Entry-Level DSLRs
The B&H 2009 Holiday Buyer's Guide
Compared to point-and-shoot cameras, digital single lens reflex cameras (DSLRs) produce sharper image files containing noticeably richer colors, greater detail in both shadow and highlight areas, and way less noise when pushed to higher ISO ratings. They also offer quicker response times, better metering, quicker (and far more accurate) autofocus, interchangeable lenses, and a hot shoe for more powerful speedlights, remote triggers and other shoe-mountable accessories. And because they have optical viewfinders, DSLRs also eliminate the need to compose pictures while holding the camera at arm's length with one hand while blocking sunlight from the LCD with the other.
DSLRs produce sharper, richer image files because the imaging sensors used in the most compact of DSLRs are physically about 5 times larger than the sensors used in pocket-sized digicams. Two sensor technologies are currently being used by camera manufacturers: charge-coupled devices (CCDs) and complementary metal-oxide semiconductors (CMOS). As for which of the 2 is the 'best', in practice both technologies produce equally fine imagery and the differences aren't worth losing sleep over, so let's move on.
The sensors found in compact DSLRs are referred to as APS-C format sensors, and they measure in at 23.6 x 15.8mm, which is about 50% smaller (1.5x) than the size of a 35mm (24x36mm) slide or negative. The exceptions are the APS-C format sensors used in Canon's compact DSLRs (all of the Rebels, 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D), which feature slightly smaller (22.2 x 14.8mm) sensors. Canon's sensors are about 60% (1.6x) smaller than a 35mm frame, which is about 20% smaller than the APS-C sensors found in Nikon, Sony, and Pentax compact DSLRs.
In practice, this means an 18-55mm kit lens used on current APS-C format DSLRs from Nikon, Sony, and Pentax will display the same field of view as a 27-82.5mm lens on a standard 35mm camera. At the same time, an 18-55mm lens on a Canon Rebel (1.6x) will emulate the field of view of a slightly longer 28.888mm lens on a 35mm camera.
Now, in no way does this difference in size affect image quality, as any Canon owner will attest to, nor should this be a factor in purchasing one camera over another. We're just trying to clue everybody in on the differences, when the topic of effective angles of view comes up in conversation.
Common complaints you won't experience with DSLRs are few-if-any missed pictures due to shutter lag and/or balky autofocus, especially when taking pictures under low lighting conditions. As mentioned earlier, low-light images captured by DSLRs are noticeably 'quieter' and artifact-free at the higher ISO levels compared to point-and-shoot digicams. And unlike pocket-sized digicams, DSLRs can actually produce decent larger-size prints from files pushed to the highest ISO ratings.
Many of the features, shooting options, and imaging technologies found on pro-quality DSLRs can also be found on the simplest of DSLRs, chief among them an optical viewfinder. And despite recent advances in LCD technologies, LCDs still pale compared to composing photographs through the glare-free intimacy of an optical viewfinder.
At B&H, we carry a selection of compact, entry-level DSLRs that sell for marginally more than the priciest pocket-sized digicams, and that's including a zoom lens. Several manufacturers also offer 2-lens kits to better fit your needs. Some DSLRs are also available in a choice of colors, and some even shoot HD video.
For the sake of brevity, each of these cameras comes with an interchangeable, wide-angle to short telephoto kit lens; a built-in pop-up flash; the ability to shoot successive exposures at 2 to 3-plus frames per second, dust-removal/dust reduction systems; truly-usable high ISO sensitivities; a variety of preset exposure modes including the obligatory (P)rogram, (A)perture, and (S)hutter modes, as well as (M)anual for shooters who prefer driving stick-shift over automatic. For optimum image quality, each of these cameras also offers you the option of shooting RAW, JPEGs, or for the best of all worlds, RAW+JPEG, which are recorded to SD or SDHC memory cards.
An additional factor that should be taken into consideration when choosing the best camera for your needs is how it feels in your hands. Do the camera's size, shape, and weight distribution compliment the size and shape of your hand? Is the camera too heavy for you? Too light for you? Are the controls and miscellaneous function buttons positioned sensibly? And don't forget the menus. Are they sensibly laid out, easy to decipher, and formatted for easy use while shooting?
Keep in mind our brains are all wired differently and process information differently, and as such, there are tactile and perceptive details about one camera over another that might make your nerve endings tingle, but not necessarily the nerve endings of the person sitting next to you.
Nikon
The Nikon D3000 is the successor to Nikon's very popular D40, D40x, and D60, and through the use of an extremely friendly user interface, the D3000 features an on-demand help menu that 'talks' you through any 'uh-oh' moment you might encounter, using the camera's 3" LCD as your guide.
Featuring a 10.2Mp Nikon DX-format (APS-C) CCD imaging sensor, the D3000 features an 11-point autofocus (AF) system, a choice of hands-free and hands-on shooting modes, 3-frames-per-second burst rates, D-Lighting for optimized shadow & highlight details, ISO ratings up to 1600, Nikon's deadly-accurate 420-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II, 6 Advanced Scene modes, in-camera picture editing, up to 500 exposures per battery charge, 100-1600 ISO ratings, and compatibility with dozens of Nikon DX, AF-S, and AF-I optics. The Nikon D3000 ships with an image-stabilized Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX lens.
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| The Nikon D3000's on-demand help menu 'talks' you through any 'uh-oh' moments |
A step up from the D3000 is the Nikon D5000, which in addition to the many features found on the D3000, has a higher-resolution 12.3Mp DX-format CCD sensor, Live View for composing images on the camera's 2.7" tiltable Vari-Angle LCD (really nice feature), and the ability to shoot 720p HD video with (monaural) sound. Other features include 12 Advanced Scene modes, Auto FP High-Speed Flash sync up to 1/4000th-sec, 200-3200 ISO ratings, and still image burst rates of up to 4 frames-per-second. The D5000 also features a very neat post-capture editing tool that corrects 'keystone' distortions that make buildings look like they're falling backwards when shot from ground level.
The Nikon D5000 is available as body only, with an image-stabilized 18-55mm VR AF-S DX zoom lens, as well as kits that include both the Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX lens, and a 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED AF-S VR DX Lens.
Canon
Canon offers a trio of entry-level EOS Rebels: the Rebel XS, Rebel XSi, and Rebel T1i. Features common to all 3 Rebels include a DIGIC III image processor (make that a DIGIC IV processor in the T1i), Live View for composing images on the camera's LCD, a 9-point AF system (7-point in the XS), ISO sensitivity up to 1600 (up to ISO 12,800 in the T1i) 60-1/4000th-sec shutter speeds (plus Bulb) with a top flash sync of 1/200th (with higher-speed flash sync when shooting with Canon EX-series Speedlites), in-camera dust reduction, multiple shooting modes including fully manual controls, over 500 exposures per battery charge, and compatibility with over 60 Canon EF and EF-S lenses.
All 3 Rebels come with an image-stabilized Canon EF-S 18-55mm/f3.5-5.6 IS zoom lens. The Rebel XSi and T1i are also available as a body only.
By stepping up to the Canon Rebel XSi you gain a 230,000-dot, 3" LCD (vs. the Rebel XS's 230,000-dot, 2.5" LCD), a 12.2Mp APS-C format CMOS sensor (vs. the Rebel XS's 10.1Mp CMOS sensor), and up to 3.5-frames-per-second burst rates (vs. 3 frames-per-second for the XS).
The top-tier Rebel is the EOS Rebel T1i, which ups the ante by featuring a 15.1Mp CMOS sensor, up to 3.4 frames per second, a higher-res 920,000-dot, 3" LCD, and for the more adventurous among you, 720p HD video.
Sony
Sony's entry-level offerings also come in 'threes': the Sony Alpha a230 (10.2Mp CCD), Alpha a330 (10.2Mp CCD), and Alpha a380 (14.2Mp CCD). All 3 cameras allow you to capture JPEGs, RAW, or a combination of the 2 at speeds up to 2.5 frames per second in a choice of color spaces—sRGB or Adobe RGB.
Each of these Alpha DSLRs feature 2.7" (230,000-dot) LCDs, ISO ratings up to 3200, a Dynamic Range Optimizer for maintaining detail in both shadows and highlights when shooting in contrasty conditions, Eye-Start focus, a 9-point center cross AF system, 40-segment exposure readings, wireless remote control (optional), and SteadyShot INSIDE image stabilization that works with all Sony and Minolta optics.
Additional features found in the Alpha a330 and a380 include Live View and Quick AF Live View, a tiltable LCD, and an eyepiece shutter for keeping stray light out of the viewfinder during long exposures.
Pentax
Pentax only offers a single entry-level DSLR, but it's quite an offering. The Pentax K-x comes with a Pentax SMC DA L 18-55mm zoom lens, and is available in a choice of colors (Black, Navy, Red, and White). And while the novelty of strutting the boulevard with a red, blue, or white DSLR is worth the price of admission for some, the features found on the K-x go beyond cosmetics.
The Pentax K-x contains a 12.4Mp APS-C format CMOS sensor and captures stills at up to 4.7 images per second. It also features a Live View mode, 720p HD video @ 24 frames per second, an in-body shake reduction system that works with all Pentax lenses (including older thread-mounted optics fitted to Pentax bayonet adapters), a 2.7" LCD, shutter speeds up to 1/6000th, an 11-point AF system, ISO 100-12800, and a High Dynamic Range mode that combines the best shadow, highlight, and mid-tone details from 3 bracketed images into a single optimized image file. The K-x can also squeeze up to 1900 exposures on a set of AA or AA-NiMH rechargeable batteries.
Along with the basic 1-lens kit, the Pentax K-x is also available in a choice of 2-lens kits: an 18-55mm and 55-200mm Pentax SMC DA L-series zooms in Navy and Black, or an 18-55mm and longer 55-300mm Pentax zoom, which is available in Black only. And for those who like traveling light and tight, Pentax's Limited-series optics are optimized for the APS-C format and compliment the compact profile of the K-x body.
Olympus
If you're into itty-bitty DSLRs, the 4/3-format Olympus E-520 might be your cup of tea. Available in kit-form with a 14-42mm lens or a 14-42mm and 40-150mm lens, the E-520 enables the flexibility of a true camera system in a smallish-yet very capable package.
The Olympus E-520 contains a number of photo-enhancing technologies including 3 in-camera image stabilization modes, Live View autofocus, a 2.7" Hypercrystal II LCD, Shadow Adjustment Technology for optimized highlights and shadows, 20 Scene Select modes, Wireless Flash, and Perfect Shot Preview.
As for performance, the E-520 contains a 10Mp Live MOS imaging sensor that can capture up to 3.5 frames per second in the form of JPEGs and/or RAW files, which can be recorded to CF (Type I or II) or xD memory cards. Optically, the Olympus E-520 is backed by a full line of Zuiko Digital lenses ranging from fisheye to long telephoto.
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