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Welcome to PhotographyWorld.co.uk where you'll find all the information you need on photography whether it's beginners tutorials, equipment reviews, member galleries, or model portfolios.

Our aim is to turn this site back into the premier resource for those interested in photography, just as it used to be 10 years ago.

Best Selling Digital Camera Accessories for Christmas 2011

Saturday December 24th, 2011 9:12 am

In the final part of our round up of the best selling photograhic equipment for 2011 today we're looking at the best selling digital camera accessories for Christmas 2011.

As you would expect the mix of best selling camera accessories is quite varied. Memory cards come out as the overall best selling accessories but the Joby Gorillapod mini flexible tripod has two entries in the top ten.

Another noteable entry in the top ten camera accessories for Christmas 2011 is the two different camera cases indicating photographers are interested in taking care of their expensive equipment.

Well that's it for our best selling lists for Christmas 2011. We hope you've had a successful 2011 with your photography and look forward to an even better 2012 with new equipment and photography articles.

Published in Photography News
Tags: Digital Compact Memory Cards , Joby Gorillapod , Compact Camera Cases , SLR Camera Bags

Top Selling dSLR Lenses for Christmas 2011

Friday December 23rd, 2011 8:12 am

In our continuing look at the best selling photography equipment for Christmas 2011 today we're taking a look at the bestselling dSLR lenses.

As would be expected given the domination by Canon of the best selling dSLR camera list the dSLR lens list is also somewhat dominated by Canon with them taking the top two spots and three out of the top five bestselling dSLR lenses.

Looking at the top selling dSLR lens list for Christmas 2011 we can see that the list is just in favour of versatile lenses capable of a wide range of focal points with fixed focal length lenses coming a very close second in the most popular dSLR lenses.

In the final part of our best sellers for Christmas 2011 tomorrow we're taking a look at the best selling photography accessories for Christmas 2011.

Published in Photography News
Tags: Canon DSLR Lenses , Nikon DSLR Lenses

Top Selling Compact Camera's for Christmas 2011

Thursday December 22nd, 2011 10:12 am

As part of our continuing theme of the best selling photographic items for Christmas 2011 we thought you may appreciate a list of the current best selling digital compact cameras. In this list we have digital compact cameras ranging from £50 to over £200.

What we can see from the above list is the Panasonic Lumix TZ20 Digital Camera is the top selling digital camera for Christmas 2011. In fact different versions of the Panasonic Lumix line take the first two positions.

What's interesting from this list is Canon doesn't dominate it like it does with the top selling dSLR cameras listed yesterday. Another interesting point is that black is by far and away the favourite colour when it comes to a digital camera which is interesting as most high street stores sell digital compact cameras in a wide range of colours.

The price of a digital compact doesn't seem to be a major factor as the top ten list ranges in price from well over £200 to under £50. Also the megapixels resolution most people seem to be expecting in a digital camera today is 14MP with only the Fujifilm FinePix HS20EXR Digital Camera Black going as high as 16MP.

Tomorrow we'll have a look at the bestselling dSLR lenses for Christmas 2011.

Published in Photography News
Tags: 14MP Cameras , Canon Digital Cameras , Fujifilm Digital Cameras , Panasonic Digital Cameras , 16MP Cameras , Panasonic Lumix Digital Cameras

Top Selling Digital SLR's for Christmas 2011

Wednesday December 21st, 2011 5:12 pm

As it's Christmas we thought you may appreciate a list of the top selling dSLR camera's available to buy for Christmas 2011. The list is dominated by the lower cost Canon EOS range such as the Canon 600D and 550D and most top sellers include the lens kit indicating they're being bought by first time buyers.

Below you'll find a list of the top selling digital SLR cameras available this Christmas 2011.

The interesting question has to be why is Canon managing to dominate the listings so much? Is it that the Canon dSLR cameras are simply a better camera than the Nikon and other brands or is it more to do with marketing and price?

Also of interest is noting that it's the Canon 550D and not the 600D which is the current top seller, so even though the 600D has a higher spec it's not managing to outsell its newer sibling.

Tomorrow we'll look at the top selling digital compact cameras for Christmas 2011.

Published in Photography News
Tags: Canon EOS Digital Cameras , Top Selling dSLR Cameras

Choosing the Right Memory Card for your Digital Camera

Thursday December 15th, 2011 11:12 am

Most digital cameras available today use memory cards, also known as SDHC or Secure Digital High Capacity cards. These cards can literally store hundreds or even thousands of images on them but they are not all the same, so how do you know which is the right one for your camera and which are the best memory cards?


Sandisk 32GB Secure Digital SD Card - Retail Pack	Transcend 16GB SDHC Class 10 Memory Card	PNY Class 10 Professional 16GB SD Card	Transcend - Flash memory card - 64 GB - Class 10 - SDXC Memory Card	Transcend - Flash memory card - 32 GB - Class 10 - SDHC
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When it comes to memory cards there are essentially two types of card available for use in the majority of digital cameras. These cards are compatible with most types of camera whether it's a compact digital camera or a dSLR camera. It is essential that you choose the correct type of card for your type of camera and the only way to do this is to check with your camera as to the correct type of card. The two types of card are standard SDHC cards and micro SDHC cards. Micro cards tend to be used in a lot of mobile phones today where space is at more of a premium and also in some of the smaller compact cameras. Standard SDHC cards are used in dSLR cameras and some of the larger compact cameras available.

Factors that Can Affect Your Choice of Memory Card

When it comes to choosing your memory card there are many factors that can influence your decision. For example you may have a preferred manufacturer that you always choose, it could be determined by your choice of camera, for example Olympus cameras tend to require Olympus memory cards. Another reason could be the speed of the card as not all memory cards work as quickly as others. If you have a very fast camera capable of taking multiple shots per second a slow memory card is like putting a cheap engine in a sports car. Finally it may be the amount of space required or the budget you have available. Whatever your reason you should be able to narrow down the list.

SDHC Manufacturers

There are a number of different manufacturers of SDHC cards including Sandisk, Transcend, Kingston, Lexar, and FujiFilm being amongst the better ones. If you're anything like we are you'll probably find a manufacturer you're happy with and stick to their brand of card. What makes you happy? Well you should remember that you're commiting all of your digital images to the card until you can download them to a computer or backup device. The card will be your only source of these images and many cannot be retaken if lost. So what is the primary reason that makes us happy with our choice of card? Reliability. You don't want to lose important photographs.

Tags: Digital Compact Memory Cards , Compact Flash SD Cards , SDHC Memory Cards , Micro SD Cards

Olympus VR-310 Black

Thursday December 8th, 2011 2:12 pm

The Olympus VR-310 digital compact camera

For anyone looking for a budget 14MP compact camera the Olympus VR-310 is a great choice. In addition to the impressive number of megapixels the 720p HD movie mode and 10x super wide opitical zoom make this camera an ideal choice for carrying around in your pocket if you need a camera and feel the urge to take some photographs.

The VR-310 is an attractive looking camera that will easily fit into your pocket making it ideal as a camera to casually carry around so you don't miss that important shot. Whilst it doesn't have the same array of features as say the Panasonic Lumix TZ20 it is also considerably less expensive and you can expect a fair bit of change from £100.

One of the first things you notice when you hold the Olympus VR-310 is that the case is made from metal, none of this plastic rubbish you'll find on some other cameras. The metal itself is an attractive shade of black as are most of the features with the exception being the silver control buttons. All in all, it makes for an attractive look.

Like a lot of digital cameras in this price range the Olympus VR-310 has an optical zoom mode rather than just a digital zoom. Optical zoom can make all the difference when focusing on shots that are further away and reduce the loss of clarity in the finished photograph. The 10x optical zoom isn't the best available for a compact camera but then you're not paying a high price either. The optical zoom is fairly quick and quiet but can sometimes be a little difficult to control.

The rear of the camera has a 3 inch lcd screen for viewing photos, controlling menu options, and framing shots. As a compact camera there's no view finder so you'll be looking at the lcd screen alot. It has a more than adequate 230,400 pixels so will be fine for all but the most discerning users. It does struggle however in bright light and you could end up with one hand shading the screen so you can actually see what shot you're taking.

The Olympus VR-310 is packed with a range of features to help make taking photographs easier. For example the Intelligent Auto-focus (i-Auto) automatically compares scenes the camera is pointing at with predefined on board settings to correctly focus the shot. You'll also find dual image stabilization technology to reduce camera shake, especially useful when focusing on far away subjects. Another feature worth noting is the impressive array of inbuilt filters that can be applied to your photographs. These include Punk, Pop-Art, and Sparkle amongst others.

Like most Olympus digital cameras the VR-310 comes with a rechargeable battery which can also recharge from a usb connection to a computer. You will need and SD memory card however so bear in mind you'll need to add that cost when considering your budget.

Overall the Olympus VR-310 is a very capable compact digital camera that will serve more than adequately as your primary camera if you're just looking to take holiday snaps and family photos or as a great and easily portable backup camera if you're used to something a bit larger and more feature rich.

Click here to buy the Olympus VR-310 digital camera

Published in equipment
Tags: 14MP Cameras , Olympus , Compact Digital Cameras , Olympus Digital Cameras

Panasonic Lumix TZ20 Digital Camera Review

Wednesday December 7th, 2011 1:12 pm

Panasonic Lumix TZ20 Compact Digital Camera

The Panasonic Lumix TZ20 digital camera is a smart looking compact camera boasting an impressive 14MP image sensor backed up by a 24mm Wide-angle LEICA DC Lens. The case consists of a nice variety of black plastic and silver for the lens and buttons. On the reverse is an impressive 3 inch LCD touch screen.

As one of the premier compact digital cameras currently available the Panasonic Lumix TZ20 boasts a wide range of features that will almost certainly suit most normal users looking for a nice camera on which to take photos.

Unlike a lot of the lower priced compact cameras available the Lumiz TZ20's lens has an excellent 16x optical zoom making focusing on far away subjects relatively easy.

The Lumix TZ20 also comes with an advanced geo-tagging GPS capability allowing photos to be tagged as to the location they were captured. This is a nice feature but by no means essential.

When you buy the Panasonic TZ20 you'll not only get a great compact digital camera but it's also more than capable of shooting Full HD video. You can even use the powerful 16x optical zoom whilst shooting to really focus in on your subject.

The 3" LCD touchscreen makes it easy to view your shot before you press the button so you can ensure you're capturing exactly the photograph you want to. It's easy to focus in on a specific part of the shot as well by simply touching the part of the LCD screen you want to focus on and the Lumix TZ20 will do the rest, then simply press the shutter button to capture the image.

Another great feature of the Lumix TZ20 is the ability to instantly upload your photos to Facebook or other sites by easily connecting your camera to your PC and selecting the images you want to share.

Of the various other reviews found on the Internet most people are very happy with the Lumix TZ20 camera although on the negative side the camera struggles in low light conditions. Other people have noted that the Panasonic Lumix TZ20 is not a replacement for a dSLR camera.

Click the following link to check the price and availability of the Panasonic TZ20 digital camera.

Published in reviews
Tags: panasonic , panasonic lumix tz20 , compact digital cameras , panasonic digital cameras , panasonic lumix cameras , 14MP Cameras

Getting Started With Digital Photography

Tuesday December 6th, 2011 4:12 pm

Welcome to our beginners guide to digital photography.

In 'Getting Started with Digital Photography' we'll attempt to guide you through all the new terms you'll come across as you begin your journey into the exciting field of taking your first digital photographs.

Examples of Good Digital Cameras


Panasonic Lumix FS35 Digital Camera - Black (16.1MP, 8x Optical Zoom) 2.7 inch LCD	Nikon Coolpix S3100 Digital Camera - Silver (14MP, 5x Wide Optical Zoom) 2.7 inch LCD	Canon PowerShot A3300 IS Digital Camera - Silver (16.0 MP, 5x Optical Zoom) 3.0 inch TFT LCD	Sony DSCW530 Cyber-shot Digital Still Camera - Black (14.1MP, 4x Optical Zoom) 2.7 inch LCD	Olympus VR-310 Digital Camera - Black (14MP, 10x Super Wide Optical Zoom) 3 inch LCD
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You'll learn the differences between digital zoom and optical zoom, what megapixels mean, and how to quickly and easily start taking better photographs.

Choosing your first digital camera can be a very daunting process. How do you know what to choose? Sometimes it can be an expensive investment.

The easy way for beginners is to first of all set your budget. You can get some great digital cameras now a days for well under £100 with great image resolutions and optical zoom.

Below you'll find more information on the technical terms you need to be aware of but for now think how much you want to spend and what you want the camera for.

As a simple guide:

< £50 fun cameras and cameras suitable for young children
£51 - £100 good quality compact cameras
£101 - £400 great quality compact cameras with superzoom lenses
£401 - £800 Budget Digital SLR's and high end compacts with superzoom
£801 - £2000 good specification dSLR's although not full format
£2001 + full format dSLR's aimed at the professional and semi-professional markets

So now you have an idea of where your budget falls you need to know a bit more about the different types of cameras.

How do you choose what type of camera to buy? Well often the budget, see above, can be the deciding factor but once you've decided how much you want to spend how do you then decide which camera to buy?

Digital Compact Cameras

A digital compact camera is a small camera, often small enough to squeeze into your pocket or hand bag.

Examples of Cheap Digital Compact Cameras


Fujifilm FinePix AV200 Digital Camera - Black (14MP, 3x Optical Zoom) 2.7 inch LCD	Nikon Coolpix L23 Digital Camera - Black (10MP, 5x Optical Zoom) 2.7-inch LCD	Fujifilm FinePix AV250 Digital Camera - Black (16MP, 3x Optical Zoom) 2.7 inch LCD	Nikon Coolpix S3100 Digital Camera - Pink (14MP, 5x Wide Optical Zoom) 2.7 inch LCD	Samsung ES71 Digital Camera - Black (12.2 MP, 5x Optical Zoom) 2.7 inch TFT Screen
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Digital compact cameras come as one sealed unit (the lens is permanently fixed to the camera) and a lot of emphasis is often placed on the style of the camera. You can often get digital compacts in many different colours.

Today digital compact cameras are capable of taking some great images right out of the box. They can be simple to use and for normal photography and snapshots are a great choice as they are very easy to carry around.

Most digital compacts have a video recording mode but don't expect the image quality to be too great at the lower end of the market.

You probably won't get a great optical zoom on a digital compact and instead will have to use the inbuilt digital zoom for focusing on faraway object which lowers overall image quality.

For under £100 expect to get a decent camera with around an 8 megapixel pr less resolution. For over £100 you can get digital compacts capable of up to 10 to 12 megapixel images often with good optical zooms as well as digital zoom.

Superzoom Compact Cameras

Like digital compact cameras superzoom cameras come as one sealed unit. The main advantage of the superzoom cameras is that you can focus in on faraway objects a lot easier than with a digital compact with many superzooms having focal lengths to rival dSLR cameras.


Panasonic Lumix FZ45 14.1MP Digital Camera - Black (3.0 inch TFT LCD Display, LEICA DC Lens with 25mm Wide-angle and 24x Optical Zoom)	Nikon Coolpix L120 Digital Camera - Black (14MP, 21x Optical Zoom) 3-inch LCD	Fujifilm FinePix HS20EXR Digital Camera - (16MP, 30x Optical Zoom) 3-inch LCD	Fujifilm FinePix S1800 Digital Camera (12MP,18x Wide Optical Zoom) 3 inch LCD	Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 16.1MP Compact System Camera Kit - Black with 14-42mm Lumix G VARIO f/3.5-5.6 ASPH MEGA OIS Lens
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The superzoom camera lens is fully automatic so no manual adjustments are required.

If you've got a budget between £200 and £400 then you can get a great superzoom with the latest models offering image sensors comparable to dSLR cameras.

dSLR Cameras

Unlike compact and superzoom cameras dSLR (digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras come with detachable lenses. This means that the function of the camera can be changed as easily as changing the lens.

dSLR cameras are the choice of the more serious amateur, semi professional or professional photographer.


Canon EOS 550D Digital SLR Camera (inc 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens Kit)	Sony Alpha A230L Digital SLR Camera With 18-55 mm Lens	Canon EOS 1100D Digital SLR Camera (inc. 18-55 f/3.5-5.6 DC III Lens Kit	Nikon D5100 Digital SLR Camera (18-55mm VR Lens Kit)	Olympus E-450 Digital SLR Camera (14-42mm Lens Kit)
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The fact that you can change the lens means you can use your camera for all types of different pictures whether sweeping landscapes, portraits, or macro photography (extreme close ups).

dSLR cameras are also capable of better image quality (more megapixels) and there advanced image processors mean you can take photographs in continous shooting mode which is great for action shots such as sports photography or wildlife. The startup time of a dSLR is also far faster than a digital compact so it is easier to capture that special moment.

Another advantage of many dSLR cameras is the ability to take pictures in RAW mode. Most digital cameras record in what's called JPEG format where a lot of the image processing is done by the camera. RAW format leaves the image processing for a later time so it can be done on a computer allowing greater manipulation of the original image.

Today you can get a budget dSLR camera for around £300 but bear in mind additional lenses can cost hundreds of pounds to add to your system.

Another thing to be aware of as well is that different manufacturers have their own lens formats so lenses are not always interchangeable. Once you have invested in a specific manufacturer it can be very expensive to think about changing.

Most budget dSLR's start from around £400 upwards. These are ideal for the serious amateur looking to get started.

For semi professional and professional photographers if your budget can stretch to it you would want to look for a full format digital camera. Currently only two manufacturers compete here, Nikon and Canon. Both are great alternatives but like with the lower end of the market if you've already invested with a number of lenses from one manufacturer then that may often be the overriding factor in your decision.

A recent modification to dSLR cameras has been the inclusion of Live View. Live View is something that digital compact cameras have had for a while now which allows you to see the image in the LCD screen instead of only the viewfinder.

Another recent addition following on from Live View is the addition of Live Video Recording on dSLR's. This is something that is very new and currently only the Nikon D90 and Canon 5D Mark II have this feature.

What's the difference between digital and optical zoom?
Just how many megapixels do you need?

Digital and Optical Zoom

Most compact cameras have what's called an optical zoom and a digital zoom.

Optical zoom changes the focal length of the lens so you zoom in on your subject without cropping or losing image quality.

Digital zoom often automatically kicks in after you have reached the maximum optical zoom for your camera. Digital zoom crops the image (cuts off the edges) so the image contains less pixels. This can effect the image quality of the picture especially when printed in a larger size.

What are Megapixels?

Megapixels refer to how many millions of pixels are contained in the image so generally speaking the higher the number the better the picture.

Most digital compact cameras now come with 5 megapixels upwards to 12 megapixels.

The greater the number of megapixels the better especially when digital zoom is used, remember our discussion on digital zoom above?

dSLR cameras can be capable of much greater numbers of megapixels with the top of the range Canon 1D Mark IIIs capable of 21 megapixels.

Once you move beyond the point and click and autofocus offered by many digital compact cameras you start moving into a more creative world where you can express a degree of control over your pictures.

Aperture

Aperture refers to the depth of field of the photograph. Using aperture you can adjust what's in focus therefore changing the perspective of the photograph.

Shutter Speed

Shutter speed refers to how quickly the camera takes the photograph. Slower shutter speeds allow you to achieve more dramtic effects on moving objects blurring the movement. This technique is often used to blur running water or for the dramatic night time shots where you see streaks of light.

What is ISO?

ISO refers to the amount of light the camera sensor lets in for the image. The lower the ISO the less light is let in and the higher the ISO the more light is let in. This setting can be useful to change the way your camera's flash works in lower light. You should be aware however that very high ISO's can lead to image noise (lower quality pictures) so you'll need to experiment.

Published in tutorials

Review of the Canon EOS 600D

Tuesday December 6th, 2011 3:12 pm

The Canon 600D is a great camera to get started in SLR photography with.

Canon EOS 600D Digital SLR Camera

The Canon EOS 600D was released by Canon in the spring of 2011 and boasts an impressive array of features making it an ideal choice for those looking for an entry level camera to digital SLR photography.

The standout features are an impressive 18 megapixel image sensor, full HD movie mode, wide 9 point auto-focus, and fold out lcd screen to make taking photographs even easier.

The Canon 600D is without a doubt a good entry level camera for those looking to enter the digital SLR market. The current price point puts it just above the £600 mark with the bundled lens, so for those looking for a point and shoot casual camera the Canon 600D is probably a little on the expensive side and there are cheaper alternatives available.

For those who are interested in the 600D or are maybe looking for a way into the more serious side of photography then this camera is a great starting point. One of the advantages of a dSLR camera is the greater range of options when shooting photographs and the Canon 600 doesn't disappoint.The menu system makes getting started very easy and after a few minutes most users should be able to figure their way around changing a few of the basic options.

Whilst the 600D makes it easy to get started with the bundled lens and auto mode the true reason for buying a dSLR camera in our minds is the greater number of options you have available. The 600D is available to purchase in two packages, body only which works out around £100 less expensive, and bundled lens. You may wish to purchase the body only option if you already own other compatible lenses or you know a little bit about the various Canon EOS Lenses however if this is your first Canon dSLR camera then we'd recommend sticking with the default lens to get you started which is more than adequate.

Image Quality of the Canon 600D

In our tests we were very impressed with the overall image quality of the Canon 600D. The camera boasts an impressive ISO range which ensures it performs well in darker environments. Images are captured at an impressive 18MP (mega-pixels) so can be very easily printed without loss of quality on photographs.

Other Things You May Need with the Canon 600D

Of course when you buy a digital SLR camera you're only really taking the first steps on what could be a very expensive but also rewarding road. The Canon 600D uses compact flash SD cards which aren't supplied with the camera so you'll need at least one of these. Also given the size of the captured images you'll want to be aiming at least 8GB or higher. Secondly, you'll want to protect your camera when out and about so you'll need some type of camera bag or carry case for it.

Published in reviews
Tags: Canon , Canon 600D , Canon EOS 600D , Digital SLR Cameras , 18MP Cameras

Canon EOS 450D Review

Tuesday December 6th, 2011 1:12 pm

The Canon EOS 450D is an entry level dSLR offering an impressive range of features at a competitive price.

Key features include:

12 megapixel resolution
Live View
Canon sensor cleaning technology
3.5 fps continous shooting
DIGIC III image processor

The Canon EOS 450D was released in June 2008.

On first inspection the camera feels sturdy and is small enough to fit comfortably in most adult hands. It has the same black colour as other dSLR's and has a hand grip on the right side (I wonder why no one makes dSLR's for left handed people?)

The body is made from a toughened plastic and feels more robust than earlier models in the line such as the Canon EOS 350D.

The rear of the camera is dominated by the large full colour LCD screen used for the display of both processed images and information on the settings. This is a departure from the 350D for example which used a separate LCD for settings information and takes a little getting used to.

To make room for the larger screen the buttons have been moved around a bit from the 400D but are still easily accessible.

The EOS 450D is not too large and so fits comfortably in an adult hand. The camera is also light enough that it can easily be carried, something that's important when out and about away from the car.

Likewise when fitted with a telephoto lens the lower weight means that it's easier to hold the camera steady when zooming in on far away subjects.

A downside of the lower weight is that the camera can become front heavy when fitted with large lenses making camera shake more likely. The in built image stablization helps here but you'll probably find a tripod or other support useful in such situations.

With a 12 megapixel resolution the 450D is at the current top end of its target market. The new 3" LCD screen is bright and clear and controls allow you to zoom quickly in and out to check the image.

The CMOS image sensor processes your photographs quickly and the APS-C sensor has a crop factor of 1.6 which is comparable to other cameras in this class.

The Canon EOS 450D comes with a full range of standard modes designed to help the novice photographer take great images from the start. These modes are easily selected using the dial on the top of the camera and the EOS 450D takes care of the rest.

Should you wish to begin experimenting then a range of creative modes are also available. The standard creative modes which assign priority to the Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO are here along with the full creative mode allowing you to play with a number of settings at the same time.

Published in reviews
Tags: Canon 450D , Digital SLR Cameras , 12MP Cameras