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Digital Camera Buyer’s Guide
New digital gear encourages photographic freedom. Here’s how to choose
By Zachary Singer
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Digital Cameras are wonderful
tools for visual expression. Their ability to review photos on the
spot and erase unwanted images removes the pressure from the creative
process, making it more successful and more fun, too. Worried whether
you exposed correctly deep inside that canyon? Got enough depth of
field for the flowers and the mountains? Just play back your image
and see. If you goofed, that’s fine—just delete the image
and shoot another one, for free. With cameras on the market whose
performance rivals that of film, it’s no wonder that so many
people are going digital.
Unlike the film cameras we’re used to, though, the rapid changes
in the digital camera field can present a challenge. Your familiarity
with the technology and features offered by today’s digital
cameras will make your buying experience better and help ensure you
get equipment with which you’ll be happy.
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The
advanced digital compact offers convenience and easy portability,
while the digital SLR offers more versatility, control and image quality—and
a larger and heavier camera.
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[ Size ]
Since photography’s beginning, we’ve always had to strike
a balance when deciding how large and heavy or small and light our
photo equipment should be. The larger our film format (and camera),
the larger the prints we can make. The smaller the camera, the more
places we can take it and the faster we can set it up. Digital cameras
have size and performance trade-offs, too. The advanced digital compact
offers convenience and easy portability, while the digital SLR offers
more versatility, control and image quality—and a larger and
heavier camera.
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The
physical size of each photo sensor plays an important role,
too: The larger the sensor, the less “noise” there
will be in the final image, especially at higher ISOs. D-SLRs
have the advantage here, as they have larger imaging chips
than the advanced compacts.
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An advanced compact will fit easily into a fanny pack for a day hike,
and a number of them offer very wide zoom ranges and macro capability.
Then again, they lack the full range of ƒ-stop settings found
on D-SLR lenses, and their control buttons can be smaller and a bit
more challenging to manipulate, especially with gloves, than those
on D-SLRs. On the other hand, D-SLRs demand more from those who carry
them. The camera body’s size and weight aren’t the only
issue; to get a wide range of focal lengths, photographers have to
equip their cameras with bulky zooms or a number of single-focal-length
lenses. Very long focal lengths on D-SLRs are much bulkier than the
equivalent lens on an advanced digital compact.
Canon EOS Digital Rebel |
Nikon Coolpix 8700
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Olympus E-1
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[ Resolution ]
Generally, the more pixels you have, the larger the print you can
make. Most currently available cameras range from 4 to 8 megapixels,
with the newest advanced compacts coming in at 8 megapixels, and most
D-SLRs at 6 megapixels. If your goal is a 5x7 or an 8x10 print, any
of the cameras in this article will get you there. If you aim for
16x20s, though, keep in mind that resolution, or the number of megapixels
on the imager, isn’t the only factor affecting how much you
can enlarge photos from a given camera.
The physical size of each photo sensor plays an important role, too:
The larger the sensor, the less “noise” there will be
in the final image, especially at higher ISOs. D-SLRs have the advantage
here, as they have larger imaging chips than the advanced compacts.
The differences in image quality between large and small imagers are
less distinct with small prints than large ones, so whether imaging
chip size is important to you depends on the size of the enlargements
you want to make, as well as the sensitivity (ISO equivalent) you
need.
[ LCDs ]
Digital cameras’ LCD monitors are a genuine asset. LCDs provide
a helpful check on all the elements of your image, both technical
and aesthetic. With their histograms and blinking highlight indicators,
they’re very effective for confirming exposure, and the common
zoom-in feature allows you to check image sharpness.
Many of the monitors on advanced compact cameras flip, swivel or twist
to offer you different angles of view. This can be a considerable
advantage for composing macro shots near the ground or for keeping
glare off the monitor screen.
All LCDs aren’t created equal, and some are definitely better
than others—especially in bright sunlight. Since the LCD is
also used to display camera control menus, clarity is important. (LCDs
are improving, but many still can be difficult to see outdoors. That’s
nothing new for a film-based landscape shooter—just screen out
the extraneous light, the same way you do when you’ve stopped
down your SLR’s lens to check depth of field.)
Digital
SLR Specification Chart |
| D-SLR |
Canon EOS-1Ds |
Canon EOS-1D Mark II |
| Magnification Factor |
none |
1.3 |
| Resolution (Megapixels) |
11.1 |
8.2 |
| Viewfinder Coverage |
100% |
100% |
| LCD Size |
2.0 in. |
2.0 in. |
| Shutter Speeds |
1/8000 to 30 sec. |
1/8000 to 30 sec. |
| ISO Equivalents |
100-1250 |
100-1600 |
| Continuous Shooting Speeds |
3 fps |
8.5 fps |
| Dimensions |
6.1x6.2x3.1-in. |
6.1x6.2x3.1-in. |
| Weight |
44.6 oz. |
43 oz. |
| MSRP |
$8,999 |
$4,499 |
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| D-SLR |
Canon EOS 10D |
Canon EOS Digital Rebel |
| Magnification Factor |
1.6 |
1.6 |
| Resolution (Megapixels) |
6.3 |
6.3 |
| Viewfinder Coverage |
95% |
95% |
| LCD Size |
1.8 in. |
1.8 in. |
| Shutter Speeds |
1/4000 to 30 sec. |
1/4000 to 30 sec. |
| ISO Equivalents |
100-3200 |
100-1600 |
| Continuous Shooting Speeds |
3 fps |
2.5 fps |
| Dimensions |
5.9x4.2x3.0-in. |
5.6x3.9x2.9-in. |
| Weight |
27.9 oz. |
19.7 oz. |
| MSRP |
$1,999 |
$899 |
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| D-SLR |
Fujifilm FinePix S2 Pro |
Kodak DCS Pro 14n |
| Magnification Factor |
1.5 |
none |
| Resolution (Megapixels) |
6.1 |
13.89 |
| Viewfinder Coverage |
92% |
92% |
| LCD Size |
1.8 in. |
2.0 in. |
| Shutter Speeds |
1/4000 to 30 sec. |
1/4000 to 2 sec. |
| ISO Equivalents |
100-1600 |
80-800 |
| Continuous Shooting Speeds |
2 fps |
1.7 fps |
| Dimensions |
5.6x5.2x3.1-in. |
5.2x6.2x3.5-in. |
| Weight |
1.7 lbs. |
2.0 lbs. |
| MSRP |
$2,295 |
$4,495 |
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| D-SLR |
Nikon D100 |
Nikon D1x |
| Magnification Factor |
1.5 |
1.5 |
| Resolution (Megapixels) |
6.1 |
5.33 |
| Viewfinder Coverage |
95% |
96% |
| LCD Size |
1.8 in. |
2.0 in. |
| Shutter Speeds |
1/4000 to 30 sec. |
1/16,000 to 30 sec. |
| ISO Equivalents |
200-1600 |
125-800 |
| Continuous Shooting Speeds |
3 fps |
3 fps |
| Dimensions |
5.7x4.6x3.2-in. |
6.2x6.1x3.4-in. |
| Weight |
24.7 oz. |
2.5 lbs. |
| MSRP |
$1,999 |
$5,130 |
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| D-SLR |
Nikon D2H |
Nikon D70 |
| Magnification Factor |
1.5 |
1.5 |
| Resolution (Megapixels) |
4.1 |
6.1 |
| Viewfinder Coverage |
100% |
95% |
| LCD Size |
2.5 in. |
1.8 in. |
| Shutter Speeds |
1/8000 to 30 sec. |
1/8000 to 30 sec. |
| ISO Equivalents |
200-1600 |
200-1600 |
| Continuous Shooting Speeds |
8 fps |
3 fps |
| Dimensions |
6.2x5.9x3.4-in. |
5.5x4.4x3.1-in. |
| Weight |
38.4 oz. |
21 oz. |
| MSRP |
$3,999 |
$999 |
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| D-SLR |
Pentax *ist D |
Olympus E-1 |
| Magnification Factor |
1.5 |
2 |
| Resolution (Megapixels) |
6.1 |
5 |
| Viewfinder Coverage |
95% |
100% |
| LCD Size |
1.8 in. |
1.8 in. |
| Shutter Speeds |
1/4000 to 30 sec. |
1/4000 to 60 sec. |
| ISO Equivalents |
200-1600 |
100-3200 |
| Continuous Shooting Speeds |
2.6 fps |
3 fps |
| Dimensions |
5.1x3.7x2.4-in. |
5.6x4.1x3.2-in. |
| Weight |
19.4 oz. |
23 oz. |
| MSRP |
$1,999 |
$1,799 |
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| D-SLR |
Sigma SD10 |
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| Magnification Factor |
1.7 |
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| Resolution (Megapixels) |
3.4 |
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| Viewfinder Coverage |
97% vertical, 98% horizontal |
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| LCD Size |
1.8 in. |
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| Shutter Speeds |
1/6000 to 30 sec. |
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| ISO Equivalents |
100-1600 |
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| Continuous Shooting Speeds |
2.5 fps |
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| Dimensions |
5.9x4.7x3.1-in. |
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| Weight |
27.7 oz. |
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| MSRP |
$1,686 |
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Fujifilm FinePix S7000 |
Pentax *ist D
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Olympus C-5060
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[ Lenses ]
The built-in lens of an advanced compact digital camera offers convenience
and versatility, as well as a good seal against dust that would otherwise
collect on your camera’s imager. Some lenses feature 3x or 4x
zooms, such as a 28-116mm or 35-140mm (35mm equivalent), while others
pack formidable zoom ranges of 7x or more; 28-200mm (35mm equivalent)
is increasingly common.
Most advanced compacts accept accessory lenses that offer a further
extension of their built-in lenses’ wide-angle or telephoto
range. Many advanced compacts’ lenses have impressive macro
capability, and the optical systems of some advanced compacts provide
image stabilization for sharp images when shooting handheld at slower
shutter speeds. The new flagship 8-megapixel cameras boast top-quality
lenses with ED glass. Canon’s new camera even has an L-series
lens.
The interchangeable lenses of the D-SLRs offer tremendous versatility
at the cost of weight, bulk and greater expense. Their zooms’
mechanical controls generally offer more precise focal length selection
than the push-button power zooms of most advanced compacts, and the
available range of focal lengths in D-SLRs’ systems is much
wider than that available on any advanced compact. In some cases,
faster lenses are available for D-SLRs than those built into advanced
compacts; in combination with their higher ISOs, D-SLRs can outshoot
most advanced compacts in challenging available light conditions.
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LCDs
provide a helpful check on all the elements of your image,
both technical and aesthetic. |
If you already own a film SLR, the AF lenses you’re using now
will fit on a D-SLR of the same brand. However, there’s some
good news and bad news. Because most D-SLRs use imaging chips that
are smaller in size than the 35mm format, the apparent magnification
of your lenses will be greater than you’re used to—typically,
from 1.3 to 1.6 times greater, depending on the camera brand and model.
With a 1.5x magnification factor, for example, your 50mm lens will
now act as though it’s a 75mm. That’s good news, indeed,
for users of long lenses, as your telephotos will get a significant
boost without the loss of light associated with teleconverters.
The bad news is that wide-angle users will see those focal lengths
boosted, too, so your 24mm will now act more like a 35mm. If you do
a lot of wide-angle work, you’ll need to invest in even wider
lenses than you own now. D-SLR manufacturers are working to stay ahead
of this problem with special short-focal-length lenses designed for
their digital chips’ format, which are becoming increasingly
available in the marketplace.
Like the advanced digital compacts, D-SLRs have benefited from the
advances in optical technology that make it possible to provide excellent
optical quality with lenses that would have been difficult or impossible
to build in years past. These improvements include the more frequent
use of ED- or LD-glass lens elements, aspherical lens elements and
apochromatic (APO) lens designs. Each solves particular optical problems
and promises better optical quality.
Advanced Compact Digital Camera Specification Chart |
| Camera |
Canon PowerShot Pro1 |
Canon PowerShot G5 |
| Lens (35mm Equiv.) |
28-200mm |
35-140mm |
| Resolution (megapixels) |
8 |
5 |
| Viewfinder |
Electronic |
Optical |
| Exposure Modes |
Multi |
Multi |
| Shutter Speeds |
1/4000 to 15 sec. |
1/2000 to 15 sec. |
| Maximum ƒ-Stop |
ƒ/2.4-3.5 |
ƒ/2.0-3.0 |
| Dimensions |
4.6x2.8x3.6-in. |
4.8x2.9x2.8-in. |
| Weight |
19.2 oz |
14.5 oz. |
| MSRP |
approx. $999 |
$699 |
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| Camera |
Fujifilm FinePix S7000 |
Konica Minolta DiMAGE A2 |
| Lens (35mm Equiv.) |
35-210mm |
28-200mm |
| Resolution (megapixels) |
6.3 |
8 |
| Viewfinder |
Electronic |
Electronic |
| Exposure Modes |
Multi |
Multi |
| Shutter Speeds |
1/10,000 to 15 sec. |
1/4000 to 30 sec. |
| Maximum ƒ-Stop |
ƒ/2.8 |
ƒ/2.8-3.5 |
| Dimensions |
4.8x3.8x3.2-in. |
4.6x3.4x4.5-in. |
| Weight |
17.6 oz. |
19.9 oz. |
| MSRP |
$799 |
TBA |
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| Camera |
Nikon Coolpix 5400 |
Nikon Coolpix 8700 |
| Lens (35mm Equiv.) |
28-116mm |
35-280mm |
| Resolution (Megapixels) |
5.1 |
8 |
| Viewfinder |
Optical |
Electronic |
| Exposure Modes |
Multi |
Multi |
| Shutter Speeds |
1/4000 to 8 sec. |
1/4000 to 8 sec., plus B |
| Maximum ƒ-Stop |
ƒ/2.8 |
ƒ/2.8-4.2 |
| Dimensions |
4.3x2.9x2.7-in. |
4.4x4.1x3.1-in. |
| Weight |
11.3 oz. |
17 oz. |
| MSRP |
$699.95 |
$999.95 |
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| Camera |
Olympus C-5060 |
Olympus C-8080 |
| Lens (35mm Equiv.) |
27-110mm |
28-140mm |
| Resolution (Megapixels) |
5.1 |
8 |
| Viewfinder |
Optical |
Electronic |
| Exposure Modes |
Multi |
Multi |
| Shutter Speeds |
1/4000 to 16 sec. |
1/4000 to 4 sec. |
| Maximum ƒ-Stop |
ƒ/2.8-4.8 |
ƒ/2.4-3.5 |
| Dimensions |
4.6x3.4x2.6-in. |
4.9x3.3x3.9-in. |
| Weight |
15.2 oz. |
23.3 oz. |
| MSRP |
$699 |
$999 |
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| Camera |
Panasonic DMC-FZ10 |
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-F828 |
| Lens (35mm Equiv.) |
35-420mm |
28-200mm |
| Resolution (Megapixels) |
4 |
8 |
| Viewfinder |
Electronic |
Electronic |
| Exposure Modes |
Multi |
Multi |
| Shutter Speeds |
1/2000 to 8 sec. |
1/3200 to 30 sec. |
| Maximum ƒ-Stop |
ƒ/2.8 |
ƒ/2.0-2.8 |
| Dimensions |
5.5x3.4x4.2-in. |
5.3x3.6x6.2-in. |
| Weight |
1.21 lbs. |
2.12 lbs. |
| MSRP |
$599.95 |
$999.95 |
Canon PowerShot Pro1
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Nikon D70
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Sigma SD10 |
[ Shooting Modes ]
All of the cameras here offer programmed auto exposure, many with
variations on the theme. They also provide aperture- and shutter-priority
automation, as well as full manual control. Many cameras feature Scene
modes, which direct the camera to determine ambient and even flash
exposure settings with a selected photographic situation in mind.
[ Shutter Lag ]
If you’re used to shooting a film SLR, then the shutter response
of a D-SLR will feel natural to you. At present, however, advanced
compact digital cameras still display a slight lag time between the
initial press on the shutter release and the instant when the shutter
actually fires. A half-squeeze on the shutter will pre-focus the lens
and ready the camera’s electronics, cutting lag time significantly.
Manufacturers of compact digital cameras have made minimizing lag
time a priority, and shutter response time continues to improve with
every new model.
Some cameras offer a burst mode, taking several shots continuously
while the shutter is depressed. This can be a good way of dealing
with shutter lag.
[ Memory Cards ]
Most current digital cameras make use of CompactFlash, Secure-Digital
(SD), Memory Stick and xD memory cards. Some card types are faster
than others at transferring data, but the size of your camera’s
internal buffer will have an equal or greater effect on your ability
to capture a quick succession of shots. Unless you shoot action sequences,
like whitewater rafting, the difference in speed between card types
isn’t important for most of your shooting.
The JPEG files shot at the highest-quality settings of most of these
cameras will take up 2 MB of memory or more; RAW files can be much
larger. You could multiply 2 or 3 MB by the number of images you’d
expect to shoot on film for a rough idea of how much memory to get,
but that likely won’t be enough. Most people switching to digital
from film are stunned by how many more pictures they shoot with digital.
One of your first purchases after the camera should be extra memory—get
more than you think you’ll need. |
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