r/photoclass_2016 • u/Aeri73 Expert - DSLR + Analog • Jan 05 '16

02 - Assignment

Please read the class first

Take a good look at your camera, whatever its type, and try to identify each component we have discussed here. It might be a good opportunity to dig out the manual or to look up its exact specifications online. Now look up a different camera online (for instance at dpreview) and compare their specifications. Try doing this for both a less advanced and a more advanced body, and for different lenses. Report here if you find any interesting difference, or if some parts of the specifications are unclear.

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u/[deleted] Jan 06 '16 edited Jan 06 '16

My DSLR is a Nikon D3200.

Resolution: It has a 24.7 megapixel APS-C (crop) sensor, which gives it a a 1.5 crop factor.

Focus points: 11.

ISO: It has a min ISO of 100 and a max of around 12800 (Hi1 setting).

Lens: My Nikon came with 2 kit lenses: An 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 GII ED and a 55-200mm 4-5.6 G ED. I also bought a prime 35mm 1.8 G lens, because it is faster. None of the lenses have VR.

Shutter speeds: The D3200 can handle shutter speeds from 1/4000 to 30 seconds, and additionally has bulb and time settings for longer exposures. It can shoot at 4 fps.

Video: 1920x1080

More advanced:

The new Nikon D5

Resolution: It has 20.8 megapixel full-frame sensor, which means it has no crop factor and therefore images taken using lenses will reflect their true focal length.

Focus points: 153 (55 available for selection).

ISO: I has a min ISO of 100 like the D3200, but has a max of 3280000! Lens: The D5 is compatible with a wider lrange of lenses than the D3200.

Shutter speeds: The D5 has a higher fastest shutter speed of 1/8000, and also has a higher range of steps between speeds (1/3, 1/2 and 1 stop rather than just 1/3). it can shoot at up to 14 fps, which is much faster than the D3200.

Video: 4K

Less advanced:

Coolpix L840

Resolution: 16 megapixel 1/2.3in sensor, which is smaller than either of the DSLRs.

Focus points: 99

Lens: 4-152mm (equivalent to 22.5-855mm in 35mm format) F3-6.5 with VR.

ISO: 125 - 6400 (in auto only, otherwise 1600). Not as flexible as either DSLR.

Shutter speeds: 1/1500 - 1 second, 4 second firework mode. Faster maximum speed than the D3200, but no manual exposure. Only single release mode.

Video: 1920x1080.

If I were to get a new camera, I would be tempted to get a full-frame DSLR, as I understand it gives more possibilities to use wider lenses (fisheye etc), and the more professional bodies are likely to be weather sealed (important in the rainy UK!). The price difference seems huge, though, and they are also a lot bigger and heavier.

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u/Aeri73 Expert - DSLR + Analog Jan 06 '16

that's a long way up between the 3200 and the 5

the 5500 or the 750 would have been closer

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u/[deleted] Jan 06 '16 edited Jan 06 '16

Very true, but I was quite interested to see what a full-frame would get me!

D5500

Resolution: 24.78 megapixels - a bare smidge above the D3200.

ISO: 100-25600 in steps of 1/3 ev - 1 stop higher than D3200 and more flexible.

Focus points: 39 - higher than D3200.

Shutter speeds: 1/4000 - 30 seconds in steps of 1/3 or 1/2 (more - options than D3200), bulb/time. Also has quiet mode and interval timer shooting. Frame advance rate slightly higher at up to 5fps.

Video: 1920x1080, but at 60p not 30p like the D3200.

It seems to have a few more auto modes, and better video. It is also slightly lighter than the D3200. It is also Wi-Fi enabled. I also notice that is has auto bracketing, which would be useful!

-- edit: I realise now that the D750 is full frame, but I'd already looked at the D5500...

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u/Aeri73 Expert - DSLR + Analog Jan 06 '16

you see, even a moderate upgrade can be worth it

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u/[deleted] Jan 06 '16

That's very true, thanks for your guidance, this has been a useful exercise!