Quick Guide on How to Pick Your First Mirrorless Interchangeable Camera System

According to Samsung, mirrorless interchangeable cameras (MILC) are the future. Samsung, and many experts also predict that the sales of MILC cameras will eventually surpass digital SLR cameras. Today, they are not less than a dozen MILC cameras and 30-40 lenses available.

Basically, MILC system camera has a larger sensor equal to those in digital SLR camera but it does not has mirror and optical viewfinder like DSLR cameras. Therefore, milc camera has considerable less bulk and weight.

However, you might be confused on which MILC system is the best for your needs and experience. Just like DSLR camera system, choosing the best suited MILC system is very important to enhance your photography experience.

Up to date, there are three major systems to consider. The first one is micro four thirds system which include Panasonic and Olympus. The second one is Samsung NX system and the last one is Sony NEX system.

I would suggest Panasonic if you want the most responsive cameras with tones of lenses in their arsenal.

Panasonic micro four thirds system cameras is famous for its auto focus performance which almost equal to beginner digital SLR camera.

Panasonic offers two kinds of design. The first one has built-in electronic viewfinder and DSLR like grip. This kind is like a mini DSLR. For example: Panasonic G1, G2, GH1 and GH2. The second version is more compact due to no EVF and DSLR like grip. It looks like enlarged compact camera. For example: Panasonic GF1. The overall design is geared towards function rather than aesthetic appeal.

So far, Panasonic has the best lens collection and some of them are very high quality such as Panasonic Leica 45mm f/2.8 macro lens. Because Panasonic belongs to micro four thirds system, it can use Olympus m43 lenses too or if you use appropriate adapter, you can use other manufacturers and old legacy lens from film era as well.

I would suggest Olympus if you want to be unique and fashionable

Olympus is the second company to release MILC camera after Panasonic. Unlike Panasonic, Olympus does care on aesthetic. For example, Olympus PEN E-P1 is a very nice looking camera. Its design derived from vintage camera from film era.

Olympus has unique feature which is built-in sensor image stabilization which will work with any lenses mounted on it. As a result, Olympus lens is considerably smaller than other lenses which employ lens-based image stabilization. Fixed focal length lenses will also get benefit from this technology.

Like Panasonic, Olympus also belongs to micro four thirds system, so you can use the lens interchangeably with Panasonic or other lenses that have micro four thirds mount.

However, the downside of Olympus is on auto focus and general performance. It starts up time and auto focus system is twice slower than other MILC camera system. In addition, some of their cameras including E-P1, E-P2 do not have built-in flash and all of their current camera do not have built-in electronic viewfinder. (Olympus might plan to release one next year).

I would suggest Samsung NX if you love great interface, handling and control

Samsung is a relative new comer in MILC system, but it is very ambitious to bring the best MILC system to the market. Generally, Samsung camera performance is almost equal to Panasonic cameras, and it employs larger sensor than micro four thirds system (Olympus and Panasonic). Therefore, it has slight advantage in low light photography and dynamic range.

So far, Samsung has two designs. NX10, their first camera, has built-in electronic viewfinder and the newer NX100 does not has it. The design is modern and simple.

What unique about Samsung NX system is their lenses. Some of the new ones has i-Function features, which you can use focus ring on lens to change various setting such as ISO, WB, etc.

NX system interface is nicely designed with great looking graphic and typography. It is great especially for beginners.

There is no considerable downside to this system other than they don't have many lenses available yet. But they seem to be very enthusiastic about this system and will launch five more lenses next year.

I would suggest Sony NEX if you are point of shoot shooters and love to be in style

Sony NEX is famous because it is the smallest MILC cameras in the market, yet it has large sensor equal to those of DSLR cameras. Like most Sony products, its design is stylist and relative high quality. For example, it lenses are made from aluminum case instead of plastic. Performance wise, Sony NEX system is only a tad slower than Panasonic system.

Sony NEX system is very friendly to beginners. Its interface is made as simple as possible. If you are used to point of shoot camera and have little or no knowledge about photography, learning how to operate Sony NEX will be a piece of cake.

However, if you are experienced photographers, you might be a bit disappointed with the interface. It takes many button presses until you can set the camera according to your will.

Like Samsung NX, Sony NEX system is very new, so lens collection is somewhat limited in 2010. But due to good sales outlook of NEX system, we can expect more lenses from Sony in the new future.

I hope this article could give you an idea on which system is the best for you. Happy shooting!

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Many digital cameras with upgraded technology are being introduced every day. This makes it more difficult to select a camera, as you are left with a wide range of models to choose from. However, most buyers have specific features and needs in mind. Rather than going for the latest model, buy digital cameras that best suit your requirements.

What should I look for when buying a digital camera?

The cheap camera lenses, resolution, display size, performance and battery life should all play a significant role in your buying decision. Here are some features to keep in mind while picking the right camera for yourself.

Resolution:

Resolution is typically defined as the number of pixels that make up a picture. A digital cameras resolution is closely related to image quality. You need a high resolution camera to shoot and print highly detailed photographs. If you want to enlarge and crop any of your photos without loss of clarity, go for cameras that offer a higher resolution. If you do not intend on printing your photographs and would rather email them to friends, a lower resolution camera would be a better choice. They are more affordable and still produce fairly good images.

Memory and Connectivity:

Generally, digital cameras have a removable storage option, such as a memory card slot. Digital cameras support a wide range of formats like flash memory, memory sticks, SecureDigital cards, SmartMedia cards and xD Picture cards. Many TVs, laptops, digital photo frames and some gaming consoles have memory card readers, so you can easily view photos that are stored on memory cards. If you want to save money, store photos on the cameras internal memory rather than on a memory card and transfer them to a PC or Mac using a USB cable. Digital memory is a huge time and money saver!

Batteries:

Rechargeable batteries are highly recommended because they can be charged and reused again. Recent cameras are compatible with NiCad, NiMH and lithium-ion batteries. Though NiCad and NiMH are inexpensive, lithium-ion is worth the extra money. They are long-lasting batteries with low self-discharge rates. You should opt for cameras that are compatible with lithium-ion batteries. A few cameras come with an AC power adapter that can be used to charge the digital camera battery as well.

Zoom:

Digital cameras come with two types of zoom lenses, optical and digital. Both of these zoom lenses allow you to take close-ups of a distant subject, although they accomplish this task through different means. The optical zoom magnifies the image before the shot is taken, whereas the digital zoom artificially magnifies the image by enlarging the pixel area but this leads to a loss of resolution. You should pay more attention to the optical zoom rather than the digital zoom when comparing models.

Modes:

Most cameras available today have preset modes for shooting images under different conditions. Factors such as exposure, aperture, focussing, light metering, white balance and sensitivity can all be adjusted. Many digital cameras also include video capture modes, enabling you to take short videos at different frame rate speeds.

ViewFinders and LCD Displays:

The optical viewfinder is the window you look through when taking a picutre. Although there are digital cameras with viewfinders, several of the latest models have only an LCD display. The LCD screen lets you view an image as you take it and also plays back pictures and videos saved on your camera. Anti-glare screens are best for buyers who plan on shooting a lot of photos outdoors. If you need a durable camera for rough use, opt for a scratch resistant screen.

Technology:

Digital cameras also come with innovative technologies that make photography fun and easy. Do u want to avoid overexposed or darkened faces, recognise multiple faces or optimize the color and tonal qualities of your photos? Not a problem. Todays cameras are well equipped with automatic red-eye and camera shake detection and correction as well as multiple face recognition. Not no meantion tons of

What are the different types of cameras and camera accessories online or available through conventional stores?

Point-and-Shoot Models:

Point-and-shoot cameras are a dime a dozen. These entry level models provide low resolution with little magnification. If you do not want to spend time on focusing and figuring out the settings and controls, a point-and-shoot camera is just the ticket. You will find plenty of these models that are low in cost and easy to use.

Intermediate Models:

These models are especially designed for beginners. Equipped with a range of automatic settings, these consumer-level digital cameras produce flawless pictures. They usually have a resolution of 3.2 to 5 megapixels and a 3:1 to 4:1 zoom lens.

Advanced Consumer Models:

If you have taken a class or photography is one of your hobbies, then you will probably want some additional features. Choose from the many advanced consumer models with higher resolutions, quality lenses and morer zoom. These models let you add features based on your needs and give you the freedom to personalize the settings.

Prosumer Models:

When you buy digital cameras, if consumer models are too basic for you and professional models are too complex, you will love a prosumer model. These sophisticated cameras have the best of both worlds. They have a vast number of options to work with, like switching between automatic and manual focus, selecting the shutter speed and adjusting the aperture settings. You will also have the opportunity to express your creative side by manipulating images. You can adjust the brightness and contrast levels for truly unique snaps. You can expect a minimum of 5 to 6 megapixels in this category. These digital cameras can take 2 to 3 pictures per second, but tend to be more fragile than other models.

Professional Models:

You will need a top of the line model that sports the latest features to meet your high demands, if you are a professional photographer. Professional models are capable of producing high resolution images with magnificent colors and clarity. They have interchangeable lenses and a resolution of up to 14 megapixels. These models are the fastest on the market, allowing you to take 5 pictures per second. Professional digital cameras have a whopping storage option of at least a 1 GB mini hard disk drive, on an average.

A digital camera takes still photographs or videos or both by recording the images on a light-sensitive sensor digitally. Most compact digital still cameras can record moving video and sound as well, apart from still photographs. The sales and popularity of digital cameras have increased now compared to the 35mm film cameras.

Digital cameras have a feature for viewing the image that is recorded immediately on the Camera display screen, the feature that is not available in film cameras. Other features include such as the facility to capture a lot of images on a small memory chip, record video along with sound, edit the images, delete the images not required etc. Digital cameras are now available along with many devices ranging from mobile phones and PDAs to vehicles.

The camera perhaps has been affected more by the digital technology than any other products. The digital cameras are not a new phenomenon. The first digital camera was released by Kodak in the U.S. market around 15 years ago. The DCS-100 model at that time with 1.3-mega pixels was available for about $13,000. The digital cameras have emerged with more features and are available at comparatively lesser prices, even to the extent of $80 at select stores.

The biggest benefit of Digital camera technology is the storage capability. You can view the photos on the camera itself, on a web page, a computer monitor, or on paper after printing. The digital camera can be connected to the printer directly through the USB port for printing pictures. People can afford to buy a digital camera today as the prices have fallen with the availability of more features.

It is important for you to know the issues of image resolution for comparing digital camera models. The unit of graphical representation used for displaying digital data by Digital cameras is called Mega Pixel (MP). More the mega pixels, the higher the resolution of the final image. Still you need to compare digital camera images recorded with your actual requirements.

Some typical resolutions found on Digital cameras are:

256x256 – This is available with very cheap cameras. Picture quality is unacceptable.
640x480 – Suitable for posting pictures over a web site or for sending pictures by email.
1216x912 – This resolution is good for printing pictures.
1600x1200 – This is a High resolution standard with around 2 million total pixels.
2240x1680 – This is available on most 4 mega pixel cameras.
4064x2704 – This is available on high-end digital camera with 11.1 mega pixels.

Some High-end consumer cameras can record pictures of over 12 million pixels. Most professional cameras have 16 million pixels. Large format cameras have 20 million pixels. For comparison sake, it is stated that the quality of 35mm film is approximately around 20 million pixels. Some types of Digital cameras are Point and Shoot, Semi-Professional, Bridge and SLR.

You need to know the complete package offered when you compare the prices of digital cameras. You can look for the availability of image-editing software, carry case, add-on Memory card and USB cable for working on your computer, when you want to compare the prices and the features offered. Other general features that you can look into are the availability of an LCD screen, a timer, a built-in flash, a date & time stamp, optical zoom feature and optical zoom lenses of good quality.

Copyright (c) 2008 Orlando Thompson

The best way to find out about digital cameras is with a digital camera buying guide. You can find out all the information about each specific digital camera and what features the digital camera has as well as how they operate. The buying guide is a great place to start shopping. Some of the information in the guide will include the battery options, storage, lenses and megapixels.

The information you find will help you choose a digital camera that will fit your needs. This is the most comprehensive guide for digital camera buying. You can get this guide in print or use the Internet, which has the same information. The digital camera buying guide has reviews of the digital cameras, which should help you decide if the digital camera is worth the time and money.

The reviews come from testing the digital cameras to see the ease of use and can explain how the features work or do not work. If you plan to buy a digital camera, you will find the buying guide very useful. For the first time user, this guide can be beneficial. If you already have a digital camera and want something comparable or better, the guide is where you should look.

You can find over thirty-five hundred reviews of digital cameras when you look at the digital camera buying guide. Many online sites have all the information you need to decide which digital camera will work the best for you. The guide will help you with things that you need to consider when buying a digital camera. If you are looking for a professional digital camera or a digital camera for general pictures, the buying guide will help you choose the best one.

Before you go and buy a digital camera, you need to compare different digital cameras to find out which ones are highly rated plus which digital cameras have all the features you are looking for.

It really depends largely on what you personally are looking for in a digital camera but these are comments of different personal wants and the features that they found important.

The Snapshooter

I want to take photos that I can e-mail to friends and family, post on the Web, or print in sizes smaller than 8x10 inches. I'd like a digital camera that is easy enough for the whole family to use and small enough to take anywhere. I'll be printing on an inexpensive, all-purpose inkjet printer or getting photo prints from the local drugstore, though I'll consider buying a photo printer if I like the pictures enough. If this is your purpsose these are The specs that matter. Resolution It doesn't matter. Most cameras on the market today have sufficient resolution for your needs. Price $150 to $300, lens type Zoom (range encompassing at least 38mm to 114mm, 35mm equivalent) Storage media Internal memory, CompactFlash, Memory Stick, xD-Picture Card, or Secure Digital/MultiMediaCard Photo file format JPEG Interfaces USB, NTSC/PAL television connection, exposure controls automatic, programmed scene modes, exposure compensation (for tweaking the automatic exposure), focus controls automatic, flash modes automatic, fill, red-eye reduction, software Photo stitching, photo album, slide show, multimedia VGA (640x480), 30fps video-clip recording with sound, other cool features to look for Direct-to-printer (PictBridge) output compatibility, in-camera red-eye removal, automatic exposure fix, optical or mechanical image stabilization, face detection.

The Trendsetter

I like to buy the newest, shiniest toys before anyone else does. I want to impress my friends and business associates with the latest technologies and coolest features, but not if it makes the product too complicated to use. Although I do want the best deal available the cost of the digital camera is not my number one concern. For the trendsetter the specs that matter are resolution 8 megapixels or greater, price Less than $1,000 lens type Zoom (range encompassing at least 36mm to 108mm, 35mm equivalent), storage media Internal memory, CompactFlash, Memory Stick, xD-Picture Card, or SD/HC, photo file format JPEG, interfaces USB, HDMI, or component HDTV television connection, exposure controls automatic, programmed scene modes, exposure compensation (for tweaking the automatic exposure), focus controls automatic, flash modes automatic, fill, red-eye reduction Software Photo-stitching, photo album, slide show, multimedia 720p (1,280x720) video-clip recording with sound and functioning zoom during video, other cool features to look for Ultracompact design, Webcam capabilities, voice recording, Wi-Fi support, 3-inch LCD, simultaneous video and photo capture, 12X or greater optical zoom, optical or mechanical image stabilization, face detection.

The Business user

I need to be able to shoot onsite or in the office, photograph products and people for ads and publicity in print and on the Web, and get professional-looking results without hiring a pro. I need to get prints in a variety of ways, including from a color laser printer or quick-print shop. I have to share the camera with my coworkers. The specs that matter for the business user are resolution 7 megapixels or greater, price $400 to $700, lens type Zoom (range encompassing at least 36mm to 130mm, 35mm equivalent), storage media CompactFlash, Memory Stick, xD-Picture Card, or SD/HC, photo file format JPEG or TIFF, interfaces USB, NTSC/PAL television connection, exposure controls automatic, aperture- and shutter-priority, manual, choice of metering modes, bracketing, focus controls automatic, manual flash modes automatic, fill, red-eye reduction, external flash compatibility, software photo editor; collaborative image sharing, multimedia voice recording, built-in speaker for audio playback, other cool features to look for Support for digital security, Wi-Fi, text-capture mode, world clock.