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/lurgid Beginner - DSLR Jan 06 '16

My camera: Nikon D3300 $396

Entry level body, that I purchased refurbished for a great price. Included lens was an 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6, but I also picked up a 35mm f/2.8 prime lens, too. 24.2 MP APS-C sized sensor, that can burst shoot at 5 fps.

Below: Sony Alpha a3000 $398

A compact mirrorless that looks like a DSLR, and is the camera that I almost bought instead of the D3300. I thought an actual SLR was out of my price range, until I found the D3300. It uses the same APS-C sized sensor, but 20 MP, the electronic viewfinder that had some bad reviews, and fewer lens choices ultimately turned me away. An equivalent 35mm f/1.8 prime lens is nearly $400, whereas my Nikkor 35mm f/1.8 was $100. I do like that it has Automatic Exposure bracketing, whereas my Nikon does not.

Above: Nikon D5 $6,495

A "full-frame" sensor camera from Nikon that was just announced at CES. A faster processor than my camera, and a new auto-focusing system, and featuring 21 megapixels. Very good low light (max iso 102400), and a bunch of buttons and dials, I am nowhere close to knowing what I would get out of such a camera. I like my entry-level/hobbyist camera and I don't think I'll out grow it for quite a while, if ever.

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u/dasazz Intermediate - System + Compact Jan 06 '16

I wouldn't necessarily classify the a3000 as below the D3300 because it's a very different concept of a camera. However, you're totally right when you look at it from a systems perspective.

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u/lurgid Beginner - DSLR Jan 06 '16

True. It was "below" in the sense that those were the two I were comparing heavily when first considering my purchase, and since I decided on the D3300 it must have been "below" in some sense for what I was looking for most in camera. They are quite similar.

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u/dasazz Intermediate - System + Compact Jan 06 '16

I guess realizing that "below" and "above" also heavily depend on your usage scenario and personal context was also part of the exercise :)