Review on the Canon PowerShot SX230 HS

Today I am going to talk about the Canon Powershot 230 HS. "HS?" you might say? Since the powershot 210 IS Canon has married a high sensitivity system with its Digic 4 processor. This means that it takes better pictures at night and other low light situations. Add on the 1080p video resolution and you have the makings for a truly awesome camera.

First I'm going to share on the photographic quality. Where as its predecessor has more megapixels (the 210 has 14 compared to the 230's 12) the 230 makes up for it with its' night time photo capability as well and still takes an awesome photo. I won't say that the night time photo capabilities are perfect by any means, I had still got some grainy images in a couple indoor settings, however I have seen a marked improvement over the vast number of cameras I have used and have photos so you can judge for yourself.

Video is another one of those awesome things that has been improved. The Powershot SX230 HS has records in 1080P high definition, where as the 210 IS records in 720P. I only had the opportunity to shoot in little short clips with the 230 but found its video quality to be quite exceptional. It was able to catch small detail up close and vibrant colors much in the same way that the photo functions did.

I found the array of features to be quite enjoyable. It truly pushed the limits of what I could normally do. If you happen to check out my page you will notice a number of fish eye photos which is something I normally don't do and and the other effects truly are amazing. I really enjoyed the "smart shutter" (an option that allows the camera to take the photo when it detects a smile) but didn't like how it worked in a group of people. It seems like it would lock in on one or maybe two people and then then take the photo, this would usually happen before everyone was ready to have their photo taken. So when it come to using that option I would leave that to maybe taking a photo of an unpredictable small child.

As far as things I didn't like, the list is really short. If you have done any research on this camera you are going to find one of the most common complaints is the flash placement. Once again, like my colleagues who have reported on this, I must also say that the flash (placed on the left side of the camera) is in a natural place for my finger to lay. This was annoying at first but eventually I learned to adapt by either firmly placing my finger over it so it wouldn't pop up, or get my finger out of the way if I was going to use it when I turned on the camera. Fortunately, you can open and close it manually which is a plus. Something I haven't gotten used to though is the small battery. By small I mean it doesn't last long with prolonged use. Fortunately this camera quickly turns on with all of its options but if you are going to use it for a prolonged period of time then I would recommend that you have an extra battery available. The GPS is a nice feature but once again if put in GPS log mode it will burn through your battery, also I had to go through more options than I'd like for having to toggle it on and off.

I know I spent quite a while on the cons, but I would still recommend this camera for anyone! The photo and video quality are superb and although I did have a grainy look to some of my photos this is to be expected with an aperture that is as open as it was. Overall this is an excellent camera and you won't be disappointed by its performance.

View the original article here

Canon and Nikon VS the Rest - How to Chose a Camera Manufacturer

While Canon and Nikon are most often regarded as the most popular DSLR manufactures, many other brand names offer competitive products. Pentax, Sigma, and Sony are some of the other big names that have been making headlines with new innovative products and features. But despite such headlines, choosing a DSLR manufacture involves further consideration than looking at a single camera.

Lenses

More important than a camera body is the lens that will accompany it. Quality between manufactures is minimal in most cases but the differences between a quality lens and a cheap kit lens is often noticeable. As you begin to grow as a photographer, your need for quality lenses will grow as well and ensuring that your camera manufacture offers the quality of lenses needed to transition from amateur to professional remains essential. Typically Canon and Nikon offer very high quality lenses for their cameras. Other manufactures like Zeiss, Sigma, Tamron and Tokina also build lenses for Canon, Nikon, and select other brands. As a result, Canon and Nikon will almost always yield the largest choices in lens both proprietary and 3rd party at a range of levels from amateur to professional.

Camera Bodies

These days, it is very difficult to find a bad camera. Almost every DSLR created offers stunning features at a range of price levels. This is especially true at the consumer/pro-sumer levels with a host of competition from various manufactures. However, as you begin to move up in quality and camera, many brands fail to offer products at this level. Both Sigma and Pentax do not have any current full frame cameras and Sony has only recently entered this segment competitively. Though Sony is attempting to infiltrate professional markets heavily this year, it still only offers limited choices in models. As a result, choosing a manufacture such as Sony or Sigma may result in having to sell your lens and camera collection when you begin to break into professional markets. That is not to say that Sony doesn't currently offer amazing feature packed DSLRs because they have several cameras, but currently they have only 1 camera for full frame users.

What other people use

It can also be important to know what other people in your field or industry are using. From the ability to trade and borrow lenses to gaining respect from your fellow photographers, there are definite advantages to using the same manufacture. You will probably discover for each field there are preferred cameras, manufactures, and equipment depending on your shooting needs. For those who need the best low light ability, Nikon will likely be a manufacture of choice with their low noise sensors while clients who need large prints will often use the high megapixel Canon models in many cases.

DSLR cameras are designed for flexibility. They allow you to expand your kit as you grow in skill by offering interchangeable lenses and multiple bodies at a variety of price and quality levels. Choosing a camera manufacture is an important first step as it will likely pave the way for your future direction in photography.

View the original article here