PrOsuMer digi Tal slrs
by dan Havlik
Sure Shots
GET QUALITY AND PEFORMANCE IN A BUDGET-FRIENDLY DSLR
With the earthquake and tsunami in Japan and a world economy that continues to struggle, it’s been a difficult year for digital
SLRs. While some of the new models listed below are on the border between prosumer and entry-level DSLRs, they have enough
imaging power, photo features, and overall speed to make the case as a lightweight second or “weekend” camera for pros. Add in
their HD shooting capabilities, and these are some great little, all-in-one imaging machines at very affordable prices.
CANON EOS REBEL T3I
For a camera that sells for less than $1,000, the 18-megapixel Canon
Rebel T3i has a lot going for it. Along with its surprisingly good imaging chops for its upper-entry-level status, the Rebel T3i adds a host
of new features from its popular predecessor, the T2i. For starters,
there’s the 3-inch, swivel-out, high resolution LCD screen that’s handy
for composing over the head or down low shots. Then there’s the
expanded video performance, which allows the Rebel T3i to shoot full
1080p, HD video at 30p. Though it only records monaural sound, it
sports a stereo mic jack if you want to pump up the audio. ISO range is
100-12,800 and the Rebel T3i produces pleasantly crisp images at up
to 3200. It’s not a blazingly fast still camera when it comes to frame
rate – just 3. 7 fps – but it’s quick to operate overall with very little
shutter lag and a fast start-up time.
Price: $700 (body only)
Website: www.usa.canon.com
NIkON D5100
The 16.2-megapixel Nikon D5100 is a small DSLR, very small,
but it packs a good punch. At 5.0 x 3. 8 x 3. 1 inches, the
D5100 is even smaller than its predecessor, the D5000, and
some pros may find it too tiny for their tastes. But when you
consider what’s packed into the D5100’s petite body and how
well it performs, it’s definitely worth a second look. Granted,
as with the Canon Rebel T3i, this is unlikely to be your primary
camera but it’s certainly suited as a light, low-key shooter or
a throw-in-the-bag back up model. It’s really not a lot bigger
than most of these new-fangled mirrorless compact system
cameras everyone is talking about. And when it comes to
image quality, the Nikon D5100 beats them all. The 16.2MP
CMOS sensor in the D5100 is the same one that was in the
D7000, which we named “Camera of the Year” last year. And
like the D7000, the D5100 is a dynamite performer in low
light. Unlike the D7000 though, the D5100 adds an excellent,
3-inch, 921,000-dot, LCD side-articulating screen to help you
frame shots from difficult angles. Nikon’s also packed this
camera with an impressive full 1080p HD video mode at 24 or
30p with full-time autofocusing, aperture control and stereo
sound with level adjustment and an external mic jack. So, yes,
if you like shooting stills and video, this camera could do it all
for you if you can overlook its consumer-style build.
Price: $700 (body only)
Website: www.nikon.com
