Digital Camera Buyers' Guide - Year of the SLR

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 It also is a long overdue update for the outdated Olympus AF modules in past Olympus DSLR cameras.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.