While today ’s stop - and - germinate and advanced make - electron lens digital camera grow excellent image quality at very low-cost toll , you ’ll take a digital single - genus Lens reflex ( DSLR ) camera to get mellow - quality images and to maintain maximal creative control over your shots . DSLRs are analogous to 35 millimetre film cameras , though there are some very critical differences between the two .
Camera maker now greet that hobbyists and other nonprofessional shooters have become more serious — and more skilled — at producing a wide sort of photographic images and are demanding more - affordable DSLRs to help them do it . While the $ 1,000 DSLR price barrier was give out several years ago , lower - price camera with more - panoptic features have been free in the preceding twelvemonth . If you ’ve thought of switch to a DSLR , considered upgrading from the one you already have , or wondered what all the DSLR hoopla is about , read on to learn the divergence between SLR and item - and - shoot tv camera and to check into out our reviews of five of the novel DSLR model :
You say ‘SLR,’ I say ‘bigger’
SLRstands for single - lens reflex response , and a DSLR uses the same mechanics feel in the traditional 35 mm film cameras that many professional and amateur have used for more than 100 years . The viewfinder on an SLR is athrough the crystalline lens , or TTL , viewfinder . Thanks to a complex series of mirrors and prisms , when you see through the view finder of an SLR , you are looking through the same lens system that expose the sensing element . When you press the shutter button , a mirror go out of the elbow room ( this is the automatic part ) so that the light passing through the lens illuminates the sensor .
A point - and - shoot camera uses its main lense to disclose the sensor and a disjoined lens for its optical viewfinder . If there is no optical viewfinder , then the main lens illuminates the sensor , and the sensor generates the image that the television camera ’s LCD screen demo . Though you could argue that an LCD viewfinder is a TTL finder ( it is , after all , looking through the same lens that exposes the effigy ) , there ’s an important difference : in an LCD view finder , you ’re limited to an image generated by the camera ’s detector , and that sensor is much less tender than your eye . accordingly , you may not be capable to see dark shadow and other details that would be visible through an optical viewfinder , making informed exposure decision difficult .
The reflex mechanism — the serial of mirror and prisms — that enables an SLR to employ one lens for both the view finder and the exposure requires a fair amount of physical distance . Therefore , SLRs tend to be bountiful than their stage - and - shoot counterparts .
This additional blank space requirement yields an advantage : it grant tv camera makers to build cameras that have larger sensor . A larger sensing element can hold more pixels than a smaller sensor , and those pixels can belargerthan on a belittled sensing element . Larger pixels render a better signaling - to - interference ratio and allow for image that have less stochasticity and good dynamic cooking stove .
More-advanced features
The other obvious deviation between a DSLR and a point - and - shoot is that a DSLR usually allow removable lense . The power to trade lense means that you may take a focal distance or quality that ’s appropriate to your indigence .
Also , a DSLR often has more - advanced feature than you ’d find on a breaker point - and - shoot : faster burst rates for shooting images in sequence ; speedier playback and pilotage ; the ability to shoot images in the camera ’s unsanded format ; manual modes that afford you a mellow degree of creative control ; and port and control layouts that get you rapidly and well configure parametric quantity while shooting .
How it feels
You should n’t buy a DSLR without handle it first . The weight , set , and tone of dissimilar DSLRs motley considerably , and what palpate great to one exploiter ( or reviewer ) might seem bulky and awkward to another . Fortunately , all the photographic camera in this review are readily useable in most camera or electronics stores . When test - driving a DSLR , attempt to assess how easy and nonrational it is to use the following ( you might need to ask a salesperson how to get at these feature ):
Exposure CompensationThis feature , which lets you align the exposure measured by a camera ’s lite meter , is the most common exposure tool that you ’ll use , so make trusted that it ’s easy to get at . Ideally , you want an exposure - compensation ascendency that you may practice without taking your eye away from the viewfinder .
White BalanceFor optimal color theatrical , you ’ll want rapid access to the camera ’s white - symmetry control , which lets you set up the kind of light — for example , outside or indoor — you’re shooting in . You ’ll also want a tv camera that provides a manual bloodless - balance alternative .
ISOThese days , even point - and - shoot cameras have adjustable ISOs , which allow you make the television camera ’s detector more sensitive to luminance . This power gives you different originative option , but it does so at the monetary value of noisier images . However , because DSLRs have larger sensors , you could push the ISO higher on a DSLR than you could on a point - and - shoot . And as the ISO blend in mellow , you ’ll see less noise . Make trusted that your television camera has a quick and gentle path to adjust ISO .
Shooting ModeMost cameras supply a political platform ( fully robotic ) mode , shutter and aperture antecedence , a manual mode , and conniption modes ( sportswoman , George Sand , and Charles Percy Snow , for example ) . check how easy it is to pick out these modes .
Flash ModeAll the photographic camera in this follow-up have built - in pop - up flashes , as well as hot shoes for adding an external flash . Make certain the camera ply an wanton system for changing the flash mode ( from fill to automatic to violent - center simplification , for illustration ) and deactivating the flash altogether .
AutofocusTry to evaluate how chop-chop the television camera centre and how well it can focus on subjects in very dispirited - contrast surround . This capability is normally lens - dependent , so verify that you test this feature of speech with the lens you ’re considering purchasing .
Viewfinder Status DisplayTake note of which tv camera preferences are shown inside the camera ’s viewfinder . Ideally , you require to have sex shutter swiftness , aperture , and photo recompense . If you may get ISO , bracketing , and shots rest , that ’s even better .
Advanced options
As your picture taking attainment meliorate , you ’ll want to start using more - sophisticated shooting and exposure options . Fortunately , even low - priced DSLRs will admit plenty of features that you’re able to originate into . Look for these , specifically the follow :
AutobracketingAn autobracketing feature will adapt the picture as you shoot multiple frames , so you could shoot a sequence of images with different exposures . For difficult inflammation situations , this can mean the difference of opinion between getting and missing the scene .
Multiple Light MetersMost cameras meter by analyzing caboodle of spot in the panorama and then average out them to arrive up with an overall commend vulnerability . Ideally , you want a camera that put up this type of matrix metering ( sometimes called segment metering ) , as well as center - system of weights metering ( which puts more focus on the heart of the underframe ) and possibly a spot meter . These last two option make handling backlit shots easy .
Drive ModeLike the automatic key on a film SLR , drive mode lets you inject a serial publication of frames in quick chronological succession — especially useful when you use autobracketing or shoot dynamic , fast - moving subjects . You ’ll desire to assess how easy it is to activate this feature , and how quick the burst rate is .
Histogram DisplayThe histogram show you a graphical record of the dispersion of tonal value in your scenery , and it ’s an essential feature article for serious exposure piece of work . These Day , even point - and - shoot cameras extend histogram display . When evaluating a DSLR , take note of how easy it is to activate the showing , how big a graphical record it shows , whether it includes highlight - clipping indicators , and whether it tender a three - TV channel ( red , green , and blue ) display as an option .
Depth - of - Field PreviewWhen you calculate through the viewfinder of a DSLR , the camera ’s iris is unfastened all the way to provide as much light as possible . When you opt an aperture smaller than full all-encompassing ( which is normally the case ) and then take a picture , the camera closes down the iris to the sizing you ’ve specified . This often has the upshot ofincreasingthe depth of line of business ( the length at which your subject appear in focus ) in your scene . A profoundness - of - field prevue push button end the iris diaphragm while you look through the viewfinder , grant you a trailer of the tantrum ’s depth of field . As you begin to think creatively about depth of field of honor , this feature can be very helpful .
Raw ModeShooting in cutting mode ( the camera ’s digital negative data formatting ) offers better double quality and far more editing flexibleness than the nonpayment JPEG mode on many tv camera . ( For more information about spud in Raw musical mode , see weigh the Pros of Raw . )
In plus to assess a camera ’s features , you ’ll require to consider its build quality and overall feel . Some tv camera simply feel better and make more sense than other camera . No matter how high-pitched its image timber , a camera does n’t do you any undecomposed if you do n’t have it with you , so verify that you take a television camera you want to habituate .
Lenses
You ’ll need a lense to go with your new camera . All the cameras we looked at for this roundup come in kits that let in a decent starter electron lens . These lenses are low and lightweight , farm honest - timbre picture , and offer focal - duration ranges of 18 mm to 202 millimeter in 35 millimetre terms — that is , wide to telephoto .
There are many factors that make one lens more expensive than another . Pricier electron lens have higher - quality glass , which , for a issue of reasons , can yield good sharpness and contrast to make a nicer - looking simulacrum overall . Higher - quality lenses also often allow for a wider maximum aperture . For example , a 3.5 lens has a maximum aperture of f/3.5 , while a 1.8 lense has a maximum aperture of f/1.8 . A 1.8 lens is considered quicker than a 3.5 lens because it gathers light so quickly that it can operate with a very blanket aperture .
profligate lenses allow you to shoot in lower light and let you capture trope with a shallower depth of field , offering the promise of greater originative command . However , faster lens are commonly larger and almost always more expensive than slower lens of the eye .
Lens can be grouped into two categories : soar lenses , which you ’re already used to from your point - and - shoot camera , and prime lenses , which offer one focal length . Prime lenses are generally fast than rapid growth lens system and often yield better tone than a zoom lens with an equivalent focal length .
remark that on a rapid climb lens , the maximal aperture often change depending on the focal length you ’ve selected . A zoom crystalline lens might have an aperture range from f/4 to f/5.6 , imply that it can shoot at f/4 at its widest slant but can make do only f/5.6 at its most telephoto angle .
If you ’re new to SLR shooting , stick with the kit lens for a while . you may corrupt new lenses later . With praxis , you ’ll get a better intellect of what you take in a lens . Your lens collection can develop as your photographic skills do .
Cropping factor
Because most DSLRs have sensors that are smaller than 35 mm , their field of view is narrower than that of a 35 mm camera . If you have experience shooting with film television camera , then you ’re probably used to the idea that a 50 millimetre electron lens ( often predict a portrayal lens ) has about the same field of thought as your optic . foresighted focal lengths are telephotograph ( they magnify ) while shorter focal lengths are encompassing angle ( they can capture a wider length in a single nip ) .
The field of sight that a electron lens of a given focal length provides bet on the size of the imagination culture medium ( be it film or a digital memory lineup ) that sit on the focal plane . For example , if you were to put a 50 mm lens on a digital camera such as the Canon Digital Rebel XTi , you ’d have a field of view equivalent to an 80 mm lens on a 35 mm film photographic camera , because the sensor in the XTi is small enough so that any lens has a 1.6x cropping cistron . That is , you should procreate the focal distance of any lens system you place on the camera by 1.6 to find its 35 mm focal - length equivalent .
All the cameras in this brushup have a cropping broker .
10-megapixel DSLRs
The $ 899 Canon Digital Rebel XTi , the $ 1,300 Nikon D80 , and the $ 900 Sony Alpha DSLR - A100 K ( all prices include an tantamount outfit lens ) are alike in size , offer 10 - megapixel sensors , have 2.5 - inch LCD screens , and have standardized approaches to interface designing . Also , each caller that makes these cameras provide a good lens selection . Each camera is unparalleled in many ways and has its own intensity and weaknesses . ( See great deal of Room to mature for a review of the Nikon D40 and the Pentax K100D camera . )
These tv camera pack full feature set , include platform , priority , and manual modes , as well as an ISO range of 100 to 3200 . bleak mode , full lily-white - balance control , and bracket and burst features are all present as well .
While these cameras furnish ramp up - in pop - up flash with standardised mode and features , they also allow you to add external flashes . Advanced amateur shooters will find that each camera ’s external - flash scheme is sufficient , though the Nikon D80 and Canon system have special features for hoi polloi who want high - end multiflash frame-up .
Each camera also offers a choice of focus and metering modality , so any of these camera will give you professional features .
All of these cameras are well made and tough . Of the three , the Nikon D80 is the most well-off , thanks to the shape of its grip and its professional , coarse-textured finis . The Sony and the Canon both have thin out - rate plastic refinement but are every number as inflexible as the Nikon D80 .
In my hand , the Canon feels the least comfortable , but my hands are a footling too gravid to fit well in the camera ’s handgrip . Also , with a retentive lense attached , the camera feels off residue .
While the Sony is slenderly more comfortable than the Canon , it ’s a very noisy camera to work . The uninterrupted autofocus make a lot of racquet , so you might want to turn it off . Even the unconstipated autofocus and shutter sounds are very loud and tend to plunk . If quiet shooting is critical ( such as with distractible child or sensitive wildlife ) , you ’ll require to go with the Canon or the Nikon D80 — the latter is the quietest of the three .
Interface
The Sony and the Canon have interchangeable port . Both cameras ’ rear LCDs have condition and carte readouts , and you set most parameter and option through the menu . While this method acting can be a little slower than dedicated external controls , both companies have done a full business of creating dewy-eyed navigation and menu layouts that aid you well and cursorily configure the characteristic you desire .
Oftentimes , using the LCD screen as a condition display can get in the way of your shooting because you have to turn it off and on . Both the Sony and the Canon have law of proximity detector beneath the view finder . The detector allows the camera to automatically deactivate the LCD screen when you bring the camera up to your eye , and then reactivate it when you take the television camera away . This smart feature greatly streamline the use of both cameras .
The Nikon D80 has a more professional port , which features a freestanding status screen on top of the camera , and dedicated buttons or dial for all the major shot functions . Obviously , these dedicated control condition come at a toll , but there ’s no comparison when it comes to the ability to rapidly convert the parameters of a camera : you’re able to knead much faster with the Nikon D80 than with the other two cameras . And with practice , you may recover that you’re able to make many adjustments without even looking at the television camera .
Focusing and stabilizing
The Sony provides a uninterrupted automobile - focal point mode that align the focus as you move the television camera around . Because the Sony camera is usually one step out front of you , there ’s a good probability that it ’ll already have the right focus once you ’ve zeroed in on your crack . One nice thing about Sony ’s implementation of this feature film is that the camera does n’t nettle hunt for a centering if you ’re not looking through the finder . This preserves the barrage fire biography and keeps the camera quieter .
The Sony is alone among these three tv camera for its enjoyment of sensor - based stabilization . To anticipate the slight trembling and paw movements that can occur while you hold the camera , the Sony uses motion sensors to detect camera shingle , and then counters those move by shift its simulacrum sensor in the polar focus . The effect is an effective stabilization that smooth out out jitters and piss redact a stroke through a recollective telephoto electron lens prosperous .
Stabilization technology also have you shoot in abject - light situation that would unremarkably be too dark to get a sharp image . Sony says that the photographic camera offer 3.5 stops of stabilisation ; therefore , you could take sharp hand-held shot in situations that would normally require 3.5 more halt of light . In Macworld Lab tests , the stabilisation was closer to 1.5 to 2 stopover .
Still , this is a gracious feature to have , and it go with any lens that you put on the photographic camera . Canon and Nikon do n’t offer in - photographic camera stabilization , opting or else to build it in to certain lens . canyon call its technology Image Stabilization , and lense with IS in the name have the feature of speech . Nikon brands its technology Vibration Reduction and uses a VR moniker on its stabilized Lens . Both Canon ’s and Nikon ’s applied science are much more in force , offering 4 closure of stabilization . While you could reason that lens - based stabilisation is inherently inferior because you have to buy specific lenses , you do n’t need stabilization on wide - slant lenses , and the higher-ranking execution of Canon ’s and Nikon ’s lens - based mechanisms make the Sony stabilisation less beguiling .
Sony release a broad variety of lenses with its A100 K camera , an impressive effort . However , Sony ’s lens system selection pale in comparison to the offerings available for Nikon and Canon cameras . In addition to the lens made by the tv camera God Almighty themselves , there are vast assortments of third - political party lens . What ’s more , Sony ’s lenses are kind of pricey . You ’ll have a much greater selection in price and performance with either Canon or Nikon .
More features
Dust to dust
When you take a lens off an SLR , you uncover the mirror and detector chamber to the international existence , and create the chance for dust to get inside the tv camera and onto the sensor . debris will show up in your mental image as smudge or dark spots . While prevention is the best way to ward against dust , all three cameras provide some additional feature film to assist reduce detritus .
The Sony hire the same sensing element - move mechanics that the camera apply for image stabilisation to throw off dust particles off the sensing element . Every time you turn off the camera , the sensor dislodges junk .
Using a similar mechanics , the Canon place a transparent silver screen in front of the detector to trap dust ; it then vibrates when you turn the camera on or off ( or , if you opt , both ) .
The Canon and the Nikon D80 also let you create a rubble - book of facts photo . This is fundamentally just a movie of the junk on your epitome . Through the admit computer software , you’re able to utilise this acknowledgment image later to withdraw the dust from your ikon . This is the only junk proof that the Nikon D80 offers .
These are all welcome features , and I ’m happy to see vendors film the rubble job seriously .
10-Megapixel Digital SLRs: Jury Results and Specifications
¹ scale of measurement : Superior , Very skillful , Good , Fair , Poor . ² Box hold Memory Stick - to - CompactFlash adapter .
The paradigm - caliber rating of the camera is base on a panel of judges ’ opinions in five categories : picture , colour , asperity , distortion , and overall . Battery - life testers travel along a precise hand , including shots with and without flare , until the battery dies.—Tested in connective with the PC World Test Center .
Macworld’s buying advice
Based on the spectrum of feature article and functioning , the Nikon D80 is the top plectron . presently it scores highest for feature set , while the Canon offer the smallest size , and the Sony offers build - in image stabilisation . However , all three cameras yield first-class image , with enough resolution to well make large prints or crop and enlarge small section of shots . If you plan on doing a great deal of high ISO shot , you ’ll make out better with the Nikon D80 or the Canon Digital Rebel XTi . While the Sony Alpha DSLR - A100 K does very well up to ISO 400 , its pictures start out getting too noisy at ISO 800 and above .
The Canon and the Nikon D80 whirl near - instant inauguration and wake - from - sleep functionality , furnish zippy playback , and have card functions . None of these cameras demo shutter lag , and their burst rates are all around three frames per s . All three vendors have delivered impressive cameras with high - end feature of speech .
Plenty of room to grow
If $ 900 is more than you want to expend for a DSLR , turn over these new first appearance - stratum offer : the $ 599 Nikon D40 is the least expensive DSLR available right now , yet it offers first-class double quality and a good characteristic set . The $ 699 Pentax K100D has one or two extra features , and it , too , delivers great image quality .
Both of these cameras yield 6 - megapixel effigy , which is more than enough to bring forth high - timbre 8 - by-10 - inch images and even decent enlargements of large sizes . Both cameras also boast 2.5 - inch liquid crystal display filmdom and are almost very in size of it and weight .
The Nikon D40 get along wad with all the canonic characteristic that any user in this market would want : adjustable ISOs ; a Raw modality ; scene modes ; and all the same icon - processing feature film as the Nikon D80 , include D - Lighting . However , there are no bracket lineament , and the television camera does n’t have a deepness - of - field of study preview push button .
The Nikon D40 ’s most innovative feature of speech is its excellent assistance scheme . It cater an interactive iris display that help novice easy read what will pass off when they make a specific change to their f - diaphragm .
Like the Sony Alpha DSLR - A100 K and the Canon Digital Rebel XTi , the Nikon D40 uses its main LCD for status display and parameter survival of the fittest . However , unlike those cameras , it lacks a proximity detector , so you ’ll have to turn the display on and off manually .
Tiny and affordable , the Pentax K100D has a high - closing look , thanks to its dedicated top - wax status display , which makes commute argument a little well-heeled than on the Nikon D40 .
Like the Sony , the Pentax offers a camera - free-base stabilisation system of rules that yields an effective 1.5 to 2 stops ’ Charles Frederick Worth of stabilization on any lens that you use with the camera . Unfortunately , the camera does n’t have got up as well when it comes to stamp battery life story . Because the Pentax ships with AA batteries rather than a longer - lasting proprietary barrage , it wo n’t give you as many guesswork per set of batteries as you ’d get per assault and battery mission from the other cameras in this review . However , AA batteries have the advantage of ubiquity — you’re able to always find them .
Both the Nikon D40 and the Pentax have excellent lens excerpt , and both are fun and well-heeled to utilise . The D40 make headway the contest because of its many fine features and strong battery living .
Should I keep my point-and-shoot?
If you already have a point - and - shoot photographic camera and are planning to grease one’s palms a DSLR , you may be considering selling your current television camera to help finance your unexampled leverage . A good option , though , is to keep it . Point - and - shoots are smaller and easy to carry , so they ’re idealistic for site in which hold a DSLR is not potential or necessary .
Also , almost all point - and - shoot cameras put up excellent macro features for extreme airless - ups . If you ’re interested in macro picture taking , you ’ll find that working with a point - and - shoot is usually easier and cheaper than investing in a DSLR macro lens . Finally , many point - and - shoot now admit excellent flick modes , which make them a great resource for taking shortsighted video clips , something you ca n’t do with a DSLR .
[ Ben Long is the source ofComplete Digital Photography , third edition(Charles River Media , 2004 ) . ]
