I decided to do a little testing between my older Canon s30 and the new Nikon d50 and see how they compare when it comes to depth of field (making the background blurry and the subject in focus) and also how they compare in terms of picture quality.
The DOF tests show that a much greater variation is possible using the d50 because it has a much bigger sensor than the point and shoot s30. From what I’ve read, DOF is very difficult with point and shoot digital cameras no matter how good a photographer you are, simply because of the small sensor size. First up, the s30. Rollover the image to see the difference.
Canon s30 Depth of Field
While the original image has a deep DOF, the background only becomes somewhat blurred at very small apertures. Now let’s compare that to the DOF variation possible with the Nikon d50.
Nikon d50 Depth of Field
Notice the variation possible! If you want you can blur the background beyond recognition, something most point and shoot cameras are physically incapable of doing. Comparing quality was a little more difficult. My conditions are far from perfect and stuff like me not knowing what I’m doing and blur and all sorts of stuff probably mess up this test, so take it for what it’s worth.
s30 VS d50
I personally think the d50 color looks better and the grass is much more detailed. Hardly a professional test, but it was fun.
