Step-up SLRs Heat up the Market at PhotoPlus Expo

In the past several years we've seen dramatic drops in prices for SLR (Single Lens Reflex) cameras priced under $1,000, a category the industry refers to as entry-level. In part, manufacturers are cutting prices to meet increased demand for SLRs by consumers frustrated with the limitations of point-and-shoot cameras (those with built-in lenses), including low picture quality when shooting without a flash in low light, and frustratingly long next-shot delay and shutter lag.

However, this price drop has been accompanied by an expansion of the market for cameras priced $1,300 to $1,800 (not including lens), a group commonly known as step-up or mid-range SLRs. Several new models in this class, which appeal to serious non-professional photographers, were introduced in the past few months and on view at this year's PhotoPlus Expo, taking place in New York City from October 18 through October 20.

What do you get for $1,300 and up? In general, more sophisticated focusing and metering systems and bodies that manufacturers claim have been better hardened against the elements (more-watertight battery compartments, for example). Plus you get some features that have been common on point-and-shoot cameras but rare on SLRs, such as 2.5-inch and larger LCDs and live-view shooting, which lets you use the LCD to compose shots.

Related information

• Official PhotoPlus Expo Web site
• Consumer Reports' Buying Advice: How to choose a digital camera
• Ratings: Digital SLR lenses (available to ConsumerReports.org subscribers only)

The most recently introduced SLR, one that has created quite a bit of buzz at the show, is the 10-megapixel, $1,700, Olympus E-3 (Click on the image at left for a larger view.) that Olympus claims has a very fast autofocus (quick in attaining sharp focus when you press half way down on the shutter button). Other features include sensor-based built-in stabilization (meaning that any compatible lens will be image stabilized) and a hardware-based dust cleaning system. These are useful, but hardly unique to the E-3.

The E-3 is the only SLR of the new mid-range SLRs to feature a swiveling 2.5-inch LCD. (Click on the image at right for a larger view.) As with all other Olympus cameras (based on the Four Thirds standard), the E-3 has a relatively-high magnification factor of 2x. This factor is important because it boosts a zoom lens's telephoto capabilities, while reducing its wide-angle, so that an Olympus 14-45mm zoom becomes the equivalent of a 28-90mm.

Another mid-range SLR that was introduced a few weeks ago is the $1,800, 12-megapixel Nikon D300. (At the same time the D300 was introduced, Nikon also debuted a professional model, the $5000 D3, which doesn't have a magnification factor for lenses.)

Among the many advances in this model from its predecessor, the D200, it includes some impressive autofocus features: it has a new 51-point AF system that's very flexible and should be very useful if you need to follow subjects in motion, such as in sports or nature photography. It's also the first Nikon SLR to feature live-view capability. The D300 (Click on the image at left for a larger view.) also has a scene recognition system that will function very similarly to face recognition on its point-and-shoots. Nikon's D300 has a 1.5x magnification factor, which turns a 50mm lens into a 75mm lens.

Canon, which has long had a mid-level SLR, has introduced the $1,300, 10-megapixel, EOS 40D SLR (Click on the image at right for a larger view.) to succeed the 30D. It also claims an amazing frames-per-second burst mode of 6.5 fps, which would be faster than the other 3 new SLRs (a claim we can't substantiate without putting it to the test in our labs). Like the Nikon and Olympus, it includes a live view preview. It also has a large 3-inch LCD.

Sony also showed a step-up from its first SLR, the Alpha A100. The new camera, the $1,400, 12-megapixel Alpha A700 (Click on the image at left for a larger view.), features a larger 3-inch LCD, 11 autofocus points, 5 fps burst mode and body that Sony claims is more rugged. It's also the only SLR in this group to feature an HDMI output, for hooking up to and viewing on an HDTV.

We will be testing and rating these mid-range SLRs in the coming months.

-- Terry Sullivan

Comments

[Paul Eng]

Hi Richard,

Thanks for your comments. This is what I've learned from the technicians in our digital camera labs here at Consumer Reports:

The Nikon D300 does not have built-in anti-shake system in the body, because it uses VR-type (vibration control) lenses with built-in optical image stabilizers. So far only Pentax and Sony (Minolta) are using sensor-based mechanical anti-shake stabilizers.

I hope this helps.

—Paul Eng, Web Sr. Editor

[richard donsky]

hi y'all,
does the nikon d 3000 have a stabilization feature?
thanks,
richard donsky

[Paul Eng]

Hi Tom and Lawrence,

Thanks for your comments. Consumer Reports has tested digital SLR models from Pentax. In fact, our latest Ratings report on digital SLR includes two models, the K10D and the K100D. If you're a subscriber to ConsumerReports.org, you can access the Ratings by cutting and pasting the following link into your browser:

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/cameras-photography/cameras-camcorders/digital-cameras/reports/slr-ratings/ratings-slr/latest-ratings/0607_digital-cameras-large_slr-ratings.htm

Alternatively, you can click on my name above (next to the "Posted by:") which will take you directly to the appropriate page on ConsumerReports.org.

—Paul Eng, Web Sr. Editor

[Paul Eng]

Hi Scott,

Thanks for your comments. We hope to get a Nikon D300 SLR in our labs soon. Once we've completed our tests, we'll post the results on our Ratings of digital SLR camera (http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/cameras-photography/cameras-camcorders/digital-cameras/reports/slr-ratings/ratings-slr/latest-ratings/0607_digital-cameras-large_slr-ratings.htm) on ConsumerReports.org.

—Paul Eng, Web Sr. Editor

[Lawrence Becker]

I agree with Tom, I've been enjoying my Pentax DSLR K10D very much. It has given me new life, back too shooting and composing once again. I, like Tom, have many older lens that I have been using. Please, test the K10D!

[Scott]

When will you review the Nikon D300?
I currently own a D200, should I upgrade?

[Tom Sanocki]

I hope CR will open its eyes to Pentax cameras, which are high on user-friendliness. My 20 year old lenses work on my new Pentax SLR! Definitely worth testing.