Photography

Fuji S602

This is an older camera that was considered semi-professional when introduced, but today is pretty dated. It uses a 3 megapixel sensor with an onboard software trick to give a pseudo-6 megapixel image. Despite the small and limited sensor, this thing has some pretty decent optics (but limited to a 3x optical zoom) and useful operating modes that keep it from attaining junk-drawer status.

Pros:

• Good lens gives it a relatively clean and sharp image, especially in the daytime.
• Has the ability to use older external flashes common on non-electronic 35mm film SLR cameras.
• Manual focus simulates a traditional camera (twist the lens ring to focus even though the ring actuates the motor which does the actual focussing).
• Ability to hold the shutter open for up to 15 seconds plus decent optics allows for nighttime shots.
• Will save images in either JPEG or lossless TIFF format.
• Runs on normal AA batteries, easy to find anywhere.

Cons:

• Eats 4 AA batteries at roughly the same rate a 5 year old child goes through candy.
• Rechargable batteries don't last long enough to use at all.
• The 3X optical zoom isn't particularly powerful for distance shots.
• Low light shots comes out grainy even at minimum ISO setting.
• Cannot access over 1GB of memory, no one makes cards that small now. Possible to use only 1GB of a larger card with some effort.
• Larger size and weight makes it too big to carry in a pocket.
• Has a video mode but limited to short clips.

Sample Images (scaled down 800x600)

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Kodak 7440

This is an older point-and-shoot, which is also pretty dated today. It has a 4 megapixel sensor, which puts it slightly ahead of the Fuji S602 in resolution, although the lens and optics are not as clear. It offers a 6x optical zoom which helps compensate in some cases. This camera takes nice daytime images, but it is not much use at night.

Pros:

• Small pocket size makes it easy to take anywhere.
• Lasts a good long time on its rechargable battery.
• Good image quality with very vibrant color when daytime shooting.
• 6X optical zoom is adequate for many situations.
• 640x480 video mode good for taking lower-definition clips.

Cons:

• Tiny lens doesn't have the clarity of the larger cameras.
• Even though its manual mode will hold the shutter open for 60 seconds, the image clarity is VERY grainy and rough in low light situations.
• Can only run from propritary battery pack, no AA battery backup option.
• Manual focussing is almost impossible (uses zoom in/out lever, no real precise control).
• All manual mode controls have to be operated through the menu screen.

Sample Images (scaled down 800x600)

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Sample Images (full size 2304x1728)

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Canon Rebel XTi

This is about 4-5 years old, but is a true DSLR camera with an APS-C sized 10.1 megapixel sensor. The ability to use the whole range of Canon-compatible EF and EF-S lenses (from $80 basic lenses to multi-thousand dollar ultra high powered zooms) makes this as close to professional grade as I am likely to come, even with the lower pixel count. When using EF lenses, a 1.6 crop factor is applied to the focal length (so a standard 50mm lens will effectively act like a 80mm lens, this is common on all APS-C cameras). EF lenses are also compatible with full size Canon EOS digital cameras as well as the Canon EOS film cameras. EF-S lenses can only mount on APS-C sized Canon EOS digital cameras.

Pros:

• Uses any EF or EF-S lens, many to choose from and not just from Canon. Tamron and Sigma both make EF and EF-S mount lenses also. Quality ranges from basic to professional are available. All lenses generally are threaded to accept filters.
• 22mm APS-C sized sensor offers very good light sensitivity.
• Very clean, noise free images at low to mid ISO settings.
• Images are beautiful, both in color and detail.
• Large selection of accessories to customize the camera, including a battery grip that allows propritary rechargables OR normal AA batteries to be used.
• Hot shoe for Canon-compatible E-TTL II flashes.
• Onboard ultrasonic sensor cleaning system helps keep dust artifacts out of the picture.
• Can save images in both RAW uncompressed format and JPEG.
• Shutter time of up to 30 seconds makes for very nice night shots.
• Manual focus is completely mechanical within the lenses themselves, works exactly like focussing a traditional film camera.

Cons:

• Images get grainier at higher ISO settings.
• Lenses can cost a lot, often more than the camera itself.
• When saving RAW images, it is possible to shoot faster than the memory card can save the images, causing a memory card corruption that requires reformatting the card (and losing everything on it).
• Easy to get dust/dirt into the camera when changing lenses.
• When equipped with lens, battery grip and flash, it starts to get heavy.
• No 2 second timer, you have to fake it by combining the mirror-lockup function with the 10 second timer.
• In manual mode, accessing some control settings is tricky because you need to hold down specific buttons while turning the selection wheel, almost need both hands at times.
• Needs firmware update to use large Compact Flash cards (over 8GB).
• Can only use Compact Flash memory.
• Size and weight of camera+lenses+accessories pretty much requires an old-school type full-size camera bag.

Sample Images (scaled down 800x533)

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Canon SX20

This is probably the closest to "new" that I have used, and the most versatile of the four. It is a 12.1 megapixel camera, but in a small 1.7mm sensor size as opposed to the 22mm sensor size of the Rebel. The lens on this thing is pretty amazing, offering a true 20x optical zoom (5 to 100mm true focal length, equalivent to 28-560mm on a traditional 35mm film camera).

Pros:

• Great optics and an amazing zoom range with a single lens.
• Uses standard AA batteries and gets decent battery life from them.
• Can shoot hi-def (1280x720) video with stereo sound.
• No problems with high-capacity memory cards, uses easy to find SDHC cards.
• 15 second max shutter time allows for good night shooting in most situations.
• Hot shoe flash attachment for most Canon compatible E-TTL II type flash units.
• 2 and 10 second self timer modes.
• Smooth and fast auto-focus and zoom functionality.
• Impressive image quality in the lower ISO ranges, both in color and detail.
• Video is smooth and detailed.

Cons:

• Images get grainy at higher ISO settings, particularly in low light.
• Manual focus mode a little kludgy to use (have to spin the selector dial and watch the screen).
• Lens not threaded to accept filters, even though it takes standard 52mm lens cap.
• Cannot change zoom value while shooting video (must stop, zoom in/out, resume).
• No ability to save images in RAW format.
• Too big to pocket-carry, needs a small camera bag.

Sample Images (scaled down 800x600)

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Sample Images (full size 4000x3000)

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