Until recently, the digital-camera battle cry was, "Damn the appearance, full megapixels ahead!" Camera prestige was measured in millions of pixels rather than size, looks, or even feature set. Then camera makers began to notice that many people seemed perfectly content with compact 2-megapixel point and shoots that were easy on the wallet as well as the shirt pocket.
Adding to the mix are new applications such as iPhoto that simplify organizing and sharing digital photos. Now that images are as easy to manage on the computer as they are to take, more people are taking interest in portable cameras that produce quality pictures.
But once you decide to make the digital leap, how do you figure out which camera to buy?
Four of my favorite digital camera brands are Canon, Nikon, Olympus, and Sony. Lots of other great brands line the shelves at CompUSA too, but this quartet seems to consistently produce good models that I can recommend. In this article I'm going to show you the ins and outs of two of my favorite 2-megapixel models: the Canon PowerShot S200 and the Nikon Coolpix 2500. Both cameras take good pictures, cost around $300 U.S.D., and have dynamite looks.
Even though both cameras use 2-megapixel sensors, that's about the extent of their image-capture similarities. Even their physical appearances are different.
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The Canon S200 is a squarish, stainless-steel-clad compact that measures 3.4 by 2.2 by 1.1 inches (W by H by D) and weighs in at 6.3 ounces (or 87.0 by 57.0 by 26.7 millimeters and 180 grams), without battery and memory card. The lens retracts into the camera body and has a cover that protects it when not in use. The lens zooms from 5.4mm (wide angle) to 10.8mm (mild telephoto), and is the equivalent of a 35mm to 70mm lens in 35mm photography. The Digital Elph includes both an optical viewfinder and an LCD monitor. To help focus in less than ideal conditions, the S200 provides an effective focus-assist light that projects a bright beam onto the subject when you press the shutter button halfway. The Canon is powered by a rechargeable Lithium ion battery and uses CompactFlash for its removable memory.
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The Nikon 2500 is two-toned, rectangular-shaped camera with roundish corners that measures 4.5 by 2.3 by 1.2 inches and weighs in at 5.8 ounces (or 114.0 by 59.5 by 31.5mm and 165g), without battery and memory card. The ingenious lens mount swivels within the frame of the camera providing for a variety of shooting angles, plus it secures in the "up position" to protect the lens when not in use. The lens zooms from 5.6mm (wide angle) to 16.8mm (telephoto) and is the equivalent of a 37mm to 111mm lens in 35mm photography. The Coolpix features an LCD monitor but does not include an optical viewfinder or a focus-assist light. The Nikon is powered by a rechargeable Lithium ion battery and uses CompactFlash for its removable memory.
Both cameras rely on programmed auto exposure to control the aperture and shutter. For basic point and shoot, leaving the camera in auto mode, is all you'll need to do to capture good photos in most situations. But each camera also has a set of more advanced functions partially hidden from view until you unlock them by switching to Manual mode, which isn't really manual at all (in the sense that you manually set the aperture and shutter speed). Manual mode on these two cameras should really be called extended auto mode.
On the Canon, for example, you only have three flash modes in auto mode: flash off, red-eye reduction, and auto flash. But if you switch from auto mode to manual, suddenly two more flash options appear in the menu: fill flash and slow synchro. Same goes for exposure compensation and white balance--you can't get to those adjustments unless you're in manual mode.
Just in case you can't decipher the instruction booklet to find these settings, simply turn on the camera and make sure the LCD monitor is active and it's ready to take a picture. Then push the SET button once to reveal the custom menu. use the right jog button to move the red circle one position to the right, then push the SET button again, and you're now in manual mode.
The Nikon is equally coy about enabling functions such as white balance adjustment, continuous shooting mode, and image sharpening selection. To access these features you need to (once again) switch from auto to manual modes. To do so, simply put the camera in picture taking mode, press the "down arrow "on the jog dial once to reveal the menu, then press the "down arrow" one more time to move from auto to manual mode. For both cameras I recommend that once you find manual mode, you just leave it there.
Now that you've seized control of each respective camera, picture taking becomes really fun. The Canon allows you to frame your shot with either an optical viewfinder or the LCD monitor, which is extremely accurate on the S200. With the Nikon you're forced to use the LCD monitor all the time because it doesn't have an optical viewfinder. This isn't a problem except in bright sunlight when the LCD is nearly impossible to see. I had reasonably good luck framing the shot by using the open area around the lens as a gun sight of sorts, but I would much prefer an optical viewfinder for these bright situations. Plus, having the LCD on all the time drains the battery power faster that I'd like.
The Nikon redeems itself with the outlandish swivel lens that rotates up and down, and even all the way back pointing directly at the shooter--a narcissist's dream! If you like taking low and high angle shots, you'll really appreciate the flexibility this lens mount offers.
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Both cameras have firm two-step shutter releases that allow you to hold the button half way down to lock-in focus and exposure, then continue pressing to take the picture. The Nikon has a 3x optical zoom lens that is controlled by two buttons on the back of the camera. The Canon's 2x zoom lens is controlled by a "rocker ring" that surrounds the shutter button.
I'm impressed with the array of controls squeezed into these compact cameras. Here's just a few of the functions that you'll find on both cameras:
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The Canon S200 also is equipped with a spot meter, selectable ISO speed settings, AF assist beam, panorama mode, an outstanding image information view in the LCD monitor that even provides a graphical histogram of the image you're reviewing, and an array of photo effects including a Black and White option.
The Nikon has a couple of extras too including a Quick Review function that provides you with mini thumbnail of the last picture you captured that's inset in the viewfinder while you're lining up the next shot. It also has a SMALL PIC button that allows you to create a 320 x 240 pixel copy of any image you've captured, which is handy for sending as an email attachment without having to open your image editor.
When it comes to picture-taking prowess, both cameras distinguish themselves with sharp, saturated images. But I have to give the nod to the Canon S200 in this category because of its impressive array of useful controls that will satisfy the most savvy of photographers.
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Both the Nikon and the Canon work wonderfully with iPhoto, making picture transfer via USB a snap. They also come with their own software packages that are both Mac- and PC-compatible. So, even if you're in a mixed Windows/Mac environment, you won't have any problems uploading pictures to your computers.
Both Canon and Nikon provide Mac OS X users with decent software bundles to augment iPhoto and QuickTime. Canon offers PhotoStitch and ImageBrowser. PhotoStitch enables you to assemble your panoramas and create QuickTime VRs--a very pleasant surprise. ImageBrowser helps you organize your shots and provides some basic editing controls.
Nikon View 5 is also a handy organizer and comes with some nice tools to facilitate everyday tasks, such as emailing pictures to friends. I really liked having all the EXIF data displayed at the top of the browser frame for each image I was working on. Nikon bundles PhotoImpression by ArcSoft, which is also Mac OS X-compatible. If you don't already have an OS X image editor, you'll appreciate this inclusion.
Neither Canon or Nikon have embraced the Aqua interface with their bundled applications. So I felt a little like I had journeyed to another planet whenever I opened one of them. I hope that over time each company will continue to develop its bundled software to integrate better with Mac OS X and iPhoto. But as I mentioned earlier, both companies are supporting users who are moving to Mac OS X, and I really appreciated seeing those applications offered in the box.
Speaking of compatibility, the Coolpix 2500 takes this concept to a higher level by functioning as a Mass Storage Device too. This means you can plug it in to any modern Windows (98 SE or newer) or Macintosh (OS 9.x or Mac OS X) computer, and the camera's contents display as an external drive. No drivers needed! When you're on the go you simply connect the Nikon in to nearly any computer available, and drag and drop its pictures on to the hard drive. Very nice.
Just for fun, I took a full memory card out of the Canon S200 and put it in the Nikon Coolpix 2500. Not only could the Nikon display the Canon's pictures on its LCD monitor, it could upload them to the computer acting as a Mass Storage Device. I then took the full Nikon memory card and inserted it into the Canon. Lo and behold the Canon could read the pictures and upload them to iPhoto for me. I love this type of standards adherence and salute Canon and Nikon for providing this flexibility.
Each camera records loads of EXIF data including exposure settings, focal length, flash status, metering pattern, image resolution, file size, camera type, time, and date. So you never have to take notes regarding any of this information because it's all recorded as metadata and stored in the file header. Most modern image editors including Adobe Photoshop 7.0 and Apple's iPhoto 1.1 retain and can display the EXIF data these cameras record. Plus the bundled image browsers also display this information.
I never had any problems uploading images from either camera to a Windows XP, Mac OS 9, or Mac OS X computer. Overall though, I have to give the nod to Nikon in the computer compatibility category because of its Mass Storage Device functionality. I hope all digital cameras adopt this standard soon.
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Related Reading iPhoto: The Missing Manual |
I was surprised at how poorly the Nikon performed in low light situations. It has difficulty focusing without an AF-assist beam, and the images tend to have poor color when captured in low light. Not being able to manually control the ISO speed also hampered my ability to squeeze out good shots in difficult lighting. The Canon S200, on the other hand, performed well in these situations.
As I mentioned earlier, Nikon's lack of an optical viewfinder is a problem if you're going to be taking lots of shots in bright sunlight.
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Both cameras come with compact battery chargers that easily fit in your backpack or even your pants pocket. Canon's charger has the two-pronged plug built right in. But to my disappointment, the Nikon charger requires that you also lug around a six-foot cord to connect the charger to the wall outlet. Why?
The Canon includes a measly 8MB memory card, whereas the Nikon at least springs for a 16MB version. I'd like to see camera makers stop fooling around with these wimpy cards and provide at least 32MBs with 2-megapixel cameras.
Neither camera comes with a case. I had to spend an additional $25 for a nice Canon-made leather case, and found an existing case stashed away in my closet that protects the Nikon. But I think cases should be standard issue with all compact cameras -- if for no other reason, to help you protect your investment.
When it comes right down to it, either of these cameras will make most hobbyists quite happy. So it really comes down to which camera has the features most important to you. Here's a quick review of each camera's pros and cons.
Canon PowerShot S200 |
Nikon Coolpix 2500 |
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Cons
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If you want to spice up your photography pursuits, then either of these cameras will bring new joy to your shooting. Add the fact that you can slip either into your shirt pocket on your way out the door means that you'll never miss a great shot because you left your camera at home.
Both cameras are capable of producing photo-quality prints up to 5 by 7 inchs and very good reproductions up to 8 by 10 inchs. I recommend that you always shoot at the highest resolution and lowest compression settings to capture maximum quality. You never know when you're going to encounter that great shot that you'll want to enlarge to an 8 by 10.
The Canon S200 costs about $30 more than the Nikon Coolpix 2500. Even though you get a longer zoom lens with the Nikon (3x versus 2x), the Canon has quite a few more features that easily justify the higher price.
In head-to-head competition, I give a slight nod to the Canon S200. But the Nikon Coolpix 2500 is also very addictive, and I don't plan on parting company with either camera in the foreseeable future.
Derrick Story is the digital media evangelist for O'Reilly. He is the author of The Photoshop CS4 Companion for Photographers, The Digital Photography Companion, and Digital Photography Hacks, and coauthor of iPhoto: The Missing Manual, with David Pogue. You can follow him on Twitter or visit www.thedigitalstory.com.
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