... D40 is an awesome camera, ... a potent and exciting photography machine. ... powers on instantly ... a great all around camera. ... the smallest and lightest among all the Nikon DSLR ... A good lens producing sharp photos ... There are a lot of good Nikon AF-S lenses ... that are fully compatible with the D40 ... Image quality of the D40 is very good ... Affordable price ... Compact size and light weight ... Large and bright 2.5 inch LCD ... fast autofocus and no shutter lag ... Great battery life ... the D40 is perfect for those who want high quality pictures, more control ... the D40 is pretty much all you will need. ...
- Sidarta Tanu, on Amazon.com
... an ergonomical, fast handling, very solidly built Digital SLR with many excellent features ... 2.5 inch silky smooth and bright lcd ... Pictures are beautiful. ... excellent 6 megapixel sensor ... I get tack sharp 8x12 inch prints. ... Very fast from power up to taking pictures. ... Nikon really knows how to built solid SLRs. ... you get a comfortable grip that doesn't make your hand feel cramped. ... The D40 is a superb camera for beginners or even semi-experienced enthusiasts, ...
- Larry, on Amazon.com
Nikon has hit a grand slam with this camera. It's as close to perfection as any digital camera has ever come. ... I would get this camera even if I had an unlimited amount of money to spend. ... Lots of ingenius user interface elements, superb feel/handling, superb flash ... outstanding image quality, instant response, superb viewfinder, superb LCD ... I have nothing bad to say about it, ... No need for an extra battery, unless you ever go many photo-filled days without being able to recharge. ... The optical stabilization is truly awesome, ... If you're ready to move to a DSLR, take this camera for a test drive. You will most likely fall in love with it's wonderful handling, and excellent performance, ... there's really nothing that can be improved upon with this camera.
... The build feels very good. The camera feels wonderfully light yet well built. ... The viewing angle of the LCD screen ... is excellent; ... the XSi turns out fantastic images. ... The supplied kit lens is very light and compact ... and turns out good performance. ... complete and compelling photographic tool. ... XSi/450D has five ISO values you can choose: ... may come in handy in situations where flash photography is not permitted, ... even at ISO 800 and 1600 you get very usable images right out of the camera. ... you can set the camera to Tv (shutter priority mode) and set the value to 1/200, and set the camera to Auto ISO. Then the camera will match the aperture and the ISO to achieve proper exposure at that shutter speed. ... the ability for the camera to adjust the ISO value automatically makes it one less thing for you the photographer to worry about. ... The battery life seems very good. ... All in all, it's a fantastic camera. ... I'm very pleased with my purchase ...
- Hyun Yu, on Amazon.com
I have had the XSi for about 3 months now and I am thouroughly impressed with it. ... I have not been disappointed with the quality of the photos that the XSi produces. ... The IS lens works great ... AMAZING battery life. ... I have had some great success shooting in a studio setting as well as some great outdoor shots. ... very little, if any, chromatic abberation ... It shoots great outdoor shots as well. ... I was able to get some AMAZING shots of our bees up-close outdoors. ... the macro photos I got up close are beautiful and full of wonderfully crisp details. ... the camera is solid and feels nice in the hand. It isn't too heavy, yet still feels sturdy. ... the quality of photos I am getting has been totally worth it. ... the more I use it, the more I love it. ... an absolute delight to use. ... a great camera all around. I am very happy with my purchase ...
- J. Lane "Dash2481", on Amazon.com
This camera is impossible to beat at this price. ... you can set this camera in fully automatic mode and hand it to a "point and shoot" person, and they will obtain fantastic results. ... all of the bells and whistles, ... what I love is I can reset the camera rapidly for multiple shots of the same scene on very different settings. ... We'd buy it again in a heartbeat, ... a joy to use! ...
... a solid, reliable, and stylish point-and-shoot ultracompact digital camera that produces high-quality images, ... excellent resolution images with good dynamic range ... Solid construction ... Easy to use ... Multiple shooting modes to fit variety of situations ... accurately exposed pics in even "tricky" situations ... Tack-sharp images ... stunning close-ups with outstanding level of detail ... Fast start-up with acceptable shutter-lag ... Bright 2.5" LCD monitor ... I am recommending the Canon PowerShot SD1100IS. It does what it's supposed to do. This camera allows one to take beautiful photographs in an ultracompact, reliable, and elegant device that is both easy and fun to use. ...
- Garrett Lowenthal, on Amazon.com
... they're so easy to carry and operate. About the size of a deck of playing cards, ... slip right into a pants pocket, ... rectangular designs make them easy to grip. ... image stabilization, a slightly longer zoom (38-114 mm), ... a small indent on the right side for a better grip. ... the image stabilization made a real difference ...
- Julie Neal "The Complete Walt Disney World", on Amazon.com
... I wanted a camera to carry in my pocket. ... This camera fills the bill. I carry it everywhere. ... The pictures it produces are stunning. ... The movie feature is wonderful too, ... The camera feels great in your hand with a solid, quality feeling. ... the menus are very intuitive. ... If you want a sub-compact, pocketable camera that takes great pictures, I highly recommend the Canon SD1100IS.
... good quality photos without a lot of hassle. ... yet also provides a lot of room for growth with plenty of custom settings ... face detection technology seems to work well. ... The flip-out and rotating viewfinder ... set this camera apart ... the SD card door is separate from the battery door ... Thank you Canon! ... Low battery warning ...very welcome. ... Sharp 20x zoom. Pictures turn out very good even at high zooms. ... it truly is amazing. ... picture quality is better at higher ISO's than previous models. ... detail is good in shadow areas. ... there is a dedicated video button so that you can take video quickly without having to mess with the controls. ... videos take up less space now ... After using the camera for a while I have grown to like the shape because it helps keep the camera more steady and helps prevent dropping it. ...
- Kevin K. Fosler, on Amazon.com
... Excellent resolution ... Very good noise control ... True wide angle and phenomenal telephoto ... iContrast for highlight/shadow ... Focus frame size adjustment ... Brightness, contrast, sharpness and color settings ... Great movie mode with stereo sound ... Lens hood ... this is a stellar offering, and I highly recommend it. ... The camera is solidly built ... feels well balanced in the hand. Controls are intuitively placed and easy to find with your fingers ... Performance is excellent ... powers on and is ready to shoot very quickly. Image recording time is swift, ... focus is both swift and accurate. Resolution is superb; image stabilization is best in class. ... sheer zoom range--wow! ... Point-and-shoot capability is great. Open the box, install batteries and memory card, and fire away. It's so easy, kids can do it. ... in its creative modes the camera really shows its chops. ... Both edge and corner sharpness are very good ... built-in flash is quite good ... a hot shoe for dedicated external flash; ... That big lens does zoom--boy, does it ever! ... Canon's vari-angle LCD is thoroughly spoiling--it cooks. ... a real boon for tight spots and macro work. ... I really appreciate the ability to reduce the focus frame for capturing little details (it's nice to have a camera that "knows," for instance, that you're going for the antennae of a moth and not its entire body). ... stand-out people, bird, wildlife and pet photos. ... a pretty amazing, feature-rich camera. ... Movie mode is a great addition to an already magnificent camera
... The SX10 is a camera that offers many adjustment options for making the very most of its incredible abilities. ...
- Rachel Barr, on Amazon.com
... very happy with it. ... It uses regular "AA" batteries. ... has a useful 28mm wide angle lens. ... You can zoom (optical & digital, with audio) while taking movies. ... It takes SD memory cards which is most popular (plentiful, cheap). ... It has a rotating LCD display. ... quick to take (and view) pictures and movies. ... Picture and movie quality (with stereo audio) is superbly competitive to any other high quality cameras. ... superb features and quality for an unbelievable price.
... I extend my artistic interest to scenes, buildings, animals, insects, flowers ... It's simply fantastic. ... shutter response is much much better than my old camera. ... focus quickly and accurately. ... it's very responsive. ... Face Recognition really works ... The lens is great. ... capture incredible photos far and near. ... iA(intelligent auto) mode in many cases is doing a better job in focusing, exposure, white balance, etc than I do ... The menu system is well-written. ... The lay-out of the buttons is well thought-out. ... Love it. ... perhaps the brightest LCD I ever had. ... a fantastic super-zoom camera which can take incredible photos. ... Again and again I'm impressed by this camera. This is truly a versatile camera. It takes excellent photos under a broad range conditions. It's hard to go wrong with this camera. ... The more I use it, the more I appreciate its functionality, features and build quality. Best buy ever. ... my computer/camera illiterate wife ... was intimated by all the buttons at the time when I bought it. Now she just leaves the setting at AI and doesn't bother to mess with anything else. Photos almost always turn out to be perfect. Nothing says more of the camera than this. Great job Panasonic!!!
- Zhi Chang "Now and Then", on Amazon.com
UltraZooms have came to bridge the gap between Point-&-Shoot cameras and DSLRs. ... offer much better lenses, sensors and features than their cell-phone sized cousins. ... the PANASONIC FZ28 is the its absolute leader. ... the Intelligent Auto (iA) setting is a dream! Perfect crystal clear pictures under (almost) any conditions, EVERY TIME. ... more tweaking options than one could desire ... features of FZ28 include a new sensor (10.1MP/2.33") coupled with the also new Venus IV engine; an enlarged high quality LCD (2.7" from 2.5"); a wider lens system ... a new auto-tracking focus feature; an auto backlight compensation function ... zooming while taking video. ... FZ28 comes also with a leveling function which helps align buildings or the horizon with the subject ... HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!
- NeuroSplicer, on Amazon.com
... Sorry Canon, I still love you, but now I love my FZ28 better! ... 27 mm Wide angle - No more asking people to squeeze in so they can all fit in the frame! ... 18x Zoom ... HD movie recording with zoom ... Light weight ... The iA mode worked wonderfully! ... results were amongst the best I have seen. ... Face recognition ... Orientation Sensor ... Minimum shutter of 60 sec - I can now take some night scenes at low ISO = low noise! ... RAW mode ... Smooth opening covers for all the ports. ... An EXCELLENT purchase!
... way more bang than expected. ... Lucky to have found this camera; ... the overall workmanship, quality of build & performance I got. ...
the responsive convenience of the digital itself - sans housing - should not be overlooked. ... the built-in flash functioned admirably, ...
you can capture very decent color renditions below 40 ft. ... I spent plenty of time >100 ft, & my IC600 negotiated >30 dives without so much as a hiccup. ...
it's 5-star, frankly. ... MY IC600 to me is "worth" way more than I paid here on Amazon, that's for sure.
- D. H. Wilson, on Amazon.com
This camera is very easy to use. The double o-ring ensures an airtight compartment with little or no hassle, ... I am buying one of these for my daughter and her boyfriend for Christmas!
- David Herrington "scubadave", on Amazon.com
... the housing is cheaper than most others like it and you get a camera too! ... it is an excelent way to remember a dive. ... The housing is very tough and didn't leak at all. ... The functions are more than adequate and I enjoyed the video mode which also captures sound underwater! ... I recommend this camera and would purchase it again. ... It is a great deal for the price!
... Using the camera underwater is very easy. The camera case feels good in your hands and very sturdily built. It is simple to operate and you can cycle quickly between photo mode/movie mode/review last shot with a single button, which is nice. The focus and shutter is reasonably quick for a small digicam, ... the small size is perfect and won't encumber you like a larger setup might. Great for amateurs. ... Underwater image quality was good ... The wide-angle of this lens is great for getting some more interesting macros ... I appreciated it when a sea turtle surprised me over my shoulder and I still was able to fit him in the frame only 18 inches away! ... The 4x optical zoom looks good, ... Movie quality is adequate and a nice bonus to have for fun. ... The camera's underwater mode uses a preset white-balance ... which can be manually readjusted if needed. It performs well in 5ft or deeper ... The preset white-balance will be nice if you're not familiar with doing color corrections ... The battery life was awesome. ... Above water, the Sealife is an "OK" compact camera ... In summary, I'd recommend the Sealife DC800 to beginning to intermediate divers/photographers. ... Even more seasoned underwater photographers may like having the Sealife around ... it's small enough that you can take it on any dive if you don't want to lug around larger equipment.
Note: Although this is a best-selling underwater camera, the reviews suggest that it is a disappointment. We do not recommend this camera, and we include it here only for your information. - OER
... still have mixed feeling about it. ... the camera itself is easy to use and quite good in land use. in the underwater housing however, the buttons are a little hard to push. ... the shutter button must be pushed half-way to get a light meter reading, and i found this quite difficult. ... another issue was determining the proper settings for underwater photography. ... it was a little harder with the intova ... video however was crystal clear and easier to shoot. the 640x480 resolution really makes a difference and the auto setting for the video clip were perfect ... would i recommend this product? yes, if you have the patience to experiment with it a little. ... it does take gorgreous pictures as long as the subject is reached by an adequate light source ... video is also decent but is prone to flash, ... also cannot adjust the viewing angle (telephoto-wide angle shots) during video recording. ...
- R. A. Baynosa, on Amazon.com
... The video of the IC 800 flashes, thus ruining any video taken in outdoor light. The camera overall is ok for light duty use. The U/W housing is prone to leaks ...
... I was drawn to the Ultra Flip because of the lack of wires, ... They include a set of batteries with the package so you can start recording right away ... It was very easy to use, it's just as promised, ... click "flipvideo" from your "my computer", then click "Flip Video for PC.exe" to open the program. It's very simple, ... select what video(s) you want to move to your hard drive and then click the save button ... They include a little plug that connects your Flip straight to your TV. ...it looks great! ... I have found my video camera, it's so small and light, there are no plugs or cords, it takes great videos, ... This thing records twice as long as my bulky handycam and I don't have to format any disks or plug in a bunch of stuff. ... picture quality of the Ultra Flip videos is really amazing, ... I am very happy with the Ultra Flip ...
- Gina Miller, on Amazon.com
... This is a cool invention! ...
- Martin A Hogan "Marty From SF", on Amazon.com
... This little Flip Video is the product of the year, a perfect Christmas present for anyone, children to grandparents. It is so easy to use; I still cannot believe it. Connects to the computer or TV. Easy to record, save or delete. ... Comes with a quick start guide that gets you going in seconds. ... It is super easy to upload the video, save it and then upload it to youtube or a personal website. ... share it via email ... Making dvd's from the software is easy, too. ... The battery life of the camera is impressive ... a great camera for a very reasonable price.
- C. Stephans "www.craigstephans.wordpress.com", on Amazon.com
... a 1.5 inch screen that is vibrant ... The camera is thin and can easily be slid into the front pocket of your jeans. It is extremely light. ... nice quality built in microphone. Operation is dead simple. ... The video quality from this camera is phenomenal ... very little motion blur and the colors are nicely saturated. ... The sound is crisp and clear. ... the quality of this camera trumps all other flash based camcorders in this price bracket. ... Mino HD's video files ( MPEG4) are natively supported by Mac OS X, Quicktime, & iMovie 8 or iMovie HD. ... I am very impressed ... The Flip Mino HD billed as the worlds smallest HD camcorder (as of 11/14) is worth its weight in gold. ... It's a wonderful camera for the money ...
- Norman R. Hart, on Amazon.com
Flip camcorders are easy to use like the name suggests. ... It's super easy with the Flip and so nice to share special moments with your far away family and friends. ... Takes HD video (720p) in 16:9 ratio, picture is very sharp ... To upload your video you just flip out the USB 2.0 arm and plug it into your computer ... directly upload your video to youtube, myspace or any other video-sharing website ... Or just upload it to your computer. ... Super sleek and easy to carry in a pocket or small purse. ... 4GB capacity ... Controls are super-easy, really child's play. ... Good performance in low light ... Sound is good ... Easily charged through your computer, has a Li-ion battery ... Creates MP4 video with good compression ... This camera works perfectly with Mac and iTunes ... as well as Windows Media Player or any other popular player. ... Included Flipware can be used to edit/share/organize video files. ... comes with video cable to watch your video on a TV ... smooth and sleek and self-contained ... fairly rugged compared to the super sensitive traditional camcorders. ... Overall, I like this camcorder for its super sharp videos and ease of use. ...
- Anjana Nigam, on Amazon.com
... capable of High Definition video at 1280x720 and it looks quite stunning, ... If you're like me and only drag your real camcorder out on the holidays, or you always seem to miss those Kodak moments with the kids, the Flip Mino HD is for you!
The video quality is superb, as is ease of use. ... Previous Canon users will find the menu system easy and familiar, similar even to their still cameras. ... There is even a Large Font choice. Good! ... The Power On button is deep in a groove that makes it unlikely to accidentally turn on. ... The zoom lever on top is a middle finger control. The adjacent Photo button is for a trained index finger. Record, at the back, is thumb operated. ... Quick Start feature means you can close the LCD to save power (runs at 1/3 normal) and be ready to shoot in about 1 sec ... The still photo features are quite amazing. ... You can shoot continuously at 3 or 5 frames/sec. And you can shoot at the same fast frame rates with flash! ... auto white balance, auto exposure, instant focus features ... face detection for proper focus. They all work very well. ... Instant AutoFocus is aptly named. ... The 15x zoom, a first for me, is fully useful all the way out. Impressive. ... All in all, I luves it.
- Pelagic, on Amazon.com
... its Awesome, ... if you do not like hard disk based camcorders then get HF200 ... it wont disappointment you.
- Hassan B. Bn Hadhram, on Amazon.com
Great piece of equipment! Many options! Easy to operate with super results! ... the video and sound was great! I also used the camera function for quite a few shots! The 3.3 MP is great ... This camcorder is also very portable, and durable! ... I am VERY pleased with this camcorder ... I don't think there is a better all around camcorder in the under $1200.00 price range!
... I was looking for a camcorder that was small in size that could get close up & that is exactly what I got. ... easy to use in every way and it is small enough to fit in just about any normal size bag.
- K. Morris, on Amazon.com
... we wanted something basic, but a camcorder that would give us very good quality images, we counted on the Canon. It is easy to learn to use ... ...
... satisfied with the results. ... I like the versatility of being able to record in HD, and recording on the internal memory, memory stick, or DVD. ... The unit is built well and is fairly intuitive. ... I find it easy to use and it works well for me. Everything I've used so far works as advertised. I would highly recommend this handycam.
- New England Book Reviewer, on Amazon.com
... very flexible. The ability to record to 8GB internal or a 8GB flash card ("Memory Stick Pro Duo") is excellent. No moving parts, so the battery lasts forever ...
Picture quality great ... You can record to the memory or card, and then use the camera to burn to a mini-DVD ... You can record everything in HD, transfer the files to a PC, and then burn them to a full size DVD in either HD (in AVHCD format to play on a BluRay player) or SD ...
All in all -- great product -- would buy it again.
- Cameraman "Charlie", on Amazon.com
This is a great camera! The battery life is excellent. The video is very clear. And the sound is the best I have ever heard in a camera ... I would highly recommend this camera to others! ... easy to import into your computer. ...
I am very pleased with the overall quality and functionality of this camcorder. ... takes excellent video ... very stable ... I like having choices on how to save. ... very easy to download to pc or view on pc or tv. ... I highly recommend this product. You could not do better, ...
... The video quality this camera gives is wonderful, and creates a steady image, ... The zoom range is impressive ... Still images were great ... the camera is FAST. ... this product blows everything out of the water that I have ever used in the video quality department. ... All in all, I am happy with my purchase, ...
- Joe Ackbar, on Amazon.com
... this camera is awesome. The video quality is great the sound is excellent ... this camera is lightweight ... the discs do not need to be finalized before you put them in a dvd player or import them to a computer, you just hook up the usb cord and import the video quick and easy. ... I am very pleased with this camera ... Really good buy for a great price.
- K. Berthold "karlb", on Amazon.com
This camcorder was a present for my husband. ... The Sony Handycam was a lifesaver! ... easy to understand and easy to use. ... He loves it ...
... We are very glad ... tapes look stellar in the 1080i format. ... 20x zoom is to drool over. ... we use it for birding ... He likes the programable buttons. ... You edit in HD and made the non HD DVD ... record it back to HD tape and wait till the software is written. ... Ease of handling cam great, ... Easy to carry with handle. ...
- Donna Shields "roncinante", on Amazon.com
This is an amazing piece of equipment. ... Broadcast quality. ... rarely NEED to go off "auto" ... Pricey but worth every penny. The HD is as good as Discovery HD Theater's, and the std. DV recording ... is better then other 3-chip cameras I have owned.
- R. Crutchfield "Shudda stuck to READING!", on Amazon.com
... I could not be happier. ... great indoors and out, including low light conditions. ... high definition quality is incredible, the best I have seen. ... small size and light weight, ...
Note: This is the best-selling professional camcorder that uses flash memory. All others use MiniDV tape, which is not as rugged. Highly recommended. - OER
... this consumer camera will put lots of other professional camera to shame. ... if u are looking for hd quality under two grand look no further. ... great picture ... sound is good even with in built mic, very reasonably priced for 3ccd, 2 cold shoe, volume indicator ,decent view finder,great professional look for this price,and above all no more tape ... this camera has 3ccd(1/4) which you cant find in other canera at this price ... these 3ccd produce very good and almost clean picture even when u record at full 13mb/sec settings... recording on sdhc card has changed equations forever, ... if your customer need regular dvd,u can still use this camera and then before u do editing,transcode this avchd to mpeg 2 ... overall if you are in transition phase from dv to hd ,and dont want to spend lots of money then this camera is number one choice ...
- Olin R. Blankenship, on Amazon.com
... The quality of the video was astounding. ... The flash memory is excellent, ...
... The size was perfect for my small evening purse, but I didn't realize just how well they worked. ... They go with me to every event now to ensure a "good" seat every time.
- Diane G. Ward, on Amazon.com
these glasses are small, protable and good for concerts and quick bird work. I keep a set in the car, ...
- K. M Merrill "justine", on Amazon.com
... I was amazed the first time I looked through them, ... Highly recommended.
I really like these binoculars. ... light, bright, work well with eyeglasses ... excellent value. ... bought these binoculars for a nature trip in the Amazon and I use them in the back yard, on hikes and occasionally at the symphony or opera. ... I like the lighter weight of the Monarchs. ... I like the hard rubber-armor construction. It does not become slippery when wet. They feel solid but light. ... The firm turn-and slide eyecups ... are a huge improvement over the fussy soft foldable rubber eyecups found on many other binoculars. ...
- Stephen Adams, on Amazon.com
... As an experienced photographer, optical quality was my top priority. ... I originally purchased them for hiking ... the extra sharpness of the 8X resolution negated the need for a 10X magnification, ... With the 8X, I spotted a fire lookout station that I'd never seen before, on a mountain 15 miles out of town. ... I never thought I'd be so happy paying this price for binoculars, but it was a no brainer. ... Tack sharp, lightweight and well worth owning.
- Eagle Eyes, on Amazon.com
... they really are excellent, very easy to use, good feel, amazing light gathering and reproduction, and only 1 and 1/2 pounds. ... Everything about them feels and works like 1000 dollar lenses ... you can take them anywhere and enjoy them.
These binoculars perform very well during daytime and are good for the occasional birdwatcher ... The light weight and the insta-focus make them very easy to use. ... I bought them for stargazing ... and I am very satisfied with them ... I have been able to locate and clearly see many Messier objects (ie. M22, M13, M11, M3, M5 and the great Andromeda Galaxy M31, and many star clusters such as M39 and the coathanger) and double stars with the Falcons, ... Overall, excellent value. Buy the Falcons ... and you can get into backyard astronomy ...
- Emilio J. Del Toro, on Amazon.com
... 10x50 is supposed to be the ideal for stargazing. ... A quick scan of Orion showed some nebulosity visible, even above city lights. They feel steady. ... All in all, a great pear of binocs for searching the night sky.
- Elderbear, on Amazon.com
These binoculars are terrific! ... I was amazed at the quality and clarity for such a GREAT VALUE! ... If you are looking for a reliable, clear pair of binoculars... these are the best value!
This is simply the best tiny binocular that you can buy for under $20. Images are crispy, it is very easy to focus. ... images are very stable ... The material is also very comfortable and provides a very good grip. ... They are also extremely light so you can take them always with you. Very good binoculars. 100% recommended.
- J. Stoll, on Amazon.com
... quite bright and clear, and the adjustment thumbwheel is tight and accurate. I like this pair for carrying in my pocket while hiking ... just about right for spotting birds ... Their small size makes them ideal for carrying in a jacket pocket. ... I rate them 5 stars because, for their compact size and especially at such a low price, they are really quite decent binos
- B. Wigney "naturalist & photographer", on Amazon.com
... I was impressed with the quality and the clarity of the image for so inexpensive a binocular. ... they are just fine for seeing what's on the feeder and beyond.
... The Action 8x40 is probably the glass of most interest to birders. It is a wide angle design, with 8.5° of field ... a close focus in the 12 foot range and eye relief of about 10mm. ... The smooth armor is sufficiently tacky to provide a good grip, ... comfortable in the hands, with a large comfortable ribbed focus control. ... gives the extra bright, extra sharp first impression that I have come to associate with Nikon's applications of aspheric technology. ... the Nikon Action 8x40 are certainly very fine binoculars ... highly recommended to anyone who wants bird-worthy binoculars on a budget. ...
Buy them!
- C. J. Campbell, on Amazon.com
... we couldn't be more pleased. The lenses offer clear, crisp viewing, and are easy to adjust for comfortable viewing. ... the eye cups are soft and won't scratch my glasses. ... a whole new dimension to our nature hikes!
- Sarah Sharp, on Amazon.com
The Nikon 8x40 provides a lot of value for the dollar spent. Although they are a traditional birder configuration they would serve extremely well as an all purpose instrument. ... the quality of the optics and construction at this price point made them my best binocular bargain.
Durability:4.0 out of 5 stars Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars ... I preferred the binos to the view in my telescope. ... For the casual observer binoculars are the superior choice. ... relatively cheap, light, easy use. And because they are so easy to use, you will end up using them much more often ... The Celestron 15X70 Skymasters are by far and away the best amateur astronomy instrument for the money on the market right now. ... truly and incredible value. ... lifetime no-fault warranty, the best in the industry, ... if anything ever goes wrong for whatever reason, they will always stand behind their product. ... If you are looking to get started in astronomy ... these binoculars are a great value ... Get them, take them outside at night with your kids and wonder why.......
- D. J. deJong "DJ", on Amazon.com
My first night out under dark skies with these binoculars was a terrific experience. ... I had great views of M36, M37, M38, M44, M50, easily saw the Trapizium in Orion's nebula, saw the Andromeda galaxy and it's companions streaching across 75% of my FOV. ... M81 and 82 were also easy. ... They are also great for terrestrial viewing. Contrast and definition are excellent. Best optical value I've ever seen.
- Terry Durbin, on Amazon.com
I took these out to some dark skies recently and they were increadible, stars looked like i could touch them, crisp pinpoint stars all around. ... I picked up a sturdy but inexpensive tripod with use with these binos which has made it possible to use for birding or bison watching in Yellowstone. ... Get these and with the saved cash pick up a tripod and you will be on your way to some great viewing.
... the perfect accessory to the Flip Ultra Video Camcorder. ... It is an incredible value and greatly expands how you can use your camcorder. ... it is so very easy to use! ... This tripod also works with the new Flip Mino ...
- O. Brown "Ms. O. Khannah-Brown", on Amazon.com
You can't own a Flip Video (or any camera) without this nifty, lightweight tripod. ... a sturdy metal tripod that weighs about 12 ounces. ... The legs are really flexible, which means you can mount this on just about any uneven surface. ... for the price, it's a steal.
- Martin A Hogan "Marty From SF", on Amazon.com
... really makes it easier to do videos since you can put it almost anywhere yet still get your Flip Ultra level. ... more stability to better prevent it from toppling over.
Overall, this is a decent bargain tripod. ... It has a quick-release head for attaching your camera ... For the price, I would call it an excellent value, especially for someone who needs to carry it around with them since it is so light weight. ... ...
- Steve, on Amazon.com
... everything you would ever want, from it's quick release plate in the tilting head, to it's crank elevator with locking ring, to it's easy to use leg locks to its self leveling, gimballed rubber feet. ... The tripod is light, has a built in carrying handle and even comes with a carrying case. A tripod with all these features usually costs over $100. ... light weight, brilliant design and low cost ...
- Alex Trocker "LexTrex", on Amazon.com
... the tripod has a directly mounted carry handle ... light, stabilizer hook, carry handle, carry case ... dual liquid bubbles, and quite study ... Very please with purchase. Highly recommend!
I love this monopod! ... one of my favorite accessories for the camera ... It's sturdy, but lightweight, easy to use and is very portable. ... I'm actually able to hold that huge lens steady with just the monopod ... I've dragged it all over the Bluegrass of Kentucky ... I've taken it out into the wilderness to photograph elk. ... recently traveled all over Arizona with it to the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Canyon De Chelley, ... I was constantly opening and closing it, taking literally hundreds of photos (about 14 rolls) with no problems at all. ... I highly recommend it.
- Sherlock "sherlock221", on Amazon.com
... it does seem sturdy and the locks are very tight to start with ... seems to be capable and holds my heavy DSLR with grip firmly. ... working very well and clamps are still nice and tight, socket and ball are also doing just fine. ... giving no signs of wear or trouble, I'm still happy with it for the price I paid. ...
- Careful shopper "Tom", on Amazon.com
... This monopod, however, is the ABSOLUTE BEST. ... The monopod can handle the weight in the horizontal mode just fine. ... This is a PERFECT addition to my equipment and I am loving this.
This is a very solid piece of camera equipment. ... The tripod itself is built solid, made out of black aluminum. ... excellent ball head mount at the top. ... a quick and easy means to point your camera ... the quick detach mount on the head allows you to have your camera on or off the tripod in a matter of seconds, ... invaluable assistance to a photographer on the go. I can't recommend this tripod enough. Its worth much more than its price, I'd suggest you snag one while you can. ...
- Daniel J. Goodwin, on Amazon.com
... Light enough to carry around the whole day yet still very sturdy. ... aluminum ball head actually performs well. ... Once you've got the desired angle and lock it in place, the camera will stay on that angle until you release the lock ... a quick release plate, 2 bubble levels ... replaceable aluminum tripod head, a threaded weight hook and spiked feet. ... tripod can also converted so you can take macro shots. ... legs can be locked in position independent of one another. ... this tripod is a steal! ...
- Kirk, on Amazon.com
... the legs adjust to 3 different angles, ... allows the legs to go perpendicular to the center column. ... ball head mechanism is very smooth and precise, ... the pod is high tech looking and easy to use. ... legs are very stable and lock quickly ... legs all have foam grips to ease carrying. ... The more you look, the more you might be amazed what your $39 is doing for you here. ... A neat carry sack accompanies the pod. It has shoulder padding and is adjustable. There is a miniature compass, along with miniature bubble levelers on ball head and legs. Did I mention the whole setup only weighs 2.9 pounds, ...? Amazing! ... ... The tripod is an incredible value--it is that simple. ...
Note: While marketed as a way to get yourself into the picture, this unit can also be used as an extremely lightweight monopod. Does not support the full weight of a heavier camera, but helps to steady the shot. Highly recommended. - OER
... The XShot makes self picture taking so easy, ... It is so simple to learn, you don't need an instruction manual. It takes great pictures and works with any camera that has the tripod screw insert below. ... I love my XShot and will take it with me on every trip. 5 STARS!
- Tracy Konn "tracybebe", on Amazon.com
... it worked great. For situations where you don't have time to setup a tripod ... the XShot comes in very handy. It collapses to a manageable length and is light enough to throw in your backpack. ...
- G. Ko, on Amazon.com
... This item is AMAZING. It is easy to use, very light weight, ... EVERY photographer should have one. It even works with our video camera. Why didn't I think if this? Brilliant!
A digital camera, whether for still pictures, videos, or both, is a very useful tool for studying nature. Of course, it's fun to capture memories of family and friends sharing the adventure, but almost any camera will suit that purpose. But for studying nature, capturing the details of a strange plant or animal so that you can compare it to your field guides, there are some special considerations regarding what camera will work best.
There are five main considerations when looking for a camera for outdoor use:
Ruggedness
Compactness
Close-up Capability
Zoom Capability
Image Quality
Ruggedness
Let's face it: The camera you bring with you on hiking and camping trips will get some rough treatment. So make sure you choose a camera that can take a little punishment.
Of course, as an alternative, you might consider getting a camera that is so inexpensive that you don't mind replacing it frequently. Depending on how roughly you treat it, it might be more cost effective to get a new $50 camera every other trip than to get a $400 camera that doesn't last beyond five trips. That is a realistic approach for extreme conditions.
But for most of us, you can get a very decent camera that will survive many years bouncing along in your backpack. Also bear in mind that besides physical shock, a camera in the backpack or in the tent will have to endure changes in temperature and levels of humidity that the average consumer electronic device really was not designed to handle. Switches short circuit and/or corrode, focus and zoom motors jam up, and, worst of all, tapes stick to the recording heads of a camcorder.
For a video camera, the fewer moving parts the better. Generally, a DVD camcorder is more rugged than any tape-based camcorder, including Mini-DV. Solid state or "flash memory" camcorders are the most rugged currently available.
But for any camera, still or video, there's no substitute for experience. Read the reviews carefully, and specifically look for reviewers who have taken the camera into the field over a period of many months and years.
Compactness
You'll want your outdoor camera to be small and light enough that it won't be a burden in your backpack. That includes the lenses. For this reason, a good lens with a decent zoom range and decent performance at both ends of its range is better than a DSLR with several interchangeable lenses. Of course, interchangeable lenses have their advantages and can give you much better images. It's just a trade-off. A good multi-range lens is lighter than two excellent lenses, one for close-up and one for distance.
By the same token, you might want to look for a single camera that takes good videos and good still images. The distinction between a still camera and a video camera is getting fuzzy, as most still cameras can take short videos, and virtually all camcorders can also take stills. Generally, a camcorder that also takes stills will be a better choice than a still camera that also takes movies. It may be a matter of personal choice, but be sure you check the video and still picture quality before you choose. And consider how many memory cards you'll have to carry and keep track of if you fill them up with video on a camping trip.
Close-up Capability
Manufacturers and retailers tend to make a big deal of zoom capabilities, but don't forget macro capabilities. A large part of the reason you have a digital camera with you is so you can take a picture of that unidentified bug or flower to look up in your guidebooks back home. If the camera can't focus in on details close-up, you may be frustrated.
Without getting into intricate optical technicalities, let's just say that a good zoom and a good close-focus capability tend to work against each other. You'll pay extra for a lens that is good at both, but it is well worth the cost.
And since the camera manufacturers don't tout their close-up capabilities very much, make sure you check for it in the reviews. Try to select a camera and lens that can focus on details within a couple of inches in front of the lens.
Zoom Capability
Just as you'll want to focus in close to identify a flower or an insect, you'll also want to zoom in tight to identify a distant bird.
It's one thing to make a lens that can zoom to ten or fifteen times magnification, but it's another to do so without losing image quality. Don't just look for a high zoom value, check the reviews for good, bright, crisp images at long zoom. As mentioned earlier, a lens that can focus in close is often not so good at tight zooms, and your images may be dark or indistinct.
You'll hear some different opinions on the value of "digital zoom." We are of the opinion that digital zoom doesn't matter at all. Optical zoom is what focuses light from a more distant target on the full area of your image sensor. All digital zoom does is take the pixels from the middle of the image sensor and stretches them out to fill the full size of the final picture. Yes, there are times when you want to do that, but the best time to do it is on your computer when you have time to think about what you're doing and to make sure you aren't throwing away too much image quality. Don't crop your pictures in your camera out in the field. We strongly suggest that you simply ignore a camera's digital zoom capabilities. Since almost all digital cameras have some digital zoom capabilities, check to see if it can be disabled in your camera, and consider that a good thing.
Image Quality
Not so long ago, image quality in a comsumer digital camera was all about megapixels. That is no longer true. Now that even low-end cameras commonly have five megapixel sensors or better, we can pay attention to other features that contribute to good image quality. An 8 megapixel image focused by a cheap, blurry lens will not be as good as a 5 megapixel image with a sharp, precision lens.
If you're an advanced camera buff, you'll be able to make sense out of the ISO rating of the sensor (often adjustable, in high-end cameras), and the f-ratings of the lenses, spherical abberation, chromatic abberation, and such. For most of us, all you'll have to go on is the reviews. Check what the reviewers say about the quality of images taken under a variety of lighting conditions and at a variety of zoom settings. And read enough reviews that you can learn to recognize the difference between an irrationally exuberant neophyte and a serious lover of good photography.
