Evaluation of a Camera and a Lens - Coursework Example

Evaluate a Camera and a Lens Canon EOS 550D Specifications Sensor Size Canon EOS 550D has a cropped frame sensor defines as 18.0 mega pixel Canon-developed CMOS sensor. This sensor size allows the camera to capture superb image quality with low noise and natural color that depicts high quality images (Canon, n.y). The cropped sensor frame is physically smaller than the full frame sensor frame. The sensor size of Canon EOS 550D gives a narrower view narrower than that of a full frame camera. This sensor size allows the camera to cover a useful range for everyday photography. With this size, the camera can capture breathtaking images that can inspire good photography (Canon, n.y). Indeed, this sensor size gives a wider range of true ISO sensitivities without enabling the ISO expansion option in the menu. Shutter Speeds The Canon EOS 550D has a maximum shutter speed of 1/4000 to 30 sec and bulb, 1/200 s X-syn for longer exposures (Arva-Toth, 2010). This is beneficial where the photographer have an interest in night photography (Arva-Toth, 2010). The photographer will take capture high quality images using this speed and they can equally crop photos taken at this shutter speed. Sensitivity of the Sensor (ISO) The Canon EOS 550D Sensitivity of the Sensor hits 1600 as JPEG and RAW shots. However, this leads to small buffer for RAW images. ISO ranges from 100 to 6400 with a H1 expansion (ISO 12800 equiv.). The Sensitivity of the Sensor is flexible, wide, selectable, nine-point AF with center cross-type sensor extra sensitive at f/2.8. Indeed, photographers are at liberty to adjust the sensitivity of the sensor while using Canon EOS 550D. The extra stop on the EOS 550Ds sensitivity range is of great significance to the low-light photographers. The sensitivity of the sensor helps photographers to capture high quality images. Body and Design Materials Used The materials used in making Canon EOS 550D include stainless steel and polycarbonate resin with glass fiber. These materials are noticeably lighter, customized, and small. These materials are equally cheaper and offer the significant quality thereby representing great value. Canon EOS 550D has penta-prism viewfinder, wind filter, four creative filters, virtual horizon indicator, and two LP-E8 lithium-ion battery packs. Review Screens The Canon EOS 550D camera has a band new LCD Window outer Glass. The Canon EOS 550D camera has a higher resolution screen whose dots increased from 920,000 dots to 1040, 000dots (Wolstenholme, 2010). The screen has a sharp contrast and significance brightness that fosters accurate focus. Notably, Canon EOS 550D screen is easier to use in broad daylight. As such, the screen increases the effectiveness of the Canon EOS 550D camera especially with relation to advanced video features. Internal or External Flash Power The Canon EOS 550D cameras use a class 6 SDHC card and takes 0.3 seconds to take a shot after startup. In adequate light, the Canon EOS 550D camera focuses within 0.3 seconds. The Canon EOS 550D camera shoots 12 shots in high quality JPEG before coming to a halt to process them, averaging 3.2 frames per second. On the other hand, RAW starts in the space of 1.6 seconds translating to four frames per second. The Canon EOS 550D camera derives its power from a Lithium-Ion LP-E8 rechargeable battery. Connectivity to Other Devices The Canon EOS 550D camera is compatible with Canon EF and EF-S lenses, SDXC cards, along with the more run-of-the-mill SD/SDHC (Savvides, 2010). However, it may be difficult to remove a SDHC card from the slot (Savvides, 2010). The camera is also compatible with a stereo microphone jack, the standard AV out, HDMI, and remote shutters (Savvides, 2010). It can also accept EF-S and EF lenses although the connectivity with EF lenses depends with cameras crop factor. Moreover, we can cannot the Canon EOS 550D camera to a computer using the supplied USB cable (Savvides, 2010). This helps in the formatting and printing of captured photos. The Canon EOS 550D camera is compatible with AC adapter kit, which helps in supplying power to the camera. Operation Modes Auto modes The auto modes are very effective for general shooting although the flash can sometimes pop earlier than required. The auto mode can take place at 1080 / 30fps.The auto modes are specifically necessary at night or while focusing on a dark object in daylight. The auto ISO modes are flexible in that they adjust the ISO to meet the camera’s needs. The auto shooting modes are easier to use than the shutter or aperture priority shooting modes, which require technical knowhow. The Auto modes are also clear from noise and hence produce high quality images. Almost everybody can use the auto modes while taking photographs. Manual Modes The Canon EOS 550D camera can operate on manual modes. Under the manual modes, the camera meter displays a reading of the scene you are photographing and the photographer has a duty to set the aperture and the shutter speed to achieve a correct exposure (Revell, 2010). Unlike in automatic mode, manual mode allows the photographer to use exposure settings (Revell, 2010). We can use manual modes while analyzing the interactions of exposure element, and when shooting silhouetted subjects, when we need to keep a specific exposure setting (Revell, 2010). Nevertheless, many new photographers disregard manual modes. Video Modes The Canon EOS 550D camera offers HD video recording. The camera allows video modes at 1920x1080, either 1280x720 or 640x480 pixels (Laing, 2014). The Full HD 1920x1080 video mode can record videos at either 30fps or 24fps (Laing, 2014). Notably, the 1280x720 and 640x480 video modes record at a higher frame rate of either 60fps or 50fps (Laing, 2014). The Canon EOS 550D camera is lately supporting higher-end 7Ds video modes where it offers higher resolution 1080p video (Laing, 2014). As such, this camera is the best in terms of video modes. Built in Lens or Available Lenses Focal Lengths The focal length of the lens used in the Canon EOS 550D camera is 18-55mm. Canon calls this the Canon Zoom Lens EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II. This lens is very popular in the Canons basic digital zoom. This lens is cheap, easy to use, and derives high performance (KenRockwell.com, 2006). The lens with this focal length is soft, has a plastic construction, and produces wide-angle lenses. We can use this focal length to shoot divers, sharks, and whales (Gietler, 2014). Aperture Aperture changes from one lens to another. In this case, the aperture ranges from 18mm: f/3.5 to 55mm: f/5.6 (KenRockwell.com, 2006). The 18-55 IS aperture starts at a reasonably wide maximum of f/3.5 at 18mm, goes to f/4 at 24mm, to f/5 at 39mm and to a slow (narrow) max aperture opening of f/5.6 at 47mm (Carnathan, 2014). A wide aperture emanates from a higher focal length (Gietler, 2014). While using the wide-open aperture, changing the max aperture will complicate the manual exposure mode (Carnathan, 2014). In a Canon EOS 550D camera, the 18-55 IS uses a new circular aperture to produce better quality OOF blur (Carnathan, 2014). The narrow max aperture lens derives a deep depth of field that makes AF precision less noticeable. Price Main Competitors The main competitors for Canon EOS 550D camera, the 18-55mm include Nixon D90, CANON EOS 600D, CANON EOS1100D, NIKON D3100, and NIKON D5100 (Snapsort, Inc, 2014). Value for Money The Canon EOS 550D camera offers value for money subject to various qualities. Indeed, Canon EOS 550D camera records higher quality movies, has a significantly higher resolution screen, records movies in 24p, has an external mic jack and is much smaller and lighter (Snapsort, Inc, 2014). However, Canon EOS 550D camera is more noisy at high ISO, has a smaller sensor, its screen does not flip out, and lacks a built in HDR feature and lacks autofocus (Snapsort, Inc, 2014). References Arva-Toth, Z. (2010). Canon EOS 550D Review. Retrieved from: http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/canon_eos_550d_review/image_quality/ Canon. (n.y). EOS 550D Digital SLR Camera. Retrieved from: https://www.canon.com.au/~/media/Product%20Brochures/Camera/Digital%20SLR%20Cameras/EOS/EOS%20550D%20Tech%20Sheet.ashx Wolstenholme, G. (2010). Canon EOS 550D Digital SLR Review. Retrieved from: http://www.ephotozine.com/article/canon-eos-550d-digital-slr-review-12948 Carnathan, B. (2014). Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens Review. Retrieved from: http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-S-18-55mm-f-3.5-5.6-IS-Lens-Review.aspx Gietler, S. (2014). Lens Basics for Beginners. Retrieved from: http://www.uwphotographyguide.com/underwater-photography-camera-basics KenRockwell.com. (2006). Canon 18-55mm. Retrieved from: http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/lenses/18-55-efs-ii.htm Laing, G. (2014). Canon EOS 550D / T2i Movie Mode. Retrieved from: http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Canon_EOS_550D_Rebel_T2i/movie_mode.shtml Revell, K. (2010). Canon EOS Rebel T2i / 550D: The Creative Zone. Retrieved from: http://www.peachpit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=1616794&seqNum=6 Savvides, L. (2010). Canon EOS 550D. Retrieved from: http://www.cnet.com.au/canon-eos-550d-339300886.htm Snapsort, Inc. (2014). 550D Competitors. Retrieved from: http://snapsort.com/cameras/Canon/EOS_550D/competitors Read More