Digital SLRs: An Awesome Class of Interchangeable-Lens Cameras

Digital SLRs: An Awesome Class of Interchangeable-Lens Cameras

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Despite some stiff competition from mirrorless, compact interchangeable-lens cameras and fetchingly slim long-zoom point and shoots, digital SLRs are still the mainstay among professional photographers, serious shooters and emerging enthusiasts, and they remain a robust and expanding sector of the camera market.

Even those just stepping up from a point and shoot understand that the DSLR’s ability to change lenses vastly increases their shooting flexibility, and that having an eye-level viewfinder, superior AF performance and a big sensor enhances their overall picture-taking experience, taking it to a whole new quality level. It’s safe to say that as a class, today’s high-performance DSLRs, and their unparalleled selection of lenses and accessories, are the gateway to the most advanced, most highly developed picture-taking systems on the planet.

Camera manufacturers have responded to the broad appeal of DSLRs by unleashing an astonishing array of models ranging from broad-spectrum and enthusiast-aimed to prosumer and top-of-the-line pro models that take the basic concept of the digital single-lens reflex to unimaginable new heights of sophistication, convenience and outright performance.

Indeed, many of these cameras are so good even entry-level models are capable of delighting serious enthusiasts, and middle-tier models are often pressed into service by working pros. In terms of sheer value and performance at each price point, today’s DSLR offerings not only provide a phenomenal opportunity for camera buyers, they also offer dealers the best possible platform for selling lenses and accessories—the key factor that spells the difference between mere survival and truly prospering in challenging times.

To provide you with an overview of today’s impressive DSLRs, we present a representative sample of this season’s popular models categories, ranging from entry level to ultrapro. We’ve tried to strike a balance between the most recent introductions and those models with an established record of success, and we hope your favorite model made our list.

                    Entering at a Higher Level: Broad-Spectrum DSLRs
Nikon D3100
An easy-to-use entry into DSLR photography, the 14.2MP D3100’s enhanced guide mode, viewed on its 3.0-inch LCD, displays sample images that change with camera settings to teach users how to achieve a desired look and guide them through techniques such as softening backgrounds or freezing action. It also features: face detection that locks focus on faces; D-lighting that automatically rescues dark or backlit images; an auto scene selector that chooses the best scene mode; Full HD 1080p or 720p HD video recording; special effects; ISO expandable to 12,800; in-camera editing; and one-touch live view shooting and movie capture. $649.95 with 18-55mm VR image stabilization lens. nikonusa.com

Canon EOS Rebel T3
The Canon EOS Rebel T3 delivers high-res 12.2 megapixel still capture plus 720p HD video at the touch of a button and offers unique convenience features, including: basic+, an easy interface for seamless control of lighting, depth of field and creative color effects; a built-in feature guide that tells exactly what each setting does; a quick control option that gives instant access to most common settings; and creative auto mode with easy shooting guides. High-tech features include a 9-point AF system, 63-zone dual-layer metering, a 2.7-inch 230,000-dot LCD, ISO settings up to 6400 for low-light shots, and burst capability up to 3 frames per sec. $549.99 with 18-55mm IS II lens.
Note: The Canon EOS Rebel T2i (street: $799.99 with 18-55mm lens) offers 18MP capture, a burst rate of 3.7 fps, and Full HD 1080p video; the Rebel T3i ($899.99 with 18-55mm IS II lens) adds a vari-angle LCD to the T2i’s feature set. usa.canon.com

Sony Alpha SLT-A65
The A65’s amazing performance parameters are tops in its class, with an ultra-high-res 24.3 megapixel APS-C sensor, continuous high-speed phase-detection autofocus, high-speed burst shooting at 10 frames per sec and Full HD 1,920×1,080 AVCHD 2.0 video capture at 60p, 60i and 24p, or in MP4 for the web. It also features an innovative OLED electronic viewfinder, 3D and 2D sweep panorama modes, a 3.0-inch tilt/swivel 921K LCD and SteadyShot Inside image stabilization. Compact, lightweight and inviting, the A65 provides user-friendly features, like a graphic display that shows and tells what each camera setting does, and shot result preview that displays the shot before you take it. $999.99 with 18-55mm lens. sony.com

Pentax K-r
This cool, lightweight mid-range compact DSLR delivers the goods with a 12.4MP CMOS sensor, 720p HD video capture at 25 fps, and a high-res (921,000-dot) 3.0-inch LCD. It can capture bursts up to 6 fps, provides 11-point autofocus, has ISO settings to an impressive 25,600 and in-camera HDR that features a night scene HDR mode, and it supports infrared remote data transfer. A broad selection of in-camera image processing and special effects enhance its creative options—and it’s available in red, white or black. $699.95 with 18-55mm lens. pentaximaging.com

                  The Happy Medium: Mid-Tier Enthusiast-Aimed Models
Canon EOS 7D
A camera that practically defines the upper level enthusiast class, this robust, reliable 18 megapixel APS-C-format CMOS sensor DSLR can shoot 1080p HD video at 30 fps and cinematic 24 fps or capture full-res images at an impressive 8 fps. Other pro-oriented features include: a 100% pentaprism viewfinder; a 3.0-inch 920,000-dot LCD; a rugged, weatherproof, magnesium alloy body; a 150,000-cycle shutter; dual Digic 4 image processors; an AF system with 19 cross-type sensors; a 63-zone dual-layer metering sensor; an auto light optimizer; and ISO expandable to 12,800. A dual-axis electronic level and tilt display lets users adjust roll and pitch in 1º increments. $1,699.99 body only. usa.canon.com

Nikon D7000
This impressive crossover 16.2MP APS-C-format DSLR has proven extremely popular among serious shooters because it’s optimized for both still and video functionality, delivers pro-caliber image quality and provides an ergonomic form factor and conveniently placed, thoughtfully organized controls. It can shoot 1080p HD video at 24 fps with full-time AF and face priority while providing manual exposure control when needed for video clips lasting up to 20 minutes. It features a 3.0-inch high-res LCD, fast Expeed 2 image processing for minimal shutter lag, shoots full-res stills at up to 6 fps, and provides 39-point AF, RGB 3D matrix metering and twin SD card slots. $1,199.95 body only. nikonusa.com

Sony SLT-A77

A true technological landmark, the A77, aimed at serious enthusiasts and pros, is the only SLR in its class capable of shooting full resolution RAW+JPEG images at 12 frames per sec, and its ultra-high-res 24.3 megapixel sensor captures outstanding detail. Constructed on a rugged magnesium alloy chassis with pro-caliber weatherproofing and equipped with a 150,000-cycle shutter, it also features a brilliant, high-magnification, 2.36 million-dot (XGA) OLED electronic viewfinder. And it provides continuous phase-detection autofocus in still capture, movie and live view modes using a 19-point AF system with 11 cross-field sensors. Other features include: a 3.0-inch 921K-dot LCD with an articulated three-way tilt/swivel system; 1080p Full HD video capture at 60p, 60i and 24p; a release-time lag of only 0.05 sec; auto HDR; SteadyShot Inside image stabilization; picture effects; and built-in GPS. $1,999.99 with 16-50mm lens. sony.com

                        High-End Pro: The Top of the Top of the Line
Canon EOS-1D X
A technological tour de force, the recently released 1D X has an innovative, positively actuated mirror mechanism that works without springs to deliver full-frame 18.1MP RAW+JPEG images at a blistering 12 fps (14 fps with mirror locked up), making it the perfect rig for professional high-speed sports and action shooting. Other high-end features include a weather-sealed magnesium alloy body, dual Digic 5+ image processors, 14-bit A/D conversion, a 400,000-cycle carbon fiber shutter, a 3.2-inch TFT LCD monitor, 61-point high-density AF, an ISO range of 100 to 51,200 (expandable to 204,800 in H2 mode), a 100,000-pixel RGB metering sensor that uses a dedicated Digic 4 image processor, and 1,920×1,080 Full HD video capture with live view and manual controls. There’s a lot more to this camera than we can cover here, but it certainly sets new performance standards for the pro class. Expected availability is March 2012, $6,800. usa.canon.com

Nikon D4
The flagship D4 is engineered to give professional photographers speed and accuracy with low-light and Full HD video capabilities. With a host of new functions, it epitomizes rapid response, to catch the moment others miss. Nikon enhanced its 51-point AF system for maximum speed in a range of situations. The weather-resistant D4 employs a 3.2-inch, high-res LCD and a 16.2MP FX-format CMOS sensor coupled with the latest Expeed 3 image processor. Specs say it’s ready to shoot in 0.012 sec, and all image data is funneled through a 16-bit pipeline and written to dual card slots optimized for the latest UDMA-7 CompactFlash cards and the new XQD card. Other features include: 10-fps bursts; ISO 110-204,800; a button to access Nikon’s picture controls; 1080p video recording at 30/24 fps and 60 fps at 720p, or H.264/MPEG-4 AVC format video; and high-fidelity audio recording control with levels monitored on the LCD. $5,999.95. nikonusa.com

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