It was only a matter of time before one of the camera manufacturers figured out the Live View mode on a DSLR required a video image and then came up with some way to record it. Olympus was hinting at this potential back in January 2006, when the E-330 (the first camera with live viewing) was announced. But Nikon was first to the post with the D90 and Canon is following with the just-announced EOD 5D Mark II. ... [more]Nikon's D700 is positioned between the 'pro-sumer' D300 and the professional D3 models and is the second Nikon DSLR with an FX-format (35mm sized) CMOS sensor. Like the D3 it can use lenses designed for both FX and DX formats and will automatically recognise a DX lens when it is fitted. However, while the D3 includes a 5:4 aspect ratio crop measuring 30 x 24mm, the D700 offers two image area selections: FX format (36 x 24mm) and DX format (24 x 16 mm).
... [more]Like the recently-released E-420, the new Olympus E-520 is an update of a previous model and doesn't introduce any radically new features or functions. The tenth Olympus DSLR and the third in the 500 series, it has the same 10-megapixel imager as the E-510 with a few tweaks to the stabilisation and autofocus systems to improve handling and performance. Like its predecessor, the E-520 is targeted at photo enthusiasts.
... [more]Replacing the popular EOS 400D at the entry level of Canon's DSLR range, the EOS 1000D brings yet another level to Canon's DSLR nomenclature, reflecting the days of film, when Canon's lowest-priced SLR cameras had four-figure model names. The 1000D has been designed for photographers who want to upgrade from a digicam to a more capable, better performing DSLR. It boasts the same 10.1-megapixel imager as the 400D but is smaller and lighter and supports Live View shooting.
... [more]Sitting between the DSLR-A200 and DSLR-A350 models (both of which have been reviewed on this website), Sony's DSLR-A300 offers the resolution of the A200 model plus the Live View system of the A350. Initially the company had no plans to release the A300 in Australia but it obviously saw a need to compete with other manufacturers that offered live viewing in their entry-level models.
... [more]Announced early in March, the Olympus E420 replaces the E-410 model at the entry level in the Olympus DSLR line-up, providing several worthwhile updates and a lower price tag. Like its predecessor, it's claimed as the world's smallest and thinnest interchangeable-lens DSLR camera and sports a 10-megapixel Live MOS sensor. As such, it will appeal to photographers who wish to upgrade from a compact digicam. ... [more]Canon is obviously targeting photographers who wish to move into DSLR photography by its choice of SD and SDHC media for its new EOS 450D model. Although it may upset CF card devotees, it's a smart move. Since SD cards have similar capacities, transfer speeds and prices to CF cards and digicam users can use the same memory cards in their new DSLR, there's a lot to gain. Furthermore, it has also allowed Canon to produce a body that weighs 35 grams less than the EOS 400D.
... [more]The new Pentax K200D replaces the K100D and is targeted at family users and digital SLR beginners. Although its 10.2-megapixel CCD image sensor has lower resolution than the 14.2-megapixel CMOS chip in the K20D, the entry-level K200D has similar dust- and moisture-proof sealing, the same built-in anti-shake and dust removal and many of the same functions, but a significantly lower price tag. ... [more] |