One more look at size of photo camera sensor
There is couple of things about this video that attracted my attention and I though- I may share it with you.
- The camera sensor size is a topic, that’s always getting a lot of questions, concerns and gets people confused. And I think the video below is very intuitive, easy to follow and understand. Thanks to the LensProToGo for making it available!
- And second reason, rather irrational, but- the gentleman who speaks on the video- he looks so alike to my philosophy professor at college I recently graduated from. Btw, I really enjoyed his classes!
If above video does not open for you, please use this link to open it in new window: http://vimeo.com/25773354
New and shiny- from Canon
It wasn’t too long ago, not even a month, when I was wondering of what is coming next from the big guys on the market.
And what I wanted to mention today is not really fitting into the timeline I have been reviewing in the post from couple of weeks ago. But I think it’s interesting enough design, where it makes me wonder- how it will change the cinematographic equipment? and how soon?
If you haven’t seen the announcement- next year Canon is releasing new camcorder for high resolution motion picture: EOS C330.
Like most of the time I first read about the announcement on DPReview.com. Of course great resource for you who might be more interested would be Canon website itself, where you can read about the announcement and check out some videos and opinions form the cinematographic industry.
The timeline of Nikon and Canon camera releases
On my last post I have mentioned part 2.
Below you’ll find simple timeline and I will admit at the beginning- not complete, because not reaching to the times both companies were set up. This is more of comparison of what types/ levels of DSLR cameras were announced by these two companies within last few years.
The reason I did it was to see whether one or the other is releasing more or less photo equipment. I was surprised to see how parallel new models were coming out. Most of the time- directed at very same market.
So here we go:
2011
- I think so far Canon is leading with the pro model: EOS-1D X. At the beginning of the year they have announced also couple of entry level dSLR’s as well. They’ve announced couple of high end lenses- nice long telephoto ones (and I bet these two can be called heavy in couple of different meanings) aside from just the standard telephoto one.
- In 2011 Nikon has come out with their new design- represented by V1 and J1 and and four lenses for this new mount. And I understand the idea of trying to reach new market, trying to access certain group of customers- but what about us, the old customers?
Aside from brand new design, mirror-less design cameras- they have also announced an entry level dSLR earlier in the year. There was also nice lens coming out- new macro lens Micro Nikkor 40mm f/2.8. I’ve seen some pictures taken with it- and so farI like the sharpness.
Where is new camera, Nikon?
Today’s announcement of Canon’s new EOS 1D X pro model dSLR only reminded me how impatiently I have been waiting for the announcement of Nikon’s new camera models. This was back in September. And I probably was not the only person slightly disappointed with the news shared at that release.
Even though the gossip about mirror-less build cameras was circulating and the announcement of models following this lately popular design was expected – I was hoping for a nice surprise in form of new version of camera (or even couple of cameras- but that would be wishing for too much I guess). And by saying- new version I was hoping that let’s say D700 could be replaced perhaps? I mean- it was announced in July 2008, that’s more than 3 years worth of changes in technology, that can make this model even better at the level of lower end pro dSLR’s from Nikon.
Would anyone agree with me?
For a moment I had impression, that maybe Nikon fell behind a bit with their releases so decided to check the timeline of two big guys- Canon and Nikon and compare at least months and years of releases of similar level cameras from both. If you like to play with timeline for your own- one of my favorite sites for photo equipment news is DPReview- and they have cool timeline, which you could sort by year, brand and type of the equipment. The tool may not cover everything- but for my research it worked just great.
The actual time line review will be posted here this coming Friday! Please come back than!
Best camera
When searching for simple photo camera-
what is the first thing you will look for?
Would that be resolution? zoom? Or perhaps the name of the manufacturer? I know that for some color is important as well.
When I am looking for a good camera
the compact style, there might be few things I am looking at.Difference between 8 and 10 million of pixels will not matter for me at this point. Because the difference is not going to bring additional quality. This is the situation, when you can easily say- less is more!
Another thing, and I think- most important- will be:
the lens
And not necessarily zoom.
Long zoom lenses on small automatic cameras might be convenient, but if I want more sharpness and detail- this is not going to be best choice. Shorter lenses, with less elements inside (let’s hope there is glass inside some of them and not plastic), might be just offering clearer image.
Often overlooked feature is the brightness of the lens. If even marked- the lower the “f-number” usually the better. Why? Well, many pictures taken with compact cameras are taken indoors. So brighter (lower f-number) lenses allow for more light to enter the camera in short time, allowing for better details and colors. Unfortunately it seems that
ISO
is being advertised as setting that can overcome the lack of light. Let’s not get too excited about that. Higher ISO setting allows for artificial improvement of sensor sensitivity to light, meaning that electronic sensor seems to be able to get more out of the available (often poor) light. There is cost that is being paid for that- digital noise. Digital noise shows up on picture as grain, often with greenish cast. And loss of detail is visible very quickly. Have you seen it maybe? My cell phone tends to get a bit of noise- but what can I expect from device that almost solely relies on sensor smaller than nail on my pinkie, with lens so small… that not sure if the f-stop is even being listed anywhere.
Memory cards
are not an issue any more. Finally everyone agreed- one format is good. Even Sony (just few years back that was very hard to imagine!) decided to make their cameras SD compatible. That definitely makes easier when time comes to change camera- at least memory can be reused.
And price
- of course price matter. The rule of “you get what you pay for” applies here a bit. Meaning, that some cameras with nicer lenses will be a bit more expensive, than their equivalents with not as nice lens construction. That’s just example.
There will be also cameras, that well- the brand name is going to be at least partially influencing the price (compare some Leica and Panasonic compact cameras and let me know what you think? make sure to check the price tag as well!)
There is a lot that can be said about cameras. Compact cameras are changing so often, that to keep up one would have to change their camera every 6 months or so. Saying that I mean- that your newest camera out there is going to be the newest model for really short time. But that’s the specifics of that market. In my humble opinion- there is almost too many models coming out. Too many and too similar.
So?
Hope my idea of the feature, that may have effect on images taken by your camera help. But I would like to ask: what else is important? Or maybe- there is something I have said, that doesn’t really work for you?
Battle At F-Stop Ridge
Maybe you have seen this video already, but if not- I find it really cool! And thus I wanted to share it with you!
A battle on shutters and flashes! Really cool, isn’t it?
Shared on youtube by The Camera Store TV