Just purchased this from Amazon @ a great price. I use the 5D Mark II and wanted something small, light and fast. I like primes due to their lightweight and the face they are faster and sharper than zooms. Previously I owned the 28mm f/1.8, which I liked a lot, but this one is better. There is so much clarity and details in the pictures, more than I notice with my other lens. It is sharp and 2.8, so you can shoot wide open. It is even sharper @ f/4 and due to the IS, you can shoot some extremely low shutter speeds. This is going to take over as my indoors lens, taking over my Canon 50mm f/1.4's spot. Very glad I decided to go with this one. I also picked this up to go with it it works great and is much less that Canon's. Rinbowimaging Lens Hood for Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens & 28mm F2.8 IS USM lens, replaces Canon lens hood EW-65B
Showing posts with label good canon cameras for beginners. Show all posts
Showing posts with label good canon cameras for beginners. Show all posts
Sony Alpha A290L 14.2 MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm Lens
Took my new A290 to the local park/aircraft museum & got really great photos with everything set to standard. A tree with grey/green foliage, came out looking 100% natural, where other cameras have not looked so good. Green grass looked perfect. Metering excellent, and white balance looked great when the white balance was left at auto.
This might have the same sensor as the Sony A380, but I think Sony have subtly tweaked the settings for jpegs as they look fantastic.
I used to have a Nikon D40, & while it took fantastic photos, the menu system was infuriating compared to the A290.
Other comments:
1. Battery needs to be charged for about 4 hours in total (including an hour *after* the charging light goes out.)
2. 18-55 kit lens zoom action can feel a little stiff when brand new. (Not too uncommon with budget lenses)
This lens is pretty good according to the experts though. And much sharper than the old 18-70 Sony kit lens.
3. The camera strap is fine, but not easy to thread through on one side. But I always have trouble with these!
4. ISO 1600 shots taken indoors show faint noise. (Prob. about the same as a Nikon D3000 worse than Canon 1000D/Rebel XS.) However, the A290 has far less noisy high ISO pictures than any compact with a small sensor.
5. The eye detection sensors that switch off the display are a nice feature.
6. Nice to hold having a rubberised finish.
8. Great value for the money!!
9. I've really enjoyed my first outing with this camera. A lot of fun to use.
Re. Battery life. Battery life can be hugely improved if the 'Eye Detect Autofocus' function is turned off.
With this turned on the A290 seems to be continually trying to focus.
Also turn of the 2 second review display after each photo.
With these two functions turned off I got 346 photos with the battery still showing 3/4 full charge. Temp. was
around 20 degrees C & included a bit of reviewing of photos but not much.
The automatic eye detect function still works & turns off the display when you raise the camera to your eye.
This might have the same sensor as the Sony A380, but I think Sony have subtly tweaked the settings for jpegs as they look fantastic.
I used to have a Nikon D40, & while it took fantastic photos, the menu system was infuriating compared to the A290.
Other comments:
1. Battery needs to be charged for about 4 hours in total (including an hour *after* the charging light goes out.)
2. 18-55 kit lens zoom action can feel a little stiff when brand new. (Not too uncommon with budget lenses)
This lens is pretty good according to the experts though. And much sharper than the old 18-70 Sony kit lens.
3. The camera strap is fine, but not easy to thread through on one side. But I always have trouble with these!
4. ISO 1600 shots taken indoors show faint noise. (Prob. about the same as a Nikon D3000 worse than Canon 1000D/Rebel XS.) However, the A290 has far less noisy high ISO pictures than any compact with a small sensor.
5. The eye detection sensors that switch off the display are a nice feature.
6. Nice to hold having a rubberised finish.
8. Great value for the money!!
9. I've really enjoyed my first outing with this camera. A lot of fun to use.
Re. Battery life. Battery life can be hugely improved if the 'Eye Detect Autofocus' function is turned off.
With this turned on the A290 seems to be continually trying to focus.
Also turn of the 2 second review display after each photo.
With these two functions turned off I got 346 photos with the battery still showing 3/4 full charge. Temp. was
around 20 degrees C & included a bit of reviewing of photos but not much.
The automatic eye detect function still works & turns off the display when you raise the camera to your eye.
Canon PowerShot SX150 IS 14.1 MP Digital Camera (Black) + 4 AA
I bought this package deal through Amazon recently. I wanted a Canon camera because of the great service and reputation of Canon. I haven't used the camera much as yet. I was primarily updating the technology, Previously I had a Powershot A85 which served me well (and was brought back to like new condition by a warranty repair) since 2004.
The Camera:
I love the new camera so far, the large LCD screen is a blessing for my old eyes. The anti shake capability helps my primary biggest weakness when handling a camera. I also find the physical size of this camera works for me better than the super tiny cameras presently on the market. The logical design of the buttons and knobs makes the camera easy to use.The SX150 has significantly better low light functionality and the pictures reflect this. My only complaint is the SX150 like my A85 is hard on battery life, but unlike my A85 the SX150 has only two AA batteries to draw upon instead of four. Additionally the battery/charger combo was defective initially from the supplier ZeeMO.
The package accessories:
As I said above,I bought the package to replace older technology.I immediately had to clean the outside lens as it had a smudge on it,(messing up the focusing optics). The batteries (Zeikos) even though they say they are 3100 mAh are weak compared to other Ni-MA batteries I have purchased which have lower current ratings from national manufactures such as Energiser. The charger is a international adaptable charger, which may come in handy when we go
to Italy. The camera bag and memory card are sufficient.
Although it took two attempts to get ZeeMO's attention on the defective battery/charger combo, I think the package deal was worth the effort to purchase for me, with a camera I highly recommend!
The Camera:
I love the new camera so far, the large LCD screen is a blessing for my old eyes. The anti shake capability helps my primary biggest weakness when handling a camera. I also find the physical size of this camera works for me better than the super tiny cameras presently on the market. The logical design of the buttons and knobs makes the camera easy to use.The SX150 has significantly better low light functionality and the pictures reflect this. My only complaint is the SX150 like my A85 is hard on battery life, but unlike my A85 the SX150 has only two AA batteries to draw upon instead of four. Additionally the battery/charger combo was defective initially from the supplier ZeeMO.
The package accessories:
As I said above,I bought the package to replace older technology.I immediately had to clean the outside lens as it had a smudge on it,(messing up the focusing optics). The batteries (Zeikos) even though they say they are 3100 mAh are weak compared to other Ni-MA batteries I have purchased which have lower current ratings from national manufactures such as Energiser. The charger is a international adaptable charger, which may come in handy when we go
to Italy. The camera bag and memory card are sufficient.
Although it took two attempts to get ZeeMO's attention on the defective battery/charger combo, I think the package deal was worth the effort to purchase for me, with a camera I highly recommend!
Olympus M Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro Interchangeable Lens
List Price: $1,099.99
Sale Price: $1,088.95
Today's Bonus: 1% Off
Bought this from a NYC camera store and was delivered to me 11/11/13. I put myself on the wait list the minute it was announced so I am likely one of the first to get this lens. I have had only a few days worth of shooting but will put my initial impressions here.
Pros:
1. Superb optics. I am not a pixel peeper but no issues at any focal length even wide open. The lens is very sharp with fair contrast. No significant distortion. Slight CA. No noticeable vignetting in real life situations. I am not sure if my EM-5 is correcting for this lens with software. I have not tried on Panasonic bodies. All of this at a constant f2.8 throughout the zoom.
2. Size. No comparison to larger format lenses with a constant 2.8 aperture in this focal range. Others manufacturers might make FF and APS-C cameras smaller and smaller but they cannot match the size of the m4/3 lenses.
3. Very useful zoom range for the average shooter. This can be the one lens you can have for the entire system. It covers semi-wide to semi-long, good for landscapes to portraits. You might want to get prime lenses for bigger aperture, smaller size or shallower DOF/subject isolation but with the newer m4/3 cameras that do well at higher ISO, this lens is fine even for night-time photography.
4. Fantastic build quality. Olympus 75mm might be a tad better made but it is close. I should know; I own most primes from Olympus and Panasonic and a few zooms. I have tried almost every lens made for the m4/3 system from any manufacturer from friends. The lens is solid with good heft but not too heavy. It has good dampened rings which are as good as any m43 lens although inferior to lenses from Leica or older (pre-digital) lenses from Nikon, Canon, Olympus, etc.
5. Looks fantastic. I know it has nothing to do with picture quality but if I was not into visually pleasing things, I would not be into photography in the first place.
6. Lens button. I love the fact I can assign DOF to this.
7. Auto focus/Snap focus. It's as fast and as quiet as any m4/3 lens used on my EM-5. The snap focus feature by pulling the focus ring back is something that gives Olympus a significant advantage over other manufacturers. Brilliant.
8. Included hood and lens pouch. I thought h*ll would freeze over before this would happen. It is getting colder recently.
9. On that topic; weather sealed.
Cons: (Minor)
1. The lens is not fully retracted at 12mm. It is actually fully retracted at 16mm. Thus, if you store with lens at 12mm, the front element is not completely against the body. I am not sure if this will impact durability over time as it is carried/stored.
2. The lens cap is huge (for Olympus). They needed to redesign the lens cap due to the hood but I feel it is too thick now.
3. The lens crashed my EM-5. The camera crashed when I first attached this lens. I am not sure if Olympus will issue a firmware update. It was interesting to find out the power lever on the EM-5 is software based; i.e., flipping it did not turn off the camera when it crashed.
4. Made in China, like iphones, ipads and most other electronics. I was hoping for Made in Japan.
Overall, a great lens and highly recommended for anyone looking for an all-around lens for the m43 system.
Nikon COOLPIX L120 14.1 MP Digital Camera with 21x NIKKOR
List Price: $279.00
Sale Price: $264.00
Today's Bonus: 5% Off
For anyone looking at getting a decent, mid-level point-and-shoot with the look and feel of an SLR, the Nikon Coolpix L120 is by far the best choice, even with its few shortcomings!
As a semi-professional photographer who primarily shoots film (but is slowly converting to digital) I always have kept at least a digital P&S camera with me to get those "quick" shots that I can't get because of the time involved in setting up the shot in an SLR. My previous camera, the Minolta DiMAGE S414 had been getting long in the tooth and was starting to glitch. A friend gave me his Nikon Coolpix E5200 and I was immediately hooked on Nikon's legendary imaging quality. However, the 5-megapixel sensor in the Coolpix E5200 was short of what I truly needed, so the same friend who gave me the E5200 also let me try out his Coolpix L110. I was blown away with how well the photos turned out! In my quest to buy my own Coolpix L110, I had heard back in February that Nikon was releasing the Coolpix L120, with a 2-megapixel increase over the L110 and several new features. Having read the first reviews of the camera, it seemed like a sure winner, so I took the plunge on March 14th of this year and secured one for myself.
Instantly, I was hooked on it. Right out of the box, this camera is a winner! The settings, user-interface, the sleek design and the nifty zoom selector on the lens barrel makes this camera worth every penny. In the short time I have owned it, I have already taken approximately 1,200 photos with it; everything from nature, bridges, even the sun! (with a solar filter, of course). And with its fantastic 21x optical zoom, I can photograph a car at more than a quarter-mile away and be able to clearly read its license plate!
The only drawback I can see is that Nikon has left out the ability to manually control your aperture and shutter speed settings (instead, leaving that for the Nikon Coolpix P500 which I was unimpressed with). However, those small shortcomings are overwhelmed by the simplicity this camera offers. Itching to get into Panorama photography, without the need for an expensive SLR with built-in panorama stitching? Consider it done! With this camera's Panorama-Assist feature (which overlays a small portion of the image onto the screen for the next shot to be composed), and the supplied Arcsoft Panorama Maker Pro 5 software, Panorama-style photography has never been more affordable. Looking to enhance photos with HDR-like color clarity? Consider that done, also! This camera supplies with it built-in D-Lighting that preserves the color intensity of an image yet bringing out the details otherwise hidden within dark shadows. Also supplied, incase you don't want to edit your images in-camera, is Nikon's own View NX-2, which not only includes D-lighting enhancement filters, it also offers a host of other image-editing capabilities!
In short, this camera has the competition beat! I would recommend it (I have the black version) over anything else.
Fujifilm FinePix S4200 Digital Camera
List Price: $199.95
Sale Price: $194.00
Today's Bonus: 3% Off
Why I need to share.... I have been a photographer for decades and have had dozens of digital cameras of all price ranges so may be helpful to some looking for this type of camera. Long lens at under $200. Not a mini pocket camera but about perfect in the hand.
Had both 4200 and 4500 cameras for several weeks now and used both enough to think I know something about this camera as they only differ in the lenses. The negative remarks on Amazon had me comparing my experiences but I am very impressed with what I found. Two things seem near top of importance to me, quality of pictures and feel using the camera. I liked the 25mm 4200 so much I purchased the 30mm 4500 too.
Time between shots is effected by the speed of the memory card as class 10 gives about 1/2 second recovery for next shot, which seems much the same as most cameras performance today.
Case design is great. It has some plastic textured surface everywhere your fingers may want to grip and a rubber grip on the lens barrel. Also feels substantial and balanced with 4 batteries installed. Flash pop-up button release handy to hit left of flash unit.
Picture quality is similar to other better consumer cameras. But the big lens delivers better quality than any camera this price range I know of, with color details surprising. I use local mountain scenes for outside test comparisons and this camera has created detailed quality even out to 25mm and 30mm full zoom shots better than any more expensive cameras I have owned.
Battery life is great too.
Auto focus seems fast to lock on.
Price is a deal!
Only somewhat negative thing I found is the battery door has stiff spring contacts that take a little care to close, needing one hand to release the lock button while pressing down on the lid and the second to press down too while sliding lid closed. (Works for me..)
There are many technical things camera reviewers cover but what is important that I want this camera with me at all times. It has been a blast going around finding anything to "test" the camera because it takes great pictures. Is that not enough!
Sony Cybershot DSC-T1 5MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom
Although I have much experience with cameras, camcorders, and digital images, I have never owned a digital camera before. My main camera has been a Nikon 6006 SLR, so I am pretty picky about quality.
After extensive research, I settled on the DSC-T1. It is exactly what I expected, and almost exactly what I wanted, but allow me to elaborate because it may not be exactly what YOU want.
I was tempted by larger digital cameras (and I will eventually get one of those too). For example, the Panasonic Lumix is few bucks cheaper and has more controls, a BIG lens, great image stabilization, and 12x optical zoom (digital zoom is meaningless). It is even possible to get a medium size 5MP digital camera with 5x optical zoom and better pictures than the dsc-t1 for much less. However, I concluded that I would rather have a good camera with me 24x7 than leave a great camera in the car or at home. I was SO right. I have already captured SO many photos I would have missed. I carry the camera at all times in one of those silk bags that come with Oakley sunglasses.
I considered other small cameras like the Casio Elixim Z4, but it does not have video in US versions. The Canon S400 is very good, but it is slower and thicker with a much smaller LCD, and a newer version is coming out April 30th. No ultra compact that is clearly better than the DSC-T1 is on the horizon.
In addition to ultra compact size, I wanted at least 4MP, at least 3x optical zoom, quality video ability, speed, ease of use, and flexible shooting modes. This camera has 5MP, 3x optical zoom, excellent 640x480 video mode, speed, ease of use, and shooting modes flexible enough to accommodate everything from action to night images.
Video is in MPG files, which can be played back on the free Real Player. It is not possible to zoom while shooting video, but it is possible to zoom before recording begins or when recording has been paused.
I haven't tried the software that comes with it yet. I run Windows XP, and I just place the dsc-t1 in the cradle, turn it on, and it appears as another disk drive in Windows Explorer. I can copy files from it and paste them onto a hard drive. I can then delete the image files from the camera to free up the space on the memory stick just as if I were deleting files from any Windows folder.
Apparently slowness is a problem with all digital cameras except for a few of the most recent ones, and the DSC-T1 seems fast to me. This may be the result of the newer and faster Duo Pro Memory Stick technology. Get the 256MB Duo Pro Memory Stick. The 512MB stick costs three times as much. Don't bother with a spare battery. They are too expensive, and the battery life is OK. You don't want to be frequently opening the delicate little battery/memory doors on digital cameras anyway.
Don't worry about having no optical view finder. They just make cameras bigger. The 2.5 inch LCD is bigger than any other digital camera and is quite sufficient.
Such a small camera is a little tricky to hold SECURELY without getting in the way of the lens, so if you tend to drop things, then you WILL eventually drop this unless you use the wrist strap at all times, which partially defeats the convenience aspect. I still haven't attached the wrist strap because I am extra careful, but someone could still bump into me while shooting. On the other hand, I don't want to overstate this problem because the camera is quite durable/graspable when the lens cover is closed.
Almost every indoor picture with the kids has at least a hint of red eye. I consider about 60% of them to have too much, but I still get more quality shots than I have time to email, so I really can't complain. BTW, 5MP jpeg files are about 2MB each, which makes email a challenge. Less than one out of ten indoor pictures seems grainy. It is actually possible to take decent pictures in total darkness when using the flash because the auto focus works in the dark, which is not true for every camera.
It is possible to use one of the modes that forces the camera to 100 speed to guarantee maximum resolution (0% graininess), but you may have to brace the camera well for the slow shutter speeds that result. In fact I took some good pictures from my front porch at NIGHT by bracing the camera, but this will take more practice. Note that such pictures did not use a flash because a flash is useless beyond a few yards away, and only works WELL up to 6 feet away.
One pleasant surprise was the excellent sound quality. I carried a digital voice recorder 24x7, which would fill up until I had time to manually transpose my notes and delete them forever to free up memory on the recorder again. Before that I used the very expensive little Pearlcorder L400. It was less convenient to transpose from a tape, but at least I could keep the tapes forever. Sound quality on all of them was poor. Whereas, with the DSC-T1, I discovered I could take hours of VIDEO notes in 160x160 mode with perfect sound quality and then just copy these files onto my hard drive to keep forever. This is when I knew I was keeping the DSC-T1.
After extensive research, I settled on the DSC-T1. It is exactly what I expected, and almost exactly what I wanted, but allow me to elaborate because it may not be exactly what YOU want.
I was tempted by larger digital cameras (and I will eventually get one of those too). For example, the Panasonic Lumix is few bucks cheaper and has more controls, a BIG lens, great image stabilization, and 12x optical zoom (digital zoom is meaningless). It is even possible to get a medium size 5MP digital camera with 5x optical zoom and better pictures than the dsc-t1 for much less. However, I concluded that I would rather have a good camera with me 24x7 than leave a great camera in the car or at home. I was SO right. I have already captured SO many photos I would have missed. I carry the camera at all times in one of those silk bags that come with Oakley sunglasses.
I considered other small cameras like the Casio Elixim Z4, but it does not have video in US versions. The Canon S400 is very good, but it is slower and thicker with a much smaller LCD, and a newer version is coming out April 30th. No ultra compact that is clearly better than the DSC-T1 is on the horizon.
In addition to ultra compact size, I wanted at least 4MP, at least 3x optical zoom, quality video ability, speed, ease of use, and flexible shooting modes. This camera has 5MP, 3x optical zoom, excellent 640x480 video mode, speed, ease of use, and shooting modes flexible enough to accommodate everything from action to night images.
Video is in MPG files, which can be played back on the free Real Player. It is not possible to zoom while shooting video, but it is possible to zoom before recording begins or when recording has been paused.
I haven't tried the software that comes with it yet. I run Windows XP, and I just place the dsc-t1 in the cradle, turn it on, and it appears as another disk drive in Windows Explorer. I can copy files from it and paste them onto a hard drive. I can then delete the image files from the camera to free up the space on the memory stick just as if I were deleting files from any Windows folder.
Apparently slowness is a problem with all digital cameras except for a few of the most recent ones, and the DSC-T1 seems fast to me. This may be the result of the newer and faster Duo Pro Memory Stick technology. Get the 256MB Duo Pro Memory Stick. The 512MB stick costs three times as much. Don't bother with a spare battery. They are too expensive, and the battery life is OK. You don't want to be frequently opening the delicate little battery/memory doors on digital cameras anyway.
Don't worry about having no optical view finder. They just make cameras bigger. The 2.5 inch LCD is bigger than any other digital camera and is quite sufficient.
Such a small camera is a little tricky to hold SECURELY without getting in the way of the lens, so if you tend to drop things, then you WILL eventually drop this unless you use the wrist strap at all times, which partially defeats the convenience aspect. I still haven't attached the wrist strap because I am extra careful, but someone could still bump into me while shooting. On the other hand, I don't want to overstate this problem because the camera is quite durable/graspable when the lens cover is closed.
Almost every indoor picture with the kids has at least a hint of red eye. I consider about 60% of them to have too much, but I still get more quality shots than I have time to email, so I really can't complain. BTW, 5MP jpeg files are about 2MB each, which makes email a challenge. Less than one out of ten indoor pictures seems grainy. It is actually possible to take decent pictures in total darkness when using the flash because the auto focus works in the dark, which is not true for every camera.
It is possible to use one of the modes that forces the camera to 100 speed to guarantee maximum resolution (0% graininess), but you may have to brace the camera well for the slow shutter speeds that result. In fact I took some good pictures from my front porch at NIGHT by bracing the camera, but this will take more practice. Note that such pictures did not use a flash because a flash is useless beyond a few yards away, and only works WELL up to 6 feet away.
One pleasant surprise was the excellent sound quality. I carried a digital voice recorder 24x7, which would fill up until I had time to manually transpose my notes and delete them forever to free up memory on the recorder again. Before that I used the very expensive little Pearlcorder L400. It was less convenient to transpose from a tape, but at least I could keep the tapes forever. Sound quality on all of them was poor. Whereas, with the DSC-T1, I discovered I could take hours of VIDEO notes in 160x160 mode with perfect sound quality and then just copy these files onto my hard drive to keep forever. This is when I knew I was keeping the DSC-T1.
Energizer Ultimate Lithium Batteries
List Price: $13.95
Sale Price: $5.27
Today's Bonus: 62% Off
The Energizer L91 Lithium AA cell is a fantastic power source. For high-drain applications, it offers great advantages over ordinary alkaline cell and rechargeable NiMH cell. However, it is also very expensive as a disposable battery. So it is important to recognize the strength of L91, and use it only in applications that give you the best results. Otherwise you'll be wasting your money.
According to data sheet published by Energizer, the capacity of the Lithium AA cell (L91) is 3000mAh. This number remains nearly constant with load current. In comparison, the ordinary Alkaline battery (such as the Energizer E91 AA) is rated as 2800mAh, but only at a very light load of 25mA. At a heavy load of 1000mA (typical for a digital camera or flash unit), its capacity drops to below 1000mAh. This number gets even worse at low temperature. At zero degree C and 1000mA load, the L91 can provide about seven times more energy compared to the E91. This is where the marketing claim of "Last up to 7 times longer" comes from.
When used in a digital camera at room temperature of 25 degree C, the L91 is more likely to last 3-4 times longer than alkaline. This is enough to justify its price, which is also around 3-4 times higher than alkaline. However, in low-drain applications (such as smoke detector, wireless mouse or remote control) alkaline cells will last just as long at a fraction of the cost.
The L91 also contains much higher energy when compared to an ordinary rechargeable NiMH cell such as the Energizer NH15-2500. This is partially due to its higher terminal voltage of 1.5V, which is 20% higher than that for NiMH.
Energy stored in NH15-2500 : 2.5Ah * 1.25V = 3.125Wh,
Energy stored in L91 : 3Ah * 1.5V = 4.5Wh (44% higher).
Higher terminal voltage for L91 is especially advantageous in digital camera applications, because your camera flash will recharge up to 20% faster. An added benefit is that the L91 weighs only 14.5 grams (0.5 oz) each, compared to 30 grams (1 oz) for NiMH. So your camera becomes much lighter.
The NH15-2500, like all ordinary NiMH cells, suffers from rapid self-discharge problem. If you charge up a set of those cells and leave them in your camera for a few weeks, you're likely to be greeted by 'Low Battery' sign when you try to take a photo. The new generation of 'ready-to-use' NiMH cells such as SANYO eneloop and Rayovac Hybrid solved this problem by having very low self discharge rate. But they have lower capacity of only 2000-2100mAh.
Bottom line: If you need AA batteries for a long hiking trip, then L91 is obviously your best choice. For most other situations, I recommend using low self-discharge NiMH cells for lower operating cost.
Sony A65 24.3 MP Translucent Mirror Digital SLR With 18-55mm Lens
List Price: $999.99
Sale Price: $598.00
Today's Bonus: 40% Off
This is a serially (and extensively) revised review, as I have had a chance to spend over a year with this camera. It has stood the test of time. With only very few limitations (outlined below), it takes superb stills and very good video. JPEGs print out sharply at 30 by 20 print sizes (as long as I stay under ISO 800). RAW images at low ISO will print tack sharp to 36x24. When paired with the new Sony 16-50mm 2.8 lens (see separate review for this terrific lens), takes some of the best pictures this side of a FF pro camera if you stay to ISO 800 and under. The one Achilles heel of this camera is low light noise, but I mostly avoid shooting at anything over ISO 1600, so this weakness is mostly rendered a moot point, and is also mitigated by the excellent sensor-based image stabilization (which gives a 2 stop advantage and works with ANY lens). This means that the A65 has low light capability of a camera that can shoot at ISO 6400 but has no IS. For those shooting in the virtual dark, see body text for comments (and confessions).
And for those curious about the cryptic header (that this isn't a DSLR), it is a DSLT meaning that a fixed translucent mirror that doesn't move replaces the standard SLR mirror that has to flop in and out of position in front of the sensor. That design difference is the key to the camera's unique strengths (and its weaknesses in the minds of many purists). However, that single design difference allows the much faster and more accurate phase detection autofocus system to be working all the time, including while shooting movies (something no other DSLR can do), and thus gives you full time live view, much faster hi-speed shooting, and a lighter body, but also requires an electronic (non-optical) viewfinder, and with a modest (~30%) loss of light to the sensor (with some attendant noise penalty of roughly ½ F stop). The key issue is whether that balance of pluses and minuses works for you . . . . but for most people looking for the best possible still photography and video, this is, at least in IMHO, a truly brilliant stroke that in one fell swoop removes some of the chronic limitations of the classic DSLR environs. There are a few downsides, but with HUGE upsides. Whether its mix of features works for you might depend on what and where you shoot . . . .
Pros:
1) Best viewfinder in the sub-frame world (2.4 million dot OLED), as bright as any full frame viewfinder, and with far more useful information. Once you've used it, you may not be able to go back, and optical viewfinders seem frankly primitive and confining.
2) Class leading 24 megapixel resolution (at low to medium ISO, yields remarkably detailed images, esp in RAW). Good dynamic range and color from this sensor (but see last update).
3) Many useful shooting modes including panorama and high dynamic range modes (but see cons on panorama mode). Intuitive and yet deep & customizable operating system. But can be put in simple AUTO and AUTO+ modes for the less technical.
4) Full-time live view system and full time phase detection AF for both stills and movies FAR better than the clunky live view systems `tacked on' in traditional DSLRs, and the contrast detection DLSRs have to use with mirror-lockup during movie shooting.
5) Class-leading video resolution (1080 at 60p) with as good video capabilities as most camcorders. Typically excellent video if shooting in 60p, and with option to use either viewfinder or LCD for framing video something no other DSLR can do.
6) Intuitive and well thought-out ergonomics.
7) Fast and responsive operation. Fastest continuous shooting in class (10 frames per second). Fast focusing, decent menu speed (improved w/new firmware)
8) Excellent image stabilization system in both stills and video (and no more rapid sensor overheating from the IS being engaged during video shooting that plagued the Sony A55).
9) In-camera GPS (can be defeated).
10) Decent battery life (significant battery upgrade from the Alpha 55) given that EVF sucks down a lot of battery.
11) Perhaps as good features/price ratio in the middle to high-end consumer/prosumer group as any model.
12) Easy access to any Minolta lens and a decent selection of Sony lenses for reasonable money, particularly a superb new 16-50 mm 2.8 lens (see separate review).
13) Ability to remove virtually all CA, distortion, and vignetting in increasing number of Sony lens (firmware-based). When used with new 16-50mm 2.8 lens, produces very sharp images, w/out any visible classic optical distortions (CA, vignetting, barrel distortion, etc).
Firmware correction of classic lens optical aberrations has to be one of most under-appreciated but valuable features of this new camera's operating system. These corrections work with many popular Sony lenses (now available for virtually all the Sony kit and telephoto zooms and most Sony primes), w/ more included in future firmware. Software correction makes a VERY discernible difference in large prints, and means that these classic distortions are basically a non-issue for corrected lenses (see DP Reviews treatment of this).
Cons:
1) Some increase in noise at higher ISO, particularly in RAW images without NR (noise reduction). Not surprising in view of increased pixel density (see #9 below). But this is clearly the camera's one major weakness, and no sense in glossing over it.
2) Despite six firmware updates, several which were supposed to address this, both built-in flash and external flash (Sony's HVL-F42) still yield consistently overexposed pictures. Can be easily fixed with exposure control but this shouldn't be happening.
3) As great as the EVF is, sometimes the view is too contrasty, yielding either blown highlights or `blackout' regions needs contrast adjustment function.
4) Not as svelte as the Alpha 55 (but for those with big hands, the extra heft and size work). Quite hefty with the 16-50 2.8.
5) Limited control options in high-speed shooting modes and in movie modes.
6) Screen blacks out once you fill up the buffer in high-speed shooting and you have to wait until all the images are dumped onto your card with poor buffer depth (common problem across Sonys even the new A99). Why can't Sony get this fixed????
7) Resulting loss of live view in high-speed shooting modes can make aiming the camera a bit tricky.
8) Switching between viewing photos vs. videos is still a bit cumbersome and awkward.
9) Default JPEG settings are both too smooth (need sharpening), and at the same time rather noisy at higher ISO requires users understand menu options and make adjustments to get best possible JPEGs (set NR to high on high ISO, and sharpening to 3+ gives you the best JPEGs without discernible artifacts in JPEGs).
10) Sweep panorama modes often poor in resolution (because of having to remove panning effects and image smear with very high shutter speeds and high ISO?) compared to stitching together your own panorama images from discrete images (i.e. using Microsoft ICE). Sony should fix this as it limits a very useful mode should be an option to use lower ISO and hold the camera still and move through field of view instead of rapid panning.
11) Although the EVF is generally excellent, view becomes noisy in low light.
12) Video in low light can be under-exposed, and camera will not go above ISO 1600 for video shooting.
BEST IN CLASS SPECIFICATIONS?
Although the Sony Alpha 65 might have flown under the radar in the context of the simultaneous release of Sony's flagship Alpha 77, I believe it's actually the better deal for everyone who's not interested in a pro-style body. It contains most of the high technology of the flagship model Alpha 77, minus the top LCD panel and the 12 frame per second shooting rate (you'll have to suffer along with a measly 10 frames per second), a less complex AF system, and a few other minor `downgrades'. But the sensor and the EVF (in my judgment, the most important innovations of the A77) are intact. All this for a significant reduction in Price ($949 for body only versus $1449 for the Alpha 77). (NOTE: both prices have come down).
If you're interested in video, there are few cameras that equal the video specification of this camera, as most DSLRs will only shoot in 60i (often times interpolated from 30p), whereas this camera will shoot a true 60 frames a second in progressive scan. Still pictures are spectacular, with more resolution than virtually anything outside of the full frame 24 megapixel Nikon D3X. A large 19x13 printout of a standard test image from DP Reviews studio scene shows the A65 very, very close in resolving fine detail to the Nikon D3x (the previous resolution king in 35mm photography prior to the Nikon D800 and able to resolve detail comparable to 35mm Kodachrome 64).
LOW LIGHT PROBLEMS?
Although the recent Digital Photography Review (the closest thing to a definitive reference source on digital cameras on the web) slammed the Alpha 77 (same sensor and basic image engine as the A65) for its high noise particularly in RAW, and its somewhat `mushy' JPEG rendering, while I generally agree, some clarifications are called for. First of all, the default JPEGs can be significantly sharpened. I run the camera in the `standard mode' (one of several `creative modes') but with sharpening at 2+-3+. You wouldn't want to do this with a Canon (they are already a bit `crunchy' in terms of their default JPEG settings), but there is no artifact effect that I have been able to find (due to excessive smoothing in the default JPEG definitions?) and this adjustment gets much closer to the maximum detail out of the 24MP sensor. Also, one can also set the HIGH ISO NR (noise reduction) to high, instead of its default. This combination gets much more out of the sensor than its default settings without extra noise above ISO 800. Someone at Sony seems just a bit too enamored of the `smooth' look almost all of their cameras are set up with default JPEG definitions that could benefit from modest sharpening. Again Canon goes the other way.
Furthermore, DP Review's own images show that even at those soft and somewhat noisy default settings, the camera does pretty well compared to the competition and really quite well indeed given the high pixel count/small pixel size. If you look on the DP reviews website, and use their revealing and useful studio scene comparator tool, and pull up images from several full frame cameras such as the Sony 900, the Nikon D3X, and even the pro-Canon EOS-1D Mark IV, the Sony A65 holds its own at low ISO, with frankly more detail than any 2011 35mm camera (outside of the Nikon D3x and the NEX 7), only giving ground a bit as ISO gets above 1600 (with its much higher pixel density as a major disadvantage). Even there, in low light, I believe that the camera does a credible job, and begins trading off some of its resolution advantage for more noise reduction. Even in head-to-head comparisons with the A900 (FF 24MP sensor), the A65 does a very credible job as ISO rises and with the disadvantage of a smaller APS-C sensor. Admittedly, any FF model (and esp. the newer FF models like Canon EOS 1Dx and Nikon D4 both low-light phenoms) are going to trounce it at 3200 and 6400 in terms of noise, but realistically, this is not a camera for low light, and if you shoot mostly in the virtual dark I would not recommend it. On the other hand, I certainly don't shoot at light levels where I need ISO 3200 and up, and I am not adverse to using a flash. Full frame cameras are going to be significantly better in low light but they cost anywhere from three times to 10 times as much, are much bigger and heavier, and have bigger, heavier and much more costly lens systems.
More telling are the comparisons on a level playing field. A recent comparison of this camera with the Canon EOS 7D and its cheaper cousin, the Canon Rebel T3i/T4i (at the same price point as the A65 and also w/an APS-C sensor) showed that the although the Canon 7D kept a somewhat higher percentage of its ISO 100 resolution at 1600, the Sony was still handily out-resolving it at ISO 1600. So do take the "low-light noise" knock on this camera with a grain of salt. If you need convincing, check out DP Reviews JPEG image comparator for yourself. Pixel peepers only.
BOTTOM LINE SONY AND THE BIG TWO?
It's all about which tradeoffs you want to make. Sony made a clear decision to trade low light ability for speed, resolution and detail in better light. For me, that's a good-to-great tradeoff, but for some others, perhaps not so much. Obviously, it's just a matter of priorities and personal preferences. You really can't have everything. In bright light, the A65 is going to slightly out-resolve both the new Canon EOS 1Dx and the Nikon D4 for lots less money, and some Canon devotees are upset about potentially spending seven grand or so when this new pro camera comes out, and getting only 18 MP worth of detail. On the other hand, that camera (and the new Nikon D4) will take good to great pictures in the virtual dark. If you love to shoot in very low light, get one of the new Nikon or Canon full frame cameras (Update or the new Sony Alpha 99). Just remember bring a truckload of money for the camera and lens systems! If you are willing to trade some of the low light ability for: 1) a more compact lenses/body; 2) much less money than a full frame system; 3) some of the better video one can get from a DSLR camera, then this system is for you . . . and is a very good deal. If you believe (like some purists) that HD video is a modern corruption of the original function of SLRs, you probably aren't someone who is going to like Sony's somewhat iconoclastic approach anyway.
Bottom line there isn't another camera for $800 (body only) that comes close to this feature set, and with impressive speed of operation and ergonomics. This is a shot across the bow that both Nikon and Canon are very concerned about. Anyone who compares this to the Nikon 7000 or the Canon EOS 60D (two other prosumer models with the A65 slightly cheaper than either) has to walk away thinking that the Sony is the better deal and simply a more capable camera again except in very low light. If you're interested in live view, the live view on this is so much better than the clunky live view on both the Canon and Nikon it's not even funny. It's far more responsive and much faster. And one look through their dim optical subframe viewfinders, after you've used the amazing EVF on the Sony Alpha 65, and you won't be able to go back to Canikon. The EVF alone is a paradigm-shifting experience once you've used it, optical viewfinders in traditional sub-frame DSLRs seem primitive and confining.
If you look at Digital Photography Reviews over the last 18 months (the closest thing to a definitive reference on the Internet about digital photography), they have given four APS-C Sony cameras highly coveted Gold Awards in the last year and a half (the Alpha 65, Alpha 55 (its predecessor which also won Camera of the Year from Popular Photography in 2010), the NEX 5N, and just recently, the NEX 7. They have also given four Silver Awards to Sony (the NEX 3C, the Alpha 77 and Alpha 35, another silver to the more traditional DSLR Alpha A580). Four Silver and four Gold Awards in 18 months. NO OTHER CAMERA MANUFACTURER HAS EVEN BEEN WITHIN SPITTING DISTANCE OF THIS PERFORMANCE ON THE PODIUM IN THE LAST YEAR OR TWO. If you put all of Nikon's and Canon's awards in the FF DSLR and APS-C classes together during the same period, they aren't even close to this medal haul. (UPDATE the new Sony A57, the Sony A99, and the RX-1 all secured Gold Awards from DP Reviews meaning that since August 2010 Sony has received 7 Gold Awards from the best reviewers in the business. In that interval, Nikon, Olympus and Canon TOGETHER have secured FIVE Gold Awards in the combined FF and APS-C camera groups (not counting the D800/D800E as two models).
This suggests that a subtle but real shift of power is taking place in digital photography. Although professionals still clearly gravitate toward the Big Two (where Sony has been seen as an interesting distraction and lightweight), there is increasing reason now to seriously consider Sony, and not just in the APS-C segment. Most believe that Sony is now making some of the best compact ILC cameras (the NEX series), and starting to challenge Canon and Nikon in areas of their traditional dominance. In the space of just over two years, Sony has made traditional DSLRs look clunky, limiting and . . . . well, dated. Unless you are ideologically married to an optical viewfinder or shoot in the virtual dark you'll love the A65 and its big brother the A77. There is nothing better in the APS-C segment right now. As far as the high-end full frame pro market is concerned, let's see how the upcoming full frame Sony A99 stacks up against the full frame Canon 5D Mark III and cheaper Canon 6D and the new Nikon D800 and cheaper Nikon D 600 (all in the pricy 2-grand-and-up range with several of these over $3000 just for the body). Although Canikon have completely dominated that market, they may finally have some serious competition, even in the pricey pro camera territory.
April 2012 UPDATE
Several interesting new developments. First of all, the new Nikon D800/800E has blown away the competition in terms of resolution, and with surprisingly good low light abilities too might be the best sensor residing in any camera including medium format (and it's clearly a Sony sensor). Then again, it's 3 grand to get the Nikon D800 body (and $3400 for the Canon 5D Mark III), making the A65 still a great deal for almost the same level of detail as the D800. These two new cameras are about 1.5 (Nikon) to 2 stops (Canon) better in terms of low light noise than the A65/77, but it will be really interesting to see what the new full frame Sony A99 brings to this heated up pro camera territory sometime this summer or fall. You will see a full review of both the Canon 5D MkIII and Nikon D800 on Digital Photography Reviews website soon. I expect them both to easily secure Gold Awards. Pressure will be on Sony to hold serve. The problem is, historically, Sony is not into competing in the high-end pro FF arena two cameras there over the last 5-6 years compared to 10-12 FF Canikons? Sony has its work cut out given the excellent performance of these two new FF models from Canikon.
On the home front, the new Sony firmware 1.05 (for both the A65/77) is a big improvement in several areas it (sometimes) resolves the overexposure problem in ADI flash mode (still not quite right however), speeds up picture preview (it's now virtually instantaneous), provides correction profiles for some additional Sony lenses (distortion, chromatic aberration, and vignetting corrections) including the 70-300 mm G (pro) telephoto (good news for me simply because I own that lens), and fixes a few other items. The speed of preview is really impressive. As soon as you finish the shot, it is available for review on the LCD. Shutdown is MUCH quicker. Nice job Sony. Now if you could just get the flash exposure spot on all the time.
June 2012 UPDATE
Not surprisingly, both the new Canon 5D Mark III and the Nikon D800 easily secured Gold awards on DP Reviews. I think just to avoid controversy and bickering between the two camps, they gave them both the identical score (82). Sony's full frame A99 however appears delayed and probably is not going to be out this summer. I continue to be impressed overall with the A65 and have now taken at least 6000 pictures. Clearly the one Achilles' heel of the Sony A65/77 is low light noise, particularly above ISO 1600. However, with the current 16-50 2.8 lens (with F4/5.6 being sharpest edge to edge), I get a full two stop advantage, relative to a typical kit lens which has to be stopped down to f8 get really sharp, which pretty much balances out the two stop noise disadvantage that this camera has relative to a full frame camera like the Nikon D800 or Canon 5D Mark III (shooting at F8). There are times when I wish the camera had somewhat better performance at ISO 3200, and certainly the RAW files have significant noise at that setting, but Sony's RAW editing software can potentially do a pretty good job with even those somewhat noisy files in terms of cleaning up the noise without losing all the fine detail. I think if you want to put the extra time into shoot RAW, and use IS, you can mitigate the low light disadvantage of this sensor, although still this is its one weakness. Again if you are shooting in bright conditions, or using flash, this really never is an issue.
September 2012 Update:
So where do things stand now that several new competing cameras have been released including the new Nikon 3200, and the Olympus OMD5? The Nikon 3200 at $699 looks like a very good deal and is slightly better at high ISO (about a half f-stop) in terms of noise than the Sony A 65/77, with the same 24 megapixel resolution (and basic sensor) as the Sony. The Olympus OMD 5 has fantastic high ISO performance for a micro 4/3 sensor (better than either the Nikon 3200 or the Sony A65 frankly) and also offers better JPEG definition than either Sony or Nikon (to the point where RAW post processing typically yields little). The much improved high ISO performance of the OMD 5 also underscores how sensor manufacturers are continually moving the goalposts in terms of improving both high ISO performance and resolution at the same time. The Sony A65 still looks like a great deal as it undercuts the Olympus in price, and although it's somewhat more expensive than the Nikon 3200, it has a significantly better viewfinder, much better high-speed shooting, and better movie modes. So . . . the short form of the story is while the competition is getting better, the Sony is still a very solid choice in the mid-range DSLR segment.
October 2012 Update:
Sony just released its new firmware version 1.06. It does a number of things, including most significantly improving ADI and TTL flash over-exposure. Flash exposure is still not perfect, but it's better than earlier versions of the firmware and less variable. I'm using one of Sony's dedicated flash units (the now discontinued HVL 42 flashgun) and was troubled when bounce flash consistently overexposed. It's now better but I still have an occasional over-exposure (on both flash direct illumination and on bounce flash), and baseline exposure appears about a 1/2 EV overexposed, suggesting that there is still something modestly amiss from time to time with flash computation. This was never an issue on the A55 so there is something about this camera's firmware or control system that is still not quite optimized on this point. In any case, it's good that Sony has acknowledged the problem because initially it looked like they were refusing to admit it. In addition, 1.06 increases the number of Sony lenses that have built-in firmware correction profiles (correcting the three primary optical distortions of chromatic aberration, vignetting, and pin/barrel distortion issues). Virtually any lens that you can buy on the Sony website with this camera now has software correction for these classic optical distortions. Advantage Sony.
Some interesting new options in the mid-range DSLR segment. Pentax just released the K-30 at roughly the same price point as the A65. Best high ISO performance outside of a FF sensor (and full weather sealing unheard of at this price point), but limited movie mode support (no options for external mic, no dedicated movie button, no still shooting during movies) Pentax was really thinking about stills when they made this camera, and although its low light abilities are clearly better than the A65's and anything else in the sub-frame world if you are not shooting in low light much of the time, the Sony is the more `balanced' choice. Pentax uses the 16 MP sensor that Sony supplies to Nikon and also uses in their own A33/35/55/57 APS-C product lines, which is the best current 16 MP subframe sensor in my opinion. Nice job overall by Pentax, so if you find the A65's Achilles heel of low light noise a real hindrance, you will likely love the Pentax K-30, unless you are a serious videographer. Casual video on the other hand will be fine on the K-30. So there are many attractive options in the subframe semi-pro or `prosumer' segment. Still think that for most people the EVF, great movie ability and support, superb 16-50 2.8 lens option (really a Gor Zeiss quality lens for just over kit lens money), great resolution, etc. of the Sony A65 outweighs its one big deficit of high ISO noise, but if you disagree with that, by all means, get a K-30. Very close to FF noise performance with fully usable ISO 3200/6400. Credit to Pentax (and to Sony's great mid-res APS-C sensor).
November 24th Update
I have had a chance to spend almost two weeks shooting with the Sony A99. Very fine camera, wanted to keep it but after much vacillation, decided against that and just returned it. Here's why it's just not $2000 better than the A65 for my purposes, although if I was a pro shooter, or shooting mostly in low light, I would have kept it. Here is how I think it stacked up against the A65 and Sony is competing not just with Canikon, but with themselves now too the clearest indication that Sony's SLT environs has really altered the mid to high end DSLR scene.
Pros of the A99 vs the A65:
1) Superb low light performance, almost as good or as good as the new Nikon D600 and competitive with any FF camera. Credit Sony's fine development work on the FF sensor for this. Two full F stops better in terms of noise than the A77/65.
2) Somewhat better autofocus performance than even the A77, but only if using AF-D lenses and not many of them.
3) Weather sealed (advantage vis a vis A65 but toss up with A77).
4) Better video support and better low light video with much less noise (but see cons).
5) Amazing front control dial that really aids on the fly adjustments.
Cons of the A99 vs the A65:
1) $2000 more pretty big ticket item that requires you love at least something in the PRO: column a LOT!!
2) Weight with comparable lenses, (15-50 vs 24-70) the A65 is almost a full pound lighter (1200 grams for the A65w/lens vs. 1720 for A99w/CZ lens). That extra pound really makes a difference. It's frankly tough just toting around the Sony A 65 with the 16-50 2.8 lens, but the Sony A 99 with the Zeiss 24-70 2.8 is really a monster.
3) Lens (and other ecosystem) costs the 16-50 2.8 (see my Amazon review of this amazing lens) is every bit the equal of the CZ 24-70 for $1000 less one of the great values in walk around lenses anywhere.
4) Speed high speed shooting on the A65 is up to 10FPS while the A99 can only do 6FPS both are stuck with seriously undersized buffers a really stupid mistake that was repeated on the A99 for unfathomable reasons.
5) No built in flash on the A99.
6) No substantive differences that I can see, even at 100% view in RAW if ISO is 100-200. Barely (and I do mean barely) noticeable by ISO 400 in terms of noise, but cameras really start to separate only at 1600 and up.
7) In view of recent reviews, overall, poorer video of A99 vs. A65 (see Tim Naff's superb review of the A99 on Amazon, and discussion of the video issues facing the A99 something of a shock given Sony's hype about pro videography support for the A99).
Most of this looks like a predictable summary of tradeoffs of full frame cameras (weight and cost vs. better high ISO) compared to their subframe cousins. It is a real testimony to the A65 that most of the time I couldn't take a better picture with the A99, except when it got dark. So if you shoot a lot in low light, and have the funds, the A99 looks pretty attractive. If funds are more limited, the A65 is still a real deal and offers a lot for the money. The clincher is that the A65 takes good to great video and the A99 pretty average (at best) video.
Update February 12th, 2013
Some stunning developments that could rock the APS-C world and that have sailed mostly under everyone's radar. Nikon released the 5200 an upgrade over the 3200 which used basically the same Sony sensor as the A77/65. But this new camera has a Toshiba sensor, and one that comfortably outperforms the competing Sony chip. It shows more dynamic range (one full EV), an extra full bit of color depth, and not surprisingly, about a 500 ISO advantage in low light in DXO testing (some of that emerging from the loss of light to the translucent mirror). However, even without the mirror, testing this against the sensor of the NEX-7, this new Toshiba sensor is better (minimally in relationship to ISO, but with still 1/2 EV advantage in dynamic range). Technical details aside, it's simply a better sensor, and the first time that someone has made a sensor for APS-C that outperformed the Sony equivalent in years. But does this mean that the Nikon 5200 is a better camera? Well if you are shooting in low light, yes, it probably is, although I still prefer the great Sony EVF over the dark `tunnel' viewfinder experience on subframe DSLRs like all the Nikon DX cameras. But still, this sensor and its low light performance is a major shot over the bow for Sony, the first time in a long time that someone has produced a better APS-C sensor than Sony. Will this translate into erosion of their market dominance in sensor technology? It's really kind of a shock given the Toshiba is not known for their sensor technology prowess but it raises some intriguing questions. Will Toshiba be able to produce a FF sensor that also outperforms Sony's amazing 24 MP FF chip? (powering the Nikon D600, Sony A99 and the amazing Sony RX-1) (see my Amazon review of this quite pocketable wonder camera).
In any case, the release of the Nikon 5200 and the pending release of the D7100 (same impressive Toshiba sensor and a pro-grade autofocus system and without an optical low pass filter) suggest clearly that Nikon is doing a `full court press' on the high-end sub-frame market. The lack of a low pass filter on the D7100 means that it will probably out-resolve virtually any other 24MP sensor, perhaps with the downside of more vulnerability to moiré. This Toshiba sensor is a full f stop better than the Sony chip on noise (meaning that is only one f-stop poorer in terms of noise than a bunch of full frame models, seriously closing the gap with pro FF equipment), and has somewhat better dynamic range than Sony's chip also. This suggests that the Nikon D5200/D7100 will offer a very serious challenge to the A65/77, esp. with the great Nikon ecosystem support.
Sony MDR7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphone
List Price: $130.00
Sale Price: $94.99
Today's Bonus: 27% Off
I run a digital arts studio and teach digital arts, and have tried more than a dozen different headphones in the $15 to $250 price range. Again and again, I go back to using the MDR-7506 for all applications from digital video shooting and editing to music recording and studio mastering. Most of the pros I know also use the MDR-7506 when they have a choice--and buy them for use at home too.
What makes these the best? First and foremost, excellent reproduction from bass into the high end, with unrivalled "punch" and clarity. They are much louder at a given input volume than most headphones, which is important if your are recording in the field and need to hear the headphone monitoring above the ambient sound and the live sound around you. They are comfortable, instantly adjust to different head sizes without any fussing, sturdy and easily repairable, and stowe quickly and easily in the included soft drawstring bag.
I do keep a couple of pairs of high-end ($300+) headphones to check as references when mastering music, but honestly I seldom find anything with them that isn't already clear with the 7506es.
The only problem I can report is that, even though they invariably outlast other headphones in terms of wear-and-tear, they do get STOLEN more often by my students. Once you get used to the 7506, its hard to go back to using any other headphones that cost less that twice their price.
I still dream of someday discovering a comparable headphone set for half or a quarter the price of the MDR7506. Every year, I buy a few $25 or $50 models just out of hope. So far, however, nothing out there qualifies as "acceptable" to me--including the many competing $99 headphone models from other companies and even from Sony.
Bottom line: Don't hesitate. You absolutely cannot go wrong with the MDR7506. This is the headphone of choice, the industry standard. The only reason they're so cheap is MARKET VOLUME--Sony sells a lot of these to audio and video pros!!
Olympus VF-2 Electronic ViewFinder (Black)
List Price: $279.99
Sale Price: $249.00
Today's Bonus: 11% Off
I use this viewfinder on my Olympus E-PL1 Olympus PEN E-PL1 12.3MP Live MOS Micro Four Thirds Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera with 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens (Black) mostly when in bright sunlight situations. It can be used in low light also, but the rear LCD usually suffices then. If there were a method of permanently attaching the VF-2 to the camera, I would have to give that serious consideration.
It attaches firmly in the camera's hot shoe, but there's nothing besides friction holding it on. I keep close watch on it so I don't lose it, but I've had no problems.
The VF-2 is simply excellent, with great color and very high resolution.
Canon PGI-29 LUCIA Series Color & Monochrome Ink Tanks - Twelve
It is just an ink set for a high quality printer. I will keep it as a spare. However, it is overpriced somehow. It costs $335 for a $899 printer. I am not sure if this is the case for other printer inks.
Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT Flash with Canon Tripod,Soft
This is an amazing Flash...
I'm still learning more about this Flash unit... by the way, my first experience with Speedlite 600EX-RT was brilliant!!!
I use this with my Canon EOS 7D
I recommend... =)
I'm still learning more about this Flash unit... by the way, my first experience with Speedlite 600EX-RT was brilliant!!!
I use this with my Canon EOS 7D
I recommend... =)
Nikon D5200 Digital SLR Camera & 18-55mm G VR DX AF-S Zoom Lens
What can I say about bundles, they're usually not my thing. This selling tactic often results in additional items you otherwise wouldn't have wanted or needed. This bundle, however, not only beat out the price of a camera body and one single lens, the bonus items are useful as well. Maybe for a professional or advanced photographer, they might prefer to select their photographic equipment with discriminating taste. For a beginner, the Nikon D5200 far exceeds an entry level digital SLR. It's the middle child in the line up. As a beginner, may I also suggest the easy-to-understand instruction book "Nikon D5200 for Dummies" available on Amazon. It makes for a great companion to the D5200.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The item description does not indicate that a charger or lithium ion battery is included in the kit. Be aware that the kit does include these necessary items. I made the mistake of ordering them online and now must pay to have them returned.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The item description does not indicate that a charger or lithium ion battery is included in the kit. Be aware that the kit does include these necessary items. I made the mistake of ordering them online and now must pay to have them returned.
Tamron SP 70-200MM F/2.8 DI VC USD Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon
First off, I am an amateur and don't get paid for the pictures I take. For this reason, I figured I would give the Tamron a try and if I didn't like it I could always return it and consider getting one of the Nikon 70-200's instead. I'm using this lens with a D600, and have admittedly never used the Nikon 70-200 2.8 VR I or II, or the new 70-200 F4. Maybe ignorance is bliss in this case, but for an amateur like me I found it very hard to justify the premium of the 70-200 VR II over the tamron (even with the recent $300 discount).
Build The build of this lens seems very solid. It's not quite up to the standard of the Canon L white lenses, but I would say it's very close to all of the nice Nikon G lenses...mostly metal some hard plastic. Thankfully I don't have to take my gear into rough conditions, but if you did, I think this lens would hold up very well.
VC The vibration control/reduction on this lens is fantastic. When looking through the view finder it really grabs the image and reduces nearly all camera shake. Occasionally it has a bit of a jitter before locking in on the image, but I have yet to see this affect any of the images, only my view through the optics. I can easily hand hold shots at 200mm down to 1/20 and lower if the subject itself isn't moving. I even did some shots down near 1/4 of a second and they were actually very usable, but I wouldn't depend on that unless I absolutely had to.
Image Quality So far the color, contrast, and sharpness of this lens have all been superb. The lens might be just a hair softer at 2.8 than it is at 4.0, but that's only when pixel-peeping at 1:1 and even then it's an extremely close call. For anything beyond 4.0 the lens is extremely sharp, and I would have no hesitancy shooting at 2.8 unless you're going to take a 100% crop and expect the hair on someone's head to be prime-level sharp.
Autofocus The autofocus is fast. I would imagine that unless you're a pro sports photographer whose job depends on getting every shot, this lens's autofocus is plenty fast. It will certainly be fast enough for an amateur like me to shoot sports, fast moving kids, dogs, etc.
Overall, I would highly recommend this lens. I've only had half a week to shoot with it, but so far I am very impressed. If you're like me, the ~$800 saved over the Nikon VR II means the ability to add another very nice lens to your bag. I can't imagine that the VR II would enable me to get any shots that I can't already get with this lens. And so to me that makes it a winner. I'll update the review if my opinion changes as I continue to use this lens.
Build The build of this lens seems very solid. It's not quite up to the standard of the Canon L white lenses, but I would say it's very close to all of the nice Nikon G lenses...mostly metal some hard plastic. Thankfully I don't have to take my gear into rough conditions, but if you did, I think this lens would hold up very well.
VC The vibration control/reduction on this lens is fantastic. When looking through the view finder it really grabs the image and reduces nearly all camera shake. Occasionally it has a bit of a jitter before locking in on the image, but I have yet to see this affect any of the images, only my view through the optics. I can easily hand hold shots at 200mm down to 1/20 and lower if the subject itself isn't moving. I even did some shots down near 1/4 of a second and they were actually very usable, but I wouldn't depend on that unless I absolutely had to.
Image Quality So far the color, contrast, and sharpness of this lens have all been superb. The lens might be just a hair softer at 2.8 than it is at 4.0, but that's only when pixel-peeping at 1:1 and even then it's an extremely close call. For anything beyond 4.0 the lens is extremely sharp, and I would have no hesitancy shooting at 2.8 unless you're going to take a 100% crop and expect the hair on someone's head to be prime-level sharp.
Autofocus The autofocus is fast. I would imagine that unless you're a pro sports photographer whose job depends on getting every shot, this lens's autofocus is plenty fast. It will certainly be fast enough for an amateur like me to shoot sports, fast moving kids, dogs, etc.
Overall, I would highly recommend this lens. I've only had half a week to shoot with it, but so far I am very impressed. If you're like me, the ~$800 saved over the Nikon VR II means the ability to add another very nice lens to your bag. I can't imagine that the VR II would enable me to get any shots that I can't already get with this lens. And so to me that makes it a winner. I'll update the review if my opinion changes as I continue to use this lens.
Slik Pro 780DX Tripod With 3-way Pan/Tilt Head
List Price: $359.90
Sale Price: $229.95
Today's Bonus: 36% Off
1st of all there are lots of tripods on the market. I shoot with a Nikon D90 w/ 28-105mm, 28-300mm and my standard lens for now is the 24-85mm. This tripod works well in all of my shooting applications I intended on using it for. The low profile works well for Macro,low profile shooting and carries the weight of the D90 body with no slips or drifts. Do your homework when buying any product, read.... go to a local store and test it out...ask the supplier all the question you plan to encounter with the product... and finally it'll be a matter of choice and taste for the cash you put out. I'm very pleased with is tripod in all aspects.
Fujifilm X10 Digital Camera Kit Includes: Fujifilm X-10 Camera
Ok so you see the name fuji and no other brand names in the article for sale and I think its fair to assume the items contained in the package will be that brand-at least thats my way of thinking. If other brands of items are to be included then that should be indicted in the listing.
Camera is excellentI love it. There was no manual in English inclosed and the cd rom would not work. There were manuals in French and Germanso ok you can download a manual from Fuji direct of course but I have since been told and of course I stand to be corrected that if a camera has been issued to a country such as France or Germany should an issue arise then Fuji in the US would not service this item and it would need to be sent to the country from where it originated. This information I was told in my local photography store and only have their word to go onbut maybe someone wishing to purchase a camera should inquire which country the camera was issued for.
In hindsight would I have purchased this kit with the knowledge I have today? probably not and returning the kit was not an option as I needed the camera for my photography degree and I do not have the funds to purchase another and wait for a refund.
Camera is excellentI love it. There was no manual in English inclosed and the cd rom would not work. There were manuals in French and Germanso ok you can download a manual from Fuji direct of course but I have since been told and of course I stand to be corrected that if a camera has been issued to a country such as France or Germany should an issue arise then Fuji in the US would not service this item and it would need to be sent to the country from where it originated. This information I was told in my local photography store and only have their word to go onbut maybe someone wishing to purchase a camera should inquire which country the camera was issued for.
In hindsight would I have purchased this kit with the knowledge I have today? probably not and returning the kit was not an option as I needed the camera for my photography degree and I do not have the funds to purchase another and wait for a refund.