Is the Best SLR Film Camera Better Than Digital?

If your wondering, if the best SLR film camera is better than the best SLR digital camera, then the answer is no. At least not anymore. There was a time, a few years ago, when digital cameras first came out, that only the bleeding edge adopters would go near a digital camera. But not anymore. The majority of both professional and amateur photographers alike use digital SLR cameras these days.

Luckily, your going to start sounding like a SLR camera virtuoso. Don't let your early steps at understanding SLRs scare you away. It can take a some real effort to visualize. While it's important to understand what your buying, it's also important not to get caught in the endless loop of never making a decision.

No time to delay, lets have a go at it shall we. All the technology embedded into these cameras may seem like too much, but it's actually good for you. Your just going to have to take my word for it. Anyone involved in the business of digital cameras will attest to just how daunting it can be producing and selling DSLR cameras. The good news for you lucky reader, is better cameras every year, at prices better than ever.

Well, it's time to make your life simpler and better. I will promise, that you will be thrilled with your new camera, no matter which of the top SLR cameras you buy. You likely couldn't find a horrific SLR camera from the top rated cameras no matter how persistent you where. To prove it, just have a view of everything included in this bunch of SLRs. It would be difficult to make a mistake with a Canon Rebel XSi, now that prices had to be lowered due to the T1i release. Don't get too hung up on the Canons though without giving some time to explore a Nikon D60 or Olympus Evolt E520.

I make these sweeping generalizations when it comes to the best SLR film and digital cameras, because I know, that the camera you buy and use is only one consideration in the value of your pictures. You and your skill as a photographer are really more significant when it comes to freezing a moment in time. You'd be taken aback with the quality photographs that come out of the lens of a crude old digital camera in the hands of a ambitious photographer.

These days, buying your new camera online can work to your benefit. If your looking for plenty of choice, and the lowest available prices, it seems reasonable to purchase digital cameras on the web.

As so many others have found, buying the best SLR film or digital camera should be pretty easy. The real joy is in buying the perfect camera your going to love. Well, are you going to keep shopping for ever, or just pick one and begin capturing memories?

Digital SLR Cameras

In photography, there are cameras that are used for professional shoots and most times it is the professional photographer who handles this kind of camera's but that doesn't mean you can't. The Digital SLR cameras are one such model of cameras that is used by professionals. Even you can get the chance to use the digital SLR camera, especially if you are planning to take photography professionally or as a serious hobby. Since this camera was created to take photos at really high speeds, you will probably have to stay on Auto or Automatic for a while which will guide you or help like on auto pilot until you learn the ropes from reading the manual or from a professional.

The setup of the digital SLR camera is kind of difficult which would be best if you also learnt the ropes from a professional. The camera is filled with many functions which have to be set right in order to get the perfection when it comes to clarity and color.However in the long run you will end up understanding the functions and you will find out that the camera is easier to use than you thought. With the SLR you will look more professional when you are taking your photos and the clarity you get will speak for itself.

As a beginner it would be wise to leave the camera setting mode at automatic and as you grow you can advance to semi-manual and when you know you are good enough and you will know when you are good enough you can switch to full manual.

Digital SLR Camera Bags Tips & Suggestions

There are a lot of options when it comes to digital SLR camera bags out there. You can choose one based on any size or shape, from those that are like backpacks to those that are simple in form.

So, how do you choose the right digital SLR camera bag?

The most relevant question you need to answer is the amount of gear you need.

Since buying a digital SLR means you usually end up paying more than $500 for it, protecting it is a natural step.

When you have a digital SLR, you should expect them to have accidents.

Compact cameras are much more resistant usually, because the lens stays within the body of the camera when there is no need for it, plus the number of joints is smaller, so sand and water don't sneak inside as easy.

Digital SLR cameras on the other hand have a number of openings: the battery opening, the lens, the memory card and more.

Any opening that a camera has is a potential place where the weather can affect the electronics of the digital camera.

Plus, the lens of the digital SLR extend out of the camera, and when it sticks out it can take scrapes or you can bang it on sharp objects and rocks by mistake.

With a case for digital SLR cameras, accidents like these are prevented, so your investment is safe even in the worst weather conditions.

A normal photographer will have to choose between three different digital SLR bags:

1. Cases that are form fitting

2. Camera packs and small bags

3. Slingpacks and backpacks

Digital SLR camera bags that are form fitting are made for certain cameras.

In the case of digital SLR camera bags, they are specifically made for certain models. This is because the bags are made so they fit the digital camera perfectly around their body.

Fanny packs and small bags are best to be used for cameras that have more than one lens. Because they're more versatile, you can use them for a number of types of cameras.

These bags can be used with great success during hiking trips, where you carry a lot of gear with you but you still need to carry the digital camera as well.

Slingpacks and backpacks are used by photographers that have to take a lot of gear with them when they travel.

These cameras work very well when you're going on a longer trip and you take plenty of equipment with you, because you don't know what you'll need.

Which Compact Digital Camera is the Best Overall? Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 Fits the Bill

In this writer's humble opinion, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 fits the bill.

There are many, many digital cameras on the market, and technology is advancing at such a rapid rate that it is very difficult to keep up. Each camera manufacturer makes claims of excellence or features about every new camera release to lure you, the buyer, into a purchase. And how does a camera become king of the hill and make it to the top of the camera heap anyway?

It starts with a reputation. Certain manufacturers have been able to maintain a good reputation for producing excellent cameras. We buyers tend to trust a manufacturer if we have had a good experience with them.

Then there are the camera review geeks. These are camera "experts" who look at each new release and put them through a series of standard tests to compare them to other cameras of similar design. These online web sites such as DPReview.com, StevesDigicams.com, and Imaging-Resources.com have become will known and trusted for their honest opinions and ratings. Manufacturers send their newest releases to those who have gained good standing in the online camera community.

Finally, there are the buyers - those who actually buy the cameras and use them, not necessarily analyzing how each pixel is rendered on a print, but deciding if the camera meets the individual's expectations. These evaluations are extremely useful in making a camera buying decision.

Before buying your next camera, be sure to check online stores where the camera has been sold. Some very useful sites to check include Amazon.com, B&H Photo, and Adorama.com. Enter the name of the camera you are interested in, then click on the user comments.

All of this leads up to how the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 gets the rating as "Best Compact Digital Camera Over All".  It is recommended highly at both Imaging-Resources.com and DPReview.com, AND the user rating (from folks who actually paid money for the camera) is about 4.4 out of 5 on both DPReview and Amazon.

The specs for the DMC-ZS3 camera are as follows:

10.1 Megapixel Resolution
12x Digital Zoom
3" LCD screen
27 Scene Modes with Intelligent Auto
Face Recognition and motion tracker
720p HD Video Capture

If you are looking for a great all-around camera, you can't go wrong with this one.

Where You Can Find the Best Digital SLR Camera

The best Digital SLR Camera can be spotted anywhere. There are stores where such cameras are sold in variety and quality, color and size. The cameras offer a wide range of features and every second one differs from the first. In the end, the choice that you make should be influenced by your photographic requirements. This should be given precedence over everything else. The kind of photography you mostly indulge in, the ambience in which you do it and the kind of motion involved should be the driving factors behind your choice. These should dictate the piece on which your eyes get fixed on.

There are a lot of genres in which photographers specialize. All of them are very dissimilar to each other. The requirements are different, and eventually the camera and lenses used vary accordingly. Lenses vary with varying genres. Action and Sports are a great genre. There is a lot of movement. The camera you hire or buy should be good at taking pictures that are in constant motion. Any lapse might be embarrassing. It would sink the effort behind the digital lens rental you pay. You might even regret the camera you choose to do this kind of photography.

Wildlife Photography can be quite demanding. Animals are moving around constantly. You can see snakes slithering around tress. Monkeys hang onto branches and rabbits run the race of their lives towards safe hideouts. All this chaotic activity has to be captured by a good Digital SLR Camera. A flawless lens with impeccable picture capturing ability serves the purpose well. The lens is able to gauge on the movement of the object and within a click, the object is there in picture in the same position in which the photographer wanted it.

Portraits have a hidden subtlety. The shots are stout, unmovable and frozen. Even then, most of the lenses fail to seize the right moment. That expression has to be caught in a split second or else, it might slip away. The Digital SLR Camera you hire by paying Digital Lens Rental should be good at capturing those precious moments and not evade them. Landscape photography too can only be done when you have a good digital SLR Camera. The beauty of nature can only be felt close to when you have the right camera in your hands. That can be acquired by paying a good Digital Lens Rental.

These attributes determine whether the one you have is a good or not. These qualities determine whether the one you are about to use will get you the photographs of your choice or not. These virtues give the final verdict over the usefulness of the Lens Rentals Florida that a photographer pays to acquire the camera and the lenses. If you happen to find these qualities within the camera you choose, then there is no reason why it should not be the best bet to do you good. Buy it, and relish the purchase.

What Is The Best Digital Camera Brand?

If ever there was a controversial question amongst the hordes of digital camera enthusiasts, it has to be "What is the best digital camera brand?". Sometimes referred to as "What is the best brand of digital camera to buy?", but not to be confused with "What is the best camera to buy?". Because everyone knows that regular (film) cameras are far superior to digital cameras. Hang on a sec, or was that the other way around? Who can keep track these days? Now before I digress too far from the topic, lets take a look at that age old battle, and see if we can determine which brand is best.

First things first, in the spirit of full disclosure, I need to declare that I do in fact own several cameras. They represent a variety of brands. I have two Canons, a Fuji, and a Kodak. I must confess, that I am somewhat partial to Canon, but I'll try not to let that cloud any editorial comments I may subsequently make.

If digital camera sales were any indication of what the best brand was, then according to Amazon.com Canon would be a clear winner. As I write this, Canon manufactures 18 of the top 25 bestselling cameras on their best seller list. In addition, Canon holds 9 of the top 10 spots, with the top 3 being the PowerShot A570 IS, the PowerShot SD1000 Digital Elph, and the PowerShot SD850. Sharing the top 11 spots with Canon are 2 of the Pure Video manufactured Flip Video cameras. Nikon has 2 cameras in the top 25 including the Nikon D40, and the Nikon D300. Panasonic sneaks in with a couple of their Lumix models, specifically the DMC-TZ3K and the DMC-TZ3A. And finishing in a strong 25th spot, that old stalwart Kodak with the Easyshare Z812IS.

Of course being popular, or the best seller does not the best brand make. It simply means you have the best salesmanship. In that world, Canon seems to be having the most success. How exactly would we determine the best brand? Best service, best design, best features, best customer support, best images, and best user experience are all valid traits. Perhaps a critical / scientific /empirical examination of all cameras models by manufacturer would be in order. Let's see if we can aggregate a lot of the work already done by a couple of camera review sites who take the above traits into consideration.

A perusal of one top camera review site under their 5 star category, show 39 Canon cameras, 18 Sony cameras, 17 Nikon cameras, 6 Fuji cameras, 5 Olympus cameras, 5 Panasonic cameras, 3 Pentax cameras, and 1 Konica camera. A second camera review site under their top 103 cameras showed 46 Canon cameras, 21 Sony cameras, 20 Nikon cameras, 5 Pentax cameras, 3 Fuji cameras, 2 Samsung cameras, 2 Panasonic cameras, 2 Kodak cameras, 1 Konica camera, and 1 Casio camera. If you total all that up, the top 3 end up being Canon with 85, Sony a distant second with 39, and Nikon a very close third with 37. Everyone else had less than 10 top rated cameras.

The Best New Digital Camera Today

When someone asks me what the best new digital camera is, I always have to pause a little. The reason I pause, is to ask myself a few questions about the person asking the question. Specifically how I think they plan to use the camera. Assuming of course, they plan to use it for themselves. That's at least two assumptions I've made about someone before I answer their question. Assumptions can of course be dangerous, so maybe it's better if I just lay them all out here complete with camera recommendations, and let you pick the one that fits you best.

The first assumption I may make, is that your not a serious camera buff. Your just looking for a camera that's easy to use. Since your a pretty active player on the move, I'm also going to assume you want something you can just jam into your tight blue jeans pocket, or drop into the bottom of your kit bag / purse and forget about until needed. You probably like sharing pics and videos with your FaceBook and MySpace pals on Flickr or YouTube. The Canon PowerShot SD1000 Digital Elph, or the Sony Cybershot DSCW55 would be good choices for you. If your the real rugged outdoorsy type, I might change my pick to the Olympus Stylus 790SW for its toughness and all-weatherproof design.

But, maybe your more of a casual photographer, that only pulls out the camera for special occasions and vacation. Tight blue jeans aren't much of an issue anymore, so you don't mind a little extra bulk . . . in the camera I mean. Something easy to use, with better image and video quality then your cell phones camera are a priority. In this case, I'd suggest either the Canon Powershot A570IS, or the Canon PowerShot Pro Series S5. The S5 is about twice the money in the low $300 range, but the extra 12X zoom, sturdier construction, and hot shoe flash make it well worth the investment.

For my final category, if I see that little twinkle of adventure in your eyes mixed with a lust for learning, I may suggest you look at something in the entry level SLR category This is where photography really gets fun. Fun that comes with a bit of effort though. Learning about ISO settings, white balance, dynamic range, tonal balance and depth of field are not for the faint of heart. Serious photo editing using RAW files are often part of the SLR photography world. The Canon Digital Rebel XTi or the Nikon D40 are good starters around $600 in this category. If you seem like the passionately intense type, and have an endless pocket book, you may as well just knock your self out, and get the Canon EOS 5D ($2000 + lenses). Your probably the type that's going to end up with one eventually. You may as well just skip the appetizers and get right to the main course.

Choosing a Type of Digital Camera (DSLR, Bridge Or Instant?)

One of the initial barriers to entering the digital photography field is selecting appropriate equipment. The sheer range of cameras and paraphernalia available is both breathtaking and daunting simultaneously.

One of the easiest ways to narrow your search is to decide what kind of camera you require by thinking about what you want from it. There are three main types of camera out there for those entering the world of digital photography.

If you are planning on taking your digital camera out and about with you, possibly on a night out on the tiles, perhaps a simple point-and-click camera would be most suitable for you. They behave in a similar way to a mobile phone camera with the whole process being very compact and easy making it ideal for snapping without flapping around with dozens of settings. The results of these point and shoot cameras are often very impressive and as far as simple, good quality photography goes they are hard to fault; especially as many of them begin to allow more manual control over the shooting process.

Then there is the awkward middle ground. This is filled with an aptly named range of 'bridge' cameras which resemble the more complex DSLR cameras despite being closer to the simpler, instant point and shoot cameras. They have non-removable lenses, different internal workings and often have smaller sensors. All this in theory suggests they are weaker than entry level DSLR cameras but this isn't strictly the case. More often than not, the lens found on bridge cameras is superior in quality to kit lenses supplied with DSLR cameras. The quality of the lens is a huge factor to consider when trying to achieve good quality images.

Finally there are digital single lens reflex cameras (DSLR). These cameras tend to encompass all features found on the simpler as well as having full manual controls. These cameras tend to be more expensive and as a rule come with a poor standard lens. The main plus for these cameras is the expandability that can be achieved through changing the lenses and adding accessories to hep you take the best photographs possible. The main downsides are the costs involved for both the main body of the camera and for additional lenses and the bulky nature of them. It is also worth considering that removable lenses on DSLR cameras usually only fit one brand of camera so if you choose a Sony DSLR as your first camera and purchase lenses you will be locked into buying further Sony DSLR cameras in the future if you want to use your existing kit.

So which camera? It is best not to get caught up with the megapixel war as often this is almost irrelevant - it is accepted that five megapixels is all you would need to blow pictures up to A4 size! What is worth considering is what you want from the camera, how you want your hobby to evolve and what you feel most comfortable with. Price is a factor, however high end instant cameras and bridge cameras are easily in the range of entry level DSLRs.

Personally speaking I opted for an entry DSLR (the Sony a200) and I love it. The entry level lens is below the quality you find in bridge cameras of similar price, but I plan on using a range of lenses as my hobby develops to take specialist shots. However, if I was going to spend the majority of my time taking pictures of scenery or people from standard distances without getting too arty I would have chosen a bridge camera with the single, better quality lens and further if I wanted to carry the camera with me and take drunken pictures I would have gone for the most compact option in the form of an instant camera.

Do research, read as many reviews as you can and ask people who enjoy photography what they think just be wary that they might well be biased and only be willing to suggest equipment made by the same manufacturer as they use. Once you know which cameras appeal to you most try and get into a shop and play about with them. Feel the quality of the finish and use the controls and see if you feel comfortable with them. I had my heart set on a Nikon D40 until I had a chance to play with one alongside the Sony A200.

Overall take your time, have a play with cameras that are on your short list and consider what you actually want from a camera. Most cameras are capable of taking beautiful pictures suitable for most purposes. You need to select the hardware that matches all your criteria be it a DSLR, a bridge or an instant camera.

SLR Digital Camera For Everyday Use

For some people, taking pictures has already become a part of everyday life. It does not matter whether they are a professional photographer or not, the important thing is that they are happy chronicling everyday lives through their pictures.

While this may seem to be a pretty mundane task for some, taking pictures of all sorts of things can actually turn out to be a pretty good thing. Most especially now since the SLR Digital Camera has been the go-to camera of a lot of people, chronicling each and every little thing that happens has become a lot easier and definitely more convenient. All they have to do is just fill up their SLR Digital Camera's memory card with the wonderful pictures that they took. Then once there is no more space for additional photos, just load up your memory card onto your laptop or PC's memory card reader and voila, you have just uploaded picture after picture of priceless memories that you will now be able to cherish forever.

Apart from a convenient way of storing memories, you can also start to create your very own online portfolio filled with the pictures that you took with your SLR Digital Camera. Just log on the Internet to get a nice sampling of the various online photo hosting sites which can act as your online gallery.

Aside from being used to create keepsakes, SLR Digital Cameras also come in handy for reporters and writers who need to have nice pictures to accompany the text of their reports and stories. While there are definitely professional photographers who work for newspapers and magazines, there are still times when the reporter or writer do not have one of the in-house photographers to tag along and take pictures for them. So what do they do?

They just hope for the best and pray that the press relations representative can be able to provide them with some nice photos that they can use for their write up. But what if the situation is not that easy? What if you were part of an exclusive press junket abroad and everyone back home is expecting you to be able to provide not just a kick-ass article but great photos to support the story as well? So you once again hope for the best and come the press launch, you take out your dingy point and shoot digital camera and got embarrassed for a second when you see the other reporters bring out their bulky but super high-tech SLR Digital Cameras. But that's life and its either you continue living your professional life like that or finally reward your efforts with a brand new SLR Digital Camera.

You see, professional photographers are not the only ones who rely on sophisticated equipment like SLR Digital Cameras to make their work life a lot easier. So if you are thinking of buying your own kick ass SLR Digital Camera, do not think that it'll just be a waste of money. Once you get the hang of using it you will realize how a SLR Digital Camera truly is a great photography tool even for everyday use.

Digital SLR Comparison - 2009 and 2010 Entry-Level Cameras

For most people, making the decision to invest in a digital SLR camera is not something that can be taken lightly. The cost of a DSLR can be a lot more than a simple point-and-shoot camera, especially if you intend to purchase additional lenses and other accessories. However, if you love taking photos and would like to extend your skills, buying a good entry-level digital SLR camera will surely be worth every cent that you spend as you'll be able to experiment with more advanced techniques and produce beautiful photos that you can keep forever.

This digital SLR comparison between three of the current most popular entry-level cameras should help you to decide which camera is best for you. The three DSLRs I'll be comparing are:

-Canon EOS 1000D
-Nikon D60
-Sony DSLR-A200

These are all great entry-level cameras in my opinion, but they all have different pros and cons. The cheapest of the three is the Sony DSLR-A200 which can be found for as cheap as $400. The Canon EOS 1000D and the Nikon D60 are both currently about $500, though prices can vary depending on where you look and whether you buy them as part of a package or not.

The Sony is the heaviest, weighing 532g, the Nikon is the second heaviest at 495g and the Canon weighs just 450g. Neither is necessarily better; it really comes down to your personal preference, so if you can you should try to hold the cameras in a shop to see if you prefer a heavier or lighter weight body.

The Sony and the Nikon both use CCD type sensors and have a 10.2 megapixel effective resolution. The Canon uses a CMOS type sensor and has a 10.1 megapixel effective resolution. There is some debate over which type of sensor is superior and both have their own advantages and disadvantages, however the distinctions are minimal and shouldn't make any noticeable difference to the average photographer.

Image stabilization is built into the body of the Sony camera, allowing you take sharper photos even if you're hands are a little shaky. The Canon and the Nikon both also offer image stabilization but it is built into their lenses instead. This may mean that you have to spend a bit more when you buy your camera's lenses if you want to have this feature included.

In order to achieve consistent exposure when taking photos, it's important to have a good range of ISO sensitivity. In a digital SLR camera [http://www.digital-slr-comparison.info/category/panasonic-digital-slr-cameras], this is the equivalent of measuring the film speed. The Canon and the Nikon cameras both have an ISO sensitivity of 100-1600, whereas the Sony has a much better range at 100-3200. This may mean that its better at capturing photos in low lighting conditions.

The monitor size on the Sony digital SLR camera is the largest at 2.7" compared to 2.5" on the Canon and the Nikon cameras. However the Sony and the Nikon do not have a 'Live View' function. Only the Canon has this feature so you don't have to look through the view finder to take your photos, you can preview everything on its LCD screen.

My personal advice is not to get too hung up on all the details between each model when making a digital SLR comparison. The most important consideration should be finding a digital SLR camera that you're comfortable with using. You should also bear in mind that the body of the camera is not as important as the lenses. It's easy to get bogged down picking through all the different features that the various brands and models offer, but the sooner you pick up a DSLR, the sooner you'll be on your way to producing high quality photographs!

Tips To Quickly Learn How To Use Any Digital SLR Camera

Those Canon commercials on the radio touting how easy it is to get shots like the professionals, if you buy a Rebel XTi have been effective, face it.So you've gone out and bought a digital single lens reflex camera. Now read the owner's manual from front to back. But really who wants to do that? Follow these tips if you're feeling overwhelmed by the thick manual. Here's what you should know to just "operate the camera." I say "operate" because you're not in total control and you are letting the camera do its thing for you.

Set the camera on auto. If there is full auto, do so. The idea here is to take some pictures to give you something to work with.

Download the images to your computer. There are usually 2 options for this although a 3rd one now exist which is quite spiffy but may not be for everyone.
First option requires you to install driver software on your computer and connect your camera via a cable (usually USB 2.0) The 2nd option using an external card reader is the one I recommend because it doesn't drain your camera's battery and your camera doesn't need to be tethered to your computer.This allows you to continue shooting if you have another memory card. Why wait around? Life is too short and those memory cards are so cheap now. Your 3rd option, if your camera uses the "sd" or secure digital type, involves buying a Wi-Fi enabled memory card. This special sd cards can transfer your images wirelessly to your computer through your WiFi network to your computer and then upload it to the numerous photo-sharing websites.

Format the memory card. When the card is full and after you've downloaded those images to your computer, this setting erases the images on the card and frees it up to be re-used again and again.
Once you've mastered steps 1,2 & 3, you're ready to be dangerous and proceed with reckless abundance. Jump around your owner's manual to figure out how to change these settings next

ISO. ISO refers to the sensitivity of the ccd or charged couple device. If you were a film shooter, this is like having the ability to change film speed in mid-roll.You might find yourself in poor light, so this is a must.

Shutter Speed and Aperture. Select aperture priority and set the lens aperture to f 5.6 .So long as you don't get some sort of protest from your camera, you should be fine. If the shutter speed drops below something you can't hand hold, some cameras will beep or kick in the built-in flash (assuming you have one on the top of the camera)
If you're shooting a moving subject, choose shutter priority and see if you can take a picture at 1/500 second. Again, if there is insufficient light, there's usually some indication. The focus point in my camera changes color from green to yellow as an indicator. Yours may have something similar.

White Balance. The default on the camera is automatic white balance. That works for 95% of the time. Since you've invested the money in a fancier camera, why not see what you've paid for? If you don't try changing the white balance manually, you will never know. Generally there is daylight, overcast, florescent, incandescent, auto and custom. The surest way to know is to test by taking the same subject under all the different lighting conditions and then open up the image on your computer. That little lcd (liquid crystal display) monitor on the camera is not a good gauge.

Compression. This is the setting or what is known as "quality" that the camera will record your images. Used to be more of an issue when memory cards were expensive. These days everyone has a drawer full of these cards because most folks never download their images like in the film days, they never developed that roll of film until they absolutely have to.The only difference is memory cards supposedly can store your images indefinitely without any degradation.Film because of its chemical nature deteriorates.

Auto focus sensor. By default most cameras have this "red" cursor centered. You want to be able to change this unless you want your subject to always be in the center.

So there you have it. Other features like auto bracketing and burst rate or continuous or predictive focusing are secondary. Those settings will be useful after you've mastered Tips 1 through 8.

Getting the Best Digital SLR Camera on the Cheap

Once you've made the decision, that a tiny point and shoot cameras simply aren't going to cut it for you any longer, you've probably started looking in to the world of cameras known as SLR. SLR stands for single lens reflex, and if you think that sounds confusing, you ain't seen nothin' yet. There's a whole jungle of tech terms you get to learn, if you proceed further down this path.

Well, depending on the kind of shopper your are, or how much information you like to digest before making a purchase, you can be in for quite a ride on your quest towards buying a digital SLR. It's my intention here, to help make that ride as painless as possible.

So, without much further adieu, let's dive right in. If your a fan of technology, your gonna love this stuff, as there is an almost limitless array of jargon, and technological advancements you can learn about with SLR cameras. That information should serve you well in making your final decision however. As, that same technology that has given the consumer a wonderful number of features, has also forced the manufacturers to be extremely competitive with one another. The result many a lot of very capable SLR cameras loaded with features at pretty affordable prices.

What I'm trying to say here, is that just about any SLR camera you end up buying will be a good one. That's not to say, that there aren't some lemons. If you stick with one of the major established brands, like Canon, Nikon, or Olympus your pretty much guaranteed to make a good choice. The Nikon D60, the Canon Rebel line (XT, XTi, XSi, T1i), or an Olympus Evolt E510 are all excellent choices. Considering you'll pay the same or less for one of those, that you would have paid for a basic point-and-shoot camera five years ago, is a testament to how far digital cameras have evolved.

Given the quality of all the top brands, the major differentiating factor between the final quality of your photographs has very little to do with the camera. That major factor is the person behind the shutter button. You, the photographer. Learning more about the art of what makes a good picture would be a good investment on your part. As well as spending some hands on time with the cameras your considering. Either borrow a friends camera, or sweet talk the sales clerk at your local photo shop into letting you take one home for a few days.

Taking a lot of practice shots, in diverse environments, will give you a pretty good idea of how much you like or dislike different cameras. Try taking pictures at parties, weddings, sporting events, sunsets, sunrises, or just around the house and neighbourhood for a few days.

Don't get overly hung up on technical specifications for each camera. A few extra megapixels here and there aren't going to make much difference. For a first time SLR buyer, as long as you get a good lens, with at least 8 or 10 megapixels, and a solidly constructed camera body, you'll be content.

If you really have a burning desire to delve deeper into specifications, tech jargon, and features, then go right ahead. I know that for some, that's just part of the fun of buying a camera, or any product. Just remember, in the long run, it's a lot more fun to be taking pictures than just reading about taking pictures.

Where To Find Digital Camera Bargains

Digital camera bargains can save the consumer hundreds of dollars on some of the best rated digital cameras. If you are looking for digital SLR cameras, the Canon EOS Rebel XTi is priced under six hundred dollars. The Nikon D40 6.1 Megapixel Digital SLR with the 18 and 55mm lens is priced under five hundred dollars. These two cameras are comparable for some features, but you will want to compare other cameras as well that are in the same price range or a bit more expensive. The Olympus Evolt E-330 7.5 Megapixel Digital SLR is a little over nine hundred dollars, but the pixels are higher than the Canon or the Nikon.

The Olympus Evolt E-410 10 Megapixel Digital SLR and the Canon Digital Rebel XT 8 Megapixel Digital SLR are both right around four hundred dollars. The Canon only has a 1.8-inch LCD screen while the Olympus has a 2.5-inch LCD screen. The Olympus has a image stabilizer while the Canon has a multi lens capability. For the money, one would buy the Olympus over the Canon although they are the same price.

The digital point and shoot digital cameras bargains are even more of a savings. You do not have all the features of the SLR, but the megapixels do compare. Digital photography has many different users with different needs.

A word of warning when using megapixels to compare digital cameras. Be sure to check for image sensor (CCD) quality and size as well. Too many megapixels crammed into a small image sensor will affect your overall image quality. That's an easy way to determine a real digital camera bargain.

Choosing the Best SLR Digital Camera

For many looking to take the next step in their photography endeavors, the digital SLR camera is a logical choice. For those that don't already know, SLR stands for "single-lens reflex," which refers the internal mirror mechanism that allows the photographer to see the complete image before the shutter is clicked. Unlike older point-and-shoot style cameras where the viewfinder image may not match the final image, an SLR system allows the user to see the image as it will be captured on the digital media. While all modern point-and-shoot digital cameras contain a LCD screen that essentially serves the same purpose as an SLR's mirror system, there are still several distinct advantages that a SLR has over any other camera type. Amateur and professional photographers alike continue to choose the SLR for the simple fact that no LCD screen can match the visual superiority of a direct-viewed SLR viewfinder.

Perhaps the biggest advantage of an SLR camera is the ability it offers to interchange lenses of different types to achieve an array of different results. Although many fixed-lens cameras contain an outstanding general purpose lens, this one lens cannot accomplish all things. This is particularly true when the goal is to capture images in unusual situations (low light, extreme telephoto) or when performing macro or other specialty photography. So, what is the best SLR digital camera option for you? This is a question that can only be answered through careful analysis of your individual situation. The points listed below should help to get you on the right track.

1. Identify Your Price Range - as with anything you're looking to research, it's important to first identify your desired price range. The last thing you want to do is to get excited about a particular camera only to realize that it's out of your price range. Fortunately, there are SLR's at every price range that will satisfy the basics of image capture. Prices typically go up based on specific requirements (resolution, speed, crop factor, etc.). Typically, an entry level SLR camera is priced at around $500-700.

2. Intended Usage - there is no point in spending $5000 on the most advanced full frame digital SLR if you intend to use the camera to take casual photos of your children or friends. An entry level camera will perform such tasks extremely well and will be priced much more attractively. Ask yourself the following questions - what types of photos do I typically take? What types of photography might interest me in the near future? How important is portability and camera weight? What size prints will I be printing?

3. Brand preference - I started taking photos using the Canon system and have since purchased many Canon SLR cameras. While Canon certainly isn't the only producer of high quality cameras, their cameras have a certain look and feel that I've grown accustomed to. I can pick up just about any Canon camera and instantly grasp how to operate it. Be sure to try out several different brands to find one that works for you. The camera should feel right in your hands and the button layouts should made logical sense for you.

The Best Zoom Digital Camera For 2009

Somewhere, someone decided that there was a gap between the fairly inexpensive point and shoot automatic digital cameras, and the somewhat more sophisticated digital SLR cameras used by many professional photographers.  That biggest feature separating the two cameras was lens zoom.  Hence, was born the ultra zoom, or extended zoom digital cameras.  They're a little bigger to carry around, but usually sport significantly improved lenses over the compact and ultra compact point and shoots.  In addition, they don't require lugging around a case of supporting gear around, like many of the SLR cameras do.

Featuring upwards of 20X optical zoom, these are impressive cameras, and can be the perfect camera for certain situations.  Like when you show up late for the wedding, and get stuck in the back pews.  With these cameras you'll be able to still get great shots of the bride and grooms big kiss, without being mistaken for the official wedding photographer.  As a general note for all these cameras, image stabilization is a gotta-have, unless you happen to have the rock steady hands of a surgeon.

Panasonic Lumix FZ28

This Panasonic model features an 18X zoom lens, and goes for around $350 or less.  the IA (intelligent auto) setting works quite well.  The auto settings are important for many photographers this camera targets as manual tweaking is generally not something a lot of casual photographers do.  Of course, for those who like to make adjustments, the option is there.  The LCD is a nice sized 2.7 inches.  The zoom control seems to be opposite of what I would have expected, but after spending a little time with it, I'm sure most people get used to it.

Canon Powershot SX10 IS

Canon is one of my personal favorite brands, and this camera is one of the reasons why.  This Canon is comparable in price (around $350) to the previously reviewed Panasonic Lumix, but with 20X zoom, instead of just 18.  Even a few die hard SLR owners I've hear from, swear from this camera.  A lens range of 28-560mm is nothing to sneeze at.  Especially with the clarity, and noise free pictures produced by this camera, even at higher ISO settings.  You can of course, get better clarity and image sharpness with a good SLR, but your also going to spend at least double the price to get there.  Not to mention haul a lot more gear around for a SLR.  The other nice thing about this camera, is the ability to capture video files, even if they are in the somewhat more obscure .mov Apple format. 

Olympus SP-565 UZ

You should be able to find this Olympus for under $300 these days. Which is pretty good, when you consider the quality of the 20X zoom lens that comes with it. Some would argue, that is the successor to the somewhat botched Olympus SP565UZ. It's a much better camera, a little bit lighter, and includes both an auto zoom and auto focus feature. The zoom is a joy to work with, and the somewhat advance features of face recognition, and shadow adjustments work as advertised. It's got a cool feature call pre-capture, that I suppose, is the poor mans answer to burst mode offered by many high priced SLRs. It basically allows you to capture up to 10 photos in rapid succession, and then choose the ones you want to keep.

Digital Cameras: Point and Click vs Digital SLR

There are 2 main types of digital cameras available today: the basic cameras (also known as "point and click") and the digital SLR cameras. If you are purchasing a new camera, you may want to consider the benefits to determine which camera type is best for you and your situation.

A basic digital camera gives you the full function to take pictures in any environment. Most of them have specific settings on the camera that you can adjust according to the type of picture that you are planning to take. For example, there may be options for portraits, landscape photos, zoomed-in photos, night scenes, fireworks, etc. Or if you don't want to mess with all of the settings, you can simply set it to automatic and let the camera do all of the work for you.

These simple cameras are easy to use, all you need to do is choose the setting that you prefer and then click the button. They often have zoom capabilities, but the zoom is limited (depending on the camera you are using).

A digital SLR camera is a professional style-camera, this type of camera actually consists of 2 main pieces: the camera body and the lens. There are many different types of lenses that you can use with your camera, some photographers like to have several lenses on hand while others just use 11 lens.

The advantage to using a digital SLR camera lies in the fact that you have more control over the settings and functioning of the camera. I suggest using a digital SLR camera if you having a decent understanding of photography and if you are willing to spend a little bit of time learning how to use the camera.

Both the basic cameras and the digital SLR cameras have their own unique advantages, and there is a model available to fit any need for the novice photographer all the way up to a professional photographer.

Nikon D90 DX 12MP Digital SLR Camera

Nikon has been one of the undisputed leaders in the world of photography since its establishment in 1917. The Nikon D90 DX 12.3MP digital SLR camera is the culmination of years of experience and technological development.

With Canon, these two Japanese brands lead the world in the manufacture of cameras. This honest review shows how a quality conscious company has produced such a high spec camera with a wealth of user friendly features.

The Nikon D90 DX 12.3MP digital SLR camera has a solid design and produces stunning image quality. All digital cameras have at their heart, an image sensor which gathers light coming through the lens. Nikon has developed a wide variety of excellent image sensors including the DX-format CMOS sensor. The DX format is more suitable for photographers who require a combination of mobility as well as operability and image quality. The image resolution of this camera is 12.3MP which is more than enough for most photographic requirements.

The 3-inch 920,000-dot LCD colour monitor provides a very accurate review of the image so you can achieve amazingly accurate results. A 170-degree wide viewing angle makes it simple to confirm focus when taking a shot or during Live View. When in HD D-Movie mode, the Nikon D90 DX 12.3MP SLR digital camera can record, cinematic-quality movies with sound, at a fantastic 24 frames per second. To compensate for image blur from camera shake or shooting from a moving car, the D90 also has a vibration reduction system, so no worries if you have shaky hands.

The well positioned buttons allow easy access to certain features without having to go through the menu configuration. Editing of shots can be made on the camera itself such as red-eye correction, inclination of image, distortion caused by lens aberration, fisheye effect and several filter effects.

Nikons image processing engine reproduces superb colour in the digital camera. It can record then store images at super high speed in an uncompressed TIFF format or a compressed JPEG format. It's as if your camera has its own mini developer within!

An efficient energy-saving rechargeable Li-ion battery allows approximately 850 images on a single charge. Enough time for most semi-professional or amateur photographers.

The Nikon Capture software is full of features, but one main one is that it can correct white balance on an image, via a PC, so photographers don't have to be concerned about this while shooting. This is an added advantage.

There is a versatile range of digital cameras from Nikon with the ability to meet the demands of needs and applications. The Nikon D90 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera is ergonomically designed just weighing 620 grams, and offers so many excellent features for any standard of photographer, it is a camera to be reckoned with.

Top 3 Recommended Lenses For Your New Nikon D80 Digital SLR Camera

A new Nikon D80 body sitting beside a recently-opened box on your table is one of the most amazing sights to behold. You'd have to get one for yourself to understand the sensation.

A digital SLR camera on its own, however, is pretty much next to useless - you'd need to buy a lens (or two, three or more) in order to start taking photographs with it. The only problem is, there must be something like 1,013 lenses out there to choose from, at least, it starts feeling like it after you spend hours, if not days, thumbing through catalogs and spec sheets, browsing forums, reading debates and arguments over which lenses to buy (or not to buy) and getting advice from one friend too many, other enthusiasts and professionals in the field.

All you'd really like to know now is, what are the best lenses for your Nikon D80?

I have some good news for you - if you're simply coming into SLR photography for personal pleasure, as a pastime or simply to get better pictures for sharing with your family and friends, I can quickly list down 3 lenses you can get right now without having to bust your bank account. From the selections below, simply select lens #1 only, #2 only, #3 only, #1 & #2 or #1 & #3 depending on your budget.

Nikon Lens #1 - The Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D AF lens. For $100 or less, there is no other lens out there that can give you sharper images for the money. You can buy $400 lenses which give marginally sharper pictures, but the 50mm f/1.8 lens has the highest sharpness / dollar-spent ratio in the industry. Its maximum 1.8 aperture also allows you to take great-looking portraits with a blurred background, the kind you see in some professional shots. It's small, it's light, it's great for taking photos in dimly-lit locations where flash is not allowed.

Nikon Lens #2 - The Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G ED-IF AF-S DX Zoom lens. That was a mouthful, wasn't it? Yes, this is a zoom lens, unlike the 50mm f/1.8 mentioned above. Meaning you can take big-group shots in tight locations and include everybody into the picture, and it also allows you to go to 70mm for relatively tight portrait shots. Hunt around for $320-ish prices, and not a penny more, at your camera stores. Before the availability of Lens #3 that I'm about to mention, this glass was a firm favourite among many casual photographers who shoot travel and vacation images.

Nikon Lens #3 - The Nikkor 18-200mm F/3.5-5.6g IF-ED AF-S DX VR.This lens is so hot. How so? Well, it's hot enough to be out-of-stock at virtually all stores, but you can find one if you're a walk-in customer, and Nikon is bending backwards to ramp up production to meet demand. Why is it hot? Well, because it's the only lens on the market offering such a huge zoom range, with fast autofocus action and even a VR mechanism that helps you get steady shots without the use of flash. You'll appreciate how useful the VR is if you're in a museum that doesn't allow you to use flash and tripods - the new version of the VR technology Nikon made available on this lens allows you to eliminate handshake at ever slower shutter speeds which beats out the VR capability in more expensive, but older lenses. $750 is all you need to own this lens which you can take 90% of your shots with.

So, there you have it, the lowdown on which lens to get for your D80. Are there better lenses to be had? Of course, but you'll be paying through the nose for those, and the high prices can only be justified if you have special requirements in your photography pursuit, or if you're an enthusiast who cannot tolerate not having the absolute best lenses on hand. Be careful though, lusting over pricier and bigger lenses without knowing how to value or profit from them is only going to mean more money down the drain.

Good luck in your decision, and enjoy an amazing photographic experience with your new D80 and lenses!

Never Buy A Nikon D40 Digital SLR Camera

The Nikon D40 Digital SLR Camera has been on a multitude of top ten lists and received numerous five star ratings. But, every camera has it's quirks and some of them can be quite glaring. Then Nikon D40 is no exception. They say there's no such thing as a bad camera, only bad photographers. I'd like to take that a bit further, and say that there's no such thing as a bad photographer, only good photographers using the wrong camera. So, let's be a little critical with the D40 SLR, and see if it's really the right camera for you.

The most obvious shortcoming of the Nikon D40 camera, is the absence of an autofocus driver in the camera body. What this means, is that if autofocus is important to the way you take pictures, they you are somewhat limited in the number of lenses you can use with the D40. Only about ten percent of the available lenses for the Nikon D40 have autofocus drives built into the lenses. Needless to say, those lenses are considerably more expensive than lenses without autofocus (upwards of $500 or more). Autofocus would be important to anyone shooting shots with lots of movement, such as sports or wildlife.

Nikon decided that a depth of field preview feature was not necessary for the D40. Depending on your preference for taking pictures, this may or may not be of concern. Some photographers find this very helpful, but others may just experiment with different aperture settings and figure out from that what stays in focus, and what doesn't. I would suggest, that someone learning photography could really benefit from a depth of field preview as it helps to teach the principles of objects in focus anddefocused.

One last small grievance. Most SLR's in this price range, allow you to take pictures in the RAW format, and the D40 is no exception. What is a bit surprising, is that when you take pictures with the RAW and JPEG format at the same time, the D40 only uses a very basic JPEG format. For a camera in this price range I would have expected better. Again, your photo taking preferences come into play here. If all you ever take is only RAW, or only JPEG format pictures, then don't concern yourself with this issue.

Top 5 Tips for Buying a Digital SLR Camera

Just a few short years ago picking the best digital Single Lens Reflex (SLR) camera was a snap: there were only a few models to choose from, and they all cost well above $2,000.

Today making a similar choice is not so cut-and-dried. New manufacturers have plunged into the market and there is greater competition and a wider range of cameras being offered.

So what's a consumer to do?

Approach your digital SLR purchase as if you were buying a new car. While the costs are considerably different, the steps you should take are almost identical.

TIP #1 - Know What You Want to Photograph

A single male living in the city doesn't need the same type of car as a soccer mom living in the suburbs. In the same fashion, not everyone needs a top-of-the-line digital SLR camera.

It's important to decide what you want to take pictures of before you go looking for the best camera. Do you enjoy taking portraits of friends and family outdoors, or are you trying to capture your son's indoor basketball games?

The answers to questions like this will help you focus your search for the best digital SLR camera.

TIP #2 - Understand the Jargon

When you're buying a car, it helps to be informed. When the pushy dealer tries to sell you on a twin-cam fuel injection system you'll be able to reject the offer only if you are REALLY sure you don't need it.

The same thing applies to digital SLRs: before you get involved in a conversation with a camera dealer, learn about terms like ISO, anti-shake and megapixels (hint: more megapixels DO NOT increase the quality of the image) so you don't buy more camera than you really need.

TIP #3 - Hold Some Cameras

You wouldn't go out and buy a new car without taking it for a test drive first, would you?

A test drive is your best opportunity to see if you like the way the car handles, if there's enough room in the interior and how easy it is to adjust the stereo when you're doing 70 on the Interstate.

Digital SLR cameras come in a variety of shapes and sizes - since you're going to be taking a lot of photos with it, you should get a sense of how the camera feels in your hands before you make a decision to buy.

TIP #4 - Read Reviews

You've done your homework and you've taken a test drive. Are you ready to buy the car of your dreams? Well, not quite yet.

Before you make a final commitment, you'll probably want to read reports about how well the car fared in crash tests and whether or not there is a serious defect with the vehicle make and model.

Since digital SLRs are just small computers with lenses on the front, they are subject to the same types of malfunctions that can plague your home computer. This is not to say that most digital SLRs fall apart within months - they don't.

But some are more temperamental than others, and the only way to find out if you're about to buy a real lemon is to read reviews from current owners.

TIP #5 - Buy From a Reputable Dealer

This last tip is VERY important.

When buying your car, you can either go to a dealer that others have recommended or you can take your chances with that shifty individual down at the used car lot.

Digital SLR cameras fall under the heading of "home electronics" and there are plenty of sleazy companies out there looking to make a quick buck by luring you in with unbelievable prices.

If you're doing some price comparisons and come across a company selling a camera for half of what everyone else is selling it for, don't walk, RUN away.

This is a bait-and-switch: they hook you with a low price and then sell you a lot of accessories that you really don't need. End result? You actually wind up paying MORE (and spending a lot of your valuable time) than you would have if you'd just purchased from a respected and reputable dealer in the first place.