Digital Camera: July 2009

Friday, July 17, 2009

Canon Rebel T1i and Rebel XSi Comparison

With the recently announced Canon Digital Rebel T1i becoming available in April 2009, many prospective Digital SLR buyers are finding it difficult to decide between the Rebel T1i and the Rebel XSi cameras. Canon's 9 point Autofocus system and 35 Zone Evaluative Metering system also remains unchanged.

The very useful EOS Integrated Cleaning system and Dust Delete Data Detection has also been implemented in both cameras. Highlight Tone Priority Mode is available in both cameras, but implemented slightly differently on the T1i - it has in essence remained the same however. Both cameras are sold with the same kit lens, the Canon EF-S 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6 IS and as usual, both cameras are fully compatible with the Canon EF and EF-S range lenses.

The most obvious difference between the XSi and the T1i is the APS-C CMOS Sensor that has been upgraded from 12.2 Megapixels in the XSi to 15.1 Megapixels in the T1i. The T1i boasts with the relatively new DIGIC 4 processor which is far quicker than it's predecessor the DIGIC III which is found in the XSi. This processor unlocks what is probably the most exciting feature of the T1i - Full HD video recording. This single feature improves the versatility of the T1i over the XSi by a wide margin and very soon we will see high quality videos of babies and kids birthday parties all over the internet. Although not a replacement for a proper video camera yet, this feature at least reduces the number of occasions when both a SLR and video camera has to be lugged around.

Another advantage of the DIGIC 4 processor is the T1i's ability to shoot up to 170 large JPEGS continuously, compared to the 53 of the XSi. Sports photographers or parents shooting their children's football game will definitely appreciate this feature.

Although the LCD screens are the same size, the 920 000 pixel resolution on the screen of the T1i is significantly better than the 230 000 pixel resolution of the XSi LCD screen. This improves menu legibility in less than ideal conditions and improves the image display and live view accordingly. This feature, together with the improved noise reduction on the T1i unlocks shooting possibilities for the photographer that would have been lost with the XSi. Together, these features enable the photographer to shoot under darker conditions than before.

The T1i sells for approximately $799 (body only) or $899 (with kit lens), compared to $580 and $699 for the XSi. Are the new features of the T1i worth the additional $200? If I had to buy my first DSLR right now, I'd probably go for the T1i.
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Choosing a Photo Editor

Choosing the right photo editor is a regular issue that can arise for many of us in such a technologically and digitally advancing age of today's world and in particular for those involved in either photography or those who just have an interest in editing their digital photos before printing, emailing or posting their photos online. There is also the fact that there are hundreds if not thousands of photo editing applications out there with many features and it is important that you as the user, compare and evaluate each of the options and features in order to select the best application that will meet your needs and requirements.

As mentioned, there are many choices of software that are available for use when editing digital photos and these various types of software can be grouped into three main areas in order to make it easier for you to decide which is the most appropriate for your needs and requirements. The first category basically consists of Freeware, Promotional or Shareware products. The second category is the Consumer category, and thirdly there is the Professional category.

It is important to consider several questions when selecting a photo editing program. When choosing a program how well does it edit and does it have all the features that you require? All are important considerations and if not applied appropriately when selecting a photo editor, can potentially lead to dissatisfaction with the product.

Adobe Photoshop has become well known by many as the industry standard in terms of photo and image editing software. The latest in the Adobe range include Adobe Photoshop Elements 7 and also Adobe Photoshop CS4 which are both some of the best photo editing software programs around. Photoshop can be quite an expensive program in particular the Photoshop CS4 version and for the average consumer or beginner this cost may be too excessive particularly when there are other alternatives available for less money such as Photoshop Elements 7 or the other programs which I will mention below, however for the professional editor, Photoshop CS4 is a must!

There are several other popular options which can be considered and include the Picasa editor by Google, Jasc Paint Shop Pro and Microsoft's Picture It! Be sure to get yourself a proper program such as the ones mentioned and I highly recommend Adobe Photoshop as it is an absolute gem of a program for all you photo and image editing needs.
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Wedding Photo Collage Ideas

Wedding photo collage is an interesting idea with lots of great possibilities. You can create them for yourself or for family, friends and anyone else you want to share your memories with. You might want to make a photo collage of your wedding for your parents or grandparents.

You can do this as a special gift shortly after your wedding day using pictures that you have selected from the photographer or someone else who took pictures at the event. For example, your grandparents will probably like a collage of just family, whereas your folks might prefer a mix of family and close friends.

You can combine photos from your wedding with others such as your first date, destination vacations and other special occasions and give them to your husband or wife as an anniversary gift. If you want to do something really unique, make your photo collage into a jigsaw puzzle. You can take your favorite shots from your big day, e.g. the first dance, cutting the cake, family table pictures, and upload these to an online service that will turn them into a unique wedding photo collage puzzle.

These can be great for everyone, as they combine the memory of your special day with a fun activity for kids and adults alike. Look online for companies that specialize in digital wedding photo collages, and choose one that offers a wide selection of options. If you can't decide what to choose, they will suggest a photo collage for you.

If you go the puzzle route, there are only a select few companies that do this, at least professionally. You want to make sure the company you choose specializes in digital photo jigsaw puzzles. You can order them in a variety of puzzle sizes depending on skill level, from 35 pieces all the way up to 1500 pieces. Prices usually range from around $80 to $250. So don't just throw those wedding photos in a boring old album, make a photo collage today. Better yet, make a wedding photo collage jigsaw puzzle!
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How to Use Your Digital Camera to Make Money in Photography

Practically everyone I know has a digital camera these days but most of them have no idea how they can use those cameras to make money. But before you try to earn some extra cash with your brand new Canon or Nikon you need to understand that the camera is only a tool. You can buy the most expensive Digital SLR you can find in the store and still not make a dime in this field. Alternatively, you can buy the cheapest point-and-shoot that the store offers and make a ton of money with it if you know what you are doing.

One of the biggest keys to making photography a profitable business is learning everything you can about photography. Read books and articles and study every picture you come across. When you examine any image try to think how the photographer took the picture. What would you improve on in the picture? To determine how you are going to go about earning money with your camera you need to decide what kinds of photography you are most passionate about.

If you are more of a stay-at-home person you can make a decent income selling your pictures online with micro stock photography websites. If you love to work with people you can shoot family portraits, wedding pictures and senior portraits. If you love animals there is a huge market for pet photography and people will pay good money for a family picture with their cat or dog.It's a 7 day ecourse and is a great way to spark some ideas and give you some tips if you really want to use your digital camera to earn extra money.
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Where to Get Your Digital Camera AccessoriesWhere to Get Your Digital Camera Accessories

As the camera has gone digital today, most people just want to jump into the opportunity of getting a digital camera whether for personal or professional use. In today's fast paced world, a digital camera is a perfect tool. For the average folks who don't have the necessary skills in taking pictures, this is an ideal gadget.

Many owners of digital cameras may be contented with having the very basic camera but surely, there are lots of people out there who still want to buy the extra accessories. With the numerous offerings of traditional camera stores and online stores today, many could not resist buying additional accessories for various reasons. They want to protect their camera and have a safe place to store it, they want to take more pictures or they want to get serious in their photography hobby and improve their skills.

So what exactly are the digital camera accessories available today? Memory card. Most digital cameras don't come with a free memory card or card reader so make sure you get one or two. A memory card that can store at least 400 images with the highest resolution is the most ideal. A card with this capacity is already equivalent to 11 rolls of film with 36 exposures.

Camera case and bag. There are different types of case and bag. You have a choice between a simple case where you can put your camera or a bag which can accommodate your camera and other accessories when you travel.Batteries and charger. It's highly recommended to get extra batteries for emergency. Tripod. After learning about the accessories, it's time to find that camera. You can shop around from your local camera stores and at the department stores or you can do your search online for more convenience. There are lots of online shops that offer various brands of digital cameras. Another option on the internet would be to join online auctions.

eBay (digital camera auctions) - This is a highly popular online marketplace where you can buy cameras directly or through auctions. There are risks when buying from auctions, though, so be extra careful.
  • Amazon - This is another major online store that offers new and used products at great prices.
  • Best Buy - Check out its pages for digital cameras. They have a wide selection of cameras and accessories at affordable prices.
  • Wal-Mart - You can visit their stores if you're near the place or check their website for the best deals. It offers only the basic digital cameras for regular users.
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Backpacking With a Digital Camera

When you are heading deep into the woods or off on a whirlwind tour of Southeast Asia or Europe, you'll discover that backpacking without your digital camera is a mistake! There are going to be sights that you never forget, interesting people that you will never see again and things that you will want to be able to show your friends and family right away. Traveling with a camera has never been easier, and when you have the right digital camera at your side, you are going to be able to get those images sent back to your computer and saved forever. Take some time and consider what kind of camera you want to accompany you on your trip.

The first thing that you are going to need to decide is whether you are interested in a digital SLR camera or a basic digital camera. There are advantages and disadvantages to both, so it is important to know about them before you purchase a camera for your trip. At the most basic level, you'll find that digital SLR uses a mirror arrangement in its interface to allow you to see the scene before you decide to take a picture of it. With a standard digital camera, you are going to find that you will see the image through a viewfinder that you will hold up to your eye. While it might not sound like a large difference, the gulf between these two types of camera when it comes to experience and versatility can be profound.

For instance, when you have a digital SLR camera, you'll find that you are going to have a greater degree of lens versatility. When you are thinking about making the decision between a digital SLR camera and a regular point and click digital camera, think about what your needs on the trip are going to be. On one hand, the standard digital camera is lighter and less expensive, which will make it easier to carry and less of a problem if the camera gets lost or stolen. On the other hand, you are going to be going to places that you have never been before and may never go again and if you want high performance and a great deal of versatility, you may find that a digital SLR camera is something that you want to invest in.

Bringing a camera with you when you go on your backpacking trip is ideal, but picking out which one you want to purchase can be a bit of a pain! For instance, if you end up with a digital SLR, you'll discover that you should look into getting an optical lens that measures at least 18-55mm. This is a good working lens, but if you want something with a little bit of zoom, consider getting one that is 75-300mm.

Similarly, make sure that you have a 2GB high speed memory car. This will make sure that you can hold a lot of great pictures even if you are not traveling with a laptop. This is essential unless you want to be spending large chunks of your trip in Internet cafes or at photo shops!

Take some time and really consider what kind of digital camera that you would prefer to have; this can dramatically affect the way that your backpacking pictures look.
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