Q. i am going to get a camera soon and i don't know weather to get the Nikon D3100 or Sony a35. they both seem really good but i don't know which to choose. help plz :)
A. Nikon, of course, has been in the camera business a very long time. However, Sony isn't as much a newcomer to the camera market as some might have you think. Sony actually invented and sold the world's first non-film based camera - the Sony Mavica of 1981. No, it wasn't a digital camera. It recorded on a floppy disc which was then viewed on your TV. The Sony ProMavica MVC-5000 and MVC-7000 were actually SLR cameras with 3 interchangeable lenses. The MVC-7000 also had lens adapters to allow use of Nikon and Canon lenses. Sony also has a long history of designing and manufacturing cameras for broadcast TV and home video cameras.
Although the Sony SLT A35 is a very good DSLR, the new SLT A65 offers several refinements. It is, however more expensive. The main claim to fame for the SLT series of cameras is the use of Sony's Translucent Mirror Technology (TMT). This technology allows for full-time continuous phase-detect auto focus whether you're shooting still images or full 1080p HD video. The Nikon D3100 does allow for auto focus during video capture but its the slower, less precise contrast-detect auto focus.
TMT also allows you to shoot at 7fps (frames per second) with the A35 and 10fps with the A65. Both models also offer your choice of 2D or 3D Sweep Panorama.
When Sony bought the DSLR technology and manufacturing rights from Konica-Minolta in 2006 they did three smart things: They kept a focusing motor in the camera body, they kept Image Stabilization in the camera body and they kept the Minolta Maxxum "A" lens mount that dates back to 1985. What that means is you have access to a large selection of high quality previously owned Maxxum AF lenses that will auto focus on any Sony DSLR and also be, in effect, an Image Stabilized lens.
Nikon, on the other hand, chose to not put a focusing motor in the body of the D3100 and they also chose to put their version of IS (Nikon calls it VR) in some but not all of their lenses. With the D3100 if you want auto focus you must buy the more expensive AF-S lenses. An example: A Nikon AF 50mm f1.8 prime lens that will not auto focus on the D3100 is about $130.00. The Nikon AF-S 50mm f1.8 prime lens that will auto focus on the D3100 is about $220.00. In my world $90.00 isn't pocket change. Yes, you can use the Nikon AF lenses on the D3100 but only if you don't mind manually focusing them. So, with the D3100 you get to pay again and again for a focusing motor and over and over for IS/VR.
Sony reviews:
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/AA35/AA35A.HTM
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/AA65/AA65A.HTM
Prices from B&H - http://www.bhphotovideo.com
Sony SLT A35 w/18-55mm zoom lens, $649.99 after a $50.00 Instant Savings from B&H. Ends 11-26-2011. Free USA shipping.
Sony SLT A65 w/18-55mm zoom lens, $999.99. Available in November.
Nikon D3100 w/18-55mm zoom lens, $549.95 after a $100.00 Instant Savings from B&H. Ends 11-19-2011. Free USA shipping.
Nikon D5100 w/18-55mm zoom lens, $749.95 after a $100.00 Instant Savings from B&H. Ends 11-19-2011. Free USA shipping. NOTE: The D5100, like the D3100, Does NOT have a focusing motor in the camera body. It too requires the more expensive AF-S lenses.
In my opinion, between the Sony SLT A35 and the Nikon D3100 the SLT A35 offers more features and benefits and is the better choice. If you can stretch your budget and wait a few weeks the Sony SLT A65 would be well woth it.
Although the Sony SLT A35 is a very good DSLR, the new SLT A65 offers several refinements. It is, however more expensive. The main claim to fame for the SLT series of cameras is the use of Sony's Translucent Mirror Technology (TMT). This technology allows for full-time continuous phase-detect auto focus whether you're shooting still images or full 1080p HD video. The Nikon D3100 does allow for auto focus during video capture but its the slower, less precise contrast-detect auto focus.
TMT also allows you to shoot at 7fps (frames per second) with the A35 and 10fps with the A65. Both models also offer your choice of 2D or 3D Sweep Panorama.
When Sony bought the DSLR technology and manufacturing rights from Konica-Minolta in 2006 they did three smart things: They kept a focusing motor in the camera body, they kept Image Stabilization in the camera body and they kept the Minolta Maxxum "A" lens mount that dates back to 1985. What that means is you have access to a large selection of high quality previously owned Maxxum AF lenses that will auto focus on any Sony DSLR and also be, in effect, an Image Stabilized lens.
Nikon, on the other hand, chose to not put a focusing motor in the body of the D3100 and they also chose to put their version of IS (Nikon calls it VR) in some but not all of their lenses. With the D3100 if you want auto focus you must buy the more expensive AF-S lenses. An example: A Nikon AF 50mm f1.8 prime lens that will not auto focus on the D3100 is about $130.00. The Nikon AF-S 50mm f1.8 prime lens that will auto focus on the D3100 is about $220.00. In my world $90.00 isn't pocket change. Yes, you can use the Nikon AF lenses on the D3100 but only if you don't mind manually focusing them. So, with the D3100 you get to pay again and again for a focusing motor and over and over for IS/VR.
Sony reviews:
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/AA35/AA35A.HTM
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/AA65/AA65A.HTM
Prices from B&H - http://www.bhphotovideo.com
Sony SLT A35 w/18-55mm zoom lens, $649.99 after a $50.00 Instant Savings from B&H. Ends 11-26-2011. Free USA shipping.
Sony SLT A65 w/18-55mm zoom lens, $999.99. Available in November.
Nikon D3100 w/18-55mm zoom lens, $549.95 after a $100.00 Instant Savings from B&H. Ends 11-19-2011. Free USA shipping.
Nikon D5100 w/18-55mm zoom lens, $749.95 after a $100.00 Instant Savings from B&H. Ends 11-19-2011. Free USA shipping. NOTE: The D5100, like the D3100, Does NOT have a focusing motor in the camera body. It too requires the more expensive AF-S lenses.
In my opinion, between the Sony SLT A35 and the Nikon D3100 the SLT A35 offers more features and benefits and is the better choice. If you can stretch your budget and wait a few weeks the Sony SLT A65 would be well woth it.
best DSLR camera with video capability?
Q. i heard the nikon d90 has these functions. I am a beginner but I am looking to buy THE best on the market so i dont have to update anytime soon. any suggestions?
please provide links so i can look into them. i much prefer ones recently released (2011)
thanks
please provide links so i can look into them. i much prefer ones recently released (2011)
thanks
A. Lovely question mate. Okay, for me, the best DSLR camera for video is definitely Canon 550D or Kiss X4 or T2i whatever they call it. I love it for its value for the money. It has all the right features I need to capture great videos. The grip is comfortable, it records progressive videos (interlaced video like old Sony Alpha cameras are a nightmare), great prime lens options, full manual control over the exposure and has ample resolution options and frame rates such as these:
- Full HD : 1920x1080p: 30/24 fps (NTSC), 25/24 fps (PAL)
- HD : 1280x720p (HD): 60 fps (NTSC), 50 fps (PAL)
- VGA : 640x480 (SD): 60 fps (NTSC), 50 fps (PAL)
Notice I said prime lenses? It means that the aperture size is constant along the focal length. Zoom lenses change their aperture value when zoomed in or out. The kit lens, 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6, is strange. Let's say you lock exposure at 1/100 shutter speed and f/3.5 when the lens is zoomed out to 18mm. Then during recording you zoom in to 55mm. At this length the lens can only provide you with f/5.6 and then the video mysteriously gets darker. To overcome this I rarely zoom in or out during recording, and I use fixed aperture lenses like a 200mm f/2.8 prime, 50mm f/1.8 prime and some more primes.
My recommendation, get a Canon 550D and then spend more on prime lenses. Oh, don't forget to get a tripod or a steadicam for non shaky videos. Have a good time making movies!
- Full HD : 1920x1080p: 30/24 fps (NTSC), 25/24 fps (PAL)
- HD : 1280x720p (HD): 60 fps (NTSC), 50 fps (PAL)
- VGA : 640x480 (SD): 60 fps (NTSC), 50 fps (PAL)
Notice I said prime lenses? It means that the aperture size is constant along the focal length. Zoom lenses change their aperture value when zoomed in or out. The kit lens, 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6, is strange. Let's say you lock exposure at 1/100 shutter speed and f/3.5 when the lens is zoomed out to 18mm. Then during recording you zoom in to 55mm. At this length the lens can only provide you with f/5.6 and then the video mysteriously gets darker. To overcome this I rarely zoom in or out during recording, and I use fixed aperture lenses like a 200mm f/2.8 prime, 50mm f/1.8 prime and some more primes.
My recommendation, get a Canon 550D and then spend more on prime lenses. Oh, don't forget to get a tripod or a steadicam for non shaky videos. Have a good time making movies!
Handheld camera for live gigs?
Q. Looking for a handheld camera for recording video and sound for live gigs, a good example of what results I'm looking for is the quality of this video, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxjXMpMmRiQ
A. for video quality... this will depend on the lighting...
Luckily for that sample you provided, the lighting guy really knew what he was doing and lit the stage very well. Not every performance will be like that.
Camera suggestions could be any digital camera. Heck, a common iphone could have recorded that with similar video quality.
For audio quality... ... you'll need a camera that will support a mic input.
Best suggestion:
Canon G12
http://www.photographybay.com/2011/01/24/canon-powershot-g12-review/
- features a tilt screen so you can hold the camera high and still see the stage while looking at the screen
- has a hot shoe to put a microphone
- mic imput jack
additional research on external mic
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/indepth/audio/tips-solutions/camera-microphones-dslr-video
http://www.pixtus.com/forum/video-equipment-talk/127137-suggestions-external-microphone-dslr-bodies-w-video.html
http://www.digitalphotographywriter.com/2010/07/dslr-camera-microphone-for-videos.html
Luckily for that sample you provided, the lighting guy really knew what he was doing and lit the stage very well. Not every performance will be like that.
Camera suggestions could be any digital camera. Heck, a common iphone could have recorded that with similar video quality.
For audio quality... ... you'll need a camera that will support a mic input.
Best suggestion:
Canon G12
http://www.photographybay.com/2011/01/24/canon-powershot-g12-review/
- features a tilt screen so you can hold the camera high and still see the stage while looking at the screen
- has a hot shoe to put a microphone
- mic imput jack
additional research on external mic
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/indepth/audio/tips-solutions/camera-microphones-dslr-video
http://www.pixtus.com/forum/video-equipment-talk/127137-suggestions-external-microphone-dslr-bodies-w-video.html
http://www.digitalphotographywriter.com/2010/07/dslr-camera-microphone-for-videos.html
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