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.

All Eyes are on Photokina

Will Pentax be coming out with a new dSLR? Is that new "Destined Evolution" Web site ad put out by Canon an intro to a new model of the 5D as Engadget prognosticates? Just where is digital photography's new technology headed? Many answers to these questions will be provided during Photokina from Sept 23 to 28 in Cologne, Germany.

Photokina is a big deal. It happens only once every two years and it's the place where many new products are staged and introduced. How important is it? Well, 6000 journalists join 160,000 visitors to review everything there is to know about image capture, storage, processing, transmission and output.

The range of imaging products and services displayed at Photokina is dizzying--cameras, camcorders, digital storage media, printers, kiosk system, home cinema, digital frames and albums, lighting systems, studio equipment, publishing, labs, interactive presentation systems, networks and video/audio technology. For more about Photokina 2008, there's a daily, updated report on the fair with interesting product entries such as the LG KC910, the only 8 megapixel multimedia phone with a full touchscreen interface, the Nikon D90 and the Sony DSLR-A900.

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

Nikon D60 Reviews

Since Nikon's announcement last January of the D60 (full story at dpreview.com) and a video that was posted at wize.com about the camera, more reviews have been coming in.

Dphotojournal.com has a complete list of reviews of the camera.

Here are the ratings for each outlet reviewing the camera:

ComputerActive  4/5
Photographyblog 4.5/5
Letsgodigital 4/5
PocketLint 8/10

To see sample photos from the camera, go here or here.

The camera costs about $750.

Nikon D60 Video from PMA 2008

Imaging Resource interviews Lindsey Silverman from Nikon about the D60. Related to the D40x, the D60 is for those new to dSLR photography. The highlights of this interview are explanations of  the process of dust reduction, a process where the dust can "shake off" the mirrors and ventilate out of the camera and stop-motion movies.

Nikon D60 Specs Leaked

Dpreview has leaded specs for the Nikon D60. Here they are:

*It's small, smallest Nikon dSLR ever
*10.2 MP
*3D Color Matrix Metering II for balanced exposures
*EXPEED, for smoother tones and accurate colors
*Dust reduction and Sensor cleaning function
*Retouch Menu--which lets you change your pictures in-camera

KenRockwell.com says it might appear on Jan. 31. That site has an image of the D60. It also says that the D60 is a combination of the D40 (rated 95 when combined with lens at wize.com), D80 and D300 rated 99 at wize.com.

Nikon Coolpix S700 Dissapoints

Last week I took a look at the Nikon Coolpix P5100.

This week a review for the Nikon Coolpix S700 came out from digitalcamerainfo.com.

The camera includes:

* an updated face detection system
* 3X optical zoom lens
* 2.7 inch LCD screen
* 12.7 MP
* ISO up to 2000
* Flash that's effective to almost 16 feet
* 37-111 mm lens (35 mm equiv.)
* Image stabilization

It's interesting to note that in the digitalcamerainfo.com review that the S700 proved to be sharpest at ISO 64, f/4.3, and a focal length of 16mm.

It's also of interest that the camera takes 2.8 seconds to turn on and take its first shot.

The biggest disappointment I have with the camera is that It doesn’t allow users to adjust the shutter speed and aperture individually. And for a camera that shoots at 12.7 MP that just doesn't make sense. 

Nikon D300 Video and Review

Ken Rockwell over at KenRockwell.com ordered his Nikon D300 in August and just got it this month. You'll find the specs to this camera in the entertaining video above. Rockwell notes that this model takes better pictures than any other Nikon models. His photos that compare the D300 to the D200 are remarkable. The Nikon D200 got a 97 rating at wize.com as Nikon camera are very reliable products.

Nikon Announces Budget Lens with Vibration Reduction

Nikon recently announced that it has introduced  NIKON AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55MM F/3.5-5.6G VR LENS, a lens for beginning photographers and one that's built for Nikon DX-format digital SLR cameras including the D40, D40x, D80 and new D300 .

Even though the lens has vibration reduction, images taken with it are still susceptible to blur.

Over at photo.net, the comments are coming in about the lens. One post brings up the point about the slow aperture values that come with the lens:

"Nikon has added an image stabilizer ("VR") to its cheapest zoom lens, the 18-55/3.5-5.6G that they toss in with their digital bodies. The slow maximum aperture will continue to limit the utility of this lens in available light. The viewfinder will remain dim at f/5.6. The slow shutter speeds entailed by f/5.6 will fail to freeze subject movement, even if camera shake has been controlled by the VR system."

The AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens will be available beginning December 2007 at an estimated selling price of $199.

Wize.com rates the Nikon D40 set that comes with a similar lens, but one without vibration reduction. The set rated a 95. Perhaps the new configuration that includes the lens with vibration reduction will rate higher.

 

Shoot Like a Pro--Nikon 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 Nikon 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 Nikon D40. Wize.com rates the Nikon D40 (body and lens) camera at 95.
* Nikon 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-S, Nikon 28-70mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-S and Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR 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 Nikon D3 has a full sized sensor and is rated a 98 at wize.com.
* Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G ED AF-S, Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX and Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR for the Nikon D40, a camera with a small sensor.