DigiSniper » entry-level-dslr

Nikon D3000 – Entry Level 10mp dSLR – No Review Yet

ShaolinTiger — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 05:59:09 +0000

Another low end ‘compact’ dSLR from Nikon, they are really going heavy into the bottom end of the market – it wasn’t long ago since the Nikon D5000 was announced.

With the discontinuation of the D40, the D3000 will be Nikon’s cheapest dSLR.

Features

10.2megapixel CCD sensor. Even in low light the image resolution makes easy work of big prints and sharp enlargements.
11-point autofocus system. Keeps even the fastest moving subjects in focus, often the biggest challenge for compact cameras
Fast response. The start up time and shutter lag means you can capture the shot almost instantly, without the delayed response time common of compact cameras
Guide mode. Simply the easiest way to get great pictures, without having to read the manual
3-inch TFT. With pictures this good, you will need a great screen to share them with friends and family
EXPEED image processing. Exclusive system to deliver rich, bright results close to what you saw with your own eyes
Picture Controls. Lets you set the look and mood of your images before you shoot
3 fps continuous shooting allows you to capture fast-moving action at 3 frames per second
Intuitive ergonomics. We challenge anyone to pick up a D3000 and it not to feel part of your hand
Stylish discrete appearance. The D3000 does not become a barrier between you and your subject, resulting in natural looking expressions
Compact, light and durable. It won’t fit in your pocket, but with pictures this good you will find a shoulder to hang it on

You can find a hands-on here:

Nikon D3000 brief hands-on

And full details of the camera here:

Nikon unveils D3000 entry-level DSLR

Looking forwards to some reviews soon, it would be a great travel companion with something like the Sigma 10-20mm HSM UWA lens.

New Canon Entry Level dSLR – EOS 500D / Rebel T1i – 15 Megapixels

ShaolinTiger — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 05:42:53 +0000

So Canon has already come out with a successor to the succesful Canon EOS 450D – it seems to be a firm competitor to the Nikon D90 and in some ways is better than the Canon EOS 50D.

Features

15.1 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
Full HD movie recording with HDMI connection for viewing and playback on an HDTV
ISO 100-3200 (expandable to 12800)
3.4 frames per second continuous shooting
Max. 170 large JPEG images in a single burst
3.0” ClearView LCD with Live View mode
9-point wide area AF with cross type centre point
High speed DIGIC 4 performance and superb image quality
EOS Integrated Cleaning System

I’ve seen some sample images and it looks incredibly clean up to ISO3200, plus the full HD capability (even if it’s only 20fps) – 720p will be fine for most people at 30fps.

I think this is going to be a popular model and Nikon needs to do something about the D60/D40x segment to strengthen their hold if they are really serious about the lower end models.

You can find a hands on preview here:

Canon EOS 500D (Digital Rebel T1i / Kiss X3 Digital) Preview

Nikon D60 First Review Posted

ShaolinTiger — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 07:23:57 +0000

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

Nikon Annouces the D40x Replacement at PMA – Nikon D60 – 10.2 Megapixels

ShaolinTiger — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 07:50:45 +0000

This one is a bit of a surprise, I guess the Nikon D40x must be selling extremely well for them to release such a minor update after such a short time, Nikon usually upgrades models after 2 years…and before that this would have been classed as a D40s, not a megapixel upgrade but a minor feature upgrade (use interface, LCD, rotating display, dust reduction).

It’s an interesting strategy – but if it keeps funding the development of groundbreaking cameras like the Nikon D3 – I fully support it.

I was actually expecting the announcement of the D3x (a higher megapixel but slower D3 similar to the Canon EOS 1Ds MKIII) to pop up next, or even the Nikon D80 replacement.

As for the D60, the only real differences are it now includes an anti-dust system that incorporates a self-cleaning sensor unit that shakes off dust, coupled with an airflow system designed to channel dust away from the sensor. The model also adds active d-lighting, a stop-motion recording mode and Expeed branding. The kit will be with the new 18-55mm VR lens, released recently.

Perhaps the same sensor, with a new image processor? Does that mean the D60 will be giving even better noise control, image acuity and punchy colours than the D40x?

It also follows immediately after the upgrade of Canon’s entry level model the Canon EOS 450D!

Read the full release here:

Nikon announces D60

Canon Announces the New EOS 450D (Rebel XSi) Entry Level dSLR – 12 Megapixels

ShaolinTiger — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 06:11:01 +0000

There have been a few rumours about this recently, it was about time for Canon to update their entry level model with the new Digic III processor and the Live View technology they have put into their other cameras like the 1D MKIII and the EOS 40D.

There will be two kits, body only for $800 and one with a starter 18-55mm lens for $900

12.2 megapixel CMOS sensor
SD/SDHC cards
Larger viewfinder
Live view mode, including contrast-detect AF
Improved 9-point AF system
Spot metering
3.0″ LCD monitor
Continuous shooting at 3.5fps for up to 53 JPEG (6 RAW)

Finally Canon’s entry level cameras has spot metering! Something that has been missing (and rather important) for quite some time.

It’s also Canon’s first camera to use only SD cards (Supports SDHC).

Read the full release here:

Canon EOS 450D / Rebel XSi brief hands-on

Olympus E-410 EVOLT Review – First Look

ShaolinTiger — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 04:46:01 +0000

Definitely looks interesting, just remember if you get one to turn the noise reduction down and set sharpening -2, then you will be rocking!

Default image quality is good, if not as crisp as the competition. However, if you play with the settings for a while, or more specifically turn Noise Filter off and set Sharpness to -2 (to compensate for the default high sharpening used to overcome the softening effect of the Noise Filter) you’ll see that the camera is capturing just as much detail (if not more) than other ten megapixel digital SLRs, and that the lens is more than up to the job too.

So what’s the final word? At the end of the day I found myself quite liking the E-410, it’s a grower that offers great value for money in a small compact package, has some real stand-out features and hasn’t been crippled to ‘fit into the range’ like similar models from other manufacturers. Just make sure you turn off the Noise Filter!

They seem to have fixed the overexposure issue too, looks like a nice camera. I’ll be looking forwards to see how the new Olympus E-510 EVOLT turns out.

I guess the downside is the lack of dynamic range, I would think this is due to their smaller than standard sensor size (remember Olympus has a 2x crop factor not 1.5x or 1.6x like Nikon or Canon).

Olympus E-410 EVOLT Review at DPReview