular. Nevertheless, Sony's marketing team here has done a good job to attract a steady base of customers.

With these newer brands coming in, it's difficult to make a more objective decision, especially if you have no idea what to look for in a camera. Personally, I went back and forth between Canon and Nikon and finally (and happily) settled with the Canon 450D years ago for a few reasons...

1) Canon cameras feel comfortable in my hands.

Our family had a beat-up Nikon point-and-shoot film camera several years ago held together by tape and sentimentality. We continue to use this camera up until digital cameras became popular.

When the film camera finally stopped working, we sprang for the Canon SX100, a higher-end point-and-shoot digicam. In my opinion, the transition from film to digital was illuminating; this was the camera that awakened the photographer in me.

For the price, it was an amazing camera: 10x zoom, 8 megapixel resolution, auto and scene modes, and best of all, it had full manual controls. As a beginner photographer, I thought the auto mode on sunny days was excellent and its low light ability was great for its time.

As I became more and more adept, the manual controls made for a much more fun experience when learning about aperture, shutter speed, ISO and other photography basics.

When I decided to upgrade from the SX100 to the 450D DSLR, the choice was easy; the Canon cameras' controls were similarly laid out, comfortable and very intuitive.

2) Most of my friends have Canon gear.

This can actually be a big influence when you're asking for advice offline or if you've purchased a different branded camera. It can be very frustrating to be the only one in your group dealing with technical problems specific to your model.

For example, a friend of mine recently bought a Sony DSLR (it was an older model and was on sale). It was an excellent camera and it felt much more comfortable in my hand than my own Canon 450D. However, since he was used to handling my Canon camera months before, he had a difficult time adjusting to his own unit. I helped him out whenever I could, but there was very little I could do with my limited knowledge of Sony's cameras and lenses.

In contrast, I have a much more fun time when I'm with friends who have Canon bodies. It's something you don't notice when you're browsing in the store or over the Internet, but the fact that you're in the same-feathered group can matter a great deal in the long run.

3) Canon has a service center in our town.

Looking around for my first camera was easy because of the number of photography shops in the locality. In particular, having a Canon showroom and service center proved to be the icing on the cake. The staff members there were helpful and knowledgeable, and assured me that if anything ever happened to my camera, I could take it back and have it repaired for free (with the warranty).

Although nothing serious has required me to take my unit back, it's nice to know that the service center is there. Like they say, it's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. From time to time, the center also offers free cleaning services and routine inspections, a big plus for their marketing.

In the past two years, Sony and Panasonic both opened service centers in the area that also cater to consumer and professional DSLRs, although their presence is mostly due to their local sales of TV screens, entertainment centers and other electronics.

If you own a Nikon camera and it suddenly stops working, I have no idea where you can have it fixed in my town.

On a related note, I find the current generation of Canon DSLR bodies and lenses much more aesthetically crafted compared to their Nikon counterparts, but I think that's just a personal bias that's grown throughout the years I've had my own Canon 450D.

If you're shopping around for a new camera, both Canon and Nikon are excellent brands, and have fantastic track records of quality products. It will take a few more years for the other brands to consistently prove themselves with their own line of cameras, but that shouldn't stop you from choosing any of these.

Google about the latest camera reviews, ask your friends and try them out for yourself. That's the only real way you'll find the camera meant for you.

Construction dairy

A Few Quick Compact Camera Reviews and Recommendations

CanoNikon

Bài đăng phổ biến