❯❯ HD movies are 1280 x 720 pixels.
❯❯ Standard definition (SD) movies are 640 x 480 pixels.
❯❯ There are currently two types of 4K movies. Nikon dSLRs and Sony mirrorless camera movies are 3840 x 2160 pixels in size. Canon 4K movies are 4096 x 2160 pixels. Nikon and Sony set the size of their 4K movies according to the UHD alliance standard, which is twice the width and twice the height of Full HD. Canon uses the size established by the Digital Cinema Initiatives venture, which is twice the width and height of 2K video.
FIGURE 1-13: Shooting a video with a professional Canon dSLR and extensive rig.
When you look at your camera's movie specs, look for how much control you have over movie settings, especially exposure and shutter speed, as well as different movie sizes, compression settings, formats, and frame rates.
Shooting modes and scenes
Digital SLRs have a handful of “classic” shooting modes (sometimes called exposure modes). They include programmed autoexposure, aperture-priority, shutter-priority, manual (you might see these four called PASM modes), and Bulb. Bulb mode may not be on the mode dial. When it isn’t, it should be accessible as a function of shutter speed. Cameras like the Pentax K-3 II have new, ingenious modes like sensitivity priority automatic exposure, where you set the ISO like you would aperture or shutter speed, and shutter- and aperture-priority automatic exposure (think manual mode with Auto ISO).
Most cameras have several scene modes that help you take photos of specific subjects. You select the subject or shooting conditions, and the camera sets itself up to capture them most effectively. Standard scenes include Portrait (see Figure 1-14), Landscape, Action, and Close-up. Additional scenes vary from camera to camera and often include Night Portrait, Child, Candlelight, Sunset, Pet, Surf & Snow, Fireworks, and Food.
FIGURE 1-14: This camera has several scene modes right on the dial.
Many cameras have even more user-friendly modes designed to automate the camera and make shooting easier. Examples modes include Scene Intelligent Auto, Superior Auto, Sweep Panorama, various automatic HDR (High Dynamic Range) modes, time-lapse, multiple exposures, and more.
In-camera processing
Most dSLRs allow you to process JPEGs and Raw files in-camera (the Raw file is converted and saved as a JPEG). You may be able to resize photos, crop them (see Figure 1-15), modify the exposure, white balance, color profile, and perform many other retouching tasks. Being able to touch up photos in the camera takes the pressure off of having to use a computer and complicated software to accomplish these tasks. I think they are incredibly useful features for most photographers to have.
FIGURE 1-15: Look for in-camera processing features like cropping.
Filters and other creative effects
Look for fun filters and other special effects to add pizazz to your photos. They help you express your creativity without having to mess around with a computer. Each manufacturer has its own names. Canon calls them Creative Filters; Nikon has Filter Effects; Sony uses the term Picture Effects; and Pentax lists its effects as Digital Filters. Some specific examples include Toy Camera (always a fun filter to use), Miniature, High-Key, Retro, Replace Color, Monochrome, Pop Color, Posterization, Soft Focus, and many HDR effects. I’m applying a creative Art Bold effect to a photo in Figure 1-16.
FIGURE 1-16: Creative effects and filters help make photography more fun for everyone.
Media
Digital cameras store photos and movies on memory cards. Be sure to look at your camera’s specifications before buying new memory cards to confirm compatibility. For specialty cards such as FlashAir, check that company’s website for compatible cameras. Here are the card types, then:
❯❯ SD cards are the most prevalent type of memory card. They’re reasonably small and thin. There are several types of SD cards (SD, SDHC, and SDXC), speed classes, and bus interfaces, each with different capabilities.
Eye-Fi SD cards enable your camera to wirelessly transfer photos and movies to a phone, computer, tablet, or other mobile device. You must install additional software or apps for everything to work.
Flucard is a card unique to Pentax cameras. Similar to Eye-Fi, these SD cards offer wireless connectivity between your camera and smartphone or computer. Unlike Eye-Fi, however, you can use your smartphone to control the camera during remote Live View shooting with a Flucard and the proper app installed.
If you prefer to look at other options, there are a handful of other Wi-Fi SD cards available. Toshiba FlashAir and Transcend Wi-Fi are two examples.
❯❯ CF (Compact Flash) cards are an older memory card design, larger than SD cards. Despite this, they perform well and are often used in high-end cameras.
CFast cards, also known as CompactFast, are a newer, high-performance CF card variant with much faster read and write speeds. They are meant to support 4K video recording.
❯❯ Memory Stick cards were created by Sony, and are used in its cameras. There are different versions of Memory Stick media. Variants currently in use are Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX, Memory Stick PRO Duo, and Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo.
❯❯ XQD cards are another high-performance card used in newer Nikon cameras. They are intended to support high-speed still photo and 4K video recording.
Viewfinder specs
Take a look at two specifications relating to viewfinders:
❯❯ Frame coverage: This specification, given as a percentage, identifies how much of the scene the viewfinder sees compared to the image sensor. Oddly enough, most dSLR viewfinders don’t show you everything. This can be a problem when you’re trying to frame a scene precisely, and why more expensive professional cameras feature 100 percent (see Figure 1-17) or near-total coverage.
Now, despite the fact that it can be a nuisance, don’t obsess over having less than 100 percent coverage. You can still frame great shots. With experience, you’ll be able to account for the differences between your viewfinder and image sensor and frame your shots accordingly. For example, I have learned to place people’s heads a bit closer to the top edge of the viewfinder than appears necessary on many of my dSLRs. You can also crop photos in-camera or use software to achieve the perfect composition.
❯❯ Magnification: Most digital SLRs shrink the scene slightly in the viewfinder compared to what you see with your unaided eye. Expressed as a multiplier, anything under 1.0x means the view is reduced. If it’s over 1.0x, the view is magnified. Most cameras have magnification factors between .70x and .95x, with an exceptional few at or over 1.0x.
FIGURE 1-17: This camera