Advantages and limitations of new D-SLR cameras of 2008
Advantages: Fantastic picture quality, low noise, superb resolution, good per-pixel sharpness, quite light weight for a digital SLR.
Limitations: Some people think it is a little pricy. But the price has dropped a lot these days. The only real limitation of the XSi is that it doesn’t have built-in image stabilization. While the camera does come packaged with an IS lens, if you ultimately want to buy OTHER lenses for it, you’ll have to pay a premium since stabilized lenses cost more than their non-IS counterparts.
Advantages: The Nikon D60 offers a variety of ways to experience more fun and creativity when taking pictures. Users can easily capture dynamic images in different shooting situations with a simple turn of the mode dial. If you like the Nikon brand but don’t want a huge camera to lug around then the D60 is optimal - it’s the smallest and lightest Nikon digital SLR.
Limitations: The D60 - like the D40 and D40x before it - only works with a limited number of lenses with built-in autofocus motors (called AF-S or AF-I lenses). If you get a non AF-S or AF-I lens it can be attached to the camera, but autofocus will be disabled. This reduces the compatibility of this camera with a wide range of great Nikon and third party lenses that don’t have AF-S.
Olympus E-420
Advantages: The E-420, world’s thinnest, smallest digital SLR camera. It also seems that the E-420 will be a great transition camera for anyone moving up from a compact point-and-shoot.
Limitations: Even though it’s packed with other features, the E-420 does not include a built-in image stabilization system, nor are there any Olympus lenses with stabilization. If this feature is high on your list of must-have’s, then the E-420 is not the right SLR for you.
Olympus E-520
Advantages: The E-520 packs a huge number of features into a compact camera that is priced for the photographer who wants a lot of bang for the buck. It has 5 point AF, autofocus live view, and every lens designed for the 4/3rds cameras are digital and firmware upgradable.
Limitations: The sole limitation of the E-520 is that - like other modern Olympus digital SLRs - it’s only compatible with the new 4/3 lenses and won’t work with legacy Olympus film lenses.
Pentax K200D
Advantages: The 200D is aimed more at entry level photographers and includes lots of preprogrammed scene modes and more things are controlled using menu options. It has two leasts: it is the least expensive camera to also include weather sealing and one of the least expensive that has a built-in image stabilization system. Great value for money.
Limitations: While inexpensive, the K200D lacks a live view LCD. If this feature is important to you, then consider the Canon XSi, Pentax K20D or one of the Sony digital SLRs.
Pentax K20D
Advantages: The K20Ds major advantages are its noise reduction system and its revolutionary sensitivity range of up to 6400 ISO, which ensure perfect photos without any loss in quality.
Limitations: Somewhat more difficult to locate targets and accessories that other brands
Sony DSLR-A200
Advantages: The A200 is a camera that’s equivalent in many ways to the A300, but lacks the live view flip-out LCD. If that’s not really important to you, save a couple of hundred dollars and pick up an A200.
Limitations: The most obvious omission in the A200 is a live view LCD, but it also doesn’t have the flip-out LCD that will soon be available on the A300 and A350. If you’re into high and low-angle photography, this camera isn’t the best choice.
Sony DSLR-A300
Advantages: The Sony Alpha DSLR-A300’s smooth Live View handling makes this model worth consideration for anyone graduating from a point-and-shoot camera. That this model offers advanced features in a fun-to-use, uncomplicated form should only make for more photographic joy.
Limitations: There really aren’t any obvious limitations of the A300 at this point in time. It’s got every feature in the book, and its 10.2 megapixel sensor is fairly standard these days. Only time - and testing - will reveal if this camera has a weakness relative to its competition.
Sony DSLR-A350
Advantages: All the features of the A300, plus that gigantic sensor: this is the best option for those who like what Sony has to offer and also want to make large prints of their photos.
Limitations: The A350 has the same issue as the Pentax K20D: the size of the 14.2 megapixel files it captures can be a real drag on a computer system that’s not top-of-the-line.
