I once was able to try the Westin Heavenly Bed mattress with pocketed coil springs while staying at Westin hotel in LA. At the time, the mattress I had was not exactly top notch and I was really impressed by the level of comfort the Westin's mattress provided. You can try this mattress before buying by simply spending a night at a Westin hotel where these mattresses are used.
So even though I was going to purchase my replacement mattress from the Sam's Club (Serta), I decided to get the Westin Heavenly Bed mattress instead.
What Is the Westin Heavenly Bed Mattress
Prior to placing my order, I learned about the Westin Heavenly Bed mattress online. The mattress and its boxspring are produced by Simmons. Similarly to Simmons's Beautyrest mattresses, this model utilizes individual coils that insulate one person movements from another. In other words, unlike the regular mattresses, these do not transmit motion and vibrations as much.
The mattress has a 13-inch pillow-top design with a box spring (a.k.a. spring unit), which is available in two profiles: regular (8 3/4 ") and low profile (5 1/2"). I got the 60x80" Queen size with a regular boxspring, but other sizes are obviously available (Twin, Full, Split Queen, King and California King). As a side note, I live in California, but I am not its King (at least not yet), so purchasing a California King mattress might be a future option.
Performance
After receiving the mattress, I confirmed that it is very comfortable, just as I remember from my stay in Westin hotel. It is relatively firm overall, but the pillow-top makes its top part cushy and comfortable. The pillow-top is coddling the parts of your body that touch the mattress and it is a feeling that is most appreciated in cold weather.
The use of individually-pocketed coil springs does, indeed, insulate one person's movements from another rather well. I tend to turn a lot when I sleep and I wouldn't want my wife's sleep to be disturbed by my movements. The individual pocketed coil springs, of which the mattress has over 800, work well for the movement insulation. Not perfectly well, but well enough and much better than those of the traditional mattress.
I had my concerns at first about the durability of this approach. It seemed that the individual coil springs would be more susceptible to becoming gradually permanently compressed in some areas. Fortunately, it has not happened in the few years I had this mattress.
What happened however is the localized compression of the pillow-top. I used to sleep on the right side of the mattress and after about 1-1.5 years, you could see that some parts of the pillow-top became permanently compressed in those areas that held the bulk of my weight. Since, I switched to the other side and might switch back again, because the prior compression seems to have been remediated by time. Surprisingly, the side I am on now does not seem to be affected, even though my weight has not decreased (unfortunately, it is the opposite, but not by much). I weigh 185 lbs.
Otherwise, the mattress and its spring unit had stood the test of time surprisingly well so far, including a move. And I am a heavy user :) . The outer fabric is very durable as well. And for the $1,630 I paid it is a great investment.
Update 12/2011: The mattress is still in great shape and should last a very long time, especially considering that I dropped some weight and now weigh 172 lbs.
Update 2/2012: Unfortunately we had to dispose of most of our belongings, this mattress included. I since bought a similar Simmons Beautyrest mattress, but with no pillowtop.
Pros: Reasonable price, excellent comfort and overall durability, movement insulation, 10-year warranty
Cons: The pillow-top might develop temporary impressions and small lumps, not the cheapest
Bottom Line
I bought my mattress at the Westin's web site, but it is sold at other places as well. I highly recommend this mattress and other Simmons Beautyrest mattresses (my mom has one of those and it is very similar in quality and comfort).
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max
Our 2014 Honda Accord EX-L came shod with Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max tires in 215/55R17 size and V-speed rating. After 8 thousand miles I have to say that these tires provide excellent fuel economy and decent wear, but the ride could be better.
After 8K miles, there is virtually no wear, but the ride is somewhat firmer than what I recall when they were new. The treadlife mileage warranty is 65,000 miles or 6 years, if bought aftermarket. On our car, these were OEM tires so no mileage warranty applies.
The noise is muted, but the squealing in turns is discouraging. These are not performance-oriented tires by any means.
The fuel economy is impressive, some of which is due to these tires. I average 36 mpg with freeway commute resulting in over 40 mpg. But once they wear out, which will take a while, I am going to get something else
After 8K miles, there is virtually no wear, but the ride is somewhat firmer than what I recall when they were new. The treadlife mileage warranty is 65,000 miles or 6 years, if bought aftermarket. On our car, these were OEM tires so no mileage warranty applies.
The noise is muted, but the squealing in turns is discouraging. These are not performance-oriented tires by any means.
The fuel economy is impressive, some of which is due to these tires. I average 36 mpg with freeway commute resulting in over 40 mpg. But once they wear out, which will take a while, I am going to get something else
Yokohama AVID Touring TRZ Tire - Quiet, Smooth, Long-Lasting, But Not Perfect
My mother's 2006 Honda Accord came with mediocre OEM Bridgestone Turanza EL41 tires in 195/65-R15 size. Check out my review of the EL41 to see how mediocre they were. Without waiting until they were worn out, I decided to replace them with something better. Which is not difficult, considering there are so many good choices out there.
Having had a very good experience with the Yokohama YK520 in my 2004 Infiniti G35, and having read good reviews for the TRZ, I decided to give a similarly-patterned tread a try and got the Yokohama Avid TRZ tires from the Tire Rack. The size is "plus zero" - 215/60R15.
So, for under $400 shipped and installed, the Avid TRZ seemed like a good deal. Especially with its 80,000-mile warranty and the premise of good ride, low noise and decent handling.
Performance
The Yokohama TRZ tires I got so far have 22,000 miles. The wear looks minimal, almost non-existent. At the rate they are wearing, I am pretty sure I can get at least 60K and probably more than 80,000 miles.
The Yokohama Avid Touring TRZ is a touring asymmetrical non-directional tire, which can be rotated to any position. The outer, meddle and inner parts serve different purposes for dry, wet and light snow duty (the tire is an all-season one). Therefore the name (TRZ) stands for Tree Ride Zones.
The silica-enhanced all-season tread compound remains more pliable in cold temperatures to enhance cold weather traction. I like in Sothern California and couldn't care less.
The outside zone has large blocks and continuous ribs for better dry road cornering. The center zone has circumferential grooves for effective water evacuation for wet traction. The inner zone serves for better winter traction and features lateral grooves.
Internally, twin steel belts reinforced by spirally-wrapped nylon and polyester cord plies, along with other cool features provide comfortable ride, noise insulation and predictable handling. Or so they claim.
I have to say that the Yokohama TRZ tires did not disappoint me. I had high expectations after having used the Yokohama YK520 tire with very similar tread design, and internal construction. The Accord's ride became much smoother and quieter with the TRZ, comparing with the Turanza EL41.
The traction in dry and wet weather is very good and much better than the EL41. The tire is speed-rated T and can go to 118 mph, which as fast as I can legally (and somewhat illegally) drive. Yes, the Accord can go faster than that, but obviously it is a big no-no in the US.
I took this tire to about 105 and the car was very stable with no vibration or excessive tire noise. Tires are speed rated to ensure the construction is robust enough to withstand the force that tries to rip it apart the faster the tire spins. So the T rating is good enough for me.
The Yokohama TRZ definitely provides better traction than the EL41 tire. There is less squeal and less sliding in turns, ditto the braking. The tires are not very suitable for spirited driving for at least three reasons. Just as the YK520, they are not very responsive: it seems that the initial split second you turn/accelerate/brake nothing happens. Is it the fault of the progressive sidewall that gives you cushy/quiet ride? Maybe.
Also, these are the tires designed mostly for longevity and cushy ride, which ensures that you cannot extract maximum traction out of them. And then, there is the T speed rating.
Although after 22,000 miles they are more noisy and less cushy than when new, they still seem to provide good ride and noise characteristics, especially comparing with the aforementioned OEM tire.
But the good traction overall, combined with low price, smooth, noise-free ride and the projected longevity make it a great everyday tire.
Pros: Long-lasting, low price, low noise and cushy ride, non-directional design for flexible tire rotation
Cons: Not the most responsive, T speed rating
Conclusion
The Yokohama Avid TRZ is a quiet, smooth and very long-lasting tire with above-average traction in dry and wet weather (no snow here so I cannot comment on this aspect). It is an excellent choice for an everyday tire. Provided you want exactly that: smooth, quiet tire with good traction that will last long. A great replacement for any OEM all-season non-sport tire. But if you like spirited driving, you might want to look for a more responsive one.
It is not for you if you want responsiveness and/or the best traction possible.
Having had a very good experience with the Yokohama YK520 in my 2004 Infiniti G35, and having read good reviews for the TRZ, I decided to give a similarly-patterned tread a try and got the Yokohama Avid TRZ tires from the Tire Rack. The size is "plus zero" - 215/60R15.
So, for under $400 shipped and installed, the Avid TRZ seemed like a good deal. Especially with its 80,000-mile warranty and the premise of good ride, low noise and decent handling.
Performance
The Yokohama TRZ tires I got so far have 22,000 miles. The wear looks minimal, almost non-existent. At the rate they are wearing, I am pretty sure I can get at least 60K and probably more than 80,000 miles.
The Yokohama Avid Touring TRZ is a touring asymmetrical non-directional tire, which can be rotated to any position. The outer, meddle and inner parts serve different purposes for dry, wet and light snow duty (the tire is an all-season one). Therefore the name (TRZ) stands for Tree Ride Zones.
The silica-enhanced all-season tread compound remains more pliable in cold temperatures to enhance cold weather traction. I like in Sothern California and couldn't care less.
The outside zone has large blocks and continuous ribs for better dry road cornering. The center zone has circumferential grooves for effective water evacuation for wet traction. The inner zone serves for better winter traction and features lateral grooves.
Internally, twin steel belts reinforced by spirally-wrapped nylon and polyester cord plies, along with other cool features provide comfortable ride, noise insulation and predictable handling. Or so they claim.
I have to say that the Yokohama TRZ tires did not disappoint me. I had high expectations after having used the Yokohama YK520 tire with very similar tread design, and internal construction. The Accord's ride became much smoother and quieter with the TRZ, comparing with the Turanza EL41.
The traction in dry and wet weather is very good and much better than the EL41. The tire is speed-rated T and can go to 118 mph, which as fast as I can legally (and somewhat illegally) drive. Yes, the Accord can go faster than that, but obviously it is a big no-no in the US.
I took this tire to about 105 and the car was very stable with no vibration or excessive tire noise. Tires are speed rated to ensure the construction is robust enough to withstand the force that tries to rip it apart the faster the tire spins. So the T rating is good enough for me.
The Yokohama TRZ definitely provides better traction than the EL41 tire. There is less squeal and less sliding in turns, ditto the braking. The tires are not very suitable for spirited driving for at least three reasons. Just as the YK520, they are not very responsive: it seems that the initial split second you turn/accelerate/brake nothing happens. Is it the fault of the progressive sidewall that gives you cushy/quiet ride? Maybe.
Also, these are the tires designed mostly for longevity and cushy ride, which ensures that you cannot extract maximum traction out of them. And then, there is the T speed rating.
Although after 22,000 miles they are more noisy and less cushy than when new, they still seem to provide good ride and noise characteristics, especially comparing with the aforementioned OEM tire.
But the good traction overall, combined with low price, smooth, noise-free ride and the projected longevity make it a great everyday tire.
Pros: Long-lasting, low price, low noise and cushy ride, non-directional design for flexible tire rotation
Cons: Not the most responsive, T speed rating
Conclusion
The Yokohama Avid TRZ is a quiet, smooth and very long-lasting tire with above-average traction in dry and wet weather (no snow here so I cannot comment on this aspect). It is an excellent choice for an everyday tire. Provided you want exactly that: smooth, quiet tire with good traction that will last long. A great replacement for any OEM all-season non-sport tire. But if you like spirited driving, you might want to look for a more responsive one.
It is not for you if you want responsiveness and/or the best traction possible.
Monday, July 14, 2014
Canon PowerShot Digital Elph SD1200 IS 10-Megapixel Compact Digital Camera Review
Canon is never standing still. You can count on your Canon camera to produce good pictures, but you can also count that in less than a year a new model that replaces the one you have will appear on the market. Such was the case with the Canon SD1200 IS that replaces the previous model, Canon SD1100 IS. I didn't expect surprises from the new model since it represents an evolution of the long line of the Canon SD cameras (also known as "Digital Elph").
The Canon SD1200 is a 10-Megapixel camera that is even slightly cheaper than the last year's 8-Megapixel SD1100, yet features higher resolution and more features. "Cheaper" is always a good thing, provided the quality is there.
What Is Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS?
The Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS Digital ELPH is a 10-Megapixel super-compact stylish digital camera with 3x optical zoom (35-105 mm equivalent), optical image stabilization, large 2.5-inch LCD screen with 230,000 pixels, zooming optical viewfinder and face detection.
The camera is powered by a compact rechargeable battery (NB6-L) and stores pictures and videos on SD (Secure Digital), SDHC or MultiMedia memory cards. The SD1200 IS features fast USB 2.0 Hi-Speed connection to PC and Mac computers. It also supports direct printing (without computer) with PictBridge compatible printers. The strap, cables, software and rechargeable battery with charger are included.
Just as the previous Canon SD cameras, this model looks stylish and high-tech. The camera also has a movie mode of up to 30 fps at VGA resolution (640x480).
Getting Started
The SD1200 looks and feels durable. It features a retractable lens that extends and has a lens cover that opens when the camera is powered on. When the camera is powered off, the lens retracts and the lens cover closes.
The on/off button is on the top deck, which also has a zoom rocker and a large shutter release button. The bottom of the camera has a threaded tripod mount and a battery and SD card compartment lid.
The rear panel has a large 230,000-pixel 2.5-inch LCD screen, an optical zooming viewfinder, control buttons and menu controls with a FUNC./SET button in the middle of it. There is also a sliding switch between auto mode, movie and still picture taking modes. Unlike the previous models, the view mode is selected using a separate button, which is (at least in my opinion) a very welcome change. In cameras that rely on a mechanical switch between all modes (including review), you have to switch very frequently, which is time consuming. The dedicated button of this SD1200 makes it much faster and more convenient.
The side has a small cover, underneath which you can find a USB jack and an A/V jack. Otherwise, the SD1200 looks very similar to other SD-line cameras. The SD1200 uses a compact proprietary Li-Ion battery that looks like a cell phone battery. After I inserted it and my own Kingston Elite Pro SD memory card into the battery/memory compartment, I was ready to shoot, review and upload.
Usage
Admittedly, it is difficult to go wrong with Canon cameras when it comes to pretty much any aspect of functionality and the ease of use is one of them. Just as its predecessors and its siblings in the model lineup, the SD1200 is very easy to use. The menus and icons are slightly more descriptive than that of the older-generation Digital Elphs like SD400 due to more available space on the screen (2.5-inch vs. 2-inch). For example, the pictogram that shows mountains now says Infinity underneath to tell you that in this mode the focus is fixed on infinity. The camera uses the latest version of Digic processor by Canon (Digic 4) that provides responsive operation and low power consumption.
In case you have used a Canon camera before, you will be able to use this camera in no time. I have not read the manual (it is still sealed), but was able to use the camera and all its features instantly. This camera can be used by any member of the family and by photographers of all levels of expertise from novices to advanced ones (albeit it will not give you much control over the shutter speed or aperture; even Manual mode will only allow you to use exposure compensation and that is about it). And now you can see the aperture and shutter speed information on the screen before you press the shutter release - a feature that was not available in the Digital Elphs (SD line of Canon cameras) prior to SD1000.
The camera is very fast and responsive. The large and bright LCD screen shows pictograms of selected modes (e.g. Macro, Flash mode, etc.) large and legible on the screen (sometimes with subtitles) and then they move to the side of the screen. A very cool and useful feature, especially for people with impaired vision or when operating in difficult conditions, e.g. sunlight
The switch on the back panel has a dedicated position of Auto. Not surprisingly, the camera comes pre-set to Auto mode, in which you have no need or way to adjust settings. You do not have to do anything other than point and shoot - the camera takes care of the rest. The camera uses intelligent autofocus, integrated with face detection. Once you press the shutter release button halfway to make camera focus, the camera shows you (on the LCD screen) where it focused by displaying one or more green rectangles. Then you take the picture by pressing the shutter release button all the way. In dim conditions, the camera uses its focus-assist light, which is effective in focusing at short distances.
Both Macro and Infinty modes are available at a push of a button. Also, the ISO settings can be set to Auto or Auto Hi Sensitivity in Auto mode. In Manual mode, you can select a fixed ISO as well (e.g. ISO 100).
In case you want more control, you can select Manual mode, which is not a real manual mode where you would be able to select the shutter speed and aperture, but rather a mode in which you get access to selection of several parameters. In Manual mode, you can set the ISO, white balance (several presets and custom), use exposure compensation to make pictures darker or brighter, use picture effects, color replacement effects, etc.
In addition to fast ISO selection, the camera gives you instant access to the flash mode selection (flash off, red-eye reduction, night portrait, auto flash), macro or infinity mode as well as drive mode (single frame, timer or burst/continuous shooting) at a push of a button: arrow down and arrow right.
One persistent complaint I have centers on the menu control buttons or, in particular, on the disc that holds them. Unlike some previous models, but just as the SD1000 and SD1100 before it, the SD1200 has a disc that is too flat and too leveled with the back surface of the camera making it less easy to use - it is difficult to distinguish where the edge of the button is by touch.
More on Features and Controls
The camera features selectable Evaluative, Center-Weighted and Spot metering modes. The camera has a built-in flash that is quite powerful or its size and has a red-eye reduction function. It features a shutter speed range of 15-1/1,500 sec and selectable ISO of 80-3,200 as well as ISO Auto and High ISO Auto.
The camera also has a Macro mode where it can focus very close. The available movie mode records movies with sound (the camera has a microphone and a speaker) at up to 640x480 up to 30 fps, providing fluid playback.
The camera has the widest aperture of f/2.8 at wide angle, f/4.9 at telephoto. It seems that the aperture is a two-step type with no fine control over aperture. The camera doesn't let you control the aperture or the shutter speed directly, but even if you select Infinity mode (the icon looks like mountains) or try shooting in different lighting conditions, you will soon discover that your resultant photos have only one of two aperture values at any given focal length.
Unlike 3 generations ago or before, at least you can see the aperture and shutter speed on the screen now. It is good to know the aperture while shooting at telephoto to figure out if the background will be blurry.
You can use the exposure compensation in the manual mode and it comes in handy in the morning or sunset hours as the camera overexposes the picture trying to preserve the shadow detail.
There are a bunch of scene modes as well, which help the camera tweak the focusing and exposure settings according to the type of scene.
Build Quality and Ergonomics
The camera has a solid feel and good build quality, although it looks and feels somewhat cheap comparing to some earlier (and more expensive) SD-line cameras. The major controls are within easy reach and the tactile response is good. The camera a bit too small but for its size, but it is convenient to hold and its compact size lets you put it in a jacket pocket or a purse easily. In fact, it is so small, you can almost put it in a shirt pocket.
Tripod Mount
The camera has a threaded tripod mount. It is useful if you want to take macro pictures or pictures with long exposures (e.g. nighttime). The camera has a timer (2-second or 10-second), which you should use to avoid blurry images when the camera is on the tripod.
Performance
The SD1200 uses the latest version of Canon DiG!C processor (Digic 4). It is the same processor used in larger Canon digital SLR cameras and it gives this Digital Elph excellent speed. The camera takes less than a second to power itself on in review mode and only about a second or two to power on and extend its lens in shooting mode.
Although zooming is reasonably fast, I wish it were more responsive. You can fully zoom in or out in about 2-3 seconds. I find the 3x optical zoom the camera has sufficient for most situations, but wider angle would be useful for indoor pictures.
The camera can capture images at about two per second in burst mode (I used Kingston Elite Pro SD memory card in my testing). In single-frame mode, the camera could snap pictures as fast as I could push the shutter release button. The focusing takes less than a second, even in dim lighting, at wide angle. But at telephoto the focusing can take a little more than a second. And in dim light at telephoto, the camera may fail to focus at all. The shutter lag, when pre-focused, is virtually nonexistent.
LCD and Viewfinder
The camera has a 2.5-inch non-articulated (fixed) LCD screen and an optical zooming viewfinder. The LCD is large, bright, gains-up in the dark (increases brightness) and is fluid. The resolution of the LCD screen is excellent (230,000 pixels). And the icons/menus are large, colorful and legible.
The LCD coverage is about 100% - you can see exactly what will be recorded. The viewfinder, however, covers only about 80% of what will be recorded.
IS: Image Stabilization
The IS in the model name stands for image stabilization. It allows you take photos at 1-2 stops slower shutter speed handheld with no blur. This feature is especially useful for smaller cameras at telephoto or/and in low light. In other words, you will be able to take sharper photos in low light or when zoomed in.
Computer Connectivity
The camera uses USB 2.0 Hi-Speed connection to transfer pictures to a computer. You can also remove the SD memory card and use a memory card reader (if you have one), or use the camera with the USB cable supplied. I did the former since it is more convenient.
Flash
This model has a built-in flash is quite bright for its size. It has a red-eye reduction mode and is sufficient at up to 10-12 feet away. It has a recycle time of about 8-10 seconds. The flash has a red-eye reduction mode and the camera itself features face detection and playback-mode red-eye removal. It works pretty well.
White Balance
The camera's automatic white balance is usually quite accurate with the exception of the incandescent lighting, where you are better off either selecting Incandescent white balance setting or using the available manual white balance.
Focusing
You let camera focuses using its auto-focusing system augmented with face detection technology. The camera will show you green rectangles over the areas where it focused so that you can confirm the focus areas. There is no manual focusing provision.
There are also two special focusing modes, accessible at a push of a button: Macro mode and Infinity (Infinity available in Manual mode).
Movie Mode
I tried the 640x480 movie mode at 30 fps. The video was fluid and sharp. Although not a replacement for a camcorder, it was certainly usable.
Image Quality Settings
The camera lets you select between Super Fine, Fine and Normal compression levels (regardless of resolution). You can detect occasional JPEG artifacts in the mode of highest compression and some fine detail may be lost (only visible when printing enlargements or viewing at 100% on the computer monitor). But the two lower-compression modes (Fine and Superfine) are rather good.
Image Quality
I usually take photos that contain all primary colors at different focal lengths, apertures and compression ratios. Some photos are taken outdoors, some indoors with and without flash.
Oftentimes, I take a bunch of photos while standing at my window. Those photos features all colors: blue sky, green foliage, red curbs, yellow fire hydrant and cars of different colors.
Taking photos at different focal lengths and apertures reveals the camera's optical quality: corner sharpness, chromatic aberrations as well as overall sharpness.
Taking photos at different ISO settings shows how well a given camera can keep noise levels low in dim light. I mostly evaluate the image quality using my computer monitor, but I also print some photos at different sizes using either my printer or online services like Shutterfly, Snapfish and Costco online photo center.
The SD1200 IS produces excellent photos, which are well-exposed, sharp, contrasty and richly-colored. The photos have pleasing "Canon" color with slight oversaturation and nice blue skies - the kind of color consumers like.
Just as the case with previous SD models, the corners of the frame are not as sharp as the center at some focal lengths. This will be mostly unnoticeable in printed pictures since corners normally don't make it to the print due to the aspect ratio difference and other factors. Aside from slightly blurry corners, the photos came out sharp with very pleasing colors.
The image noise is virtually absent at ISO 80 and 100 in shadows, appears (slightly) at the ISO 200, gets more pronounced at ISO 400 and gets worse at ISO 800. The ISO 1,600-3,200 are even noisier (note ISO 3,200 is only available in special "ISO 3200" mode), to a point where I would not consider using the ISO 1600 and above at all. It is usable at 6x4, but if you look closer you will see that it is somewhat soft and a bit noisy.
If you are printing 6x4 or 5x7 pictures, the noise should not be visible up to ISO 800. At ISO 80-100, you can print your photos at up to 13x19 inches with good detail and ISO 200-400 should be good up to 10x8.
Overall, for its size and price, the camera produces pictures that are among the best in class.
Reliability
Based on my experience with previous SD-series models, I expect good reliability from this model, provided it is not abused.
Battery Life
I have not fully tested the battery consumption, but after fully charging it, I took more than 130 pictures and the low battery warning has not appeared yet. Canon claims you can take about 260 photos on one battery charge with the LCD on (or 700 with LCD off), which is an improvement comparing to the older model.
Colors
The camera is available in many colors, from dark gray to pink.
Pros: Price, size, image stabilization, looks, large screen, fast operation, great photos, dedicated view button
Cons: Slightly blurry corners, no manual control over aperture or shutter speed
Bottom Line
I really like the new Canon SD1200 IS. It is compact, stylish and capable. Its 10-Megapixel resolution, good optics, image stabilization, features and 2.5-inch LCD screen make it capable and pleasant to use. And for its size, it produces some of the best-in-class photos. And the price is right. I highly recommend it, in any color.
The Canon SD1200 is a 10-Megapixel camera that is even slightly cheaper than the last year's 8-Megapixel SD1100, yet features higher resolution and more features. "Cheaper" is always a good thing, provided the quality is there.
What Is Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS?
The Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS Digital ELPH is a 10-Megapixel super-compact stylish digital camera with 3x optical zoom (35-105 mm equivalent), optical image stabilization, large 2.5-inch LCD screen with 230,000 pixels, zooming optical viewfinder and face detection.
The camera is powered by a compact rechargeable battery (NB6-L) and stores pictures and videos on SD (Secure Digital), SDHC or MultiMedia memory cards. The SD1200 IS features fast USB 2.0 Hi-Speed connection to PC and Mac computers. It also supports direct printing (without computer) with PictBridge compatible printers. The strap, cables, software and rechargeable battery with charger are included.
Just as the previous Canon SD cameras, this model looks stylish and high-tech. The camera also has a movie mode of up to 30 fps at VGA resolution (640x480).
Getting Started
The SD1200 looks and feels durable. It features a retractable lens that extends and has a lens cover that opens when the camera is powered on. When the camera is powered off, the lens retracts and the lens cover closes.
The on/off button is on the top deck, which also has a zoom rocker and a large shutter release button. The bottom of the camera has a threaded tripod mount and a battery and SD card compartment lid.
The rear panel has a large 230,000-pixel 2.5-inch LCD screen, an optical zooming viewfinder, control buttons and menu controls with a FUNC./SET button in the middle of it. There is also a sliding switch between auto mode, movie and still picture taking modes. Unlike the previous models, the view mode is selected using a separate button, which is (at least in my opinion) a very welcome change. In cameras that rely on a mechanical switch between all modes (including review), you have to switch very frequently, which is time consuming. The dedicated button of this SD1200 makes it much faster and more convenient.
The side has a small cover, underneath which you can find a USB jack and an A/V jack. Otherwise, the SD1200 looks very similar to other SD-line cameras. The SD1200 uses a compact proprietary Li-Ion battery that looks like a cell phone battery. After I inserted it and my own Kingston Elite Pro SD memory card into the battery/memory compartment, I was ready to shoot, review and upload.
Usage
Admittedly, it is difficult to go wrong with Canon cameras when it comes to pretty much any aspect of functionality and the ease of use is one of them. Just as its predecessors and its siblings in the model lineup, the SD1200 is very easy to use. The menus and icons are slightly more descriptive than that of the older-generation Digital Elphs like SD400 due to more available space on the screen (2.5-inch vs. 2-inch). For example, the pictogram that shows mountains now says Infinity underneath to tell you that in this mode the focus is fixed on infinity. The camera uses the latest version of Digic processor by Canon (Digic 4) that provides responsive operation and low power consumption.
In case you have used a Canon camera before, you will be able to use this camera in no time. I have not read the manual (it is still sealed), but was able to use the camera and all its features instantly. This camera can be used by any member of the family and by photographers of all levels of expertise from novices to advanced ones (albeit it will not give you much control over the shutter speed or aperture; even Manual mode will only allow you to use exposure compensation and that is about it). And now you can see the aperture and shutter speed information on the screen before you press the shutter release - a feature that was not available in the Digital Elphs (SD line of Canon cameras) prior to SD1000.
The camera is very fast and responsive. The large and bright LCD screen shows pictograms of selected modes (e.g. Macro, Flash mode, etc.) large and legible on the screen (sometimes with subtitles) and then they move to the side of the screen. A very cool and useful feature, especially for people with impaired vision or when operating in difficult conditions, e.g. sunlight
The switch on the back panel has a dedicated position of Auto. Not surprisingly, the camera comes pre-set to Auto mode, in which you have no need or way to adjust settings. You do not have to do anything other than point and shoot - the camera takes care of the rest. The camera uses intelligent autofocus, integrated with face detection. Once you press the shutter release button halfway to make camera focus, the camera shows you (on the LCD screen) where it focused by displaying one or more green rectangles. Then you take the picture by pressing the shutter release button all the way. In dim conditions, the camera uses its focus-assist light, which is effective in focusing at short distances.
Both Macro and Infinty modes are available at a push of a button. Also, the ISO settings can be set to Auto or Auto Hi Sensitivity in Auto mode. In Manual mode, you can select a fixed ISO as well (e.g. ISO 100).
In case you want more control, you can select Manual mode, which is not a real manual mode where you would be able to select the shutter speed and aperture, but rather a mode in which you get access to selection of several parameters. In Manual mode, you can set the ISO, white balance (several presets and custom), use exposure compensation to make pictures darker or brighter, use picture effects, color replacement effects, etc.
In addition to fast ISO selection, the camera gives you instant access to the flash mode selection (flash off, red-eye reduction, night portrait, auto flash), macro or infinity mode as well as drive mode (single frame, timer or burst/continuous shooting) at a push of a button: arrow down and arrow right.
One persistent complaint I have centers on the menu control buttons or, in particular, on the disc that holds them. Unlike some previous models, but just as the SD1000 and SD1100 before it, the SD1200 has a disc that is too flat and too leveled with the back surface of the camera making it less easy to use - it is difficult to distinguish where the edge of the button is by touch.
More on Features and Controls
The camera features selectable Evaluative, Center-Weighted and Spot metering modes. The camera has a built-in flash that is quite powerful or its size and has a red-eye reduction function. It features a shutter speed range of 15-1/1,500 sec and selectable ISO of 80-3,200 as well as ISO Auto and High ISO Auto.
The camera also has a Macro mode where it can focus very close. The available movie mode records movies with sound (the camera has a microphone and a speaker) at up to 640x480 up to 30 fps, providing fluid playback.
The camera has the widest aperture of f/2.8 at wide angle, f/4.9 at telephoto. It seems that the aperture is a two-step type with no fine control over aperture. The camera doesn't let you control the aperture or the shutter speed directly, but even if you select Infinity mode (the icon looks like mountains) or try shooting in different lighting conditions, you will soon discover that your resultant photos have only one of two aperture values at any given focal length.
Unlike 3 generations ago or before, at least you can see the aperture and shutter speed on the screen now. It is good to know the aperture while shooting at telephoto to figure out if the background will be blurry.
You can use the exposure compensation in the manual mode and it comes in handy in the morning or sunset hours as the camera overexposes the picture trying to preserve the shadow detail.
There are a bunch of scene modes as well, which help the camera tweak the focusing and exposure settings according to the type of scene.
Build Quality and Ergonomics
The camera has a solid feel and good build quality, although it looks and feels somewhat cheap comparing to some earlier (and more expensive) SD-line cameras. The major controls are within easy reach and the tactile response is good. The camera a bit too small but for its size, but it is convenient to hold and its compact size lets you put it in a jacket pocket or a purse easily. In fact, it is so small, you can almost put it in a shirt pocket.
Tripod Mount
The camera has a threaded tripod mount. It is useful if you want to take macro pictures or pictures with long exposures (e.g. nighttime). The camera has a timer (2-second or 10-second), which you should use to avoid blurry images when the camera is on the tripod.
Performance
The SD1200 uses the latest version of Canon DiG!C processor (Digic 4). It is the same processor used in larger Canon digital SLR cameras and it gives this Digital Elph excellent speed. The camera takes less than a second to power itself on in review mode and only about a second or two to power on and extend its lens in shooting mode.
Although zooming is reasonably fast, I wish it were more responsive. You can fully zoom in or out in about 2-3 seconds. I find the 3x optical zoom the camera has sufficient for most situations, but wider angle would be useful for indoor pictures.
The camera can capture images at about two per second in burst mode (I used Kingston Elite Pro SD memory card in my testing). In single-frame mode, the camera could snap pictures as fast as I could push the shutter release button. The focusing takes less than a second, even in dim lighting, at wide angle. But at telephoto the focusing can take a little more than a second. And in dim light at telephoto, the camera may fail to focus at all. The shutter lag, when pre-focused, is virtually nonexistent.
LCD and Viewfinder
The camera has a 2.5-inch non-articulated (fixed) LCD screen and an optical zooming viewfinder. The LCD is large, bright, gains-up in the dark (increases brightness) and is fluid. The resolution of the LCD screen is excellent (230,000 pixels). And the icons/menus are large, colorful and legible.
The LCD coverage is about 100% - you can see exactly what will be recorded. The viewfinder, however, covers only about 80% of what will be recorded.
IS: Image Stabilization
The IS in the model name stands for image stabilization. It allows you take photos at 1-2 stops slower shutter speed handheld with no blur. This feature is especially useful for smaller cameras at telephoto or/and in low light. In other words, you will be able to take sharper photos in low light or when zoomed in.
Computer Connectivity
The camera uses USB 2.0 Hi-Speed connection to transfer pictures to a computer. You can also remove the SD memory card and use a memory card reader (if you have one), or use the camera with the USB cable supplied. I did the former since it is more convenient.
Flash
This model has a built-in flash is quite bright for its size. It has a red-eye reduction mode and is sufficient at up to 10-12 feet away. It has a recycle time of about 8-10 seconds. The flash has a red-eye reduction mode and the camera itself features face detection and playback-mode red-eye removal. It works pretty well.
White Balance
The camera's automatic white balance is usually quite accurate with the exception of the incandescent lighting, where you are better off either selecting Incandescent white balance setting or using the available manual white balance.
Focusing
You let camera focuses using its auto-focusing system augmented with face detection technology. The camera will show you green rectangles over the areas where it focused so that you can confirm the focus areas. There is no manual focusing provision.
There are also two special focusing modes, accessible at a push of a button: Macro mode and Infinity (Infinity available in Manual mode).
Movie Mode
I tried the 640x480 movie mode at 30 fps. The video was fluid and sharp. Although not a replacement for a camcorder, it was certainly usable.
Image Quality Settings
The camera lets you select between Super Fine, Fine and Normal compression levels (regardless of resolution). You can detect occasional JPEG artifacts in the mode of highest compression and some fine detail may be lost (only visible when printing enlargements or viewing at 100% on the computer monitor). But the two lower-compression modes (Fine and Superfine) are rather good.
Image Quality
I usually take photos that contain all primary colors at different focal lengths, apertures and compression ratios. Some photos are taken outdoors, some indoors with and without flash.
Oftentimes, I take a bunch of photos while standing at my window. Those photos features all colors: blue sky, green foliage, red curbs, yellow fire hydrant and cars of different colors.
Taking photos at different focal lengths and apertures reveals the camera's optical quality: corner sharpness, chromatic aberrations as well as overall sharpness.
Taking photos at different ISO settings shows how well a given camera can keep noise levels low in dim light. I mostly evaluate the image quality using my computer monitor, but I also print some photos at different sizes using either my printer or online services like Shutterfly, Snapfish and Costco online photo center.
The SD1200 IS produces excellent photos, which are well-exposed, sharp, contrasty and richly-colored. The photos have pleasing "Canon" color with slight oversaturation and nice blue skies - the kind of color consumers like.
Just as the case with previous SD models, the corners of the frame are not as sharp as the center at some focal lengths. This will be mostly unnoticeable in printed pictures since corners normally don't make it to the print due to the aspect ratio difference and other factors. Aside from slightly blurry corners, the photos came out sharp with very pleasing colors.
The image noise is virtually absent at ISO 80 and 100 in shadows, appears (slightly) at the ISO 200, gets more pronounced at ISO 400 and gets worse at ISO 800. The ISO 1,600-3,200 are even noisier (note ISO 3,200 is only available in special "ISO 3200" mode), to a point where I would not consider using the ISO 1600 and above at all. It is usable at 6x4, but if you look closer you will see that it is somewhat soft and a bit noisy.
If you are printing 6x4 or 5x7 pictures, the noise should not be visible up to ISO 800. At ISO 80-100, you can print your photos at up to 13x19 inches with good detail and ISO 200-400 should be good up to 10x8.
Overall, for its size and price, the camera produces pictures that are among the best in class.
Reliability
Based on my experience with previous SD-series models, I expect good reliability from this model, provided it is not abused.
Battery Life
I have not fully tested the battery consumption, but after fully charging it, I took more than 130 pictures and the low battery warning has not appeared yet. Canon claims you can take about 260 photos on one battery charge with the LCD on (or 700 with LCD off), which is an improvement comparing to the older model.
Colors
The camera is available in many colors, from dark gray to pink.
Pros: Price, size, image stabilization, looks, large screen, fast operation, great photos, dedicated view button
Cons: Slightly blurry corners, no manual control over aperture or shutter speed
Bottom Line
I really like the new Canon SD1200 IS. It is compact, stylish and capable. Its 10-Megapixel resolution, good optics, image stabilization, features and 2.5-inch LCD screen make it capable and pleasant to use. And for its size, it produces some of the best-in-class photos. And the price is right. I highly recommend it, in any color.
Canon EOS 500D / Rebel T1i 15-Megapixel Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm IS Lens
Technology is a great thing. Whether deflation is here is a subject of debate among economists. If properly defined as a contraction of money supply and credit, then it is. But regardless of this, digital cameras definitely provide ever increasing amounts of features and performance for the constant unit of money. Technological deflation has been happening every since technology existed.
Let's turn our attention to the new digital SLR camera from Canon, the 15-Megapixel Canon EOS 500D Rebel T1i. An HD-recording, 15-Megapixel digital SLR with an optically-stabilized lens for less than $900? Deflation or not, this is pretty sweet.
What is Canon EOS 500D Rebel T1i Kit?
The Canon 500D Rebel T1i is a digital SLR (Single-Lens Reflex) camera with 15.1-Megapixel resolution, HD video recording and a host of other cool features. This model supports interchangeable lenses of Canon EOS series. The kit also includes the 18-55 mm EF-S f/3.5-5.6 IS image-stabilized lens, which is 29-88 mm equivalent (the APS-C Size CMOS sensor warrants 1.6x conversion factor).
The camera has a 3:2 aspect ratio APS-C size CMOS sensor, which is perfect for 6x4 prints and very close to other formats people usually choose for printing. The sensor in the new model is self-cleaning and uses ultrasonic vibrations to remove dust from its low-pass filter (EOS Integrated Cleaning System).
The camera stores the images on inexpensive SD or SDHC memory cards and is powered by a rechargeable proprietary battery pack (LP-E5, same battery as the previous model). The T1i features fast Digic 4 processor and in addition to JPEG can record images in RAW format.
The camera has a built-in flash as well as the hot shoe for external flashes. It features automatic modes as well as manual ones. The camera has a large 3-inch high-resolution LCD screen with 920,000 pixels and an optical through-the-lens viewfinder. The camera uses a CMOS sensor instead of a CCD that most compact consumer-level cameras use.
The camera accepts EF and EF-S lenses. The included kit lens features manual and automatic focusing and a solid construction as well as optical image stabilization. The camera supports ISO 100-12,800 (and the latter is not a typo) and features USB 2.0 connectivity.
Improvements Over Predecessors
The improvements over its predecessors include higher resolution, higher resolution of the LCD screen, faster processing with new Digic 4, movie mode of up to 720p of 30 fps or 1080p at 20 fps.
Getting Started
I did not bother even opening the manual, but was able to attach the lens to the camera, charge and insert the battery and the SD memory card that I have and was ready to shoot.
If you plan to use the camera's advanced features or haven't used a digital SLR before. Make sure there is no excessive dust present where you are attaching the lens, because the dust is a big problem and a headache if it gets on the sensor (CMOS), even though the camera has dust-reduction technology.
In the Box
The camera comes with its lens (if purchased as a kit), battery pack, battery charger, strap, video and USB cables, manuals and software.
Usage
The camera and the lens are very well constructed. The camera is pretty light for a digital SLR and relatively compact. The lens has the zooming and focusing rings that require just enough effort to rotate to have a solid feel.
The memory compartment lid is solid as is the door of the battery compartment. The camera came pre-set to its automatic mode and I was able to take pretty good pictures in that mode by switching the lens into automatic focus mode (the switch is on the lens itself) and just pointing and shooting. The camera even pops its flash up when there is not enough light. This mode is obviously designed to let even people who are not familiar with photography take good pictures. Point and shoot is something this camera does well without any knowledge.
If you have used a compact digital camera before, you might be surprised that you cannot use the LCD when composing the shot, at least in its regular mode. The screen stays blank until you take the picture. Aside from this kind of review, the screen is also used for menus and control functions. You use the viewfinder to compose the shot, confirm the focus in manual focus mode or the focus points in the automatic focus mode. The IR sensor turns the LCD screen off when you are composing the shot so that the light from it does not interfere with you looking into the viewfinder, especially at night.
The Live View mode lets you use the camera similar to a compact digicam: view the subject and compose the shot using the LCD screen. This mode is accessed by pressing Print/Share button and is also used when using the camera to record videos.
The camera uses its 3-inch LCD screen for displaying its shooting parameters (basic shooting information like shutter speed, aperture and exposure compensation). The shooting parameters are also shown in the viewfinder, under the frame. The camera lets you adjust the shooting parameters (aperture on aperture priority mode or shutter speed in the shutter priority mode) by rotating the thumb-wheel on the top of the hand grip. Overall, the controls are mostly carried over from the previous model, which is a good thing since the ergonomics are excellent and time-tested.
Ergonomics and Ease of Use
The camera is convenient to hold. The handgrip has good surface texture and configuration and the lens lends itself to being held by your left hand, SLR-style (duh). The viewfinder is slightly dim with the supplied lens (the lens has a maximum aperture of f/3.5 at wide angle or f/5.6 at telephoto) but adequate for most situations.
As expected, the major controls are within easy reach. As with any SLR camera, you have to remember that you zoom using the ring around the lens and manually focus (should you decide to forgo autofocus) by rotating the outer barrel of the lens as well. No button operation a-la compact digicam.
The camera shows you where it focused in the automatic mode by briefly illuminating the selected focus points within the viewfinder, which is convenient. The tripod mount is located well and the camera is stable when mounted on a tripod.
The menu system is easy to use and some functions are called directly by a push of a designated button (e.g. White Balance).
The kit lens has an outer barrel that rotates when focusing, which may make using a polarizer difficult, but not impossible. The zooming ring has clearly marked focal lengths, but the focusing ring has no distance markings. It is difficult to expect a non-rotating barrel on a cheap kit lens though and pre-focusing, then adjusting the polarizing filter works well.
Parameters
The camera lets you adjust a wide range of parameters. The resolution goes up to 15 MP. There are also different modes of RAW shooting: RAW and RAW JPEG. The 14-bit RAW files that I got were huge! But they have a lot of information comparing to 8-bit JPEGs.
You can also adjust the ISO (100-12,800), white balance, sharpness, contrast and other shooting parameters using the menus. The menus are quite easy to use, appear fast and look good.
Performance
The camera powers on or off instantaneously, but the sensor cleaning takes time. The focusing is very fast at under a second, even in the dim environments (the camera has an autofocus-assist light.
The shutter lag is virtually absent when pre-focused or when using the camera's manual focus. The camera can take pictures at about 3-4 frames per second. In RAW mode it does it for 9 consecutive frames, then slows down to 1-2 seconds per shot. In JPEG mode, takes pictures at 3.5 fps.
Image Quality
I mostly used the camera in its RAW mode, adjusting white balance, contrast and other parameters in Adobe Photoshop. But the JPEG pictures were also very pleasing in color, had good white balance and color saturation. All images had very low noise levels, excellent detail level and dynamic range.
The kit lens produces generally sharp results with very slightly soft corners at full wide angle and full telephoto ends. There is very little purple fringing (chromatic aberrations) at wide angle, but nothing visible at telephoto. The lens makes corners softer at widest aperture settings, but behaves better stopped down, in the middle of its aperture range.
The colors were pleasing and WB worked well in full auto mode. The noise levels are very low. There is no noise visible at ISO 100-800. At ISO 1,600, there is some noise, but it has fairly fine pattern. And there is progressively more noise at higher ISO settings, but not as much as what consumer-level compact digital cameras produce at ISO 400 (except perhaps for Fuji SuperCCD cameras, now defunct).
The lens's optical image stabilization works well and lets you shoot at about 2 stops slower than normal. Result: sharper photos in low light and/or at telephoto.
The camera produces 15-Megapixel images that can be printed sharp as large as 16x20 at pretty much any ISO up to 800 and higher ISO photos will look great at smaller sizes. Heavy cropping with smaller-size prints is an option as well.
Battery Life
The battery that comes with the camera should be able to produce up to 500 shots. But if you use Live View and/or flash a lot, the number of photos will be lower. I took about 140 photos with no signs of battery depletion.
About the Kit Lens
The supplied image-stabilized lent is solidly built and works well enough for an inexpensive kit lens. For general photography it will be sufficient. But if you are going to crop extensively and print resultant crops rather large, you might need a better lens (e.g. prime lens or a more expensive zoom).
The IS (image stabilization) works well, lets you shoot at about 2 stops slower shutter speed and results in sharper photos in dim light or at telephoto when shooting handheld.
Movie Mode
The camera records HD videos in either 720p at 30 fps or 1080p at 20 fps. There is even an HDMI out.
Pros: Excellent-looking photos, build quality, compact and light for SLR, resolution, HD movie mode, IS lens
Cons: Price, 1080p at only 20 fps
Bottom Line
I am very pleased with the new Canon Rebel T1i (a.k.a. EOS 500D) and its IS kit lens. Not only the camera and the lens are solidly built and feature-rich, they perform very well too. The excellent image quality, high resolution, low noise levels and great battery life make it an excellent choice. I highly recommend it.
Let's turn our attention to the new digital SLR camera from Canon, the 15-Megapixel Canon EOS 500D Rebel T1i. An HD-recording, 15-Megapixel digital SLR with an optically-stabilized lens for less than $900? Deflation or not, this is pretty sweet.
What is Canon EOS 500D Rebel T1i Kit?
The Canon 500D Rebel T1i is a digital SLR (Single-Lens Reflex) camera with 15.1-Megapixel resolution, HD video recording and a host of other cool features. This model supports interchangeable lenses of Canon EOS series. The kit also includes the 18-55 mm EF-S f/3.5-5.6 IS image-stabilized lens, which is 29-88 mm equivalent (the APS-C Size CMOS sensor warrants 1.6x conversion factor).
The camera has a 3:2 aspect ratio APS-C size CMOS sensor, which is perfect for 6x4 prints and very close to other formats people usually choose for printing. The sensor in the new model is self-cleaning and uses ultrasonic vibrations to remove dust from its low-pass filter (EOS Integrated Cleaning System).
The camera stores the images on inexpensive SD or SDHC memory cards and is powered by a rechargeable proprietary battery pack (LP-E5, same battery as the previous model). The T1i features fast Digic 4 processor and in addition to JPEG can record images in RAW format.
The camera has a built-in flash as well as the hot shoe for external flashes. It features automatic modes as well as manual ones. The camera has a large 3-inch high-resolution LCD screen with 920,000 pixels and an optical through-the-lens viewfinder. The camera uses a CMOS sensor instead of a CCD that most compact consumer-level cameras use.
The camera accepts EF and EF-S lenses. The included kit lens features manual and automatic focusing and a solid construction as well as optical image stabilization. The camera supports ISO 100-12,800 (and the latter is not a typo) and features USB 2.0 connectivity.
Improvements Over Predecessors
The improvements over its predecessors include higher resolution, higher resolution of the LCD screen, faster processing with new Digic 4, movie mode of up to 720p of 30 fps or 1080p at 20 fps.
Getting Started
I did not bother even opening the manual, but was able to attach the lens to the camera, charge and insert the battery and the SD memory card that I have and was ready to shoot.
If you plan to use the camera's advanced features or haven't used a digital SLR before. Make sure there is no excessive dust present where you are attaching the lens, because the dust is a big problem and a headache if it gets on the sensor (CMOS), even though the camera has dust-reduction technology.
In the Box
The camera comes with its lens (if purchased as a kit), battery pack, battery charger, strap, video and USB cables, manuals and software.
Usage
The camera and the lens are very well constructed. The camera is pretty light for a digital SLR and relatively compact. The lens has the zooming and focusing rings that require just enough effort to rotate to have a solid feel.
The memory compartment lid is solid as is the door of the battery compartment. The camera came pre-set to its automatic mode and I was able to take pretty good pictures in that mode by switching the lens into automatic focus mode (the switch is on the lens itself) and just pointing and shooting. The camera even pops its flash up when there is not enough light. This mode is obviously designed to let even people who are not familiar with photography take good pictures. Point and shoot is something this camera does well without any knowledge.
If you have used a compact digital camera before, you might be surprised that you cannot use the LCD when composing the shot, at least in its regular mode. The screen stays blank until you take the picture. Aside from this kind of review, the screen is also used for menus and control functions. You use the viewfinder to compose the shot, confirm the focus in manual focus mode or the focus points in the automatic focus mode. The IR sensor turns the LCD screen off when you are composing the shot so that the light from it does not interfere with you looking into the viewfinder, especially at night.
The Live View mode lets you use the camera similar to a compact digicam: view the subject and compose the shot using the LCD screen. This mode is accessed by pressing Print/Share button and is also used when using the camera to record videos.
The camera uses its 3-inch LCD screen for displaying its shooting parameters (basic shooting information like shutter speed, aperture and exposure compensation). The shooting parameters are also shown in the viewfinder, under the frame. The camera lets you adjust the shooting parameters (aperture on aperture priority mode or shutter speed in the shutter priority mode) by rotating the thumb-wheel on the top of the hand grip. Overall, the controls are mostly carried over from the previous model, which is a good thing since the ergonomics are excellent and time-tested.
Ergonomics and Ease of Use
The camera is convenient to hold. The handgrip has good surface texture and configuration and the lens lends itself to being held by your left hand, SLR-style (duh). The viewfinder is slightly dim with the supplied lens (the lens has a maximum aperture of f/3.5 at wide angle or f/5.6 at telephoto) but adequate for most situations.
As expected, the major controls are within easy reach. As with any SLR camera, you have to remember that you zoom using the ring around the lens and manually focus (should you decide to forgo autofocus) by rotating the outer barrel of the lens as well. No button operation a-la compact digicam.
The camera shows you where it focused in the automatic mode by briefly illuminating the selected focus points within the viewfinder, which is convenient. The tripod mount is located well and the camera is stable when mounted on a tripod.
The menu system is easy to use and some functions are called directly by a push of a designated button (e.g. White Balance).
The kit lens has an outer barrel that rotates when focusing, which may make using a polarizer difficult, but not impossible. The zooming ring has clearly marked focal lengths, but the focusing ring has no distance markings. It is difficult to expect a non-rotating barrel on a cheap kit lens though and pre-focusing, then adjusting the polarizing filter works well.
Parameters
The camera lets you adjust a wide range of parameters. The resolution goes up to 15 MP. There are also different modes of RAW shooting: RAW and RAW JPEG. The 14-bit RAW files that I got were huge! But they have a lot of information comparing to 8-bit JPEGs.
You can also adjust the ISO (100-12,800), white balance, sharpness, contrast and other shooting parameters using the menus. The menus are quite easy to use, appear fast and look good.
Performance
The camera powers on or off instantaneously, but the sensor cleaning takes time. The focusing is very fast at under a second, even in the dim environments (the camera has an autofocus-assist light.
The shutter lag is virtually absent when pre-focused or when using the camera's manual focus. The camera can take pictures at about 3-4 frames per second. In RAW mode it does it for 9 consecutive frames, then slows down to 1-2 seconds per shot. In JPEG mode, takes pictures at 3.5 fps.
Image Quality
I mostly used the camera in its RAW mode, adjusting white balance, contrast and other parameters in Adobe Photoshop. But the JPEG pictures were also very pleasing in color, had good white balance and color saturation. All images had very low noise levels, excellent detail level and dynamic range.
The kit lens produces generally sharp results with very slightly soft corners at full wide angle and full telephoto ends. There is very little purple fringing (chromatic aberrations) at wide angle, but nothing visible at telephoto. The lens makes corners softer at widest aperture settings, but behaves better stopped down, in the middle of its aperture range.
The colors were pleasing and WB worked well in full auto mode. The noise levels are very low. There is no noise visible at ISO 100-800. At ISO 1,600, there is some noise, but it has fairly fine pattern. And there is progressively more noise at higher ISO settings, but not as much as what consumer-level compact digital cameras produce at ISO 400 (except perhaps for Fuji SuperCCD cameras, now defunct).
The lens's optical image stabilization works well and lets you shoot at about 2 stops slower than normal. Result: sharper photos in low light and/or at telephoto.
The camera produces 15-Megapixel images that can be printed sharp as large as 16x20 at pretty much any ISO up to 800 and higher ISO photos will look great at smaller sizes. Heavy cropping with smaller-size prints is an option as well.
Battery Life
The battery that comes with the camera should be able to produce up to 500 shots. But if you use Live View and/or flash a lot, the number of photos will be lower. I took about 140 photos with no signs of battery depletion.
About the Kit Lens
The supplied image-stabilized lent is solidly built and works well enough for an inexpensive kit lens. For general photography it will be sufficient. But if you are going to crop extensively and print resultant crops rather large, you might need a better lens (e.g. prime lens or a more expensive zoom).
The IS (image stabilization) works well, lets you shoot at about 2 stops slower shutter speed and results in sharper photos in dim light or at telephoto when shooting handheld.
Movie Mode
The camera records HD videos in either 720p at 30 fps or 1080p at 20 fps. There is even an HDMI out.
Pros: Excellent-looking photos, build quality, compact and light for SLR, resolution, HD movie mode, IS lens
Cons: Price, 1080p at only 20 fps
Bottom Line
I am very pleased with the new Canon Rebel T1i (a.k.a. EOS 500D) and its IS kit lens. Not only the camera and the lens are solidly built and feature-rich, they perform very well too. The excellent image quality, high resolution, low noise levels and great battery life make it an excellent choice. I highly recommend it.
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Sunpak PicturePlus 55mm Circular Polarized Filter - Great Color and Sharpness
Sunpak makes filters for many sizes of camera lenses. I have been using different diameters of Sunpak circular polarized filters for many years on my film and digital cameras. It all started when I wanted to get a circular polarizer filter for my Nikon N55 camera's Nikon Nikkor 28-80 AF-G lens, which has a 58-mm filter thread diameter. I didn't want to spend too much money on it, so the expensive filters, like of Tiffen were out of the question.
I found that Sunpak produces inexpensive filters and decided to give their circular polarizer a try. In Sunpak PicturePlus package, for less than $30 (shipping included), I have not only received a 58mm circular polarizer but an UV filter as well. I have been using that combo in my cameras that needed 58-mm filters.
But I also needed a 55mm polarizing filter for my other cameras, e.g. Panasonic DMC-FZ5. So I went the same route, purchasing a 55-mm combo of a circular polarizing filter and a UV filter. As I recall, the price was also below $30. This is a very low price for a circular polarizer, even disregarding the extra UV filter. Let's talk about the 55-mm polarizing filter, which I since used on Panasonic mega-zoom cameras and on a lens of the Nikon D60.
Circular Polarizer and Why You Need One
In my opinion, the easiest way to improve the color and clarity in your photos, is the use of a polarizing filter. The polarizing filters help you get rid of unwanted reflections in your pictures.
The reflected light often becomes polarized (light is essentially an electromagnetic wave) and the polarizer filter helps you get rid of it. Using a polarizer, you can make the sky look deeper blue, accentuate the clouds, make the water surface more transparent and make the color in the picture softer and more natural-looking.
Packaging
The filter comes in a transparent plastic box with a lid. My filter is made in Japan.
Usage
The filter has a 55-mm diameter thread on the forward edge, which lets you attach one filter to another. I usually attach the UV filter to the camera's lens and the polarizer to the UV filter. That way, I can either use them both as a combo, or detach just the polarizer, leaving the UV filter on the lens to protect it from scratches, dirt, elements and fingerprints.
Regardless, you can use one filter only if you so desire. The polarizing filter has an outer ring/barrel that needs to be rotated to obtain the maximum effect. First, you have to focus, then, while looking through the viewfinder, rotate the ring until the scene looks better. Obviously, you have to use an SLR camera (or a digital camera with electronic viewfinder) to see the changes. I have used this particular filter on few cameras, including the Panasonic mega-zooms and Nikon D60 digital SLR.
Example of use: I focus on infinity, point the camera on the cloud and rotate the ring until the contrast between the cloud and the sky is the greatest.
Most inexpensive SLR lenses, have an outer barrel that rotates when you focus (in fact, I rotate it myself for manual focusing, which I do most of the time). Unfortunately, this makes the filters rotate together with the lens. Since the polarizer has an outer barrel that you have to rotate to adjust the polarizing effect, this necessitates holding the outer barrel of the camera's lens with one finger while rotating the polarizer ring with two others.
The aforementioned slight annoyance is the fault of the lens itself and not of the polarizer. And the effort required is by no means excessive.
I have also used the 58mm version of the same filters with digital and film cameras that have 58mm thread, all with great results. Both the 55mm and 58mm versions are easy to attach or detach to/from the camera's lens.
The 55-mm diameter makes this filter suitable to be used with cameras that specify this filter size. Examples include many Panasonic mega-zoom digital cameras as well as some SLR lenses. When I used this filter with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5, I was able to attach the lens cap to the filter when it was on the lens in the same way I could to the lens when no filter was on it.
There was no interference with the lens hood supplied with the camera either.
Performance
The 55mm filter performs very well, at least for the price. I have taken the same shots with and without filters and the difference was dramatic. The shots reveal that without the filter, the sky is hazy and less blue; the objects in the distance are hazy and has grayish color. With the filter, the sky is deep blue with contrasting clouds; the objects have purer and more life-like colors. The filter makes colors more pleasant and reduces harshness of light In brightly-lit daylight shooting.
Exposure
One thing to keep in mind is that the polarizer affects the exposure. I noticed that as the polarizer ring is rotated, as the scene darkens the required exposure time increases (at the same aperture setting). The change in exposure reached about 2 stops, which means you might want to use either the film with higher ISO (or higher ISO setting on the digital camera), the longer exposure time (hint: tripod may be required) or wider aperture (if available and if depth of field allows).
I used the polarizer with ISO 100 setting and got good results shooting handheld in bright sunlight. In dimmer conditions, the polarizer still could be used with ISO 100 setting in cameras with optical image stabilization (Panasonic FZ cameras and the IS lens of the Nikon D60), but in those conditions there might be no need to use it. In other words, when shooting handheld, the optical image stabilization compensates for the need for longer exposure if using a polarizing filter. ISO 100-200 is sufficient in most outdoor conditions if the camera has IS. And, of course, cameras have settings higher than ISO 100 for even dimmer conditions.
Durability
The 55mm filter proved to be durable. I have not subjected it to any kind of extreme abuse, but I have dropped the 58mm version while taking photos in London. It fell from the height of about 4 feet on the hard asphalt and surprisingly didn't break. The outer metal edge was bent, which I corrected using pliers. It still works fine as there was no damage to the glass. Do not try this at home. Since the 55mm version is very similar to the 58mm one, I expect it to be durable as well.
Pros: Low price, excellent performance, build quality, durability, color and sharpness, looks
Cons: None
Recommendation
The 55mm Sunpak circular polarizing filter is a great value and a must for somebody who doesn't want to spend the big bucks and still wants to improve the picture. This filter brings with it the deep blue sky and better, less hazy landscapes. Not getting this filter is a sacrilege.
I found that Sunpak produces inexpensive filters and decided to give their circular polarizer a try. In Sunpak PicturePlus package, for less than $30 (shipping included), I have not only received a 58mm circular polarizer but an UV filter as well. I have been using that combo in my cameras that needed 58-mm filters.
But I also needed a 55mm polarizing filter for my other cameras, e.g. Panasonic DMC-FZ5. So I went the same route, purchasing a 55-mm combo of a circular polarizing filter and a UV filter. As I recall, the price was also below $30. This is a very low price for a circular polarizer, even disregarding the extra UV filter. Let's talk about the 55-mm polarizing filter, which I since used on Panasonic mega-zoom cameras and on a lens of the Nikon D60.
Circular Polarizer and Why You Need One
In my opinion, the easiest way to improve the color and clarity in your photos, is the use of a polarizing filter. The polarizing filters help you get rid of unwanted reflections in your pictures.
The reflected light often becomes polarized (light is essentially an electromagnetic wave) and the polarizer filter helps you get rid of it. Using a polarizer, you can make the sky look deeper blue, accentuate the clouds, make the water surface more transparent and make the color in the picture softer and more natural-looking.
Packaging
The filter comes in a transparent plastic box with a lid. My filter is made in Japan.
Usage
The filter has a 55-mm diameter thread on the forward edge, which lets you attach one filter to another. I usually attach the UV filter to the camera's lens and the polarizer to the UV filter. That way, I can either use them both as a combo, or detach just the polarizer, leaving the UV filter on the lens to protect it from scratches, dirt, elements and fingerprints.
Regardless, you can use one filter only if you so desire. The polarizing filter has an outer ring/barrel that needs to be rotated to obtain the maximum effect. First, you have to focus, then, while looking through the viewfinder, rotate the ring until the scene looks better. Obviously, you have to use an SLR camera (or a digital camera with electronic viewfinder) to see the changes. I have used this particular filter on few cameras, including the Panasonic mega-zooms and Nikon D60 digital SLR.
Example of use: I focus on infinity, point the camera on the cloud and rotate the ring until the contrast between the cloud and the sky is the greatest.
Most inexpensive SLR lenses, have an outer barrel that rotates when you focus (in fact, I rotate it myself for manual focusing, which I do most of the time). Unfortunately, this makes the filters rotate together with the lens. Since the polarizer has an outer barrel that you have to rotate to adjust the polarizing effect, this necessitates holding the outer barrel of the camera's lens with one finger while rotating the polarizer ring with two others.
The aforementioned slight annoyance is the fault of the lens itself and not of the polarizer. And the effort required is by no means excessive.
I have also used the 58mm version of the same filters with digital and film cameras that have 58mm thread, all with great results. Both the 55mm and 58mm versions are easy to attach or detach to/from the camera's lens.
The 55-mm diameter makes this filter suitable to be used with cameras that specify this filter size. Examples include many Panasonic mega-zoom digital cameras as well as some SLR lenses. When I used this filter with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5, I was able to attach the lens cap to the filter when it was on the lens in the same way I could to the lens when no filter was on it.
There was no interference with the lens hood supplied with the camera either.
Performance
The 55mm filter performs very well, at least for the price. I have taken the same shots with and without filters and the difference was dramatic. The shots reveal that without the filter, the sky is hazy and less blue; the objects in the distance are hazy and has grayish color. With the filter, the sky is deep blue with contrasting clouds; the objects have purer and more life-like colors. The filter makes colors more pleasant and reduces harshness of light In brightly-lit daylight shooting.
Exposure
One thing to keep in mind is that the polarizer affects the exposure. I noticed that as the polarizer ring is rotated, as the scene darkens the required exposure time increases (at the same aperture setting). The change in exposure reached about 2 stops, which means you might want to use either the film with higher ISO (or higher ISO setting on the digital camera), the longer exposure time (hint: tripod may be required) or wider aperture (if available and if depth of field allows).
I used the polarizer with ISO 100 setting and got good results shooting handheld in bright sunlight. In dimmer conditions, the polarizer still could be used with ISO 100 setting in cameras with optical image stabilization (Panasonic FZ cameras and the IS lens of the Nikon D60), but in those conditions there might be no need to use it. In other words, when shooting handheld, the optical image stabilization compensates for the need for longer exposure if using a polarizing filter. ISO 100-200 is sufficient in most outdoor conditions if the camera has IS. And, of course, cameras have settings higher than ISO 100 for even dimmer conditions.
Durability
The 55mm filter proved to be durable. I have not subjected it to any kind of extreme abuse, but I have dropped the 58mm version while taking photos in London. It fell from the height of about 4 feet on the hard asphalt and surprisingly didn't break. The outer metal edge was bent, which I corrected using pliers. It still works fine as there was no damage to the glass. Do not try this at home. Since the 55mm version is very similar to the 58mm one, I expect it to be durable as well.
Pros: Low price, excellent performance, build quality, durability, color and sharpness, looks
Cons: None
Recommendation
The 55mm Sunpak circular polarizing filter is a great value and a must for somebody who doesn't want to spend the big bucks and still wants to improve the picture. This filter brings with it the deep blue sky and better, less hazy landscapes. Not getting this filter is a sacrilege.
Sonicare Elite/Essence Replacement Heads (E-Series)
For many years I have been using Sonicare Advance A4100 power toothbrush with A-Series brush heads. The toothbrush worked great for me and I had no particular complaints about the A-Series brush heads either. They did require periodic cleaning, otherwise toothpaste accumulation caused an unpleasant substance to form inside the brush heads' bases and the toothbrush's handle's top part.
Recently I got the new Sonicare Essence e5500, which uses E-Series heads. I also bought some extra replacement E-series brush heads. To my surprise I discovered that their packaging indicated that they "now work with A-Series handles". I wish I had known earlier, and here is why.
Is E-Series an Improvement Over A-Series?
Not only these brush heads work perfectly with the ne E-Series (or e-series) handle (I use e5300), they work with my A-Series handle better than the A-Series brushes. Mostly.
The E-Series brushes have somewhat longer, but more slender neck, which is angled and, just as the product advertisement says, helps it reach better. Yes, to those, so-called, "hard-to-clean" areas. Nice!
The A-Series heads had a thicker neck, which was also straight and seemingly shorter. They were definitely not as good in reaching the "areas". Rear surfaces of the furthest teeth and such.
Also, somehow the E-series heads feel like they clean better and produce stronger vibrations. This is always the case when replacing older heads with the fresh ones, but only to some extent. This time, the extent is more significant.
The bristles themselves have more curved arrangement, which is probably a good thing.
These are the positives. However important they are, I have to mention the negatives as well. First of all, the E-Series brush heads are marginally more expensive than the A-series. The difference is microscopic and since they work better, the question, of course, is "who cares?" I don't.
Then, they are somewhat more cumbersome to put on the A-series handle, because you have to align the front of the brush with the front of the handle perfectly. A-series heads were easier in this respect.
Then, there is a question of cleaning up. Despite having some soft material in the top part of the joint between the brush's neck and its "nut", or whatever you want to call the part that attaches to the handle, the toothpaste reliably collects in the area between the brush and the handle on each ingle use. A-series heads were made completely of hard plastic and they collected seemingly less. Fortunately, the new brush heads are easy to rinse.
Then, which is neither here nor there, there is a question of the replacement interval. The new heads came in a package that indicates that they need to be replaced every 3 months for best results. The A-Series used to came in a package indicating 6 months. Although I definitely felt that they were not cleaning as well as new much earlier than that. I cursory online check reveled that both kinds of brushes now recommend 3 months. Works for me.
Construction
The E-series heads have solid construction and feature differently-colored bands around their necks, which helps one differentiate his/her brush from the others'. The heads are made of plastic, which is seemingly whiter than that of the A-Series heads. A-Series heads look like an anachronism in comparison to the new E-Series ones.
Pros: Fit E-series and A-series handles, excellent cleaning and comfort, reach far and well
Cons: Need to clean after each use to avoid buildup of toothpaste and other stuff
Bottom Line
Whether you are using an A-series handle, or an E-series one, the E-series replacement brush heads are awesome. I will keep using them and replace at 3-month intervals, while rinsing after each use. Highly recommended.
Recently I got the new Sonicare Essence e5500, which uses E-Series heads. I also bought some extra replacement E-series brush heads. To my surprise I discovered that their packaging indicated that they "now work with A-Series handles". I wish I had known earlier, and here is why.
Is E-Series an Improvement Over A-Series?
Not only these brush heads work perfectly with the ne E-Series (or e-series) handle (I use e5300), they work with my A-Series handle better than the A-Series brushes. Mostly.
The E-Series brushes have somewhat longer, but more slender neck, which is angled and, just as the product advertisement says, helps it reach better. Yes, to those, so-called, "hard-to-clean" areas. Nice!
The A-Series heads had a thicker neck, which was also straight and seemingly shorter. They were definitely not as good in reaching the "areas". Rear surfaces of the furthest teeth and such.
Also, somehow the E-series heads feel like they clean better and produce stronger vibrations. This is always the case when replacing older heads with the fresh ones, but only to some extent. This time, the extent is more significant.
The bristles themselves have more curved arrangement, which is probably a good thing.
These are the positives. However important they are, I have to mention the negatives as well. First of all, the E-Series brush heads are marginally more expensive than the A-series. The difference is microscopic and since they work better, the question, of course, is "who cares?" I don't.
Then, they are somewhat more cumbersome to put on the A-series handle, because you have to align the front of the brush with the front of the handle perfectly. A-series heads were easier in this respect.
Then, there is a question of cleaning up. Despite having some soft material in the top part of the joint between the brush's neck and its "nut", or whatever you want to call the part that attaches to the handle, the toothpaste reliably collects in the area between the brush and the handle on each ingle use. A-series heads were made completely of hard plastic and they collected seemingly less. Fortunately, the new brush heads are easy to rinse.
Then, which is neither here nor there, there is a question of the replacement interval. The new heads came in a package that indicates that they need to be replaced every 3 months for best results. The A-Series used to came in a package indicating 6 months. Although I definitely felt that they were not cleaning as well as new much earlier than that. I cursory online check reveled that both kinds of brushes now recommend 3 months. Works for me.
Construction
The E-series heads have solid construction and feature differently-colored bands around their necks, which helps one differentiate his/her brush from the others'. The heads are made of plastic, which is seemingly whiter than that of the A-Series heads. A-Series heads look like an anachronism in comparison to the new E-Series ones.
Pros: Fit E-series and A-series handles, excellent cleaning and comfort, reach far and well
Cons: Need to clean after each use to avoid buildup of toothpaste and other stuff
Bottom Line
Whether you are using an A-series handle, or an E-series one, the E-series replacement brush heads are awesome. I will keep using them and replace at 3-month intervals, while rinsing after each use. Highly recommended.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)