Help Files Camera and Photography Forum

For general camera equipment and photography technique questions. Moderated by another view. Also see the Learn section, Camera Reviews, Photography Lessons, and Glossary of Photo Terms.
Results 1 to 6 of 6

Thread: Smart cameras?

  1. #1
    Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    259

    Smart cameras?

    Hi, hoping everyone had a great Christmas.
    I am looking for a P/S camera to take along for car rides instead of my FZ7. Maybe I am ahead of myself, but I would like a intelligent camera, I really hate going into menus, my indoor shots suck terribly. I never had problems with my 35 P/S camera, except for my lack of framing subjects. All I want is to put into Auto and let the camera figure it out, LOL
    Thanks in advance

  2. #2
    Kentucky Wildlife
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Marion, KY
    Posts
    706

    Re: Smart cameras?

    Most any point-and-shoot camera should do.

  3. #3
    Moderator
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Posts
    1,580

    Re: Smart cameras?

    Quote Originally Posted by barb_48
    Hi, hoping everyone had a great Christmas.
    I am looking for a P/S camera to take along for car rides instead of my FZ7. Maybe I am ahead of myself, but I would like a intelligent camera, I really hate going into menus, my indoor shots suck terribly. I never had problems with my 35 P/S camera, except for my lack of framing subjects. All I want is to put into Auto and let the camera figure it out, LOL
    Thanks in advance
    I have an FZ7 too, and know that pretty much can be left automated – going into menus will not be neccesary afterward. Pretty much can also be turned back to full-manual or semi-manual. :yesnod:

    Most of the newer digital P&S have all sorts of auto features (e.g. face detection, blink warning, smile shutter, etc.). But NO P&S will do a fantastic job in low light without using flash and while shooting handheld. This is because the smaller CCD sensor chip on these types of cameras produces a lot of "noise" in the images – especially those models with 10+ megapixels.

    A 35mm film camera has a larger imaging surface compared to a digital P&S, and can (usually) thus provide better photos in low light.

    DSLRS have larger sensors and will do better in all sorts of lighting conditions when matched with appropriate lenses. But DSLRS aren't nearly quite as affordable – yet. You might want to take a look at the Nikon D40, which is one of the lower-end DSLRS out there. It has plenty of auto features, is attractively priced and has the good low-light performance of a digital SLR.

  4. #4
    Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    259

    Re: Smart cameras?

    Thanks for the advice, but I when I shoot indoors with those energy efficient lights, everything looks orange/yellow. So I went into menu and clicked on lightbulb. Anything else that you can recommend would make my life a little bit easier.
    Thanks

  5. #5
    Moderator
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Posts
    1,580

    Re: Smart cameras?

    Want as much "Auto" as possible?

    #1. Turn on the camera with the top mode dial set to the little red heart. That's it. Now you don't have to adjust anything at all – the camera will take care of just about everything, and generally does an OK job with indoor lights.

    For a bit more user control, turn the mode dial to "P".

    #1. Press the little joystick on the FZ7's back and hold it down for about 1 second to quickly adjust basic stuff like white balance/ISO/resolution/compression – all without digging into a menu. Of course, by means of this joystick those items can be set back to auto.

    If you want absolute perfect color, then you will need to go into the REC menu, select "white balance", then select "WB SET" at the end of the list. Choose White Set 1/White Set 2. Now point the camera at a white sheet of paper that is under the same lighting which you will be photographing in, and press MENU SET to confirm.

    I have more tips/info/advice on this particular camera in my photographyreview.com blog.

  6. #6
    Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    259

    Re: Smart cameras?

    Thank-you for your help.

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •