12. Fujifilm

FinePix S5 Pro

Fujifilm’s S5 Pro is built on a Nikon D200 body. The major difference is in the 12.3 megapixel sensor, which has 6.17 million S-photodiodes and 6.17 R-photodiodes. The larger ’S’ photodiodes capture main image information. The smaller ’R’ photodiodes capture information for bright areas of the image. The image processing engine uses this information to produce low noise, high dynamic range images with excellent color and tonality. The images from the S5 Pro that I’ve seen are very impressive. I’m now considering the S5 Pro as my Nikon lens compatible DSLR. It’s a D200 with fantastic image quality.

Olympus

Olympus makes entry level DSLRs. The latest models promise quality images and good functionality. Be sure to compare these with entry level cameras from other manufacturers before committing. Also, realize that Olympus DSLRs use 4/3 mount lenses. There was hope that this mount would catch on with a number of manufacturers. However, right now the only cameras using 4/3 mount lenses are Olympus DSLRs and one DSLR made by Panasonic and sold by that company and Leica.

Evolt E-510 And E-410

Olympus Evolt E-510

These are Olympus’s latest DSLRs. They’re not on the market as of this writing. The major difference between the two seems to be in how they do image stabilization. The E-410 uses a system similar to the E-330, which is based on correcting image shake from camera movement on the sensor itself. The E-510 stabilizes images by shifting the sensor in time with camera movement. Both models feature Olympus’s new Live View LCDs that let you view your subject while composing and capturing an image.

The E-410 will retail for $800 with a 14-42mm lens. The E-510 will go for $900 retail with the same lens.

Olympus Evolt E-410