OK.
For the record, I am not a professional photographer; however, I have blatant OCD about photo quality. I can find even the most innocuous flaw in a digital photo. I currently own an HP 6MP digital camera which was sufficient for the task, but required significant lighting for a decent photo, even with blinds open. While I didn't require anything higher, I wanted it. I wanted to see what I was missing. I am quite skilled at photo editing though. If I'm given a photo that doesn't look that great, I can make it look better - bring out the "pop" as it were. With that in mind, I went searching for a DSLR as I've seen numerous comments that any sort of professional-quality photos are not to be found anywhere else. Budget was of course a consideration; so I locked in on two in particular: a Sony, and this one.
NOTE: For quick and dirty bullets, skip to the end.
First, this camera cannot operate without the included detachable lens. This caught me off guard; From the pictures I'd seen, there should be at least an intermediate lens, but maybe that's just the angle of the images. In either case I wasn't too pleased about it, but at least the detachable version was included. My understanding is that these lenses are quite expensive - depending on how much zoom and options they contain. Being on a budget like I am, I wasn't inclined to even spend this amount of money, but hey.
I will admit that the number of options on this camera are staggering and quite intimidating. The photo options are not included in the LCD menu like my digital camera; things such as portrait, landscape, timer, etc. are all in a turn dial control rather than simple LCD menu options (which of course would make them easy to navigate without having to resort to the instruction booklet). Additionally, the flash control is, in my opinion, not well thought out. There's a button on the front of the chassis that should be a switch to control the flash method, but it doesn't seem to do anything (another issue...more on that later). Buyer beware, there are buttons all over this thing - a novice can easily be thrown. If you're the kind of person who has too much pride to read the instruction manual (either because you don't feel like you should have to read it, or you just are stubborn), get ready for a shock.
The capture button is press sensitive. A halfway press does auto-focus; it seems to scan the capture area and attempt to pick up what you're trying to snap, and then focus to the optimal setting, then beep to let you know when it's ready for capture. Pressing all the way down actually does the snap. If the sensor detects a low light condition, it will pop up the flash module (part of the issue I mentioned above) in preparation to use it. You can force it back down, but the camera will put it back up again. In either case, the shutter speed is quite rapid - you can flash multiple shots in rapid succession, really capturing the essence of a moment quite well.
The camera can save in different shades of JPG - quality levels which are controllable - or in the NEF RAW format, which can then be either opened with Nikon View software, or imported directly into Photoshop for more specific editing. The RAW format is for the purist who wants greater control over the final output - if you were doing human or animal photography, or deeper macro photography, you'd want to use the RAW format and make the edits to that version before compiling into a final format. Of course, if you're just a regular person who wants to take photos without thinking about it, JPG Normal should do you just fine.
Keep in mind that this camera does not have its own memory. That means you'll need to get an SD card in order to store and transfer photos. I selected a 4GB SDHC (high capacity) card and it's suited me quite nicely. By default, the camera saves photos at a 3008x2000 resolution - expect between 1-2MB per photo depending on quality (JPG) or 4-5MB per photo (NEF RAW), so you would be fine with a 2MB SD card if you're a casual user, but the 4GB SDHC is only $20, so I would recommend just picking that up instead. Don't let them steer you to the high speed version; quite frankly, the SDHC is fast enough as long as you have a decent enough computer. The camera supports USB, either as a mass storage device or as a camera, and if you're using Vista, it requires no drivers and will allow you to do picture import automatically.
If you're a stickler for just plugging your devices in, you'll want to note that the camera does not come with an AC Adapter. Instead, you get a battery charging dock, meaning you'll have to remove the battery whenever you want to charge it. For most this isn't an issue, but it can definitely be a negative. It also does not charge via USB, even though (rather insultingly) the camera will show you a battery indicator when it is connected.
At this point you're probably on the edge of your seat wondering about the flash issue. Well, it seems like the camera isn't quite intuitive about when it does and doesn't need the flash module. On Auto mode, it should only show up when it absolutely needs it due to the lighting condition (unless I don't understand how cameras in general work). On mine, it'll pop up at the most odd of times. For example, I had to use it to take a picture of a windshield crack so I could get a quote. It's a bright, sunny day here in San Diego. From the outside of the car, it was fine, but when I did it from inside, the flash module popped up. On a bright, sunny day? I mean you can force it down and make it take the picture while it's down, but you have to hold it in place. Additionally, the flash button doesn't seem to allow me to select an option to disable the flash completely at my whim - the only time I would take photos is when the light is sufficient that flash isn't needed anyway. I tested that theory with my HD lamp and got results similar to an outside photo. It just seems as though the flash wasn't well thought out at all.
I don't think I need to describe picture quality. A lot of customers have uploaded photos which quite frankly speak for themselves. I will say though, as before, that with the inordinate number of various options on this camera, it might seem as though you'll never get to that quality. I want to reassure you that you can. Out of the box, the camera takes quite stellar photos in optimal (daylight) conditions. Even indoors under certain "daylight bulbs", you can get some high quality photos. Some have made mention to "macro" mode - or extremely close-up photography - and you can do this as well. The one thing I can say to you is to not let the camera intimidate you.
QUICK PROS:
- Stellar image quality out of the box
- Competitively priced compared to other cameras with the same quality
- Textured, so it's not likely to slip out of your hand
- Supports USB transfer of photos and/or SD direct
- Works great even on the default "Auto" settings
- Makes great use of existing surrounding light
- Auto-focus is intuitive
QUICK CONS:
- DSLRs in general, though quite great quality, are still expensive
- Detachable lens is required in order to take photos even when zoom isn't required
- So many options as to intimidate the novice user
- photo capture options on turn dial rather than in menu with descriptions
- Flash doesn't seem intuitive; activates in broad daylight sometimes
- Compensation for motion doesn't seem to be very smart either
- Would it REALLY have hurt Nikon to include a SDHC card?
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