Camera Review/Recomendation Thread
#1
Original Hayden Fanatic
Platinum Member
Thread Starter
Camera Review/Recomendation Thread
This thread was compiled by me and DC52NV, and designed to review/recommend cameras in a wide variety of price ranges/user levels. The information has been broken down into 4 sections ($0-250 Point & Shoot, $250 - $550 Point & Shoots, $400 - $800 Digital SLRs, $800 - $1,300 Digital SLRs) and each category has a recommendation by myself(REIGN SS) and DC52NV. This is by no means a list of all the available cameras out there, especially the P&S segment which changes every few months, but more as a guide to the most popular and powerful cameras in each price range. If you have any questions or would like anything explained please feel free to ask.
For those considering a DSLR for the first time I highly suggest you take the time to learn about the settings/modes, exposure, and basic composition. It's not just about the equipment you have, it also has to do with how well you can use it.
This thread explains some things: https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/pictures-videos-64/photography-information-thread-work-progress-86560/
I also recommend this book: Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson
All prices were taken from B&H photo as of 05-01-2008 and are subject to change.
For those considering a DSLR for the first time I highly suggest you take the time to learn about the settings/modes, exposure, and basic composition. It's not just about the equipment you have, it also has to do with how well you can use it.
This thread explains some things: https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/pictures-videos-64/photography-information-thread-work-progress-86560/
I also recommend this book: Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson
All prices were taken from B&H photo as of 05-01-2008 and are subject to change.
Last edited by REIGN SS; 05-02-2008 at 01:22 PM.
#2
Original Hayden Fanatic
Platinum Member
Thread Starter
$0 - $250 Point & Shoots
Fujifilm FinePix S1000fd
Price: $230
MP: 10 megapixels
ISO Range: 64 - 1600
Zoom Range: 5.9 - 70.8mm (33 - 396mm equivalent)
Pros:
FujiFilm FinePix F50fd
Price: $210
MP: 12 megapixel
ISO Range: 100 - 6400
Zoom Range: 35mm - 105mm
Pros:
Nikon Coolpix P50
Price: $140
MP: 8.1 megapixel
ISO Range: 64 - 2000
Zoom Range: 28mm - 102mm
Pros:
Canon PowerShot A720 IS
*REIGN SS $0 - $250 recommendation
*DC52NV $0 - $250 recommendation
Price: $190
MP: 8.0 megapixel
ISO Range: 80 - 1600
Zoom Range: 35mm - 210mm
Pros:
$250 - $550 Point & Shoot
Canon PowerShot S5 IS
*REIGN SS $250 - $550 Point & Shoot recommendation
Price: $310
MP: 8.0 megapixel
ISO Range: 80 - 1600
Zoom Range: 36mm - 432mm
Pros:
Canon PowerShot G9
*DC52NV $250 - $550 Point & Shoot recommendation
Price: $470
MP: 12.1 megapixel
ISO Range: 80 - 1600
Zoom Range: 35mm - 210mm
Pros:
Sony CyberShot DSC-H10
Price: $299
MP: 8.1 megapixels
ISO Range: 100 - 3200
Zoom Range: 38mm - 380mm
Pros:
$400 - $800 Digital SLR's
Canon Digital Rebel XT (EOS 350D)
Price: $409 (body only)
MP: 8.0 megapixel
ISO Range: 100 - 1600
Zoom Range: Interchangeable Lens System (1.6x focal length multiplier)
Pros:
Nikon D40
Price: $480 (body & 18-55 lens)
MP: 6.1 megapixel
ISO Range: 200 - 1600
Zoom Range: Interchangeable Lens System (1.5x focal length multiplier)
Pros:
Canon EOS 400D / Digital Rebel XTi
Price: $535
MP: 10.1 megapixels
ISO Range: 100 - 1600
Interchangeable Lens (1.6x focal length multiplier)
Pros:
Nikon D40x
Price: $470 (body & 18-55 lens)
MP: 10 megapixel
ISO Range: 100 - 3200
Zoom Range: Interchangeable Lens System (1.5x focal length multiplier)
Pros:
Canon 30D
*DC52NV $400 - $800 DSLR recommendation
Price: $799 (body only)
MP: 8.2 megapixels
ISO Range: 100 - 6400
Zoom Range: Interchangeable Lens System (1.6x focal length multiplier)
Pros:
Sony DSLR-A200
Price: $600(body & 18-70 lens)
MP: 10.2 megapixel
ISO Range: 100 - 3200
Zoom Range: Interchangeable Lens System (1.5x focal length multiplier)
Pros:
Nikon D80
Price: $730 (body)
MP: 10.2 megapixel
ISO Range: 100 - 3200
Zoom Range: Interchangeable Lens System (1.5x focal length multiplier)
Pros:
Canon XSi (EOS 450D)
*REIGN SS $400 - $800 DSLR recommendation
Price: $799 (body only)
MP: 12.2 megapixels
ISO Range: 100 - 1600
Zoom Range: Interchangeable Lens System (1.6x focal length multiplier)
Pros:
$800 - $1300 Digital SLR's
Canon EOS 40D
*DC52NV $800 - $1300 DSLR recommendation
*REIGN SS $800 - $1300 DSLR recommendation
Price: $1,140 (body only)
MP: 10.1 megapixel
ISO Range: 100 - 3200
Zoom Range: Interchangeable Lens System (1.6x focal length multiplier)
Pros:
Pentax K20D
Price: $1130 (body only)
MP: 14.6 megapixel
ISO Range: 100 - 6400
Zoom Range: Interchangeable Lens System (1.5x focal length multiplier)
Pros:
Nikon D200
Price: $1300 (body only)
MP: 10 megapixel
ISO Range: 100 - 3200
Zoom Range: Interchangeable Lens System (1.5x focal length multiplier)
Pros:
Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10
Price: $1,160 (body & 14-50 lens)
MP: 10.1 megapixel
ISO Range: 100 - 1600
Zoom Range: Interchangeable Lens System (2x focal length multiplier)
Pros:
Fujifilm FinePix S1000fd
Price: $230
MP: 10 megapixels
ISO Range: 64 - 1600
Zoom Range: 5.9 - 70.8mm (33 - 396mm equivalent)
Pros:
- 2.7" LCD Display
- Face Detection with Auto Red-Eye Removal
- Dual Media Compatible
- xD-Picture Card (up to 2GB) & Secure Digital (SD/SDHC) Card
- 28.5'ft Flash Distance
- Compact design. Feels good holding the camera. Feels very secure.
- Powered by AA-Size Batteries
- No RAW
- Dynamic range is a bit limited, but then it usually is with small-sensor 10MP cameras.
- Lens does produce noticeable barrel distortion at the wide-angle end
- Slow menu navigation
FujiFilm FinePix F50fd
Price: $210
MP: 12 megapixel
ISO Range: 100 - 6400
Zoom Range: 35mm - 105mm
Pros:
- 7cm Macro Focus Distance
- 20ft flash distance
- Class leading resolution
- Decent quality even at 800/1600 ISO
- Slow low light focus
- 3 image burst mode
- Poor Image Stabilization
Nikon Coolpix P50
Price: $140
MP: 8.1 megapixel
ISO Range: 64 - 2000
Zoom Range: 28mm - 102mm
Pros:
- 22.6ft Flash Range
- Accurate metering
- Wide Angle Lens
- Low price
- Poor High ISO quality
- Very Limited manual controls
- Below Average Battery Life
- Sluggish Performance
Canon PowerShot A720 IS
*REIGN SS $0 - $250 recommendation
*DC52NV $0 - $250 recommendation
Price: $190
MP: 8.0 megapixel
ISO Range: 80 - 1600
Zoom Range: 35mm - 210mm
Pros:
- Accurate metering in the majority of situations
- Well priced
- 10-points auto focus
- 1cm Macro focus distance
- Image Stabilization
- Slow flash recycle times
- 11ft flash distance
- Low resolution screen
$250 - $550 Point & Shoot
Canon PowerShot S5 IS
*REIGN SS $250 - $550 Point & Shoot recommendation
Price: $310
MP: 8.0 megapixel
ISO Range: 80 - 1600
Zoom Range: 36mm - 432mm
Pros:
- 9 Point Selectable Auto-Focus
- Hotshoe for External Flash
- Face Detection Auto-Focus
- Image Stabilization, including movie mode
- Flash Range 17ft
- Poor 800 & 1600 ISO quality
- No RAW mode
Canon PowerShot G9
*DC52NV $250 - $550 Point & Shoot recommendation
Price: $470
MP: 12.1 megapixel
ISO Range: 80 - 1600
Zoom Range: 35mm - 210mm
Pros:
- Focusing Range:
- Normal: 1.6 ft./50cm-infinity
- Macro: 0.39 in.-1.6 ft./1-50cm (WIDE) - Hotshoe for External Flash
- DIGIC III and iSAPS for lightning fast response, superb image quality and advanced Noise Reduction
- Image Stabilization, including movie mode
- 25 shooting modes including full manual control and 2 custom settings
- 3.0” high-resolution, PureColor LCD II with extra wide viewing angle
- RAW mode
- Excellent movie quality
- ISO 800 and 1600 so noisy (and soft) it's almost pointless, ISO 3200 very low resolution
- Battery life not great
- No alkaline battery option.
Sony CyberShot DSC-H10
Price: $299
MP: 8.1 megapixels
ISO Range: 100 - 3200
Zoom Range: 38mm - 380mm
Pros:
- Impressive Image Stabilization
- Good Movie Quality with IS
- 2cm Macro Focus distance
- 3.0" LCD
- 22.9ft Flash Distance
- Good edge-to-edge sharpness
- Excellent everyday camera
- Manual mode only offers 2 F-stop settings
- Slow, unreliable focus in low light
- No manual (custom) white balance
- No real wide angle
$400 - $800 Digital SLR's
Canon Digital Rebel XT (EOS 350D)
Price: $409 (body only)
MP: 8.0 megapixel
ISO Range: 100 - 1600
Zoom Range: Interchangeable Lens System (1.6x focal length multiplier)
Pros:
- Very Affordable Entry Level SLR
- Excellent seven point AF system, fast, good in low light and reliable
- Hot Shoe supports E-TTL II flashes
- Very low noise levels even at ISO 1600, virtually unnoticeable below 1600
- Remote capture software included for computer controlled shooting
- Full Canon EF lens compatible (plus EF-S lenses)
- Continuous Drive: 2.8 fps, 14 JPEG or 4 RAW frames
- 1.8" LCD
- Average automatic white balance performance, still very poor under incandescent light
- No spot metering
- No Kelvin white balance selection in-camera
Nikon D40
Price: $480 (body & 18-55 lens)
MP: 6.1 megapixel
ISO Range: 200 - 1600
Zoom Range: Interchangeable Lens System (1.5x focal length multiplier)
Pros:
- Excellent image quality, great resolution and detail, who needs eight megapixels?
- Great in-use performance, very responsive, short black-out time, very fast media write
- Unlimited 2.5 fps continuous shooting in JPEG mode (with a reasonably fast card)
- In-camera retouching features including D-Lighting and Red-eye reduction
- Good large LCD monitor with wide viewing angles (2.5")
- No lens motor in body means non-AF-S/AF-I lenses are manual focus only
- No exposure or white balance bracketing
- No depth-of-field preview
- Disappointingly RAW+JPEG setting only records Basic quality JPEG's
- No hard buttons (without customizing) for ISO or White Balance
- No status LCD panel on top of camera
Canon EOS 400D / Digital Rebel XTi
Price: $535
MP: 10.1 megapixels
ISO Range: 100 - 1600
Interchangeable Lens (1.6x focal length multiplier)
Pros:
- 2.5" LCD Display
- EOS Integrated Cleaning System
- 9 point Auto Focus sensor
- Continuous shooting burst up to 27 JPEG and 10 RAW images
- Magnification available in record review
- Very fast off to shot time (virtually instant)
- Average automatic white balance performance
- Sporadic continuous shooting once buffer is full
- Camera body is small (might be uncomfortable for people with big hands)
- No spot metering
- 1.6x focal length multiplier
Nikon D40x
Price: $470 (body & 18-55 lens)
MP: 10 megapixel
ISO Range: 100 - 3200
Zoom Range: Interchangeable Lens System (1.5x focal length multiplier)
Pros:
- Resolution and sharpness on par with the best of the current ten megapixel bunch
- Reliable, sophisticated, if sometimes a little conservative matrix metering system
- Unlimited 3 fps continuous shooting in JPEG mode (with a reasonably fast card)
- In-camera retouching features including D-Lighting and Red-eye reduction
- Good large LCD monitor with wide viewing angles (2.5")
- No lens motor in body means non-AF-S/AF-I lenses are manual focus only
- No exposure or white balance bracketing
- No depth-of-field preview
- Limited image parameter adjustment
- No hard buttons (without customizing) for ISO or White Balance
- Sony Manufactured sensor
Canon 30D
*DC52NV $400 - $800 DSLR recommendation
Price: $799 (body only)
MP: 8.2 megapixels
ISO Range: 100 - 6400
Zoom Range: Interchangeable Lens System (1.6x focal length multiplier)
Pros:
- 9-point auto-focus system, works well even in low light
- Hot Shoe supports E-TTL II flashes
- Excellent resolution, very good per-pixel sharpness
- Trademark Canon CMOS noise free images, remain detailed even at high sensitivities
- Large 2.5" LCD monitor
- Excellent build, very robust, good ergonomics
- REIGN SS & DC52NV both own it
- Average automatic white balance performance, still very poor under incandescent light
- Picture Style tone curve not indicated in camera menu (contrast is an offset, not absolute)
Sony DSLR-A200
Price: $600(body & 18-70 lens)
MP: 10.2 megapixel
ISO Range: 100 - 3200
Zoom Range: Interchangeable Lens System (1.5x focal length multiplier)
Pros:
- Super SteadyShot anti-shake system with viewfinder indicator
- Anti-dust system automatically shakes dust off the imager
- Large 2.7-inch LCD
- 9-point AF with Wide, Spot and Local Area Selection
- Unlimited Continuous 3fps shooting Large/Fine JPEG images
- OUTSTANDING battery life (takes 750 shots w/ 50% flash used compared to new Canon's XSi 500 shots)
- 3 fps that maxes out at 15 frames in jpeg and 8 in RAW
- Too small and light (may be uncomfortable for users w/ big hands)
- Cheap plastic feel
Nikon D80
Price: $730 (body)
MP: 10.2 megapixel
ISO Range: 100 - 3200
Zoom Range: Interchangeable Lens System (1.5x focal length multiplier)
Pros:
- Excellent build quality, tight shut lines, quality materials
- Fast, accurate auto focus (11 area sensor, similar to the D200)
- Extremely useful, customizable automatic sensitivity (ISO)
- Unlimited continuous shooting in JPEG mode (with a reasonably fast card)
- Built-in wireless flash commander
- Large 2.5" LCD
- Disappointing automatic white balance performance in incandescent light
- High sensitivity (ISO) noise levels
- Noise reduction can be intrusive, although adjustable, more grain-like appearance
Canon XSi (EOS 450D)
*REIGN SS $400 - $800 DSLR recommendation
Price: $799 (body only)
MP: 12.2 megapixels
ISO Range: 100 - 1600
Zoom Range: Interchangeable Lens System (1.6x focal length multiplier)
Pros:
- 9-point auto-focus system
- Continuous Drive 3.5 fps, 53 JPEG or 6 RAW frames
- 3" LCD Screen with Live view
- Canon DIGIC III sensor
- Contrast Detect Autofocus option
- In camera Highlight Tone priority & Auto Lighting Optimizer
image processing - 14-bit image pipeline
- Smaller grip, may be uncomfortable with larger hands
- Uses SD cards (a trend in the DSLR field )
$800 - $1300 Digital SLR's
Canon EOS 40D
*DC52NV $800 - $1300 DSLR recommendation
*REIGN SS $800 - $1300 DSLR recommendation
Price: $1,140 (body only)
MP: 10.1 megapixel
ISO Range: 100 - 3200
Zoom Range: Interchangeable Lens System (1.6x focal length multiplier)
Pros:
- Excellent resolution, good per-pixel sharpness
- Highlight tone priority option delivers even more dynamic range with very little downside
- Trademark Canon CMOS noise free images, remain detailed even at high sensitivities
- Live view on LCD with 5x and 10x live magnification and 'drop mirror' auto-focus
- Instant power on time, excellent operational speed, always feels responsive
- 6.5 fps Continuous Shooting
- Good nine point auto focus system, works well even in low light
- Excellent build, very robust, compartment door weatherproofing, good ergonomics
- Dust reduction from Canon's 'Integrated Cleaning System'
- HUGE 3" LCD screen
- Three user memories via 'C1/C2/C3' on mode dial
- Uses Canon EF & EF-S Lenses
- Average automatic white balance performance, still very poor under incandescent light
- Picture Style tone curve not indicated in camera menu
- No contrast detect AF in Live View
Pentax K20D
Price: $1130 (body only)
MP: 14.6 megapixel
ISO Range: 100 - 6400
Zoom Range: Interchangeable Lens System (1.5x focal length multiplier)
Pros:
- 11-point SAFVOX VIII Auto Focus system
- Selectable RAW formats (PEF or DNG)
- 2.7" LCD Screen
- Sensor-Shift Shake Reduction
- Live Preview Mode
- Uses SD/MMC/SDHC card, not a common card in the mid/high end DSLRs
- Poor Autofocus in Low Light
- 3.0frames/second continuous shoot, slow compared to it's competitors
Nikon D200
Price: $1300 (body only)
MP: 10 megapixel
ISO Range: 100 - 3200
Zoom Range: Interchangeable Lens System (1.5x focal length multiplier)
Pros:
- Excellent resolution
- Bright clear viewfinder, doesn't feel small like some cropped cameras
- Compact body design which has a true pro feel, build and feature set
- Excellent five frames per second continuous shooting, fast 'smart buffering'
- Eleven point AF system, fast and accurate
- Important information such as ISO sensitivity is shown on the LCD status bar
- GPS data recording feature (requires optional cable, NMEA compatible)
- Very flexible control system, lots of options for control and programmable buttons
- Disappointing automatic white balance performance under artificial light
- Very poor memory management and performance from optional Nikon Capture
- Some cameras affected by vertical banding issues
- Higher noise at ISO 1600 and 3200, mostly in shadows
- High ISO noise reduction works but at the expense of detail, first impression to a new user may be negative
Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10
Price: $1,160 (body & 14-50 lens)
MP: 10.1 megapixel
ISO Range: 100 - 1600
Zoom Range: Interchangeable Lens System (2x focal length multiplier)
Pros:
- Contrast detect AF in and quick mirror for the most usable Live View mode to date
- Reliable white balance (outdoors)
- Large 2.5" Free-Angle LCD
- MEGA O.I.S. Stabilization
- Face Detection Feature
- Dust Reduction System
- Small and dark viewfinder view (difficult to see fine detail, difficult to check focus)
- Auto focus provides just three focus points, although AF performance good
- 3 frame raw buffer
- Noisy shutter and mirror assembly
- Price and strong competition
- Slower than average startup (presumably due to SSWF doing it's dust-busting)
- Focus slow in low light
- 2x focal length multiplier
Last edited by REIGN SS; 05-02-2008 at 04:43 AM.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: 11-21-06
Location: San Diego
Posts: 2,526
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This thread was designed to review and recommend cameras in a wide variety of price ranges/user levels. The information has been broken down into 4 section ($0-250 Point & Shoot, $250 - $550 Point & Shoots, $400 - $800 Digital SLRs, $800 - $1,300 Digital SLRs) and each category has a recommendation by myself(REIGN SS) and DC52NV. This is by no means a list of all the available cameras out there, especially the P&S segment which changes every few months, but more as a guide to the most popular and powerful cameras in each price range. If you have any questions or would like anything explained please feel free to ask.
All prices were taken from B&H photo as of 05-01-2008 and are subject to change.
All prices were taken from B&H photo as of 05-01-2008 and are subject to change.
#4
Original Hayden Fanatic
Platinum Member
Thread Starter
#8
Original Hayden Fanatic
Platinum Member
Thread Starter
For those considering a DSLR for the first time I highly suggest you take the time to learn about the settings/modes, exposure, and basic composition. It's not just about the equipment you have, it also has to do with how well you can use it.
This thread explains some things: https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/showthread.php?t=86560
I also recommend this book: Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson
This thread explains some things: https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/showthread.php?t=86560
I also recommend this book: Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson
Last edited by REIGN SS; 05-02-2008 at 04:32 AM.
#9
I'm in love with that Canon EOS 40D! When I get some of my disability cash, I'm gonna get one. I want to take a basic photography class too. I used to do real good with 35mm, but technology has changed soooo much!
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: 05-23-05
Location: Ajax, Ontario
Posts: 571
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My next camera is a DSLR, thank you very much REIGN SS , for such a great gathering of information on all sorts of SLR's, i also liked the pros and cons..
was this from personal experience? or possible just a excellent gathering of opinions...
Michael
was this from personal experience? or possible just a excellent gathering of opinions...
Michael
#11
Senior Member
Reign, do you work at a camera store, or is this just a hobby for you? I remember the earlier thread where you talked about exposure, metering modes, DOF, etc. Both of these threads must have taken hours to write up.
#12
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: 10-30-06
Location: coquitlam, BC
Posts: 3,319
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
just wodnerign when the sony H10 came out...ive been using the sony H9 and im sure it has more then 2 F-stop settings in manual mode...how could the h10 only have 2...or perhaps im wrong...
#14
Original Hayden Fanatic
Platinum Member
Thread Starter
I have to give credit to DC52NV for all his help with this review thread.
The H10 was announced on January 23, 2008
Last edited by REIGN SS; 05-02-2008 at 01:21 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
#15
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: 09-22-06
Location: Conneaut Lake Pa.
Posts: 541
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
X2 on the Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson
Another good read is
National Geographic: The Ultimate Field Guide to Photography
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0792262093
Another good read is
National Geographic: The Ultimate Field Guide to Photography
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0792262093
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: 11-07-06
Location: Nowheresville
Posts: 2,077
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Reign what is your opinion on Olympus DSLR's, I just bought due to the fact that I got a steal on an Olympus E-410 on NewEgg for 600, body plus 2 lenses. 14mm - 42mm lense and a 70mm - 150mm lense.
#20
Original Hayden Fanatic
Platinum Member
Thread Starter
We tried to do cameras that were still available thru online retailers, not just on ebay.
Last edited by REIGN SS; 05-02-2008 at 04:24 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: 06-27-06
Location: Hatboro, PA
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Olympus seems like a decent entry level DSLR camera, I don't really care for the 2x multiplier, or the 3point autofocus. But the image quality seems acceptable for the money. Good luck getting quality lens' tho =/
QFT!! x200,000,000
We tried to do cameras that were still available thru online retailers, not just on ebay.
QFT!! x200,000,000
We tried to do cameras that were still available thru online retailers, not just on ebay.
You make me a sad panda.
#22
Original Hayden Fanatic
Platinum Member
Thread Starter