The Best Digital SLR For You

Nikon D5100 Features

Say hello to the latest digital SLR from Nikon: the new D5100.

Slotted in between the D3100 and the D7000, the D5100 should appeal to both newcomers to digital SLR cameras as well as more experienced photographers.

Like its predecessor - the D5000 - the D5100 has a flexible LCD screen. Unlike the D5000, this screen is hinged to the side so that it flips out from the camera body and can be rotated to be viewed from just about any angle.

LCDs like this are great for odd-angle photography but are also immensely useful when you want to take video. And the D5100 does have a Full HD 1080p video mode.

Also new with the D5100 is an "Effects" mode that lets you apply artistic effects to your images.

Olympus E-5 Features

Recently posted: a run-down of the features of the substantial Olympus E-5.

The Olympus E-5 does have speed on its side, both in terms of autofocus performance as well as its ability to capture multiple consecutive shots.

But the real reason to own an E-5 is if you want to take lots of pictures in less-than-ideal weather.

The Olympus E-5 is fully sealed against the elements, which means that you can use it in rain or a dust storm with little worry. This sealing extends to the articulated LCD screen, which you can flip and twist in any direction for clearer viewing.

Sony DSLR-A560 Features

Just posted: a summary of the Sony Alpha DSLR-A560 Features.

Here's the quick overview:

• 14.2 megapixels
• Full HD 1080i video recording
• 15 point autofocus
• ISO from 100 to 25600
• Flexible 3 inch LCD

The other key features of the A560 are its fast live view autofocus system, built-in image stabilization (works with all Sony lenses), sweep panorama mode and in-camera High Dynamic Range (HDR) mode.

Canon Rebel T3 1100D Features

Just published: the Canon Rebel T3 1100D features page.

http://www.digital-slr-guide.com/canon-1100d-features.html

If I had to describe the Canon Rebel T3i 1100D in one catch phrase, it would go like this: "chock full of beginner goodness".

The Rebel T3 1100D is really a point-and-shoot camera with delusions of grandeur.

To be more specific than that: you get the autofocus performance, speed and high image quality of an SLR camera without having to learn tons of photo jargon to use it.

NEW! The Nikon D90

The latest Nikon digital SLR camera - dubbed the D90 - breaks new ground in a variety of different ways.

First, let's cover what the camera has in common with its competition:

• 12.3 megapixel sensor - this number of megapixels is matched only by the Nikon D300 (a semi-pro camera) and the Canon EOS Rebel XSi.
• Dust control - like many modern digital SLRs, the D90 repels dust from the sensor for cleaner images
• Live view - you can compose photos with the D90 using either the viewfinder or the large 3 inch LCD (live view is available on many other digital SLRs)

And now, what sets this camera apart and will - at the time of its release - make it unique:

• Continuous capture at 4.5 photos per second - this speed is unmatched by any other consumer-level digital SLR (only semi-pro models like the Canon 40D, Nikon D300, Olympus E-3 and Sony A700 are faster)
• Low noise up to ISO 3200 - incredibly low noise even at very high ISO settings provides an immense amount of flexibility when taking photos in low light
• 11 autofocus points - the most of any other competing camera model in the same class
• D-movie - the Nikon D90 will be the very first SLR that will capture High Definition (HD) video in addition to still images

When you tack on the fact that the D90 will ship with a brand new 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 Vibration Reduction (VR) lens, then you have a camera that does it all.

I always tell people to figure out what sorts of photos they want to take before they go looking for a camera to suit their needs, because most cameras have limitations and don't excel at all types of photography.

Only time will tell, but it sounds like the new Nikon D90 might cover every type of photography style there is - and throws in something for the budding videographers as well.

The Nikon D90 will be available in September for an estimated selling price of $1,300 with the 18-105mm kit lens.

• Nikon D90 Press release
• Video of the Nikon D90 (pre-release testing)
• Photos of the Nikon D90
• Pre-order the Nikon D90

 

The Canon EOS 50D

Even though the Canon EOS 40D is barely a year old (originally released in September of 2007) today Canon has announced the upcoming release of the new EOS 50D (release date: October 2008).

The features that the 50D shares with its predecessor are its build quality, dust control system, and compatibility with all Canon EF and EF-S lenses (in addition to hundreds of third party lenses).

What does the new 50D have to offer that's not available on the 40D? Quite a lot actually:

• 15.1 megapixels instead of 10.1 (which will give it the most megapixels of any consumer-level SLR at the time of release)
• An improved image processor (DIGIC 4) to quickly save the large 15 megapixel files to a memory card even when captured at the camera's top speed of 6.5 photos per second
• Increased ISO range from 100 to 12800 with multiple levels of applied noise reduction
• Increased buffer size, allowing the continuous capture of up to 90 JPG images or 16 RAW
• The Auto Lighting Optimizer helps to increase brightness under lighting conditions where digital SLRs often under expose
• An improved LCD with 4x the pixel count (920,000) than the one on the 40D for a clearer, more colorful display
• The addition of a new "Face Detection" setting when using the live view mode
• Two small RAW (sRAW) formats - the 40D only has one

The estimated selling price of the EOS 50D body only is $1,400 while a kit that includes the 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM is expected to retail for $1,600.

Read the Canon EOS 50D Press Release.

New Digital SLR Cameras for 2008

There's been a recent surge of announcements about new digital SLR cameras that will soon be released in 2008, thanks in part the recent PMA trade show in Las Vegas.

The new cameras announced include the Canon Rebel XSi, Nikon D60, Pentax K200D, Pentax K20D, Sony DSLR-A300 and Sony DSLR-A350.

I originally thought of posting information about each one here on this weblog, but quickly realized that there was just too much to summarize in a short post.

Plus, I also wanted to cover ALL of the following topics:

1. What new cameras have been announced?
2. What is the release date for each camera?
3. How do these new cameras of 2008 compare to last year's models?
4. How do they compare to each other?
5. Are the features available on these new SLRs worth the wait?

Get the answers to all these questions, plus specifications, package pricing and much more with my complete introduction to the new digital SLR cameras of 2008.

Sony Alpha DSLR-A200

It's early January 2008, and guess what - here comes the first signs of the tidal wave of technology in the form of new digital SLR cameras.

It makes sense why 2008 will be a banner year for new cameras: the annual PMA trade show takes place from January 31 to February 2 in Las Vegas and is always a time when camera manufacturers announce new models and show off their prototypes for upcoming releases.

As if PMA weren't enough, Photokina (a show that only takes place every other year) takes off in late September and you can rest assured that there will be plenty of new camera announcements leading up to that as well.

Let's get on with the first announcement of the year: the Sony Alpha DSLR-A200.

The DSLR-A200 is the follow-up to Sony's immensely popular first release: the DSLR-A100. The A200 borrows features from Sony's higher end DSLR-A700 (a semi-professional camera) and improves ever so slightly on the features available on the A100.

Here's the quick rundown

• 10.2 megapixels
• Dust control
• Built-in image stabilization (Super SteadyShot)
• Dynamic Range Optimization (DRO)
• 2.7 inch LCD
• 3 photos per second
• Eye-start autofocus system

The DSLR-A200 will be available in late February and comes with two different lens packages:

1. A200 camera body with 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 lens ($700)
2. A200 camera body with 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 and 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 lenses ($900)

The Olympus E-3

Olympus has recently announced the arrival of their new high-end digital SLR camera: the E-3.

Replacing the E-1 (which is now quite old, especially by digital SLR standards) the Olympus E-3 comes packed with a slew of features that make it appealing to professionals and create camera envy for those who cannot afford it.

Still, if you're an avid amateur photographer who's looking for the best Olympus has to offer, here's just a small sampling of what's included inside the E-3's frame:

• 10 megapixel sensor
• 11-point twin cross ultra-fast autofocus
• 5 photos per second
• Dust control (Supersonic Wave Filter™)
• Built-in Image Stabilization
• Sealed against moisture and dust
• Dual axis swivel live view LCD
• Compatible with HLD-4 vertical battery grip ($199)
• Wireless flash capability with new FL-50R and FL-36R units
• $1,699 for the camera body without lens

The E-3 will be available in November of 2007.

E-3 press release
Olympus E-3 web site

The Sony DSLR-A700

Summer is now officially over - the kids are back in school and everyone is back to work after (hopefully) enjoying a bit of vacation time.

Let the new camera announcements begin.

Hot on the heels of the arrival of the Canon 40D and the Nikon D300 comes the announcement of the Sony DSLR-A700. The Internet rumor mill has been rumbling for weeks about new Sony digital SLR cameras, and now the specifications have been announced.

On paper, it sounds quite competitive with the 40D and D300:

• 12.2 megapixel sensor
• 11-point autofocus system with a high-torque drive motor
• 5 photos per second
• Continuous JPG shooting up to the capacity of the memory card
• Dust control
• Built in image stabilization (Sony Super SteadyShot®)
• Moisture and dust resistant
• Greater dynamic range (Sony's Dynamic Range Optimizer or DRO)
• Compatible with Sony and Konica Minolta lenses
• Uses Compact Flash or Memory Stick Duo memory cards
• $1,400 for the camera body only

The Sony DSLR-A700 will be available in October of 2007.

DSLR-A700 press release