What kind of photographer are you?

Enthusiast (en·thu·si·ast) 

A person who is highly interested in a particular activity or subject.

You have an interest in photography and a respect for the art. However, you are more interested in a nice camera you can produce nice images at the convenience store more than you are about sending them out to a professional printing company. Your goal is not to create great photography but produce high quality images. You would like to get a camera you can just take with you to document important family and social events, but also have the option to take nicer images you chose to.

Recommendation in the enthusiast category: 

Canon T3i: $699.99

Nikon D3200: $699.95

My preferred recommendation in this category? Nikon D3200 (as I also told my friend).

Canon T3i falls short in Nikon D3200 in specifications with Nikon's recent upgraded features on the camera model this year. Canon T3i was originally priced $100 more at $799.99, but it seems that in order to meet their competition, it has just gone down to meet the Nikon D3200's price at $699.95 with a five cent difference just recently.

However, let's look at some of the general features of each camera and compare them side by side.

Camera	Canon T3I	Nikon D3200
Megapixels	18	24.2
Shutter speed	1/4000 - 1/60 sec	1/4000 - 30 sec
ISO Range	100-6400 H 12,800	100-6400H 12,800
AF Points	9	11
Built-in Flash	±2 stops in 1/3-stop or 1/2-stop increments	-3 to +1 EV in increments of 1/3 EV
Continuous Shooting speed	5.3 frames/second	4 frames/second
Self-timer	10 or 2 sec delay	2, 5, 10, 20 second delay
Movie Max recording	11 minutes	20 minutes
Card Slot	SD	SD
Live View Recording	Yes	Yes

They go to head to head and meet equally in most of the categories. However, you must question what category matters to you most.

**Nikon just came out with a new model to replace the D3200. Check out the D3300 here.

Megapixels: Don't be misled by megapixels - especially if you're in this category of photographers. Click on the megapixels to find out more about how megapixels contribute to your overall image.

There are some things to consider before you run off to purchase your Nikon D3200 off the shelf. First, you must consider what you like to see in your images. Nikon is largely recognized for its reliability in sports photojournalism. Look at the 4 frames/second. At one touch of a button, you can capture 4 images whereas Canon can really only capture 3 images at full resolution.

As an enthusiast, if you don't plan on touching up your images much, then Canon can give you that perfect image ready to print with its vibrant color. If you're the person always at events or find yourself in the stands taking action photos then Nikon would be your best bet in capturing those images fast.

My overall recommendation: Nikon D3200
It's come out top with its modifications to the model this year.

Amateur (am·a·teur)

A person who engages in a study, sport, or other activity for pleasure rather than for financial benefit or professional reasons.

You love photography but want to take it to the next level. You want to start a hobby out of photography but not make it a job. You are the type who will take photos, upload them right away and choose which to touch up and showcase to friends and family.

What camera will give you the power to play around but not bust your wallet?

Recommendation in the amateur category:
Canon EOS 60D: $899.99
Nikon D90: $899.95

Both cameras are listed just under 1k and worth a comparison. Let's take a look at each camera's specs.

Camera	Canon 60D	Nikon D90
Megapixels	18	24.21
Shutter speed	30 - 1/8000 sec	30 - 1/4000 Sec
ISO Range	100-6400 (12800 via Custom Function)	200 - 3200, L 100/H 6400
AF Points	9	11
Continuous Shooting speed	5.3 frames/second	4.5 frames/second
Self-timer	10 or 2 sec delay	2, 5, 10, 20 second delay
Movie Max recording	29.59 minutes	20 minutes
Card Slot	SD	SD
Live View Recording	Yes	Yes

If you are geared towards making big prints and clearer images on a faster time, Nikon D90 would be your pick. Nikon once again dominates in the MP area. However, as far as speed, if you're doing more of candid event and sport photography, Canon 60D would be your go-to camera. It excels in continuous shooting speed. It can shoot at 5.3 frames per second vs Nikon's 4.5. As far as video recording, it has an almost 10 minute difference over Nikon. Both take SD cards and both offer live view recording. The ISO range is also more expansive with the Canon. If you are able to advantage of these function abilities, I would go with the Canon 60D over the Nikon D90.

Both Canon and Nikon have another model that meets closely in price if you would like to upgrade amore notch in this category. It would be Nikon D7100 for $1,199.95 and Canon EOS 70D for $1,199.00. Canon just came out with the 70D this year (Sept 2013). Feel free to check out and compare these models directly on the manufacturers' websites.

Canon 70D: https://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/slr_cameras/eos_70d#Specifications

Nikon D7100: http://www.nikonusa.com/en/Nikon-Products/Product/Digital-SLR-Cameras/1513/D7100.html

Intermediate (in·ter·me·di·ate)  

A person who acts between others; intermediary; mediator.

You are an intermediate shooter. You are beyond the skills of an enthusiast and within the ambition of an amateur. You'd like to show off  your skills and get into competitions. You're looking for a little more bang for your buck for the type of photography you'd like to showcase. Students who study fine art or photography usually fall into this category. These are the people who know what they are doing and are aspiring professional photographers.

Recommendation in the intermediate category:
Canon 7D, $1,499.00 (Body Only)
Nikon D300S $1,699.95 (Body Only)

Camera	Canon 7D	Nikon D300S
Megapixels	19	12.3
Shutter speed	30 - 1/8000 sec	30 - 1/4000 Sec
ISO Range	100-6400 (12800 via Custom Function)	200 - 3200, L 100/H 6400
AF Points	19	11
Continuous Shooting speed	8 frames/second	7 frames/second
Self-timer	10 or 2 sec delay	2, 5, 10, 20 second delay
Movie Max recording	12 minutes	20 minutes
Card Slot	CF	CF/SD/SDHC
Live View Recording	Yes	Yes

Advanced or Professionals  

Someone who understands the fundamentals of photography and makes this into a glorified hobby or job. Think freelancers and professionals.

Who am I to advise what you should buy? I would rather discuss and have a conversation on what makes the equipment in your bag worthwhile. The top cameras up for discussion here with respect to Canon and Nikon would be the Canon 5D Mark III and Nikon D800E.

Let's take a look.

Megapixels

How important are megapixels? 

Don't I want the most megapixels?

The answer is, it depends. Again, what do you plan on doing with your photos?

The number of pixels don't matter if you plan on printing your images through the convenience store (e.g. Walmart, Walgreens, etc.). Image clarity is based more on how you shoot than it is the camera's megapixel count. That goes for any camera you plan on purchasing. In this case, you're planning on printing these photos at the convenience store. One megapixel represents one million pixels. A pixel is a picture element. It can only be one color at a time. Think of the pixel making up the photo like a mosaic to create the bigger picture. At 6-8 megapixels, a camera can easily produce standard 4x6 photos already which is why the number megapixels is unimportant. Unless you plan to send images to a printing company to blow up, keep the megapixel count on the back burner when you make your camera choice.

The naked eye can only see 300 dpi. DPI is dots per inch. For every inch that you see in a photo, there are 300 dots there to make up that inch in the photo. DPI is a printer resolution. MP (Megapixels) simply means "one million pixels" and is used when describing digital camera capability. Let's break down the math.

If the naked eye can only see 300 dots per inch and your camera is at 5 megapixels (at one million pixels), and you plan to print it out in 4x5 images at the store, will your photograph quality turn out grainy or smooth?

Let's find out:

5 x 1,000,000 = 5,000,000 pixels   (Remember: 1,000,000 pixels = 1 megapixel)

5,000,000 pixels /300 dpi = 16,666 pixels per 300 dots per inch  (Remember: DPI is for the print quality and the pixels are for the camera capability)

Let's be reasonable, if one pixel represents one picture element and one million of those pixels equals ONE megapixel. You quintuple that one megapixel to create a 4x6 image printed at 300 dots per inch, the image will come out just fine.

Still confused? Check the following link for simple to go rules:


http://www.digicamhelp.com/camera-features/camera-parts/megapixels/

Canon or Nikon?

Which camera brand makes the mark?

A good friend of mine recently asked me the question, and she isn't the first. That question has come up too many times to count. I'm also guilty of that once upon a time before becoming a photographer. So here it is, my piece of mind on the topic and some factual information to help YOU find the perfect camera tailored to fit your needs.

I did the research for you, now all you have to do is continue reading, and determine which category of a photographer you fall in and what camera is best for you.

Both brands have come a long way and have been consistent in bringing out high quality gear into the photography market. It's an unfair question to ask. It's like comparing apples to apples. Fuji or Honey Crisp? Both are good but, really, you should be asking, which one is better for you?

It's like customizing your camera. Not every high end camera that Canon or Nikon produces will be meant for you. By narrowing down what you are looking for, you preferences, and needs, it will allow you to find the camera best for you whether it is a Canon or a Nikon.

Take a look at this website: http://www.digital-slr-guide.com/canon-vs-nikon.html

It lists and compares the Canon and Nikon cameras equal in level and similar in specifications. This will help you visually compare each one in its category. It compares price, megapixels, stabilization, shutter speed, maximum photo capture, iso range, movie modes, and more. However, let's start by asking you some questions. Don't get distracted by reading the features and instead concentrate on yourself first. That shouldn't be too hard, right?


What type of photography will you be doing?

What do you want to do with your photos?

Now, you can ask, what camera is for me?

You're probably wondering which side I chose? I looked at both equally as I tried to make my decision on my lifetime best friend in the business. It wasn't easy and so I hope by writing this blog, it will help YOU.

Compared: Canon 7D & Nikon D7000

It came down to what I was going to to do with my camera. I do fine art. Nikon excels in speed and Canon in color. Which was more important to me and the work I intended to do? My work should answer for itself. Frankly, I'm quite loyal to my 7D but when I tried my sister's Nikon, their different features gave me a refreshing perspective on the different possibilities that can be done with Nikon as well.

Click on the link below to find out what kind of photographer you are to determine the camera that best fits your needs.

What kind of photographer are you?