Engadget's back to school guide: Digital cameras
By Vlad Savov 
posted August 4th 2010 1:30PM
posted August 4th 2010 1:30PM
Welcome to Engadget's Back to School guide! We know that this time of year can be pretty annoying and stressful for everyone, so we're here to help out with the heartbreaking process of gadget buying for the school-aged crowd. Today, we've got our optical viewfinders set firmly on digital cameras -- and you can head to the Back to School hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the month. Be sure to keep checking back -- at the end of the month we'll be giving away a ton of the gear featured in our guides -- and hit up the hub page right here!
Time for us to open up chapter two of this year's Back to School advice compendium. Up for discussion today are digital cameras, which have been in the gym all year working on their processing prowess and return today with 720p HD video as an almost standard feature. We've got a good cross-section of young pretenders and finely aged veterans for your perusal, so why not give your mouse a little exercise as well and click past the break?
On the cheap
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It may seem like a tacked-on gimmick at first, but the DualView feature on the TL210 is a real boon during self-portrait compositions -- which, let's face it, are a critical part of college life in this Facebook-dominated age. A 3-inch screen on the back gives you access to a veritable litany of smart modes and auto-detects, which together with the built-in optical image stabilization should make this an uncomplicated point-and-shooter to use. Should you want it even cheaper, you can step down to the TL205, but beware the significant feature loss that will entail. |
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Pentax Optio H90 If you're really feeling the fiscal squeeze, this quirky little number will get you the same 720p video, 5x optical zoom and 12 megapixel CCD as on the Samsung, but at a cheaper price and within a rather more cheerful enclosure. $110 from Amazon |
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Canon PowerShot SD780 IS Out of Canon's army of affordable shooters, we've opted for the extremely elegant SD780 IS. It's smaller than a bar of a soap, but goes to 3x of optically stabilized zoom, records 720p video, and allows for pleasingly quick and easy operation. $169 from B&H |
Mid-range
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Great ease of use, up to par feature list, and terrific image quality for its class. Canon's latest mid-ranger might not stand out in any specific way, but its resounding all-around competency has earned it plenty of plaudits and our admiration to boot. Throw in the fact that its price has finally dipped to relatively sane levels, and we consider the SD4000 IS an easy recommendation to make. |
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Sony DSC-TX5 Quite the marvel of engineering, the TX5 resists dust, water and cold shoulders, while delivering 4x optical zoom, 720p video and a 3-inch touchscreen. Price is a bit steep, but feature set is supreme for its size. $350 from B&H |
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Canon PowerShot S90 A relative oldie but a major goodie, the S90 misses out on HD video, but makes up for it with superb image quality, a RAW shooting mode, and sophisticated control options that will appeal to more serious photographers. $344 from Newegg |
Money's no object
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We reckon it's about time we did more than just pay lip service to the old dictum that the lens is the most important part of a camera. Save some cash by going for the D5000 from Nikon -- which packs the same magnificent 12 megapixel sensor and HD video mode of the D90 inside a smaller body -- before splashing out on the excellent 18-200mm own-brand lens. Sure, it's not the fastest there is, but its versatility is almost unequaled and you'll have a photography kit good enough to go to war (or CES) with. |
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Panasonic Lumix GF1 There's a lot to love about the Micro Four Thirds GF1: it's extremely compact for the performance punch it carries, does its work swiftly, and image results are more often than not outstanding. Interchangeable lenses and excellent video capture (hackable to 1080p) are just extra cherries on the cake. $725 from Amazon |
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Canon EOS 7D Sure, it might have a vast 18 megapixel resolution, 1080p video clean enough to eat off of, and a magnesium body to die for, but the 7D's real attraction is its uncompromising image quality. As such, it's a mighty fine choice, should you be able to afford it. $1,799 from Walmart |
I know the picture quality ain't the best, but Olympus' Stylus Tough series might be a good option considering how "well" kids treat their electronics.
Think about it, you could drop it in your beer at a tailgate and not be forkin up the change for a replacement!
@Defenestratus
A great set of articles so far, thanks Vlad and Engadget! Keep 'em coming.
@Defenestratus
you are right! i had an Olympus touch cam and the pict was awful!
the sony tx5 is what i own now and the picture is 10x better! its intelligent mode is pretty smart too!
@Defenestratus
You guys need to change the "Money's no object" to "Bling, Bling, Money ain't a Thang. Ask me again and am i tell you the same."
Shazzam, came up with it my self too.
@Defenestratus
I disagree if you're considering to buy rugged camera Canon D10 is much better. Check out Engadget's review
@HellFlyer
http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/25/canon-powershot-d10-review/
@Defenestratus
Not all kids treat electronics bad. I still have my first Cell phone from when i was 14. :) Still working and everything. lol
Insanity recommending that long-throw zoom. It's actually extremely unversatile, as it's effectively useless in low light situations.
Ditch the 18-200 behemoth and buy a 50mm f/1.8 instead. The photos will look better, you'll be able to use it in more places, and your camera will be that much lighter.
@MANTISxB
hmm, and let me guess how old you are. 15?
No love for the 550D? It definitely belongs in there somewhere, you can't go from mid-range to 7D, and it's better spec'ed than the Nikon on there...
@Jean Agree
@Jean
No love for the NEX-5 either, absolutely awesome camera!
@Jean Agreed too. The 550D is like a mini 7d at half the price!
@Jean
550D is a great camera, but specs aren't everything. Personally prefer the D5000's/D90's low light capabilities which from what I've read trump the 550D's. I know 550D has higher resolution, but I guess 12MP is enough and the higher ISOs of the Nikon handle grain/noise much better.
Not trying to start a flame war here--but both 550D and D5000 are really good cameras and the buyer really can't go wrong with either choice.
@Jean
I see no reason for any college student outside of art students and photo enthusiasts to get anything more than a simple point and shoot.
@sumsimpleracer I was thinking the same. Laptops I can see as back to school items, but cameras? Are they next going to have a guide to back to school GPS systems or some other random gadget?
@sumsimpleracer Seriously? College students arent allowed to have a hobby like photography? Im an Aerospace Engineering student with a full Canon DSLR setup that I greatly enjoy, thank you very much. Not to mention Ive made over $2k from my photos.
@Aerosfire
Back to school cameras are for drunken facebook photos not amateur photography. I have no idea why anything over micro four thirds is in here.
@Aerosfire I said "outside of art students or photo enthusiasts" if it's your hobby, you're an enthusiast. If you're studying art/photography, you're a student. You clearly fit into the enthusiast.
@sumsimpleracer
I'm a computer science major, and last year I put down some cash on a Nikon D60 with Nikkor 70-300mm lens, and I'll assure you, I have never spent better money. The DSLRs today can do point-and-shoot photos at phenomenal quality while still keeping available all the professional settings you may want/need. Everyone needs a hobby. I never thought photography would be mine until I tried one of those--don't sell it short.
@LinksAwakener
I'm an advertising major with a PR focus and marketing minor at Marquette University as well as a graphic designer at Marquette's Marketing Department. I work with a Nikon D300 equipped with an 18-200mm lens with a hood and external flash when I need a photo not already available on photo stock webpages. I understand the photo capabilities of a DSLR. You're average college student doesn't need it, they need something pocketable that they can take with them from party to party that won't break if you drop it on the ground a couple of times.
If you take pictures as a hobby you're an enthusiast. And if you're not sure if you want to have that as a hobby, you're taking an incredibly expensive gamble on something you may not care for. I'm glad that you're enjoying what you're doing and you're investment had a joyful return, but it's still a gamble. What if you drop 800 on a good set up and realize that you don't care for it? It's an expensive paper weight that might make for a fun weekend when you're close friends are out of town and don't want to drink by yourself. I, myself, love DSLRs and photography, but not everyone does.
@sumsimpleracer That's exactly why it's in the "money is no object" category. If money weren't an object, that's what they recommend. Obviously in your point of view, that's not the case. That doesn't mean it's not the case for everyone.
@sumsimpleracer
I actually have been pretty harsh on engadget in the past when they do their Christmas/Holiday gift guide in saying that not everyone can afford what they recommend.
I must say that I think engadget is being much more reasonable in their recommendations. You're right that most college students don't need DSLRs and a PnS is more than adequate. However, I can't fault engadget for recommending a very affordable and great quality DSLR--I was worried their top of the line recommendation would be the D3s in all honesty. I mean they do say 'if money is no object'. And if I were a college student and already had some photographic skill, I'd take engadget's recommendation seriously.
On a separate note, engadget really should've recommended the 35mm Nikkor f1.8 DX over the 18-200mm. Thats just my opinion though...
@sumsimpleracer
you are ALL (except for @hellpop -- good point btw) missing his point. he's not saying there shouldn't be a "money is no object" category or not to buy a dslr in general. he's saying it shouldn't be on a "back to school" guide. they should have stopped with the mid-range category.
@sumsimpleracer
I can think of one reason that I should have thought of back when I was in school: copying things and quickly storing information.
Need to copy your friend's notes because you missed class? Instead of borrowing them from him, going to find a copy machine, then continuing to forget to give them back to him, just whip out your camera, snap as many shots as necessary, and you're done in 5 minutes with 8 MP resolution to help you decipher his handwriting later. Same thing with pages from books. The digital camera is the ultimate portable scanner.
And, no, I'm not suggesting one skip class all the time, then just photograph a buddy's notes every time. That's a good way to pretty quickly not have anybody's notes to copy.
@slamEVIL
Thank you, that's exactly the point I was trying to get across.
@semisolidsnake
Yeah I've been doin that since high school but with my phone's camera, back in the old days of my 1.3mp Motorola SLVR...
More camera articles few people care about. Seriously, who buys digital cameras for back to school. Yeah, I'll probably get downranked, but I'm just being honest. What's up with all the camera coverage?
@TheHypnotist
+1, they are right up there with scissors and paste i'm sure.
@TheHypnotist Dude, leave it alone. It's a gadget blog.
@TheHypnotist Especially given that a modern cell phone is 'good enough' for many people.
@MioTheGreat
Friends don't let friends use phone cameras.
@TheOtherJames QFT. You ain't Facebook'n right without a point-and-shoot.
@TheOtherJames The best camera you have is the one with you. :D
I just bought a Samsung TL210 and it arrived today - a gift for my niece off to her first year of college. Awesome choice and glad to see it here!
@whySoSerious
Liar, you just wanna see pics of her friends... ;-)
@Almo
Actually, I've second guessed my decision a number of times as I'm not sure I want to give her anything that would encourage the narcissistic behavior noted in the article and that we see all around us - gonna have to give her a good talkin' to regarding what you really don't want to commit to digital film.
@whySoSerious
Why so serious pop? :)
Nikon is gonna annouce new DSLR, if is best not to buy nikon dslr yet till new annoucement, the major different would be added 1080p video. gf1 will be succesfor probably but price has been come down a bit, 7d is good but is not best for your money, t2i is as it now.
@techlord, cut it. it's 1.5 months to photokina - everyone gonna announce something soon.
hey, whats up with all the phone coverage, apple coverage, tablet coverage....huh? HUH?
@tomisglee iCwutUdidThar!
There should have been a fourth category that was Money's No Object and the third called "Saved up all Summer for this" and had D5000 and Canon T2i in the third category. Canon 7D and Nikon D700 for Money's No Object.
@pekosROB
Lol, you might be right. 7D is pricey, but D700 is probably overkill for most college students... full frame sensor is delicious sounding though...
@Rick James True, I forgot this is "Back to School"
But some rich bastards can afford it, who knows if they're smart enough to read about shit online first before buying though.
And there are those students who get scholarships and the money mom and dad saved up for them can be frivolously spent... for now.
Well, all this is great. But remember that its not about the camera you have, its about the pictures you take. If you buy the really expensive dslr but dont know how to take a decent picture, you just wasted a metric shit ton of money. Another example would be to buy the dslr and then use it to take half assed, crappy pictures to put as your facebook picture and nothing else.
Ultimately, buy within your limits. More money wont get you better pictures, it will get you a better camera. The pictures are up to you.
I second the motion for the S90. I've had mine for a few months and love it. HD video capture is pretty low on my priority list and the innovative exposure controls have made a photography novice like me actually turn the dial away from AUTO mode every once in a while.
@franktronic
Canon S90 for portability, Panasonic LX3 for HD video, wide angle lens, portability (shame about the lack of zoom though).
Actually, LX5 will be coming out soon and S95 and G12 are rumored to be as well.
How many photons can I capture? :P
No love for the Pentax? Silly Canikoners will never learn.