cameras

[low_delta]

I've got a Canon EOS Rebel XTi (and I have no idea why it has so many names) and a Canon PowerShot SD850.

I like the 850 a lot. It's easy to use and makes great pictures. It's small enough to fit in my pants pockets, so I can carry it anywhere. It's got image stabilization, so the pics turn out well in low-light situations. The only really important feature it lacks is control over focus.

The SLR has much better control over focusing - three focus modes, plus manual selection of focusing points. Failing that, I can turn off the autofocus and focus manually. It's only eight megapixels (same as the SD850), but it's got some resolution. Aside from the focus, it can do RAW (instead of jpeg), which I like a lot sometimes. I can't do nearly as much with the RAW editor as I can in Photoshop, but there are certain features which make editing easier.

I've noticed a difference in pictures captured by the two cameras. The colors are not only more vivid, but the color balance is more accurate with the SD850. On the other hand, the light levels are better with the XTi. With the big camera, I find myself correcting and adjusting color in all the pics (color balance), but I seldom have to adjust the general light levels (curves). With the little camera, I never touch the color balance, but often punch up the lighting.

Comments

[raven-nest.livejournal.com]

I have a little powershot A430, and I agree about the color.. it is the "most realistic" color I have ever seen in a photo.. but the white balance I have trouble with.It accentuates white to an annoying degree. My expertise in manipulation ends with cropping though. I don't know how to do anything more.

I also agree that it doesn't have good focus control, but for me.. that doesn't matter. I can't focus anyway, so that little box that pops up that shows you what is in focus? That helps me.

I can't see. *grin*

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

Cropping and resizing are very important skills. ;-) It all starts somewhere.

[raven-nest.livejournal.com]

HA! That is very diplomatic of you.. thanks! *obligatory blush* :)

[blonnie.livejournal.com]

have you tried messing w/the picture styles in the xti? there are several you can pick from and you can even customize your own. i have set mine up and it works a lot better than the initial settings it had.

that being said, i've noticed that one of my lens' seems to need a different setup from my favorite lens.

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

Ooh, 28-135, image stabilized. I sure wish I'd had IS when I was shooting in Muir Woods last week. I didn't remember until I got home that the P&S has IS, which is why Cyn's pics were a generally sharper than mine.

What is your customization set up for?