iPad 2...thoughts

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

As the fanboys say, "its finally here"!

The ever eloquent Steve Jobs revealed to us all the new iPad 2 today. The specifications are pretty much what most tech sites had predicted. If you have missed those, here's a summary of the specs (at least what little Apple has revealed officially):

Screen Size - 9.7 inch LED backlit (same as the iPad)

Resolution - 1027 x 768 pixels (same as the iPad)

Processor - 1GHz Dual Core Apple A5 processor (no other details revealed)

RAM - not revealed (some sources are claiming it to be 512MB)

Camera - Rear camera (720p, 30fps) and Front camera (VGA)

HDMI out - via a $39 Apple accessory (NOT supplied with the iPad 2)

Others - 16, 32, 64 GB storage; gyroscope, same 10 hour battery life

Disappointments:

1. No storage expansion slots

2. Front camera resolution too low for a high resolution iPad

3. HDMI out only via the accessory, not available straight out of the box

4. Price points remain the same, hence okayish. Nothing to be overly crazy about

5. No path-breaking hardware or OS features

6. Will face tough competition from Android tablets, hence maybe outdated earlier than expected.

High end compact or a DSLR?

Image via WikipediaIf you happen to be a professional photographer then its not really an issue. DSLR will always be the safer and the better option. However for an amateur/wannabe pro/advanced amateur its a life or death situation. The first camera is always the easiest to buy. Its generally a point and shoot with decent features and more importantly available at an attractive price point. Thereafter though things get a little difficult and more complicated. The second camera is something you will stick with for a certain amount of time. So getting the right thing is important.
A high end compact point and shoot camera these days offer just as many features as a DSLR. You can change aperture, shutter speed, ISO etc. Some of the really high end compacts (like say Canon SX30 IS) even have the shooting in RAW mode, something which is a defining factor for a DSLR these days. So frankly, to someone who is a wannabe pro, the difference between the two types of cameras isnt really that distinct.
The DSLR has the advantage of changeable lenses which basically allow you to explore the world from various perspectives. The ability to add filters and other accessories to the camera is an added bonus for many. However all these add to the bulk one has to carry while travelling. Imagine carrying three or four or more types of lenses in your bag, changing them at the right time while making sure that the sensor doesnt get damaged. To a pro this may seem pretty simple, or lets say something which comes as part of the package. To a not-so-pro guy (someone like me) this is a dealbreaker. I want a camera which can do some pretty extreme photography without having to worry about having a coolie (not meant in a derogatory sense) carrying the accessories.
This is a situation I'm currently being faced with. Still to decide which team I want to be on. But team compact is as of now my favourite.

Macro Photography on N97 Mini

Surely everything about the N97 Mini cant be bad. Hence, I wanted to give a shot at perhaps the only positive thing on that phone, its camera. The phone has a 5 Megapixel camera and Carl Zeiss Lens with dual LED flash. Although the flash is less than satisfactory in case of night photography, the lens however is indeed a revelation, especially when it comes to macro shots (aka close up shots).

First up, the settings. I changed them to Close up and turned the Flash Off.






Here are a few macro images I shot with the N97 Mini (the pic following each of them, indicates detailed info about the shot and the lens used):

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Tell me what you think of it.