I just got a new camera, the Canon EOS Rebel T3i, so today I'm going to be doing a comparison of three different cameras: a DSLR(Canon T3i), a Point and Shoot(Canon PowerShot SD1300 IS), and an iPhone 6S. I'll be doing a review/guide on the T3i sometime later after I've mastered the camera but I've spent a day with the camera and I'm starting to get the hang of it. The main categories we'll be going over are: megapixels/image quality, functions(internal and external), and cost. Keep in mind that the T3i costs the most for the camera, and it produces the best quality images. However, it costs a whole lot more and is a lot harder to use because of all the functions and lenses. Test #1: Auto Shooting ModeThe Canon cameras both have dedicated Auto Modes, but the iPhone is only auto, I believe. There doesn't seem to be a way to set ISO or exposure. Auto Modes basically set ISO/exposure for you automatically so you don't have to do any work. The iPhone actually seems to have the most detail here. The PowerShot has a very bad image quality. The T3i doesn't have as much contrast as the iPhone. test #2: Program Shooting ModeAgain, both of the Canon cameras have dedicated Program shooting modes, while the iPhone only has an automatic shooting mode. The Program Shooting mode sets the shutter speed and aperture automatically for you, but lets you set ISO, WB, focus, as well as some other things. The Canon T3i definitely has the best quality here. It's bright and high quality. The other two don't have enough but the iPhone needs more than the PowerShot. Test #3: FunctionsHere, we'll look at functions, both internal and external, like the ISO range, as well as stereo inputs/outputs.
If we compare external functions, the Canon T3i definitely has the most by a long shot. There's not even an HDMI/mic input for the iPhone and the PowerShot. Now, let's compare internal functions. We'll be taking a look at three main functions: ISO range, Aperture range, and Shutter speed range. The iPhone doesn't seem to have these functions available to edit so I'll just compare the two Canon cameras. The Canon PowerShot has two image shooting modes: auto and program. Neither allow you to set shutter speed and aperture, so those don't really matter. The maximum ISO on it is only 1600, which is quite low. The Canon T3i has a Manual Shooting mode which enables full customization of the photo. The biggest shutter speed value is BULB, or until you take your hand off the shutter release. The smallest shutter speed value is 1/4000th of a second. The lowest aperture is 4.0, and the largest is 25. The minimum ISO is 100 and the maximum is 6400. If we compare external and internal functions, the T3i is a clear winner, but not without some previous knowledge. Test #4: Image QualityThe Canon PowerShot can take an image at a max of 12.1 megapixels. The image dimensions are 4000x3000. The Canon T3i can take an image at a max of 18 megapixels. The image dimensions are 5184x3486. The iPhone 6S can take an image at a max of 12.1 megapixels. The image dimensions are 4032x3024. Here's another set of images taken by each camera. The iPhone 6S has terrible lighting, and the Canon T3i has just a little sharper quality than the PowerShot. The image taken by the PowerShot is a lot blurrier. TEST #4: CostThis will be for the body, and in the case of the T3i, the lens as well(an 18-55 mm lens). All prices are taken off Amazon.com. The iPhone 6S was about $325 for a new one with 64 GB of storage, but the price went down to $275 for a 16 GB one. You can buy it here. The Canon PowerShot SD1300 IS was around $30 for the silver version but went up to $400 for a brown colored one. You can buy it here. The Canon EOS Rebel T3i costs around $770 for a new one but around $325 for a used one. This includes the 18-55 mm lens which costs around $100. You can buy the entire kit here. ConclusionSo, which camera is the best? For the cost, I'd say it would be the PowerShot. It takes medium quality photos and is really cheap. For the quality, no doubt it's the T3i. And for simplicity, I'd go with the iPhone 6S. However, the iPhone 6S doesn't seem to have good lighting, but has okay contrast/colors.
If you're trying to decide between a point and shoot and a DSLR, here's some advice: if you've already used a point and shoot before, buy a DSLR. If you haven't used cameras that much(and be modest) then get a point and shoot. Point and Shoots are a lot simpler, easier to use, cost-effective, get the job done, and are also lightweight. DSLRs do have advantages over Point and Shoots but I'd recommend a point and shoot as a first camera. Do NOT start with a DSLR if you've haven't used a camera before, or have little experience(again, be modest). So far, my T3i has been working great and I definitely recommend it as a camera! It also has an articulating LCD meaning that the LCD can flip out and turn around 180 degrees so you can see it while filming yourself. The T3i is discontinued but it's still a great entry-level DSLR.
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NOTE: This is a basic guide for people who are looking to get into DSLR cameras and want an entry level DSLR. If you'd like a list of all Canon cameras, please use this link(Wikipedia). If you'd like a comparison of all Nikon cameras, please use this link(Wikipedia as well). Hey everyone, today I'll be discussing ENTRY LEVEL DSLR cameras and which one is best for you. The reason I bolded entry level is because many people are looking for a cheap camera and often think that a $400 camera will do the trick. $400 cameras are entry level. If you're looking for a semi-pro/pro camera, you'll be finding cameras that are around $2000-$6000. This may seem like a lot, but the lens is really what you're paying for. Another thing to note: just because a camera looks like a DSLR doesn't mean it is one. I made this mistake when getting my first camera(a SX530). Some point and shoots look different than DSLRs but some look similar. So, how do you differentiate between a DSLR and a point and shoot? The biggest feature that separates DSLRs and point and shoots are that DSLRs have detachable lenses. DSLRs come with the body and a lens, in two pieces. This allows for different lenses to be on the same camera. Lenses can cost anywhere from $50 to $70,000. And no, that's not a typo. There really are lenses that cost that much. When you buy a DSLR, you're paying mainly for the lens(for more expensive cameras). With point and shoots, you get the camera and lens in one piece. It's near impossible to take the lens off without breaking it. Point and Shoots can cost from $50 to $2250(that's usually where they cap). Point and shoot lenses are generally not as good as DSLRs. Point and Shoots also don't have optical viewfinders, which is helpful if you're taking pictures in a very bright place. It's easier to see the quality of an image if you look through a small viewfinder compared to a 3 inch viewfinder. DSLRs are also more customizable and take higher quality pictures. Even if the Point and shoot has more megapixels(which is found by multiplying resolution like 4000x3000 and dividing by a million - 4000x3000 is 12MP) DSLR's quality is always going to be better. DSLRs have more options when it comes to ISO, Aperture Speed, Shutter Speed, Colors, Balancing, etc. I've talked enough about DSLR vs point and shoot, and by now you probably know which one I prefer. I have a Canon EOS Rebel T3i with an 18-55 IS lens. I may do a review on it as well as a guide on lenses but for now I'll stick to cameras. Let's talk about brands. The two biggest camera companies currently are Canon and Nikon. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. The topics we'll be comparing are functions, picture quality, sensors, and video. FUNCTIONS: CANON VS NIKONCanon seems to beat Nikon by a small margin here. One feature that makes gives Canon a major disadvantage is that the on/off button is often not on the same dial as the shutter release. Nikon's, however, is on the same dial so it's easier to start it up and take a picture than Canon. Another thing that sets Canon apart from Nikon is the scroll dial. Canon's is often on top of the camera, near the shutter release, while Nikon's is usually embedded in the front with the LCD(do a quick search of nikon cameras and you'll see what I mean). Canon's is so much easier to scroll since all I have to do is move my finger back a little bit. As for the other functions, they both come pretty close, but Canon seems to have a little better design than Nikon. PICTURE QUALITY: CANon VS NIkONNikon's higher end cameras tend to have better photos. They have higher burst fps and better optical LPFs(low pass filters). What optical low pass filters do is use a technique called anti-aliasing which makes images smoother, but it also makes images less detailed. Some LFPs made by Nikon eliminated moires. Moires are the streaks made by light inputting into the sensor. However, Canon has the better megapixel camera. Megapixels are calculated by multiplying the resolution together, then dividing by 1 million. Canon has come out with a camera, the EOS 5DS, with 50.6 megapixels - the highest in the market. Nikon is close behind with the new D850 at 45.7 megapixels. Comparing image quality, Nikon has the better quality. SENSORS: CANON VS NIKONSensors are another big factor when looking at cameras. There are two types - CMOS and CCD. They stand for Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor and Charged Coupling Device. CCD sensors take a lot more power, but they produce higher quality images with less noise. CCD sensors are a lot more expensive than CMOS sensors. Not many cameras use CCD sensors, even the high end ones. There are many parts that lead up to a sensor. There is the sensor itself then there are a lot of filters that "improve" the image. The main one is the OLPF, or the Optical Low Pass Filter. The optical low pass filter works by using anti-aliasing, which makes things smoother. This is helpful, but it can also reduce image quality as things at a smaller size will be blurrier. An OLPF also can do some helpful things like remove dust or cancel unwanted light streaks. Canon stepped forward with their Canon EOS 5DS and made an extra layer to cancel out the effect of anti-aliasing from the OLPF while still retaining the helpful features. Nikon, however, has come forward as well in 2017 with their D850. It completely removes the optical low pass filter and replaces it with dedicated filters to do the things that it usually does. When looking at sensors, Nikon definitely has the better sensor. VIDEO: CANON VS NIKONThis is the part I'm most concerned with. I take a lot of videos so I want to make sure that the video quality is good. Generally, Canon has cameras that take better video, but they usually max out at about 1080p60. If we look at which one has the best, Nikon trumps Canon by a far range. Canon does have camcorders that record 4k video, but no DSLR(that I know of). Nikon's new D850 is capable of 4k UHD 30fps. That seems to be the best on the market as of right now. Comparing video quality, Canon has the better standard, but Nikon has the highest quality. Which Camera Should You Buy?I like both Canon and Nikon but I like Canon better. Their lenses tend to be a bit better, and I need a good lens for the photos I'm taking. However, Nikon has some good features too. My recommendation is: if you're looking for low-end cameras, use Canon. If you're looking for high-end, use Nikon. Which camera should you buy? It depends on your needs. Here is the Canon EOS Rebel line, and here is the Nikon Camera line. Here's a list of the pros and cons of each type of camera discussed: Point and Shoot, DSLR, Canon, and Nikon. Point and shoot CAMERASPros: - Cheap - Easy to Use - Don't have to worry about using the right lens Cons: - Don't take high quality photos/videos - Not as customizable for pictures DSLR CamerasPros: - High quality images/videos - Interchangeable lenses help with different situations - More customizability than a Point and Shoot Cons: - More expensive - Have to buy an expensive lens with the camera Canon CamerasPros: - Better entry-level cameras - Cheaper entry-level cameras - Better functions/entry-level video quality Cons: - Not as good sensors/picture quality Nikon CamerasPros: - Better semi-pro/pro level cameras - Better sensors - Better image quality Cons: - More expensive - More expensive entry-level cameras Now go get yourself an expensive camera(from Canon or Nikon!)
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Authori'm a 13 year old graphic designer based in california. i love to travel, play basketball, play video games, eat good food, read good books, and especially love design. my favorite type of design is modern. ArchivesCategories
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