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  • Reviews of Top 10 Digital SLR Cameras - Capturing Life With Lens
Reviews of Top 10 Digital SLR Cameras - Capturing Life With Lens
Reviews of Top 10 Digital SLR Cameras - Capturing Life With Lens
Pros & Cons

    Pros

  • Truly exceptional picture quality even in low light
  • High ISO range and performance with good noise reduction
  • Flawless auto focus with 6 FPS and 61-point AF
  • CF and SD card storage for backup
  • Excellent IQ and super-fast processor
  • Fantastic video performance
  • Sturdy and quality built body

    Cons

  • Little noisy on long exposures
  • Not fully weather sealed
  • Expensive
Where to Buy

$3299.99

BestBuy

$3499.00

Amazon

$3499.00

Canon
Review Summary

The Canon EOS 5D Mark III 22.3MP Digital SLR Camera Body (lens required and sold separately) with supercharged EOS performance and full frame, high-resolution image capture is designed to perform. Special optical technologies like 61-Point High Density Reticular AF and extended ISO range of 100-25600 [expandable to 50 (L), 51200 (H1) and 102400 (H2)] makes it ideal for shooting weddings, in the studio, out in the field and great for still photography. Professional-level high definition video capabilities include a host of industry-standard recording protocols and enhanced performance making it possible to capture beautiful cinematic movies in EOS HD quality.

A 22.3 Megapixel full-frame Canon CMOS sensor, Canon DIGIC 5+ Image Processor, and shooting performance up to 6.0 fps provide exceptional clarity and sharpness when capturing rapidly-unfolding scenes. Additional technological advancements include an Intelligent Viewfinder, Canon's advanced iFCL metering system, High Dynamic Range (HDR), and Multiple Exposure. A firmware update has been released which enables the camera to export clean, uncompressed HDMI output to an external recorder, while still being able to record to internal CF or SD cards and monitor the video on rear LCD display. Combined with an improved color sampling, the firmware update adds efficiency to video editing, improves color grading options and enhances on-set monitoring.

The only minor flaws referred to is that it’s a little noisy on long exposures. Also, it was considered a minus point that some lost couple of frames per second – say 8 vs 6.

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Pros & Cons

    Pros

  • Exceptional picture quality even in low light
  • High ISO range and performance with good noise reduction
  • Amazing auto focus with 4.5 FPS and 11 point AF
  • Built in WiFi and GPS system to stay connected even on the go
  • Unique integrated dust removal feature for clearer images
  • Offers a silent, low vibration shooting mode
  • Compact, lightweight with quality built body

    Cons

  • No built in flash
  • GPS drains battery
  • No PC Sync socket
  • Slow focus during video recording
Where to Buy

$1629.95

eBay

$1999.00

Amazon
Review Summary

The EOS 6D DSLR Camera is an ideal tool for unlocking your creative vision. It features a 20.2 Megapixel Full-Frame CMOS sensor, a wide ISO range of 100-25600, expandable to L: 50, H1: 51200 and H2: 102400, for incredible image quality even in low light, and a DIGIC 5+ Image Processor delivers enhanced noise reduction and exceptional processing speed. A new 11-point AF including a high-precision center cross-type AF point with EV -3 sensitivity allows focusing in extreme low-light conditions, and with continuous shooting up to 4.5 fps, you are ready to capture fast action. Full HD video with manual exposure control, multiple frame rates, and the benefits of a Full-Frame sensor provides stunning performance and creative flexibility. With its High Dynamic Range (HDR) mode, the camera can merge 3 images of varying exposure in camera and save them as one final image, capturing a broad range of shadow and highlight detail with stunning tonal range. The camera offers a Multiple Exposure mode for film-like image creation with the convenience of in-camera processing. It offers two different compositing methods for proper exposure and composition: additive or average. Multiple exposure shots from 2 to 9 are stored as one final image and can be taken in both RAW and JPEG shooting modes. Scene Intelligent Auto mode analyzes the image, accounting for faces, colors, brightness, moving objects, contrast, even whether the camera is handheld or on a tripod.

The EOS 6D features a variety of Special Scene modes that achieve high-quality images: Handheld Night Scene and HDR Backlight Control.

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Pros & Cons

    Pros

  • Magnesium alloy body with incredible good quality
  • Second Generation Translucent Mirror Technology Camera
  • Features 24.3 MP for uninterrupted auto focus
  • Up to 12 FPS continuous shooting
  • OLED electronic view finder
  • Face detection and Smile Shutter Technology
  • Has built-in flash, GPS and two media slots

    Cons

  • Poor low light image quality on high ISO
  • Limited auto focus capacity in low light
  • Reduced image sharpness in wide angle
  • Images and videos get grainy in high ISO
Where to Buy

$898.00

Amazon

$1498.00

Amazon

$1498.00

eBay
Review Summary

The Sony A77 is a step toward an incredible shooting experience. This DSLR camera is included with 16-50 mm zoom lens. Featuring Sony’s top-of-the-line Translucent Mirror Technology, you can focus and shoot simultaneously for fast, precise performance and continuous shooting of up to 12 FPS, complete with continuous auto focus. Capture amazingly detailed images that make gorgeous enlargement with an impressive 24.3 megapixel sensor. The world’s first DSLR to offer a choice of super-smooth 60p, standard 60i or richly cinematic 24p movie modes at full HD of 1920x1080 resolution and capture all incredible and memorable moments with high quality AVCHD or MP4 videos (records in 29 minutes segments). A Tru-Finder OLED electronic viewfinder offers remarkable resolution and high contrast for outstanding depth, plus allows you to view settings adjustments in real time for the best possible picture.

Some other features include – the Panorama Mode to capture expansive landscapes automatically. The 3D panorama mode captures vast scenic vistas and 16:9 shots in spectacular 3D. It records in both Jpeg and MPO formats.

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Pros & Cons

    Pros

  • Great low-light performance and HD video recording
  • 16.2 MP, 4 FPS and 11 full Auto Focus (AF) points
  • High ISO range with reduced noise
  • In-camera HDR and Special Effects mode
  • Built-in HDMI connection and flash
  • Fully rotating rear LCD screen
  • Compact

    Cons

  • Some memory cards may not work without firmware upgrade
  • No optional battery grip
  • No wireless flash
Review Summary

The Nikon D5100 and its included AF-S 18-55mm VR lens offer a host of new photographic and video tools including a 16.2 MP DX-format CMOS sensor, 4 fps continuous shooting and breath taking Full 1080p HD Movies with full time autofocus. Incorporating the latest Nikon D-SLR technologies, the D5100 delivers outstanding image quality. Its CMOS sensor offers a remarkably wide ISO range (ISO 100 to 6400) with reduced noise enabling to shoot at faster shutter speeds and capture scenes and subjects with less blur. Handheld shooting and full HD movies come out looking great even in low light. The D5100’s 11-point AF system provides flexibility to compose the shot needed ensuring the subject is captured sharply wherever it’s located in the frame. Working together with the Scene Recognition System, the camera can keep the main subject in focus even if the composition changes using exclusive 3D-tracking.

Some other amazing functionality include taking pictures or recording movies from a unique viewpoint, super sharp 921,000-dot Vari-angle LCD monitor with high quality viewing and playback. The D5100 combines two exposures to create an image revealing an extremely wide dynamic range, but with less noise and richer color gradation than ever before.

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Pros & Cons

    Pros

  • Good image and video quality even in low light
  • High ISO speeds, amazing resolution and vivid colors
  • Continuous Auto Focus during video shoot
  • Wi-Fi adapter to control the camera via smartphone
  • Guide mode for beginners is very handy
  • Built-in Flash and mic input
  • Compact

    Cons

  • Small penta-mirror viewfinder
  • Video playback flickers
  • Visibly shaky images in fast or sports mode
  • Fixed LCD
Review Summary

The Nikon D3200 Digital SLR Camera features 24.2 megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor for truly dazzling photos and Full HD 1080p movies in any light situation. The easy to use, access and understand guide mode helps in learning the camera’s key features and controls while shooting. The D3200 comes equipped with the AF-S DX Zoom-NIKKOR 18-55mm, a versatile, high performance VR image stabilized lens. The D3200’s exclusive image sensor has a powerful CMOS sensor, capturing sharper, richer images even in low light. This DSLR helps the experienced photographers optimize the camera settings as per the scene shot. It gives 6 common scene modes to choose from like Portrait, Night Portrait, Landscape, Close up and more for flawless results even in demanding circumstances. When using the Live View, Scene Auto Selector automatically sets the D3200 with a highly accurate 420 pixel RGB sensor, for the most suitable scene mode for the situation.

With a touch of a button, this camera starts recording Full HD1080p videos with full-time Auto Focus, manual exposure control and stereo sound. Its breath-taking 921,000-dot, ultra-high-resolution display makes it easy to frame, monitor and review the footage and can even record in super-smooth slow motion up to 60 fps. The D3200’s wide ISO range of 100 to 6400 allows for shooting in very low light without a flash or in very bright light with zoom, macro, fixed focal length or wide aperture lenses.

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Pros & Cons

    Pros

  • Quality images and videos even in low light
  • 18 MP with 5.3 FPS continuous shooting
  • Swivel LCD screen helps in getting difficult shots
  • DIGIC 4 Image Processor for finer detail
  • Compatible with all Canon lenses in the EF and EF-S line-up
  • Built-in flash and microphone
  • Fast autofocus and really intuitive controls

    Cons

  • Heavy and bulky
  • Noisy at ISO 6400
  • Cumbersome AF during videos
Where to Buy
Review Summary

With the new EOS 60D DSLR, Canon gives the photo enthusiast a powerful tool fostering creativity, with better image quality, more advanced features and automatic in-camera technologies for ease-of-use. It features an improved APS-C sized 18.0-megapixel CMOS sensor for tremendous images, a new DIGIC 4 Image Processor for finer detail and excellent color reproduction, and improved ISO capabilities from 100-6400 (expandable to 12800) for uncompromised shooting even in the dimmest situations. The new multi-control Dial enables users to conveniently operate menus and enter settings with a simple touch. The 60D also features an EOS first: A Vari-angle 3.0-inch Clear View articulating LCD (1,040,000 dots) monitor for easy low- or high-angle viewing. An improved viewfinder, a number of new in-camera creative options and filters, plus HDMI output for viewing images on an HDTV all make the EOS 60D invaluable for the evolving photographer. 

The compact, inexpensive and available in increasingly large capacities; SD, SDHC and SDXC memory cards are a perfect complement to the EOS 60D DSLR's compact and lightweight body design. The 60D is compatible with all Canon lenses in the EF and EF-S line-up, ranging from ultra-wide angle to super telephoto lenses. Canon's Optical Image Stabilizer technology is featured in select lenses to minimize the effect of camera shake. Additionally, photographers can use the same lenses, for video, they do for still photography; Canon wide-angle, macro, super-telephoto, tilt-shift and fisheye lenses, providing a wealth of focal lengths, depth-of-field and other creative shooting options once reserved for stills. The 60D marks a highpoint in convenience for the photographer by being able to shoot an image as a RAW file and then process it entirely in-camera to produce a separate JPEG file without the need of an outside computer. The 60D gives 10 process variables like brightness adjustment, white balance, Picture Style, Auto Lighting Optimizer, Noise reduction, JPEG image-recording quality, Color space, Lens peripheral illumination correction, Distortion correction and chromatic aberrations correction to create the image you envision, set to the 3:2 aspect ratio used in 35mm film. The Canon 60D is loaded with multiple software’s like – Canon EOS Digital Solution Disk, EOS Utility for Mac or Windows; Digital Photo Professional, ZoomBrowser or ImageBrowser based on the OS and Picture Style Editor.

However, many reviewers feel the 60D to be bulky and heavy. This camera gets noisy at ISO 6400 shooting and has a cumbersome autofocus or no autofocus during video shooting.

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Pros & Cons

    Pros

  • Excellent pictures at both high and low ISO speeds
  • Weather resistant, sturdy DSLR system
  • Stunning RAW IQ at higher ISO
  • Wide range of lens compatibility
  • In Camera HDR capability
  • Very good and virtually silent Auto Focus
  • Very reasonable price for the quality and features

    Cons

  • Slow to display previews
  • No AF and has limited exposure controls during recording
Where to Buy
Review Summary

Developed using the highly acclaimed Pentax K-7 as its base, the K-5 inherits the exceptional reliability, user-friendly operation, array of advanced features and compact, lightweight body of its predecessor. However, it is more resourceful and flexible in photographic expression. Combining a new high-speed, low-noise CMOS image sensor with the high-performance PRIME II imaging engine, it produces super-high-resolution, rich-gradation digital images with approximately 16.28 effective megapixels, even when shooting in the continuous shooting mode at a maximum speed of approximately seven images per second. The K-5’s high-speed continuous shooting mode records as many as 22 images in a single sequence at a maximum speed of seven images per second. The K-5 captures beautiful, true-to-life movie clips in 16:9 full HD proportions (1920 x 1080 pixels) at a frame rate of 25 frames per second. The K-5 also provides greater possibilities in visual presentation in movies, especially through the application of custom images and digital filters. 

The K-5 features a new-generation, wide-frame SAFOX IX+ autofocus system with 11 sensor points and is equipped with a spot beam projector to assist the AF system in poorly lit locations. The K-5 features a pentaprism finder with a nearly 100% field of view and at 0.92-times magnification (with a 50mm F1.4 lens at infinity) to provide a better view of the image field and improve the accuracy and speed of focusing and image composition. Thanks to a new image sensor, the K-5’s Contrast AF mode assures better performance and greater focusing speed than before during Live View shooting. The Pentax developed SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism, which effectively compensates the adverse effect of camera shake by 2.5 to 4 shutter steps, to produce sharp, blur-free images. 

Some other features include - Electronic level function with tilt confirmation tool, Extended Exposure Noise Reduction function, High Sensitivity Noise Reduction function, RAW/Fx button, Large and easy to view 3.0 inch wide color LCD monitor with 921,000 dots and Long battery life for recording of 1,100 images with full recharge.

Overall, the Pentax K-5 is encased in a compact but solid weather proof functional body, which comes equipped with a host of advanced photographic tools for the easy creation of great pictures, while delivering high standards of image quality, data processing speed and operability. It is highly recommended and rated for an affordable price and its absolutely great features.

Specifications:

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Pros & Cons

    Pros

  • Easy to use and hold, Ergonomic grip
  • Lightweight, Small Frame and bigger screen
  • Excellent picture quality
  • ISO also has a huge range
  • On Camera Image editing feature
  • Great auto white balance
  • Reasonable price and worth the price

    Cons

  • Lack of AEB (automatic exposure bracketing)
  • It is limited to 10-minute video clips
  • No infrared sensor in front for wireless remote
  • Auto focus motor is noisy
  • LCD screen is fixed on the camera
  • Nothing to tie lens cap to camera
Where to Buy
Review Summary

Nikon D3100 14.2MP Digital SLR is an amazing camera for the price, especially for someone getting their first DSLR. It has an improved resolution of 14.2 MP compared with the 10.2 MP of the previous model. It can shoot HD video (1080p) which was not previously available at this price point. It comes with EXPEED 2 which is Nikon's new image processing engine and live view to help you frame your shot using the LCD screen.

Some users complain about lack of AEB and infrared sensor in front for wireless remote. Also users do not like that LCD screen is fixed on the camera and that there is nothing to tie lens cap to camera.

Most users think that this is an amazing camera and the best if you are planning on making a transition from a point and shoot series camera to the DSLRs category.

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Pros & Cons

    Pros

  • Good image and video quality
  • Adjustable 3-inch LCD
  • High resolution 18 MP stills and 720p HD Videos
  • Long Battery Life
  • Good features and build quality
  • Easy to use buttons and features
  • Compatible with the full line of Canon EF and EF-S lenses

    Cons

  • Live focusing during video recording is a hassle
  • Auto Focus is slow
  • Images are not that crisp
  • Slightly heavy
Where to Buy

$523.82

eBay

$599.99

Canon

$599.99

Amazon
Review Summary

The EOS Rebel T3i has an 18.0 Megapixel CMOS sensor that captures images with exceptional clarity and tonal range with enough resolution for big enlargements or crops by maximizing each pixel’s light gathering efficiency. Its APS-C size sensor creates an effective 1.6x field of view (compared to 35mm format). With an ISO rating up to 6400 (expandable to ISO 12800), along with the DIGIC 4 Image Processor's improved noise-reduction technology, and one of Canon's EF or EF-S lenses with Optical Image Stabilizer the shooting possibilities for both movies and stills expand even further. The EOS Rebel T3i can shoot up to 3.7 frames per second (fps) for up to approximately 6 consecutive RAW files or approximately 34 full-resolution JPEGs. The Rebel does not just shoot video clips; it offers the enhanced ease-of-use, image quality, smooth frame rates and adaptive exposure compensation necessary in a professional video-making tool by capturing features to date. When Full HD (1920 x 1080) is set, use the Movie Digital Zoom to magnify the center of the image by approximately 3-10x. With the Video Snapshot feature, the Rebel will capture short video clips (of 2, 4 or 8 seconds) then combine them automatically into one video. The videos can be recorded in 3 sizes – Full HD Video at 1920 x 1080 resolution at 30p, 24p or 25p FPS, for up to 4 GB per clip. These videos are saved as .MOV files and can be viewed with HDMI output.

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Pros & Cons

    Pros

  • Well-built solid and sturdy body
  • The viewfinder is bright and easy on the eyes.
  • Great photo quality
  • Image quality in high ISO is very good
  • The battery life is pretty good
  • Highly customizable menu
  • White balance is an excellent feature

    Cons

  • No auto focus in HD video
  • Doesn't fit well in small hands
Review Summary

The Nikon D90 is really packed with a lot of features, customizations and provides an excellent performance with video capture capability.

This camera is a highly capable DSLR camera for the price range. The build of this camera is solid, tight, and well-balanced with the 18-105mm lens. The optical viewfinder is bright and big, with great coverage. It provides an excellent image quality at high ISO. The 12M sensor is large enough for most people's needs.

The video capability is limited on this camera as it doesn't have autofocus mode.

All in all, the Nikon D90 provides excellent control and user interface layout. It works well in the programmed modes and when needed for special situations the manual aperture and shutter are easy to use.

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