Source: Tom's Guide | Keywords: camera, DSLR, canon | Themes: Digital Cameras
- 1. DSLRs are Finally Affordable
- 2. Four Models In Detail
- 3. Which DSLR is Easiest to Use?
- 4. Live View: SLRs Shoot Like Compact Cameras
- 5. Dust Removal
- 6. Dynamic Photos
- 7. Little “Pluses" From Nikon, Sony and Pentax
7. Little “Pluses" From Nikon, Sony and Pentax
The four cameras we tested have presets for the desired type of results – the equivalent of the choice of film type in film photography. These presets can be modified at will, except on the D60, where your own settings can be saved for only one image type.
Certain other features are only available on one of the cameras. For example, the K200D has a sensitivity priority mode. Called “Sv,” it lets you choose the sensitivity you want and let the camera choose the aperture/speed combination, as in P mode. Before now, fans of automatic functions had no control over sensitivity. Well done!
Sony’s Eye Start Fails to Impress The α350’s “Eye Start” function, inherited from Minolta, oddly enough continues to be a selling point for Sony. It’s supposed to start the autofocus and shut off the display when the viewfinder approaches the eye, but in practice, it drains the battery. Why? The Eye Start feature keeps turning on and off when the camera is around your neck, because movement activates it. Better to turn this feature off.
The D60 has a similar function, but unlike the α350 it controls only the display. Here the point is obvious: It’s hard to use the viewfinder under low lighting conditions with a lighted display near your eye. The Nikon also has an AF assist lamp. Given the size of the viewfinders on entry-level SLRs, that’s a real plus.
Finally, both the D60 and the K200D have a system for "developing" RAW files that can be handy in an emergency. The module is much less advanced than the equivalent computer software, however. So where possible, it’s better to wait until you get home. Also, the α350 and the K200D can control a wireless flash from their built-in flashes, whereas you’d need to spend big money for an additional Cobra flash from Canon or Nikon. But since this function is more the province of experts, it can’t really be considered a discriminating factor.
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- Next page Sharper, Better-Lit Shots?
The Nikon D60 and Canon EOS 450D/Digital Rebel XSi are two different cameras.
I think my employer is bad for forcing me to double check and proofread my work. Dr. Tom doesn’t even require you to care about your job.
BTW, for camera review, I’d go to dpreview.com and not Tom’s.
This should be "...The Nikon D60, Canon EOS Rebel XSi/450D, Pentax K200D and Sony α350.
Technically, the XTi(400D) was the first to implement the eos integrated cleaning system; the newer 40D uses the same system.
I fail to see why anyone would want/need a physical button for changing between RAW and JPEG shooting modes.
I don't know if the other software has this, but Canon's Digital Photo Professional also has good aberration correction features (distortion, CA, light falloff, etc.)
If you shoot with Canon, another good review site is http://the-digital-picture.com/
Technically, the XTi(400D) was the first to implement the eos integrated cleaning system; the newer 40D uses the same system.
Only Olympus Dslr's have the most effective dust removal system and they were the first that designed it and implemented it
The first model that had this feature was the Olympus E-1 back in the late 2003
aside from above comment on the dusk cleaning system is pioneered by olympus, the "New" DSLR in this guide are hardly new.. all of them are announced back in Jan(and as we ALL know, 1/2 yr is a long time for tech).. there are new budgeted DSLR released recently such as canon 1000d, olympus 420/520.
40D, e200, a430, 500r, g650, l,m,n,o,p,q...
I don't know about anybody else, but it would have made the article a lot easier to follow if they just referred to the cameras by their manufacturer name (after initially identifying the models). When the last reference to (or photo of) a camera by it's manufacturer is 2 pages back, it's a pain to figure out which camera they are talking about. Unless you're a serious hobbyist or professional, it's hard to follow the reviews when they switch between modes of reference. We all knnow the names Sony, Pentax, Nikon, and Canon; stick with them for clarity.
40D, e200, a430, 500r, g650, l,m,n,o,p,q...
I don't know about anybody else, but it would have made the article a lot easier to follow if they just referred to the cameras by their manufacturer name (after initially identifying the models). When the last reference to (or photo of) a camera by it's manufacturer is 2 pages back, it's a pain to figure out which camera they are talking about. Unless you're a serious hobbyist or professional, it's hard to follow the reviews when they switch between modes of reference. We all knnow the names Sony, Pentax, Nikon, and Canon; stick with them for clarity.
40D, e200, a430, 500r, g650, l,m,n,o,p,q...
I don't know about anybody else, but it would have made the article a lot easier to follow if they just referred to the cameras by their manufacturer name (after initially identifying the models). When the last reference to (or photo of) a camera by it's manufacturer is 2 pages back, it's a pain to figure out which camera they are talking about. Unless you're a serious hobbyist or professional, it's hard to follow the reviews when they switch between modes of reference. We all knnow the names Sony, Pentax, Nikon, and Canon; stick with them for clarity.
I'm surpirsed that Olympus was not included in this review. They have some of the lightest bodies that are cost effective. For those interested in getting into photography - Camera bodies are not as important as Lenses and Olympus makes the best lenses in the market.
Unknown
Yes, lens with no camera is great.