Digital Cameras Review- Canon EOS Versus Nikon and Sony

The main benefits that any digital camera has over an analogue film based camera, for me, revolves around 2 key points: -

• You can take absolutely as many pictures as you like and review at your leisure to decide what is a good photograph versus the ones that should be committed to the trash can. This can be done at zero cost with no development fees, no long wait, no lost in the post (although there is sometimes a recovery required from the recycle bin) and you only print the ones you really want to print.
• Minor irritating problems that would condemn a print from film can normally be corrected very easily and usually using the software that came with the camera either right on the camera itself or if you upload to a PC. More serious problems can also be corrected by the right person armed with a good software package and the skills to use that software.

I am sure there are countless arguments that could be raised about the purity of an analogue print versus the harshness of the digital usurper and there will be people who far prefer the clarity and colour of an analogue print versus a digital print.

So for those people I say get on with it then, there is nothing here that will interest you and Google is waiting to take you where you need to be!!!

Great, the first 3 cameras I am going to talk about are all, yes you guessed it, digital cameras, but more specifically digital SLR cameras.

The first digital SLR camera I have on my list is the Sony Alpha A200.

Sony are not the first company to spring to mind when you are talking cameras, but according to the reviews and assessments of new camera technology that I have read, they are rapidly catching up with what I consider to be 2 of the other big names in photographic equipment production, Nikon and Canon.

A feature that makes it one of the best is the Super SteadyShot image stabilization system which according to Sony helps prevent blurring caused by camera shake to such an extent that the camera can still be used in some situations which would have previously required the use of flash or a tripod.

^{Flash speeds up shutter speed so less chance of moving at the critical time and a tripod, well have you never sat on a milking stool, you haven't lived then.}

From the reviews I have read the Sony still isn't going to suit the professional photographer but for us lesser mortals and semi serious photographers it would be a real work horse that can produce crystal sharp photographs.

Main Features

• Lenses - Sony, compatible with Minolta and Konica minolta AF lenses
• Pixels - approx 10.2 mega pixels
• Image quality modes - RAW,RAW+JPEG,Fine,Standard
• Built in Flash
• Rechargeable Battery Pack (gives approx 750 shots)

A detailed specification can be found here Alpha A200 Specifications

In the UK then you can find it at AMAZON UK by clicking on this link.

One of the first SLR cameras I owned was an EOS 1000F, so I definitely have a soft spot for Canon, even if it was an analogue, I managed to take some really nice photos but the curse of the 35mm camera meant there were quite a lot that had to be discarded at great cost, nothing to do incidentally with my photographic skills.

Now we are talking digital SLR a step up from the first one and unlike the Sony this camera comes with a live view screen, although I never saw a problem with looking through the eyepiece myself. It also has 12.2MP (mega pixel) resolution and a 3.5 frames per second shoot rate, effectively this would allow you to go fully automatic if you fancy your self as a celeb stalker and you need to take lots of shots quickly hoping for that dream payout from the tabloids.

I like a nice scenic shot myself, much more sedate but with the mirror locking function of this model you can take photos in a slightly more dynamic environment without too much risk of that dreaded camera shake blur.

Main Features

• Lenses - All EF and EF-S lenses
• Pixels - approx 12.2 mega pixels
• Image quality modes - RAW,RAW + Large JPEG only,Fine,Standard
• Built in Flash
• Rechargeable Battery Pack (gives approx 500 shots at 23°C)

Full specification can be found here EOS 450D

Also available from John Lewis for £469.95 with a free 1 year guarantee for UK purchaser. Just copy and paste 'Canon EOS 450D' into the John Lewis search box. 

Hold on to your hats this is starting to get scary, hope you have shallow pockets and long arms because we are now talking high professional level best buy cameras, I said best buy but it still ain't cheap.

You know what they say, no pain no gain and yes this one is going to hurt your wallet but you are going to get a seriously slick camera that can take you to the professional level in SLR digital photography.

It's got a 12.1MP full frame sensor housed in a lightweight magnesium alloy body (magnesium - very strong, very light, me like) and can deliver 5 frames per second forever with its Kevlar carbon fibre shutter.

You are going to have to buy some decent digital SLR lenses to go with this camera and that is amongst all the other digital camera accessories you are going to need for your professional photography kit, so I hope those pockets are getting even shallower and that you have been carrying some heavy weights around.

Main Features

• Lenses - Nikon F bayonet - compatible with Nikkor (see full spec below for details)
• Pixels -approx 12.1 mega pixels
• Image quality modes - RAW,RAW compressed JPEG baseline compliant, TIFF
• Built in Flash
• Rechargeable Battery Pack (gives approx 1000 (CIPA))

Full specification can be found here Nikon D700

This is the camera that I own and love, the Nikon D40 digital camera (December 2007 Eddy Award winner), what a little beauty. I bought mine as part of a Nikon D40 kit that came with body and standard lens, zoom lens, carry case and lots of other little goodies to tempt me.

I love it, because like me it's a bit simple and can be used as a point and shoot if you so desire or if you are feeling ambitious you can also get a bit technical with the support of a built in help menu system telling you what to do for certain selected options. The digital SLR Nikon D40 is the smallest that Nikon have produced and weighs only 16 ounces.

It has a 6.1MP DX-Format CCD imaging sensor which delivers great quality photographs time and time again. Personally it is the best camera I have ever owned and I can vouch for it's versatility which I will hopefully demonstrate by showing you a few of the photographs I have taken just using the standard NIKKOR lens and the South of France as a back drop.

Main Features

• Lenses - Nikon F bayonet mount - compatible witn NIKKOR, see full spec below
• Pixels - approx 6.1 mega pixels
• Image quality modes - RAW, JPEG,Fine,Standard
• Built in Flash
• Rechargeable Battery Pack (gives approx 750 shots)

Full specification can be found here Nikon D40

In the UK then you can find this product at AMAZON UK by clicking on the link.

Well those are the 4 cameras I am featuring in this website, effectively a range for a starter with digital SLR's to professional users. So a good selection to choose from and plenty of review information to help you make up your mind.

I also like these top 10 tips for buying a new DSLR I found in a blog. 

The first 3 cameras were picked by 'The Gadget Show' a UK TV channel as best buy options and some of the review information came from there.

Apart from one of the photographs in the slide show they were all taken in France and for the most part close to or in the location of our gite French Holidays Aude, so if you want to vist a location with lots of photographic opportunities take a look at the website and we will see if we can fit you in.