1. Compact and Bridge cameras
Answering the question 'what digital camera should I buy?'
has become much more difficult lately, because there are more types of camera
available, with the rise of compact system cameras (CSCs), smart cameras with
Wi-Fi and GPS, bridge or superzoom cameras, retro-styled cameras, high-end
camera phones and more.
When deciding which camera is best for you, first you need
to decide which type of camera you want, then choosing a brand and a model will
be easier.
Compact System Cameras or CSCs - also known as mirrorless
cameras - reap the benefits of digital technology and exclude the mirror found
in a DSLR to enable them to be made smaller and lighter while still accepting
interchangeable lenses. A key advantage that most CSCs have over most compact
cameras is that the sensors are larger so that they can deliver better image
quality, while still having a relatively small body.
But perhaps an even smaller compact camera with a fixed
rather than an interchangeable lens is what you are looking for?
The video below explains the basic differences between the
different types of camera - compact, compact system, DSLR and bridge or
superzoom - to help you decide what camera is the most appropriate choice for
you and your photography.
Alternatively, a bridge or superzoom camera may be up your
street. Bridge cameras are so called because they bridge the gap between a DSLR
and a compact camera by having a mini-DSLR shape but with a fixed lens that
usually has a huge zoom range.
What is a bridge camera?
For many photography enthusiasts, a full DSLR is still the
only way to go. Yes they are big and heavy, but they have optical viewfinders,
larger sensors and, in the right hands, produce top-rate images.
Each camera type has its appeal, but which is the right one
for you? Read on to find out.
Compact and bridge
cameras
Compact cameras are traditionally aimed at the general
public and occasional users who wouldn't call themselves photographers. Stuffed
with 'smart' and 'intelligent' technology such as Wi-Fi, many compact cameras
are ideal for those happy to leave all the decision making to the camera rather
than select settings themselves.
There are, however, advanced models that enable a similar
level of control over aspects such as exposure and colour as a DSLR.
Since there are hundreds of compact camera models from many
manufacturers, it is often very difficult to choose the right one, but here are
a few pointers to put you on the right path.
Pixels
Models priced below £250/AU$400/US$350 all share a similar
size of sensor, which today incorporates around 12-16 million pixels (MP). This
comfortably meets and exceeds the requirements of most users.
While a greater number of pixels can be beneficial in good
light, this can otherwise have a detrimental effect on image quality,
particularly when you venture up a camera's sensitivity range to its
four-figure ISO settings.
This doesn't mean you should actively avoid digital cameras
with the most megapixels, but that your decision making should involve a number
of other factors.
If you do plan on buying a simple compact camera, and you're
likely to be using it in a range of lighting conditions, look out for those
which use a backlit sensor, as these tend to capture images with less grainy
and destructive noise, and with a wider dynamic range. It's possible to find
these at a range of prices, from entry-level models to more advanced cameras
twice as expensive, and the use of this technology is rapidly proliferating.
What lens?
Other things to look out for include the range of the
camera's lens, since this will determine how suitable it is for different
subjects.
A wideangle lens which begins at the equivalent of around 24
or 28mm, for example, is an excellent choice for indoor shots and landscapes,
and those which extend to 250mm (equivalent) and beyond are ideal for nature
and wherever you need to focus on far-off details.
It's a good idea to look for cameras with either lens- or
sensor-based image stabilisation systems, particularly if you're looking to buy
a camera with a relatively long zoom. These help maintain a higher standard of
image quality than sensitivity- and processing-based technologies.
Viewfinder
Not many compact cameras offer a viewfinder these days,
although there are still a few, most notably the Fuji X100S, Canon G15, Canon
G1 X and Fuji X20.
In some cases these are linked to the optical zooms of the
cameras so that they move in tandem with the lens, and can be useful for
shooting in bright light when LCD screens become hard to view.
Pushing the boat out
So, what if you have a little more money to spend - what
camera should you be looking for then? And what are their benefits?
A more expensive compact camera may provide a larger sensor
and a better quality lens, which together help improve all aspects of image
quality. Many also offer manual control over exposure for when you want to get
creative, and you may also get a raw shooting mode which will give you a better
starting point for any post-capture processing you may wish to carry out.
Furthermore, such models are likely to have a superior LCD
screen to those on cheaper cameras, which will not only resolve details with
greater clarity but will also be easier to view in harsh and sunny conditions.
Alternatively, if it's a large zoom range you're after, you
may want to consider a bridge or superzoom camera. These combine expansive
optical zooms with manual exposure options, which together provide control
similar (but not equivalent) to that of a DSLR.
Alongside their LCD screens, bridge cameras tend to
incorporate electronic viewfinders (EVFs) with around 230,000 dots. The
performance of these varies wildly between models, so it's worth investigating
this before deciding on any particular model.
Electronic viewfinders also have the benefit of displaying
much of the information found on the camera's LCD screen, which enables you to
view and change settings without you needing to pull the camera away from your
eye.
While the results from a bridge camera generally fall short
of DSLR quality, what you lose in quality you make up for with portability and
the convenience of such a wide zoom range in a small and inexpensive body. Many
now offer articulated LCD screens and HD video recording, and some even go on
to offer a raw shooting mode.
Compact and bridge camera summary
In summary, if you have about £300-£400 (AU/US$400-$500) to
spend, and you want something pocketable yet capable, look out for a camera
with a healthy range of manual control, an LCD screen with at least 460,000
dots and ideally a backlit sensor.
But before you do that, consider whether you'd be better off
with a compact system camera instead.
2. Compact system cameras
Compact system cameras (CSCs) sit between the advanced compacts
described earlier and the more professional DSLR cameras. Their key advantages
are that they use the same kinds of sensors and processors found in DSLRs, and
that they are compatible with a range of high quality, newly developed lenses,
designed for specific tasks.
So, unlike with compact cameras, where you have a fixed,
all-purpose optic, you can alternate between a standard kit lens for everyday
shooting, a macro lens for detailed close-up shots, and a telephoto lens for
nature and sports photography, among other options.
Manufacturers are targeting several different users for this
new breed of camera, from first-time users demanding an inexpensive way of
attaining high-quality results, right through to enthusiasts and professionals
who need a smaller alternative to their DSLR body and lenses. This means
there's quite a bit of choice.
Suitability for all
users
The CSC format has only been in existence since September
2008 when Panasonic announced the G1, but it has been widely deemed a great
success.
For the novice user, such cameras provide the ease of use of
compacts and fun-orientated functionality such as special filters and effects,
while for the more advanced photographer they add manual control, raw shooting
and image quality of a standard equal to similarly-priced DSLRs.
With no moving mirrors they are also more discreet than
DSLRs, and what operational sounds there are can often be quietened or almost
completely silenced if required.
It doesn't stop there though. Their LCD screens typically
match the quality of those found on professional DSLRs, with many offering
touchscreen control. The electronic viewfinders on certain models are far more
detailed than those on bridge cameras, which is particularly useful for judging
focus.
The CSC's mirrorless construction also allows for
particularly fast burst speeds, while HD video recording is now commonplace.
Furthermore, a vast assortment of adaptors enable older
optics from entirely different and defunct mounts to be used with little
hassle, making them particularly appealing to seasoned photographers with a
collection of legacy lenses.
Which shape?
Which camera is right for your needs will depend largely on
whether you'd prefer a DSLR-like body or something more compact, as well as your
preference with regards to operation.
Many newer CSCs make use of innovative touchscreen operation
rather than physical controls and buttons, and this is likely to polarise
opinion. In poor lighting conditions it can help to have virtual buttons located
on a screen rather than physical buttons whose purpose may not be clearly seen.
Planning ahead
So what are the downsides of a compact system camera (CSC)?
With the format still in its infancy, the sector is still in
the midst of being fully established, and that applies to its lenses and
accessories as much as it does to its cameras. That said, the Micro Four Thirds
system employed by Panasonic and Olympus has a very healthy array of lenses and
accessories, with more optics being produced by third party manufacturers such
as Sigma.
Regardless of what camera you go for, you should ask
yourself: does the manufacturer have - or is it planning to have - a more
advanced model to which I could upgrade? Are the lenses and any accessories I
want available and affordable?
Portability and speed
You should also bear in mind that while CSCs may be more
portable than DSLRs, you generally can't slip them into your pocket with a lens
attached as you can with entry-level and mid-range compact cameras. The
exception to this is when using certain CSC bodies with pancake lenses, the
combination of which is similar in size to that of a compact model.
The lenses of advanced compacts often retract into their
bodies, or generally only add a few millimetres to the overall profile.
Viewfinder
Some touchscreen models enable you to focus and capture
images simply by pressing the screen.
On the other hand, many photographers are used to using
buttons and dials, rather than poking at and swiping through menu systems.
As compact system cameras in part owe their small size and
weight to the lack of a mirror that reflects light into a DSLR's viewfinder,
they also lack an optical viewfinder. Some offer an electronic alternative, but
not everyone likes them, even though their quality has improved recently.
While some cameras don't have a viewfinder, others have a
port that enables an optional viewfinder to be attached. The electronic
viewfinder (EVF) shows the image as it will be captured, taking into account
the focal length of the lens as well as exposure and white balance settings.
In some cases it's possible to mount an external optical
viewfinder on the hotshoe, however, these are fixed to one focal length, which
isn't particularly helpful when using a zoom lens.
Focusing
Another consequence of CSC's construction is that they don't
offer the fast phase-detection focusing systems which DSLR photographers take
for granted. The speed of the contrast-detection and hybrid (contrast and phase
detection combined) systems used in their place is constantly improving, and in
some recent models it's impressively prompt. However, in terms of flexibility,
the DSLR still has the overall advantage.
3. DSLR's
Digital SLR cameras evolved from their film forebears, and
many manufacturers chose to continue supporting the mounts they were already
using - conveniently so for those with a few lenses. Until the relatively
recent arrival of CSCs, DSLRs represented the only serious consumer-oriented
option for high-quality imaging, but even today they remain the weapon of
choice for the professional and enthusiast user.
Sensors - size matters
There are many reasons why DSLRs are popular with keen and
professional photographers. Of course, some of this is down to what a
photographer is accustomed to using, and, should they already own a collection
of lenses, the idea of trading everything in holds little appeal.
For many professionals, though, it's the size of the sensor
which is an important factor. Full-frame sensors such as the Nikon D600, Nikon
D800, Canon 6D and Canon 5D Mark III have three major benefits: first, they
allow for larger photosites (aka pixels) than smaller sensors. Not only does
this make them better equipped for capturing low-light scenes with minimal
noise, it also helps to preserve a wide dynamic range.
Second, they can fit a greater number of pixels than APS-C
and other smaller types, assuming the pixels are the same size. This is an
important factor in relation to the level of detail which may be resolved, and
may even be crucial depending on how the images will ultimately be used.
Finally, because they apply no crop factor to lenses,
full-frame DSLRs are far more suitable for wideangle work, such as for landscapes,
architecture and reportage.
The large variety of lenses developed for the more common
systems also helps to ensure that the pro is never lacking, and here CSCs still
have some way to go.
For press and wedding photographers in particular, the ability
to use full-frame models for video shooting is also a bonus, particularly when
the combined effects of large sensors and specialist lenses is considered. The
DSLR video sector in particular is seeing a lot of development, not just from
camera manufacturers, but also third parties who produce microphones, supports
and other accessories commonly used by the DSLR videographer.
Professional-level DSLRs also have large pentaprism
viewfinders; these make use of glass prisms and superior optics which display a
scene with clarity and brightness. Cheaper DSLRs also use optical viewfinders,
but they often contain mirrors rather than glass.
Called pentamirror viewfinders, these help to keep a
camera's overall weight and price down. But they can't quite compete with
pentaprism viewfinders for brightness, and often only show around 95% of the
scene.
Build and
functionality
It's true that DSLRs priced under £1,000/AU/US$1,500 face
considerably more competition from the CSC market than pro-level models, given
the similarities of pricing and specification between the two camps.
Regardless of the category under which a DSLR falls, though,
their build quality and ergonomics make them ideal for more professional use,
particularly in situations where they may encounter adverse conditions or where
they may face being bashed around.
Some photographers simply find CSCs too small, and prefer
the larger build of a DSLR. The current trend for CSCs to offer much of their
operation through touchscreens rather than physical controls, combined with the
different methods of achieving focus, means that for action and sports
photography in particular the DSLR still holds an advantage.
Viewfinder
Many DSLR users are used to shooting with an optical
viewfinder and are understandably reluctant to switch to a camera which can
only render an electronic facsimile of the scene in front of them - however
detailed it may be.
However, it's worth bearing in mind that EVFs are improving
all the time, and they show the image as it will be captured, taking into
account the colour, white balance and exposure settings.
4. What camera you should buy?
Still undecided about what camera to buy?
The first step is to ask yourself what you want to do with
your new camera.
For everyday shooting, look at getting a compact camera,
such as the Panasonic TZ40. They're usually the cheapest and also the least
intimidating - and they offer automatic features for those with little
photography experience. There are also models that provide a bit more in the
way of control for experienced users who want to travel light.
For next-level photography, try a bridge camera, such as the
Nikon L820. These fill the gap between point-and-shoot compacts and DSLRs.
They've got loads of manual features, but the lens (which usually has a huge
focal length range) is fixed.
If you want to get really serious, then a DSLR - such as the
Canon EOS 70D - is the one for you. These single lens reflex cameras enable you
to choose your own lenses and take full manual control - but they also have
lots of automated features.
If you're scared off by the size of a DSLR then look for a
compact system camera (CSC), such as the Nikon 1 J3. You get almost the same
functionality, but in a much smaller chassis.
Lens
If you buy a DSLR or a compact system camera you will need
to buy a great lens as well. Many cameras come bundled with one or two as a
kit, which is a good starting point, but you may want to look at alternatives.
You can't change lenses with bridge and compact cameras, so
look for a decent optical zoom. This enables you to get closer to the action
without reducing picture quality. Try to ignore digital zooms, because they
just crop into the image.
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