DSLR’s Vs. Point-and-Shoot Cameras
March 10, 2009
The differences of these two types of cameras can be divided into five major categories. They are: -
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- Size: - A DSLR is bulky and heavy owing to the extra accessories that accompany it, like the lenses, the flash etc. On the other hand the point and shoot camera is light weight as it does not require these additional accessories. This is one of the reasons why many people prefer a point and shoot camera over a DSLR. In case you need to carry a DSLR, you need a separate bag for it to hold the camera and its accessories, the point and shoot can easily be slipped into your pocket or handbag.
- Image Sensors: - Generally the point-and-shoot cameras use CCD sensors while the DSLR's use CMOS sensors. The CMOS sensor provides better image quality and larger prints as compared to the CCD sensors. Also a CCD sensor consumes more battery power as compared to CMOS sensor. A CMOS sensor is larger in size as compared to a CCD sensor. Also CMOS sensors produce images with less noise factor as compared to CCD sensor. Thus people who need larger prints of their photos as well as less noise in the snaps and do not really bother about the size of the camera prefer a DSLR over the point-and-shoot camera. However if you prefer to have just small prints then you can choose a point-and-shoot camera.
- Creative Operations: - In case you want to play around with your camera then the DSLR is the best choice as it offers a galore of functionalities. The point-n-shoot camera however is limited with the number of control features. In case you want to leave your camera in the auto mode while shooting then there is no point in going for a DSLR, you might as well get a point-n-shoot. In case you are a beginner, then the number of options provided by a DSLR will leave you often confused.; so it is better to choose a camera with simple functionalities and then move on to a DSLR. Although point-n-shoot cameras also offer manual mode, the user have fewer settings as compared to the multitude of control functions in the DSLR.
- Shutter Lag: - The shutter lag is the time lapse that occurs when you release the shutter button and the camera actually captures the picture. Ideally it is better to have no shutter lag at all. However all cameras, point-n-shoot or DSLR come with certain shutter lag. In case of a DSLR the shutter lag is almost nil, while there is a comparatively higher shutter lag in case of a point-n-shoot camera. This may result in missing out on some important moments and events. So in case you are out to capture some fast moving moments and do not want to miss out any section of the event, then the DSLR is the best bet; however there are a lot of compact cameras that offer minimal shutter lag.
- Price: - The price is the main reason that determines which camera a person may want to own. A compact camera is available at a lower price range as compared to the DSLRs; though recently good DSLR cameras are available at an affordable rate. One thing you need to keep in mind while purchasing a DSLR camera is that you are not just buying a camera but a system. The DSLR camera needs to be upgraded with a number of lenses, filters, flash units etc. The price of the camera ultimately will be less important due to the price of the add-ons. However if you are a professional photographer and you would rather have a better unit than a cheaper and compromising model; then the DSLR could be your best bet. But if you are an amateur, then you could begin with a point-n-shoot camera.
Both the DSLR as well as the Point-n-Shoot have their own advantages and disadvantages. Presented above are just a few major distinguishing factors for the two types of digital cameras. They may be a lot more. Which one you would want to own is purely a decision of necessity and personal choice.
Rosanne Pennella
March 5, 2009
Rosanne Pennella started walking on her career path as a practising attorney. She has worked with federal judges and top litigation firms and was one of the most successful attorney in New York. But somewhere deep in her heart she felt a vacuum and was not happy practising law. This was probably because she had always wanted to travel. After a lot of thoughts and soul searching she decided to take up travelling as a hobby. There is a famous proverb that says -- “A Journey of a Thousand Miles must begin with a Single Step”. So Rosanne took a break from her legal career and set out on her dream journey.
She first travelled to Indonesia, New Zealand and Australia for around three and a half months. Here she recorded her experiences on a point-n-shoot camera and prepared a photo album. When she showed it to her friends and well wishers they all recognised that she had an eye for details, as this was portrayed in her pictures. She then decided to use her photographic capabilities and chose to become a professional photographer. However she set a deadline for achieving this goal. She gave herself 5 years of time to become a pro, if unsuccessful, she would return back to her legal profession. Rosanne's a very dedicated and determined person and it is this dedication and determination that made her achieve her dream.
When she started off she once laughed saying that she did not know anything about f-stops or shutter speeds. She took lessons on photography and later considered a career as a travel photographer. She received a Nikon 90S as a gift. Initially, her gear consisted of two Nikon F100 35mm bodies, Nikon D100 and Nikon D2X digital SLR cameras. The lenses include 12–24mm f/2.8, 17–35mm f/2.8, 35–70mm f/2.8, 80–400mm VR f/4.0–5.6, 70–200mm VR f/2.8, and 105mm f/2.8 macro types. She ensures that a level of intimacy is obtained with her subjects. Before getting her camera and firing a shot, she tries to understand and develop a rapport with the subject. Only after this level of proximity is achieved, does Rosanne fire a shot. She believes that only proper concentration and efficiency can help you connect with your subjects. Owing to her commitment and sincere effort and hard work; Rosanne Pennella transformed from a successful attorney to a successful travel photographer.
Her passion and commitment finally paid off. She was awarded the Annual Award by the Photo District News in 2001. she has worked with the tourism boards of China, Malaysia, Costa Rica, Hungary and Morocco. She has travelled and photographed almost all the continents across the world. Her work is displayed in various Galleries and Magazines. However she did not want to limit herself to just shooting and pursuing her passion. She wanted to pass on the theoretical and practical lessons she learned as a professional photographer. She is a strong source of inspiration to ambitious photographers. She follows a very simple motto in life “You should be the first person to be convinced of your ability”. She also advices every aspirant that they need to spend considerable amount of time and energy in this field before deciding to quit their jobs to pursue it as a career.
Digital Spy Cameras – A Personal Security Guard
March 4, 2009
There are various types of digital spies available in the market today. They include a Self Contained Hidden Spy Camera with a Built-in Digital Recorder, Body Worn Spy Cameras and Micro Cameras.
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Self Contained Hidden Spy Camera with Built-in Digital Recorder: - These spy cameras are hidden inside common gadgets such as wall clocks, air purifiers, alarm clocks, DVD players, portable CD player, calculator, plants etc. As these gadgets are present in every home and office no one will get the slightest of doubts. These self contained Hidden Spies with an internal digital video recorder are completely self sufficient, entirely secure, and easy to use. It has a SD card slot for inserting a completely user programmable SD card. An included remote can be used to activate and deactivate the device. Once it is deactivated you can remove the SD card and see the details of the happenings. The package includes the gadget along with the hidden spy, a SD card reader, a USB cable, software and an usage manual. | |||
| Body Worn Spy Cameras: - These spies are required by the people specifically involved with undercover jobs like the police, private investigators etc. Here you have a range of stuff that you wear around that has an internal spy camera. You have Spies hidden inside sunglasses, buttons, pens, cell phones, cigarette packs, baseball caps etc. |  |
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Micro Cameras: - As the name suggests these cameras are small and light. Though small and compact they feature high resolution, discreet operation and a long battery life. The major type of micro cameras include the micro eyes home and office security cameras. This is a ping pong ball sized wireless sphere that is ideally used in homes, offices and cars. The Micro eyes can be charged by using the computer's USB port. The SD card slot houses a SD fully programmed SD card that can be used to keep watch. The other types include a mini camcorder, a CMOS camera, pinhole micro camera etc. | |||
Advantages of Using Digital Spies: -
Burglars can break into your homes and offices while you are out; thus your valuables are at risk. If they happen to break-in when your family is at home then your family is at risk. These people need to be brought to task and punished for the serious offence. But how are we going to recognise them. Even the office cashier may lay his hands on the cash box. Though not a professional a crime is a crime however small or huge it may be. Once we have a spy installed, the picture of the thief is captured thus the person can be immediately booked. They are also completely trustworthy and reliable. The greatest advantage is that they do not know to lie.
Disadvantages of Using Digital Spy Cameras: -
Though this has been designed specifically for protecting your homes and offices from anti-social elements, a lot of people are using it for improperly photographing unsuspecting people in places that are supposed to be private. This is a punishable offence and must be avoided at all cost.
Optical Zoom verses Digital Zoom
February 7, 2009
Most cameras specify the total magnification factor that can be provided by their respective cameras. However this can be misleading as there are two different types of zoom with respect to the camera: a digital zoom and an optical zoom. In both cases the image is magnified however there is a major variation when it comes to the quality of the reproduced image. Unlike the digital zoom; in case of optical zoom the image clarity is not affected.
Definitions:
Optical Zoom: - Optical zoom is obtained by moving the lens close to the subject and then shooting the picture without sacrificing the picture quality. The higher the optical zoom of a digital camera the farther you can move away from the subject yet being able to take close-up images. The optical zoom is the visual zoom that was provided by film based cameras.
Digital Zoom: - In case of digital zoom the camera lens is not moved closer to the subject; but a section of the image is cropped by the camera and then is digitally magnified to fit the viewfinder portion. This adversely affects the image quality. Thus there is no gain of any additional image detail when digital magnification is used.
Working Methods:
Optical Zoom: - The lens of the camera collects the light rays and projects them onto an image sensor. The distance between the lens and the focal point is known as the focal length of the lens. A zoom lens has many movable glass elements inside and the focal length can be changed by adjusting these glass elements. The change in focal length in turn changes the depth of field thus causing the image to be projected. However the same number of pixels are captured even when the image is magnified, the difference lies in the rays that are projected onto the image sensor.
Digital Zoom: - In case of digital zoom the camera crops a particular section of the image and rescales the image to fit the picture size. In this case the pixel size is increased; thus it reproduces a blurry image.
Conclusion:
Which zoom you would like to choose depends on your individual comfort level, however while purchasing a digital camera it is better to lookout for an optical zoom rather than a digital zoom. If the camera does not offer any optical zoom it is better to have at least digital zoom. Surely optical zoom is superior as compared to the digital zoom as in case of optical zoom the picture quality is not affected while it gets blurred while using digital zoom.
Macro Photography – The best method of Shooting Flora and Fauna
February 6, 2009
Macro is generally referred to anything that is large and big. In the photographic field the term Macro Photography also known as close-up photography is used to reproduce images almost the same size of the subject. This technique is mainly used to capture various types of flora (plants) and fauna (animals); in which the realistic details are portrayed. For this purpose the lenses designed for capturing macro are generally most sharp at their macro focus distance but are less sharp at other distances.
Equipments Required For Macro Photography: -
A special purpose lens called as a macro lens is used for Macro Photography. These lenses come with an elongated barrel specifically meant for closer focusing. A macro lens can be optimized to perform better at a magnification of 1:1.
Depending on the focal length of the camera there are different types of macro lenses. They are:
- 50-60m range :- This is used for photographing small objects.
- 90-105mm range :- This is considered as the standard focal range that is used to capture flowers, insects etc.
- 150-200mm range : - This is considered apt for larger insects and small animals.
You can also consider placing an extension tube between the lens and the camera body. The tube is a hollow one without any glass whose purpose is to increase the distance between the camera body and lens as this reduces the focusing distance. However by doing this the camera loses its ability to focus at infinity.
Things to be considered for Macro Photography: -
It is important to focus on the most essential part of the subject as macro offers limited depth of field. Ensure that though you are close to the subject, the lens of the camera do not touch the subject as in case there is very little space for light to pass and thus the image reproduced would be dark without much details. This problem can be overcome by using telephoto macro lenses. These come with a focal length ranging between 100 to 200 mm, which allows enough distance between the camera lens and the object for light to pass through.
In case you want to use the camera's in-built flash, just try to prevent any shadow from being cast on the object. This can be done by using a diffuser. Always ensure to use the camera's self timer mode, this will help prevent any kind of blur due to handshake. You can use a high aperture, as this reduces the depth of field thus focusing on the subject directly.
Try and inculcate these factors while practising macro photography and get close to nature with realistic shots of flora and fauna.
