More MP
The first DSLR sensor made by Samsung is the 14.6MP CMOS chip. This gives the GX-20 and the Pentax K20D the highest-resolution imaging in this class. The Pentax K200D gets the Sony-made 10.2MP CCD from the now-discontinued K10D. The Sony uses its own 14.2MP CCD in the Alpha 350, and Canon its own 12.2MP CMOS chip in the Rebel XSi. (Canon once again makes a Rebel that leapfrogs its enthusiast model in resolution — the EOS 40D is 10.1MP.) Nikon coasts along with the same 10.2MP chip from the D40x. All five cameras maintain the APS-C sensor size for a 1.6X 35mm lens factor for the Canon and 1.5X for all the others.
Live Preview
Like it or not, DSLR makers continue to use it and refine it. The Rebel allows two methods of autofocusing in live view: a quick method using a momentary flip down of the mirror (with face detection used to engage appropriate AF points), and a live method that can be enabled at any spot in the frame. This actually improves on the Reb’s pricey stablemates such the EOS-1Ds Mark III (see camera test), which focus only manually in live view. The Samsung GX-20 can also autofocus with a mirror flip.
But the best live view system so far comes on the Sony, which uses a separate imaging sensor in the pentamirror housing to allow autofocusing with live view — and nearly zero lag when you press the shutter to take the shot. You can even do burst shooting in live mode at a creditable 2 fps. Combined with the LCD that tilts up or down, it gives you a perfect setup for low-angle or over-the-crowd shots.
Image stabilization
Everyone wants it and why not? It gives you a bit more versatility, but which system is better - the one in-camera or in specific lenses? Canon and Nikon don’t have stabilization built into their cameras, but require individual stabilized lenses. And now manufacturers have priced camera/lens kits low enough that there is no short-term price advantage for the other three cameras that have sensor-based image stabilization built into the camera bodies.
But those three cameras — the Pentax K200D, Samsung GX-20, and Sony Alpha 350 — can stabilize any lenses you already have in your bag or may obtain down the line, which can save a fair stack of cash compared with putting together an outfit of Canon or Nikon image-stabilized lenses. In response, their rivals have been developing lower-cost stabilized lenses, such as the 55-250mm f/4-5.6 Canon EF IS ($300, street) and the 55-200mm f/4-5.6G AF-S DX Nikkor VR ($170, street).
Too Many
Canon EOS 40D, Nikon D300, and Sony Alpha 700 — and camera makers are not stopping with those. Nearly every DSLR maker has recently added one or more models to this year’s lineup, all of them aimed at the mid-level. For street prices of $630 to $1,400, they provide a nice boost in megapixels, with two models coming in at more than 14MP. But they aren’t about sheer firepower — don’t look for the fastest burst rates or stratospheric ISOs. Instead, you’ll find such conveniences as bigger LCD screens, live view, more battery power, extended in-camera image controls, and improved image stabilization.
No sooner do you have your setup complete (at least for the moment) and another model beckons so strongly that you cannot resist!
Improvements
Sony began the trend with its Dynamic Range Optimizer (DRO), which can calm down highlights and bring up shadows on the fly. Nikon’s Active D-Lighting, Pentax’s Expanded Dynamic Range, and Samsung’s High Dynamic Range do similar duty. The Canon Rebel XSi has Highlight Tone Priority, which will maintain detail in an exposure level selected by the user.
The Nikon D60 can convert RAW files to JPEGs with image corrections, remove redeye, add a cross filter, and even assemble stop-action movies from individual frames. The Pentax and Samsung have an assortment of digital filters and extensive picture adjustments. The Sony A350 inherits the menu of eight scene selection modes, each one of which can be individually tweaked.
And the Canon Rebel debuts a new tool, Auto Optimization, which can improve brightness and contrast on the fly (something like Auto Levels in Adobe Photoshop) and which gives priority to faces in the frame — to bring up detail in backlit portraits, for example.
Sensor dust has become Enemy #1 and DSLR manufacturers are recognizing that with more megapixels, shooters will view or print pictures at larger sizes — and will be all the more aware of dust spots on the sensor. All five of these cameras provide a momentary ultrasonic shake of the sensor to remove dust, but the precautions hardly stop there.
The Nikon simultaneously provides a momentary puff of air — something like a built-in bulb blower — and can map dust particles for removal later in software. The Canon also has software dust mapping. The Pentax and Samsung models highlight dust particles on the LCD — and display the map as a mirror image to facilitate manual cleaning of the sensor.
Should You Buy?
Fierce competition once again proves a good thing, with four of these five models coming in well under $1,000 with a kit lens. Stay tuned for more info on the latest and greatest offerings.
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A Canon rep was overheard: The EOS-1Ds line (the full-frame pro DSLRs) is on a three-year upgrade cycle. The 1Ds Mark II came out in 2004, and the Mark III 3 years later in 2007. The EOS 5D came out in 2005 and it is now…? So, are we due for a new version? Message boards are humming but that is as far as the rumors go.
