Canon EOS Rebel SL1 Review

Interestingly named the EOS Rebel SL1, Canon's latest entry level offering is actually the world's smallest and lightest DSLR. Weighing merely 370 grams, sans battery, memory card and kit lens, the camera is comparable to a compact point and shoot. However, it distinctly encompasses all the good things that are normally associated with a DSLR and in a form that can easily belie its capabilities. Let's take a closer look.

Main features

· 18 megapixel CMOS sensor

· DIGIC 5 image processing engine

· Full HD video recording

· 4 fps continuous shooting speed

· 9 AF points with the newly developed Hybrid AF II system

· Creative filters

· SDXC compatibility

· Video snapshot

Features explained: The Sensor

The EOS SL1 is designed around an 18 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor. It is powered by Canon's DIGIC 5 image processing engine.

The body design

In spite of the fact that the SL1 is much smaller to any DSLR that has come out of the Canon assembly line, it surprisingly offers a bunch of physical controls. There is a dedicated exposure compensation button, exposure lock button as well as an ISO button at the top panel among others. To save precious real estate space the movie mode now sits as the third option on the power switch. Press that and then press the record button at the rear of the camera to start recording. Additionally the Q option now is merged with the SET button at the center of the rear wheel. The remaining buttons on the wheel has however no dedicated role to play. The top mode dial now can spin 360 degrees without stop just as in the Rebel T5i.

AF system and AF points

The EOS SL1 carries the same old 9-point Canon AF system with a center cross-type point at f/2.8. Cross-type AF points are capable of locking focus on a subject faster compared to a standard AF points. Additionally, Canon has incorporated the Hybrid CMOS AF II system in this camera. This combines both contrast-detect and phase-detect AF technologies to improve the auto-focusing performance. This means the camera is highly responsive when tracking subjects during movie mode or when shooting stills in live view.

The fixed touch-screen

The 3" ClearView II LCD touch-screen is non-articulated making it a bit of a damper compared to other Canon entry level DSLRs. Especially when Canon is trying to compete with MILCs this would have been a major USP. Overall though, the touch-screen is very responsive. In fact the capacitive screen works like a charm even when you are trying to shift through the menu in a hurry, giving the distinct feeling that it is a very user-friendly feature. The center SET button also brings up the fabled Q (Quick) menu of Canon and that opens up the entire controls of the camera at your fingertips.

Viewfinder

The SL1 has a pentamirror powered viewfinder that offers a coverage of 95% of what the sensor sees. This is slightly smaller than what other optical viewfinders offer. This generally creates the problem of inability to make a precise composition. So when composing always leave some margin around what you see through the viewfinder because you will capture additional items in the final picture. There is a dioptre adjustment dial which allows you to set the brightness between -3 and +1.

Continuous shooting speed

The SL1 has a burst rate of 4 fps at one-shot AF or Ai-Servo AF. The buffer overruns in about 28 shots as per Canon specifications. While this may be okay for shooting a playful pet or even your kid enjoying a sunny afternoon out in the park, this is in no way suitable for fast action or sports photography pursuits. At 4 fps it is at best humble. If you set the camera to shoot at silent-mode, when the mirror flips up and locks before the shot is taken, burst rate comes down to a modest 2.5 fps.

Pop-up flash

The EOS SL1 comes with a built-in flash. Canon rates the guide number at 9.4 meter, which is again a feeble flash, especially if you are going to take a group shot in low light conditions. However for portraiture or for fill-flash uses it is a handy flash to have.

Proximity sensor

An interesting feature that will make most photographers happy is the proximity sensor. It is located directly below the hot-shoe at the back of the camera. It certainly helps save a lot of battery when you are looking through the viewfinder.

Remote control

The EOS SL1 is compatible with Canon's infra-red based remote controller the RC-6. The sensor is located on the right hand grip area.

Storage

The camera is compatible with UHS-1 cards. It also accepts SD, SDHC and SDXC cards. Additionally, it is also eye-fi compatible making it possible to remotely transfer images shot with the camera.

The movie mode and Live-view features

The SL1 was launched along with the Rebel T5i and both the cameras boast the Movie-servo feature. What it means? Well, when shooting video the camera is likely to keep tracking as a subject walks into or away from the frame. In real world the feature is not that quick and compared with something like the dual-pixel CMOS AF system of the Canon EOS 70D, this is quite slow.

There is no built-in stereo sound recording like the Rebel T5i and videographers will have to be content only with a mono mic on the top left hand side of the hot-shoe. However, you can plug in an external stereo mic.

My take

This is certainly a small DSLR which has been designed with the sole purpose of miniaturization of all that is best about a DSLR and to compete directly with Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Cameras that are threatening the entry-level DSLR market. Functional, simple and cost effective are what summarizes this camera in a nutshell. While professionals will never opt for one of these, the camera suitable for someone who is migrating from a point and shoot and is looking for similar size but better controls.

Rajib Mukherjee is a freelance article writer specializing on technology topics such as digital cameras and web technologies. He is also an avid traveller who loves to document his travels in his articles and through his lenses.

Article Source: Rajib_Mukherjee

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2014 Digital Photography Trends

Digital photography has already reached unparalleled heights in just the past ten years and it continues to evolve especially with the advent of technological innovations that keep pushing the envelope. Still, the essence of photography is in capturing the moment and preserving memories. Now, the ease by which these special memories can be shared with other people through social media platforms is encouraging many to join the ever-expanding army of amateur photographers and photojournalists.

There are numerous opportunities for growth especially with the release of smart phones that are equipped with better camera technology, which suggests that pocket cameras are indeed the wave of the future. Let's take a look at some of the trends in digital photography that has trickled down from the previous year to the first quarter of 2014.

First of all, it is worth reiterating the trend that mentioned earlier -the increasing availability of lightweight and compact imaging processing platforms such as smartphones. But that is only the beginning. Tablets are also capable of taking high resolution still images and video, and in addition they can utilize hundreds of different apps designed to edit, modify and render effects on the images taken. All these activities may be done using just one device. That's indeed a far cry from the time when editing requires a program that can only be accessed and implemented using a computer system with certain specifications. Moreover, managing photo libraries can now be done in the cloud using mobile technology. Even professional photographers are doing their editing on the iPad and similar technology given the amazing array of display and editing options available, especially when they are on the move.

Another dominant trend, which can also be attributed to technological innovations in digital photography, is the lightening equipment load of photographers. It's not just that cameras are getting more compact and more lightweight. It is now possible for a photographer to carry around less equipment and get the same high quality results if they would bring a couple of DSLRs, a handful of lenses, and other traditional accessories and equipment associated with photography. These days, a photographer's load can consists of one compact camera, a tripod, and an all-in-one zoom lens and they still produce excellent results.

This may be the 21st century and color photography is the gold standard especially since printing technology has advanced to a level that produces vivid and life-like photographs on paper. However, black and white photography is still here, and there's no indication that it will ever go away. This art is the chosen niche of some of the best digital photographers around. The challenges can be very difficult to surmount, particularly in terms of controlling tonal values, and that is probably where the attraction to this format lies. Even amateur photographers are trying their hands on black and white photography because of the unique charm and sense of elegance that black & white photos project.

There is one more trend that is worth mentioning. Photographers are now maintaining their own websites and in recent years, they have fully realized the importance of optimizing their sites and opt for a responsive design. People who are looking for photographers are browsing the Internet and a photographer who does not have a website will definitely lose potential customers to the competition.

I love taking pictures with a handy camera like Canon Ixus. Find out more by visiting www.canonixus.org and checking out Canon Powershot Elph 130.

Article Source: Jim_Gilbertson

Photogenic Phoenix for the Beginning Photographer

Phoenix has a large number of destinations that give a beginning photographer an amazing number of opportunities to take outstanding pictures. What fun it is to "practice" at such enticing destinations!

Papago Park with Botanical Garden and Zoo

Papago Park itself has an abundance of wildlife, desert plants, and huge sandstone buttes.

The Desert Botanical Garden is also filled with desert plants, and the trails have great subjects in colorful Chihuly Art.

The Phoenix Zoo is 125 acres of grounds that are home to hundreds of species of animals who have plenty of space to roam. Pictures may require a telephoto lens and a monopod.

Orpheum Theater

This theater is an architectural and stately beauty and has gorgeous paintings on the ceiling. It was built in Baroque and Spanish Medieval styles from 1927 to 1929. In the late 1980s, they began a renovation, which wasn't completed until 1997. Brought back was much of the original design in the stunning and intricate moldings, murals, and more.

Victorian Heritage Square

If you like to shoot architecture, this is the place to find refurbished historic British shops, restaurants and museums, some of which date back to 1895. If you are there at the right times, ethnic and cultural festivals are often featured such as the Phoenix Brewers Invitational Beer Fest, and these give many pictorial opportunities. This walkable city block also hosts the Phoenix Museum of History and the Arizona Science Center.

Chase Field

Not only is Chase Field the air-conditioned home of the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball team, but it also plays host to other events such as motor cross and monster trucks. Additionally, it is known for being the first stadium in the United States with a retractable roof, and it also has a signature swimming pool.

Goldfield Ghost Town

This is a unique opportunity to film what was an abandoned gold mining town with its original untouched buildings, a free mine tour, a jail, a saloon, a mystery house, a train ride around the entire complex, staged Old West gun fights, old time photographs, western souvenirs, horseback riding in the desert, and more. Characters portray what they would be wearing and at the same time tell you about the town's history.

Dobbin's Point(Dobbins Lookout)

At 2,330 feet, this is the highest point in South Mountain Park/Preserve that is accessible by public roadway or trail and gives an amazing view of downtown Phoenix. It luckily has the decent Summit Road to drive up 5.5 miles to it, making it easy to haul your gear. The Park itself is one of the country's largest municipally operated parks with its more than 16,000 acres including 51 miles of primary trails for hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking. It actually consists of three mountain ranges: the Gila, Ma Ha Tauk and Guadalupe.

Scottsdale high rise condos, especially those in downtown Scottsdale, put you in an extremely convenient location for photography opportunities locally as well as within an easy distance of visiting all the above sites in Phoenix or in its Metro Area.

If you want to buy or rent an urban condo, contact the high-rise specialists at We Know Urban Realty in Phoenix AZ. They know exactly what is on the market and which properties will work best for your needs. Visit the site at http://www.weknowurban.com for more info and to view properties online.

Article Source: Genie_Fletcher

Trick Photography Secrets

Photography is a great passion for many people and they capture the most memorable moments in their life with their camera. Trick photography is an opportunity to learn photography from a professional and that helps them to learn the valuable tricks to achieve perfect photographs.

It is an innovative way to exhibit imagination and capture images. This method of photography is a process that captures non-conventional images by creatively using light, depth of field and viewpoint. These are important elements of photography that must be taken good care of to attain improved results.

The DSLR camera can be used for this purpose and it has all the features embedded in the camera to produce spectacular visual phenomena. This type of photography provides a new dimension and various techniques are being made use of to achieve dynamic images. The various trick photography ideas that can be used to create incredible photos include understanding the effect of light and the use of special effects. These ideas are used to make the photograph look lively. The trick photography ideas are very beneficial as they make use of different kind of illumination like side lit, back lit to achieve the desired effect.

There is a different kind of trick photography that is very popular these days and that is known as Levitation photos. In this type objects and people are depicted floating in the air and the images look magical keeping the observer wondering. This has been created by digitally manipulating the photo shop software Adobe Photoshop. With the help of creative imagination and skills, stunning levitation photos can be created that look real.

It has become very easy these days to click photographs, even through the mobiles, and with the help of photo editing software obtain a perfect image. This software is very vital as it does the finishing and editing of a photo and one can even enhance, resize, or crop the photos before putting them on the computer.

The photo editing software can be downloaded for free and there are some others that can be attained after paying some price as they provide various features and good quality photographs on its application. This software is very vital in the modern visual media these days and helps to remove unwanted dust and scratches from the photos.

It is really necessary to understand the potential of your camera and make the best use of its features to create lovely and original images.

The writer is an outdoors adventurer who like to experiment with his camera. You can visit his latest website at http://trickphotography.me in order to learn more about the art of photography.

Click here as well: http://www.trickphotography.me/trick_photography_techniques.html

Article Source: Ronald_M_Griqua

Digital Camera Care, Maintenance And Cleaning

AmazonBasics Backpack for SLR/DSLR Cameras and Accessories-Black

If you have invested a lot of money into your digital camera, you will want to protect and look after it. We will be discussing a few points on how you can protect your camera and maintain its performance. A digital camera is a piece of equipment has precision tasks that contain many delicate elements, in particular the lens, optic, sensor and electrical circuitry. Each of these elements can be damaged very easily if you do not take care of your digital camera.

Camera Bags:

The simplest way to protect you digital camera is to make use of a camera bag that serves as a protector for your camera. You can get a bag that is waterproof in case it gets wet and must have decent cushioning. If the bag has an opening that fastens twice, like a zipper for example would be a great benefit. Ensure that you have enough room for extra gear such as lenses and memory cards.

Water, dirt and sand are a digital camera's biggest enemies. When you go to the beach or the wild with your camera, ensure that you use a waterproof house that would protect it against these elements.

Inserting Connection Leads:

Never force a connection lead into your camera sockets if it does not fit 100%. You will be supplied with leads made specifically for connecting to a television or personal computer. If you damage a socket, it would cost an extensive amount of money to repair them.

Cleaning Kits:

It is not hard to clean a digital camera. Simply wipe them down with lint free cloth and never use water or solvents. If you bought a D-SLR camera and you can see dust on the charge-coupled device sensor, never ever clean this on your own. The charge-coupled device is very fragile and despite that you can purchase cleaners, if you touch the sensor, it might likely break. Get your charge-coupled device cleaned by a serving agent certified for your make of camera. If the sensor breaks it is going to cut a huge chunk in your budget to repair. There are other cleaning kits that you can choose to clean your camera.

Storage And Memory Card Care:

If for any reason you are not going to make use of your camera soon, store it in your camera bag with silica gel in the bag. Silica gels are small packs that contain gel absorbing moisture. Also remove the batteries from your digital camera to void the risk of corroding.

Memory cards are not affected by X-Ray machines in an airport, but...

• They are affected by magnetic fields. Keep them away from television screens and speakers.
• Keep your cards away from direct sunlight and ensure they are cool and dry.
• Keep them away from dust as this can block the electrical parts communicating with your digital camera.
• Always keep them safe in memory card protective cases.

Learn the true secrets on how to start a photography business from any location. My name is Gideon van Niekerk, as a successful professional photographer in South Africa, I love to take joy into couching new and professional photographers all over the globe to take charge and gain the correct knowledge. Make the right choices from day one and save thousands on your photography business investment at TruePhotoz.com.

Article Source: Gideon_Cornelius_Van_Niekerk

AmazonBasics Backpack for SLR/DSLR Cameras and Accessories-Black

Expert Photography Advice For Your Benefit

Canon EOS Rebel 2000 Silver Date 35mm SLR Camera Deluxe Kit with 28-90mm Lens

Photographers are artists and hobbyists. Photographers take a simple tool like a camera and use it to manipulate light and shadow to turn ordinary life into a vibrant memory that will last forever. Anyone can be a photographer with the right information. The advice in this article will help you be a photographer.

Take successive photos of your subject if there is a chance that it might move. Certain subjects, such as wild animals, won't just wait patiently for you to take your photo. In this case, take one shot quickly so that you have something to work with. Then, if the subject hasn't moved, take more shots with better positioning and composition.

Play with the shutter speed setting to get shots of both slow and fast-moving subjects. Slow shutter speeds are great for objects that move very slowly, such as streams. Fast shutter speeds, on the other hand, allow you to get a clear shot of a subject that is moving very quickly, such as a race car.

Set up some basic programs for your DSLR camera. By setting some of the basic values ahead of time, you don't have to mess with them in the event that you want to get a shot in, in a short amount of time. Instead, you just press the button and start shooting.

Get professional equipment if you are serious about photography. Look for a digital camera with a DSLR feature. This allows you to get a better idea of the frame of your picture. What you preview actually looks like the picture you are taking. With a good sensor, you should be able to take much better pictures.

Hold your camera properly. You should hold it on one side and use your other hand to support the lens. Place your hand under the lens instead of over it. When you place your hands this way, you are supporting the camera instead of applying pressure, which could make your pictures blurry.

A good photography tip is to always trust your instincts. If you suddenly have the urge to get a shot of something, go for it! Don't let doubt get in your way. You might look back at your work and decide that spontaneous shot you took represents you.

When going on a trip, start shooting photos the instant you depart. Once you get where you're going, there will be ample photographic opportunities, but the trip itself can provide some unique shots. Take pictures of the journey. An airport provides lots of interesting, unique subjects for taking great pictures.

Do not try to be unique all the time. You will not lose your status as a good photographer if you take some classic looking shots. Learn to make the difference between what is art and what is not. Do not edit your basic pictures of your friends to make them look artsy.

Be vigilant about charging your batteries, as missing a great shot due to dead batteries would not be cool. You should always load your digital camera with fully-charged batteries, because it can be a real energy hog, especially when you use the LCD screen. You will want to carry extra camera batteries with to be prepared for any shot.

A good photography tip you should try is to add an object to your photograph that will show the scale of another object. A big tree might not look that impressive by itself, but having a tiny person standing right next to it can make the tree look humongous.

Play with lens distortion. Most photographs use portrait lenses or zoom lenses to focus on an object, and use a wide-angle lens for landscapes and such. By using a lens for a different use than its intended one, you will get a very original photograph. Do not let this become your style: learn when you can use an original lens.

As stated before, photographers are hobbyists and artists. They use a camera coupled with light and shadow to make life into long lasting memories. Right the right information, anyone can become a photographer. By using the photography advice from the article above, you can become a photographer and make lasting memories.

Thanks for reading our posts. Hopefully you loved it. Please see our website to learn more on the advantages of using wedding Cinematography, ( marriage ).

Article Source: Mike_Lovato

Canon EOS Rebel 2000 Silver Date 35mm SLR Camera Deluxe Kit with 28-90mm Lens

Digital Camera Memory And Memory Cards

64GB class 10 Micro HCSD Memory Card with free SD Adapter

Every digital camera uses some kind of memory that provides storing space for the images you take. We will be discussing what type of memory cards there are and how many is required as a professional photographer. The memory within a digital camera is a chip called flash memory. It contains all the information that completes a photo. Each digital camera has card slots that are used to contain cards for storage.

When you remove a memory card from a digital camera, it does not mean that you are losing all your photos. They are safely stored on the card to download on your computer. When buying a digital camera, you would probably get a card in the box to start with. It is essential that you buy more cards for extra storage space when you do professional photography. Always check your camera manual before you buy more cards to ensure that you get the right kind.

There are different kinds of memory cards that also have different storing space measured in megabytes and gigabytes. 1 gigabyte is equivalent to 1024 megabytes. So, when comparing the space on a card, note that a 1 gigabyte card has more space than a 512 megabyte card. The bigger the gigabyte indicated on the card the more space you will have to store your images on. The more gigabytes a card has, the more you will pay for one card, but you would save money if buying multiple lower gigabyte cards.

Compact Flash Cards:

The most popular cards are the compact flash as it has been around since the digital camera. It comes in capacities of up to 256 gigabytes and is available in higher performance versions with improved writing speeds when shooting high-definition videos. These are often denoted as having a 300x or 1000x write speeds.

Secure Digital And Secure Digital High Capacity:

The secure digital card now comes out in secure digital high-capacity that is designed to offer an increase in storage for high-resolution digital cameras. Most digital cameras can shoot high-definition videos and would require bigger storage capacities and performance. You can get capacities of up to 128 gigabytes.

As a professional photographer, you should not only get the highest capacity cards available. My reason for saying so is that all your photos are stored on one card. If something goes wrong, you will not lose all your images. I recommend that you buy several smaller memory cards to store your images on and get a handy card carry case to safely carry your cards in your carry bag.

Learn the true secrets on how to start a photography business from any location. My name is Gideon van Niekerk, as a successful professional photographer in South Africa, I love to take joy into couching new and professional photographers all over the globe to take charge and gain the correct knowledge. Make the right choices from day one and save thousands on your photography business investment at TruePhotoz.com.

Article Source: Gideon_Cornelius_Van_Niekerk

64GB class 10 Micro HCSD Memory Card with free SD Adapter