Digital SLRs - The Battle for #1

Wonder what it looks like in the marketing think-tanks at Nikon and Canon right now. Is anyone getting any sleep? What should we, the camera buying public look for before making our purchase?

The Battle
If you check the sales in Entry Level Digital SLRs right now, you will find that Nikon is holding a slight edge over Canon at the number one sales spot on Amazon. But right behind is Canon at the second and third spots. Number four and five are... Nikon, again.
Here are the ratings:
1. Nikon D3000
2. Canon EOS Rebel T1i
3. Canon EOS Rebel XSi
4. Nikon D5000
5. Nikon D90

It does appear that the marketing departments are working overtime as we approach the biggest sales period of the year. And there is good reason. There is much at stake here. If you watch prime time TV, it is clear that both manufacturers are investing major $$$ in advertising right now, and it is targeting their top sellers in the Digital SLR market.

The Breakdown
So how does that affect us, the consumers? How do we evaluate the cameras?
It's really a crazy situation because the differences are difficult to find. But let's focus on the top 4 sellers.
There are two categories - Inexpensive:hereafter referred to as Cheap and Very Inexpensive: aka Dirt Cheap.
When you are looking to buy in the semi-pro market, cheap equates to something under $1000, and Dirt Cheap is under about $700.

A closer look:
Dirt Cheap - Nikon D3000 vs Canon XSi - similar feature sets, excellent image quality, NO video mode
Cheap - Nikon D5000 vs Canon T1i - slightly better image processor than the Dirt Cheap models, but the major difference is that they include HD video.

Does it matter which brand you choose? Absolutely not, unless you already have lenses for one or the other. If you do have some lenses, it will benefit you to stick with that brand of camera.

The Bottom Line
So the bottom line is that the advertising gets your attention. Buying a Digital SLR based on the advertisement that impresses you will not be a problem. You WILL get an excellent camera and a good deal. No second guessing necessary here.

Side-by-side comparisons
CLICK - Cheap DSLRs
CLICK - Dirt Cheap DSLRs

Looking for a GREAT Walk Around Lens - the New Sigma 18-250mm Could Be Your Best Bet

When buying your first (second, or third) DSLR camera, you may want to consider getting just the camera body along with a lens other than the recommended kit lens. There are a few reason for this:

• Get a wider focal range than what is offered in the kit lens
• Get better image quality than what is offered in the kit lens
• Save money by not having to purchase more than one lens initially

Sigma has just released a new lens that is excellent for the "walk around" lens category. It is the Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM Zoom Lens. It is made specifically for APS-C cameras such as the Canon Rebels and Nikon D3000 or D5000.

I know that is a mouthful of lens, but it has already made an impact on DSLR owners because of its quality and performance.

This is from the B & H Photo Lens Description:

"The Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM Zoom Lens utilizes an anti-shake compensation function, with a 13.8 times zoom ratio. This lens's Hybrid Optical Stabilizer provides not only an anti-shake function for the camera body, but also compensates for image shaking in the view finder as the Optical Stabilizer is built in to the lens.

Four special low dispersion glass elements and three aspherical lens elements, results in excellent image quality throughout the entire zoom range. With a minimum focusing distance of 17.7" at all focal lengths and a maximum magnification of 1:3.4 reproduction ratio, this wide-range zoom is great for close-up photography as well as for telephoto shooting.

Note! This lens is only for APS-C / DX sensors (not full frame).

• Optical Stabilizer
• Low Dispersion Glass
• Super Multi-layer Coating Inner Focusing System
• Magnification of 1:3.4 For Close-up Photography
• Petal-type Lens Hood"

And here is just one comment from a happy buyer:

"I recently bought it (Sigma 18-250) to replace my Sigma 17-70mm and Canon 55-250mm IS lenses. This 18-250mm is very much like the 17-70mm in overall quality. It is of high quality! I've used it mostly so far for night photography and also for fast action, and wildlife (crocodiles in Jamaica; can't trust that ear to ear smile of theirs). All the pictures I shot with it were hand held and the OS system performed flawlessly. I DID brace myself against columns, trees, etc... when necessary for some night shots. So I was relatively stable, though not 100%. The OS took care of the rest and my exposures were blurr-free. I use it on my EOS 40D and it complements very well the speed and low light capabilities of the camera. It is fast and quiet. The zoom action is quite precise though smoothness varies over the range... understandable for a 13.9:1 zoom range! It shows virtually no play when fully extended. Also, I've checked its macro ability, and found it to be approx. 1:2.5, far better than Sigma's very conservative spec. Very highly recommended!!!!"

I am waiting for delivery of my new Sigma 18-250 right now. I will post a personal review at www.digital-photographic-resources.com as soon as I have tested it. If you are looking for a great digital camera, please look here.

Two Digital Rebels - How Can I Decide?

There seems to be a ton of interest in the comparison of the newest Canon Rebel models.
So I thought I would weigh in again on the subject.

First, let me say that once you make your decision, no matter which camera you choose, you will not be disappointed. Both cameras record fantastic images.

If there is one thing that every reviewer agrees upon, it is the image quality of the Rebel matches or exceeds that of other entry level DSLR's.

But let's talk about Creative Auto. What is that?

Check out this nifty animation. I grabbed it from the Canon website. They have added a new setting on the selection wheel called "CA" - you guessed it - Creative Auto.



Here's how Canon describes it: "the Creative Auto mode — as the name suggests — lets the photographer apply the creative effects he or she wants, but in a friendly, automatic way that doesn’t force them to get into aperture numbers, exposure compensation numbers and so on."

Settings that are available to manipulate using Creative Auto include:

• Background: Blurred <--> Sharp
• Exposure: Darker <--> Brighter
• Picture Style - Choose between “Standard”, “Smooth skin tones”, “Vivid blues and greens”, and Monochrome image”.
• Image Quality - nothing new here, just easier to get to on the LCD screen
  
• Drive Mode - single shot or continuous advance (up to 3.4frames per second), again, not new, just easier access

This feature has migrated to the Rebel T1i from the higher end cameras, the 5D and the 50D. One reviewer has mentioned that it helps newer photographers handle the camera.

So, while this is a nifty feature, is it worth the extra money (about $200) you have to pay for the new Rebel T1i over the not-so-old version, the Rebel XSi?

Other upgrades are a newer image processor - the DIGIC 4, and movie mode.

The DIGIC III in the Rebel XSi is still a very fine processor, and movie mode...

You have to decide whether you want to spend the extra money to get these features.

From my experience with the Canon Digital Rebel 300D (that's the original version from a few years back), the images were fantastic. Many photographers will tell you it's not the camera as much as who is holding the camera.

HERE is where I have added some other comparisons of the two Digital Rebels.

May the good photos be yours!

Canon has released a new version of the Digital Rebel - it's the T1i.

This comes only a year after a similar version (the Canon Digital Rebel XSi) was released.

So what's up?

Well, this one has video capabilities, as well as, something called Creative Auto.

The pricetag is similar to new Rebel releases - $899 which includes a 18-55mm IS Kit lens.

This is not a bad deal. In fact every Digital Rebel that Canon has released has been a good deal.

It's mainly because of the great product the Digital Rebel has been. This little entry level DSLR produces great photos. And now the sensor size is up to 15.1 megapixels!

But WAIT. Do you really want to take video footage with your DSLR?

Most folks buy a DSLR for the flexibility of lens choice and quality of still photos.

I have seen the video image quality of point and shoot cameras, and I have seen a video produced by the new Rebel T1i. It's OK, but it's definitely not Hollywood quality.

The price of the Digital Rebel XSi (in the $710 neighborhood) will save you almost $200. Image quality is just as good, and you get all the other features and controls you would get for the extra 200 bucks.

But, Oh, I forgot about the Creative Auto!

It turns out that Creative Auto is one of the features from compact point and shoot cameras that is not all that reliable. It's for those who don't want to learn how to use their camera to its fullest.

If you're buying a DSLR, I think you should learn to use it. (just my opinion)

So, I still would go with the Canon Digital Rebel SXi.

At least that's "the way eye see it".

Want more of a comparison? I thought so.

Here it is: Compare the Canon Digital Rebel XSi and T1i.