Now this is somewhat unexpected, everyone was thinking the next thing from Nikon would be the heralded (and already much leaked) Nikon D3x with the Sony 24.4 megapixel full-frame (FX) sensor.

The latest rumour on the block is a mid-range FX sensor body, something like the Nikon D300 body with the same sensor as the Nikon D3! This would be a direct competitor to the Canon 5D and whatever replaces it (7D or 5D MKII).

• 12.1 megapixels
• 14 bit A/D conversion
• 16 bit image processing
• 51 focus points
• A single Compact Flash slot
• Tough magnesium body.
• Compatible with MB-D10 Battery Grip

The big question is, is it real and will it come out before the much talked about Canon 5D MKII, which should be coming out soon too.

And people are still wondering about the Nikon D90 (the D80 replacement).

According to the rumours the D700 should be priced at US $ 2999.

Canon is hitting the market with a new entry level dSLR to compete with the Nikon D40x and Nikon D60 offerings from Nikon and other entry level models like the Sony A200 and the Olympus E-420.

Features:

• 10.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor
• EOS Integrated Cleaning System
• 7-point wide-area AF system with f/5.6 cross-type centre point
• Up to 3 frames per second
• 2.5” LCD with Live View shooting
• DIGIC III image processor
• Compatible with SD and SDHC memory cards
• Compact and lightweight body
• Digital Photo Professional RAW processing software
• Fully compatible with all Canon EF and EF-S lenses and EX-series Speedlites

It looks like Canon might be shifting their line-up a little to compete more evenly with Nikon.

This camera is lower spec than the 450D, means the next 4xxD series might be more in line with D80/D90 when it comes out and the next 40D/50D will shift up a gear to be more in line with the D300.

That leaves the 1000D series to compete with D40/D60/E-300/A200 etc.

It’s certainly an interesting development.

If they can someone hooked on the Nikon or Canon system by offering a competitive dSLR at only slightly more than a high end prosumer compact or bridge camera….they will make a lot more in the long run selling lenses, accessories, upgrade bodies etc.

It’s a slippery slope once you’ve started and now they’ve realised that they are pouring resources into the very bottom of the market.

This is good for us too in the long run, the more people using low end cameras means cheaper sensors for us and more money for R&D, whatever new tech they develop will go in the high end cams first.

This is definitely an interesting move from Olympus - beating the Nikon D40 and Nikon D40x as the smallest/lightest dSLR for the consumer market, especially combining it with a pancake prime lens. The camera and lens combo really can fit in your pocket!

The lens is a 25mm f/2.8 (50mm equivalent) and it’s replacing the which replaces the Olympus EVOLT E-410.

This lightweight 10-megapixel DSLR offers heavyweight technologies, including a bigger, more viewable 2.7-inch LCD and consumer-friendly fast On-Screen Autofocus, Face Detection, Shadow Adjustment Technology and Perfect Shot Preview to get the most out of the Live View experience. Additionally, when it comes to Live View, not all LCDs are created equal. At 2.7-inches, the portable E-420 LCD is large enough for users to compose and review images without squinting. The small camera’s LCD is not just larger, it is part of a camera with technologies intelligent enough to take advantage of the Live View photography experience.

Read the full release here:

Little wonder: Olympus launches E420

A first look review at the D60 shows pretty much what we expected, some minor technical upgrades from the D40x but no major differences.

Active D-lighting is a good addition for an entry level camera and the image quality is already shown to be great. High ISO performance may be slightly improved.

The new 18-55mm VR kit lens looks pretty nifty too.

I’m looking forward to the D80 replacement we are all still waiting for with CMOS censor, live view and super handling!

Whether Nikon will be as successful with the D60 as with the other models will not depend on the quality, for the quality is excellent. It will depend more on the answer of the competition to this winning concept. Will there be an attack on the price, or will the competition be able to equip their entry-level model with even more features? While working on this review, Canon introduced the EOS 450D and my first impression is that the battle for the most successful entry-level model is an ongoing one.

Read the full review here:

Nikon D60 | Digital Camera Review

After the update of the mid-range models like the Olympus E-510 people were long waiting the update for the professional level Olympus E-1. For some reason they skipped the E-2 name and went straight to E-3, it was announced a while back in October.

It’s a pretty solid camera toting the fastest AF on the market (only with SWD lenses of course) and vivid Olympus colours. The main problem of course with the Olympus system in general is the limitation of the sensor size..This means in reality it can never compete on a noise/detail level with other 1.5x or 1.6x crop sensors and will be nowhere near full frame offerings from any camp.

Also the much touted AF is only fast in bright light, in dim conditions it hunts worse than Canon or Nikon cameras with AF-S or USM lenses.

The noise in dim conditions is also quite bad and visible as low as ISO200, in bright conditions it stands up well to ISO1600.

Features

• A 10.1 effective Megapixel LiveMOS sensor
• Sensor-shift image stabilization
• Live view on a flip-out, rotating 2.5″ LCD display
• World’s fastest autofocus when paired with the 12 - 60 mm SWD lens pictured above (according to Olympus)
• Shoots at 5 frames/second
• Weather-sealed, very well-built body
• Dust reduction system
• Large optical viewfinder
• Dual memory card slots (xD + CF)

All in all it’s a well specced and well built camera, it might not suite everyone but it certainly does have a following.

All things considered, the Olympus E-3 is a solid midrange digital SLR, in more ways than one. It does almost everything well, with just a few weaknesses, most of which have easy workarounds. If you’re an enthusiast looking for a powerful D-SLR that doesn’t mind if it gets a little bit wet, then I can highly recommend taking a look at the E-3.

Read the full review here:

DCRP Review: Olympus E-3