Should I get the Nikon D800?

I got today's question during one of my Mentoring Club webinars. Alex knows I shoot with Nikons and asked what I thought about the new Nikon D800.

As I share on this podcast, I was predisposed to like this camera. I am in love with its predecessor, the Nikon D700, and I have been really eager to see how Nikon might improve on it.

Once we have an opportunity to peruse the specs, I must ask the all important question. What problem does it solve that I can't perform with my Nikon D700. Listen to my analysis.

DP Review Nikon D700 vs Nikon D800 comparison

Do you need a Nikon D800?

When should I use the Auto ISO option?

Today's question came from an attendee on my photo tour. I've heard this question a few times in my classes and on other podcasts. I decided to answer it here because my standard response changed. 

Listen using the audio link below.

When should you use Auto ISO?

What's the quality difference with megapixels vs sensor Size

Today's question comes from Craig, who is also a listener of our Free Photo Webinars. 

Perhaps a little basic but I know some people are afraid to ask

As cameras pack in more and more pixels, does that mean the image quality is better?

What are the advantages/disadvantages if any with regards to of an APS-C size sensor vs. a full-size sensor?

I really enjoyed the Webinar last week, I look forward to your next offering.

Thank you,

Craig

The rush to megapixels then to sensor size is basically camera manufacturers looking for a measuring stick to tell us that this year's camera is better then last year's. Or your camera can be better than someone else's.

In reality, so many things that will affect whether you get a great image, it doesn't pay to go overboard with any one measurement.  Your photo quality will be determined by your resolution and sensor size but also affected by lens choice and quality, ISO sensitivity, stability of the camera, tonal range in the scene you are shooting, available light, and on and on.

Listen to the full response below.

003 Pixels vs Sensor Size

What lens should I buy next?

Today's question expresses what seems like a lifelong question for photographers -- which lens should I buy....next?

Q. Dear PhotoCoach, I have a Nikon D3100 that I bought with an 18-55 mm lens. I'm enjoying taking pictures, but now I'm wondering what lens should I buy next?

This is a common scenario. Listen to my response.

Listen to the response

Should I pitch my point and shoot?

This Dear PhotoCoach question comes from someone who wants to know if it's okay to pitch her point and shoot. She was reading a New York Times article that suggests that point and shoot cameras are no longer necessary since our camera phones can do just about everything point and shoots can do and a few things they can't. Here's what he says:

POINT-AND-SHOOT CAMERA Lose it. Yes, a dedicated camera will probably take a better picture than the small lens and image sensor of a smartphone, but it will not be that much better. And a point-and-shoot has limitations of its own. It is hard to share photos until you have transferred them to your computer, and there are no apps for cameras, as there are for smartphones, that allow you to quickly apply cool filters and treatments to the shots you took. Perhaps most important, a camera may or may not be close by when a photo-worthy moment arises, but it’s very likely that your phone will. 

Interesting premise. Listen in for my response.

Dear PhotoCoach 001