Review of Nikon D40X 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)

The 10 Megapixel Nikon D40x is targeted for those who want a relatively compact and light camera yet having most of the important SLR features. The D40 is priced reasonably. In my opinion, if you are still considering whether to get a point and shoot camera or a DSLR, the D40x will be a better choice than any point and shoot camera. But if you are already deciding to get a DSLR or you want more control of the picture taking experience, then I would recommend you to also test the D50, D70s and/or D80 first before deciding to buy the D40x (or the D40). I want you to make sure that you know what you will get (and not get) with the D40x. Don’t get me wrong though, the D40x is an awesome camera, and I don’t think you will regret buying one. There are some limitation with the D40x which shouldn’t bother most people, for example, the D40x doesn’t have dedicated button to change picture quality, white balance or ISO settings (which generally only professional/enthusiast will care). Once you understand (and accept) its limitation, the D40x is a potent and exciting photography machine.

Just like all its (DSLR) siblings, the D40x powers on instantly and take pictures with almost no shutter lag which are the major advantages of a DSLR over a point and shoot camera. In addition to the P,S,A,M mode, the picture quality of the auto settings (auto, child mode, landscape etc) are also very good. With 3 frames per second you can capture movement progress in sports like football, basketball, baseball etc. Also great to photograph your family or child (child mode). The D40x is a great all around camera.

Some notable new features:
1. Auto (no flash) mode. Without this mode the flash will pop-up (on all other pre-programmed mode) even when you don’t want to use flash (which can be annoying). The internal flash will not pop up automatically with the P,S,A,M settings.
2. In camera editing capability such as black and white, sepia and some filter effects etc. While sounds gimmicky, these features are useful especially for those who doesn’t have Adobe Photoshop (or other image editing software).
3. 10.2 Megapixel sensor for 3782 X 2592 on large image size settings. This is enough to print larger than 13 X 19 Inch.
4. 3 frames per second (vs 2.5 for D40)

To date, D40 and D40x are the smallest and lightest among all the Nikon DSLR (even smaller than the Canon Rebel XT/XTi, however the D40 and D40x is more ergonomics). I believe that choosing a camera that fits comfortably with your hands is important. Therefore, I recommend people to test the camera before buying (even if you want to buy online, please do go to a physical store and test the camera first whenever possible).

The D40/D40x has only 3 (horizontal) autofocus point (5 for D50 and 11 for D80). If you know “The Rule of Thirds”, the additional AF points above and below the center focus point (available in D50 and D80) are handy to help create the horizontal third line. However, the 3 horizontal AF point in D40/D40x is still helpful to create the vertical third line. Also one can focus with the middle AF point and after the focus is lock then move the frame upwards/downwards to create the horizontal third line. Just make sure the exposure level is still accurate when you move the frame after you lock the focus.

About the 18-55mm II AF-S kit lens: A good lens producing sharp photos (though not a very fast lens). Also decent for close-up/macro photography. Lens uses internal focus technology and focusing operation is silent. A very decent kit lens.

Lens compatibility: Notice that with D40/D40x, autofocus function will not work for non AF-S/AF-I lens. If you already have non AF-S/AF-I Nikon lenses and want a backup or replacement camera, you will be better off buying D50, D70s or D80. If you buy the D40, it will be convenient to stick with AF-S and AF-I type lenses. I’m not sure why Nikon choose this route for the D40/D40x (whether to enable smaller size camera or from now on Nikon will only make AF-S lens compatible camera). There are a lot of good Nikon AF-S lenses (price range added: low, medium, high) that are fully compatible with the D40/D40x such as:

- Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX (L)
- Nikon 50mm f/1.4G AF-S (M)
- Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX (L)
- Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX (L)
- Nikon 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G ED IF AF-S DX (L)
- Nikon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX (L)
- Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S DX VR (M)
- Nikon 55-200mm f4-5.6G ED AF-S DX (L)
- Nikon 55-200mm f4-5.6G ED AF-S DX VR (L)
- Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR (M)
- Nikon 12-24mm f/4G ED IF AF-S DX (M)
- Nikon 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-S (H)
- Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX (H)
- Nikon 28-70mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-S (H)
- Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR (H)
- Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro (M)
- And several other expensive prime tele/zoom lens like 200-400mm, 300m, 400mm, 500mm, 600mm.

High priced lens ($1000+) are usually pro level lens which usually have better construction, faster (f-stop), and produce better quality picture. However, often times, lower price lens will serve your needs just fine. I think it is important to know what you want to use the camera for before deciding which camera and lens to buy.

Image quality of the D40x is very good which is #1 factor that I look for in a digital camera.

Here are the pros and cons of the D40x in my opinion:

Pros:
1. Nice out of the camera result picture quality
2. 10.2 Megapixel sensor
3. Compact size and light weight
4. Large and bright 2.5 inch LCD
5. 3 frames per second
6. B/W, Sepia, several more in-camera editing features.
7. Instant power on, fast autofocus and no shutter lag
8. Noise is acceptable at high ISO settings. Auto ISO settings available.
9. Great battery life (500+ on a single charge. 1000+ if flash is not used).
10. Auto (flash off) mode available

Cons:
1. No direct button to change QUAL, WB and ISO settings
2. Grip comfortably but might be a bit too small for some people
3. No top LCD and no front command dial
4. Autofocus will not work with non AF-S or non AF-I lenses (such as the 70-300m G and 50mm f/1.8D lens)
5. No AF/MF switch (have to use the switch on the lens)
6. Only 3 autofocus point
7.
8. No night landscape mode in pre-programmed settings
9. 1/200 flash sync (which is slower than D40′s 1/500)
10. No depth-of-field preview button

Comparing D40x with the D40.I personally prefer the D40 over the D40x due to only minor improvement on the D40x. If you will do a lot of cropping and print larger than 13 X 19 Inch then it might make sense to get the D40x, otherwise use that $200 (price difference) to invest in SB-400 flash or better/more versatile lens (such as upgrading the kit lens to 18-70mm AF-S or 18-200mm AF-S VR or add the 55-200mm AF-S VR zoom lens).If you shoot sports or fast action (in continuous/burst mode) and need more than 3 frames per second then get the D200 with 5 FPS. For enthusiast, 2.5 FPS (D40) or 3 FPS (D40x) is good enough in my opinion.

In conclusion, the D40x is perfect for those who want high quality pictures, more control (than a point and shoot camera), and have a DSLR experience (instant power on and no shutter lag), without having to carry a bulky camera. And unless you are shooting sports/actions professionaly (which faster focusing processor, faster frames per second and larger memory buffer might be needed), the D40x is pretty much all you will need.

Happy Photographing!

Sidarta Tanu

Product Description
The compact Nikon D40x — designed to deliver the picture-taking benefits of adigital SLR, yet is easy and fun to use. The D40x is ready to shoot when you are,thanks to split-second instant shutter response which eliminates annoying shutterlag. Exceptional image quality is made possible by a high resolution, 10.2-effectivemegapixel CCD image sensor and Nikon’s exclusive image processing engine.10.2-megapixel resolution invites creative picture cropping freedom without loss ofpicture quality and delivers the ability to make enlargements of extraordinary size.Additional features include built-in flash with innovative Nikon i-TTL control, In-Camera Editing features with Nikon D-Lighting, Red-Eye Correction, ImageTrimming, Image Overlay, Filter Effects and more. An ingenious HELP Menu with”Assist Images” helps you select the appropriate settings for many camerafeatures.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Nikon D40X 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)

Review of Nikon D50 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)

First of all, I must admit that this is only my third digital camera, and first digital SLR.But it isn’t my first SLR … I have used a Canon Elan IIE for a number of years, and trust me, that camera is no slouch.

But enough about me … the D50 is the real star of the show!I have had the camera (along with the standard lens included with the kit) and so far I am extremely happy.I purchased it just in time to capture some photos of my new neice, and my family swears that the pictures that I was just casually snapping at the hospital look like they are professional portaits.Granted, some of my family members … well, their necks are pretty tan, if you know what I mean, but you get the point.The camera has a slew of modes that are ideally suited to your subject (portraits, action, etc etc), and they do a great job of making all of the fine adjustments that improve the overall quality of the photo for the non-experts.But this camera has varying levels of automation to where you would practically require a photography degree to get your picture.My skills are somewhere in between, but trust me, if you are an absolutely beginner, in 5 minutes you can be taking photos that are 99% of the quality that a pro with a $5000 setup would take.Now you might need to snap a few dozen shots to get just one that is amazing, but that is what is just wonderful about digital cameras.And with a huge, super sharp LCD preview window, you can see in an instant if you have a decent shot, and if not, delete it and try again!

The camera takes the small “big-toenail” SD memory cards, which is a departure from what you will typically see in a digital SLR.I personally like the smaller size; otherwise, I don’t believe there is a significant difference.If you pick up one major point from this review … READ THIS !!!!I initially tried shooting with some SD memory that I had been using in my MP3 player.It worked fine, but if shooting a series of rapid shots, it would take the camera what seemed like a couple of seconds to write to the memory.That is typical with all of the digital SLRs that I have read about … you get maybe a dozen high-speed shots, and then the camera sort of “bogs down”.And most of the time that is fine.But this camera takes advantage of the slightly more expensive “pro” SD memory, which can be written to at extremely high speeds.Because of this, the camera can take an unprecendented number of shots (I believe 137 according to Nikon)!!!Folks, that is amazing, let me tell you.You can just hold the button down and fire away, and capture all of the high-speed action that you can imagine.No more excuses for missing that perfect action shot.Sure, you aren’t going to require this feature very often, but it is nice to have, just in case.And even with normal shots, the high-speed memory seems to work much quicker than normal memory.

The camera can save files in three different size (resolution) levels, three different JPEG quality levels, and the complete uncompressed RAW format.I’ve been shooting using the medium resolution and medium JPEG quality, and the photos look sharper than my old Canon 35mm SLR.You could easily print out 8 x 10 photos and they would look perfect even at the medium quality setting; poster size would look fine at the high quality setting.

The rechargeable battery that is included is simply amazing – I believe they rate it for 2000 shots, and I believe it.It would be VERY diffult to drain this battery in a single day, even with numerous flashes and auto-focusing shots.

The fast auto-focus, very user-friendly menus, flexibility with all Nikon lenses, and near-pro quality at a price that the weekend-photo-warrior consumer can afford, I don’t see how you can go wrong with this camera.

Happy photographing!

Product Description
6.1 Megapixel / 2″ Color LCD Screen / Uses SD memory card / 3D Color Matrix Metering II / 5-Area Autofocus / Auto and Manual Exposure / Uses Nikon ED Lens 2 Inch Color LCD screen Self-Timer -Electronically controlled timer with 2 to 20 seconds duration Storage (Number of frames per 256MB SD Memory Card, image size L) -RAW approx. 33, FINE approx. 70NORMAL approx. 137BASIC approx. 258, RAW & BASIC approx. 29 **We suggest getting a 512MB memory card or larger for more flexible use.** Video Output -Can be selected from NTSC and PALInterface -USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed) Shutter -Combined mechanical and CCD electronic shutter,30 to 1/4000 sec. in steps of 1/3 or 1/2 EV, bulb Flash Control -1) TTL -TTL flash control by 420-pixel RGB sensorBuilt-in Speedlight -i-TTL Balanced Fill-Flash or standard i-TTL flash (spot metering) SB-800 or 600 -i-TTL Balanced Fill-Flash or standard i-TTL flash (spot metering)2) Auto aperture -Available with SB-800 with CPU lens3) Non-TTL Auto -Available with Speedlights such as SB-800, 80DX, 28DX, 28, 27, and 22s4) Distance-priority manual available with SB-800 Text Input -Up to 36 characters of alphanumeric text input available with LCD monitor and multi-selector; stored in Exif header Focusing Screen -Type-B BriteView Clear Matte screen Mark V with superimposed focus brackets Unit Dimension (WxHxD) -Approx. 5.2 x 4.0 x 3.0 inches / Weight -About 1 pound without battery

Click Here to see more reviews about: Nikon D50 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)

Review of Nikon D50 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)

First of all, I must admit that this is only my third digital camera, and first digital SLR.But it isn’t my first SLR … I have used a Canon Elan IIE for a number of years, and trust me, that camera is no slouch.

But enough about me … the D50 is the real star of the show!I have had the camera (along with the standard lens included with the kit) and so far I am extremely happy.I purchased it just in time to capture some photos of my new neice, and my family swears that the pictures that I was just casually snapping at the hospital look like they are professional portaits.Granted, some of my family members … well, their necks are pretty tan, if you know what I mean, but you get the point.The camera has a slew of modes that are ideally suited to your subject (portraits, action, etc etc), and they do a great job of making all of the fine adjustments that improve the overall quality of the photo for the non-experts.But this camera has varying levels of automation to where you would practically require a photography degree to get your picture.My skills are somewhere in between, but trust me, if you are an absolutely beginner, in 5 minutes you can be taking photos that are 99% of the quality that a pro with a $5000 setup would take.Now you might need to snap a few dozen shots to get just one that is amazing, but that is what is just wonderful about digital cameras.And with a huge, super sharp LCD preview window, you can see in an instant if you have a decent shot, and if not, delete it and try again!

The camera takes the small “big-toenail” SD memory cards, which is a departure from what you will typically see in a digital SLR.I personally like the smaller size; otherwise, I don’t believe there is a significant difference.If you pick up one major point from this review … READ THIS !!!!I initially tried shooting with some SD memory that I had been using in my MP3 player.It worked fine, but if shooting a series of rapid shots, it would take the camera what seemed like a couple of seconds to write to the memory.That is typical with all of the digital SLRs that I have read about … you get maybe a dozen high-speed shots, and then the camera sort of “bogs down”.And most of the time that is fine.But this camera takes advantage of the slightly more expensive “pro” SD memory, which can be written to at extremely high speeds.Because of this, the camera can take an unprecendented number of shots (I believe 137 according to Nikon)!!!Folks, that is amazing, let me tell you.You can just hold the button down and fire away, and capture all of the high-speed action that you can imagine.No more excuses for missing that perfect action shot.Sure, you aren’t going to require this feature very often, but it is nice to have, just in case.And even with normal shots, the high-speed memory seems to work much quicker than normal memory.

The camera can save files in three different size (resolution) levels, three different JPEG quality levels, and the complete uncompressed RAW format.I’ve been shooting using the medium resolution and medium JPEG quality, and the photos look sharper than my old Canon 35mm SLR.You could easily print out 8 x 10 photos and they would look perfect even at the medium quality setting; poster size would look fine at the high quality setting.

The rechargeable battery that is included is simply amazing – I believe they rate it for 2000 shots, and I believe it.It would be VERY diffult to drain this battery in a single day, even with numerous flashes and auto-focusing shots.

The fast auto-focus, very user-friendly menus, flexibility with all Nikon lenses, and near-pro quality at a price that the weekend-photo-warrior consumer can afford, I don’t see how you can go wrong with this camera.

Happy photographing!

Product Description
6.1 Megapixel / 2″ Color LCD Screen / Uses SD memory card / 3D Color Matrix Metering II / 5-Area Autofocus / Auto and Manual Exposure / Uses Nikon ED Lens 2 Inch Color LCD screen Self-Timer -Electronically controlled timer with 2 to 20 seconds duration Storage (Number of frames per 256MB SD Memory Card, image size L) -RAW approx. 33, FINE approx. 70NORMAL approx. 137BASIC approx. 258, RAW & BASIC approx. 29 **We suggest getting a 512MB memory card or larger for more flexible use.** Video Output -Can be selected from NTSC and PALInterface -USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed) Shutter -Combined mechanical and CCD electronic shutter,30 to 1/4000 sec. in steps of 1/3 or 1/2 EV, bulb Flash Control -1) TTL -TTL flash control by 420-pixel RGB sensorBuilt-in Speedlight -i-TTL Balanced Fill-Flash or standard i-TTL flash (spot metering) SB-800 or 600 -i-TTL Balanced Fill-Flash or standard i-TTL flash (spot metering)2) Auto aperture -Available with SB-800 with CPU lens3) Non-TTL Auto -Available with Speedlights such as SB-800, 80DX, 28DX, 28, 27, and 22s4) Distance-priority manual available with SB-800 Text Input -Up to 36 characters of alphanumeric text input available with LCD monitor and multi-selector; stored in Exif header Focusing Screen -Type-B BriteView Clear Matte screen Mark V with superimposed focus brackets Unit Dimension (WxHxD) -Approx. 5.2 x 4.0 x 3.0 inches / Weight -About 1 pound without battery

Click Here to see more reviews about: Nikon D50 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)

Review of Nikon Coolpix 880 3.2MP Digital Camera w/ 2.5x Optical Zoom

I received my camera and immediately started taking beautiful photos.The menu is easy to follow and I like the scene option and quality of the display. I had compared it to the Sony DSCS70 with the Carl Zeiss lens and it was about the same in price and features, but I went with Nikon for their optics and menu options thining that I would spend the same amount of money. As well, I ordered the CoolPack for “all” coolpix 700, 800 and 900 series cameras.To my dismay the batteries that come with the CoolPack are not compatible with the 880 and the lens filters are not compatible either (I am assuming a step down ring is needed). I promptly returned it. I ordered a 64MB compact flash card for about $100.I took about 40 nice photos and kabam – the lithium ion batter was drained (it comes with a disposable battery).Each battery costs $12-13.Since I intend on taking many photos, I have opted to spend the extra $120 and order the re-chargeable battery, charger and small case.This is a hefty add on fee for what all the other digital camera’s of the same price range come with standardly.The autofocus makes a rather loud noise. At first I was worried since it does not sound like it is a smooth moving part inside (lots of friction sounds), but I called tech support and was told this is normal for the camera to make these sounds.The lady at Nikon was professional and courteous, and hopefully correct in her information!All in all, I expect to take lots beautiful pictures very easily, but if you are not willing to invest about $1100 including the camera and accessories, then this may not be the camera for you.If the camera had come with the battery, charger and protective cover/case I would have given this a 5 star review.

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Review of Nikon Coolpix 880 3.2MP Digital Camera w/ 2.5x Optical Zoom

I received my camera and immediately started taking beautiful photos.The menu is easy to follow and I like the scene option and quality of the display. I had compared it to the Sony DSCS70 with the Carl Zeiss lens and it was about the same in price and features, but I went with Nikon for their optics and menu options thining that I would spend the same amount of money. As well, I ordered the CoolPack for “all” coolpix 700, 800 and 900 series cameras.To my dismay the batteries that come with the CoolPack are not compatible with the 880 and the lens filters are not compatible either (I am assuming a step down ring is needed). I promptly returned it. I ordered a 64MB compact flash card for about $100.I took about 40 nice photos and kabam – the lithium ion batter was drained (it comes with a disposable battery).Each battery costs $12-13.Since I intend on taking many photos, I have opted to spend the extra $120 and order the re-chargeable battery, charger and small case.This is a hefty add on fee for what all the other digital camera’s of the same price range come with standardly.The autofocus makes a rather loud noise. At first I was worried since it does not sound like it is a smooth moving part inside (lots of friction sounds), but I called tech support and was told this is normal for the camera to make these sounds.The lady at Nikon was professional and courteous, and hopefully correct in her information!All in all, I expect to take lots beautiful pictures very easily, but if you are not willing to invest about $1100 including the camera and accessories, then this may not be the camera for you.If the camera had come with the battery, charger and protective cover/case I would have given this a 5 star review.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Nikon Coolpix 880 3.2MP Digital Camera w/ 2.5x Optical Zoom

Review of Nikon Coolpix 3700 3MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom

I purchased the Nikon CoolPix 3700 after much research and chose it over the Canon S400.I’ve been extremely satisfied with the quality of the pictures and videos.This camera was rated #1 Best Buy by PC World and for good reason.

Pros:
-rediculously light and very sturdy
-has a long, narrow shape that is more natural in your hand and your pocket as compared with the more square Canon S400 and other Nikon Coolpix cameras
-almost NO SHUTTER LAG, a big plus when photographing people who don’t like to hold still for too long.
-EXCELLENT PICTURE QUALITY, 3MP is PLENTY for most uses.
-takes such great videos (with sound) that it might just replace your video camera.
-easy to set up and fairly straightforward menus
-uses SD memory which is generally better than CF.
-pretty good battery life, recharges fast, most users probably won’t need an extra battery.
-if you need it, Nikon’s tech support line is very helpful (toll-free and 24/7!)

Cons:
-Performance in low-light isn’t great, but that is the case with most other cameras of this type.
-No case included and only comes with 16MB SD card.A leather case and 256MB SD card will set you back about a hundred bucks.(256MB is the ideal size, I recommend Panasonic SD cards because they record at 10MB/s)
-on/off switch and zoom buttons are awkwardly placed/shaped, should be switched, takes some getting used to.
-included USB cord is a bit fragile, I had to get a replacement from tech support
-3x optical zoom isn’t much.If you want a lot of zoom go 10x.

Overall a great camera with the best performance in this price range.Highly recommended, it’s really a hidden gem.Perfect as a first digicam or for someone who wants to upgrade.

Product Description
Nikon’s Coolpix 3700 Digital Camera combines 2048×1536-pixel (3 megapixel) images with a 3x Optical Zoom-Nikkor lens for spectacular prints as large as 11″ x 14″. The 15 versatile Scene Modes auto-set the camera for great shots in standard shooting situations such as sunsets and portraits. Record a short movie with sound or add a voice memo to your still images. Or use the voice activated shutter release to take self-portraits. Turn on Date Imprinting for a reminder date and time on your pictures. Incamera cropping lets you edit pictures before you download them. Use the included NikonView software for Nikon’s amazing One-Touch Red-Eye Fix™. The sleek, ultra-compact design and allmetal construction with brushed aluminum finish makes the Nikon Coolpix 3700 a beautiful addition to any pocket! Ships with everything you need to get started; camera, rechargeable battery and charger, Nikon Coolpix Starter Memory Card, cables, and image editing software, including NikonView. The Nikon Coolpix 3700, it looks sharp and shoots smart!

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Review of Nikon D80 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera (Body only)

[Following is a reprint of my body only review.I placed a review of the lens at the end.]

The Nikon D80, destined to replace the popular D70 series, is a great camera for Nikon fans who wish to upgrade from their D50s, 70s or 100s. It’s also attractive enough to maybe get a few people to jump ship!

Here’s the highlights:

1) 10.2 megapixel. A substantial upgrade from the 6mp of the older cameras, performance should be very comparable to the highly regarded D200 camera;

2) 11-point AF system. Similar again to the D200 in performance (though not as easy to change);

3) Large viewfinder (.94x magnification). Again, taken from the D200, this is a clear improvement over the previous cameras. Spec wise, this is also better than all the competition, even though other, personal preference factors need to be taken into consideration (such as layout of LCDs and focusing points).;

4) 2.5″ LCD. Not only is it larger, it can also be viewed at a much wider angle–particularly handy when locked to a tripod.

The camera is small for Nikon (about like the D50), but has a good, firm grip for those with medium to larger hands. Controls are well thought out–easy to get to and use. Dampening of mirror noise is better than its competition.

Nikon’s use of the SDHC format should be commended. These small cards will have no real disadvantage to the older CF hards once the HC versions start hitting the shelves, and should relieve the danger of “bent pins”.

Things you’ve liked about previous Nikons have been retained. The D80 uses inexpensive wireless & wired remotes, and it still allows the built-in flash to control other Nikon Speedlights remotely.

Compared to the competition, the Canon Rebel XTi & Sony Alpha 100, the Nikon starts a bit in the hole, considering it’s the most expensive camera (by $200 & $100, respectively). The XTi offers a nice “anti-dust” hardware & software solution; while the Sony offers in camera stablization. Both use the rear LCD for info status. While many may prefer the traditional LCD on top (like the D80), the rear LCD does have the advantage of being considerably larger text for older eyes (and on the Alpha, rotates when you rotate the camera for verticals). Too bad the D80 doesn’t give you this option as well.

The XTi is smaller and lighter, maybe too small for many people. The XTi also does not offer wireless capability with the built-in flash (like D80/A100). It’s battery (hence capacity) is a bit smaller.

The Alpha 100 being Sony’s first modern digital SLR means that getting lenses and accessories my be a bit more difficult (even though it uses a lot from the older Maxxum cameras). It’s also a bit noiser in its operations.

The D80 adds more AF selections than either of the above cameras, has nice enhancements like grid lines and double exposures. It also comes with a protective cover for the rear LCD.

Lens wise, they greatly outnumber those offered by Sony, particularly in any considered “Pro” grade. While Canon can compete in “Pro” grade with Nikon (particularly in longer length lenses), Nikon has a bit of advantage in wider angles for digital. Nikon only offers one size digital sensor, where as Canon must offer two series (for 3 different chip sizes).

Is the D80 worth the money? For anyone with Nikon lenses, undoubtedly. My recommendation for anyone with Canon EF or Minolta Maxxum lenses: look at those cameras first…but be sure to look at the D80 before you buy.

Lens review: Tremendous!The Nikkor 18-135 gives everybody what they want, an affordable lens with above average quality.

First, the 18-135 range is excellent for a kit lens, equivalent of a 27-200 in 35mm photography.It looks great, zooms smoothly, and balances well.The Silent Wave focusing motor is quiet, quick and smooth, and allows immediate manual focus (no hunting for switches).The internal focus is great for anyone using polarizing filters, and allows for a more efficient tulip shaped lens hood (supplied).

Second, the image quality is very good. The aperture is of average size, so don’t expect images to jump out like large aperture lenses, but quality is good throughout the range.

Third, Nikon always includes a better than average 5 year warranty in the US on their lenses.

The only negative is that I always prefer a metal lens mount to a plastic one, although the latter keeps both the weight and cost down.

Product Description
One of the key advances developed for the D80 is its high-resolution image-processing engine, a dedicated new high-performance processing chip that greatly accelerates performance. ISO AUTO mode automatically adjusts sensitivity between ISO 100 to 1600, maximizing available light to help achieve optimal exposure7 automated Digital Vari-Programs (Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Close Up, Sports, Night Landscape and Night Portrait) optimize white balance, sharpening, tone, color, saturation and hue to match the scene User-selectable choice of optimization optionsNear-instant response with 0.18 sec. power-up Top shutter speed of 1/4,000 second and flash sync speeds up to 1/200 secondFast image transfer via USB 2.0 Hi-Speed interface and SD memory cardCreative in-camera effects and editing functionsMultiple Exposure modes Large 2.5-inch LCD monitor with ultra-wide 170-degree viewing angle for clear image preview and easy access to settings and information; Slideshow function (Standard or Pictmotion) SD memory card storage, SDHC compatibleHigh-energy EN-EL3e rechargeable lithium-ion battery delivers the power to shoot up to 2,700 pictures on a single chargeSupports more than 43 AF NIKKOR lenses in addition to the growing family of DX NIKKOR lensesBuilt-in Flash with i-TTL flash controlIncludes Nikon’s PictureProject softwareUnit Dimensions WHD – 5.2 x 4.1 x 3.0 inch; 1.3 lbs Supplied Accessories -EN-EL3e Rechargeable Li-ion Battery, MH-18a Quick Charger, EG-D2 Audio Video Cable, UC-E4 USB Cable, Strap, Body cap, DK-5 Eyepiece Cap, DK-21 Rubber Eyecup, BM-7 LCD monitor cover, Accessory shoe cover, PictureProject CD-ROM Body only – Requires optional lens for use

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Review of Nikon Coolpix S10 6MP Digital Camera with 10x Vibration Reduction Zoom

I’m a rabid photographer of scenery, wildlife, friends, families and pets.I take pictures with tripods, while walking, from horseback, from the car, during parties, indoors, outdoors…whenever it strikes me to take a photo.I would estimate that I take at least 300 photos a month.I currently have an olympus 740 so I bought the nikon looking to get a little smaller camera with the same zoom capabilities but with image stabilization.I read the manual to this camera from cover to cover and it has lots of options to tinker with.I took more than 1000 photos in every situation I could think of and eventually ended up returning the camera because of the medium indoor low light issues.

The good:
The camera has a NICE brushed metal feel to it.Looks like it would hold up well and not show scratches easily and feels quite sturdy.
It’s really comfortable and easy to hold the camera and either telescope the lens or press the shutter without straining your hand.
The LCD has great resolution and colors.Some people don’t like that it doesn’t have a viewfinder but I hardly use a viewfinder.
Rechargable battery (although the initial charging time is something like 8 or 10 hours, the later chargings are less).
The lens cap just flips back with an easy touch, no pulling it off and having it dangle and bounce into action shots.
The camera worked great for scenery shots during the day.
I took some great moonlight shots without the use of a tripod with this camera using some of the many, many features.My other camera could never take these shots.
I liked that there wasn’t an external telescoping lens and the lens did all its telescoping inside the cylinder.
I was impressed with the shutter speed and zoom capabilities.
Image stabilization was awesome in sunlight.

What I didn’t like:
I found that ANY dust on the lens created an orb in the photo and I had to keep cleaning the lens because dust would easily get into the cool snap cover.
Low indoor light made for blurry (or sometimes grainy images), even with image stabilization and I had to tinker with a lot of the settings to get half way decent photos and even then they weren’t great.
If I used a flash in low light, it often whited out people’s faces.My friends thought that the flash was too blinding but I can’t speak for this because I didn’t see it.I used tons of settings (much to my friends’ frustration) to try to find a good setting and I didn’t find one.
Direct sunlight caused lots of sunspots (I think because of the lens angle because the same exact shot with my olympus had no sunspot and it was seconds between shots)but you could use polarizing sunglasses over the lens for a super easy fix.
The light from the flash doesn’t always bounce as one would expect. I’m not sure if it’s because of the angle of the turned lens cylinder or what but it the light didn’t seem to spread naturally and would end up either too focused or weirdly casted shadows would appear.Again I’d take the same photo with my olympus which has a different flash placement and the photos would turn out fine.
I took some shots of my pets indoors and they didn’t like the flashing red light the camera uses for measuring/focus in low light.
I had a lot of color issues (mostly a yellowing of the images) under flourescent lights in a lot of low light photos but I could fix them Adobe photoshop.

This could have been a bad camera but just in case you buy this and have the same issues, you’ll know it’s not just you

Product Description
Imagine a digital-camera with a 10x zoom lens that’s less than 2 inches thin. It offers a 35mm-equivalent of 38mm to 380mm focal length. Take it with you.LCD monitor -2.5-inch with brightness adjustmentStorage media -Internal memory -approx 16MB, SD memory card compatible (We suggest at least 512MB optional SD card for practical use) Shooting modes -Auto, Scene Assist (Portrait, Landscape, Sports, Night Portrait), Scene (Party/Indoor, Beach/Snow, Sunset, Dusk/Dawn, Night Landscape, Close Up, Museum, Fireworks Show, Copy Back Light, Panorama Assist, Voice Recording), BSS (Best Shot Selector), AE-BSS, Color Options, Blur Warning, Date Imprint, Self-timer (10 sec) / Movie modes -w/Electronic VR, With sound -TV movie (640) at 30fps, Small size (320) at 30fps, Smaller size (160) at 15fps, Pictmotion (320) at 15fps; Without sound -Time-lapse movie at 15fps Pictmotion -5 styles selectable to playback movies or up to 30 still images, 5 music files pre-installed, 3 music files loadableNumber of frames (w/Internal memory) -6M High approx 5, 6M Normal approx 10, 3M Normal approx 20, PC Screen 68, TV Screen approx 128 Electronic-flash -Range -0.3-5.4m / 11.8 in-17.7 ft [W], 1.0-5.4m / 3.3 ft-17.7 ft [T] Power requirements -EN-EL5 Lithium-ion rechargeable battery (included), MH-61 battery charger (included), AC Adapter EH-62A (optional) Battery life (approx) -Approx 300 shots with EN-EL5 Lithium-ion rechargeable battery (based on CIPA standard) Unit Dimensions (W x H x D) -Approx 112.5 x 74.5 x 40.5mm (4.4 x 2.9 x 1.6 in); Weight -Approx 220g (7.8 oz) (without battery, memory card and lens cap)

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Review of Nikon Coolpix S10 6MP Digital Camera with 10x Vibration Reduction Zoom

I’m a rabid photographer of scenery, wildlife, friends, families and pets.I take pictures with tripods, while walking, from horseback, from the car, during parties, indoors, outdoors…whenever it strikes me to take a photo.I would estimate that I take at least 300 photos a month.I currently have an olympus 740 so I bought the nikon looking to get a little smaller camera with the same zoom capabilities but with image stabilization.I read the manual to this camera from cover to cover and it has lots of options to tinker with.I took more than 1000 photos in every situation I could think of and eventually ended up returning the camera because of the medium indoor low light issues.

The good:
The camera has a NICE brushed metal feel to it.Looks like it would hold up well and not show scratches easily and feels quite sturdy.
It’s really comfortable and easy to hold the camera and either telescope the lens or press the shutter without straining your hand.
The LCD has great resolution and colors.Some people don’t like that it doesn’t have a viewfinder but I hardly use a viewfinder.
Rechargable battery (although the initial charging time is something like 8 or 10 hours, the later chargings are less).
The lens cap just flips back with an easy touch, no pulling it off and having it dangle and bounce into action shots.
The camera worked great for scenery shots during the day.
I took some great moonlight shots without the use of a tripod with this camera using some of the many, many features.My other camera could never take these shots.
I liked that there wasn’t an external telescoping lens and the lens did all its telescoping inside the cylinder.
I was impressed with the shutter speed and zoom capabilities.
Image stabilization was awesome in sunlight.

What I didn’t like:
I found that ANY dust on the lens created an orb in the photo and I had to keep cleaning the lens because dust would easily get into the cool snap cover.
Low indoor light made for blurry (or sometimes grainy images), even with image stabilization and I had to tinker with a lot of the settings to get half way decent photos and even then they weren’t great.
If I used a flash in low light, it often whited out people’s faces.My friends thought that the flash was too blinding but I can’t speak for this because I didn’t see it.I used tons of settings (much to my friends’ frustration) to try to find a good setting and I didn’t find one.
Direct sunlight caused lots of sunspots (I think because of the lens angle because the same exact shot with my olympus had no sunspot and it was seconds between shots)but you could use polarizing sunglasses over the lens for a super easy fix.
The light from the flash doesn’t always bounce as one would expect. I’m not sure if it’s because of the angle of the turned lens cylinder or what but it the light didn’t seem to spread naturally and would end up either too focused or weirdly casted shadows would appear.Again I’d take the same photo with my olympus which has a different flash placement and the photos would turn out fine.
I took some shots of my pets indoors and they didn’t like the flashing red light the camera uses for measuring/focus in low light.
I had a lot of color issues (mostly a yellowing of the images) under flourescent lights in a lot of low light photos but I could fix them Adobe photoshop.

This could have been a bad camera but just in case you buy this and have the same issues, you’ll know it’s not just you

Product Description
Imagine a digital-camera with a 10x zoom lens that’s less than 2 inches thin. It offers a 35mm-equivalent of 38mm to 380mm focal length. Take it with you.LCD monitor -2.5-inch with brightness adjustmentStorage media -Internal memory -approx 16MB, SD memory card compatible (We suggest at least 512MB optional SD card for practical use) Shooting modes -Auto, Scene Assist (Portrait, Landscape, Sports, Night Portrait), Scene (Party/Indoor, Beach/Snow, Sunset, Dusk/Dawn, Night Landscape, Close Up, Museum, Fireworks Show, Copy Back Light, Panorama Assist, Voice Recording), BSS (Best Shot Selector), AE-BSS, Color Options, Blur Warning, Date Imprint, Self-timer (10 sec) / Movie modes -w/Electronic VR, With sound -TV movie (640) at 30fps, Small size (320) at 30fps, Smaller size (160) at 15fps, Pictmotion (320) at 15fps; Without sound -Time-lapse movie at 15fps Pictmotion -5 styles selectable to playback movies or up to 30 still images, 5 music files pre-installed, 3 music files loadableNumber of frames (w/Internal memory) -6M High approx 5, 6M Normal approx 10, 3M Normal approx 20, PC Screen 68, TV Screen approx 128 Electronic-flash -Range -0.3-5.4m / 11.8 in-17.7 ft [W], 1.0-5.4m / 3.3 ft-17.7 ft [T] Power requirements -EN-EL5 Lithium-ion rechargeable battery (included), MH-61 battery charger (included), AC Adapter EH-62A (optional) Battery life (approx) -Approx 300 shots with EN-EL5 Lithium-ion rechargeable battery (based on CIPA standard) Unit Dimensions (W x H x D) -Approx 112.5 x 74.5 x 40.5mm (4.4 x 2.9 x 1.6 in); Weight -Approx 220g (7.8 oz) (without battery, memory card and lens cap)

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Review of 2 Year Extended Warranty for Nikon Coolpix Digital Cameras

extended warranties are nice but I hope I never have to use it!price was right.

Product Description
This service is offered through Nikon U.S.A. and becomes valid upon the expiration of the Nikon U.S.A. Inc. limited warranty that was included with your camera and provides the coverage specified below for a period of two additional years. During the period of your Extended Service Contract (ESC), repairs resulting from defects in material or workmanship will be performed at no-charge by Nikon Inc. subject to the following . 1. ESC applies only to the original purchaser only and is not transferable or assignable . 2. ESC does not cover repairs resulting from or due to misuse, abuse, neglect or accident . 3. ESC does not cover repairs resulting directly or indirectly from the use of unauthorized replacement parts, accessories and/or service performed by unauthorized personnel . 4. ESC specifically excludes batteries . 5. Coverage dates will be determined by the date indicated on your bill-of-sale . 6. ESC is valid only in the USA, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, ESC is not intended for sale in the states of Florida and Virginia . 7. ESC repairs can be performed only by the service stations listed on the product’s original warranty8. You must register the ESC within 10 days of your retail purchase of camera body

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