Comparing Cameras

[chris-p]

Originally Posted by xavier

Hi Chris your basicly saying one gets what you pay for?yes?

Erm, I suppose you do but thats not what I meant.

Think of it like this (we'll use the Canon range to start with)...

Most manufacturers make several SLR cameras. They classify them into several groups, for example, entry level, enthusiast, semi-pro and pro.
Canon's "entry level" cameras are the 1000D, 450D and 500D.
Their "enthusiast level" cameras are the 40D & 50D
Their "semi-pro" range is the 5D and 7D
Their "pro" range is the 1D series.

There is some overlap between the ranges. The 500D is sort of at the top of the entry level range and the bottom of the enthusiast range. The 7D is "semi-pro" but will be used by lots of enthusiasts who don't do any pro photography because they can afford it.

The ranges are based on a broad range of specifications (rather than the people the camera is aimed at as any could buy anything really). The semi-pro and pro kit will have a magnesium alloy (or similar) chassis and environmental sealing making them tougher and harder wearing.
The enthusiast range will have tougher build than the entry levels but usually using better plastics (rather than the metals you get in the semi-pro and pro kit) and they won't usually be weather sealed.

The Nikon range would be something like this:
Entry level: D3000, D5000
Enthusiast: D90
Semi-Pro: D300s, D700
Pro: D3 series (D3s, D3x)

The Sony range is
Entry Level: a230, a330, a380
Enthusiast: a450, a500, a550
Semi-Pro: a850
Pro: a900

What the OP has done is compare a camera from one group (the entry level Sony A350) with a camera from a different group (the Canon EOS 40D).
Thats not a fair comparison.

The Sony a350 should be compared to the Canon EOS 450D which is the camera that it is designed to compete with.
It doesn't matter who makes the camera (Sony, Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Leica, Linhof - whoever) it's not a fair comparison. The EOS 40D is a different grade of camera. It's better put together and made from better quality plastics - not because it's a Canon rather than a Sony, but because it's a different market that it's aimed at.

Does that make sense?!

[ianpinion]

Chris another way of breaking down the different classifications is to compare the range of features and functions each class of camera has. By that I mean an entry level camera will have a more limited ISO range and shutterspeed range than an enthusiasts camera for instance and these increase further the more advanced the camera is. So this is how you determine whether a camera is a direct competitor or not by comparing the feature and functions each has, along with the build quality and materials used in it's construction. The price tag is also a big give away too!

[chris-p]

Ian is, of course, right. I've tried to simplify it as much as possible as it seems I've not been very clear previously.

They're pretty vague classifications anyway. People will buy what they want. It's fair to say that for pro use the semi-pro and pro kit is the best option as it's harder wearing and generally tougher (ignoring image quality). Maximum ISO gets higher, shutter speeds get faster, AF points become more advanced and multiply in number, direct access controls become more common, scene and auto modes disappear and so on. As you go up the classes cameras also tend to get bigger and weigh more.

The point I was trying to make (and I'm not sure how successful I've been) is that if you compare an "enthusiast" level camera like the 40D to an "entry level" camera like the a350 you're not comparing like with like. The 40D wins because it's built better, from better materials, with more options and is generally a better camera, none of which has to do with the Canon vs Sony argument.
Nikon D3x vs Box Brownie is a facetious way of illustrating the same thing!

[xavier]

Hi Chris I just wonder would pre-shoot prep play a part in your shoot? if you look at my photo feed these were taken with a NIKON D40 which is an entry level camera sume of the shots are ok others are good, I would like to know what you think?

[xavier]

just another tought dose it realy matter if one has an entry level or pro class SLR to get top quality or is just a matter of time & place and type of camera dose not realy matter that much

[chris-p]

Originally Posted by xavier

Hi Chris I just wonder would pre-shoot prep play a part in your shoot? if you look at my photo feed these were taken with a NIKON D40 which is an entry level camera sume of the shots are ok others are good, I would like to know what you think?

I don't do a lot of pre-shoot prep work as I've never shot in a studio or similar environment where I need to. Most of my pre-shooting is chargin batteries and cleaning lenses.

Originally Posted by xavier

just another tought dose it realy matter if one has an entry level or pro class SLR to get top quality or is just a matter of time & place and type of camera dose not realy matter that much

Thats almost impossible to answer as it depends on exactly what you're shooting, where you're shooting it, under what lighting and what the end purpose is.

For example, you wouldn't be able to make billboard size prints from your D40 as the resolution is too low, but you can from an H3D-50 (for example).
You wouldn't want to drop any camera from 10 feet onto some rocks but, if you did, a D3 would be much more likely to survive than a D40.
If you're a sports shooter then the faster fps rates of higher end kit is invaluable.

Probably the biggest factor in image quality overall is the lens you use and don't forget that if you're looking at pro level kit (let's stick with Nikon here for simplicity) it's all FX format so you need FX lenses, which are usually better quality.

Being in the right place at the right time is certainly important and you can get excellent results with every modern digital SLR but it really depends on what you want to do with your images afterwards, where they're going and if they pay your mortgage!

[xavier]

frankly Chris I never did a studio shoot myself, and as you say there is alot to think about before one picks up a camera.

Probably the biggest factor in image quality overall is the lens you use and don't forget that if you're looking at pro level kit (let's stick with Nikon here for simplicity) it's all FX format so you need FX lenses, which are usually better quality.

are Nikon lenses good enough for, lets say fassion magizene work orsume other mag

[xavier]

sorry Chris that is "fashion"

[chris-p]

Some Nikon lenses are good enough for fashion magazine work, some aren't. Same with all manufacturers really.

[xavier]

that is good to know. By the way did you see the shots I put in my photo feed