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Digital SLRs |
I've divided this page into
two sections:
As you would imagine, you get more with the advanced models - faster and more accurate autofocus, faster burst modes, more control, etc. And, of course, all this costs more. All of these digital SLRs will allow you to take great baseball pictures, so choose according to your budget and degree of commitment to baseball photography. |
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These are all fine cameras. Each has strengths and weaknesses you should understand before you buy. All, though, are vastly superior to any point-and-shoot or superzoom camera. They simply have larger sensors that allow you to capture more resolution with less digital noise. Of course, buying an SLR camera body is only the beginning. You have to buy lenses1 because the essence of an SLR camera is that you can change lenses. You'll need certain other things also in order to have a complete system. However, the camera itself is a good place to start. Let's compare entry level digital SLRs from the major manufacturers according to the parameters that are important in baseball photography. Canon
You can still buy the Rebel XT, at about $500 (body only). While that's a great deal, I would recommend getting the XTi - about $660 (body only). The 10 MP resolution is great, but even better is the 2.5" LCD monitor instead of the XT's tiny 1.8" LCD. The autofocus system is also upgraded. Other than that they are similar. Both will shoot at 3 frames per second, which is all you can get in this entry-level category and is adequate for baseball. Unfortunately both also top out at ISO 1600. But they are really good (i.e. low noise images) at ISO 1600, much better than the 10 MP Sony Alpha 100 (for example). However be aware that you will be limited in night shooting on poorly lit fields. [You can always shoot in "raw" mode - as opposed to jpeg - and adjust the exposure on your computer using software.] Neither of these cameras feature built in image stabilization. For baseball, where you usually want to shoot at 1/500 sec or faster shutter speeds, this isn't a major problem. For other purposes you'll want to get at least one general purpose stabilized lens. Look for a Canon IS lens or an OS lens from Sigma. Otherwise you'll want to get a good tripod to get a clean picture. Read a full review of the Digital Rebel XTi here. Nikon
All Nikon cameras use Sony sensors (as do the Pentax cameras and, of course, the Sony Alpha 100). The 6 MP sensor in the new D40 (and the old D70s and D50) is an excellent, low noise sensor. You'll see quite a bit more digital noise in cameras with the 10 MP Sony sensor, especially the Sony Alpha. Unfortunately all the Nikon cameras that use the 6 MP sensor top out at ISO 1600, just like the Canon discussed above, with the same limitation for low light photography. The D40x and D80 use the 10 MP sensor and both will go up to ISO 3200, allowing shooting in lower light. Nikon has done a good job in reducing digital noise at high ISOs in these cameras (especially in the D40x), but you will see some noise. The D40 body is very small but handles well - much better than either of the Canon's described above. The D80 is slightly larger and heavier. Men with large hands will like it better. Here's the caveat with the D40 and D40x. These models do not have a built in autofocus motor. So you must buy only lenses that have focus motors built in to the lens itself. So don't buy these thinking you can just mount an existing collection of Nikon lenses; they probably will not autofocus on these bodies. Another caveat is that the D40 bodies use a simple three point autofocus system. By comparison the D80 is 11 points and the Canon XTi is 9 points. More focus points are critical for tracking a moving subject, such as a baseball player. So I'd steer clear of the D40 and D40x for baseball. There are better choices. The D80 is highly recommended. It will work with any Nikon mount AF lenses and track movement like a champ. The D80 sells for about $880 (body only) compared to $540 for the D40 (w/18-55 lens) or $640 for the D40x (body only). None of these cameras feature built in image stabilization. For baseball, where you usually want to shoot at 1/500 sec or faster shutter speeds, this isn't a major problem. For other purposes you'll want to get at least one general purpose stabilized lens. Look for a Nikon VR lens or an OS lens from Sigma. Otherwise you'll want to get a good tripod to get a clean picture. Pentax
You'll get a great camera with that low noise Sony 6 MP sensor, ISO 3200 capability (with low noise), and built in image stabilization. [The similar K110D lacks image stabilization; avoid this one.] Add excellent ergonomics and a good 11-point autofocus system and you have a winner! There's only one catch. There simply are no current production fast lenses (i.e. a maximum aperture of f2.8 or f4) in a 200mm or longer focal length for the Pentax mount. I'm betting that this is about to change, but if you're buying a $378 camera you're probably not anxious to spend nearly $1,000 or greater for one of these lenses anyway. Get the Pentax, a Sigma 70-300 APO lens ($200), crank up the ISO and you'll be happy with the pictures you get in all but the worst light. You can wait to buy the Super when it hits the stores, but there's frankly not much difference except the Super's dust removal system (designed to shake dust off the image sensor). Honestly these things don't work real well anyway (except for the Olympus system). You can remove dust manually with great success. For a complete review of the K100D, click here. Sony I really want to recommend the Sony Alpha 100, but I cannot do so for baseball photography. The reason is simple - too much noise. It's better than a point and shoot, but Sony is less successful in reducing noise using this Sony sensor than Nikon is. Ironic but true. It's a great buy for general purpose shooting, but there are better choices for baseball. Enough said. Olympus The Olympus (and Panasonic) cameras use the so-called four-thirds mount system. It uses a smaller image sensor than the cameras discussed above. As such it is naturally subject to more noise at the same resolution and therefore it is not a good choice for baseball or other sports photography. I just cannot recommend these cameras. If you want a great general-purpose camera, though, consider the E-510 - image stabilization, excellent dust removal, etc. at a bargain price. You'll be disappointed, though, at night baseball games. The Bottom Line I recommend the Pentax K100D, dollar for dollar. If you want 10 MP resolution, I recommend the Nikon D80. The Canon Digital Rebel XTi is also worth considering as it is cheaper than the Nikon and limited only by the lack of a 3200 ISO mode. |
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"Advanced Amateur" Digital SLRs For a few hundred dollars more, you can get more. The cameras noted below will give you faster autofocus performance and other extras. You decide if it's worth it. [Your Webmaster has the Nikon D200 in addition to the late, lamented Konica-Minolta 7D.] Canon
and great image quality with low noise even at ISO 3200. This is probably the favorite sports action camera in this price category. Like the other Canon and Nikon cameras, the 30D does not feature built in image stabilization. For baseball, where you usually want to shoot at 1/500 sec or faster shutter speeds, this isn't a major problem. For other purposes you'll want to get at least one general purpose stabilized lens. Look for a Canon IS lens or an OS lens from Sigma. Otherwise you'll want to get a good tripod to get a clean picture. It is highly recommended at a price of about $1025. To read a complete review of the 30D, click here. Nikon
Your Webmaster chose the D200 when his Konica-Minolta 5D went caput and I needed a second camera body. I've recommended it to several other people - before and since, including Billy Jackson - and none have reported being disappointed. The "Cam 1000" AF system in the Nikon is excellent for tracking moving objects, second only to the "Cam 2000" in the professional level Nikon D2XS. The Sony 10MP sensor delivers super sharp resolution. [This is not exactly the same sensor as used in the D80 and Sony A100. It is a 4 channel, as opposed to 2 channel, version. It provides higher speed. It's less noisy than the Sony A100, but noisier than the Nikon D80.] Like the Canon 30D, the D200 allows you to shoot at five frames per second. This is a boost for "ball on the bat" baseball pictures or slides into base. [You can choose between a low speed setting, adjustable for 1-4 frames per second, and the high speed 5 fps setting.] The ergonomics of the D200 set it apart. It feels just great in the hand, even for three hour baseball games. If you hold it and the Canon 30D next to one another, you'll notice how much better the Nikon is. The D200 also has a sealed body, unlike the Canon 30D. This means that water, sand and dust cannot destroy your camera (unless you have the lens mount open). So this is important for those of you who have boats and beach houses. The Nikon is more expensive at about $1500. Your webmaster bought one a few months ago for $1350. At the current price, I might have settled for the Canon 30D. You make the call. To read a complete review of the D200, click here. Pentax I mention the Pentax K10D only to say that I don't recommend it. It has the same Sony 10 MP sensor as the Nikon D80 and Sony Alpha 100. But the noise characteristics are similar to the Sony camera, unfortunately. It's limited to ISO 1600 and very noisy at that level, so it's not a top choice for baseball. It does have a sealed body, so it's great for skiing pictures from the boat! Still, it's not as good as the Nikon. It competes by having a price that's roughly $600 less. |
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