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Nikon has announced the successor to the D3100 – the 24.2 million pixel D3200 digital SLR camera. Besides the increase in pixel count (the D3100 had 14.2 million pixels), the D3200 has some improved features of its predecessor, as well as some new features.

Great Improvement

When announcing the D3200 digital SLR camera, Nikon was sure to include a nice list of improved features, as well as a nice new feature. As with any new camera model, it is important to ensure that several features are improved, or added with each model in order to do well.

The first noticeable improvement is the number of megapixels. Nikon has increase the pixel count to 24.2 megapixels, which is a 10 megapixel increase of the D3100. While megapixels aren’t as important as other features of digital cameras, it does help when cropping photos. In order to maximize the total potential of the 24.2 megapixels, the D3200 includes the EXPEED 3 image-processing engine.

Besides the increase in pixel count, the D3200 digital SLR camera also has an increase in light sensitivity, which now has an upper limit of ISO 6400, with a Hi 1 setting equivalent to ISO 12800. The D3100 limit was ISO 3200.

The Nikon D3200 is capable of shooting movies in 1920×1080 full HD movies at 30fps, which most new digital DSLR cameras seem to now support. The movies can not only be viewed in the camera, but also edited. Frames can be trimmed from either the beginning or end of movie clips, as well as saved as a separate JPEG image.

The most interesting improvement, at least I think so, is the fact that the D3200 supports collaboration with smart devices (Android). What this means is that you can transfer images directly from the camera to a smart device – wirelessly. While this may seem interesting, the best part is that you can use the smart device to remote-control the camera. The camera and various shooting settings can be displayed on the device when controlling the camera through the smart device.

Nikon seems to have included a lot of improvements and nice features with the D3200 digital DSLR camera, which should be good for those looking for an easy-to-use DSLR camera.

See larger image Nikon D3200 24.2 MP CMOS Digital SLR with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR NIKKOR Zoom Lens (Black) (Electronics) List Price: $699.95 USD New From: $699.00 In Stock Release date April 18, 2012.

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2. What to Look for in a Digital Camera
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Using a digital camera isn’t as simple as just pointing at an object you want a shot of and pressing a button. There are many different aspects that have to be taken into consideration in creating a great image. Focus, framing and composition are key among them.

On the other hand, it is possible to over talk and over analyze what makes a good picture; using niche specific keywords can make the whole process sound like advanced algebra. However, there are some key terms, referring to both hardware and composition, that can help a budding photographer when considering how to take that perfect picture.

Zoom

Zoom is a relatively widespread term which refers to the camera’s ability to enlarge an image so as to appear closer to the subject than it actually is. Neither the photographer nor the camera have to be right next to a subject to give the illusion they were.

Super Zoom

As the name suggests this function is just like the above mentioned Zoom feature but even more so! Compact super zoom cameras are ideal for travellers who want to take images of subjects that are too far away to get up close to and, using the camera’s large optical zoom, they are still able to.

Wide Angle

A wide angle camera takes images where the length is much larger than the height of the picture. To get an idea of this shape think of old widescreen films or imagine if a football pitch was held up right. This is great for photographers who want to capture landscapes or want to fit a large quantity into a picture without having to physically move the camera away from the subject.

Compact HD Recording Cameras

Some cameras are able to rival camcorders and more expensive film equipment when it comes to capturing the moving image. Compact HD cameras can record either 720p or Full 1080p High Definition moving images and can be watched back, to great effect, on High Definition TV.

Sweep Panorama

A panorama is similar to widescreen images but instead of consisting of one single shot, a sweep panorama is made up of multiple shots placed next to one another to create ultra wide pictures with a view of up to 270 degrees!

3D

One of the newest innovations in digital photography is the implementation of the third dimension. Whereas traditional photography features width and height, new digital technology allows for the illusion of a third field, that of depth.

Ruggedised Cameras

These cameras are specifically targeted at people who live active lifestyles; they are all terrain and almost indestructible. These cameras include traits such as being waterproof, shock proof, crush proof and, for those going to different climates, freeze proof.

Bridge

A bridge camera is a camera that is somewhere between a digital compact camera and a digital SLR camera. They combine the best of the two camera types; they are versatile like SLR cameras but packed into the size of a compact one and do not require you to carry the extra bulk or lenses that would be necessitated by an SLR model.

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For many years, the world of amateur and professional photography has been dominated by digital single-lens reflex cameras (DSLR’s). But in 2010 an entirely new type of camera emerged on the scene. Single-lens translucent cameras (SLT’s) were first developed by Sony, and premiered in their Alpha range to considerable critical acclaim.

The quality of the images captured by SLT cameras is similar to that of digital SLR cameras, but there are a number of important differences in the way they operate and the results they produce.

What Makes SLT Cameras Different?

Digital SLR cameras use a mechanical mirror system to reflect the image that will be captured to the viewfinder. When the shutter button is pressed this mirror system moves out of the way to allow light from the lens to enter the camera’s sensor. When the exposure is complete the mirror moves back into place, ready for the user to line up the next shot. During the time it takes for the shutter to open and close and the mirror system to swing back, the viewfinder is blank.

A single-lens translucent camera does not use mirrors to relay the image to the photographer. Instead, an electronic viewfinder displays the image received by the sensor.

For the purposes of phase detection auto-focusing, SLT cameras uses a single translucent mirror in front of the sensor. This mirror allows light to reach the sensor at all times, while directing a portion of it towards the camera’s auto-focus system.

Advantages of SLT Cameras

SLT cameras have a number of unique selling points that modern photographers find beneficial. Because SLT cameras use a single-fixed mirror rather than a series of moving mirrors, camera shake caused by mechanical action is eliminated. SLT cameras are also often lighter and more compact because of this simplified system. The result? Sharper, clearer pictures with minimum risk of blurring due to camera shake.

The most significant benefit of this new technology is apparent when taking action or sports shots. Because the number of operations taking place within the camera during exposure are reduced, SLT cameras can capture a series of images at a significantly faster rate than digital SLR cameras – up to 10 frames per second. This significantly reduces the chance of a moving image ‘smearing’ across the picture – crucial if you’re looking for sharp action shots.

The translucent mirror system also enables the camera’s phase-detection auto focus system to operate continuously. The result of this is that seamless auto-focusing is made possible, even during video capture and burst shooting. Furthermore, the electronic viewfinder displays the image continuously, rather than blacking out momentarily as with DSLRs.

Disadvantages of SLTs

Some people will inevitably favour one type of the camera over the other, depending on the type of shots they will be concentrating on.

Photographers who are used to shooting with digital SLR cameras may miss the optical viewfinder. In addition to this, because a certain amount of available light is being redirected to the auto-focusing system, less light reaches the camera sensor than would be the case with a DSLR. While this is not normally a problem, if you do a lot of photography in low light conditions then you may find that you have to adjust the shutter speed or ISO settings to compensate.

What to look for when buying an SLT camera

As discussed above, one of the main advantages of SLT cameras is their ability to take a series of high speed action shots with near-perfect auto-focus. To get the full benefits of this, select a model which features a dedicated burst mode at 10fps.

Another major selling point of SLTs is that they can take HD video with accurate and constant auto-focusing, so it’s always worth making sure that the camera offers this feature.

Finally, if you plan on using your camera for night-time photography, it may be worthwhile purchasing an SLT camera with a larger sensor to compensate for the loss of light redirected to the auto-focus system.

See larger image Olympus E-5 12.3MP Digital SLR with 3-inch LCD [Body Only] (Black) (Electronics) List Price: Price Not Listed New From: Check Amazon For Pricing In Stock Used from: $1,349.00 In Stock

See larger image Sony Alpha SLTA33L DSLR with Translucent Mirror Technology and 3D Sweep Panorama (Black) (Electronics) Used from: $400.99 In Stock

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Whether you are looking to upgrade your current digital camera or invest in your first digital model, there are many factors to take into consideration before making the purchase. Today, digital cameras have a wide range of features, sizes, memory types, and sharing capabilities.

Key Features

When comparing digital cameras, there are certain considerations that you should look at first. It’s likely that one of the first pieces of information you will learn about a camera is its megapixels. Megapixels are one of the keys to the quality of the pictures that you will be able to produce.

For example, if you would like to be able to print 8” by 10” prints, you will need a minimum of 5 megapixels, or 5MPs. Today’s digital cameras typically have a minimum of 5MPs, and many cameras on the market have as high as 12 MPs.

The next feature you should look for is the camera’s zoom. Cameras have optical and digital zoom, but optical zoom is the important measurement. Look for a camera with at least three times optical zoom; professional cameras have 10 times optical zoom. The higher the optical zoom means the more range that you will have to zoom in without losing quality.

Size and Screen

Consider how you plan to use your camera when looking at its size. Ultra-portable digital cameras can be small enough to fit into your back pocket. If carrying your camera everywhere is your goal, these ultra-portable models may be ideal. However, ultra-portable camera can be expensive and may be difficult for some people to use.

Screen features can be very important for ease of use. A good camera has a bright, glare-free LCD screen that is large enough for comfortable viewing of your pictures and setting options. Recently, more cameras have been coming out with touchscreens and dual view screens that allow you to see what pictures you are taking from both the front and back of the camera.

Memory and Sharing

Finally, consider your memory and sharing needs. Digital cameras have on-board memory, which is often small, and removal memory cards. Most types of memory cards have similar features and are easily upgradable.

For taking pictures, you will likely need at least 1GB of memory; for videos or high quality pictures, more memory may be needed. Lastly, consider the camera’s sharing abilities. While the memory card can be removed and read, it can be more convenient to have a camera that can connect to your computer with a USB cable.

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Determining which SLR camera is perfect for your needs largely depends on what kind of pictures you like to take. There are many different types of photography and each requires different features, lenses, and accessories.

Does that mean that each SLR camera is specifically made for one type of photography? No, definitely not.

Most digital SLR camera’s will allow you to shoot amazing, high quality pictures in any situation, however; choosing a camera that excels in certain technological areas can greatly improve your photography experience.

This reasoning applies to lenses even more than it does to cameras.

Briefly put, if you’re serious about photography, you should get a camera that fits your style of shooting.

Let’s look at some of the core features you should look for in a camera and how important each of these features are for different types of photography.

Megapixels

The first thing most entry-level SLR photographers look at when purchasing a new camera is the amount of megapixels it can capture images in.

This is a bit ironic, because typically this should be the least of their worries.

Most modern SLR camera’s shoot at at least 12 megapixels or more and unless you are a professional photographer who needs to print billboard-sized images, 12 megapixels will be more than enough.

Especially because these days, hardly anyone prints their pictures anymore.

If you plan on shooting a lot of landscape and nature pictures, you could think about getting a camera with a higher than average megapixel level, but otherwise 12 should really be plenty.

Image Sensors

Essentially the “film” of the camera, image sensors capture the light to create a picture.

There are two types of sensors; CCD and CMOS.

Although CCD sensors produce higher quality images than CMOS sensors do, most popular SLR camera’s have CMOS sensors.

This is for the simple reason that CMOS processors are far easier to produce and are therefore much cheaper than CCD processors.

CCD sensors also consume up to 100 times more power than CMOS sensors, giving camera’s a far shorter battery life.

CCD sensors are another feature that should only be considered by professionals.

Having a quality image sensor is important for all types of photography.

Shutter Speed

If your photography style involves rapid continuous shooting of moving objects, you need a camera with a high shutter speed.

A camera’s shutter speed determines how many shots it can take per second (also called fps; frames per second).

This is again important for action, sports, active outdoors, and spontaneous photography, as well as nature photography, where it can often be difficult to get the perfect picture with just one shot (birds and butterflies are very uncooperative posers).

ISO

A camera’s ISO level determines its sensitivity to light.

The higher a camera’s ISO level, the more sensitive it is to light.

This means that if you plan to take a lot of pictures in situations with dim or low lighting, you will want to get a camera with a high ISO level.

The benefit of having a high ISO level used to be diminished because of the digital noise it produced in images, but today’s image sensors include noise reduction which has gotten rid of this problem almost entirely.

Image Stabilization

Most recent digital SLR’s have a feature called image stabilization.

As the name suggests, this feature ensures that pictures turn out clear and sharp, regardless of how much the camera shakes in a photographers grip.

It’s obvious then, that having a camera with a good image stabilizer is particularly important for action, sports, active outdoors, and spontaneous photography or any other type of photography that involves a lot of movement on the photographer’s part.

Image stabilization is included in camera bodies and in lenses and many SLR camera brands offer it in both.

LCD Display

One of the great benefits of having a modern digital camera is having a big LCD screen on the back that allow you to view your subject and frame when taking a shot and reviewing shots you’ve taken in great detail.

Two things to consider with LCD screens are the size and the resolution.

The bigger the screen and the greater the resolution, the more detail the screen will be able to show. Another thing you may want to consider is to get a camera with a rotating (flip) screen such as the Canon 60D.

See larger image Canon EOS 60D 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD and 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS UD Standard Zoom Lens (Camera) List Price: Price Not Listed New From: Check Amazon For Pricing In Stock Used from: $954.99 In Stock

The ability to move the screen independently from the camera allows you to take shots at angles that would be very difficult to achieve with a camera that has a regular fixed position screen.

Lenses

Lenses are often even much more style-oriented than camera’s and, when using the wrong lens, it can be very difficult to have a shot turn out the way you intended it to.

Fortunately, the most popular lenses are known as multi-purpose lenses that will deliver great shots under most conditions.

Yet, for more advanced types of photography, photographers should consider expanding their lens kit to suit a wider array of situations.

I say “wider array,” but individually, style-oriented lenses often cover a very narrow range of shooting.

Luckily, that also makes it very easy to select the right lens as the product descriptions of such lenses clearly explain their purposes.

Feel and Build

A common mistake people make when buying a new camera is to browse camera’s online until they found the one with the best features and to then place the order without ever having held the camera model they just bought.

I’m not saying you shouldn’t buy your camera online, in fact, I prefer I you do because that’s how I make my money smile You will certainly get the best price online, but I recommend that you go to a store first to try out the models you are considering.

A camera needs to fit in your hands properly and you should be able to handle it with ease.

If you plan to carry it a lot, you also want to make sure that it’s not too heavy for you and not too bulky either.

Having a lightweight, compact camera is crucial for everyday, travel, and active outdoors photography.

Other things to consider are a camera’s sturdiness and how weather-proof it is.

Budget

As you can see, it’s not wise to just get the most expensive camera that comes with lots of bells an whistles.

Instead, think about what kind of pictures you love to take, determine which features you need for it, and then look at camera models that are below the budget you set aside for it.

You will likely find that there are plenty of camera models that are less expensive than you expected and will be just perfect for your needs.

Also consider last year’s models instead of the latest ones.

The difference between camera models that were release one year apart are often negligible, but the price difference definitely isn’t.

Once you selected the perfect model and saved some money, go spend that money on a quality lens or important accessories you did not think about buying such as a quality tripod or extra batteries.

About Paul Salmon

Paul Salmon is the founder of Technically Easy. He is a an experienced PC user, and enjoys solving computer-related problems that he encounters on a regular basis.

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Related Posts

1. Nikon Announces the D3200 Digital SLR Camera
2. What to Look for in a Digital Camera
3. Digital Imaging: Jargon Busting
4. Understanding Digital Camera Features

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