Wize Blog

Nikon D700 vs. Canon 5D Mark II

The Nikon D700 and Canon 5D Mark II are two of the latest, cutting edge DSLRs offered by the top camera manufactures. The key attraction to each of these cameras is the use of a "full frame" sensor. The term "full frame" references the dimensions of the old 35mm film that those of us born in the 80s (or earlier) still remember using. Digital camera sensors have typically been very small over the past several years, even most DSLRs have been smaller than full frame. The sensor size of compact cameras are tiny (about the size of a pencil eraser) compared to full frame sensors. The full frame sensors in the Nikon D700 and Canon 5D Mark II allow the cameras to take full advantage of light, which is crucial for smooth images. The Canon 5D Mark II and Nikon D700 have another thing in common - a hefty price tag. Both ring in at around $2700, though the Nikon D700 is starting to see a bit of a discount at some retailers. These cameras are not for the faint of heart, or the light of wallet. If you are shopping for one of these, then you should have a good understanding of photography and understand the difference that a $2700 camera can make in your images. There are pros and cons to each of these cameras when evaluated against the other.

Image Size and Quality

The Canon 5D Mark II, for instance, has a 21.1 megapixel sensor, which means you can make 20x30" prints all day long and not worry about needing more resolution. The Nikon D700 has a 12.2 megapixel sensor, which is plenty for all but the select few who do huge prints.

Low Light Sensitivity / Noise

Both cameras produce stellar images in low light. You can boost the ISO (sensitivity to light) all the way up to 25600, which was unheard of prior to the introduction of the Nikon D700's predecessor (the profession grade Nikon D3). Both cameras perform excellent up to ISO 6400 and then the images start to look noisy in both. I have successfully shot with each camera at night handheld and gotten relatively clean images. Indoor shooting without a flash is now possible in just about any light with the D700 and 5D Mark II.

Autofocus

I give Nikon the edge in autofocus capability. It has 51 autofocus points, whereas the Canon only has 9 AF points. Having shot with both of them, the Nikon is simply more sensitive in autofocusing, particularly in low light.

Conclusion

I hate to do it, but I have to say that it depends on you and your shooting style as to which one should win out the battle between these full framed beasts. If you are looking for speedy autofocus and don't need the huge files, go with the Nikon. If you want to print big, it's a no brainer, go with Canon. Obviously, if you are tied to a system with a bag full of Canon or Nikon lenses, then you have to keep it in the family. I don't think you would be too disappointed with either one. Me? I'm a Canon kind of guy, so I went with the Canon 5D Mark II - and I love it!

Eric is a guest author for the Wize blog covering digital cameras. He is the Editor of Photography Bay, which covers digital camera reviews, rumors and news.

5 Best Binoculars and What they Cost

If you've been going to a lot of plays, sporting events and concerts, perhaps its time to invest in a good pair of binoculars. Wize.com rates them and can provide specific details for each brand and type.

Here are the 5 best as of today with links to more information about each:

1. Nikon Eagleview (8-24x25) about $160 rated 99 (pictured above)
2. Canon (12x36) IS II about $750 rated 99
3. Canon L IS WP (10x42) about $1000 rated 99
4. Pentax Papilio Butterfly (8.5x21)  about $175 rated 98
5. Swarovski Optik EL (8.5x42) about $1800 rated 98

Look for Image Stablization in a dSLR Lens

The Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM is the lens that ships with some 5D cameras. At wize.com, this lens is listed with the 5D camera. Both camera and lens rate 94.

This, a general purpose, take-a-picture-anywhere type of lens has image stabilization, the number one thing you want to look for in interchangeable lenses of the dSLR cameras.

What I like about this lens is that it offers image stabilization. Pictures taken with full-frame sensors cameras are susceptible to blur, even when the pictures have been taken during the day. The image stabilization in the lens can reduce blur significantly. I like the way Bob Atkins describes it: "Image Stabilizer (IS) dramatically reduces image blur caused by camera shake. Gyro sensors detect unwanted vibrations, triggering the corresponding movement of a correcting lens group perpendicular to the optical axis. This alters the light path, returning the image to its correct position on the sensor or film plane. The 3 stop advantage means that photographers normally shooting a 105mm lens handheld at 1/125 sec can obtain a shake free result with a shutter speed as low as 1/15 sec, for vastly extended options in low light conditions."

Canon PowerShot SD950 IS Review

The Canon PowerShot SD950 IS (rated 93 at wize.com) has lots of megapixels (12.1), but no manual controls. I just don't understand how Canon can make such a camera. If you've got that high of a resolution, why can't you set your shutter speed and/or f-stop?

The camera has 18 shooting modes and ISO speeds up to 3200. It also has face detection and red-eye correction (in playback). You might find the camera to be slow, especially when taking two shots in a row.

The camera does have some more interesting specs:

35mm Zoom Lens    36 - 133 mm
Aperture Range    f2.8/f5.8 (w/t)
Built-in Microphone    With Built-in Microphone
Camera Type    Compact
Depth    1.09 in.
Digital Zoom    4x
Exterior Color    Silver
File Size (High Res.)    5.04 MB (25 images on 128MB card)
File Size (Low Res.)    0.08 MB (about 1,600 images on 128MB card)
Flash Type    Built-In
Focal Length    7.7 - 28.5 mm
Focus Range    19.2 in. to Infinity (w)
Focus Type    Autofocus
Frames Per Second    1.5 Frames
Height    2.36 in.
Hot    None
Image Sensor Type    CCD
Interchangeable Lens    Not Interchangeable Lenses
Interface Type    USB 2.0
LCD Panel    With LCD Panel
LCD Panel Size    2.5 in.
LCD Protected Position    Without LCD Protected Position
LCD Screen Resolution    230,000 pixels
MPN    POWERSHOTSD950IS
Macro Focus Range    24 - 19.2 in. (w) / 15.6 - 19.2 in. (t)
Max Movie Length    Without Limit (Depends on the camera free memory size)
Megapixels    12.4 Megapixel
Name Brand    None
Optical Zoom    3.7x
Release Date    September, 2007
Resolution    12.4 Megapixel
Shutter Speed    15 - 1/1600 sec
Video Interface    Video Out
Video Speed    15 fps
Viewfinder    Optical
Warranty    90 Days
Weight    0.36 lb.
Width    3.78 in.

Canon PowerShot SD850 IS Review

Rated number 3 on CNET's most wanted gadget list and number 4 on Wize Top 5 list of best digital cameras is the Canon PowerShot SD850 IS.

The camera rates a 94 at wize.com.

For many products, wize.com gives full details (specifications for digital cameras) so that you can make a wise decision when choosing a product. The full details for the SD850 are pasted from the wize.com Web site below to show you how detailed the information is.

The details option can be selected by clicking on the 'Details' tap at the top of the summary page for each product listed on wize.com.

Product Details

35mm Zoom Lens 35 - 140 mm
Aperture Range f2.8/f5.5 (w/t)
Battery Life 230 Images
Battery Type Proprietary Li-Ion
Built-in Microphone With Built-in Microphone
Built-in Speaker With Built-in Speaker
Camera Type Compact
Compression Modes Fine | SuperFine | Normal
Compression Type JPEG | EXIF 2.2 | DPOF 1.1
Depth 1.04 in.
Digital Zoom 4x
Exterior Color Silver
Flash Functions Flash Off | Auto Flash | Fill-in Flash | Red-eye Reduction Flash
Flash Type Built-In
Focal Length 5.8 - 23.2 mm
Focus Range 19.2 in. to Infinity (w)
Focus Type Autofocus
Frames Per Second 1.3 Frames
Height 2.22 in.
ISO Speeds Auto | 100 | 200 | 400 | 800 | 1600 | 80
Image Resolutions 640 x 480 | 3264 x 2448 | 2592 x 1944 | 2048 x 1536 | 1600 x 1200
Image Sensor Type CCD
Included Accessories Software | USB Cable | Hand Strap | Lithium Battery | Battery Charger Interchangeable Lens Not Interchangeable Lenses
Interface Type USB 2.0
LCD Panel With LCD Panel
LCD Panel Size 2.5 in.
LCD Protected Position Without LCD Protected Position
LCD Screen Resolution 230,000 pixels
MPN 2047B001
Macro Focus Range 0.79 - 19.2 in. (w) / 15.6 - 19.2 in. (t)
Megapixels 8.3 Megapixel
Memory Type MMC Card | Multimedia Card | SD Card | SDHC Card
Optical Zoom 4x
Resolution 8.3 Megapixel
Self Timer 2 Sec. | 10 Sec.
Shutter Speed 15 - 1/1600 sec
Video Format AVI
Video Interface Video Out
Video Resolutions 320 x 240 (QVGA) | 640 x 480 (VGA) | 160 x 120
Video Speed 30 fps
Weight 0.36 lb.
White Balance Auto | Daylight / Sunny (Preset) | Cloudy (Preset) | Fluorescent (Preset) | Tungsten (Preset)
Width 3.56 in.

Canon PowerShot A720 IS Review

At $260 the Canon PowerShot A720 IS isn't a bad buy.

Wize.com rates it a 91.

Let's take a look at the specs to see what we have here:

8 MP resolution

Easy-to-use circular dial for controls Manual controls of M (full manual) Av Aperture priority and Tv Shutter priority

Five scene auto modes

Uses two AA batteries

Image stabilizer

VGA movies (30 frames/sec)

Up to 1600 ISO

Exposure compensation in 1/3 stop increments

6X optical zoom

Digital Photography 101 in 7 minutes

Here's a great video if you don't have a clue about digital photography. Come to think of it, it's a great review if you do know what you're doing. It's also great if you're shopping for a new digital camera.

The narrator does things like describing the auto landscape mode in terms of the f-stop (aperture opening)--saying that it's like shooting at f/8.

He uses a great camera too--a Canon A710*--with all the manual settings on a wheel at the top, just as you'd see in a dSLR camera.

Check it out, you'll be amazed at how much he goes over in 7 minutes.

*The Canon A710 was rated a 93 at wize.com

What Digital Camera is Best Bang for Your Buck?

Glancing over a message board today, I found a post where someone asks what camera in the $150 to $200 price range is the best bang for the buck.

Here were some replies with ratings from wize.com

Canon A570 (pictured above)  7.4 MP   rated 93

Fuji F40fd   8.3 MP  rated 92

Panasonic FX12  7.2 MP  rated 95

Canon PowerShot SD1000  7.4 MP  rated 95

Sony W-55  7.2 MP  rated 95

Canon Powershot TX1 Video Review

The word is out from e-gear.com that the TX1 might be the most unique camera that Canon has put out.

It's not the inside that is different; it's the outside.

First, the camera is taller than it is wide.

Here are the specs:

7.1 MP
10x optical lens (now that's amazing)
ability to make full high def movies (720p)
records to SD card
price close to $500 (but you can find it cheaper at places like amazon.com)
swivel screen
has super-macro (put the lens on top of something for clear shot, amazing!)
image stab
continuous shooting
face recognition

An excellent video below will tell you everything you need to know about the TX1

Shoot Like a Pro--Canon Wedding Photography Equipment

Photo.net has a guide that can help you shop for some really useful photography gear.

The guide, tailored for wedding photographers, can help any shopper who wants professional equipment make the right decisions.

Here's some of the equipment the photo.net article recommends. Sift through this list and find what may suit you if you want to shoot like professional wedding photographer.

* Any dSLR camera with a decent lens. The article doesn't recommend the lenses you get with cameras such as the Digital Rebel XTi. Wize.com rates the Rebel XTi (body only) camera at 95.
* Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM, Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM and Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM lens for a full frame camera body. You'll need a camera that has a full frame sensor (sensor the size of a frame of film, which is 35 mm) for this lens. A Canon 5D has a full sized sensor and is rated a 95 at wize.com.
* Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, Canon EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM and Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM for the Rebel XTi, a camera with a small sensor.