Digital Camera Buyers' Guide - Year of the SLR
by Wesley Fink on November 23, 2007 6:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Digital Camera
Prosumer Picks
Photo Hobbyists usually have an investment in a particular lens line and that influences their buying decision. It also seems emotions run high among photography hobbyists, so we wouldn't dare make a hard recommendation in the prosumer area or we'd be ducking rocks. However, it is hard to ignore the Sony A700 with the incredible AF speed, shooting speed, body-integral image stabilization that works with all lenses, and the same 12.2MP CMOS sensor as the coming Nikon D300 - a camera that will cost around $1800. There is also the gorgeous hi-res 3" screen. The D700 is a fantastic camera body.
The problem with Sony right now, however, is that the existing inventory of Minolta lenses is dwindling and prices are increasing for good used Minolta lenses. Sony hasn't introduced enough new Sony and Carl Zeiss lenses to fill the void - or at the very least Sony hasn't shipped the ones they've previously discussed. The ones they have shipped are also very expensive compared to any competing system. Perhaps the A700 is the push Sony needs to do something positive about a better and more available selection of lenses, which is the reason to own an SLR in the first place.
Nikon and Canon have the lens area covered in spades, but the Canon 40D, while a very capable camera, breaks little new ground. It is very fast in focusing but the sensor is the same resolution as the entry Canon XTi and the AF module appears similar to the 30D. The only real improvement is a faster new Digic III processor. You do get auto sensor cleaning carried over from the XTi, a 3" screen that is unfortunately low-res compared to the Sony and Nikon, a very fast 6.5FPS shooting speed, and Live View, copied from Olympus.
The Nikon D300 has that gorgeous 3" screen like the Sony and the fast, low-noise 12.2MP sensor further improved by Nikon electronics expertise. The only real feature you get on the Nikon that's missing from the Sony A700 is Live View. Nikon also introduces their first auto sensor cleaning system. Veterans will tell you that the most important feature you get is the Nikon lens family.
The Olympus E-3 breaks new ground for Olympus. If you consider it a full pro model with the full dust and splash sealing, it is a bargain at around $1699. It also is a long overdue update for the outdated Olympus AF modules in past Olympus DSLR cameras. Olympus has improved the AF with each new model line but 3-point AF just wasn't competitive. The new Olympus system is competitive and very fast and it will likely find its way into cheaper future Olympus cameras.
While we weren't really watching Olympus has put together a really impressive lens line up for 4/3 cameras, with many very fast f2.8 and f2.0 zoom lenses, an 8mm fisheye, fast super wide zooms, some of the longest telephoto lenses available in any system, and a group of very good performing and cheap kit lenses. Leica and Sigma have also added a few 4/3 mount gems. If it isn't already too late, those looking at the current Olympus 4/3 system are likely to be very pleasantly surprised.
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andrew007 - Friday, November 23, 2007 - link
Oh yeah, almost forgot. There is one more complaint - focus hunting. I never had a SLR before so I can't compare but it seemed to me that E410 has trouble focusing in some situations (not just low light) more than an DSLR should. It does have the least focus points of any DSLR if I remember correctly so that may be the reason. In the end I often just use the center sensor and manually lock focus, then do the composition.haplo602 - Friday, November 23, 2007 - link
Hey nice to see the new DSLR buyers guide.I'd comment on the missing Pentax K10D, but who cares ? No Live View, only 10MP, 22bit A/D, dust and weather sealed, image stabilisation. AND a VERY long supply of high quality Pentax lenses... sub 1000$ ... but who cares ? It's last year news (tho you cover olympus 410/510 which are also not new).
I see you adapted the computer world obsession for numbers and new models. Get rid of it. Fast.
If I would buy a new DSLR now it would be either Pentax K10D (and I own a few Nikon lenses) or the Nikon D300 (but this is the more expensive decision).
Frumious1 - Friday, November 23, 2007 - link
Yes, I'd comment on the missing Pentax K10D... except it's already on page 5."Alternative: If low-light performance is a major concern, then you would do well to choose the Sony A100 kit with the 18-70mm kit lens. For a bit more money, the Pentax K10D gives you a great 11-point focus module, all the other features, and pro-type dust and moisture sealing."
haplo602 - Monday, November 26, 2007 - link
Ah ... I knew I missed the Pentax section with nice picture of the K10D and a 1/2 page description like all the others got ... NOT !melgross - Friday, November 23, 2007 - link
I don't understand the statement here that only full frame and 4/3 are standard. This seems to be some prejudice on the part of the writer, who seems to be pushing Olympus very strongly.The APS "C" sensor is more standard than is the 4/3. Just take a look at how many companies are producing "C" sensors, and how many are producing 4/3.
That said, my 5D does produce some of the best pictures around (though I'm looking forward to its expected replacement at the PPA in March.
lumpy327 - Friday, November 23, 2007 - link
Glad to see this column back!! Good article overall, but I wish Pentax had been included too, I miss HyperProgram from my film camera.As a photography student, I'd like to add my two pennies worth to deciding on what camera.
First, if you have good lenses from older cameras, consider sticking w/ that brand. Bodies are cheap compared to good lenses, and there are good, in-depth reviews of lenses, like lightrules, on the web.
Second, there are plenty of reviews of cameras on the web, so do your homework. Look for fast autofocus, and just as important, low light auto focus speed, w/ and w/o flash and w/ and w/o image stabilization. Trying to get pictures of your childs face on christmas WILL SUCK if your camera keeps hunting and strobing the flash, then picks a bulb on the tree to focus on. Try to pony up for image stabilization, it really helps to get pictures in low light w/o using the flash, and most pictures w/o on camera flash are much nicer. Just to put autofocus in perspective, I'm a pentax guy that uses a canon, but if the d300's 51 point autofocus works as well as it should, I'd seriously consider switching.
Closely related to this is ISO number. Look for the lowest noise at the highest iso numbers. Many websites include crops of pictures at all iso numbers, check them to to see if its worth going to ISO1600. I'll say this, most sensors do well to ISO800 if exposed properly and to ISO1600 if exposed properly and kept highkey.
(don't worry about daylight, outdoor shots, most DSLR's and their lenses do well in bright light.)
Third, if your coming from a P&S, try get live view or what ever its called. It's very difficult to learn to keep the view finder up to your eye; if you see it thru the view finder, you missed the shot. Thats just the way DSLR's work.
I hope this helps, even if its just one person. These cameras are not cheap, and its way too easy to overbuy, like I did. EOS 30D owner.
JCheng - Friday, November 23, 2007 - link
The D300 shipped on Wednesday--I have one in my hands.Lord 666 - Thursday, November 29, 2007 - link
I got mine last night and ho-hum about it as I upgraded from a D80. The ISO range is a welcome improvement, but need to spend some more time with it this weekend to feel it out. Set the deadline of this Sunday if I am going to return it. Need to do some more comparison shots using the 18-200 VR lens over the next couple days.Heidfirst - Friday, November 23, 2007 - link
It's nice to see someone who isn't totally CaNikon blinkered.The OM E510 looks to be a very good camera & even cheap in the UK too (Olympus rebates) as is the Pentax K10D.
The Sony A700 looks to at least match if not better the EOS 40D although it's a bit dearer.
& Sony A100 apparently is due for replacement Q1 2008 so that could be another interesting camera to watch out for.
It's an extremely competitive market so prices are falling & there are no bad DSLRs so it's a win all round for the consumers.
StephenP - Friday, November 23, 2007 - link
The Sony=Supplier for Nikon sensors so the next pro Sony will be full-frame argument isn't valid for full frame... The D3 uses a Nikon inhouse developed sensor, unless ofcourse Sony borows it from Nikon.