Every camera manufacturer has its own brand of image stabilisation system. Most use mechanisms inside the lens, where gyroscopic sensors detect any camera movement and drive motors that shift an internal lens element to correct it. The trouble is, according to Sony, that these only counteract certain types of movement, namely pitch and yaw.
This is where you inadvertently twist the camera sideways or in an up-down direction as you take the picture. The movements may be so tiny you don’t notice, but they can be enough to blur the fine detail in your pictures. This is typical of shots taken with telephoto lenses – actually, it affects all lenses, but telephotos magnify the blur and make it more obvious.
But these aren’t the only movements that can cause blur. High-magnification images, particularly macro shots, are often spoiled by lateral and vertical movements, or x/y shifts, during the exposure. Sony’s image stabiliser can correct these too.
The fifth axis of correction is ‘roll’, which is an unintended circular movement that’s most obvious in video footage but can affect still images too, especially with slower handheld exposures at night, for example. You’ll see it when a horizon that should have been straight is actually slightly skewed.
A full frame DSLR is the dream camera for most photography enthusiasts. You get double the sensor size of a regular APS-C DSLR and this gives super-smooth tonality, low noise and great depth of field effects.
You can get all the latest camera reviews and news on the Techradar Camera Channel home page, but you might have missed the Nikon D610 review and the Canon 6D review because the Nikon was launched a year ago and the Canon is two years old. This means both are well into their product life cycle, but this is often the best time to buy expensive technology – as the prices prove, because both cameras are now 30% cheaper than when they were launched.
Some Google Play apps have a price tag, which means that they are sometimes better developed, but also void (or almost) of annoying ads that invade your smartphone or tablet’s screen. With Google, it’s really easy to buy apps, but the first time might be a little tricky for newbies to Android and the smartphone world. For those who need that extra help, here is our Android for Beginners tutorial on how to buy paid apps from the Google Play Store.
The second generation of the Moto G (2014) comes packed with a bunch of features that were present in the original Moto G and also brings with it a few tricks up its sleeves. We’ve selected some of our most interesting tips, most frequently asked questions, and more that will help you adapt to your brand new Moto G.
Though the HTC One (M8) is a very expensive handset, it currently represents the best that Android has to offer right now. Its predecessor was hailed as the best smartphone of 2013 and HTC has not disappointed amidst all the hype. Want to make the most out of your HTC One (M8)? Here are some handy HTC One (M8) tips and tricks on the many cool things you can do with your HTC superphone.
The Nexus 5 is not dead yet. Google’s successor, the Nexus 6, may be upon us but that hasn’t been enough to snuff out the the Nexus 5 flame. At completely different price points, with arguably different goals, the Nexus 5 looks like it will be relevant for quite some time to come, especially thanks to itstasty Android 5.0 Lollipopinjection. Here are some of the best Lollipop Nexus 5 tips you can find.
After you receive a new phone for the holiday season, like a shiny new LG G3 or a Nexus 6, you might still have an old phone hanging around. This doesn’t mean you just scored yourself a new paperweight, door-stopper or something that just lies around collecting dust. There are plenty of uses for an old handset, in addition to the obvious option of selling it, so here are 9 cool things to do with an old phone. The LAST thing you want to do is throw it in the trash!
The Android system, whether you own an LG G3, Galaxy S4 or Nexus 5, has a number of accessibility options built in for those hard of hearing, suffering from a vision impairment or any other number of other conditions that might make the standard operation of your Android difficult. These are great features to be sure, but you don’t need to be as blind as me to take advantage of them. Here’s five accessibility settings you should be using.
If you’re a beginner or less experienced photographer who’s keen to develop your skills, it’s a great time to be buying an SLR – there’s a wide choice of keenly priced cameras competing for your custom. Makers are eager to attract beginners in the hope of building loyalty, particularly as SLR users tend to upgrade their lenses eventually, or buy flashguns and other extras.
Ideally, you want an SLR that is easy to use, but one that you won’t quickly outgrow as your skills and confidence develop. You also want a camera that gives you access to a wide range of lenses and accessories, but one that isn’t so heavy and bulky that it becomes a chore to carry.
The good news is that there are plenty of cameras that fulfill these criteria. Just remember, while entry-level SLRs are well priced, you are going to need to get more lenses at some point. The ‘kit’ lenses supplied with most starter SLRs are workmanlike and enable you to experiment with different effects, but they are usually built down to a price.
Investing in some better quality lenses to go with your new camera will have a massive impact on the quality of your photographs.
With this in mind, here are our favourite SLRs for beginners.
Nikon D3300
Price (with 18-55mm VR II lens): £429/$596/A$727
Sensor size: APS-C
Pixel count: 24.2Mp
Screen type: 3-inch LCD, 921,000 dots
Maximum continuous shooting rate: 5fps
Maximum video resolution: 1080p
The D3300 is one of the best SLRs for beginners out there and you get a lot for your money.
The 24 million pixel sensor provides bags of detail resolution, and being able to crop into the image for extra reach (or to improve composition) is a big help. A higher pixel count can mean a greater risk of noise, but happily, the D3300 keeps it well under control. Noise only really becomes apparent at ISO3200 or higher and even then, it’s at acceptable levels.
Another big advantage of the D3300 is its ease of use. The Guide Mode is a great learning tool for less experienced photographers, giving real time explanations of important functions and features. As with several other SLRs in Nikon’s range, the D3300 does without an anti-aliasing filter, the idea being you get sharper, more detailed shots straight from the camera. Moreover, the 18-55mm lens collapses down to make it more convenient to carry, which will further widen this camera’s appeal.
There are downsides, but they are minor disappointments rather than major issues. First, it’s a shame the screen isn’t articulated, and it isn’t touchscreen either. The D3300 lacks built-in Wi-Fi too, a tad irritating considering this is not the cheapest starter SLR out there. Otherwise, though, the D3300 is a winner.
Put off by the comparative bulk and weight of SLRs? This wonderfully light and compact starter SLR will change your mind.
Small really is wonderful with the 100D, as its diminutive frame houses a high-resolution 18 megapixel APS-C sensor and a sophisticated Digic 5 image processor. Both contrast detection and phase-detection autofocus are possible thanks to the hybrid COMS sensor, handy when shooting movies or accessing Live View.
The 100D is a very practical SLR, too. Continuous shooting is possible at up to 4 frames per second (that’s JPEG and raw), while the ISO range now stretches to ISO 12,800 (up to 25,600 in expanded mode). The 100D is also easy to use, with a Scene Intelligent Auto System which analyses the scene you’re shooting in real time, and a wide range of scene modes. A SCN setting on the main mode dial gives fast access to more sophisticated scene modes, and this works well with the touchscreen LCD – another benefit of this camera.
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