Top 10 Digital SLR Cameras
Finding the best digital SLR is a difficult task—it is difficult enough that we cannot simply offer a single recommendation for “the best digital SLR.” Instead, we have compiled this “top 10” list, ordered based on the needs of amateur photographers who seek usability, professional features and quality at reasonable prices. On the following list you will find cameras geared toward both novice and experienced users alike. Any one of the following picks will provide excellent images, room for expandability and a strong foundation for a better digital photography experience.
| With the introduction of the Canon EOS Rebel T2i, Canon began a new era for amateur digital SLRs. In fact, in the eyes of many professionals, this camera is worthy of professional level digital SLR status. The only thing that keeps it a consumer grade product is low price.The T2i is actually very close to the more expensive Canon 7D, featuring the same 18 megapixel image sensor as the 7D—with almost identical functions, settings and overall performance. The T2i is also easy to use. Despite being labeled by Canon as a consumer camera, many professionals could make a living using only this camera—it is simply that good. |
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| The Nikon D90 DX is a camera that pleases both the professional and amateur photographer. While a 12.3 megapixel image sensor and a range of functionality options produce high quality images, fully automated settings and processes geared toward amateur usability please novice photographers.In addition to 720p HD video recording capability, one of the best features of the D90 DX is automatic chromatic aberration correction, which works to enhance the quality of images that may display distortion due to poor exposure, lighting or optical quality. |
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| The Canon Rebel XSi offers a good mix of professional features at a consumer level price. Perhaps the best qualities of the XSi are ease of use and affordability. Even novice photographers find that right out of the box it produces professional looking images. Image quality is in fact rated very high in tests. The 12.2 megapixel CMOS image sensor and DIGIC III image processor of the XSi perform admirably, creating sharp images with good color retention and very little image distortion. For the price, this camera is one of the best. |
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| The EOS 5D Mark II is a powerful professional tool that is worth every penny of its somewhat expensive package. It delivers spectacular image quality and functionality with a full frame 21.1 megapixel image sensor, a DIGIC 4 image processor and features that match many of those found in the top end Canon EOS 1D. Along with Full HD (1080p) video recording ability, the 5D Mark II has an auto light optimizer and peripheral illumination feature, both of which work to improve image quality. This is the ideal camera for the experienced photographer who can live with nothing less than the best. |
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| Including all of the features of Sony’s A900 at a more affordable price, the Sony Alpha A850 is a full frame digital SLR photographer’s dream camera. With a huge, full frame 24.6 megapixel image sensor, the A850 offers image quality that rivals that of the Canon 5D Mark II and 1Ds Mark III at a much lower price. In-body image stabilization is also a feature that some users prefer over Canon’s lens-based system. Unfortunately, the lenses available for the Sony Alpha A850 are limited—specialty lenses like tilt/shift and longer focal length lenses are hard to come by, but for the most part, Sony has the popular zoom, telephoto, and prime focal length/feature combinations covered. |
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| An affordable and capable digital SLR, the D5000 offers many of the features of the D90DX in a smaller body. The D5000 has an impressive array of automatic shooting modes and settings that make capturing professional quality images with the 12.3 megapixel image sensor easy. Additionally, it includes 720p resolution video shooting ability, a useful tilt and swivel 2.7 inch LCD screen and a sturdy build quality. Unfortunately, like the older Nikon D40, the D5000 lacks the autofocus motor found in the more expensive D90DX, meaning that only AF-S and AF-I lenses (those with a built in focusing motor) will focus properly on the camera. For those not concerned about this feature, the D5000 is an excellent and affordable digital SLR choice. |
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| Before the advent of digital SLRs, Pentax was a notable film camera manufacturer that offered affordable and functional consumer grade products with innovative and useful functions and features. The K-7 effectively continues that trend. The K-7 has shake reduction built into the camera body, a 14.6 megapixel image sensor that supports over 5fps shooting and HD video capability, and an innovative 77-segment light metering system for very accurate image exposure. One of the best features of the K-7 is that it works with every lens ever made for a Pentax camera. Because of the popularity of Pentax film SLRs, very high quality lenses are widely available on the used market. |
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| Like the more expensive Pentax K-7D, the Pentax K-x comes from a long line of cameras respected for their consumer appeal. And, while it lacks some of the more advanced features of the K-7D, the K-x makes up ground on the digital SLR market in usability. Pentax made this camera a point and shoot dream—it shoots excellent, high quality photographs that rival those of much more expensive digital SLRs. It also includes HD video capability and onboard shake reduction technology. Again, a very popular feature of this camera is compatibility with the entire line of Pentax lenses. |
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| The Canon EOS 50D offers all of the options, features and settings of much more expensive digital SLRs in a package that consumers can afford and use. In addition to impeccable image quality and color reproduction, advanced amateur photographers love the fully customizable and quick control menu interface of the 50D. With professional features and a high quality image sensor and processor, the EOS 50D is a great choice if you need a camera that will keep up with professional grade Canon lenses. |
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| The Nikon D3000 offers an ideal combination of image quality and usability at a very reasonable price. Essentially, the D3000 is designed to meet the needs of amateur photographers who want the quality of digital SLR imaging with the ease of use found in a point and shoot camera. While the D3000 does not have many of the more advanced features found in more expensive professional and high end consumer cameras, it still delivers excellent photos with no questions asked. The D3000 is perfect if you require a high quality easy to use camera with no confusing functions and settings. |
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