Doesn’t seem like we go more than a few weeks without a new DSLR announcement as Canon’s New EOS 50D and Nikon’s D90 steal the headlines this week. Add to this news the recent announcement of a full frame chip with enhanced megapixel count from Sony, the incredibly compact E-420 from Olympus, the new Micro 4/3 news from the latter and Panasonic (promising even more compact DSLRs) and it’s easy to see why the DSLR category has everyone in this industry buzzing lately.
Back to the latest hardware – the Canon DIGIC 4 Image Processor Fuels this latest entry offering 15.1 megapixel resolution, expanded ISO range and enhanced noise reduction. Placing this model in the “advanced amateur” category, the EOS 50D has added a new Creative Auto Mode (CA) “that gives users more creative flexibility to make image setting adjustments conveniently without the need to be a photo expert,” the company explains.
Canon tells us they have built upon the success of the popular EOS 40D model (which will remain in Canon’s line) with the EOS 50D Digital SLR camera. The Canon EOS 50D carries over the EOS 40D’s 14-bit Analog-to-Digital conversion process for smooth tones, and also includes enhanced noise reduction, especially at higher ISO ranges which, they explain, “will help bring those romantic nighttime shots into greater focus and clarity.” Capable of shooting 6.3 frames per second (fps), the EOS 50D Digital SLR camera is ideal for shooting everything from beautiful night landscapes to fast-action sports.
“Advanced amateur photographers blur the line between the hobbyist and the professional, looking for professional features and capabilities in their equipment that will allow them to capture that awe-inspiring image. Canon is constantly striving to provide these shooters with the most advanced imaging technology, like the new EOS 50D Digital SLR camera, to fuel their passion for photography, and help them achieve their creative potential,” stated Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A.
Nikon, as has been the case the last several years, fires back with the intro of the D90 D-SLR, a 12.3 megapixel, DX-format camera that is powered by Nikon’s EXPEED image processing concept, and offers a DSLR fist – the ability to record High Definition (HD) movie clips with sound, an interesting addition to the feature set to say the least.
Additional feature highlights include Live View, automatic sensor cleaning, Active D-Lighting, Picture Controls and compatibility with Nikon’s newly announced GP-1 GPS unit for convenient geotagging. The D90 will be available in September 2008, with an MSRP of $999.95 (body only) and $1,299.95 (kit, including new 18-105mm VR lens).
Be sure to check out the November issue of Picture Business as we’ll be taking a much closer look at the white-hot DSLR market as we roll toward 2009.
