Apr 26 2012

Nikon D3200: Nikon’s Entry-Level DSLR

Category: In-Camera Techniques, Photographers, Technology Insights — djordan @ 8:03 am

nikond_3200Nikon’s entry-level DSLRs are known for being well-built and easy to use. The same looks to be true for the D3200, just with a super-sized 24.2 megapixel sensor.

Like the D800 and its monster 36MP sensor, the D3200 is an escalation in the sort-of dormant megapixel war. The DX-format (sorry, full-frame hopefuls) CMOS sensor should allow for sharper stills than pricier options like the 16MP D7000 in ideal conditions. The added resolution makes increased noise in low light shots more of a concern, but compared to the D3100, the ISO range has been doubled from 3200 to 6400, which will hopefully offset any issues.

Beyond the sensor, the D3200 shares some specs with the D3100, but got a few bumps where it matters. The expanded ISO, for one, and a new Expeed 3 processor—the same one in the D800. It shoots at 4 frames-per-second continuous in full resolution, up from 3 frames-per-second on the D3100, and the LCD screen got a big resolution bump—a more-current 921k-dot, compared to the old 230k-dot screen. Still not touchscreen, though. Autofocus is still 11-point, and it’ll also have the D3100’s guide mode, which explains camera features to new users. On the video side, it shoots 1080p at 24 and 30fps, an HDMI-output, and a new 3.5mm microphone input jack.

There’s also an optional $60 wireless mobile adapter, the WU-1a, that will connect the D3200 to mobile phones or tablets. The adapter will you access the camera’s live view and control the shutter from the screen of your Android or iOS device.

The suggested retail for the D3200 and a basic 18-55mm VR kit lens is $700. No word on the body-only price just yet. It’s up for pre-order today, and will ship some time in late April.  [gizmodo]

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Apr 05 2012

Nikon D800 Review: A Major HD Upgrade, But Is It the Best DSLR For the Money?

Category: In-Camera Techniques, Technology Insights — djordan @ 9:22 am

The Nikon D700 was the last great pre-video DSLR. It was an excellent and very boring camera. Nikon’s newest, a $3,000 body called the D800, introduces two major features: HD video and a 36-megapixel sensor.

That sensor is what’s on everybody’s mind. Studio photographers will love its rich details, and for the hack on the street, it’s the sharpest sensor in this price range. Let’s be clear from the start: This is one of the best cameras you can buy for three grand, period. But it’s been overshadowed by the standard-bearer in this category, the Canon 5D Mark III. At a $500 lower price, could the Nikon D800 be a better buy?

Why It Matters

Nikon D800 Review: A Major HD Upgrade, But Is It the Best DSLR For the Money?
Thirty-six-point-three-million pixels. That number should smack you in the face. Megapixel counts can be misleading, but in this case, pay close attention. The camera’s success hinges on that sensor. See, a sensor like the Nikon D800’s shoots extremely high-resolution photos, which means a ton of detail in the images. When the conditions are right, it can get better results. But cramming more pixels onto an image sensor can hurt its ability to shoot in dark conditions. If this super sensor falls short, the camera will only be interesting to pros working in controlled environments.

Continue reading “Nikon D800 Review: A Major HD Upgrade, But Is It the Best DSLR For the Money?”

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Mar 28 2012

Nikon D800 vs. Canon 5D Mark III: Which Shoots Better Video?

Category: Technology Insights — djordan @ 11:40 am

Screen shot 2012-03-28 at 11.32.29 AM

Canon and Nikon both have brand new professional DLSR cameras fighting for the wallets of photographers and videographers the world over. We recently reviewed the Canon 5D Mark III, and are whipping up a review of the Nikon D800. In the meantime, we put together a comparison of the video capabilities of these two foes.

Low Light

The Canon 5D Mark III wins hands down in this category. Less noise, more even colors. No contest.

Detail / Sharpness

In full screen video, the Nikon D800 clearly has better overall sharpness and details. Update: Yes, we know sharpness depends partially on the lens used. We chose the most comparable lenses we had available.

Click here to go over to Gizmodo to finish reading the review [Gizmodo]

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Feb 02 2012

Nikon Coolpix P310

Category: Photographers, Technology Insights — djordan @ 8:55 am

The Nikon Coolpix P310 is another point and shoot—except it’s completely gorgeous. The boxy design is a matte slate of black perfection. Everyone line is clean, every centimeter accounted for, every button well-placed. Make more things like this.

Inside, the P310 is no dinky shooter: 16 megapixel stills, 1080p video recording, an assignable front function button, full manual controls, image stabilization, and a swank f/1.8 zoom NIKKOR lens. By my god—it’s so small! What you’re looking at is only 4.1 x 2.3 x 1.3 inches—easily pocketable. But I don’t want to keep it in any pocket. I want to look at it. Boxy is beautiful. More angles. Cameras shouldn’t resemble spaceships. Check for it next month at $330. [Nikon]

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Jan 13 2012

Nikon D4 Hands-On: The Photographer’s Newest Deadly Weapon

Category: Technology Insights — djordan @ 11:48 am

If you’re used to shooting with an everyday DSLR, the Nikon D4 is like holding fully-automatic machine gun for the first time.

Pulling the trigger on the D4 is wonderfully satisfying. When you’re shooting in continuous mode, frames peel off super-fast thanks to Nikon’s new EXPEED 3 processor, which gets you up to 11 fps in RAW. The camera has a big buffer for continuous shooting, but I learned that the new processor is so powerful that it will capture up to 50 RAW frames before even going to buffer. I didn’t push that last claim to its conclusion at the Nikon CES booth, but I held down the shutter release for a while without the camera choking up.

Compared to inexpensive DSLRs the Nikon D4 is big and heavy, but it’s actually much more manageable than other professional cameras. It’s light enough to use with one hand for maybe a minute, but make no mistake: This is a lot of camera. Don’t plan on hanging the D4 from your neck all day. It fills up both of my hands when I hold it on the bottom and from the grip on the right side. To really get the most out of the camera’s programable dials and buttons, you’re going to want to hold it this way anyway.

Other notes: The camera sports an impressive autofocus that adjusted instantaneously on the show floor. I watched some of the HD video shot with the camera blown up to the size of a wall and it is gorgeous. Based on what I could see on the LCD, the camera makes good decisions and takes great photos in automatic and priority exposure modes. On the brightly lit show floor I couldn’t try the low-light performance we’ve heard so much about, but I’m looking forward to seeing it in action when production models are available.

We obviously can’t say anything definitive until a full review, but, it’s pretty plain to see that the D4 is going to be a powerful workhorse of a camera. Unfortunately, if you don’t have $6000 lying around you’re never going to own one. [gizmodo]

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Jan 08 2012

Nikon’s $6000 D4 DSLR with an ISO Range from 100 to 204,800

Category: Uncategorized — djordan @ 8:24 am

Nikon’s $6000 D4 might just be the new most deadly lightstalker around with a new 16.2-megapixel full-format CMOS sensor that has (relatively) gigantic 7.3-micron pixels (bigger than Canon’s new 1 DX). And it shoots at up to ISO 204,800. Did I mention it’s better than the D3s in almost every way?

With an expanded ISO range from 100 to 204,800 , it’s a stop beyond the D3s on both ends. More importantly, it takes the range where you can expect a clean shot up to around 12,800, roughly twice as excellent as the D3s.

It’s got a 91k pixel 3D color matrix meter and 51-point AF tracking system (which has 15 cross-type center points, and fun tricks like tracking up to 16 human faces simultaneously). AF also retains its orientation when you change from landscape to portrait, so your focus won’t shoot off to the corner. Autofocus in general also gets a bump, down to -2EV, a full stop slower than the D3S. It shoots fairly fast, despite not having a dual image processor like Canon’s 1DX—10fps even in RAW (though if you lock AF and AE, you can nudge it to 11fps).

But maybe the most important upgrade of all, at least for some where Nikon is concerned, is the D4’s video powers. So yes, it shoots in 1080p at 30 or 24fps (or 720p at 60fps) . But it now uses B-Frame data compression, so you can record h.264 clips for up to 20 minutes continuously. You also have full manual control over exposure while shooting (like previous Nikon DSLRs, you can use AF while shooting, too). And, what might be killer for some people: totally uncompressed HD output through the camera’s HDMI port, along with remote shutter operation for video recording and power aperture, for totally silent adjustment while shooting. Oh and for some extra reach, you can switch from full-frame to Nikon’s DX format (a 1.5x crop factor) or to a 2.7x crop at the standard 1920×1080 resolution, giving you essentially free telephoto zoom powers while keeping your video in full HD. Nikon’s promising “less instances of rolling shutter distortion” to boot.

Speaking of light, it’s lighter. Or at least it feels that way. It’s the first thing we noticed when we picked it up. And it didn’t come at the expense of build quality, since the D4 has the same magnesium alloy chassis build, just trimmed down in areas where it could afford to go on a diet.

It’s got a new 3.2-inch 921k dot LCD (up from 3 inches on the 3S) and an Ethernet port for better connectivity, though we’re not sure if it’s quite as capable as the 1DX’s Ethernet hole.

Ergonomics and usability have improved some, too. There are now two AF buttons for when you’re shooting in portrait, and all buttons are backlit, for better usability in the dark. The D4 has two memory card slots, which are optimized for standard cards as well as the new CompactFlash XQD memory cards, making it the first pro camera to adopt the new format.

It’s good to see Nikon taking aim at videographers who have felt a little out in the cold in refreshes past.

[Nikon]

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Jan 06 2012

Can the Nikon D4 Soon Become the Latest and Greatest DSLR?

Category: Photographers, Technology Insights — djordan @ 8:22 am


Not much info to go off of here, but the French publication Responses Photo published some shots of what might be the Nikon D4. If this is in fact accurate, Nikon’s new flagship DSLR could be right around the corner.

Technically, it doesn’t exist, but has been recently rumored for a release. As far as specs go, the article merely says that it has an a 16 megapixel FX sensor, 51 point autofocus, 1080p video recording, an ISO range of 100-12,800, weighs 1.34 kilograms and will sell for 5800 Euros. Not sure about you, but I’m definitely excited to see what Nikon has up their sleeve. [Nikon Rumors]

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Aug 14 2008

David Pogue Updates Gadget List!

Category: Technology Insights — Ethan G. Salwen @ 1:49 am

ACMF_080814_PogueList_1_pogue_headshot“The New York Times” technology columnist and blogger David Pogue has updated his Gadget List for 2008! If you’re not aware of the insightful, prolific and seriously witty Pogue, you probably should be. And his Gadget List 2008 is a good place to start.

Pogue shares with readers exactly which technology devices he uses in his own life—cameras, phone, computer, car and other goodies—and explains why these items are his tools of choice for work and play. Just because Pogue’s hi-end camera is a Nikon D80 don’t assume he doesn’t have much wisdom to offer professional photographers.

Continue reading “David Pogue Updates Gadget List!”

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