Features I can’t live without!

We have been beating one subject to death, which camera and why, but in the shower this morning I came up with a new approach to that question!  After exhaustive tests, I’ve  come to the conclusion that just about any of the top cameras I’ve tested and used can give spectacular results if used properly!!  So how to make a decision about which camera isa best for you?  What features does a camera have to have for  me to be comfortable working with it day after day?   (You have to make your own list, but hopefully this will help you to start thinking about it)1  Why I thought of this in the shower is beyond me, but here are some of my most desired and needed features;

1. Being able to check sharpness by magnifying the image with the multi-selector center button on the camera.  This is a custom function available on the D700, D800, D3s, and D4.  It is not available on the D600, and D7000.  I use t his feature all the time to check focus and sharpness and I find I feel crippled without it!  Is it  deal breaker?   No, but close, I really miss it on the bodies  that don’t offer it!!!!!

2.  Ability to cycle through menus and images with command dials.  This is another custom function that is available on all the cameras above.  Any feature that helps you work faster and more smoothly will really make the shooting process more enjoyable, this is a great feature!  All these cameras have it.

3. Bracketing of .3, .7, 1, 3, 5,7 9 shots by at least 1 f stop, preferably more.  For very serious HDR work you simply need this ability, now having said that, I do wonderful HDRs with my D7000 which only offers a 1 stop difference over 3 shots, but it’s not ideal.  The D4, D3s, D800 and D700 all offer this minimum, the D4 much more.  The D600 offers up to a 3 stop difference (.3, .7, 1, 2, 3 stops) in 3 shots, and the D7000 is limited to a maximum of 1 stop spread over three shots.

4.  A dedicated, easy to find, Bracketing button for changing those settings.  It’s best on the top left control area of the D4, D3s, and D800, the button is less easy to find on the D600 and D7000.  Not a deal breaker, but does not make me smile as much as a big dedicated BKT button!

5.  Cropped area grayed out in crop modes.  Some cameras gray out the area not imaging in crop modes, the D4, D3s, D800 and D600 have this feature, the D700 and D7000 do not.  It makes composing easier than looking for a thin black line in the frame, and in movement situations you can see where the subject is right outside the frame!

6.  The softest most predictable release teamed up with the quietest shutter and mirror.  The winner is D7000, followed very closely by the D600, then in third place D800, tied for fourth place D4/D3s, dead last place D700 (which today compared to the newest cameras, sounds like a screen door slamming!!!!

7.  The more mega pixels, the better!!!   Firsts place, D800, Second place, D600, Third place D7000, (it’s 16 megapixels has a relative pixel density of 24), Fourth, D4, tied for 5th D700 and D3s, though the D3s is a better 12 megapixels in terms of quality.  Three reasons why!  (1) Even though I shoot for the final images, being able to crop and maintain lots of resolution is very valuable!  (2) You can never have too much detail and gradation of tones, (3) When noise appears at very high ISOs the ability to smooth it with post processing and give up a little sharpness from a file that has twice the sharpness of anything else on the market is golden!

8.  Mirror Lockup.  All have it!

9.  Ability to use a convient to use wireless remote.  The D7000 and D600 use the ML-L3 remote which I love! The D4/D3s, D700 and D800 all take the ten pin remotes or can use the Nikon Modulite infrared remote or some of the third party radio remotes, they all work but are bulky and involve cords.  I sure wish the D800 used the ML-L3 remote!!!!!

10.  Feeling of substance without being too heavy, (admittedly this is purely subjective, but I will share my thoughts).  For me the D700 and D800 have the near perfect feeling of rugged build, enough weight to steady the camera in hand holding, and a medium size form factor that just works for me.   The D4 and D3s are just to heavy for me to carry all day over my shoulder.  The D7000 is the lightest, but still feels well made and rugged, and is perfect when I simply want to carry the lightest camera in my DSLR inventory (like travel photography).

11.  Depth-of-field preview button.  All  have it.

12.  Great Live View features.  D4, D800, and D600 lead this parade, the D4 and D800 are almost the same, and the best.

So using my own criteria how do the cameras score for me?

First place:  D800

Second Place:  D600

Third Place:  D7000

Tied in fourth place:  D4/D3s  (remember I’m not a sports shooter anymore!!!)

Last place:  D700  (Still a great camera!!)

What does this mean?  Well, pending any new cameras coming any time soon, to further muddy the waters, For me it’s a D800, a D600, and D7000.  This would fulfill my belief that you need an FX and DX body, and keeping in mind, you could by all three new, in the box, for about the same money as a single D4.

Perspective: