Best SLRs | Digital Camera HQ's Buyer's Guide
This year has seem some extraordinary advances in digital SLRs, namely the introduction of high-definition video to this class of cameras. For consumers looking to get into high-level photography or in search of the perfect gift for your camera-loving loved one, these five SLRs are the cream of the crop. There's a camera here for all skill levels, from the budding enthusiast to the consummate professional. Take a closer look at what makes them so special.
| The Nikon D5000 follows up the innovative D90 by carrying many of that camera's features into a more accessible package. Like the D90, the D5000 carries Nikon's DX-level CMOS sensor, for 12.3-megapixels of resolution. It also features Nikon's D-Movie mode, which allows for the recording of high-definition video clips at 1280 x 720 resolution. The differences are mostly cosmetic. The D5000 is lighter and smaller, thanks to a body based on plastic rather than the more solid feel of the D90. It also has a smaller, 2.7-inch Live View LCD display, though it does come on a variable-angle mount, which lets it twist away from the body. The D5000 is, in essence, the simpler, less daunting, and more affordable version of the D90. | |
| The Nikon D60 is the excellent follow up to Nikon's inaugural affordable SLR, the D40. It continues in the tradition of that camera, providing exceptional performance at a fraction of the price you'd expect. It's small, lightweight, and highly portable, making it a perfect choice for travel and vacations. Though the 10-megapixel sensor may seem small by today's standards, that's more than enough power to take incredibly detailed, high-quality photos that will help you capture those memorable moments with stunning clarity. | |
| The Canon EOS 500D is better known as the Digital Rebel T1i, the latest entry in Canon's entry-level SLR line. The Digital Rebel T1i is a tremendous camera, blending professional-level quality and power with a comfortable, approachable design that makes it easy for budding photographers to pick it up and take great shots. Try as you might, it's virtually impossible to take a poor photograph with this camera. The 500D ups the ante with the inclusion of high-definition video at the full-HD resolution of 1080p. The only minor drawback is that it films at 20 frames per second, rather than the standard 30fps. [720p can be filmed at 30fps, however]. | |
| The Canon 50D is this year's professional-level superstar. The 50D packs a 15-megapixel CMOS sensor, which allows for high-quality images while keeping the overall size of the camera manageable. It also boasts a vivid 3-inch LCD display with Live View capabilities. Canon's big update over the 40D involves their DIGIC 4 Processor, which is said to result in faster image processing and cleaner final products. If you're thinking about making photography a big part of your life, or perhaps your career, then you need a camera that will elevate your photography to that level: the Canon 50D. | |
| Though the Canon EOS 5D Mk. II is quite expensive and intended mostly for serious professionals, we can't simply ignore it. It's got a huge 21-megapixel sensor, for outrageously large photographs, features a Live View LCD, and has full-HD 1920 x 1080 video recording, which can be used with its various interchangeable lenses. If you want true, raw power, the 5D Mk. II is a solid and substantive choice. For those not ready to step up to this impressive camera, it gives something to aspire to. |
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