DWRL Camera Reviews

By Laura Thain

 

DSLR

Canon EOS Rebel T2i 18 MP CMOS APS-C Digital SLR (with optional F/2.5 macro lens)

First of all, what’s a DSLR?  A DSLR is a digital version of a single lens reflex camera.  This describes the mechanism by which the photographer can see exactly what image the camera lens will capture via a system of prismatic mirrors, rather than using an unreliable viewfinder.  The most important quality (once unique to SLRS) of this camera is that its construction makes an interchangeable lens possible.  Before the advent of DSLMs, this was the only type of camera without a fixed “kit” lens.

In its digital iteration, a most DSLRs contains a significantly larger image sensor (what receives the image from the lens) than their point-and-shoot counterparts.  This translates into better image quality with less pixilation.

Because any SLR camera is able to accurately reflect exactly what it will capture, they boast more manual features than most point-and-shoot cameras.  But most importantly, because the photographer can see the effect of adjustments before actually capturing an image, the ability to manually adjust settings is much more valuable.

If there’s one thing you should set manually on this camera, it’s the ISO setting. This camera’s greatest asset is its superb low-light performance.  Normally, in low light, in order to capture an image well, you need to set a digital camera it an extremely low ISO (the setting that determines how sensitive the image sensor is to light).  This medium-grade SLR takes phenomenal shots at much higher ISOs than a point-and-shoot or entry-level SLR can handle, making it much easer to capture motion or compensate for an unsteady hand in low light.  It also eliminates the graininess that an inferior camera would capture in low-light settings.  This camera can handle anywhere from 800-1000 ISO in low light, which is nothing short of amazing.

The DWRL also lends out an optional 50mm f/2.5 lens, which is a significant upgrade from the kit lens that comes with the camera.  An inexperienced photograph will probably notice no difference, but for someone with some familiarity with standard DSLR features and a moderate level of photographic skill, the f/2.5 lens captures a much better image, especially in close-up shots of small subjects.

This is probably the best mid-range DSLR on the market, and a great camera to learn on for either students or instructors who are interested in knowing their way around a DSLR.

Point and Shoot

Canon PowerShot SD1300IS 12 MP Digital Camera

This is an older point-and-shoot (released in 2010), but nonetheless a reliable camera for inexperienced photographers, but not a good choice for photographing in low light or compositions that have high light contrasts.  While the Rebel2i can handle up to 1000 ISO in low light, this camera can’t get much higher than 200.  It simply cannot capture an object in motion at low light with any accuracy. 

What sets this camera apart from its competitors is the build in image stabilizer (IS) that helps inexperienced photographers take crisper, cleaner shots.  Although the camera has multiple manual options available (adjustable ISO, 15 shooting modes, an intelligent “auto” setting that adjusts for light levels and zoom), this camera is to a DSLR like Instagram is to Photoshop.  To the inexperienced eye, the presettings improve image quality, but to anyone with a little experience, they stick out like a sore thumb.  

This is a, however, a problem specific to all point-and-shoots (or, perhaps, elitist aspiring photographers), and so for those who prefer a point-and-shoot for the task at hand, this is one of the most solid mid-range options to choose.

DSLM

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 12 MP Micro Four-Thirds Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera

This Lumix bridges the gap between the point and shoot and the DSLR.  It’s a member of the DSLM (also known as MILC) class of cameras.  All this really means is that this camera can boast an interchangeable lens without the prismatic mirror at the heart of the image capturing mechanism in a SLR camera.  (The ‘m’ isn DSLM stands for “mirrorless”.)  This means that, while users sacrifice the accuracy of the viewfinder in SLR and DSLR models, they gain a much more compact design and a potentially faster shutter speed, all without sacrificing the excellent image quality a large image sensor can provide.

On automated settings, this camera slightly outperforms a point and shoot (and contains more scene and color settings than the Powershot, although none are any less Instagram-y).  But for simple photo projects using the Lumix rather than the Powershot might feel like killing a ground squirrel with a stick of dynamite.  The Lumix, like the DSLR, only starts to really outperform a point and shoot under the hands of someone who knows how to operate it manually.

For those who want to experiment with aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and white balance, this camera can’t out perform a DSLR but it certainly can blow a point-and-shoot away.  This camera is by far the most useful in the lab, which is probably why we have five of them—it suits a variety of users and skill levels and can help anyone transition from a point-and-shoot to a DSLR with easy.  It’s compact, sleeker, more durable, and more portable than a full-blown DSLR, and its limited capability in terms of manual manipulation help users master basic skills before being overwhelmed by more power and more diverse options.  You don’t learn to drive in a Ferrari—so you might want to begin experimenting with manual modes on this handy DSLM.

One final note of caution—although many professional photographers assert that the mirrorless DSL is vastly inferior to the more traditional DSLR, companies like Panasonic and Canon are investing large amounts of money into these new 4/3 format cameras.  They very well may be the wave of the future in terms of compact digital photographic technology that is still portable and practical for mass markets. 

Available camcorders:

  • Canon Vixia HF10
  • Flip Ultra Camcorder
  • Flip Video
  • Panasonic Professional AG-HMC40 AVCHD Camcorder with 10.6 MP Still and 12x Optical Zoom