Your most important features when looking for a camera

Lawrence

Senior Member
Its been a while since I have been on here - kissed the banter and the photos but I have been rather busy.
I am currently doing an assignment and need some help please.

I need to create a table of features and benefits of the different Nikon models which I will use as a topic at my local camera club (I have been asked to speak at an upcoming meeting).

My thoughts were to create a table of the different Nikon models with a list of features which will then prompt me to discuss the benefits of each and hopefully get the audience participating with questions - should be a fun evening with all the non-Nikon photographers in the crowd.

I was thinking of things like:

ISO range
Maximum shutter speed
Battery life
Dynamic range
Ideal for (eg sports, portraits, video etc)?
Megapixels (which I don't think so important but people like to know)
Sensor technology - this would possibly fall under dynamic range
Buffering speed
Weather sealed
AF speed
Menus and controls
Body etc.

So what would you guys and gals feel are important features I should include in my chart?

Thanks in advance
 

nickt

Senior Member
I think the top lcd and the front command wheel are major features to understand and appreciate. For a newbie, it is hard to appreciate how desirable these features will be to them in the future. Those two things are probably what drives most of us to move up from a d3x00 - d5x00 to a d7x00.
 

wev

Senior Member
Contributor
screen mobility
shutter life expectancy
wifi/phone conductivity capability (desired by many, but quite problematic it seems)
user settings storage (U1, U2, etc on 7100 vs Setting Bank on 500)
 

Bikerbrent

Senior Member
One key aspect of the different models of camera is how they feel in the hand and how they feel fitted up to your face. And unfortunately this is very highly subjective. Someone with large hands is likely to prefer a larger camera to avoid cramping their hand. On the other hand someone with small hands will likely prefer a smaller camera that fits in their hand better. However, some small handed people like the feel of a large camera better and via versa. How you could represent this in a table, I have no idea. Good luck, you have a challenging job ahead.
 

Lawrence

Senior Member
I think the top lcd and the front command wheel are major features to understand and appreciate. For a newbie, it is hard to appreciate how desirable these features will be to them in the future. Those two things are probably what drives most of us to move up from a d3x00 - d5x00 to a d7x00.

Great point - I know I was very pleased to have both the top LCD screen and the dual wheels when I bought my D7100
 

Lawrence

Senior Member
screen mobility
shutter life expectancy
wifi/phone conductivity capability (desired by many, but quite problematic it seems)
user settings storage (U1, U2, etc on 7100 vs Setting Bank on 500)

Great points for discussion - thanks.
I've not been a fan or prioritised the WiFi function but know that others do. Might be a generational thing.
 

Lawrence

Senior Member
One key aspect of the different models of camera is how they feel in the hand and how they feel fitted up to your face. And unfortunately this is very highly subjective. Someone with large hands is likely to prefer a larger camera to avoid cramping their hand. On the other hand someone with small hands will likely prefer a smaller camera that fits in their hand better. However, some small handed people like the feel of a large camera better and via versa. How you could represent this in a table, I have no idea. Good luck, you have a challenging job ahead.

Nice challenge though as I will learn a bit as I develop the chart.
I have small hands and much prefer the feel of the larger D7100 to my old D5100 - I thought I wouldn't but I do. Hard to put this in a chart though.
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
Its been a while since I have been on here - kissed the banter and the photos but I have been rather busy.
I am currently doing an assignment and need some help please.

I need to create a table of features and benefits of the different Nikon models which I will use as a topic at my local camera club (I have been asked to speak at an upcoming meeting).

My thoughts were to create a table of the different Nikon models with a list of features which will then prompt me to discuss the benefits of each and hopefully get the audience participating with questions - should be a fun evening with all the non-Nikon photographers in the crowd.

I was thinking of things like:

ISO range
Maximum shutter speed
Battery life
Dynamic range
Ideal for (eg sports, portraits, video etc)?
Megapixels (which I don't think so important but people like to know)
Sensor technology - this would possibly fall under dynamic range
Buffering speed
Weather sealed
AF speed
Menus and controls
Body etc.

So what would you guys and gals feel are important features I should include in my chart?

Thanks in advance
You might find this handy:
Features Table
 

pforsell

Senior Member
Your audience might consist of some shooters like me, who don't agonize over any kind of lists or tables ever. I bought F4 back in the day, then F5, then D1H and D1X, then D2H and D2X, then D2HS, then D3S and D3X, then D4S and a few weeks ago I got D5 because I got bored waiting for D5S. I'll upgrade my D5 to D5S the same day the "facelift" is out the factory door. One noteworthy thing, all of my cameras still work perfectly. That's why I opt for the facelift (S or X or H version) instead of the first edition. Not a single glitch since in 30 years.

All tables are moot for people like us who just buy a new camera every 4 years, instead of running after the latest and greatest specs. Probably cheaper too in the long run. :)
 

Blade Canyon

Senior Member
An optical viewfinder is the main reason I like DSLRs over mirrorless or point-and-shoots. My Sony RX-100 is a great little camera with a one inch sensor, but having to look at an LED screen to make my shot does not work, especially in the sun. I also prefer the genuine optical viewfinder instead of the electronic viewfinders on mirrorless bodies, or the approximate viewer on rangefinders.

This feature might be presumed, but you did not mention that this comparo was exclusive to DSLRs.

ETA: I was just notified this was my 1000th post on Nikonites. Hope it was a good one...
 
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grandpaw

Senior Member
A lot of good things have been mentioned already but one feature I REALLY APPRECIATE is the "MY MENU" allowing me to customize and organize my own menu eliminating much of the headache of going through tons of menus to find what I use and need regularly.
 

Lawrence

Senior Member
Your audience might consist of some shooters like me, who don't agonize over any kind of lists or tables ever. I bought F4 back in the day, then F5, then D1H and D1X, then D2H and D2X, then D2HS, then D3S and D3X, then D4S and a few weeks ago I got D5 because I got bored waiting for D5S. I'll upgrade my D5 to D5S the same day the "facelift" is out the factory door. One noteworthy thing, all of my cameras still work perfectly. That's why I opt for the facelift (S or X or H version) instead of the first edition. Not a single glitch since in 30 years.

All tables are moot for people like us who just buy a new camera every 4 years, instead of running after the latest and greatest specs. Probably cheaper too in the long run. :)

I would be confused with which to use but what a nice problem to have.
Your point about tables is a valid one and for that reason I want to keep it to a "Practical use" type table rather than a technical specs table. I think most photographers would want to know what the camera can do for them (sadly, of course some think the camera will do everything and all they have to do is press the shutter).
 

Lawrence

Senior Member
An optical viewfinder is the main reason I like DSLRs over mirrorless or point-and-shoots. My Sony RX-100 is a great little camera with a one inch sensor, but having to look at an LED screen to make my shot does not work, especially in the sun. I also prefer the genuine optical viewfinder instead of the electronic viewfinders on mirrorless bodies, or the approximate viewer on rangefinders.

This feature might be presumed, but you did not mention that this comparo was exclusive to DSLRs.

ETA: I was just notified this was my 1000th post on Nikonites. Hope it was a good one...

It was a good one and I am honoured that you did it in my post.
The table will be limited to DSLRs but I suspect the discussion will spill over to mirrorless as it does these days and I will welcome that too.
 
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