The Fuji FinePix X100 packs a lot of punch for a high-end compact digital when considering overall image quality and precision. We were impressed with its speed and accuracy, especially when shooting in the street. Secondary to its fine image-making potential, it easily ranks as one of the most beautiful and aesthetically pleasing cameras on the market, a sure score for artsy photography enthusiasts and anyone who appreciates good design. (There’s even a gorgeous, old-fashioned, and highly recommended protective leather case that you can buy that looks and fits just like the 35mm cameras from yesteryear, though it doesn’t come standard.)
The main reason for the Fuji X100’s high quality image-making ability lies in the fact that it contains a custom designed APS-C size CMOS 12.3-megapixel sensor designed to work perfectly with its fixed-focal length 23mm F2 lens (equivalent to 35mm lens on a 35mm film camera). Fuji has hyped this camera to the extreme and hails its image sensor as “ten times the [light] sensitivity of a typical compact.” We agree (and enjoyed low-noise images up to 12800 ISO) but this camera is not for those who are impatient or who can’t be bothered reading a manual. To really get it to sing, you’re going to need to spend some time getting familiar with its menus, options, and other nuances.
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Make no mistake about it: the Canon EOS 5D Mark II is no ordinary camera. Far from just being exceptional, it literally scales mountains in comparison to other semi-professional or high-end consumer models in terms of its image-making potential.
Among the reasons why are the minute variances in exposure that it achieves with minor adjustments in manual aperture and shutter speed settings and its overall sensitivity to the lowest amount of light imaginable. Gorgeous images shot in near-complete darkness are still possible; they’re even magical, given the right conditions. You’ll want to try all the shots never before possible, including silhouettes, crisp stage shots, dreamy dusks and dawns, and everything in between.
For instance, with a typical DSLR there are few notable differences in exposure in many cases when shooting outside in moderately bright light between aperture- or shutter-priority settings. The 21.1 mega-pixel full-frame CMOS image sensor in the Canon D5 Mark II is so light sensitive, however, those same differences in settings (even under the same light) can be radically diverse, enabling photographers to carefully hone their skills and make thoughtful decisions about exactly how light impacts their images. In short, the 5D Mark II gives photographers the kind of superior manual control they always dreamed of, enabling them the opportunity to create images with great impact in any type of light. Unlike every other camera before it, impressionable users of Canon’s Mark II will begin thinking about photography as they should: as a way to electronically paint with light. Having a camera with ISO settings that surpass almost all other DSLRs—from 100 to 25,600—doesn’t hurt that equation either. Better still, those settings are now both automatic and manual and visible in the viewfinder, criticisms often made of the 5D’s predecessor. And users won’t even miss the electronic flash, something that doesn’t come standard on most professional models anyway.
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Forget everything you know about digital point-and-shoot cameras. The Canon PowerShot S100 will make you rethink digital picture making and the convenience of capturing your world with the ease of using a pocket camera. And with more tricks in store than Houdini had in his prime, such as impressive HD video recording (24 and 30 frames per second with stereo sound!), myriad pre- and post-production editing features, and a retractable, versatile zoom that brings your subject up to 20 times closer, you’ll be the one whose the master illusionist.
If you’re a DSLR elitist, get ready for an intervention. The PowerShot S100 is a sleek, sophisticated machine that performs extremely well in either fully automated or manual modes, has a retractable lens that ranges from a 24-mm wide angle to a 20X zoom, and saves images as RAW and/or JPEG files. When you’re ready, it also delivers more post-production editing features than many pricier DSLRs and let’s you completely customize all your favorite functions with the push of a few buttons, including automated exposure bracketing. It’s the camera you’ll joyfully marry for its elegance without fearing a short-lived honeymoon due to poor performance. In more concise terms, Canon’s S100 packs a lot of punch for a consumer-ready lightweight that can be worn around the wrist and easily operated with one hand.
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In recent years photography enthusiasts from all stripes have kicked to the curb most point-and-shoot cameras in favor of the heavier, more professional-looking, and in most cases, more versatile DSLR models. The truth is, any professional or would-be professional was right to do so. Until now, most compact point-and shoot models were entirely manufactured for consumers who used them mainly for snapshots, and moderately at best. Suddenly, the game has changed. All the improvements have now made many high-end compacts capable of delivering a competitive level of quality in image detail, speed, memory capability, lens versatility, post-production editing features, and more. As it turns out, the compact Fuji X10 point-and-shoot is among the best choices for the amateur and semi-pro consumer market.
First, let’s talk quality. The Fuji X10 has it in spades. Its body is made from ultra lightweight die-cast magnesium alloy, which feels great in the palm of your hands, manages to resist fingerprints, and provides the camera with a no-slip grip.
Visually, the Fuji X10 is designed to look and feel authentically retro, almost like the more famous (and much more expensive) Leica models of yesterday. Even the X10’s interface, button arrangement, and retractable zoom lens mimics the classic Leica (without the expensive price tag) and looks, from a distance, just like it. In fact, if you’re a design connoisseur, this is most definitely the camera for you. Read the rest of this review »
As a consumer-friendly digital model that comes ready to deliver straight out the box, Canon’s PowerShot SX40 HS has more than a few advantages over similarly priced point-and-shoot models. It is small and lightweight, making it an excellent compact choice for on-the-go shooting and it has tremendous versatility in its lens. Not only is it a remarkable machine in terms of its ability to deliver a vast array of distinctly different images, but it performs equally well with beginner and/or first-time photographers as it does with seasoned professionals who might want to grab it as an amazingly useful second camera with great range.
The star of the PowerShot SX40 is its retractable lens, which easily switches between wide-angle, normal, and zoom settings (as determined by a move of a lever that toggles between positions marked by either one tree—telephoto—or three trees—wide angle). You’ll have a ball zooming in and out (with exact metering noted on the lens itself) and reviewing all your choices leaving you nearly guaranteed to get the exact shot you’re after every time. Better still, you can quickly go from shooting still photos to HD video in just one move. You’ll want to take this camera everywhere; it would be just as fantastic on weekend getaways, trips, and vacations as it would at rock concerts, school plays, or while snapping daily shots for your blog or website.
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Whether you’re a professional photographer or an amateur looking for an edge over point-and-shoot models, the Nikon D5100 is easily accessible, simple to maneuver directly out of the box, and lightweight enough for everyday, on-the-go shooting. With an easy-to-interpret mode dial that enables you to shoot automatically or manually, a three-inch high-resolution rotating LCD viewing monitor that switches from playback to live view with the flip of a switch, and the advanced vibration reduction feature of the Nikkor 18-55mm lens, the Nikon D5100 is among the most elegantly intuitive and creatively versatile DSLRs on the market today.
First-time photographers will be thrilled by its many picture-taking options, which are clearly highlighted on the mode dial. With little effort, users may make crucial decisions about obtaining the best possible images in varied situations, such as automatically pushing the camera’s shutter speeds to freeze motion, obtaining a more natural light balance between the main subject and the background for portraits taken in low-light, and even utilizing predictive focal tracking, which will continuously refocus the lens on a fast-moving subject. Playback is just as easy, with options that enable users to see continuous full-frame images (in which they may zoom in to ensure a clear focus was gained) four to nine thumbnails at a time, or even chronological options. Again, clearly labeled buttons make for easy, quick decisions between all choices, practically without ever reaching for the dreaded camera manual. Read the rest of this review »
The EOS Canon Rebel T2i 550D, the latest edition in its popular Rebel line, is sure to make continued fans of its devoted users. Now with an 18-megapixel CMOS digital image sensor, you can practically shoot in near complete darkness and still produce recognizable images of quality. In fact, it is precisely in those low-light situations where the Canon Rebel T2i shines best: colors are reproduced distinctively and accurately, light-filled areas burst with incredible detail, and long exposures are reproduced extremely well with very little noise. Both professional and amateur photographers will be especially impressed with the T2i’s increased range of nighttime shooting possibilities and how easy it is to exploit even the smallest amount of light in an otherwise darkened landscape. Canon’s Auto Lighting Optimizer and Highlight Tone also help ensure realistic skin tones so users may achieve more full-bodied and detailed shots even in harsh lighting conditions, such as under mid-day sun.
Another improvement in the Canon Rebel T2i is in its nine-point focusing area that enables users to determine exactly when and where images are clear. And while some photographers may find the blinking light determination difficult to follow (a dot inside the AF-point flashes briefly in red when accurate focus is achieved), a beeper sounds at the same time to keep you in step, which is handy when trying to shoot a series of quick action shots on the fly, up to 3.7 frames per second to be exact, which is slightly faster than in previous models. Read the rest of this review »
Both experienced photographers and first-time DSLR users will literally fall in love with the Nikon D3100 for its ease of use, portability, and great features like real-time graphical interface tutorials, quick transitions between still photography and HD video, and the ability to shoot RAW and JPEG images at once. And with ISO sensitivity that ranges from 100 to 6400 and a 14.2 mega-pixel image sensor, taking the camera into low light and other demanding shooting situations has never been easier or more productive. Picture quality, your ability to zoom in and crop and correct minor image problems right in the camera is also useful and a big step up from earlier DSLR models.
Another favorite feature is the camera’s switch on the body itself that enables photographers to choose single-image or continuous-image shooting in an instant. Rather than having to search through a stream of electronic in-camera menus that can easily throw you off your game, this speedy option enables users to switch from shooting single player portraits on the sidelines to capturing a series of shots of that all-important grand slam without missing all the action in between. Read the rest of this review »
Super lightweight, small in size, and easy to control, the new Canon Rebel T3 1100D is a good choice for those who want to upgrade from basic point-and-shoot cameras or from Canon’s new PowerShot models. Better still is the fact that this moderately priced consumer DSLR also shoots impressive high-definition video, offers a long battery life (750-800 shots without a flash), a full ISO range of 100 to 6400, and still provides enough versatility to encourage photographers to discover a world of image making beyond fully automated settings. The Canon Rebel T3 is basically a stripped down version of Canon’s much more complex professional models, such as its more multi-faceted 18-MP Rebel T3i, which was also released in 2011.
The detail you can achieve with the Rebel T3 CMOS 12.2-MP digital sensor will surpass most point-and-shoot consumer cameras (including edging out its own PowerShot models) and is more than enough resolution for beginners and avid amateurs. While you may not want to enlarge your prized images to poster sizes, you may still glean clear, crisp enlargements suitable for framing. That being said, the Rebel T3 is an excellent camera for quick, on the go shooting and great for those photographers who want quick and easy access to video in a semi-professional grade DSLR without the heavy price tag. And though beginners may not notice, the Rebel T3 offers ten different image capturing quality sizes, including RAW, each change affecting the number of possible shots. Unlike earlier Rebel models, the T3’s ability to shoot RAW data offers the best possible range of detail and post-production options. Read the rest of this review »
With more advancements than most photographers could ever dream of in a perfect multi-tasking DSLR, including the ability to shoot stunning HD video, its easy to see why the Canon EOS 7D is among the top choices preferred by image-making professionals. Not only will this camera provide you with more image control than you’ve ever had when making a photograph, its sturdy magnesium alloy body makes you totally confident to take on any documentary mission, near or far. Shooting both RAW and JPEG files instantaneously from one subject is a welcomed feature too, especially for pros who may require more fine-tuned results or greater options for in-camera and/or post-production editing. We also love the ability to customize picture styles too, such as enhancing sharpness, contrast, color saturation, and tone.
Because it’s a precision instrument wrapped in weather- and dust-resistant casing, you immediately know that the Canon 7D can withstand long days and nights of continuous shooting in less-than-optimal conditions. (Canon’s promise of at least 150,000 shutter actualizations also makes us rest easy knowing that we can shoot fearlessly and with wild abandon — approximately 1,000 flash-free shots per fully-charged battery.) And though it might feel a bit heavy, the camera body’s fine design and conveniently placed button arrangement makes learning settings and menus easier than ever. Effective grip material placed around the right-hand side also makes for steadier, more self-assured shooting, especially when combined with Canon’s no-nonsense image-stabilizing lenses. Read the rest of this review »
Whoever said that life couldn’t be captured in an instant surely didn’t possess an instrument as fine and responsive as Nikon’s D90 DSLR. Forget for a moment about megapixels. No matter what you’ve read or heard, 12 or more (million) is plenty for top quality images in nearly any situation—and this Nikon boasts 12.3 MP with the same quality CMOS image sensor that’s included in its fancier, much higher-priced models, such as the award-winning 300D.
While there are myriad reasons to invest in this fairly basic yet professional DSLR, overall versatility is first among them. From adjustable settings that affect everything from exposure and ISO to metering and white balance, the folks at Nikon have jammed everything you can think of into the little camera that could. And everything is customizable, which is an excellent way to address the learning curve that is needed to make really this baby sing. Read the rest of this review »
First-time users may not immediately notice the differences between Canon’s newest DSLR Rebel T3i 600D and its earlier T2i 550D, released in 2010, but they do include options worth mentioning. One improvement is T3i’s rotating flip-screen monitor, making video shooting easier and impossibly out-of-range shots a breeze. When choosing between the two models, the T3i is definitely the best choice. Unlike earlier cameras, it enables users to both shoot short-duration HD video and “stitch” video segments together for a seamless presentation. Another bonus is that you can exploit such features as part of Canon’s in-camera editing package.
Both the T2i and the newer T3i utilize the same reliable 18-megapixel CMOS digital image sensor, making nighttime and low-light shooting in places like dimly lit theaters and concert halls an attractive prospect, but the T3i also has menu options that reduce noise in shutter-priority exposures. Having tested both cameras while shooting in extremely low light, we wholeheartedly recommend the T3i for this one advancement alone. Canon’s Auto Lighting Optimizer and Highlight Tone also help ensure accurate skin tones even in harsh lighting conditions, such as under bright lights or full sun. Read the rest of this review »
If there was ever a reason for the five-star review, the Canon PowerShot S95 point and shoot is it. At around 6 ounces and about the size of a smart phone, this amazing little gem of a camera delivers gorgeous images and stunning HD video (in stereo sound no less!) without the burden of lugging around a much heavier and more cumbersome DSLR. What that means is that you’ll have all the power and versatility of Canon’s fancier digital models at about half the price. Better still, the incredibly tiny S95 is so unassuming that few will notice that you’ve just smuggled it inside the stadium for those coveted concert shots. And with its powerful 4.0X optical zoom lens, you’ll even get great photos from the risers. We love that we can make a quick switch to 28mm wide angle shots with an easy turn of the outer lens ring dial that also changes the exposure on a separate setting.
As with any camera this small, quality design is key and Canon delivers in spades. The S95 is as user-friendly as any PowerShot model that preceded it and then some. Despite the fact that the S95 has a variety of mode settings, playback features, and an awesome LCD viewing screen for reviewing your shots and shooting real-time video, there are few buttons to mange and most perform double duty, according to your settings. For instance, users can review images by tapping the circular wheel to go forward or reverse or by spinning it in a way that makes them seem as though they were “advancing”, as if on a continuous roll of film; how clever. The outer control ring may be utilized for a variety of functions depending on the over-riding mode, a feature that is both unique and intuitive. Read the rest of this review »
