Into
Holidays and cameras do not always agree. Although ideally the holidays the best time to dedicate himself to the passion of photography, in fact, many prefer to leave your camera at home. This is for two reasons. First, the weight and bulk . But also for the fear of ruining the equipment with water, sand or falls .
Into It starts rather quiet if you have the opportunity to buy a waterproof and shockproof camera
, or
diving and shock-proof . We can then use them in the pool, on the beach, the sea, and entrust them in the hands of children without the fear that may disastrously fall to the ground. Into When buying, however, you can come across the classic dilemma:
better Canon or Nikon better? . Doubt supported by the fact that in the catalog of the two houses there are two models quite similar, ie the
Canon PowerShot D20 and
Nikon Coolpix AW110 . The optics in practice is the same: it is a stabilized zoom equivalent 28-140mm F/3.9-4.8 opening. Both have a nice monitor 3 “and features integrated GPS.
Although the sensor has the same dimensions, being a CMOS 1/2.3 “(6.17 × 4.55MM), but the Nikon has 4 Megapixel in most of Canon. The Nikon also has integrated Wi-Fi functions. But the real differences that interest me are those practices, detectable in practical use for exterior and, of course, diving.
Into Thanks to the collaboration with Italy and Canon with Nital I could put to the test these two compact bombproof.
Into
DESIGN AND ERGONOMICS
Into The Canon PowerShot D20 declares its strength from the first glance. On the visible screws make it clear that the impact resistance is a priority project of this camera. The total absence of dials and levers instead is designed to minimize the risk of water infiltration inside. I was puzzled about it the choice to have on the body two separate sections, one dedicated to battery and memory card, another dedicated connections. A single compartment and then a single door would be a lower risk against infiltration of the above. For the rest of the Canon is holding very well and the buttons very large and protruding facilitate their identification. He finally hit the coupling system of interlocking strap: fast, ideal to replace it with other straps or to put the camera in a diving suit, but at the same time robust and reliable.
Into The
Nikon Coolpix AW110 I’ve received in evidence is presented with a livery a little ‘k itsch
, which is a green camouflage. If you are still loyal to the pants kombat then you can do
pendant , otherwise I suggest you contact the most simple single-color versions. The camera is full of buttons, including one that activates the GPS feature rich. We can view and navigate on the world map, where we can save and then follow the routes, thanks to the integrated compass and altimeter. We also have the key to the dynamic control: push and shaking the camera we can choose between some modes. Too bad it’s terribly uncomfortable and after a few attempts it is clear that using the keys is done before and better. For the rest of the Nikon is being appealed and is used well, even if the keys very small and close together can create some difficulties. Finally, I appreciated that the Nikon has a small brush supplied as standard, useful for cleaning every corner of sand and dirt, as well as a smart adapter to joint that allows you to use any filter wi th thread 40.5 mm. Into
IMPRESSIONS OF USE
Into Having two underwater cameras to be put to the test I started off with a dip in the pool. And it was tough. Not the dive, but underwater photography. Even with the mask is hard to see what you’re framing. The buoyancy makes it difficult to stand still less to get help from someone. Half a meter of water absorbs a lot of light, forcing you to work with high sensitivity. Always remove the water and creates a dominant blue contrast.
Into The
Canon PowerShot D20 has behaved quite well. Some difficulties on the white balance that is too hot, despite having selected one dedicated to underwater filming. The meter tends to underexpose, requiring to manually compensate by 2/3 EV. No problem in the shots dry, the automatic setting where the camera svolve their job very well. Into The
Nikon Coolpix AW110 has defended equally well in diving, presenting, however, the exact opposite problem to the Canon. In fact, despite having ch osen the balance for underwater shooting, the white balance is too cold. Even for the Nikon I had to compensate the exposure with 2/3 EV to avoid overly dark images. Obviously dry no problem. I also appreciated the automatic flash that is activated in shadows on his face at sunset. Are still bad I could not find the histogram. A lack really strange and that creates some difficulties, especially when one wants to assess the exposure on the display under the blazing sun. Into
IMAGE QUALITY
Into The Canon PowerShot D20 provides excellent JPG, ready for use. At the minimum sensitivity, or ISO 100, we have an excellent file, rich in detail. Turning to the sensitivity just above, or ISO 200, there is a noticeable decay, probably due to activation of the noise reduction. A decay that grows rightly evenly up to the maximum sensitivity, equivalent to ISO 3200, where, however, we still have a file for use on the web and for small prints, thanks to the fact that the noise reduction eats detail but maintains a constant chromatic coherence .
Into The Nikon Coolpix AW110 also provides excellent files. The detail, thanks to the higher resolution, and there is seen. The yield is virtually identical to the Canon: excellent to minimum sensitivity of 125 ISO, worse and worse as it rises sensitivity. To the maximum value, equal to ISO 3200, still manages to maintain a minimum of fine detail, even if at the expense of color consistency. If you look good in fact the background Clickblog appears mottled and uneven.
Into
ask WHAT MORE
Both Into the Canon PowerShot D20 that the Nikon Coolpix AW110 would ask only one thing: try to improve the operation underwater. Neither satisfied me to the full. But probably these cameras are not born with the sole purpose of being underwater. Arise as a compact resistant to everything from powder to the water, from cold to hot. But I would give up willingly to features such as GPS and Wi-Fi access in exchange for a camera that is able to really help me to bring home beautiful pictures taken underwater.
Into
CONCLUSIONS
Into This is the first comparative Clickblog . Every self-respecting comparative must proclaim a winner. Tough choice as to race two cameras are similar in purpose and main features. For completeness of features and equipment should win the Nikon Coolpix AW110 , turning a blind eye if not two on the lack of the histogram. But in the end for me to win is the Canon PowerShot D20 , thanks to the results obtained under water. The white balance as mentioned above is too hot, but still returns the images more convincing than the Nikon.
Into To conclude here is really summed up what I liked and what is not:
Like the Canon PowerShot D20:
Into – body bombproof
– large keys for easy use
– strap attack
– quality images
not like the Canon PowerShot D20:
Into – Double compartment for cards / memories and connections
– white balance underwater too hot
Like the Nikon Coolpix AW1100:
Into – body bombproof
– adapter for filters and cleaning brush supplied as standard
– quality images
not like the Nikon Coolpix AW110:
Into – key dynamic control of dubious value
– white balance underwater too cold
– missing histogram reproduction
Into the model finally I want to thank Laura Broccoli for posing in the test shots, as well as the photographer Giulia Buccolini for assisting me during the photo session.
Into Canon PowerShot D20 vs Nikon Coolpix AW110, the comparative review
Into