(Camera: Samsung NX10)With camera makers churning out new replacement models at shorter intervals, the fun and games begin when photography newbies and old hands, especially newbies, in the process of making a purchase try to put the products in perspective. Occasional questions sent to GX Garnerings do reveal the problem.
Recently, a photographer asked about the best fixed 28mm lens camera for street and travel photography. The names on his list were GRD3, GF2 and NX10. The enquirer also wondered how the GRD3 performed compared to the Fujifilm 200EXR he was currently using in addition to his Leica D-Lux4. These cameras are very different indeed.
For most prospective buyers, cameras are unlike pudding which can be eaten to get the proof at a negligible price. So we dig into reviews. But the deeper we dig, the more irritated we will probably become -- there are just too many similar cameras for a limited budget.
Before you go overboard reading the reviews, drown yourself in the sea of new cameras and end up with an undecided conclusion, here are some general observations which may be of help:
- the biggest advantage of the enthusiast cameras with a smaller sensor is in their almost infinite depth-of-field. You cannot stress enough the importance of the deep DOF for street photography
- the downside of this is that the agreeable low light IQ performance of these cameras are ISO 800 top in general at press time
- the biggest advantage of the likes of NEX5 (or EVIL cameras if you prefer them that) with a larger sensor is the ability to afford better IQ at ISO 3200 in general at press time
- the downsides of such EVIL cameras is that they are neither truly pocket-able as the enthusiast cameras nor as solid in focusing as the DSLRs
- therefore, if you are a street photographer and have got a DSLR, an enthusiast camera could be a good choice
- if you are just into photography and have no need to shoot fast moving subjects, pick an EVIL camera
- if focusing performance is an issue to you, the EVIL cameras (but discounting the larger GH2) at this stage may not be what you will find satisfactory
- moreover, the value-for-money of EVIL cameras is not to be neglected, especially some of their lenses are pricey
Recently, a photographer asked about the best fixed 28mm lens camera for street and travel photography. The names on his list were GRD3, GF2 and NX10. The enquirer also wondered how the GRD3 performed compared to the Fujifilm 200EXR he was currently using in addition to his Leica D-Lux4. These cameras are very different indeed.
For most prospective buyers, cameras are unlike pudding which can be eaten to get the proof at a negligible price. So we dig into reviews. But the deeper we dig, the more irritated we will probably become -- there are just too many similar cameras for a limited budget.
Before you go overboard reading the reviews, drown yourself in the sea of new cameras and end up with an undecided conclusion, here are some general observations which may be of help:
- the biggest advantage of the enthusiast cameras with a smaller sensor is in their almost infinite depth-of-field. You cannot stress enough the importance of the deep DOF for street photography
- the downside of this is that the agreeable low light IQ performance of these cameras are ISO 800 top in general at press time
- the biggest advantage of the likes of NEX5 (or EVIL cameras if you prefer them that) with a larger sensor is the ability to afford better IQ at ISO 3200 in general at press time
- the downsides of such EVIL cameras is that they are neither truly pocket-able as the enthusiast cameras nor as solid in focusing as the DSLRs
- therefore, if you are a street photographer and have got a DSLR, an enthusiast camera could be a good choice
- if you are just into photography and have no need to shoot fast moving subjects, pick an EVIL camera
- if focusing performance is an issue to you, the EVIL cameras (but discounting the larger GH2) at this stage may not be what you will find satisfactory
- moreover, the value-for-money of EVIL cameras is not to be neglected, especially some of their lenses are pricey
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