Nikon Coolpix P7000 vs Canon PowerShot G12

Colby, up close and personal..
Not taken with a Nikon P7000 :-)

There was an add during the basketball game tonight. It was one of the Ashton Kutcher Nikon adds.

This one was for the Nikon S8100. Based on the add, I was about to go online and order one.

Reason kicked in before my credit card made it out of my wallet, and I did some checking for the ratings. In the commercial, there was a short line that said more serious photographers should look at the Nikon P7000, so after finding out that the S8100 was not at the top of the "users' favs", I headed over to the P7000 Amazon page.

This looks like a serious competitor. In fact it looks a lot like the Canon G12 in almost every aspect. Since I love the Canon/Nikon debate, I thought it might be a good idea to compare the two. How I got from the Nikon S8100 to a comparison between these two "almost pro" digital compacts is still kind of fuzzy, but there I was.

To set the record straight, I am the owner of a Canon digital SLR, which I dearly love. However, I am in the market for a good compact, simply because carrying all that camera stuff 24/7 is not very convenient. I want something that I can carry with me no matter where I am.

My process for evaluating cameras has evolved into a rather predictable pattern. First stop is DPReview to see if an expert review has been written. Then I head over to Amazon to read the customer reviews. Final place to check is the B & H Photo store online where there are also some valuable user reviews.

I actually prefer these user reviews to the expert's articles because these are real people like me and you who are giving their honest opinion about the cameras. They don't get anything for their $.02 worth of opinion. But in my eyes, it is worth so much more than that.

In the Nikon P7000 vs Canon G12, there are about 40 user reviews for each, so it is a fairly reliable resource. They are pretty close in evaluation. Too close to call, in fact. And as mentioned, the features of each camera are also very close to identical. Both will give the advanced photographer all the control necessary to take charge of the final image results.

If one feature could push the decision, it would be the articulating LCD screen on the Canon G12. This is very handy, especially when shooting in unusual positions or capturing video.

However, the overall evaluation is at a standstill for right now. Maybe this doesn't help you if you are trying to decide on one of these cameras, but here is something else I came across in my research, and it is this: neither one of these two great cameras are the top choice of shoppers in this "almost pro" category. Nope, the evaluations didn't even get them into the "Top 5 Point and Shoot Cameras" list.

Lucky for you, there is such a list at: Top 5 Point and Shoot Cameras.
The web address is http://www.squidoo.com/top-5-point-and-shoot-cameras. Check it out.

Sigma 85mm f1.4 - New Mid-range Telephoto

Sigma 85mm f1.4 EX DG HSM

The Sigma 85mm f1.4 EX DG HSM Lens was announced months ago. It was due to release in the summer, but it actually became available in November.

Yours truly had great hopes for this lens, but I got tired of waiting and checking to see if it was available. Then, totally by accident, I came across it on Amazon, and to my shock, it is now shipping.
The Sigma 85 turns out to be a wonderful alternative to Canon's own 85mm f1.2 and Nikon's 85mm f1.4. On the Canon side, the price is almost $1000 less and for the Nikon model, you can save a respectable $200.

Right up front, I will admit that if you are a Canon shooter, and money is not an issue, go ahead and get the f1.2 version.

However, if you are not yet decided, by all means check out this comparison, because this new lens has gotten the attention of some "pixel peeping" experts in terms of its excellent performance.

I was personally interested in the release because of the perfect focal length and aperture for portrait photography. At f1.4, you will get superior Bokeh, as good as the more expensive lenses. And this is the goal of portrait photographers.

But aside from portraits, there are two other aspects of a really fast medium telephoto lens.

The first is indoor sports. The wide open aperture will get you some extremely fast shutter speeds in low light at events like basketball (my personal favorite). I have used my Canon 70-200 f4.0 lens with mediocre results. The Sigma 85mm f1.4 with its HSM (hypersonic motor) is "the cat's meow" in this type of light and action.

The second place this lens really shines is when using the video function on your digital SLR. The prime lens has such good image quality that it makes video look absolutely amazing. Again, the bokeh in your video (if taken at the wide open aperture) will look smooth and professional.


Tests against Canon and Nikon have placed the Sigma lens at equal or just below equal in image quality. And Sigma has been working hard to gain the trust of the expert photographic community.
This handsome lens deserves your attention.

Go to www.sigma85mm.com for more about the Sigma 85mm f1.4 medium telephoto lens. You will like what you see... guaranteed.

Canon and Nikon Again ~ Nikon D7000 vs Canon 7D

It truly is another digital slr camera shootout. Nikon D7000 Versus Canon 7D proves to be a war worthy of your attention. Which one is better?

7D sample from ming1967 Photostream on Flickr

Nikon has recently introduced its next generation mid-level digital slr. The Nikon D7000 is basically an upgrade for the D90, and that's a difficult place to fill. The D90 has become, and is still, an excellent camera meant for advanced amateurs and pros as well.


This new launch will fit in the identical grouping as the Canon 7D with regards to functions are concerned. Both are definitely not full frame digital SLRs, however both have elevated the bar regarding "crop sensors" to new levels.


Nikon and Canon have been duking it out for a long time now within the Digital slr market. Whenever a new launch comes by one, you can count on the other remaining right behind with a very similar dslr camera. The Nikon D7000 vs Canon 7D may possibly end up being among the hottest fought battles yet.

Sample image from the Nikon USA website

The truth of the matter is that the die-hard enthusiasts of either trademark are going to have their boasts of superiority for his or her personal manufacturer, and they will in all probability be warranted in what they say. No matter what camera you choose, you will have a great bit of photography design.


And so at this point, what exactly is there to compare and contrast?


First of all, a statement pertaining to sensor capacity. The canon features the larger sensor by just about 2-megapixels, however that is undoubtedly irrelevant. What is relevant is that you may well need to have much more storage area on your personal computer with either one of these cameras. A Raw picture will certainly take up to 16 megabytes of space. Should you shoot a sporting affair making use of continuous shooting mode with six to eight fps, think of how soon you are going to gobble up space both on your computer as well as on the storage media inside your camera.


Talking about storage cards, the Nikon features two slots for two times the images without needing to replace your cards. The canon has merely one position, although it offers dual picture processing for extremely quick efficiency.


One more plus regarding the Nikon D7000 is that auto focus functions while in video capture. For the Canon 7D, the video recording is an impressive function, but you need to manually focus whenever adjusting focal length.


One more difference is in selling price. The D7000 has a cost about $200 less than the 7D for purchasing just the dslr camera body. By the way, it is far better evaluate which lenses you would like depending on the style of Images you are likely to take most often before choosing a camera body with a package lens.


To get more about the Canon 7D and Nikon D7000 cameras visit http://hubpages.com/hub/Canon-7d-VS-Nikon-d7000

Buy A Canon 60D - Canon EOS 60D Review

Canon's most current Digital SLR launch, the Canon EOS 60D, is gaining plenty of recognition. However this is the case with any new model from either Canon or Nikon, the two most popular DSLR camera producers.

I wanted to know, not what the experts were claiming, but what the purchasers are declaring. I understand that not every buyer is an authority, however that could be the precise reason to see their reviews. Normally, they will give their completely sincere opinion regarding their user's experience.

Several of the issues I wish to know are these:

1. Are customers feeling "robbed" because the 60D doesn't have the exact same metal body and quick continuous shooting speed as the 50D?
2. How do new users like the articulating LCD?
3. Obviously, I would like to learn from those who buy a Canon 60D just how high they are evaluating this brand new camera and the reason why.

Just before getting to those points, the initial thing I noticed is that there is simply no common denominator that describes the experience level of Canon 60D individuals. There are several who are experts, and at the opposite extreme, there are some who are shifting up from a compact digital camera. And, not surprisingly there are virtually all levels between.

You can find numerous high rankings, and simply one lower ranking. However, there are not very many user scores as of this writing. It can be a great idea for you to check out the web based merchants and look over a number of of the comments for your self, because this new digital camera will be receiving user reviews on a regular basis.

Canon 60D Review - In Video

First question: How about the camera build?

There has not been one statement regarding the "budget" feel of the 60D.. Not even a single one. In fact there are a couple who like the fact that this DSLR is lighter than its forerunner. Interesting. The remark I like best states that the camera doesn't really feel substandard in the least, and he offers the point that he won't most likely not use his DSLR to "deflect a bullet" anytime soon. The jury is still out on whether the thermoplastic material the body is constructed of will last, but for the present, individuals are satisfied with how the camera feels in the photographer's hands, and it really looks like a very professional unit. One individual made the remark that his new photographic camera is less heavy, which might be beneficial for carrying it for hours.

Next: Are buyers taking to the new articulating LCD screen or not?

Feedback concerning this new element of Canon DSLR cameras were precisely what I envisioned. Folks really love it. It appears that some were essentially waiting for this release just to get this handy LCD screen. This is true of individuals moving away from a digital point and shoot camera, since a lot of of them have had this style of movable LCD screen for a long time. It truly is a rather useful component, as mentioned by a number of buyers.

Third question: Precisely what are the scores and for what reason?

The basic meaning of this query is to learn if photographers are happy with their buy. This is generally good to know. I have detected that quite a few photographers are highly influenced by the reviews of expert camera critics, and most of the "expert reviews" I find will at one point comment that Canon might well have included the features that are presently in the 50D, but alternatively chose to downgrade as a way to get this product "in between" the T2i and the 7D. What I see is that not any of the people who left comments gave it a second thought. As already stated, the comments offered are hugely complimentary. Most buyers declare that they "absolutely adore this camera." These are the sort of statements that make me sit up and take notice.

Despite the fact that photographers who buy a Canon 60D are not former 50D owners (at least I didn't notice any), there are a number of who have previously tested, or purchased, the Canon T2i and the 7D. And these customers are fully content with the 60D in comparison to these two other new Canon designs.

Canon 60D vs Canon T2i - Digital SLR Shootout - Déjà vu

Canon 60D with articulating LCD

The Canon 60D just splashed onto the US market in August, 2010. Are there enough significant differences to warrant a Canon 60D vs Canon T2i digital shootout? You may be surprised as you read this article.

It is a bold move for Canon to place a camera with the 60D name in a place that should have been reserved for an upgrade to the Canon 50D. Since it is not a true upgrade in the most technical sense.

The Canon 60D does, however, fit the position into which it is being targeted. Engineers have been working overtime throughout the past year, and it is apparently paying off "in spades" as the Canon T2i and the Canon 7D have done extremely well against all challengers.

Canon 60D vs Canon T2i

Canon 60D vs Canon Rebel T2i

In a head-to-head comparison, the 60D vs T2i is an interesting study. While both use the exact same sensor and processor, as well as the body construction, there are a few differences that make the newer camera worth the extra money.

Just wanted to mention here that video is not one of those added benefits, because the T2i also has outstanding video quality. However, Canon has evidently made video a priority in their new DSLRs. All three of its mid-range DSLR cameras that have been released during the past year have shared video as one of their top features. That being said, there is one added feature to the video package of the 60D. It is an improved audio input system which allows for dual stereo input.

An articulating 3" LCD screen puts the 60D in a class all its own. This is a first for Canon DSLRs. It is a real plus when capturing video and for shooting from unusual positions like really low to the ground or above the head.

Yet another advantage of the 60D vs T2i is the rate of image capture. The 60D can operate at 5.3 fps vs 3.7 fps in the Rebel model.

The new camera also has an electronic level in the viewfinder. This makes it easy to get that horizon straight.

Both the Rebel T2i and the 60D have 9 point auto focus control. However, there is now cross-type auto focus for each of the 9 points in the 60D, while the T2i has only one cross-type auto focus point. Another plus for the new kid on the block.

Wireless flash control and improved control called auto-ISO which makes it easier to change ISO settings on the fly round out the most significant improvements in the Canon 60D.

Canon 60D vs T2i - The Final Word

The Canon T2i is a marvelous camera for the entry level DSLR photographer. Excellent image quality is just one of many reasons for the popularity of the T2i. In fact, the Canon Rebel T2i is among the top 5 best sellers at the online stores. You just can't miss if you decide to buy one.

The Canon 60D, in comparison, may end up being in the same entry level category, since semi-pros might be put off by the "hybridization" of the new model, the more durable magnesium body construction (available in the 50D) being just one example.

So which camera will you choose in the Canon 60D vs Canon Rebel T2i competition? Do you need additional information in order to make up your mind? Visit http://digital-photographic-resources.com/cameras/canon-mid-range.html for a visual side-by-side comparison.

Compare 50mm Lenses for Canon Digital SLR Cameras

Cheap 50mm Lens for Canon

Is there a Cheap 50mm Canon Lens With Image Quality

Are you one of those who believe that cheap and good do not come together in the same package? How about a good, cheap 50mm lens for a Canon digital SLR camera? Even harder, right? Make sure you read this entire article because you will be very surprised at what you will learn.

The understanding is that if you are an SLR owner, then you should also own a 50mm lens. The "50mm standard" is still the believe of many photographers who have been shooting for a long time. The development of zoom lenses has made the "50mm rule" a relic. Many photographers who are new to the business or hobby are not aware of the premise at all.

But a 50mm lens is a prime lens, and prime lenses almost always win the battle of image quality when pitted against a zoom lens.

In particular, the Canon 50mm prime lenses have been developed to a point where they are technologically sound and nearly perfect. Therefore, every photographer really ought to think about having one in their camera case.

It's a logical conclusion when you really think about it. Changes in focal length that happen during the "zoom process" necessitate much more complex technology to deal with unwanted effects like barrel distortion or vignetting. Since the Canon 50mm lenses are already fantastic in their engineering, if a new development in lens glass comes along, they just have to replace the glass and all is good.

Right now there are actually three(3) models of the 50mm Canon lens (well, 4 if you take into consideration the 50mm Canon macro).

• Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM - top of the line, part of the Canon "L" series which is their very best group of DSLR camera lenses
• 50mm f/1.4 - medium price and fantastic
• 50mm f/1.8 - cheap but fantastic

There is not much difference to note unless you look a little closer. The differences are in build quality and aperture. The first two on the list are more solidly built and have more lens glass than the third one. But that does not mean the image quality is a whole lot different. To a "normal" viewer there will be very little noticeable difference in the photos from these lenses (this is a trained technician type who examines photos for the purpose of lens and camera reviews).

Cheap 50mm Lens For Canon

As far as the 50mm f/1.8 lens is concerned, Canon has used the amazing technology developed for the glass and configuration of the basic lens and combined it with a cheaper wrapping, this being plastic, to make it much more affordable so that virtually every Canon DSLR owner can have one.

For photographers who are fairly new to digital SLR cameras, this cheap 50mm lens for Canon cameras could be the perfect lens, especially if you own a Canon 50D or one of the Canon Rebels. Since those types of cameras have a "crop sensor", the image is more like one shot with an 80mm lens (this is 1.6 x 50mm), which makes this lens perfect for portraits and other mid-range focal length requirements.

Here is the plain truth. Buying a zoom lens for the same money that will get you the cheap 50mm lens will get you a cheap lens with poor quality images. On the other hand, you get really good image quality if you buy a cheap 50mm lens.

Yes, the build quality of the lens is a bit "toyish" in feel, but the output is nothing less than great.

If you take care of this little lens, you will have fantastic photos for a long time.

Hopefully, you are ready to find out much more about this dandy little "cheap" Canon 50mm lens. Click on www.canoneoslenses.org to find out whether this is the right choice for your Canon digital SLR.

Canon Rebel Portrait Lens - Special Lenses Give Special Results

A Canon Rebel Portrait Lens
will make a good camera better

Working with a DSLR camera makes you an ideal photographer to shoot those portraits for family and friends. Which Canon Rebel portrait lens is right to get the best head shots? You may be surprised.

The day you get your first (or upgraded) Canon Rebel digital SLR camera is very exciting. You are now a master, or at least a semi-pro. Men and women around you will naturally assume that you are in truth a professional.

Do you know anything about portraits? Do you know the requirements for a Canon Rebel portrait lens?

As a photographer, you will be called upon to do a portrait or two at some time. Even if it's just your relatives who takes it for granted that you are a fabulous portrait shooter. More to the point, these people will expect you to do the job for little or no money.

It is simply undeniable. When people see that huge digital camera, they simply suppose that you're a pro and you will shoot any type of photo with excellence.

Just a word of advice, don't actually tell them you just got that Canon Rebel. Keep that awesome camera in front of your face and let them think you are great at your particular hobby.

Listed below are the two main things to bear in mind for getting a great portrait.

Initially, you will want to be from about 6 to 20 feet away from the subject of your portrait. You will likely get some distorted facial features if you are nearer than half a dozen feet.

Secondly, make sure you choose as large an aperture as you can, like f/2.8 or f/4. A large aperture tend to give you a narrow depth of field, meaning that the plane of focus is restricted to several inches behind and in front of the main focus area (this would be the face in a portrait). The object of a narrow depth of field is to create a blurry background.

Selecting a lens to do this might only mean looking in your camera case or actually currently on the Rebel, because you may currently have a great lens.

Your Canon Rebel has a sensor that multiplies the focal length of the lens by a factor of 1.6. To figure the effective length of a lens when using a Canon Rebel, you simply need to multiply the focal length by 1.6. So, a 100mm lens actually acts like a 180mm lens when attached to a Rebel.

A head shot usually consists of a photo area roughly 3 to 4 feet tall. Taking a photo by using a 100mm lens might place you about 15 feet from your model... excellent.

The very least focal length lens you can actually use to obtain that same photo will be a 50mm lens, and that would put you, the photographer, six feet from your model to be able to get the ideal portrait.

Canon EF-S 60mm Macro - Excellent
as a Canon Rebel Portrait lens

One lens in particular, the Canon EF-S 60mm Macro, is designed mainly for cameras such as the Canon Rebels. It truly is excellent for macro and portraits.

The perfect Canon Rebel portrait lens could also be a longer focal length. In particular, a 70-200mm zoom lens works really well due to how totally amazing the pictures are. It is in reality what lots of photographers indicate is Canon "Flagship" lens. Should you possess one of several 70-200mm lenses (and there are five of them now), you will be set.

On the other hand, a lot of photographers feel that a single focal length lens does the best job and takes the very best portrait images (a prime lens has a single focal length instead of a zoom). You cannot find any disagreement that a superb portrait photo could be obtained by using a 100mm prime or possibly a 135mm prime lens. These are excellent lenses. Yet they're also higher in price than many others.

If, perhaps budget may play some role during your decision, keep in mind the focal length is generally from 50mm or higher. It really is your position (distance from your subject), the point of view of the picture, and the level of quality of the lens that make the photograph.

Should you be getting numerous portraits, then a good quality lens with the proper focal length and aperture might be an excellent investment. Having said that, if you are not considering producing portraits your main kind of photography, you really should purchase a lens that can satisfy your desires for whichever sort of images you plan to major in and let it be used as a Canon Rebel Portrait lens.

For more about Canon Rebel Portrait lenses, visit http://www.canoneoslenses.org/canon-portrait-lenses/.