My Favorite Cameras Blog

Panasonic Lumix DMC FS15

2009-04-30T05:53:00.000-07:00

I am working on my full review, but for now I will tell you that this is one dam SHARP camera. Panasonic continues to wow me with their optics. If you brave a close-up then get their tweezers out, 'cause this camera does not forgive details. It's all there- like it or not!

Check back soon for my full review. In the meantime visit my Flickr site to see the gallery of photos I took in Las Vegas and San Francisco.

NEW: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15

2009-03-26T09:14:00.000-07:00

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 review model finally arrived at my doorsteps today. I will be spending the next two weeks putting the camera through the real-life performance test of photographing a family vacation in Las Vegas and documenting any other events that may or may not come up in therapy.

The Lumix FS-15, promises to follow in the footsteps of this popular digital camera line that brought us the Lumix DMC-TZ3. High performing zoom and a sharp images are standard fare for Panasonic.

The new enhancements that are offered on the FS15 include AutoFocus Tracking that “locks” the focus onto a moving subject. The camera then automatically tracks the subject as it moves. Additionally, Intelligent Exposure helps capture natural-looking images by balancing the available light with the flash when needed.

"Natural-looking" are not words that come up often when mentioning Vegas, but I am sure that the auto focus tracking feature will come in handy somewhere.

Look Good in Photos-Just Breathe

2009-02-12T07:51:00.000-08:00

There is a super article on the DivineCaroline site that gives a firsthand account of the challenges of looking good for the camera along with some useful tips that really work. Tilting your head slightly downward and choosing higher camera angles are only some of the tried and true tips there. My favorite one is "if it feels really stupid or it hurts, it’s the right pose."

When choosing a digital camera, I am always on the lookout for a "photogenic" feature on the mode dial. When selected, your photo would fit perfectly into any trashy tabloid magazine. Not the section where the stars look like regular people sipping their supersize diet cokes in t-shirts with spit up all over them. I mean the part where they clean up, medicate judiciously and show off all the plastic surgery that their money can buy. Damn they look good!

As a pro-photographer who has photographed the gamut of models, personalities and regular folk, I can tell you that one of my secrets is getting people to breathe. Something about being in front of a camera, makes people hold their breath. When your system is denied oxygen, you don't look so good.

Better to look good than feel good. At least until the picture is taken.

Video Redux: Flip Video Recorder

2009-01-21T08:34:00.000-08:00

Expensive and complicated tools that were once only available to multi-media companies are now showing up in your pants pocket. It is no longer about who has more money, but about who has the better idea. How socialist and grassroots this digital era is becoming!

A perfect example of this can-do-with-less attitude is the Flip Video Recorder. While its specifications suggest quality somewhere in between surveillance reconnaissance and cinema verite, it will easily satisfy most non-union filmmakers that are usually posting to the web where compression rates make most videos look the same.

Truly this camera is a wonder with all that it does NOT offer. No menu, no settings, no memory card, no cords. How does it work? Push a button to start recording, push the same button to stop recording. Push the PLAY button to review on a 1.5 inch screen. Push a garbage can button to delete. That's it. I could write the whole manual on the back of your hand.

Even though it has the design sensibility that makes it look like the Italian sports car of video cameras, it's price is more in line with an economy hybrid with a $149 list price that makes it one of the best selling video cameras on Amazon. It's worth serious consideration when looking for a simple and easy to use video camera.

Photographing Forced Family Fun

2008-12-24T20:25:00.000-08:00

Question: Do any cameras insert smiles on faces when you take shots at Forced Family Fun events?

Don’t despair if you find yourself at family functions and can’t muster the energy to force a smile. The Stepford Wives were not created in a day!

Until you learn the politics of genuine artifice, take your cues from good ole Charlie Brown and focus on the righteous principles of your anti-social behavior. Then- try a smirk first, as you work your way up to a grin.

Once your smile is trained, consider the Sony Cybershot DSC-W120 for its Smile Shutter Mode. The camera's sensors are trained somewhere between Mona Lisa's smile and a Joker’s guffaw. That being the case, you can get stuck with some expressions that are not what I would call a smile, but in many cases may be the best you can expect from a family that doesn’t really want to be there. Good luck!

Hello Kiddie's.

2008-11-24T09:38:00.000-08:00

The digital revolution is now in the hands of our kids. Your three year old is already navigating their way around the computer. Your six year has their own blog. Your tween memorized your credit card, social security and password. How cute!

A child's perspective is always refreshing and that includes their point of view from behind the camera. You can't always know what your kids are thinking but give them a digital camera this year for a peak into their vision.

Both Z Recs and Cookie Mag have good camera reviews of kids digital cameras.

Of course, since digital camera technology is constantly evolving, give that "obsolete" digital camera from two years ago to your kid and treat yourself to a shiny new one.

Megapixel Myth Debunked

2008-11-13T07:13:00.000-08:00

RUSS JUSKALIAN writes an incredibly informative article in the NY Times today on why more megapixels are not always better.

He equates the sensors on the cameras as being like a cupcake tin. The analogy gets a bit complicated, so I will put my own spin on it.

Once the the cupcake tin is full, putting anymore batter (ie. megapixels) changes the essense of the cupcake and renders it a big blob that is really not a cupcake anymore. Point and shoots can only hold so much information in their tiny sensors. When you jam more megapixels in, they just don't work as well.

Read the article, get a cupcake and free yourself from megapixel mania.

So you want to be a POP STAR?

2008-11-06T08:05:00.000-08:00

Do you want a taste of pop star stardom? Canon U.S.A. is looking to turn this dream into a reality for three lucky people. Three finalists will be selected to receive the ultimate Pop Star Experience in New York City and a PowerShot SD1100 IS Digital ELPH camera.

While in New York City, the finalists will receive a makeover, singing and dancing lessons with a professional instructor and a meet and greet with international pop star, Leona Lewis. Each finalist will then record a sixty to ninety second long music video to their rendition of “Better In Time” that will be posted on www.powershot.com for America to vote on.

The finalist who receives the most votes will receive $5,000 to continue their dream of becoming America’s next big pop star.

Entrants submit a thirty second video showing why they should be selected as one of the finalists of the Canon U.S.A. “So You Want to be a Pop Star” contest. Those interested in entering the contest can submit their video on www.powershot.com until November 30th, 2008.

Olympus 850 SW On Demand

2008-10-16T08:58:00.000-07:00

I only posted it a couple of months ago but already there are over 1,200 views of the underwater video I made while testing the Olympus Stylus 850 SW. YouTube viewers are captivated by the seemingly absurd notion of water and electronics... deprived of an industrial accident of course!

Color Control on the Canon PowerShot SD1100

2008-09-22T10:43:00.000-07:00

I'm interested in a camera and I read your review about the Canon Powershot SD1100. It has most of the features I'm looking for and looks like a good camera. However, I was unclear if it had a feature I would really like in the camera I'm looking for. It is the feature, I believe it is called color accent ... where in pictures you can only focus on one color in the picture to see?

The SD1100 does in fact have this feature and it is a lot of fun to use. Color accent will let you specify a color that you want to retain and turn all the other colors to black and white. Try specifying the color to RED and all of a sudden your photo looks like a Target ad. Have fun!

Thank you from Jupitor Florida

2008-09-11T10:45:00.000-07:00

Photographed with the Sony DSC-W120

Just wanted you to know I think your site is very informative and helpful. By the way I am Judy the person you photographed on the Jupitor Florida beach with my bucket of shells. I have sent the web site to all my friends all over the country and hopefully they will have found your info useful. Thanks for including me in your photo gallery!! Judy D. Ft Pierce, FL

Thanks Judy- for your kind words! Girl Ray

Photo Galleries

2008-08-07T11:52:00.000-07:00

Question: Where do you get the photos that are in the galleries for each camera. They look professionally taken. Do you get them from the camera companies?

Answer: I personally take all the photos in the camera galleries for the website. The field-testing I do is real. I don’t photograph color bars, part-time models or the rainbow. I photograph real life situations like Forced Family Fun (FFF) events, over priced vacations, and the occasional celebrity siting. Most of the cameras I test are capable of taking pro-looking photos. While I use a Canon 1DS Mark 2 for all my professional jobs, I have always believed that it is not the camera, but the vision. Pictured here taken with Nikon Coolpix S600.