Difference between entry-level and semi-pro cameras?

[William W]

I hear this words about cameras quite a lot but I still don't know what is the difference between them. what's is the difference or the new features exist in the semi-pro over the entry level SLR cameras?

One point I didn't notice mentioned exactly (but touched on by PeterL) is that "pro" models (usually) have fewer Camera Modes.

That is to say most, if not all Pro bodies have few if any "Automatic Modes": these Modes are the ones usually with nice titles like "Action" "Portrait" "Night scene" . . .”Full Auto” etc.

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For example on 20D you get: Portrait / Landscape / Close up / Sports / Night Portrait / Flash Off / Full Auto / Auto Depth of Field. (and the expected “P” Program, “Tv” Shutter Priority, “Av” Aperture Priority, “M” Manual)

On a 5D you get: only get “Full Auto” . . . and then “P”, “Tv”, “Av”, “M” but you get a bonus “B” Bulb.

On a 1DsMkIV you get: “P”, “Tv”, “Av”, “M” and “B”

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Now the tongue in cheek stuff:

So I guess the 20D “just above entry level shooters” don’t have enough experience to use Bulb, and need Auto assistance with Depth of Field.

When we “graduate” to a 5D we are allowed to use Bulb – but still have the “safety net” of Full Auto, just in case if we wet our pants.

But shooting big time with a 1 Series we can ditch the safety net of Full Auto . . .

at least that’s what the salesman might tell you and also the camera owner who doesn’t know his gear and simply bought a status symbol rather than a tool or a toy to give him pleasure or an income or both.

There is a lot of big boy toy comparisons with all this I think – one method I use to sort that out at gigs, when the Guests Start playing that game with their Big Boy Toy and start to make comparisons is to look blankly at them (distracting their focus) whilst clicking the mode dial three clicks counter clockwise (putting me in “P”) then I bring the camera up and say something like – “doesn’t matter what gear you got - so long as you know how use it in P mode . . . P for Professional . . .

WW

[Colin Southern]

On a 1DsMkIV you get: “P”, “Tv”, “Av”, “M” and “B”

Just wondering if Santa came early for you this year Bill?

[William W]

Just wondering if Santa came early for you this year Bill?

No.

It's tough being passionate about toys and also being in business and knowing that a camera is not an investment but a capital expense - at the moment my business hat still wins - but I still keep my Membership and my Journalist's Ticket and thus have access to a large pool of equipment . . . so really any 1 Series and the 300L, 400L or 500L are available, but without any capital outlay - well maybe a few beers, well maybe a lot of beers

I’ll tell you what Santa did buy me last year - an L 758D - is that the one you have?

It's a very nice, very accurate too and I can recommend it for anyone who wants an hand held meter - it feels "solid" too I like that.

Have a great day,

Bill

[dubaiphil]

The great thing about entry level and semi-pro bodies:

They can have the same metering, autofocus, MP count (if that's your thing) as yesterday's pro bodies.

Don't even get onto the subject of Nikon's Pro scheme, and the arguments of D300/D700 not being 'pro' cameras. Plenty of pro's want the crop factor for wildlife etc. I know of plenty of professionals using D90/D7000 bodies - generally they're shooting in a studio environment and not requiring bullet proof build quality or 11fps with continual autofocus.

[Colin Southern]

The great thing about entry level and semi-pro bodies:

They can have the same metering, autofocus, MP count (if that's your thing) as yesterday's pro bodies.

Don't even get onto the subject of Nikon's Pro scheme, and the arguments of D300/D700 not being 'pro' cameras. Plenty of pro's want the crop factor for wildlife etc. I know of plenty of professionals using D90/D7000 bodies - generally they're shooting in a studio environment and not requiring bullet proof build quality or 11fps with continual autofocus.

And the great thing about this site is that we can just pick up a conversation 2.5 years

[dubaiphil]

LOL

Well how come it appeared on my search for new posts then? Occasionally I'll see a previous post of mine at the top of the list which hasn't been replied to??

[jcuknz]

I remember the quote I heard from the words smith of the NYT ...words mean what I intend them to mean.
Once upon a time bridge cameras were known as pro-sumers, but then what do I mean by a bridge camera

[Brocken]

"Semi-pro" is an aspirational marketing term that has nothing to do with the use to which the camera is put.

[Colin Southern]

"Semi-pro" is an aspirational marketing term that has nothing to do with the use to which the camera is put.

Probably, but I think it's also a "positioning statement" (albeit a more "marketing friendly" one than (for example) "pro-sumer"). Marketing hype aside, the likes of "semi-pro" still gives an indication that it'll have more features than an entry-level model & less than a professional model. I think too that in a world of "best practice", paid professions using semi-pro gear for important events - where they don't have the benefit of features like dual media - are probably exposing themselves to a (albeit small) degree of additional risk.

[Colin Southern]

LOL

Well how come it appeared on my search for new posts then?

No idea I'm afraid - I'd need to understand exactly the mechanism you took to be able to work any more out.

[davidedric]

Well, a few months ago I had to replace my kit because it got liberated from my possession. I opted for a Canon 600D. I think it is a much better camera than I am a photographer, so I don't think I will outgrow it for a while (and when I do, I'll probably be able to get a higher spec. body for the same money ).

Actually, I never use the pre-set modes of Landscape etc. I just think about what aperture, speed, ISO, WB etc I want to use and get on with it. Any tweaks I can do in PP when I can really see the shot. So, for me, a double digit model wouldn't add anything I need, and I can't see going full frame.