Spoke with Karl this morning about the different types of camera you can get depending on your different needs.
First up we looked at the Canon IXUS 300 HS, which is a compact camera. Compact cameras are popular because they are usually pretty small and can fit nicely into a travel bag. Most take good pictures, and quite a few have good video capability. Most importantly, these types of cameras are the most affordable.
Next we looked at the Samsung NX10 hybrid unit. A hybrid camera is a compact camera, but with some DSLR features. What is a DSLR? This is a digital single lens reflex camera, which in layman’s terms means it has a better sensor, most choices of aperture and ISO – in other words more features to help you refine your picture taking experience. So, a hybrid takes the small form factor of a compact and adds a few features. It must be noted that these are not fully featured units like the DSLR.
Next was the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT2 digital camera, which fits into the fast-growing ‘tough’ category. These types of camera usually have some pretty decent technology under the hood, but they are also waterproof, dustproof, shockproof and can handle cool temperatures generally down to about -10 degrees Celsius. As mentioned, they do have a few features you’d find on the DSLR and compact cameras, but they are designed to take the knocks as well.
Then we looked at the mother of all lens, Nikon’s Nikkor 600mm, which comes in at about $17,000. This beauty is designed for professionals, but we wanted to showcase some of the more intricate and top-end technology that is available and the lengths some photographers will go to to get that perfect shot.
Finally we look at the more reasonably priced Nikkor 18-55mm VR lens, which is a good product for any budding photographer who likes a bit more detail in their shots. This is especially true of the increasing number of people who are taking up photography as a hobby.
Three Tips
1. Flash cards: These are important and can be up to 8GB in size. They are a form of storage that can be put into a camera. This allows you to save more pics and video files than can be stored on the camera itself.
2. Cheap camera – cheap shots. If you buy a cheap camera don’t expect your pictures to come out like they been taken by Herb Ritts of Annie Leibovitz. There is a reason they are cheap – sensors and lenses are not as good quality as some of the pricier models.
3. 2-in-1 are now the future of cameras – a camera that offers both still and video is now the norm. With HD video and more than 14 megapixels available on some compacts and most DSLRs, the day of the point-and-shoot only camera is well on the way out