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Review of the Canon EOS 400D, the Nikon Coolpix S51c, and the Sony DSC-T2

Canon EOS 400D

The Canon EOS 400D is also known as the Canon Digital Rebel XTi in North America and the EOS Kiss Digital X in Japan. Among its main features are a 10.1 megapixel CMOS sensor, separate low pass filter, anti-static coatings on sensor surface, software based dust mapping/removal, Auto Focus sensor picture styles, a larger range of image parameter adjustment, a proximity sensor, a large 2.5″ LCD monitor with 160° viewing angle camera settings made, setting adjustment saved with half-press of shutter release, and a histogram available as brightness or RGB.

An upgraded version of earlier EOS models, it is the first camera to incorporate the EOS Integrated Cleaning System, which resists dust in three important ways: reduce, repel and remove.

Among its drawbacks is that it has no programmable Auto ISO, no spot metering, and some of its settings are not repeated on the viewfinder status bar while being adjusted.

With the current mass consumer trend towards D‑SLR, the Canon EOS 400D is ideal not only for existing film SLR owners switching to digital SLR photography but for budding digital photographers as well who are just about to give digital photography a try.

Nikon Coolpix S51c

Sleek and compact, the Nikon Coolpix S51c is touted to be one of the best-looking digital cameras. It has a two-tone body that includes an IEEE 802. 11b/g chip set, a prism-folded Nikkor-branded 3x optical zoom lens, a 3.0-inch LCD display with 230,000 pixels. It also has “D-Lighting”, an exposure correction technology which is combined with a face-priority AF and an in-camera red-eye fix function – all three with the touch of the One-Touch Portrait button. It also has optical image stabilization and a USB 2.0 Hi-Speed and video output technology.

It also has WiFi. Yet, it only connects to Nikon’s my Picturetown server. Also, it takes some time to autofocus and to take another shot. Its startup is very slow, the digital zoom feature is not that good, it has short-term battery life, small built-in storage, and poor light and flash range performance.

It is lovely alright, but its aesthetic features do not seem to make up for its functions, or lack thereof. It is slightly cheaper though, compared to other models.

This digicam should do for photographers who give more premium on style than on substance.

Sony DSC-T2

Its innovative design makes the Sony DSC-T2 a stand-out among other digital cameras. It is available in striking colors (blue, green, pink, white, or black) with matching cases which are available separately.

And it does not end there.

It has a sensor with 8 megapixels; an internal Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar branded 3x optical zoom lens and a 2.7-inch touch panel LCD display. It also has a Super SteadyShot optical image stabilization to minimize blur. It has a sliding cover that retracts flush with the surface of the camera body when closed. It boasts of a 4GB built-in memory, and a NP-BD1 InfoLithium rechargeable battery. Another interesting feature is its “Smile Shutter,” which detects when a subject is smiling and automatically captures the photo.

But it also has its share of cons.

First, it does not have an HD video output. It has high contrast with no adjustment, its flash coverage is not even, its high ISO favors color over detail, it produces noisy photos at low ISO, and it, generally, does not take good indoor shots.

But who can resist a sleek, hot pink camera? Although its features are still lacking some, it should be good enough for an amateur photographer.

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