DSLR/Pro consumer questions

[watsup]

I would like to seek the opinion of the pros here. I am not too sure what kind of camera to get. Currently i am using a 3yr old canon compact and would like to explore something else. I am thinking of either a better pns like panasonic fz18 or a low end second hand DSLR. I think i will mostly use the camera for normal travelling to shoot scenery, landscapes, very little closeup and much of zooming.

Also apart from the above, i have a few qns regarding DSLR.

1) I read up somewhere that current nikon DSLRs (D40, D60 & D80) have 3 area sensors, whereas canon DSLR (400D, 450D & 40D etc) have 9 point sensors. So does this make canon DSLR "better" compared to nikon? Don't really know what these are for also, so can someone explain?

2) Can the lenses of nikon and canon be used on each other DSLR body? In other words interchangeable?

3) Is 10MP on a compact the same as the 10MP on a DSLR? A friend told me it is different but cannot explain to me

I think that's all the questions i have for now.... maybe i will think of something else later

Thanks in advance for answering my questions!

 

[Daedalus Trent]

1) I read up somewhere that current nikon DSLRs (D40, D60 & D80) have 3 area sensors, whereas canon DSLR (400D, 450D & 40D etc) have 9 point sensors. So does this make canon DSLR "better" compared to nikon? Don't really know what these are for also, so can someone explain?

2) Can the lenses of nikon and canon be used on each other DSLR body? In other words interchangeable?

3) Is 10MP on a compact the same as the 10MP on a DSLR? A friend told me it is different QUOTE]

1) erm... you're mistaken :sweat: the D40 and D60 has 3, but the D80 has 11! As for whether it is better... it depends on what you're shooting. For still-life and landscape... even 1 AF point is enough! i just focus then shift my camera to just the shot i want. As for sport photography and other types of photography with fast moving subjects...you're absolutely right, the more AutoFocus-points the better

2) well...not adviceable :sweat: Just take it that you can't do it :nono:

3) yup, you're friend is right. generally DSLRs have bigger image sensors so they produce images which are of much higher quailty then compacts with smaller image sensors. Hence, you'll figure that a 6MGP DSLR churns out photos of better quailty then some cheaper 10MGP compacts. Feel free to learn more about that here http://www.dpreview.com/articles/compactcamerahighiso/

 

[Rashkae]

I'd also suggest looking beyond the Canon and Nikon camps.

 

[gymak90]

I would like to seek the opinion of the pros here. I am not too sure what kind of camera to get. Currently i am using a 3yr old canon compact and would like to explore something else. I am thinking of either a better pns like panasonic fz18 or a low end second hand DSLR. I think i will mostly use the camera for normal travelling to shoot scenery, landscapes, very little closeup and much of zooming.

Also apart from the above, i have a few qns regarding DSLR.

1) I read up somewhere that current nikon DSLRs (D40, D60 & D80) have 3 area sensors, whereas canon DSLR (400D, 450D & 40D etc) have 9 point sensors. So does this make canon DSLR "better" compared to nikon? Don't really know what these are for also, so can someone explain?

Yup D40 and D60 has 3 AF points, whereas D80 has 11 AF points. It's human nature to think: The more the merrier. Actually even if you have lots of AF points, it also depends how accurately the cam can AF. There are various ways in which a cam autofocuses. If you do landscapes, usually 3 AF points will be good.

2) Can the lenses of nikon and canon be used on each other DSLR body? In other words interchangeable?

If I'm not wrong, the answer is no. But you can find 3rd party adapters that allow you to mount Nikon lenses on Canon cameras and vice-versa. But the adapter may degrade image quality and no AF capability, so you must MF.

3) Is 10MP on a compact the same as the 10MP on a DSLR? A friend told me it is different but cannot explain to me

No. The number of pixels is the same so the image size will be the same. But the quality and size of a pixel will be different. Because the sensor size of a compact n dslrs cam is different, which ultimately leads to more differences. For e.g, you tend to see more noise on a compact cam.

 

[watsup]

Thanks for all your replies everyone.... i have a better understanding of the differences now

last few questions regarding lenses though...

1) having a 50mm lens for example, does it mean that it cannot zoom compared to 18-55mm lens?

2) shorter lens like 18mm lens is use for taking macro objects? and longer one like 200mm is for shooting distance objects?

3) If qn 2 is true, then does it mean that if i have a 18-200mm lens it is as good as having a superzoom pns camera that can cover from macro to long distance shoots?

Thanks once again.

 

[attap seed]

1. if 50mm prime lens, then cannot zoom.

2. macro lens are designed for close focusing. normally in 60, 100 and 180 mm formats.

u are rite. long focal length allows u to shoot distance object.

3. a 18 -200 on a DSLR body can be all u will ever need, if u only shoot general scenes. the limitations will be slower f-stops and probably lower quality (although i ve seen some 16" x 20" prints made by 18-200 that are absolutely pin sharp).

for specialised applications, u might need more specialised equipment, eg micro, ultra wide, super tele, fish-eye... ...

and note that there is a difference between "Micro" and "Macro". no, i am not talking about economics. u can go find out the exact difference if you are interested. frankly, i dunno. but i dun tink this impacts on my shooting.

 

[maximize]

actually i would suggest juz get a prosumer camera... solve all ur prob... it cost less than a second hand dslr but given the functions it has.. it still give u the fun of playing with it.... well.. of cos.. many will say the quality is not as good as dslr.. but every cent for every quality u get... fujifilm came up with a lot of great prosumer camera.. why not go take a look... juz that i spend all my money on dslr.. else i will get one myself too to replace my pns...