The magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group Digital Camera Choice Wayne Gosshall |
|
Wayne Cosshall has used and reviewed lots of cameras and he lays it all down... |
Buying a digital camera is one of those tough decisions. Not only is it hard to know when to buy, but once
you have, there is such a huge range of models from which to choose. This mini buyer's guide tries to make
the job a little easier by discussing some of the cameras currently available in each range. I have given
you my opinion of cameras I've used, selected one that I consider the best in that range and told you why,
plus given you some interesting alternatives. For those who need some guidance in commencing the search, I
hope the following provides a good starting point.
When to Buy
Digital cameras are almost worse than computers. It seems that the minute you buy one a better model has
replaced it, often it's cheaper. The reason for this is that digital cameras are an even more embryonic
product than computers. Companies are making rapid developments in the fundamental technologies, like the
sensor resolution and type. This means that while the sweet spot (pixels for your buck) might be 4 Megapixels
(Mp) this year, you know it will be 5 Mp in a few months. In addition, companies are experimenting with the
way they package their cameras. Some make them look and behave like the film cameras you are used to. Others
try to exploit the flexibility that digital offers. Sometimes they get it right, sometimes not.
Digital cameras have already reached the point where they are extremely usable for all possible applications,
from normal home point-and-shoot photography up to professional usage. The ergonomics of many cameras leaves
a lot to be desired though. Ergonomics covers the control arrangement, whether they fall into your hand
correctly and whether commonly used functions are the most easily set. It does seem that many companies
have camera designers building their film cameras but computer engineers designing the digital cameras.
Price is really the major obstacle to digital camera purchase. At present, the purchase price of digital
cameras seems to be about three times that of an equivalent film camera. One important factor is that you
will never pay for film and processing again. As a broad rule of thumb, an amateur pays about $20 per roll
of film (incl. processing), a professional $30. If you are an amateur and shoot, say, ten rolls of film a
year, this equates to $200 a year. If the camera has a life of three years before you will want to replace
it, then a price difference between a film and digital camera of $600 is an even match, from a price
perspective. A professional, who might shoot a thousand rolls a year, can pay a complete pro digital
camera off in a few months.
The time to buy into digital camera technology is when you can get the features you need at a price you
can afford.
Choices
The key to a smart camera choice is to accurately assess your needs.
Broadly, these break down into:
On the following pages I've broken down the huge range of cameras down into categories based on the
Megapixel rating of the image sensor. For each I've described a typical user and what are the key
characteristics you will find of cameras in that range. Then I present what I consider to be the best
camera currently available and several excellent alternatives. This is based on one person's testing,
mine. One thing that is rarely mentioned is that you should never buy a camera based on specifications
alone. You must handle them and preferably take pictures with them so you can assess the quality. Some
camera stores now have overnight and weekend rental schemes so you can test them out. What I have found
is that a camera that suits my hand perfectly may be entirely unusable for someone else, or vise versa.
Often I find that a camera with technically lower specifications is much easier to live with, is easier
to handle, and will take better photos because of this, than a better-specified one.
So, use the following as a guide. Go and check the exact and full specifications. Go into a camera store
and handle a couple of different models. Then make your choice. Digital cameras are great, and once you
have used a good one, you'll find it hard to go back to film. Have fun.
One Megapixel Cameras
Typical User Profile
Typical happy users of the 1 Mp cameras are people whose primary interest is getting images onto the Web.
Another very happy group of users are kids. These make the perfect first camera for kids these days, as
they can readily e-mail images to friends, etc.
Key Points of this Resolution
One million pixels provides only enough resolution for normal snapshot sized prints with some interpolation.
This said, many people may not notice the difference. However, their images are perfectly sized for e-mail
and Web use without requiring significant downsizing to make the file sizes small enough.
Cameras at this resolution are usually very compact and inexpensive. This category is starting to disappear,
as more of the mainstream camera makers start their ranges at 2 Mp.
Best Camera and Why
| Olympus C-120 Using Olympus' classic clamshell design to ensure the lens is always protected when the camera is turned off, the C-120 is a 1.3 Megapixel camera with big camera features. A good optical viewfinder makes framing easy when you don't want to use the LCD on the back. Designed specifically to minimize power consumption, the C-120 is very economical on battery life. A good variety of flash modes gives this camera more flexibility than you might expect at this end of the market. At $350 incl. GST, this camera is hard to beat. |
|
Others with Unique Characteristics
| FujiFilm SlimShot This 6mm thick, credit card sized camera certainly is an eye catcher. Taking 640x480 pictures of surprising quality, it recharges from the USB cable you use to download images. Whilst it has no flash, limiting you to well lit situations, there will never be an excuse for not having a camera with you again. It has 8 MB of built-in memory, for 26 high quality shots or more of lower quality. $199 incl. GST. |
|
| Sony U-10 This miniscule Sony digital has a single focal length lens (no optical zoom) but is a neat, compact and very nicely designed camera. It also uses a clamshell design to keep the lens and viewfinder protected. This is important, as a camera this small will slide around a lot in your pocket. $499 incl. GST. |
|
Two Megapixel Cameras
Typical User Profile
A typical happy user of the 2 Mp cameras is the average family photographer. This user will mainly produce
snapshot-sized prints, with the occasional blow-up to A4 size. People who value size and price over features
and resolution will be happy with the 2 Mp cameras. They are also an excellent choice for people whose prime
interest is in putting pictures on the Web or e-mailing. The higher resolution allows cropping or resizing.
Key Points of This Resolution
Two million pixels provides enough resolution for excellent quality normal snapshot sized prints and can
produce very good 8x10 inch or A4 sized blowups for the occasional image you wish to frame. To produce the
8x10 inch or A4 sized prints you need to accept a lower print resolution (around 150 dpi), or interpolate
the image up in size using your software. This works very well in practice for a maximum of a 2x resolution
increase in both dimensions.
Cameras at this resolution are usually very compact, offer decent lenses and enough controls to provide
you with at least some creative possibilities. This category is effectively becoming the bottom end of the
camera market as more of the mainstream camera makers drop their 1 Mp models.
Best Camera and Why
| Canon Powershot IXUS V2 This sturdy little camera is perfect for carrying with you everywhere. It has a quality 2x optical zoom lens, has manual as well as automatic ISO settings (rare at this end of the size range) and a good three-point auto-focus system. The stainless steel body is solid and gives the real feeling that this camera can be safely and reliably used everywhere. It has movie recording of up to 30 seconds duration. Lastly, and very importantly for many people, it uses CompactFlash memory cards, which tend to be not only the cheapest but also the most reliable. They are also available in very large sizes. The flash power from this tiny camera is excellent. With a list price of $799 and lower street prices for those that shop around, this camera will serve you well. |
|
Others with Unique Characteristics
| Nikon Coolpix 2500 The 2500 incorporates Nikon's twist body design in a new way. This twist body design gives you some flexibility about your viewing angle for the LCD, though in this camera it is limited compared to that of the bigger 4500. Good image quality and a 3x zoom in a funky, small package that works really well. $629 incl. GST. |
|
| Minolta DiMAGE X This is a truly amazing little camera. Using a bent optical system, it manages to fit a 3x optical zoom of excellent quality into a camera so thin it can sit in a shirt pocket without being noticed. It also packs an amazingly powerful flash given its size. $759 incl. GST. |
|
Three Megapixel Cameras
Typical User Profile
A typical happy user of the 3 Mp cameras is the average family photographer, perhaps with a bit more
disposable income. This user will mainly produce snapshot sized prints plus blowups to A4 size.
Key Points of This Resolution
Three million pixels provides enough resolution for excellent quality normal snapshot sized prints and can
produce excellent 8x10 inch or A4 sized blowups for the odd image you wish to frame. These cameras are also
quite capable of producing A3 sized prints by interpolation or using a lower print resolution.
Excellent optics and more creative options, in terms of camera controls that allow you to exert more
control, characterise these cameras. Greater lens focal length or zoom ranges also start to appear here.
This can be very important in offering more options in how the cameras are used.
This is also the point where cash strapped serious photographers can pick up good second-hand cameras,
like the Canon D30 digital SLR, the Canon G1 or the Nikon D1 digital SLR. These cameras offer lots of
options, excellent image quality and
in the case of the SLRs, the ability to swap lenses.
Best Camera and Why
| Olympus C-730 This delightful camera features a 10x optical zoom. Yes folks, it goes from 35 mm to 350 mm in 35 mm camera equivalent terms. This makes it the ideal family camera for parents who need to shoot their kids playing sport. Normal 2x or 3x zoom lenses just don't pull the action in close enough to allow you to even see who is in the action, from the other side of a football field, for example. With this camera there are no such problems. The optical quality is excellent. Because of the degree of zoom, the C-730 uses an electronic viewfinder, in addition to the LCD on the back. With a list price of $1299 and lower street prices if you shop around, this camera is a winner. |
|
Others with Unique Characteristics
| Nikon Coolpix 885 The 885 is a handy sized 3.1 Mp, 3x zoom digital. Using Nikon's 256-segment matrix metering with optional spot metering should you need it, exposures are always spot on. In addition, you have exposure compensation and exposure bracketing. The lens is sharp. This is a good camera for the enthusiast, due to the nice range of high-end features. $1399 incl. GST. |
|
| Canon IXUS V3 The newer version of the V2 listed in the 2 Mp cameras, the V3 is a 2x zoom, 3.1 Mp digital that weighs only 180 grams yet has a stainless steel body. Offering nine auto-focus points and an advanced white balance facility, plus orientation sensors to adjust the camera's metering when the camera is held vertically, this is a fancy camera in a tiny package. $999 incl. GST. |
|
Four Megapixel Cameras
Typical User Profile
This is the point at which, currently, we switch over from normal users to those somewhat serious about
their photography. This is the realm of the serious amateur photographer and of the professional who is
not yet ready to make a full switch over to digital but is looking to experiment.
Key Points of This Resolution
Four million pixels offers large amounts of data for printing substantial sized blow-ups. Apart from more
pixels, cameras in this range generally incorporate more options, more manual controls and more "real
camera" type controls. Thus, you can expect a much greater degree of flexibility, more optional accessories
and, usually, a larger size with more functions having dedicated buttons or dials, rather than the need to
dive down into menus.
Because of the quality of cameras in this range, it is much harder to pick a single winner.
Best Camera and Why
| Nikon Coolpix 4500 This is the latest iteration in Nikon's "twist body" design, where the lens and viewfinder exist on one half of the camera whilst the main controls and LCD exist on the other, right hand side. The two halves pivot, allowing you to easily position the LCD at many different angles, for shooting overhead or at ground level. Its 4x zoom is capable of focusing down to 2 cm in macro mode, making it one of the most able macro cameras around without resorting to additional close-up lenses. A good range of accessories is available, including a lovely and inexpensive ring light for shooting macros. With a list price of $1499 and lower street prices for those who shop around, this camera is a very good buy. |
|
Others with Unique Characteristics
| Canon Powershot G3 The G3 is the latest in the G1 line. With a 4x zoom with a fast maximum aperture that varies from f2 to f3 as the focal length increases, its image quality is great. The G3 uses a single focusing point, but one that you can move around the image at will. This provides a lot of flexibility regarding composition. The hinged LCD is a nice feature and offers lots of flexibility in how you use this camera. $1799 incl. GST. |
|
Panasonic DMC-LC5 (no picture
shown)
Designed in conjunction with Leica, the LC5 is a very responsive camera that feels very much like a film
camera. This camera is definitely worth a look. I especially like the optional flip out light shield for
the LCD. $1759 incl. GST. (image not shown).
| Minolta DiMAGE F100 Just to prove they are not all large cameras, the F100 is a superb, small yet capable camera that offers plenty of resolution, a 3x optical zoom and a size that slips comfortably into a pocket. $1149 incl. GST. |
|
Five Megapixel Cameras
Typical User Profile
Only serious users with deep pockets need apply. Those who wish to really push their photography along
will like cameras in this range. Semi-professionals or non-photographic professionals, like graphic
designers, will find that the high resolution available from these cameras make the images very usable
in print. They also make an excellent "carry everywhere" camera for professional photographers.
Key Points of This Resolution
This is currently the domain of the "power" prosumer digital cameras. Cameras in this resolution range
tend to be large (not exclusively, just most) so that they can fit long zoom range lenses and lots of
dials and buttons for everything they do. Because of the size of the files they produce, most use
CompactFlash cards and I think you should only buy one that does. Be prepared to purchase a much larger
memory card than that which comes with the camera. Build this into your budget.
Best Camera and Why
| Minolta DiMAGE 7i This was a close fought battle. The 7i has a "real camera" feel. It has a 7x zoom lens that has a real, manual zoom ring around it. This is so much more precise than using buttons to electronically zoom the lens. It is also faster. Unlike many cameras, the 7i has a zoom range that covers 28 mm to 200 mm in 35 mm equivalent camera terms. This goes much wider than most, which is great for indoor shots or that great landscape image. 200 mm enables you to pull in objects from a fair distance away, though those who need heavy magnification will be happier with the Nikon adjacent. Control layout is excellent and image quality good. Another plus is that the flash must be manually flipped up to operate. No more accidental flash shots when you thought you had turned it off. The other controls on this camera are excellent. $2299 incl. GST |
|
Others with Unique Characteristics
| Nikon Coolpix 5700 The 5700 is an excellent camera. Offering an 8x optical zoom and a hinge out LCD that is very nice to use, some will prefer this camera to the Minolta. Image quality is excellent but control layout is not perfect for many people, especially after you have handled the Minolta. $2599 incl. GST. |
|
| Olympus Camedia E-20P This big, bulky camera is a real single lens reflex camera (the other two use electronic viewfinders), but without the interchangeable lenses. A 4x zoom of excellent quality is made even better by having real manual zoom and focusing rings on the lens. Lots of accessories are available for this camera, including accessory lenses to extend its range. $3399 incl. GST. |
|
Six Megapixels and Above
Typical User Profile
This is the realm of the professional photographer or the deep-pocketed amateur.
Key Points of This Resolution
This end is dominated by interchangeable lens digital SLRs. These offer the huge advantage of showing you
optically what is seen through the lens. The degree of sharpness of these images makes them the only digital
cameras that it is possible to manually focus well, for instance. It also offers an ease of composition,
due to its brightness and identical match with the taken image, which is hard to surpass. In addition, these
cameras offer a huge ranges of accessories.
Best Camera and Why
| Canon EOS-1Ds This radical camera offers an 11 Mp image sensor that is the full size of a piece of 35 mm film. So this camera produces an image with a resolution as high or higher than you can reasonably scan from film, allowing for the fact that grain progressively becomes most of the extra detail you gain by scanning 35 mm film at higher resolutions. It also does not multiply the focal length of the lens, as do all other DSLRs, because their sensor is smaller than the lens was designed to cover. In all other ways, it handles exactly like a film camera. It is very fast to auto-focus and expose the image. It is also so fast to write the image off to the memory card that I never had to wait to take the next shot because of the camera being busy. Image quality is stunning. It costs $16,499 incl. GST for the body alone. |
|
Others with Unique Characteristics
| Nikon D100 This Nikon digital SLR offers a 6 Mp image sensor in an SLR body with fast auto-focus and all the control options you would expect. Compatible with most recent Nikon lenses and the DX range of flashguns, this camera takes excellent photos and is very easy to live with. Priced at $4,799 incl. GST. |
|
Others
As we write this, new models are rumoured to be on the way from most of the camera manufacturers, to be
announced in February and March. Very likely is a new low cost digital SLR from Canon to replace the lovely
D60.
About the Author
Wayne J. Cosshall, wayne@cosshall.com started out on the technical
side of computer graphics, building a 17 year long career as a university researcher. He made the switch
to the creative side (some say the dark side) and now runs a small professional photography/graphic design
business, writes effectively full time for many magazines including his own online magazine,
http://www.dimagemaker.com and exhibits his computer art.
Reprinted from the March 2003 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia
