| Digital Cameras Reviews : Digital SLR Cameras |
 | Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens (Black)
WOW! You can't go wrong with the XSi! -- 2010-03-07
I've owned the camera for 1 week now, and WOW! This camera is simply incredible and the picture quality is outstanding!!! The kit lens that came with it is also impressive when used in bright/outdoor environments. (Some of my test outdoors pics and indoor pics with my window blinds open have been stunning.) However, the kit lens is a bit too slow for handheld photography in dark locations unless you use the flash.
For those of you new to photography, a "slow lens" is basically one in which the aperture does not open wide enough to collect the adequate amount of light in darker locations. Therefore, the shutter stays open longer until enough light has been collected. This also means that if your hand shakes, pictures snapped in dark enough settings will come out blurry. This is not exclusive to the XSi as slow lenses on any camera will produce similar results. If blurry indoor pics are not what you desire, you can correct this by using the flash, using a tripod, or...
BUY A NEW LENS! The XSi can use ANY Canon EF/EF-S lens on the market...and this includes "faster" ones as well!! With faster lenses (ie, f/1.8), soon you'll be shooting like a pro indoors also!
In the end, when considering its wide range of features, customizable flexibility, and it's picture quality, I think any rookie or seasoned pro would be delighted with the XSi.
Excellent Entry level DSLR - Superb image quality -- 2010-03-04
I bought the Rebel Xsi after I was extremely disappointed by the indoor image quality from my Nikon D60 with f>8.0. Where Nikon D60 failed miserably, the Rebel Xsi has been superb. I routinely take indoor group photographs with it with f8 or f11 at iso 400 (flash on) and they come out excellent!!! They are very sharp and have very good details, I don't even need to up the iso. I would have to give 5 starts to the sensor in this thing, it is just amazing!!!
The best camera's are the ones which shine in low light (indoor) and the rebel xsi's sensor gives it the ability to outperform anything else in this price range...
The other gr8 thing about the Xsi is that for another 90$ I was able to buy a gr8 portrait lens, the 50mm f1.8 prime lens. That thing is so fast that I do not need flash at all for taking potrait images of my kids. I love that lens!!!!
ing.
Overall I am very happy with this camera. The only annoying this it has is the flash strobe based AF assist vs Nikon's AF assist lamp. The flash based AF assist gives the subject's the wrong impression about when the picture is taken and is very annoying. Thankfully I have enough light in my house (where I take most of my indoor shots) that the flash AF assist is needed only about 10% of the time. I wanted to buy a speedlite to solve this issue + give me bounce flash etc., but the opteka speedlite turned out to be a waste of money (1 star) and the canon one (430 exII) is too much $$$ for me.
So for now I am just happy with the regular flash.... It gives good exposure most of the time (For potraits I focus on the faces and for groups pics I focus on darker clothes to get good exposure with the built in flash).
Also I only using center focus point 90% of the time as it is the fastest and most accurate.
Again overall the camera is 5 star.
|
 | Nikon D90 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S VR DX Nikkor Zoom Lens
It makes me look like an experienced photographer -- 2010-03-07
I purchased a Nikon D90 and received the Camera and 18-105 telephoto lens on December 23, 2010, and subsequently purchased an additional 70-300 telephoto lens and some filters and began taking pictures. The picture quality is excellent with either standard or fine quality and with the exception of taking a picture with too much backlight the quality of my 300 or so pictues are flawless. I usually set the shots to auto and let the camera do the work although the camera creates some great effects on aperature or shutter priority depending on focal depth or shutter speed sensitivity. I have used the camera for two months and will update with further comments as time goes on. In short it has been a great tool and will let you know how it performs over time. The D90 makes me look like an experienced photographer when I show my prints or view shots on my computer.
Great camera - highly recommend -- 2010-03-05
This camera has more features and capabilities than you will ever need! Fortunatley it takes great photos in automatic mode too! The 18-105 lens is useful for almost any situation. I also bought the 300 lens, but rarely use it. Before you buy a DSLR though, I suggest you consider how you will use it. My best photos are spontaneous pics taken with my Olympus Stylus 710 or Nikon Coolpix. I can always have one of these cameras with me, and can be taking pictures in an instant. The DSLRs are bulky and usually in the carrying case in the car or at home. It takes a few minutes to get it ready unless you already have it out on a picture-taking expedition. I always have one of the compacts with me, and the D90 nearby.
While you are buying, I suggest you go ahead and get a good carrying case or backpack, basic UV filter to protect the lens, and a lens cleaning kit. Also suggest you go for the larger memory card...8G plus if you can.
I almost went for the D5000 because it has some neat features not found on the D90, but at the end of the day I felt like the D90 was more robust, and had a better feel to it. I also considered the Canon TSi, but again felt the D90 was a better constructed camera. (the Canon lenses didn't seem to operate as smoothly or precisely as the Nikon's)
I've had my D90 for a little over a month, have taken lots of great photos, and do not regret spending the extra $!
|
 | Nikon D3000 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens
Amazing -- 2010-03-09
I really liked my camera. I ain't an expert but I just loved!
I can take really nice pictures with amazing quality. Really impressed!
That's all.
Had it a little over a month, and I love my camera. -- 2010-03-09
I've been debating between getting the Nikon d3000 and Canon XS. I never thought I would own anything other than a Canon because I was a long time Canon user. I wasn't really sure which way I would lean until I grabbed a hold of both of them in my hands at a store. I liked the way the Nikon felt in my hands. Canon just felt cheap. I've also considered Nikon d5000, but I wasn't ready to commit myself to paying that price tag for a few extras features for a beginner. For someone that is just delving into dslr and photography, I love it. I want to take photography classes so I can learn even more and improve my skills.
I get frustrated with the camera sometimes, but it's only because of my inability to understand what each function does and how to use it. I have more learning to do, which requires more patience. Now, I find myself going on random trips around Southern California just so I can take pictures and just use my camera. I take it everywhere. I know I would own this for years, but when that time comes it would be another Nikon (and it's not just because I have Nikon lenses). I love their quality. I've converted.
My only peeve, although minor, is that it doesn't have live view. I knew this going in. I thought it wouldn't be a problem because I do prefer the eye view finder, but I do take pictures with the point of view from the ground. Without live view, I really don't know what I'm taking a picture of, and I choose not to lay on the ground to find that out. I guess it will be trial and error for me and a surprise when I look at the pictures or suck it up and get down onto the ground.
|
 | Nikon D90 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
perfect camera -- 2010-03-10
For a beginner like me, this camera did help me alots in creating perfect pictures.
The auto focus with the bundle lens is fast and accurate.
No complaining
Wedding/Portrait Photographer -- 2010-03-08
I would highly recomend this product for the advanced photographer. Great Little Camera with lots of features.
|
 | Canon EOS Rebel T2i 18 MP CMOS APS-C Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD and EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens
Great Camera--far exceeds my expectations -- 2010-03-10
Bought my camera from Adorama.com, shipped to FPO/AP. Had to wait for it to hit market, but shipping was very fast.
Some reviews I read say it feels plasticky like a toy. I did not like the feel of it that much UNTIL I put the accessory grip on it...and that sold it for me. I love this camera, and great value for what you get. Its like a miniature version of the 7D minus some of the more "professional" (traslation: complicated) features. I just paid 500 dollars for a professional photographer to take pictures at my wedding, and this camera takes far better pictures than than his camera (a Canon 20D). The kit lens is suprisingly good. However, I recommend getting a 100mm 2.8 or 1.4 EF lens...or even a wide 10mm or 18mm fixed lens. This camera would be a great choice for semi-professional photographers who already had some good lenses, or just beginners with the kit lens. I wish it had a more rugged body, but you can buy camera armor soon at camerarmor.com for less than 50 bucks. Again, I love this camera and would recommend it to anyone.
A TERRIFIC CAMERA -- 2010-03-09
Received my Canon T2i today (from Adorama Camera) and made a few observations and test shots. This camera is much like my Xsi with some very nice improvements. First, is the 3 inch LCD. With over one million dots, it's a thing of beauty. The first few images I made were clean and very sharp on the monitor. To my knowledge, it's the ONLY camera with over 920,000 dots. I did some test shots under dim room lighting indoors at ISO 6400 and found the noise unoticeable. I'm not a video fanatic and did not try out this aspect of the camera, but the engage button is in a prominent and convenient place. Just push it and it goes. The menu is clear and unconfusing, easy to navigate and unnesesary for most shooting. Like the Xsi, the camera is smallish in your hands and I found that the vertical battery grip gives you a firmer hold and is a handsome addition. It does add some weight but you get more shots per charge with the extra battery. I looked at the Nikon D3000 and D5000 cameras and felt they looked very amateur and cheap compared to the T2i. I think it's superior even to the more expensive 12.3 M.P. D90 too. With 18 Mp this camera should be great at very big enlargements or even severe cropping. All in all, I'm very glad I bought it and plan on taking it on a few trips this summer. I had been looking at bags for some time and finally settled on a Tamrac 5608. It will house my T2i and my Xsi as well and flash and lenses and all of the other stuff that you collect. It's a terrific camera and I can see why it sells out as quickly as it has. The T2i, like the Xsi is manufactured in Japan, not China or some straw hut in Indonesia. This might say something of the quality.
|
 | Canon EOS Rebel T1i 15.1 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3-Inch LCD and EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens
Great DSLR camera very easy to use -- 2010-03-08
We bought the camera kit off of eBay with Squaretrade warranty for less then (...) using Bing Cashback so I got an outstanding price right off the bat.
As far as the camera goes; it takes great pictures as far as I can tell. I'm not professional; I just wanted a camera that would get the shots of my 3 year old daughter and this does it pretty well. We put the pictures on my 55in lcd tv and blew them up to 200% and still didn't notice any pixelazation on the focus point. The camera controls are very easy (except for autofocus on the video); the speed of the camera is awesome (highly recommend the Sandisk Extreme 30mb/s SD card); overall very satisfied with the camera. My only complaint is that it does not accept Compact Flash which are cheaper and capabale of higher write speeds.
One other thing that I'm not really happy with is the video; but I bought this as a camera not a HD video camera. I turned off the auto focus because you could here the motors in the video; but I couldn't manually focus quick enough to keep up with the video. Again keep in mind; this is a camera; if you want an HD video camera look at the Sony HCX.
Exeptional quality at an exeptional price. -- 2010-03-08
My experience with canon's t1i has been simply outstanding, the camera is light, portable and shoots great quality photographs. It doesn't perform as well in low light settings, but with the right lenses and technique it can be improved, battery life is normal, so I suggest purchasing a battery grip for those photographers who do spend lots of time on the field. Overall, I recommend this camera completely, its an incredible camera at an amazing price.
|
 | Nikon D5000 12.3 MP DX Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR Lens and 2.7-inch Vari-angle LCD
Used to be a 35mm SLR buff and tired of "point and shoot" cameras -- 2010-03-10
I used to be a semi-pro 35mm photographer and loved choosing aperture (for selecting depth of field) or shutter speed (for stop action or capturing motion), but when the digital cameras came out, I put away the 35mm and started purchasing point-and-shoot digital cameras. They were great under existing light conditions, but other than that, they sucked. Didn't have good flash capability, and settings were chosen for you. Sometimes photos came out blurry, too dark, too light, or just plain ol' crappy.
Finally, a DSLR came out with a reasonable price tag (under $700) and it was a name I trusted..... NIKON. I was going to purchase the D-3000, but finally put up the extra hundred bucks or so, and purchased the upgrade D5000. Man is it a nice camera.
Negatives first: The camera seems to be made of plastic and I'm afraid after a while, it will become damaged. The lens' flanges are plastic and I am extremely careful when removing or putting on lenses. If you drop it, I think you can kiss it good-bye. WEAR THE STRAP AT ALL TIMES.
Positives: READ, READ, READ the manual over and over again. I've had this camera since early December 2009 (its now November 11, 2010) and I started reading the manual before the camera was delivered. I still pick up the manual every now and then and read up on features that I don't use very often. Its a complex little unit, but that's half the fun. You can do so much with this camera. Set it for Aperture priority and adjust F-stops. Set it for shutter priority and adjust the speed. Set it on Program and point and shoot, or set it on Auto and pick a dozen pre-set settings for specific types of photos. It is fantastic.
I also like the tilt out view screen. Very handy. And reviewing images and deleting them is a snap.
It takes fantastic pictures with rich color and clear definition. I really like it.
Perfect for new dSLR owners -- 2010-03-05
This is my first digital SLR camera so I don't have many other points of reference. However, coming form a point and shoot world, the Nikon D5000 has proven itself to be an excellent entry point for me.
Used to being able to slide a camera into my pocket, I was concerned about the size of the camera. However, the Nikon D5000 is very light compared to some of my friends' SLRs, and this makes the camera very portable. My first trip out was to the zoo, and I quick adjusted to the form factor and found it very easy to carry and use. My only complaint in this department is the strap that comes with the camera. The standard Nikon strap was uncomfortable for me, and a bit cumbersome but that is certainly a matter of personal opinion so your mileage may vary.
The Auto, and Scene settings will be familiar to anyone who has used a digital camera in recent years and result in great shots with very little effort. The real power of course is in manual mode, and even my experiments there have yielded some really nice results.
All the various features can be a bit overwhelming. The manuals are just "ok" I'm afraid, so you woudl be well served to grab a book or one of Nikon's Camera School videos to help you along. In fact the Nikon website has all the basic "getting to know your camera" videos for the D500 for free.
If you are hoping to use some of your old Nikon lenses with this camera, be aware that there is no focus motor in the body. The D5000 makes use of motorized autofocus lenses, so keep that in mind.
All in all, a fantastic entry-level camera, with great features at a great price.
|
 | Canon EOS 7D 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3-inch LCD (Body Only)
Love this camera! Who needs full frame? -- 2010-03-11
I upgraded to this from a Canon XTi. This camera is much heavier, but the burst rate is almost scary fast!
Downsides:
This is much heavier than the XTi
Upsides:
18 MP
Super fast shooting rate
Quiet (doesn't sound mechanical like the lower end EOS cameras do)
Feature rich!
Serious Overheating Issues in Canon 7D -- 2010-03-08
If you are intending on buying the 7D because of its video capabilities then be forewarned: The camera overheats far too easily.
I purchased the Canon 7D in December 2009, using it to successfully capture some soccer games. During the games the camera was stopped -- not shutdown -- quite frequently whenever there was a pause in the action, which was quite often due to the age of the players. At half-time the camera was turned off. For the first couple of months I experienced no problems. But that is no longer the case. Spring has sprung and with it comes warmer temperatures. This past weekend the camera's overheating icon came on after being on for about fifteen minutes of stopping and starting. Temperature: 60 degrees outside. I stopped the camera. I shut the camera down for a couple of minutes. I turned the camera back on and it worked for a minute or two before flashing the overheating icon again. I put my jacket on top to keep the sun off the camera body. No luck. I was unable to capture the last fifteen minutes of the game.
Page 159 of the English EOS 7D manual indicates that the camera will experience overheating issues when used for a prolonged time or under direct sunlight. What it doesn't tell you is how long "prolonged" is and under what external temperature conditions this applies too. Based on my results you will have approximately twenty minutes or so when shooting in 60 degrees before the overheating icon flashes. Had I known this I would not have purchased this camera. Given that I'm a long-time Canon customer I can only say that I'm extremely disappointed that the camera overheats so quickly in fair conditions. I'm quite certain Canon is aware of this issue but has chosen to bury it in the operators manual in a loosely-worded description meant to cover their butts. You won't find anything on the Canon 7D product that warns you about "prolonged" use. Try searching the 7D's support section. Nothing with the words "heat, heating, overheat, overheating." A search of the internet tells a completely different story.
It's a camera trying to be a video camera and under certain conditions it works great. Know your intended shooting conditions before deciding to buy the 7D for its video capabilities. Get real, in the field reviews from people who tell it like it is without wrapping it in sugar-coated wording designed to keep their revenue streams flowing.
Despite years of buying Canon products my next video camera purchase will be from another manufacturer.
|
|
|
|
|
