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| Canon EOS 500D |
AS A KID I grew up snapping pictures of mangy stray dogs on a Kodak Brownie and my father’s Russian Zorki – more a tank than a camera – in between conducting unproductive pin-hole experiments at home.
The dogs were the only subjects that did not run away and, while they earned few plaudits for prettiness, they held their ground while eyeing my ubiquitous lens sheepishly long enough for me to work out the f-stop and shutter speed.
The Olympus OM1 camera then, that landed in my grubby hands as I commenced my first job as a crime reporter on a daily newspaper in New Delhi, was a delicate Fay Wray in the beastly palm of Kong, a miniature, mysterious marvel, simultaneously loved and tormented. It was a superb performer.
The OM1 belonged to my girlfriend and when she graduated to the OM2, I moved up the ladder as well. The Olympus took excellent photographs but its main claim to fame was its exceedingly small welterweight format compared to the heavy, brooding gunmetal casings of the far bigger SLRs from Nikon, Canon and Pentax. (For the uninitiated, SLR stands for single-lens reflex. This employs a mirror to toss a true lens image up into your viewfinder so you can see, and frame, what you’re shooting.)
SLR digital cameras review – is bigger better?
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| Olympus Pen E-P1 |
 Olympus has remained a master of the art of the miniature and its new Olympus Pen E-P1 is a class apart. A micro four-thirds camera allowing for interchangeable lenses, this is a sort of SLR with a difference. For one, there is no viewfinder, which can get you into all sorts of bother on a sparkling sunny day and the hot-shoe optical viewfinder is not much use in a zoom situation. The small form factor is achieved by doing away with the internal mirror allowing the body to slim down to amazingly anorexic proportions. The camera is very easy on the eye, a throwback to classic 1959 Pen styling with a silver body, a small leather finger grip, and simple, clearly marked controls. On design alone the Olympus E-P1 review would shoot it to the top bracket of the table. It even shoots high definition video at 1,280x720p resolution or standard non-HiDef 640x480. Also find motion stabilisation, a three-inch LCD monitor that could have had a higher resolution, and a set of art filters for the creatively inclined that will add anything from soft focus or grain to pop art to your snaps. Yes, there is a pin-hole filter. If only I’d waited. Pick up this svelte ensemble with a Zuiko 17mm f/2.8 lens and you’re in business right away with 12.3 megapixels of canvas to fill. You should be able to squeeze 250-300 shots on a single battery charge, the design is heart-stopping, image quality is good, but there is no inbuilt flash so carry one if you plan to shoot indoors. The autofocus can be confounding though and it endlessly hunts for the right sweet spot. It gets worse in low light. The newer all-black E-P2 has similar specs with better continuous autofocus tracking and a few other issues debugged. www.olympus.com
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| Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 |
Another micro four-thirds contender is the Panasonic Lumix G1 and its younger twin, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1. This is a light yet sturdy camera. What distinguishes the GH1 from its excellent predecessor is the addition of HD (Hi-Def) video capability that comes into its own when twinned with a 14mm-140mm, f/4.0 lens enabling video or still capture all at once.
Apart from satisfying movie buffs, the Lumix GH1 offers a slew of features: a 12.1 megapixel sensor, interchangeable lenses, dust reduction, image stabilisation, a range of shooting modes from aperture to shutter priority and full manual, RAW or JPEG files, a shutter speed from 1/4,000 to 60 seconds, a four-minute “bulb” time exposure, a three-inch rotating LCD, and built-in stereo microphones. Use a USB 2.0 port to output your work to the PC.
Focus is fast and for idiot-proof results, the iAuto intelligent metering system takes excellent quality images in varying, even challenging, conditions. The pictures are good with natural colours, and noise is a gremlin less likely to be spotted on these frames even in low-light conditions. www.panasonic.net/avc/lumix/
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| Canon EOS 1000D |
Ever since the groundbreaking EOS Rebel series from Canon, models like the 300D and 450D have wowed amateurs and semi-professionals alike. The 300D was light, responsive and took quality snaps. The Canon EOS 450D raised the game several notches while still staying within the wallet power of entry-level digital camera enthusiasts. Now there are two more to choose from – the Canon EOS 1000D is a stripped down but pretty functional 450D. It is a competent and none-too-heavy shooter in plain but reasonably attractive black casing. It won’t shoot bursts and spot metering is absent but it won’t pinch the wallet unduly either and is a worthy entry-level option if you are not planning to go pro and are simply zeroing in on Baby Ben’s drool.
 You’ll get RAW and JPEG images, low noise, and 10.5 megapixels to play with. There’s no image stabilisation but there is a useful, if not great, ISO range of 100-1600 and the camera weighs in at a modest 450g. The Canon EOS 500D on the other hand is a new generation entry-level that rates high on this DSLR digital cameras review and with good reason. The camera offers 15.1 megapixel resolution images in JPEG, RAW, or JPEG + RAW, dust reduction, white balance bracketing, a range of autofocus and natural focus options, nine-point AF, and built-in flash, all weighing just 480g.
The default JPEG settings are on the softer side but paint in a high level of detail with very good images in natural colour. The body is about the same size as the 450D but despite the trim-down, the grip and feel in the hand is still reassuringly solid and professional. Best of all, for those in search of a camera-video hybrid, the 500D shoots HD video in a 1080 resolution. You can shoot stills while filming video too. www.canon.com/eos-d/
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| Nikon D3000 |
As an entry level DSLR the Nikon D3000 is one to watch. This is a solid camera with a professional feel, good image stabilisation and a nifty Guide mode that walks would-be Annie Leibovitzes through simple on-screen prompts to get the shot they need. Blur the background, or freeze the action. You’ll see it all happening on your LCD and then all you need to do is click.
This camera is a step up from the D60 with a host of new bells and whistles. A single battery charge will get you about 500 shots, not surprising as battery life is one area where Nikon performs well as a rule. The D3000 shoots sharp pictures and works well in a range of lighting situations.
The colour overall remains faithful to the subject without going for over-saturation. With this device snugly in your hands you’re looking at a handy, but not massive, 10.2 megapixels (enough for a photo quality print in A3 size), fast shutter speeds of up to 1/4000th of a second, an ISO range of 100 to 3200, a bright and clear three-inch LCD and full control over exposure from automatic to manual.
For professionals looking to catch some fast-paced action there’s a burst speed of three frames per second with JPEGs or even seven (if you opt for RAW). Our Nikon D3000 review places it firmly at the head of the competition in the entry-level DSLR category. Nikon lens optics help give it a definite edge. The camera comes bundled with the Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens. Go pro without mauling the wallet. www.nikon.com
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| SONY Alpha 230 |
The SONY Alpha 230 sports a classic DSLR moulded body design with a somewhat diminished right hand finger grip and a cutaway to the left of the lens, compacting width. This is a 10.2 mega pixel offering from a company known for style as well as substance. Expect JPEG or RAW modes, shutter speeds of 30 seconds down to an eye-blink 1/4000th of a second, an anti-shake system, an ISO range of 100 to 3200, a 2.7-inch LCD, and multiple exposure modes from auto, shutter, aperture and program to manual.
The camera is only a small halting step ahead of its predecessor, the A200, and sports a strikingly similar feature set. Images are detailed, sharp, and tend towards underexposure so it is rare to get a blowout with this device. The honeycomb metering provides a balanced colour and exposure gradient, managing to keep the picture detailed even in contrasting light situations.
As a budget entry level digital camera the SONY A230 is good value with much to occupy snap-happy amateurs and semi-pros alike under the bonnet. The feel may be a tad plastic but there are compensations – like the dual card slots for a MemoryStick Duo as well as an SD card. www.sony.net/Products/dslr/
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| Pentax K-m |
The 575g Pentax K-m offers smaller form factor as a compact DSLR but still packs a huge punch when one scrolls through the specifications: 10.75 mega pixels, JPEG and RAW modes, shutter speeds as with other models from 30 seconds to 1/4,000th of a second, several exposure modes and 15 scenes to pick from, white balance, colour temperature control, five-point auto-focusing, and a 2.7-inch LCD screen.
Similar in specs to its predecessor, the K200D, the Pentax K-m somehow manages to combine the best of that camera in a smaller frame without dropping quality. Images appear in accurate colour, if a smidgen under-exposed at times, image noise is firmly dealt with and grain is none to evident even at ISO speeds of 400 and 800.
The detail is good, shake reduction is a plus, and the trim size is a bonus for small hands. Photographers will be pleased to learn that the autofocus works fast and well with pretty good results most of the time, this despite the AF points being reduced from 11 to five.
All in this is a great value digital camera for those interested in moving up from instamatic lenses to big league glass. Affordable but not amateurish by any means. www.pentaximaging.com
Pocket size is the right size
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| Canon PowerShot G11 |
But it’s not all DSLRs stealing the spotlight. The easy-in-the-hand Canon PowerShot G11 is a small trade down in resolution (just 10 megapixels) from the workhorse Canon PowerShot G10 – that still runs away with the money on any digital cameras review – but offers the advantage of good low light photography with a 2.8-inch swivel LCD screen. With a 5x optical zoom, the equivalent of a 28mm-140mm range in 35mm terminology, this little maestro turns out superb images especially as the light fades.
The ISO in fact can be boosted up to 12,800 to shoot in almost total darkness. It is a pity that Canon stayed with the G10’s standard definition 640x480 pixels video resolution in this updated version but the end result is still sharp and clear. It is a niggling detail that will need to be addressed by future versions as any garden variety point-and-shoot is nowadays capable of HD video footage.
Weighing in at a diminutive 355g this is a camera that can slip into a large overcoat pocket if need be, which makes it hugely portable. The old G10 is one of my favourite carry-along cameras for all occasions, a professional backstop for times when I simply cannot lug my arm-ripping-heavy Nikon D200 anymore. On this Canon PowerShot G11 review it was clear that when put through its paces, this is a little camera that can perform well against the best with a good feature set, ease of use, and top quality pictures. www.canon.com
Even smaller but punchy – compact cameras review
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| Canon IXUS 200 IS |
An elder cousin of the terrific compact digital camera, the Canon IXUS 80 IS, is the Canon IXUS 200 IS, this time with an array of specifications to make a semi-pro weep. Think 12.1 megapixel sensor, 5x optical zoom (forget digital zoom, that’s for schmucks), a 24mm wide-angle lens, a three-inch LCD, and HD video, a nice touch in a camera of this class, price, and size.
This 130-gram camera’s greatest strength, apart from being able to slip into a pocket quite easily with a 99.9x53.4x22.9mm size, is its ability to take wonderful shots – as long as it’s landscape and in broad daylight. During our Canon IXUS 200 IS review and road test, this is where the device performed at its peak. Images are detailed and produce rich tones.
As the light levels drop, however, so does the camera’s performance. While the ISO range is a big-swing 80-1600, anything over 400, or even at ISO400 is bound to pick up considerable noise (in simple parlance, this means grainy shots that look like they’ve come from a Bagdhad cafe iReport on CNN). Dramatic but not much use if you want a picture for your new living room photo frame. There are a few scene modes but very limited control and no manual option. Sports shots are quite decent and portraits too produce natural skin tones. A reasonable pick for families and those who like sharp movie footage of kids biking into pools and hapless dogs skidding across waxed floors. www.canon.com
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| Samsung ST500 |
The Samsung ST500 is a tad cheaper, more compact, and comes in inscrutable black – a colour that everyone seems to love these days.
Expect 12 megapixels of punch with an optical zoom that stretches to 4.4x (not quite 5x) and 1024x720 video all housed in a 149g body.
The camera is sleek, stylish and has an inbuilt flash that is adequate only over very short distances, say five to seven feet. The menu system is less-than-intuitive too but at the end of the day, this little fellow churns out very clear portraits, good landscapes and is a bit better for low light shots than the Canon IXUS 200IS.
The ISO settings run all the way up to 3200, a big ask for a compact camera, but the noise reduction program actually works, albeit by dropping detail and painting over blemishes. The LCD screen is just over three inches and is clear in most lighting conditions.
This is a nice point-and-shoot that produces reasonable results in most conditions in great part due to an excellent Schneider-Kreuznach lens. It’s all in the glass as they say. www.samsung.com
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| SONY CyberShot DSC-TX1 |
Small is beautiful according to SONY. The company has churned out a series of ultra compact digital cameras that produce astounding results. The SONY CyberShot DSC-TX1 is another iteration in this constant assembly line and is a smart performer across most spectrums of photography, whether shooting in low light (where it excels), to sports, big sky landscapes, or intimate portraits. The Carl Zeiss lens cranks out a handy 4x optical zoom and is protected by a slide-up cover when the camera is off. As expected, the three-inch LCD touch screen is sharp and bright.
Just 16.5mm in width, this is a slim business-card-holder-size phone that slips into any shirt pocket – and also out of it. Take care it does not slip out of your hands. Small form factor has its appeal but also its downside for the butter-fingered. The new EXMOR R sensor claims to boost light sensitivity vastly and helps lower noise levels too.
An interesting feature is the Panorama Sweep option. Hit the shutter and swivel gracefully while the camera takes in the 360-degree detail, stitching it all up in one neat panoramic shot. The entire operation is fast and the results are not bad at all. This is a simple camera with some interesting features – like HD video and a Smile mode – that will appeal to the young set and to ladies who will like its styling. Once you get used to the touch screen, you’re ready to roll. Hit the button and swivel. www.sonystyle.com
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| Panasonic Lumix FX60 |
The Panasonic Lumix FX60 is a smooth and slim operator in a very stylish casing and a raft of features. It comes with fine pedigree. Despite all the razzmatazz and 27 scene modes, however, the images fall a tad short when you look closely at the detail. Landscapes are okay, low light operation is not great and portraits could be better. Still the images are okay for family shots and the Great Outdoors. The camera shoots 12.1 megapixels with a handy 5x (25mm-125mm lens) optical zoom.
The ISO range is 80-1600 and under the bonnet you’ll find the obligatory 1280x720 video shooting mode. The build quality is solid but in a camera of this size – and Panasonic is making them smaller still – getting your fingers to hold on to this slippery customer is no simple matter. Don’t try it if the winter chill has numbed your fingers. This ultracompact digital camera weighs just 147g. www.panasonic.net/avc/lumix/
Go forth and shoot.
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