Page 15 - Default

This is one in a series of 'Tech Tip' articles intended as a guide to digital camera technology and terminology. Its aim is to demystify some of the language used on this site to allow you to make more informed decisions when considering purchasing a new digital camera.

APERTURE
The aperture of a lens is the size of the opening that allows light onto the sensor when a photograph is taken. It is expressed as a ratio of the focal length of the lens, f, and the size of the opening. The aperture or aperture range is quoted for digital compact cameras (with fixed lenses) and digital SLR lenses, but not for digital SLR cameras, as it is a characteristic of the lens, not camera.

Standard measurements for aperture are:

• f/1.4
• f/2
• f/2.8
• f/4
• f/5.6
• f/8
• f/11
• f/16
• f/22

The smaller the number, the larger the aperture and these particular numbers are used as each allows twice the amount of light through as the next in the list. E.g. an aperture setting of f/2 allows 4x the light of a f/4 setting

This is one in a series of 'Tech Tip' articles intended as a guide to digital camera technology and terminology. Its aim is to demystify some of the language used on this site to allow you to make more informed decisions when considering purchasing a new digital camera.

MEGAPIXELS
Megapixels is a reference to the number of picture elements (pixels) on the sensor within the camera, measured (roughly) in millions. E.g. a 2,000 x 1,500 pixel sensor has a total of 3 million pixels or 3 megapixels. Entry-level digital cameras now start around the 5-6 megapixel mark, with top-end resolutions of 12 megapixels available.

In early digital cameras (of less than 1 megapixel), even standard size 6x4-inch (15x10cm) prints appeared pixelated. This means that each individual pixel could be seen on the print. As you increase the number of pixels (keeping print size the same) the pixelation effect reduces, thus improving the apparent quality of the image, until the pixels eventually disappear entirely

This is one in a series of 'Tech Tip' articles intended as a guide to digital camera technology and terminology. Its aim is to demystify some of the language used on this site to allow you to make more informed decisions when considering purchasing a new digital camera.

SENSORS
Whilst much emphasis is placed on digital camera resolution, every megapixel is not created equal. The sizes of sensors within digital cameras vary considerably, with typical sizes including:

• 1/2.5-inch (5.8x4.3mm)
• 2/3-inch (8.8x6.6mm)
• 'APS-C sized' (22.7x15.1mm)
• '35mm full frame' (36x24mm)

The first two are typically found in compact, point-and-shoot cameras; the second two are more commonly found in digital SLR type cameras. The relative sizes of these sensors can be seen in the image below:

The range of resolution is approximately the same across both compact- and SLR-type digital cameras, yet a 35mm full-frame sensor has almost 35x the area of the smallest compact sensors. It would be possible to create

Basic specs are:

• 12.2 megapixel resolution
• 7.5cm (3-inch) LCD viewer
• Built-in image stabilisation "Super SteadyShot Inside"
• 5fps burst

That's all we have at this stage. More info as it becomes available.

Specs:

• 8 megapixel resolution
• 7x optical zoom
• Face recognition auto-focus/auto-exposure
• 6.4cm (2.5-inch) LCD viewer
• Super-slim body

The camera is ideal if you're looking for a super-compact, stylish body, but want more zoom than currently available models.

The Pentax Optio Z10 should be priced around $350 when it's released (TBC).

Our courier has also affected by the APEC traffic restrictions, and has been forced to change their collection time to midday for this week, meaning that we will only be able to ship orders on the same day they're received if placed before 11am.

We're sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you.

The more observant amongst you may have also seen that some of the new models include a 'dock insert'. We're not sure what this is for, but it's typical of the kind of insert that Kodak (and others) supply with their cameras to fit the photo printers.

Does this mean that we'll soon be seeing a range of Nikon photo printers, or is Nikon partnering with another manufacturer to allow you to use their printers?

We don't know (yet), but as soon as we do we'll let you know.

We'd like to welcome FujiFilm digital cameras back to our range. We'll be adding more products over the coming days, but for now, you can feast your eyes on the hotly anticipated S5 Pro digital SLR.

Due for release soon, the S5 Pro is based on a Nikon digital SLR chassis, but has FujiFilm's Super CCD SR Pro technology, including face recognition, producing amazing results that is sure to interest many photographers.

The use of a Nikon chassis means this camera has a Nikon F-Mount, so Nikon photographers will be particularly interested.

Pre-orders will be accepted on confirmation of the price, which isn't available yet, but it expected to be under $3000. If you'd like to know when that is, please subscribe to our news feed.

Resolution (MP): 10.1 v 12.3 (Nikon)
Sensor size: 22.2x14.8 v 23.6x15.8 (Nikon)
ISO: 100-3200 v 100-3200 (draw)
LCD viewer: 7.5cm v 7.5cm (poss. higher resolution on Nikon?)
AF points: 9 v 51 (err...Nikon?)
Burst: 6.5fps (70 shots max.) v 6fps or 8fps w/ battery grip or AC power (draw)
Viewfinder: 95% coverage v 100% coverage (Nikon)
Weight: 740g v 825g (Canon)
Availibility: Any time now v November (Canon)

We don't know what the price difference is going to be in Aus, yet (it doesn't always translate directly from US prices), but it's obvious that the Nikon is the better spec'd camera. That's not to say that the Canon is a bad camera, of course, and the Nikon is quite heavy in comparison. The 40D would be a good option if you want to save a few $$, aren't a weightlifter in your spare time and don't need 51-point AF. If you want the