Canon EOS Rebel T3 12.2 MP CMOS Digital SLR with 18-55mm IS II Lens and EOS HD Movie Mode (Black)

CUSTOMER REVIEW



Updated 8/6/13



Even though this camera was released back in early 2011, it still is a wonderful and simple camera to use which delivers excellent image quality under any shooting conditions.



The camera has a glossy plastic finish which doesn't exactly exude quality or make it feel like a high-end camera. But construction on this camera is very tight. The plastic is light-weight but its not flimsy like you would expect. There is no rubberized handgrip, which I think was a mistake to omit this on this camera. Especially since its predecessor (and its competitors) have them. Outside of that, the hand grip is a very nice size. The one upshot to the lightweight plastic is that the camera feel very light with the kit lens attached.



One thing you have to watch out for is that the camera feels very out of balance when attaching a heavier lens. The Canon EF-S 18-200, while a good performer optically when paired with the T3, feels way too front heavy. And this will be true with a lot of the pro-grade Canon lenses that you attach to the T3. That said, this camera is a perfect DSLR for hiking due to its light-weight design (when used with the kit lens). It doesn't weigh you down or make you feel like you have a boat anchor around your neck.



The buttons and menu system have the typical degree of straight-forwardness found in most Canons. Canon's menu system is easy to learn and navigate through. That makes the T3 a good candidate for a student or someone that wants to learn photography in general and wants a camera they can grow with. Of course it offers full Auto mode but when you're ready to try and manipulate the more advanced manual controls, the Canon Rebel T3 is about as unintimidating as they come. It's also a great entry into the DSLR realm for hobbyists currently using an advanced point and shoot (and can be found for almost the same price as some advanced point and shoots).



With the exception of burst shooting, this camera's performance is excellent. Excellent start-up, shot-to-shot, and autofocus performance. It has 9 autofocus points compared to its predecessor's 7 points. I do not reccommend this camera as a budget action shooter. It has a slow continuous burst rate (2.7fps) and a very limited buffer. The Nikon D3200 shoots at 4 frames per second, but that is currently retailing for $200 more than the T3. So you'll have to decide whether or not that feature is important to you.



The camera comes with a nice, chunky battery which delivers excellent battery life. The viewfinder is 95% coverage and I found it to be satisfactory, some people say its really cramped but personally I think it's alright. The screen resolution is rather low at 230k, but in real-world use it's not as bad as you would think, and somewhat viewable in direct sunlight. I think both the viewfinder and the LCD are of better quality than the ones found on the Nikon D3100. And overall, the T3 is faster and more fluid than the D3100. After having shot with both cameras, I personally think the T3 is more enjoyable to shoot with... despite the D3100's better plastic and more advanced spec sheet.



The camera ships with the standard 18-55 kit lens but I suggest buying the kit which includes the additional 55-250 lens. The kit lens is sufficiently sharp but it might be worth investing in the newer 18-55 STM lens, as it is reportedly sharper than the 18-55 lens included with this camera.



Despite having a sensor that is of lower resolution than the newer Rebel SL1 and Rebel T5i (12 megapixels is still plenty for everyday use), the camera has image quality that pretty much matches or exceeds those cameras in most areas. It takes a very clean shots up to and including ISO1600 and has excellent dynamic range, color reproduction, and exposure. The camera does a nice job of balancing noise reduction with detail retention up through about ISO3200. And despite being 2 1/2 years old..it still competes very well with newer models on the image quality front.



The movie mode, while delivering solid video quality, is rather limited. It's 1280x720 HD and there are very limited manual controls. It's more like something you would use for quick clips rather than longer videos or movies. I think the Rebel T5i & SL1 are better choices if you're equal parts into videos and photos as they have far better video modes than the T3 does. But if you're main interest is stills photography, this probably won't matter much to you.



The Rebel T3 may not be the sexiest camera around but it is a simple, enjoyable camera to shoot with that delivers nice results with minimum effort and it appeals to a broad range of folks from DSLR newbies, to hobbyist, to even professionals looking for a light-weight backup to their higher end gear. At its current price, it is a great value and I highly reccomend it.



via Amazon Best Seller V2 copy copy http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Rebel-T3-Digital-18-55mm/dp/B004J3Y9U6/ref=pd_zg_rss_ts_p_photo_4

ViewSonic VFD621W-70 6-Inch PortraitView Digital Photo Frame Features High Resolution 480 X 800 Screen and Built In Light Sensor (White)

CUSTOMER REVIEW



This is a quick review because I don't have time to get in depth. I'm giving 5 stars because I purchased two to give as gifts and I'm buying three more, two as gifts and one for myself. The photos look good and the clock/calendar functions are well implemented. I can see this being good for the office and kitchen.



Here is what you need to know:

- The image measures 6" on the diagonal (3" wide by 5" tall).

- JPEG only, max 4000 x 4000 pixels

- The unit sits vertically. Landscape photos are automatically cropped to fill the screen. Landscape photos with subjects on the edges will crop out the subjects.

- The unit requires a dedicated SD memory card. Built-in memory is only 3MB.

- There is a coin type battery (CR2032 to be exact) that comes with the unit. The manual doesn't mention it but I'm pretty sure it is only to keep the clock and calendar when the AC power adapter is unplugged.

- The power cord is about 3' long.



via Amazon Best Seller V2 copy copy http://www.amazon.com/ViewSonic-VFD621W-70-PortraitView-Features-Resolution/dp/B0093IBQU8/ref=pd_zg_rss_ts_p_photo_3

Case Logic DCB-302 Compact Case for Camera - Black

CUSTOMER REVIEW



Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program (What's this?) When I first received this case I was disappointed, thinking my larger point-and-shoot cameras would never fit inside, as the length looked too short. After trying and succeeding in fitting every piece of handheld electronicery in my arsenal, I'm thrilled with it!



Internal dimensions of the large main compartment are: 4 ¾" tall x 3 1/8" wide x 1 ½" deep (low estimate, probably will fit cameras slightly larger). My Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 fits easily without a struggle, with room for the strap, and enough space to easily remove the camera quickly (this camera measures 4 1/8" long x 2 ½" wide x 1 3/8" deep).



Front compartment has a main pocket that's nearly 4" deep and over 2" wide - suitable for extra batteries and whatnot - I tested with two Panasonic and two Canon batteries, both sets fit perfectly without overtaxing the compartment, and there was still room for some cash or small items. A smaller sleeve pocket is located at the inside front flap, this shorter pocket design (2" long) is perfect for memory cards, which won't slide to the bottom and be difficult to fish out.



Weighing in at just 2 ounces, it's surprising how beefy the padding and protection seem to be on this well-made case. Main material appears to be ballistic nylon, and should hold up to years of abuse.



Also included is a long adjustable strap. Back of case has a fixed strap which works well as a handhold, but to use as a belt strap would require the removal of your belt to attach.



This little case will see tons of use, from our Flip video cameras, to our point-and-shoots, to our MP3 players - I think I'm going to need to get a few more of these!



I very rarely give a 5-star review as even the best products have faults, but with this case I find nary a one. A++, 5 Stars, huzzahs all around!



via Amazon Best Seller V2 copy copy http://www.amazon.com/Case-Logic-DCB-302-Compact-Camera/dp/B003F7DWH8/ref=pd_zg_rss_ts_p_photo_4

Panasonic DMC-G5KK 16 MP Compact System Camera with 14-42mm Zoom Lens and 3-Inch LCD (Black)

CUSTOMER REVIEW



I have a few friends with DSLR and micro-4/3 cameras and I was told to look at micro-4/3 due to it's lower cost of entry and portability. In the short term I wanted a new camera to take on my honeymoon, but my long term goal was to improve my photography skills beyond a compact point and shoot.



After much research I decided between the Olympus OM-D E-M5 and Panasonic DMC-G5KK. While I feel the Olympus is a better camera on paper, I didn't feel the cost differential was justified in my case. Micro-4/3 is still a relatively new platform, and I think the cameras will improve quite a bit in the next couple of years. Perhaps in that time I'll upgrade to a camera with a more rugged body and in body stabilization. FWIW, I purchased the DMC-G5 ($699), which included the 14-42mm zoom lens, along with the Lumix 20mm f/1.7 pancake lens ($332).



The combo is low profile and lightweight due to the pancake lens. I purchased the Crumpler "4 million dollar home" camera bag, which comfortably fits the G5, 20mm pancake, 14-42 mm kit lens, spare battery, charger, snackbar, and hand cleanser (a nice to have on vacation). I highly recommend this to anyone look at the G5 or other similarly sized micro-4/3s.



The 20mm pancake shoots amazing pictures with the G5. Landscapes and interiors look great, but portraits are amazing! I was overall quite impressed with photos I took on my vacation, the majority of which I used intelligent auto since I didn't have the time to learn about the camera. I would say I took 90% of my photos using the pancake since it was more convenient and much faster. I only used the zoom lens when I couldn't zoom with my feet.



My favorite things about the camera thus far:

1) Autofocus speed (combined w/ the 20mm)

2) Ergonomics and weight

3) HD video w/ autofocus

4) Large articulating touchscreen w/ AF tracking (touch screen and it will focus and track the subject!)

5) Depth of focus adjustment/box

6) RAW photos (works with Lightroom)



Things I dislike:

1) EVF sensor: even at the low sensitivity setting, my finger occasionally disables the LCD. I wish they put the sensor at the top of the EVF or something

2) Panasonic software: it's not well designed. You're better off buying Adobe Lightroom to handle the importing and post-processing.



via Amazon Best Seller V2 copy copy http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-G5KK-Compact-System-14-42mm/dp/B008MB71IS/ref=pd_zg_rss_ts_p_photo_2

External Rechargeable Battery Solor Power Pak! Back-up Power for Ipod mini, Blackberry, Kindle 2/DX, PDA, Motorola V3, other cellular phones, etc. (Electronics) newly tagged "iphone"

via iphone: Newly tagged products at Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/External-Rechargeable-Blackberry-Motorola-cellular/dp/B002OO6JXC/ref=tag_rsn_rs_edpp_url?ie=UTF8&creative=381421&tag=mathesblog-20

Belkin Components iPOD CHARGING KIT * W/SHUFFLE (Electronics) newly tagged "iphone"

via iphone: Newly tagged products at Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Components-iPOD-CHARGING-SHUFFLE/dp/B000Y585IA/ref=tag_rsn_rs_edpp_url?ie=UTF8&creative=381421&tag=mathesblog-20

PowerPlate Wireless Induction Charger for iPhone newly tagged "iphone"

via iphone: Newly tagged products at Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/PowerPlate-Wireless-Induction-Charger-iPhone/dp/B002UWG9GK/ref=tag_rsn_rs_edpp_url?ie=UTF8&creative=381421&tag=mathesblog-20