Great Digital Cameras

Portrait photography is all about the subject. Some portrait lenses to consider are medium telephoto lenses, standard zoom lenses and the large aperture telephoto lens.

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Welcome to part 2 of digital slr camera tips: how to hold your camera. Here are the other 8 tips!

5) If you’re using a Live View LCD screen (some digital SLR cameras come with this feature), make sure your not overextending your arms. It’s important to keep the camera as close as possible to your body to reduce camera shake.

6) Tripods are the best way to keep a digital SLR camera steady and to minimise camera shake, so use one as much as possible.

7) Of course, if a tripod is not available or if you don’t like carrying one around, lean against a wall or a tree to stabilise any unnecessary movement.

Feel free to break the rules when necessary. In other words, if you’re in a crowd of people (say during a parade or moshpit) and want to shoot something above the crowd (like the stage), unless you’re extremely tall, you’ll probably need to hold the digital SLR camera in your right hand and extend it as much as possible while taking shots.

These tips are a general guide but ultimately it’s up to you to figure out what’s best and what you feel comfortable with. Since everyone is different, holding a digital SLR camera will largely depend on the type of digital SLR camera and the individual themselves.

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About Canon
Canon Australia is a leading provider of advanced, simple-to-use imaging solutions for businesses and consumers. Canon’s Australian R&D company, CiSRA, develops customised solutions for local customers, and exports digital imaging technologies for use in Canon products worldwide. Canon has ranked among the top-three US patent recipients for the past 17 years, and had global revenues of around $US45 billion in 2008. Canon Australia also operates Canon Finance Australia, which offers one-stop shopping for customers wanting leasing or finance services.

Now, if you’re wondering how to hold a digital SLR camera without looking awkward, here are some simple tips to get you looking like a pro:

1) With your right hand, hold the camera so your thumb can reach the rear dial, focus points selector and exposure lock button. Your fingers should curl around the front of the camera.

2) Make sure your right index finger can also reach the top buttons, like the shutter release, white balance or metering settings.

3) Now, to steady the camera body, the palm of your left hand needs to on the base of the camera. In this way, your fingers can adjust the focusing rings or zoom on the lens.

4) Rest your elbows on your body so it acts like a natural tripod. Because digital SLR cameras are heavier than compact digital cameras, it’s necessary to keep them as steady as possible to avoid camera shake and blurring.

This article is brought to you by Canon Australia - Helpful Digital SLR Camera tips.

About Canon
Canon Australia is a leading provider of advanced, simple-to-use imaging solutions for businesses and consumers. Canon’s Australian R&D company, CiSRA, develops customised solutions for local customers, and exports digital imaging technologies for use in Canon products worldwide. Canon has ranked among the top-three US patent recipients for the past 17 years, and had global revenues of around $US45 billion in 2008. Canon Australia also operates Canon Finance Australia, which offers one-stop shopping for customers wanting leasing or finance services.

Never miss a moment with the Canon HG 20 digital video camera. With a generous 60GB of in-built storage, the HG20 gives you the freedom to store up 22.5 hours of footage, complete with anti-shock absorption technology and a 2.7 inch widescreen LCD display for crystal clear imagery.

High Definition Video Camera

The AVCHD recording with full HD resolution 1920 x 1080 input records up to five hours of exceptionally high-quality video onto the hard disk drive. And with the True Progressive HD CMOS sensor (1920 x 1080), you can capture and process footage on low power without compromising on quality.

The HG20 comes with a Canon 37mm diameter 12x HD Video Lens with Super Range Optical Image Stabilizer to compensate for sudden movements, Instant Auto Focus and DiG!C DV II image processing for fast processing of HD data.

Image Quality

Simultaneously shoot and record on the HG20 digital video camera with 3.1MP photographic functions. The video camera also features gapless micro-lens technology on 1/3.2” HD CMOS sensor (1920 x 1080), delivering incredible sensitivity for low-light conditions for stunning digital photos. There is also on-chip noise reduction to decrease grain, red-eye reduction flash, built-in video LED lights and RGB layer filter for natural colour reproduction and that extra touch.

And, action!

Produce movie quality videos with the 13 AE modes, including auto filming settings to the 25P Cine Mode which provides a cinematic effect to your masterpieces. Play them back on the 2.7” widescreen LCD screen, or edit DVDs using the software. There are even the Advanced Accessory Shoe for flash, guide light and microphone so can make the most out of your HG20 digital video camera. Your only limit is your imagination!

For every momentous occasion, cinematic film and funny home video, the compact HG20 video camera has everything you need at your fingertips - and more.

This article is brought to you by Canon Australia – Digital Video Cameras and more.

About Canon
Canon Australia is a leading provider of advanced, simple-to-use imaging solutions for businesses and consumers. Canon’s Australian R&D company, CiSRA, develops customised solutions for local customers, and exports digital imaging technologies for use in Canon products worldwide. Canon has ranked among the top-three US patent recipients for the past 17 years, and had global revenues of around $US45 billion in 2008. Canon Australia also operates Canon Finance Australia, which offers one-stop shopping for customers wanting leasing or finance services. For more information, visit canon.com.au.

The Canon PowerShot E1 IS digital camera appeals to the fashion conscious camera buffs and teenagers who want ease of operation and good performance in a smart looking digital camera.
The trendy E1 IS models are available exclusively from Sydney Airport Tax and Duty Free, Downtown Duty Free, First Tax & Duty Free only.

Available in three elegant and stylish colors (pink, aqua and cream), the Canon PowerShot E1 IS backs style with substance thanks to a 10 megapixel effective sensor, a stabilized 4x optical zoom lens and a choice of 17 shooting modes. Two fresh AA batteries give nearly 220 shots based on the standard CIPA when the LCD monitor is on. The 2.5” LCED screen displays the big picture regardless of whether you are shooting, viewing or showing off what you have shot.

The PowerShot E1 IS has ISO 1600 and High ISO Auto settings. The top mounted dial has 10 settings to choose from: P, Auto, Easy, Portrait, Landscape, Night Snapshot, Kids & Pets, Indoor, Scene Mode and Movie. Eight settings are available in the Scene sub-menu: Night Scene, Sunset, Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Aquarium and ISO 3200. These effectively reduce the effects of camera shaking and provide increased flexibility in poor light conditions. The DIGIC III processor definitely enhances the automated functions to ensure correctly exposed pictures and enhances picture quality.

The camera also offers complete printing solutions with print/share button. Connecting the camera to a compatible photo printer allows you to print photos.

PowerShot E1 IS is designed for a price. It incorporates the maximum possible features within that constraint. Meant essentially for beginners it can also aid amateurs in their learning process. The optical viewfinder, though small, is usable for taking pictures. The two LED indicators at the right of the viewfinder alert the user that the camera is ready to use, warn on camera shakes, indicate when the macro and AF lock modes are in use and also show when focus cannot be achieved. The standard arrow pad along with five button controls covers playback, Face Detect activation, print/share, display and menu. The arrow pad gives direct access to ISO, flash, drive and self timer and auto focus settings. Although auto range for shutter speed starts at 1/60 second, you have the option for selecting slower shutter speeds from 1 to 15 seconds by using the Function buttonselecting exposure compensation and pressing the display button. These functions are quite handy for amateurs to gain experience and later be at ease with high end models.

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About Canon
Canon Australia is a leading provider of advanced, simple-to-use imaging solutions for businesses and consumers. Canon’s Australian R&D company, CiSRA, develops customised solutions for local customers, and exports digital imaging technologies for use in Canon products worldwide. Canon has ranked among the top-three US patent recipients for the past 16 years, and had global revenues of around $US39 billion in 2007. Canon Australia also operates Canon Finance Australia, which offers one-stop shopping for customers wanting leasing or finance services. For more information, visit canon.com.au.

From now until January 31, 2009, Canon is giving away thousands of bonus gifts and chances to win BIG RED prizes with any eligible purchase. Canon Big Red, as the promotion called, is being dubbed Canon’s “biggest and most exciting in-store promotion ever.”

Customers who participate in the Canon Big Red giveaway are getting a double bonus for their purchase. First, there’s a free gift valued at up to $100. Canon is giving away thousands of bonus gifts, including camera bags, camera cases and creative printing packs.

Second is an entry into the Canon Big Red sweepstakes. Up for grabs are three exciting grand prizes – Big Red Family Tour of the Red Centre, Big Red Carpet Experience in Sydney or $20,000 in cash. Trips include airfare, accommodation and a variety of tours and special events.

Darren Ryan, Canon Australia Consumer Imaging Products Group assistant GM - marketing, says that Big Red makes everyone a winner, consumers and retailers alike. “We are constantly looking for ways to inspire and engage consumers by offering them real added value, which then adds value to the category,” says Ryan.

Eligible products include most digital cameras, digital video cameras and SELPHY photo printers. To claim their free gift and enter the sweepstakes, all customers have to do is visit www.canon.com.au/bigred.

This article is brought to you by Canon Australia - Participate in the Big Red Competition to receive gifts and prizes!

Canon recently welcomed a new member to its digital camera family. The DiG!C 4 Image Processor, the successor to Canon’s DiG!C III, has been incorporated into some of the latest SLR digital cameras and high-end compact digital cameras. Canon is known for making cameras that enable users of all skill levels to take beautiful photos. The DiG!C 4 Image Processor has taken Canon’s trademark ease-of-use, high-tech features and image quality to a whole new level.

Canon’s face detection technology has long enabled photographers to take better portraits of people and pets. With the DiG!C 4 Image Processor, Canon has improved upon this convenient feature. Now, even faces at an angle or in profile can be quickly and easily detected. Another improvement is the Face Detect Self Timer. This function puts a new twist on the self-timer. Instead of waiting a set period of time before taking the picture, the Face Detect Self Timer detects when a new face has entered the frame, and this is what triggers the camera to take the picture.

In addition to enhanced photos of people, DiG!C 4 Image Processor is making it easier to take sharp action shots, increasing the speed of Canon’s Motion Detection technology. In addition, DiG!C 4 has enabled Canon to include a High ISO Auto feature which automatically sets the right ISO and shutter speed based on how fast the subject is moving. Your action shots will be crisper than ever before.

Canon’s brand new Servo AF technology, which is part of the DiG!C 4 feature set, also helps you take clear pictures of moving subjects. Continuous subject tracking and focus of a moving subject means you can quickly capture the perfect moment without having to recompose the shot.

Intelligent Contrast Correction gives the user greater flexibility in correcting the colour contrast of their photos. Corrections can be made both during shooting and after, automatically brightening up the faces of your subjects. Intelligent Contrast Correction simplifies photography by increasing your ability to point and shoot regardless of the ambient lighting.

The amazing power of the DiG!C 4 Image Processor has also been harnessed to boost your movie shooting capabilities. You can now record video for longer time periods without losing image quality. The key is the DiG!C 4’s movie codec, which compresses the size of the data but not the quality of the image. You can record at the highest level of quality while still using less memory.

On top of all these new features, the addition of the DiG!C 4 Image Processor has also achieved greater noise reduction. Image quality remains high even when you’re shooting at high ISO speeds. The DiG!C 4 Image Processor has taken everything that’s great about Canon’s line of digital cameras and made it even better.

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About Canon
Canon Australia is a leading provider of advanced, simple-to-use imaging solutions for businesses and consumers. Canon’s Australian R&D company, CiSRA, develops customised solutions for local customers, and exports digital imaging technologies for use in Canon products worldwide. Canon has ranked among the top-three US patent recipients for the past 16 years, and had global revenues of around $US39 billion in 2007. Canon Australia also operates Canon Finance Australia, which offers one-stop shopping for customers wanting leasing or finance services. For more information, visit canon.com.au.

Introduction
The Canon PowerShot SX1 IS is a compact digital camera. A wide-angle lens, powerful processor and high resolution make for rich, sharp pictures in any setting. Canon also paid attention to the camera’s movie recording capabilities by providing full-colour HD and optimal audio.

Image Processor
Building on the strengths of its DIGIC III image processor, Canon has enhanced DIGIC 4 to support a host of features, such as i-Contrast and iSAPS. It also delivers low noise levels and ultra-fast responsiveness.

Resolution
The SX1 IS digital camera offers 10 megapixel image resolution and is the first in Canon’s compact digital camera range to feature a CMOS sensor. This 10 megapixel resolution enables you to capture amazing details that are sharp enough for poster-size enlargements. Photographers are also able to explore their creativity by enlarging or cropping any section of a photo while maintaining sufficient resolution to produce high-quality prints.

Wide-Angle Lens
Avid photographers know that it takes a different lens to photograph a landscape than it does to take an up-close shot of the petals on a flower. With the PowerShot SX1 IS there is no need to change lenses to capture different shots, because its 28mm wide-angle lens with 20x optical zoom can do both.

Face Detection
The DIGIC 4 image processor has enabled Canon to equip the PowerShot SX1 IS with improved Face Detection Technology. Face Detection is now more intelligent and has the ability to detect faces in profile or at angle to the camera. To make a specific face the focus of a picture, use Face Select and Track for optimal subject tracking. The Face Detection Self-Timer is a convenient feature. Unlike self-timers of the past that give you a set number of seconds to get in the shot, the Face Detection Self-Timer doesn’t trigger until it detects that a new face has entered the frame.

High Definition Videos
The PowerShot SX1 IS shoots movies in full HD. Capture your memories on video with a 1920 x 1080 resolution at 30 frames per second. The SX1 IS is capable of recording up to 4 gigabytes of HD videos, which equates to just under 30 minutes of recordings. The built-in HDMI connection means that videos can be instantly played back on any HDTV.

Canon has even improved the audio with CD-quality stereo sound. Optical zooming, which goes even further with the included Advanced Tele-Converter, allows for tight close-ups without any loss of image quality.

Other features
An Ultrasonic Motor gives the SX1 speed. You can shoot full-resolution JPEGs at up to 4 frames per second. It’s the speed needed to take action shots, capture photos at sporting events and photograph wildlife. In fact, capturing wildlife on film is made even easier with Canon’s Voice Coil Motor technology which makes for near-silent camera operation.

The SX1 IS is perfect for travel. It’s highly portable with a compact body that’s small enough to fit in your pocket. The PowerShot SX1 IS’s wide range of shooting capabilities means that you don’t have to carry along any extra accessories.

Conclusion
The SX1 IS takes digital photography to new heights. Photographers of all skill levels will find that the PowerShot SX1 IS allows them to explore multiple styles of photography with the just one compact camera.

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About Canon
Canon Australia is a leading provider of advanced, simple-to-use imaging solutions for businesses and consumers. Canon’s Australian R&D company, CiSRA, develops customised solutions for local customers, and exports digital imaging technologies for use in Canon products worldwide. Canon has ranked among the top-three US patent recipients for the past 16 years, and had global revenues of around $US39 billion in 2007. Canon Australia also operates Canon Finance Australia, which offers one-stop shopping for customers wanting leasing or finance services. For more information, visit canon.com.au.

The Canon EOS 50D is a digital SLR camera. Joining Canon’s renowned EOS range above the 40D, the 50D is a camera bursting with new technology and features that enhance both creativity and convenience.

15.1 megapixel CMOS sensor
One of the EOS 50D’s key features is its 15.1 megapixel (APS-C) CMOS sensor. Cutting-edge technology developed by Canon allows for more pixels without losing image quality. The 50D delivers a new level of detail and image quality, enabling budding professionals and DSLR enthusiasts to take their photography to the next level.

DiG!C 4 Image Processor
The EOS 50D was built with the latest in Canon’s line of high-speed imaging processors. The DiG!C 4 builds on DiG!C III, delivering even faster signal processing and finer details. Gradations are richer, and colours are more natural-looking than ever before.
The DiG!C 4 is ideal for action shots, allowing up to 6.3 frames per second of continuous shooting. In fact, thanks to the DiG!C 4, all of the camera’s functions operate at top-notch speed. You’ll never miss a spontaneous shot with the 50D’s near-instant startup time. Image review is nearly instantaneous as well.

3-inch LCD display
The EOS 50D features a 3-inch LCD display with a 920k-dot resolution, allowing users to more accurately focus their shot while composing it on the LCD. Using the LCD monitor to compose shots is easier than ever before. Live View Mode now includes Live Face Detection AF Mode for perfectly focused pictures of people. The 50D’s screen is also well-protected with multiple coats to reduce smudging, minimise glare and protect against scratches.

ISO settings
The 50D features wide range of ISO settings, ranging from 100 to 3200, in 1/3-stop increments. With an ISO expansion, that number jumps all the way up to 12,800. Photographers can now take more detailed pictures in low light settings, opening up a whole new avenue of creative possibilities.

Other special features
In addition to its grounding-breaking sensor and processor, Canon’s EOS 50D offers up a number of new features to further enhance the user’s experience:

•Creative Auto mode: Creative Auto mode enables photographers to use the artistic advantages of manually-adjusted settings without having to understand technical terms such as lens aperture. Instead, it uses simple phrases such as “blur the background.”
•EOS Integrated Cleaning System: This advanced cleaning system guards against sensor dust with technology that removes, repels and reduces dust and dirt.
•HDMI connector: Connect your 50D directly to an HDTV and enjoy your pictures in high definition.

The Canon EOS 50D digital SLR camera is sure to set new standards in the world of digital SLR cameras. As the EOS 50D goes new places, so too will DSLR enthusiasts and photographers of every skill level.

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About Canon
Canon Australia is a leading provider of advanced, simple-to-use imaging solutions for businesses and consumers. Canon’s Australian R&D company, CiSRA, develops customised solutions for local customers, and exports digital imaging technologies for use in Canon products worldwide. Canon has ranked among the top-three US patent recipients for the past 16 years, and had global revenues of around $US39 billion in 2007. Canon Australia also operates Canon Finance Australia, which offers one-stop shopping for customers wanting leasing or finance services. For more information, visit canon.com.au.

Introduction

The aperture-priority auto exposure mode on your digital SLR camera gives you amazing control over the look and feel of your photos. Learning how to set the aperture to achieve certain effects is well worth your time.

When you read about lens aperture, you’ll see numbers such as “f/2.8″ and “f/11.” These numbers refer to the size of the aperture. Typically the numbers will range from f/2.8 to f/22, with f/2.8 being the largest and f/22 the smallest. When you move up or down from one aperture to the next, you either double or halve the amount of light entering your camera. For instance, going from f/5.6 to f/8 would “stop down” the lens, halving the amount of light. Going from f/16 to f/11, on the other hand, would double the amount of light.

Isolating your subject from the background

Sometimes a busy or colourful background can take the eye’s focus away from the subject of the photograph. To isolate your subject from a distracting background, follow these three simple steps:

1. Select aperture-priority mode (A). Then, manually adjust the lens aperture to f/4 or f/5.6. If your subject is in the distance and you’re shooting with a telephoto lens, set the aperture to f/8.

2. Shoot the picture.

3. Review the picture on your Digital SLR camera’s LCD screen. Zoom in on an area of the picture where the subject overlaps the background. Does the subject appear sharp against a blurred background? If so, you’ve achieved your desired results. If only part of your subject is sharp, re-shoot the picture with a smaller aperture. If the background is not blurred enough, try opening the lens aperture by one stop.

Achieving an all-around sharp photo

Much of the time we want each element of the photo in sharp focus, both the subject and the background. To take a picture where every detail is crisp and defined, set the aperture to f/11 or smaller. A wide angle lens is particularly helpful for achieving this effect. For portraits of people in which you want the background sharp as well, stop the lens down to f/8 or smaller.

When you’re photographing people, there’s always a chance of blurring because of subject movement. A higher ISO setting helps prevent blurring caused by subject movement and camera shake. You should also compensate for the small lens aperture by using a slower shutter speed.

Another thing to watch out for when using a small lens aperture is distracting or unappealing elements in the photo. For example, you may not notice the electrical wire in the background, but it will come into sharp focus with the small lens aperture. Keep this factor in mind when composing your shots.

Taking close-ups

Close-ups are one of the most challenging shots for photographers. To take professional-looking close-up shots, it is important that you choose the correct lens aperture. When taking close-ups, it can be difficult to cover the entire subject while still managing to blur the background. Try these tips for capturing the ideal close-up:

1. The less background in the shot, the less potential distraction from the subject. Aim to fill the frame with as much of the subject as possible.

2. Take your time composing the shot. Using a tripod will help you with fine-tuning.

3. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Review each shot with the playback zoom control. If you’re unhappy with the picture, just keep trying until you get it right.

This article is brought to you by Canon Australia - Providing helpful photography tips for your Digital SLR Camera

About Canon

Canon Australia is a leading provider of advanced, simple-to-use imaging solutions for businesses and consumers. Canon’s Australian R&D company, CiSRA, develops customised solutions for local customers, and exports digital imaging technologies for use in Canon products worldwide. Canon has ranked among the top-three US patent recipients for the past 16 years, and had global revenues of around $US39 billion in 2007. Canon Australia also operates Canon Finance Australia, which offers one-stop shopping for customers wanting leasing or finance services. For more information, visit canon.com.au.