Our New Baby

HURRAY

The newest addition in our family of digital cameras just arrived today... fresh and super HOT! =)

THE HISTORY

We thought we'd forever be Sony digicam users. After my first point and shoot camera and our semi-DSLR camera, we decided to practice to become a pro so we joined the league of the DarkSide (coined for Nikon-users, used against Canon-users). Since we trusted so much of Sony's reputation on their digital camera products, we stick on their brand and purchased their semi-DSLR (Sony DSC-R1). When they launched their first DSLR product (Sony DSLR-A100), it didn't hit that much in the market. It's probably because Nikon and Canon are still the leading DSLR camera makers in the land.

THE DECISION

We definitely would not contest that Sony has become a brand name in point-and-shoot digital cameras. We owned a very reliable P50 and and R1 and we are happy with them. But, we don't like to be the guinea pigs in Sony's experiment of releasing A100. So we better stick to the leaders in the DSLR world. Now, what would we choose, a Canon or a Nikon? Both produces the best DSLR cameras. Remember, it's not the gears that will make a better photographer. What made Nikon stand out in our decision making is stability. Nikon DLSR models are not released every so often so we think that every new product they offer to the public has a very well thought of design and features. This analogy is similar to Nokia ang Sony Ericsson mobile phones. But still, it all boils down to preference.

THE MODEL

After deciding the brand, the tricky part is to choose the model. My first love is the Nikon D200. My heart goes for it but my pocket can't afford it. So we decided a model, the one I can afford without compromising the features and we found somewhat a morph of the best Nikon DSLR models, the D80. Here are the features that made our jaw dropped in awe.



Key features

• 10.2 megapixel DX format CCD (1.5x FOV crop)
• Image processing engine (similar to D200 / D2X)
• 3D Color Matrix Metering II, 420 pixel sensor (same as D50)
• 11-area AF system (new version of Multi-CAM 1000, similar to D200)
• Custom Auto ISO (selectable maximum ISO, minimum shutter speed)
• Configurable high ISO and long exposure noise reduction
• Mechanical only shutter (maximum 1/4000 sec, flash sync to 1/200 sec)
• Quoted 80 ms shutter lag (short viewfinder blackout; 160 ms)
• Larger, brighter pentaprism viewfinder (x0.94 magnification)
• Support for SD-HC (SD cards over 2 GB in capacity)
• In-camera retouching

D-Lighting (shadow / highlight enhancement)
Red-eye reduction
Trimming
Monochrome
Filter effects
Small picture
Image overlay

• Multiple-exposures
• Compact body (smaller, lighter than D70/D70s)
• Improved menu user interface (same as D200)
• Higher capacity EN-EL3e battery (provides detailed information, same as D200)
• Wireless flash integration (same as D200)
  

Marvin and I am now itching to go home to play with our new baby =)