Canon Rebel T4i/ 650D

Summary: It's a very light weight camera with very fast CMOS sensor, DIGIC5. Its a good camera for beginner introduction to DSLR. A good bridge between the pro line or even as a back up. It also allow you to take HD stereo movie

Pros: light weight, cheap, 9 point AF focus, capacitive vari angle touch screen, HD video recording

Cons: short battery live span, slow video focus and live view, poor high ISO performance.

Before everything, a disclosure. I have been using Canon camera for a long time. I upgraded from my first digital, A80 Powershot to S5 IS. Since then, I also use a Sony TX5 and a Canon 5D Mark II.
I dont call myself a photographer but I love photography and I used the Mark II for my scientific work. However, the Mark II is so heavy and sometimes its near impossible to carry that for my field work. Imagine carrying a 10kg backpack (with all the accessories and lenses) while hiking into remote places.

Here is where I think the Canon Rebel 650D/ T4i comes in. It doesn't have the full frame like the Mark II; its only 3/4 frame sensor but its much faster. So, what you see in your frame, is not what you will capture. I have been using the Mark II for sometimes, and this is something which I have to re-get use to now.

The 650D is snappier too with moving object. I can capture moving object very fast, and this is definitely a plus point for me since I work with human subject in my studies. Children won't sit still for you to work or capture their iris pictures, so you need to work fast and have faster more responsive machine. This is where I think the 650D outperform the Mark II.

Did I mentioned the weight again? Though its only about 500g different (1039g including kit lens and battery for 650D vs 1588g for Mark II), but its so significant different that I can immediately feel on my neck. It's also smaller camera compared to the Mark II and I can hold better using just one hand.

Canon 650D is a great camera with 18 megapixels and 9 cross type AF multi focus. Combine that with capacitative touch screen, it allows you to chose your focus point very fast. I love how I can just touch on my screen and it focused to the place I want it to be.

I don't have a STM lens on my kit but read that the STM allows you to seeks focus continuously more quietly to avoid introducing noise in capture video. However, I tried using video mode on my standard basic kit lens, the video are often times out of focus from the object of shot. It take a while to focus. Does this cause by the lens I use, I doubt that.

The vari angle screen helps when you have to do self portrait on tripod. I don't think you can self capture using the 650D like how you do with the compact camera. It's too heavy and the button is on the wrong side to feel comfortable. However, the vari angle screen helps a lot of you want to shot something on low ground without lying down or from high up if you are blocked, like when you are in a concert! I always love the vari angle lens with live view, that allows me the possibility to shoot at different angels that otherwise will be odd or hard to do.

The Canon T4i/ 650D turn on very quickly too. It start up in about 0.7 second and record or store your image in a SD card. I know a lot of pro photographers still prefer the more stable CF card, but SD card is more readily available and it's great the 650D is using this. This help if you are upgrading from other compact camera and you can use your old SD card too.

I find the camera lithium ion battery is weak. I only manage to capture about 400 shots without flash when I have to recharge again. If I use live view or flash, that will bring me to about 150 shots only. So, if I am out in the field, I have to get ready more battery and that will cost me extra money and weight too.

The ISO performance is weak too. At higher ISO, you will see that the pictures become grainy.

You can go here for a full review from the Canon website. You will also read more about this camera review in the future when I test it more in the field.

P1 Wiggy Wimax

It has been three months since I was given the privileged of trying out the P1 Wimax Wiggy!

Then, the Wimax coverage has not reached this Satay town (Kajang). But since June, we have been in the coverage area and I am happy with my Wiggy thus far.

Right now, P1 is having their promotion again for WIggy and it's going only for RM69 per month with up to 800kps of WIGGYLICIOUS fun!

So hurry up and sign up for wiggy now!

Previous related post:

P1-Wiggy

P1 Wimax Wiggy Sneak Preview

My own search engine

I was just surfing online and I came across this search engine. I thought this is cool and I also create my own search engine.

Now, graceupondoulos also has its own search engine. Try it here. 

P1 WIGGY

After the initial trial pack was distributed to us, I went back to the HQ to have it change. There are some problem with the initial batch. However, I must say that the P1 staff really work fast to sort out the technical problem faced.

The second batch of WIGGY was in better package. I love the metal box and it nicely decorated too.

Once I received the latest WIGGY, I tried to go online, but I can't. Later, when I called them, they informed me that I can't do it around the P1 Paddock area because they are testing out two frequencies for the WiMax broadband. Thus this explain the problem for the modem to locate the right IP address.

I manage to connect the modem after moving away from the HQ. So, with my wife in the car with me, we decided to have a trial test drive with WIGGY. We drove from P1 WiMax HQ all the way back to Kajang.

The modem is built to have seamless connection as your travel but we soon realise that it wasn't so. We get disconnected about 10 times. Each time, it takes about a minute to two to be connected again. I was told it did not disconnect when they try driving with the modem around.

Anyway, currently, P1 is having their promotion for WIGGY. They had not sell it at their HQ but only through PC Fair

So, do go the the PC Fair fast to get this promotion. Buy a WIGGY and get the notebook free. 

P1 Wimax WIGGY Sneak Preview

I travelled so much lately and with my work, it's essential to get connected.

I simply need to be connected all the time, either to check my mail or even to chat and obviously to get my data uploaded every time I do my research.

Yesterday, P1 Wimax decided to lauch its latest product, the WIGGY! It's a matchbox size modem. One wonderful thing about P1 is that they invited the bloggers to cover the event.

I am curious about the name...sound like wiggle to me at the same time, reminds of waffle....so WIGGY!

Well, as usual, when you attend this event, there will be some slide presentation and also introduction to the product. very tech..gy.

USB modem has been around for a while and there are a few companies that has been providing this services. And I think this is definitely a great service to have, especially for people who are so mobile.

Looking at the modem, it's just simply so nice to hold and compact, just the right size for pocket and for travelling. No wonder its light.powerful.sexy.in your pocket.

After the event, the bloggers took some time to test the product.

Too bad, the coverage for wimax has not reach Kajang as its only up to Mahkota Cheras now. I am hoping it will reach Kajang soon, if not, the free 3 months trail that I received will be a waste! Anyway, tomorrow, I will take it with me for a ride to Banting, Klang and PJ for my work. I guess I will be able to test it out. Come this Friday, I will be in Cheras, and I hope I can use it too...because, I know the place I am going don't have cellphone network coverage!

I am happy for now, I don't need to borrow my boss' wiggy. I have my OWN!

For your information, WIGGY will be officially launch this coming Friday, 10 April 2009! Watch out for it!

Hassle free way of renewing passport

I went to the Immigration Department over in Kajang today but I was there too late and reached about 1130pm and was told the number for the day have finished.

However, the security guard notice that I am renewing my passport and not applying for a new one, he pointed me to a machine behind the office where we can self help to renew the passport and don't need to wait for the queue.

I am surprise with the 'high tech' service they provide now over at the Immigration Department. Just 5 minutes later, I was on my way back home and my passport is ready to collected in 3 hours.

Here I am, waiting to collect my passport but I have to wait for about 30 minutes as my turn is another 50 numbers away! Why they can't have auto collect systems too?

Another note too, the immigration should put up clear sign and notice informing the public of the self help machine and put it in clearly visible area and not some secluded corner! 

I was in the One Utama last weekend for shopping, trying to get my leather shoe for the wedding. When we arrive, the place was starting to get more crowds. It was Sunday, so as usual, as shopping place in KL will be packed with people. I always wonder, where does all this people lives or where they find all the money to shop non stop... If you go to One Utama or MidValley in any days, you will find these places pack with people.

Anyway, today is different. We are having the OctoberFest, and this is the event where people just line up to buy cheap beer that goes for RM1.

But, we are also having the World Gamemaster Tournament onf! And its the final day.

There was two big screen set up and they are place FIFA.

And they are in their final, playing for the 3rd and 4th placing. Just take a look at their concentration!

Fully concentrated and can't even be disturb by the crowd!

But for me, I am more amazed with the amount of computer they have for this tournament. All by Asus computer. they have like 8 rows of computer with each row having about 5 pc...that's amazing 40 pc just dedicated for games!

And, they even have they whole system of AV dedicated to bring the best sound out and the best visual on screen for the games played!

Talks about dedication to work, this is how dedicated they are to games!

Look at the crowd sited on the floor, they are more in the first floor and thesecond floor, looking down.

After the event, they even have a group of dancers, nearly 20 of them performing accompanying by the cheering of crowd!

But, for me, I am excited and thrilled just looking at the PC. look at the design and the crystal clear LCD screen! ahhh.....

My old faithful Canon Powershot A80

Yes, I am still using the old Canon model of Powershot A80. it has been so good that I am very satisfied with the quality of the photo and thrustworthy of it. I bought this camera since May 2003 and it has been with me for 4 years. This four years, this old faithful have gone thru a lot. it has been touch by many. More so, during one of the time when my friend was using it, the camera was dropped from the from the upper floor to the hall in my house, rolling and crushing thru the staircase. But it survive, as thought it was singing I will survive from the fall.

It has went through twice replacement of mechanical part of gear when my zoom lense jammed This prove how much I used the camera. It been to so many place with me, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, Thailand and Cambodia. It was so good that I decided to buy a new 2Gb CF card last month.

But finally last weekend, the shutter door finally shut, seemingly telling me my time is up.

Now I am looking for a new camera. I am wondering about a new camera to get. It has to be quick as I am getting married this November... why you A80 died on me now? I am running thru the idea of getting a dSLR camera or maybe a semi-pro such as Canon Powershot s5 IS or maybe a Canon Powershot G9. But I have in mind too Olympus SP-560, Sony DSC-H9 or maybe a Panasonic Lumix semi-pro line.

Canon Powershot S5 IS

Canon Powershot G9

After all the searching and browsing online, I have narrowed down to Canon Powershot S5 IS or maybe a Canon Powershot G9.

First is the Canon Powershot S5 IS. This camera caught my eyes because of the design. I love the solid feeling holding the camera with the curve on the right side of the camera. More so, I am a strong supporter of using AA alkaline battery. I won't need to buy one of those Li-Ion battery which cost a bomb, and for a student, that will cause a BIG hole in my pocket. All I will need to do if the battery runs out is to go a store and buy 4 new AA battery which will last me that day.

Notice the vari-angle LCD screen and the hand grip

And this camera comes with a rotating LCD screen. I LOVE rotating screen. If you have not use it, you might wonder why I need it. But once you used it, you wont want to part from it...

The vari-angle (270') can be flip and turn into conventional screen.

This camera give you a function of near full dSLR camera. There are few extension lenses that can be fix to it.

Next will be the Powershot G9. This camera is on the higher end of the semi-pro camera. It comes with a wide LCD screen but it can't rotate. Furthermore, this camera have to use one of those li-ion battery which you can't simply find a use-and-throw battery from the store. What I love about this camera is that it have the waterproof casing for me to use, when I go diving. Furthermore, this camera comes 12.1 mega pixel and 6x optical zoom. More is that this camera save your picture in RAW format, allowing you to edit the picture later in TIFF or JPEG format. This will helps not to compromise the quality of the pictures for final editing.

Look very solid and yes it feels very solid too

The LCD screen is big. and it comes with the hot shoe for extra flash

Notice the two knob for the shutter speed and the mode. I love these.

But, the shutter release button and the zoom button is too small. Do see that this is a 12.1 megapixel camera. The powershot G9 lack of the grip too. This camera is just too square-ish -la. Look very old and conventional.

Both will use the SD card. And yes, they can use MMC and those tiny card too. But, they dont use the CF card anymore. What a waste! Anyway, I am going to the Canon Digital Fair next week to check it out!

Do you have comment? Do recommend if you have any camera that you prefere and let me know why?