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| The Genuine Article |
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Pixels to pictures (page 2)
POINT AND SHOOT OR DSLR?
Once you establish the size and kind of
images you want to create, your next step
is to choose your lens set-up. There are two
broad categories: point-and-shoot cameras
and digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras.
The point-and-shoot camera comes
with a fixed lens and is a versatile option.
Easy to use, light and compact, this camera
is terrific for candid photos but can be limiting
for the advanced photographer. The
settings are automatic, and the viewfinder
is simply a window through the body, allowing
you to "frame" your photograph.
With a DSLR camera, on the other hand,
a movable mirror projects the image
through the lens into the viewfinder -
you see what the camera sees. By accommodating
specialized lenses, from telephoto to fish-eye, this unit grows with your
artistry. Although most models include a
convenient automatic point-and-shoot
mode, you control the settings, such as
focus, aperture size, exposure time and
flash output. DSLRs vary considerably in
the quality and speed of their data processing
and photosensitive chips. Most
cover a wide range of image sensor speeds
from ISO 100 to ISO 1600 to accommodate changing light. (In pre-digital days,
you had to change rolls to alter film speed,
or ASA.) Some important distinctions
among models also include strength of
the body, start-up time, memory size and
speed for rapid bursts of images, autofocus
quality and the compatibility and quality of
lenses. A popular innovation among highend
DSLRs is a self-cleaning sensor that
vibrates when closing down to shake dust
from the diode.
DSLRs are generally more expensive.
In most cases, photographers realize savings
by using their existing lenses. It's
important to know, however, that your
familiar lens will function differently when
paired with a digital body because the
chip's digital array is smaller than a conventional
film plane, thereby increasing the
focal length and narrowing the field of
view. DSLR photographers use a multiplication
factor of 1.5 to 1.7 to gauge the difference.
For example, a 100mm lens
functions like a 170mm when partnered
with a digital body.
In the end, it's a painless adaptation to
gain a world of creative opportunities. Here
are three of today's finest units to bring
your photography into the digital age:
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| Ideal point-and-shooter:
Panasonic's Lumix DMCTZ1
is built for quality,
speed and convenience. |
THE IDEAL POINT-AND-SHOOTER
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1
Surprisingly speedy for a point-and-shoot,
the 5-megapixel DMC-TZ1 ($429) comes
equipped with high-quality Leica optics
and a spacious 2.5-inch high-resolution
LCD monitor. The sleek machine fits in a
generous pocket and packs an impressive
10x optical zoom (roughly the equivalent
of a 35mm-350mm lens), which is the greatest telephoto of its
class. Beyond still photos,
it can also record audiovideo
clips. Other features
include a high-speed autofocusing
function that
tracks moving subjects and
an image stabilizer that produces
super-sharp images,
even with shaky hands.
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