Pocket DigiCam Shootout
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Computer Compatibility
Both the Nikon and the Canon work wonderfully with iPhoto, making picture transfer via USB a snap. They also come with their own software packages that are both Mac- and PC-compatible. So, even if you're in a mixed Windows/Mac environment, you won't have any problems uploading pictures to your computers.
Both Canon and Nikon provide Mac OS X users with decent software bundles to augment iPhoto and QuickTime. Canon offers PhotoStitch and ImageBrowser. PhotoStitch enables you to assemble your panoramas and create QuickTime VRs--a very pleasant surprise. ImageBrowser helps you organize your shots and provides some basic editing controls.
Nikon View 5 is also a handy organizer and comes with some nice tools to facilitate everyday tasks, such as emailing pictures to friends. I really liked having all the EXIF data displayed at the top of the browser frame for each image I was working on. Nikon bundles PhotoImpression by ArcSoft, which is also Mac OS X-compatible. If you don't already have an OS X image editor, you'll appreciate this inclusion.
Neither Canon or Nikon have embraced the Aqua interface with their bundled applications. So I felt a little like I had journeyed to another planet whenever I opened one of them. I hope that over time each company will continue to develop its bundled software to integrate better with Mac OS X and iPhoto. But as I mentioned earlier, both companies are supporting users who are moving to Mac OS X, and I really appreciated seeing those applications offered in the box.
Speaking of compatibility, the Coolpix 2500 takes this concept to a higher level by functioning as a Mass Storage Device too. This means you can plug it in to any modern Windows (98 SE or newer) or Macintosh (OS 9.x or Mac OS X) computer, and the camera's contents display as an external drive. No drivers needed! When you're on the go you simply connect the Nikon in to nearly any computer available, and drag and drop its pictures on to the hard drive. Very nice.
Just for fun, I took a full memory card out of the Canon S200 and put it in the Nikon Coolpix 2500. Not only could the Nikon display the Canon's pictures on its LCD monitor, it could upload them to the computer acting as a Mass Storage Device. I then took the full Nikon memory card and inserted it into the Canon. Lo and behold the Canon could read the pictures and upload them to iPhoto for me. I love this type of standards adherence and salute Canon and Nikon for providing this flexibility.
Each camera records loads of EXIF data including exposure settings, focal length, flash status, metering pattern, image resolution, file size, camera type, time, and date. So you never have to take notes regarding any of this information because it's all recorded as metadata and stored in the file header. Most modern image editors including Adobe Photoshop 7.0 and Apple's iPhoto 1.1 retain and can display the EXIF data these cameras record. Plus the bundled image browsers also display this information.
I never had any problems uploading images from either camera to a Windows XP, Mac OS 9, or Mac OS X computer. Overall though, I have to give the nod to Nikon in the computer compatibility category because of its Mass Storage Device functionality. I hope all digital cameras adopt this standard soon.
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Related Reading iPhoto: The Missing Manual |
Disappointments
I was surprised at how poorly the Nikon performed in low light situations. It has difficulty focusing without an AF-assist beam, and the images tend to have poor color when captured in low light. Not being able to manually control the ISO speed also hampered my ability to squeeze out good shots in difficult lighting. The Canon S200, on the other hand, performed well in these situations.
As I mentioned earlier, Nikon's lack of an optical viewfinder is a problem if you're going to be taking lots of shots in bright sunlight.
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Both cameras come with compact battery chargers that easily fit in your backpack or even your pants pocket. Canon's charger has the two-pronged plug built right in. But to my disappointment, the Nikon charger requires that you also lug around a six-foot cord to connect the charger to the wall outlet. Why?
The Canon includes a measly 8MB memory card, whereas the Nikon at least springs for a 16MB version. I'd like to see camera makers stop fooling around with these wimpy cards and provide at least 32MBs with 2-megapixel cameras.
Neither camera comes with a case. I had to spend an additional $25 for a nice Canon-made leather case, and found an existing case stashed away in my closet that protects the Nikon. But I think cases should be standard issue with all compact cameras -- if for no other reason, to help you protect your investment.
Pros and Cons Review
When it comes right down to it, either of these cameras will make most hobbyists quite happy. So it really comes down to which camera has the features most important to you. Here's a quick review of each camera's pros and cons.
Canon PowerShot S200 |
Nikon Coolpix 2500 |
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Pros
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Pros
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Cons
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Cons
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Final Thoughts
If you want to spice up your photography pursuits, then either of these cameras will bring new joy to your shooting. Add the fact that you can slip either into your shirt pocket on your way out the door means that you'll never miss a great shot because you left your camera at home.
Both cameras are capable of producing photo-quality prints up to 5 by 7 inchs and very good reproductions up to 8 by 10 inchs. I recommend that you always shoot at the highest resolution and lowest compression settings to capture maximum quality. You never know when you're going to encounter that great shot that you'll want to enlarge to an 8 by 10.
The Canon S200 costs about $30 more than the Nikon Coolpix 2500. Even though you get a longer zoom lens with the Nikon (3x versus 2x), the Canon has quite a few more features that easily justify the higher price.
In head-to-head competition, I give a slight nod to the Canon S200. But the Nikon Coolpix 2500 is also very addictive, and I don't plan on parting company with either camera in the foreseeable future.
Derrick Story is the author of The Photoshop CS4 Companion for Photographers, The Digital Photography Companion, and Digital Photography Hacks, and coauthor of iPhoto: The Missing Manual, with David Pogue. You can follow him on Twitter or visit www.thedigitalstory.com.
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Apple Laptop Keyboards Unsuitable for Unix Users
2002-09-18 02:26:21 anonymous2 [Reply | View]
Apple laptops are effectively unusable for unix users.
I am a long-time Unix user. That means I need to have the Ctrl key to the left of the A key. This is a genuine need, not merely a want; it is based upon ergonomics. The Ctrl key is heavily used in unix, and it must be easily accessable. It cannot be off in the lower left corner of the keyboard where it is difficult to get at, and where it distorts the position of your left hand such that you can't easily type other keys while holding the Ctrl key down.
Apple desktop keyboards are now all USB. They are all OK. The CapsLock key can be re-mapped into a Ctrl key.
Unfortunately, even in this modern age, all Apple laptops have built-in ADB keyboards. The ADB keyboard is broken-by-design. It is, in general, not possible to remap the CapsLock key into a Ctrl key.
There are some exceptions, but they are horrible kludges. They are
horrible kludges because the original design of the ADB keyboard was a horrible kludge. The correct solution would be for Apple to re-design their laptop motherboards to use built-in USB keyboards. This hasn't happened yet. If you run Linux, use Debian's solution. For Mac OS X users, uControl works. There are no solutions (that I know of) for either NetBSD or OpenBSD. Please note once again that the "solutions" above are in fact kludges, because of the original bad design of the ADB keyboard.
Apple is (currently) ignoring Unix users! This is not merely speculation on my part. In an on-going email exchange I am having with an Apple employee (whom I won't name) in their marketing department, the Apple marketing person directly stated to me that Apple was catering to their historic Mac customers, and is purposely ignoring the Unix market. He also claimed that Apple would soon start paying more attention to the Unix market. I won't hold my breath. Apple has been ignoring Unix users for more than 10 years. I expect that trend to continue. (Also note that my Apple contact indicated that Macs would never ship with a 3-button mouse, even though Apple intended to port almost all X-window software and deliver it either on a CD/DVD or installed directly on each Mac's hard drive. How Unix friendly is a 1-button mouse with X programs that often require 3 buttons?)
Apple has now lost two opportunities to sell me hardware. I really wanted an Apple laptop for their superior battery life, and for the PowerPC with Altivec CPU. (The Altivec is vastly superior to the x86 line for DSP.) Because I can't live with the broken-by-design built-in ADB keyboard in all Apple laptops, Sony and IBM sold me laptops instead. If Apple fixes this problem, they will sell me a PowerBook next year; if they don't, I'll still be running OpenBSD on x86 hardware, and wishing I could use a Mac.
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Canon PowerShot A20
2002-08-14 17:14:50 Michael Brewer | [Reply | View]
I have a PowerShot A20 that I bought shortly after iPhoto came out. Yes, iPhoto was a major impetus for my digital camera purchase. I originally bought a Sony Cybershot a few years ago, but I was underwhelmed by its low-light resolution -- so back to the store it went.
When iPhoto came out, I looked into its capabilities and it ignited a desire to try digital cameras again. This time I chose the Canon after looking at the cameras on Apple's "Shop for iPhoto Products" page. A big factor was the fact that it uses a CompactFlash card which is more durable and cheaper than its competitors. It also uses normal alkaline batteries which give it a longer life and has 3x zoom when most others in the price range had 2x. I was pleasantly surprised by the PowerShot's performance and have largely replaced my conventional camera with it.
However, what I'm really waiting for is a greater than three mega-pixel digital camera body to drop to the $500 level. I miss interchangeable lenses and a through-the-lens view-finder. Once good digital camera bodies come out, I'll probably put my Minolta SLR up on eBay. -
Canon PowerShot A20 -- Solid Camera
2002-08-15 06:55:45 Derrick Story |
[Reply | View]
The Canon A20 is a good choice indeed.
One thing though, if you replace those alkaline batteries with rechargable NiMHs, you'll get more pictures per set of cells and will be able to use them over and over again.
I have an Olympus C-3030 that uses AAs, and I love the flexibility of having NiMHs in the camera and a set of alkalines on hand for emergencies.
One other note: I much prefer CompactFlash too. Too bad the Olympus uses SmartMedia ...
Once again a nice side by side comparison to help people see the differences in the cameras. As a long time Canon user I would be biased. I'm sending this link to my friend.
As an OS X user I've never been able to find photostitch for OS X and calls to Canon have been fruitless.
I do love my Powershot tho
andy