Best Cameras of 2011
Written by drbob on January 25, 2012 – 2:04 am -Cameras of Distinction 2011 Read More →
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How to choose the right digital SLR for your needs
Written by drbob on November 26, 2011 – 6:14 pm -Expert reviews say the most important thing to keep in mind when choosing a digital SLR camera is the brand more than the specific model -- that is, the entire system of camera bodies, lenses and accessories. A digital SLR body may be obsolete within two years, but the lens can perform well for decades. You can use some SLR lenses on both digital SLR and film SLR camera bodies of the same brand. And you're almost sure to find one brand more comfortable in your hands than another -- a factor emphasized in expert reviews. If a camera isn't comfortable to you personally, you're apt to leave it at home. Reviewers also note that even within the same camera or lens model, quality varies. Take time to put a new digital SLR camera and lens through... more
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Digital Camera Buying Tips
Written by drbob on November 25, 2011 – 5:18 am -Don't get too caught up in megapixel counts. Instead, look for a camera with good low-light sensitivity and optical image stabilization. Ignore digital zoom. A higher optical zoom is what you really want. Almost all cameras and camcorders alike take good photos/video, so you may not need two devices anymore. Buy a camera unless you're more auteur than shutterbug. Want great photos, but don't want to lug around an SLR? Hybrid cameras are almost as good, work with interchangeable lenses, and can slip into a purse or coat pocket. Take a lot of shots at your kid's soccer game? Look for a camera with a higher optical zoom. It will be best for sports and action shots as well as nature photography. Our favorite sale cameras: Canon Rebel T3i ($549),... more
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Nikon D7000 Review
Written by drbob on November 14, 2011 – 1:50 am -by Theano Nikitas With the D7000, Nikon has created a new category in its broad DSLR line. At $1200 (body only, as of May 9, 2011; also available as a kit with an optically stabilized 18-105mm/f3.5-f5.6 lens for $1600), the D7000 offers a midrange alternative to the higher-end Nikon D300s and the slightly long-in-the-tooth but more affordable Nikon D90, which the company released in 2008. Offering a full complement of advanced and automatic features, a new 16-megapixel CMOS sensor, 3D color-matrix metering, good low-light performance, full 1080p high-definition video, and full-time autofocus in video mode and Live View, the D7000 is an extremely appealing DSLR for enthusiasts and prosumers. Basic Features Like other DSLRs currently on the market,... more
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Sony Alpha SLT-A55 Review
Written by drbob on November 14, 2011 – 1:23 am -by Ben Long Sony Alpha A55: Speedy Shooting, Fast Focusing, and a See-Through Mirror The first step in taking a photo is to point the camera in the right direction. But to know what that right direction is, you need a viewfinder. The problem with designing a viewfinder is that the lens on the camera is located in front of the image sensor, so it’s difficult to get your eye directly behind the lens. SLRs get around this problem by using a flip-up mirror to bounce light into the optical viewfinder. Most digital cameras, though, simply use the LCD screen on the back of the camera to show the current framing. The Sony Alpha SLT-A55 is a new interchangable-lens camera that looks a lot like a traditional SLR. But, like a lot of its competitors,... more
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Canon Rebel T3i Review
Written by drbob on November 14, 2011 – 1:06 am -by Derrick Story Canon Rebel T3i Review: A Pro DSLR for Beginners The Canon EOS Rebel T3i is a complete picture-taking machine, especially when you use it with its 18-135mm, f/3.5-5.6 IS optional kit lens. The latest Rebel features an LCD that you can swing out and position at a variety of angles, as well as full HD video recording, wireless flash control, a respectable continuous-shooting mode, and the same high-resolution sensor as its predecessor, the EOS Rebel T2i. You can build an entire system around the T3i by purchasing additional lenses, but we encountered no problems handling common shooting situations with the kit 18-135mm zoom lens ($1200 for the kit configuration as of April 29, 2011); that versatile camera/lens combination will... more
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Nikon D3100 Review
Written by drbob on August 30, 2011 – 6:20 pm -Nikon D3100 Review (with 18-55mm lens) from CNET The good: Excellent photo quality; well-laid-out controls; interesting, user-friendly Guide mode; full manual controls in video capture. The bad: Smallish viewfinder; slower than the competition; no bracketing. The bottom line: A very good entry-level dSLR, the Nikon D3100 delivers excellent photo quality in a body that's streamlined for experienced photographers, but relatively unintimidating for the less advanced. Its only weakness is performance; though solid, it nevertheless lags behind the competition. Until I sat down to actually write this review, it hadn't struck me how confusing the market placement of the Nikon D3100 is. It's priced the same as the still-available D5000, which is in... more
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Nikon D5100: The Best Camera Under $1000? Maybe
Written by drbob on April 24, 2011 – 3:25 am -CNET Review Nikon's D5100, a replacement for the 2-year-old D5000, directly takes on the Canon EOS Rebel T3i as an evenly matched competitor. With a solid combination of image quality, performance, features, and design, it's easily one of the better dSLRs available for less than $1,000. But all is not so rosy with the latest D-series model. Find out what holds the D5100 back from getting our unequivocal recommendation. The good: Excellent photo quality with a good noise profile, a streamlined shooting design for both photo and video, and a broad, practical feature set contribute to the Nikon D5100's strengths. The bad: While it's fast, some aspects of the D5100's performance still lag behind its class. The bottom line: Though it doesn't rank... more
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Canon EOS Rebel T2i rated the best-value digital SLR with video
Written by drbob on April 6, 2011 – 12:14 pm -Reviews say this 18-megapixel Canon digital SLR hits the sweet spot for both performance and value. The camera incorporates features found in higher-end models such as a microphone input and smooth HD (1080p) video at 30… frames per second (fps). The T2i also earns praise for its fast autofocus and great image quality across a wide range of lighting conditions. Its bright 3-inch LCD screen is extra sharp and includes Live View so you can compose your shot and see it on the LCD before you take it. An image-stabilized kit lens helps you get sharp pictures more often without a tripod, and the sensor is self-cleaning. A spot meter improves backlit exposures, and nine autofocus points plus 3.7-fps shooting make tracking action easy. The 18-megapixel... more
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