Reviews \ DSLR
Head-2-Head Digital Camera Field Review: Hasselblad H3DII-31 vs. Nikon D3s vs. Canon EOS 5D Mark II
on Feb 12, 2010 at 8:09AM
The Hasselblad feels like, compared to these cameras, it’s in a different world. To be fair, it really is. The frame rate of the camera is 1.2 seconds-per-capture. That’s not frames-per-second, that’s seconds-per-frame. There is no video, HD or otherwise. High ISO shooting, that is, anything over 800, is probably not going to make you happy, and it’s rated at only ISO 1600. The sensor, at 31mp and a physical size of nearly twice that of 35mm sensors, has pixels that are physically 6.8µm (microns) and an Analog/Digital converter that works at full 16-bit. If you’re into cars, this is kind of like putting a smaller turbocharged four-cylinder car up against a big, heavy V8....
on Feb 12, 2010 at 8:09AM
The Hasselblad feels like, compared to these cameras, it’s in a different world. To be fair, it really is. The frame rate of the camera is 1.2 seconds-per-capture. That’s not frames-per-second, that’s seconds-per-frame. There is no video, HD or otherwise. High ISO shooting, that is, anything over 800, is probably not going to make you happy, and it’s rated at only ISO 1600. The sensor, at 31mp and a physical size of nearly twice that of 35mm sensors, has pixels that are physically 6.8µm (microns) and an Analog/Digital converter that works at full 16-bit. If you’re into cars, this is kind of like putting a smaller turbocharged four-cylinder car up against a big, heavy V8....
Head-2-Head Digital Camera Review: Olympus E-P1 vs. Olympus E-620
on Dec 30, 2009 at 10:08AM
Olympus announced two tiny interchangeable lens cameras in 2009: the EVOLT E-620 came to us in February and the Pen Digital E-P1 in June. In February, the E-620 was announced as "the world's smallest and lightest image-stabilized digital SLR." In June, the E-P1 took center-stage as a retro rangefinder-like camera that Olympus claimed was the “world's smallest 12.3-megapixel interchangeable lens system camera.” The E-620 can technically keep its claim as the smallest DSLR as the E-P1 does not have a mirror box and is therefore not a DSLR. The E-P1 can still swap lenses and has slimmer measurements than the E-620, but does it match the performance of true Four Thirds DSLRs?...
on Dec 30, 2009 at 10:08AM
Olympus announced two tiny interchangeable lens cameras in 2009: the EVOLT E-620 came to us in February and the Pen Digital E-P1 in June. In February, the E-620 was announced as "the world's smallest and lightest image-stabilized digital SLR." In June, the E-P1 took center-stage as a retro rangefinder-like camera that Olympus claimed was the “world's smallest 12.3-megapixel interchangeable lens system camera.” The E-620 can technically keep its claim as the smallest DSLR as the E-P1 does not have a mirror box and is therefore not a DSLR. The E-P1 can still swap lenses and has slimmer measurements than the E-620, but does it match the performance of true Four Thirds DSLRs?...
Head-2-Head Portrait/Fashion Shootout: Nikon Mid-Range DSLRs
on Dec 23, 2009 at 8:04AM
This article looks at the top tier of Nikon's DSLR stable, the D300s, the D700 and the D3s, with a concentration on a fashion/portrait assignment. We're shooting full-figure shots under strobes at low ISO (ISO 200), some head shots under strobes, and some "available light" shots with tungsten, shot with an ISO 800 setting, and identical lenses on all the cameras, the AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED....
on Dec 23, 2009 at 8:04AM
This article looks at the top tier of Nikon's DSLR stable, the D300s, the D700 and the D3s, with a concentration on a fashion/portrait assignment. We're shooting full-figure shots under strobes at low ISO (ISO 200), some head shots under strobes, and some "available light" shots with tungsten, shot with an ISO 800 setting, and identical lenses on all the cameras, the AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED....
Head-2-Head Review: Canon EOS Rebel T1i vs. Nikon D5000
on Dec 7, 2009 at 9:02AM
In a lot of ways, the D5000 and the T1i represent Nikon and Canon at the top of their games. It's easy to build a high-end product that you can toss everything into, with the mission to put together the best possible performance. When you are trying to keep the price under control, though, and in the case of these cameras, we're talking less than $1000 with a lens, it challenges the designers to put together not necessarily the absolute best, but the most workable for the money. Both of these cameras are showpieces of great design. There are, however, significant differences in philosophy and priority that show up, and define the two DSLRs....
on Dec 7, 2009 at 9:02AM
In a lot of ways, the D5000 and the T1i represent Nikon and Canon at the top of their games. It's easy to build a high-end product that you can toss everything into, with the mission to put together the best possible performance. When you are trying to keep the price under control, though, and in the case of these cameras, we're talking less than $1000 with a lens, it challenges the designers to put together not necessarily the absolute best, but the most workable for the money. Both of these cameras are showpieces of great design. There are, however, significant differences in philosophy and priority that show up, and define the two DSLRs....
Head-2-Head Review: Nikon D700 vs.Canon 5D Mk II
on Sep 28, 2009 at 7:32AM
Review Samples Posted! We've published assorted samples, an ISO sequence, and a night scene from our upcoming Canon 5D Mark II vs. Nikon D700 review. Pixel density opposes pixel size in this Full-Frame middleweight matchup. ...
on Sep 28, 2009 at 7:32AM
Review Samples Posted! We've published assorted samples, an ISO sequence, and a night scene from our upcoming Canon 5D Mark II vs. Nikon D700 review. Pixel density opposes pixel size in this Full-Frame middleweight matchup. ...
H2H First Look: Leica M9 vs. Leica M8.2 vs. Olympus E-P1
on Sep 9, 2009 at 9:20AM
As the dust surrounding the introduction of the 18-megapixel Leica M9 settles, we'll examine how the full frame digital rangefinder stacks up to competing models within its niche, and try to provide context for the unique luxury camera. ...
on Sep 9, 2009 at 9:20AM
As the dust surrounding the introduction of the 18-megapixel Leica M9 settles, we'll examine how the full frame digital rangefinder stacks up to competing models within its niche, and try to provide context for the unique luxury camera. ...
Head-2-Head Review: Leica M8.2 vs. Canon EOS 5D Mk II
on Sep 7, 2009 at 7:00AM
Justifying this matchup as a true "head-to-head" will raise some eyebrows and ruffle some feathers. These two cameras have far more differences than similarities, but bear with us, there are a number of reasons to compare them....
on Sep 7, 2009 at 7:00AM
Justifying this matchup as a true "head-to-head" will raise some eyebrows and ruffle some feathers. These two cameras have far more differences than similarities, but bear with us, there are a number of reasons to compare them....
Mini Head-2-Head Review: Olympus E-P1 vs. Canon Rebel T1i vs. Nikon D5000
on Aug 5, 2009 at 7:05AM
Not often do we get a chance to do a 3-way Head-2-Head review, but these cameras share a couple of key elements that warrant a closer comparison....
on Aug 5, 2009 at 7:05AM
Not often do we get a chance to do a 3-way Head-2-Head review, but these cameras share a couple of key elements that warrant a closer comparison....
Head-2-Head Review: Nikon D3x vs. Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
on Jul 10, 2009 at 2:53PM
The two most expensive DSLRs from Canon and Nikon are notable mainly for their pixel counts. The Canon 1Ds Mark III and the Nikon D3X record 21.1 and 24.5 megapixels, respectively. Does the resolution justify the burden of handling such large files and near $8,000 cost?...
on Jul 10, 2009 at 2:53PM
The two most expensive DSLRs from Canon and Nikon are notable mainly for their pixel counts. The Canon 1Ds Mark III and the Nikon D3X record 21.1 and 24.5 megapixels, respectively. Does the resolution justify the burden of handling such large files and near $8,000 cost?...
Head-2-Head Review: Canon 1Ds Mark III vs. Canon 5D Mark II
on Jul 7, 2009 at 8:44AM
There is little more than a year between the release of the 1Ds Mark III (Aug. '07) and the 5D Mark II (Sept. '08); that year saw a wave of technology that has changed the landscape of the entire industry......
on Jul 7, 2009 at 8:44AM
There is little more than a year between the release of the 1Ds Mark III (Aug. '07) and the 5D Mark II (Sept. '08); that year saw a wave of technology that has changed the landscape of the entire industry......