Photocritic SLR database

Pentax K100D is a 6-megapixel entry-level camera aimed at newcomers to digital SLR photography. Pentax K100D is the successor of the Pentax *ist DS2.

The K refers to the beginnings of the Pentax K-bayonet, which marks its 30th anniversary this year. This model is a very small DSLR camera, featuring an attractive, solid housing and a 2.5-inch monitor on the back. It uses Secure Digital flash memory cards to store the images.

The Pentax K100D certainly seems to offer true value for money, so add it to your to-check-out list if you’re in the market for an entry-level digital SLR! Get more »

The Sony Alpha A200 model replaces the former Sony DSLR-A100 model, which was Sony’s first in the dSLR class. The new model is designed to be faster, lighter and easier to use.

Upgraded features include a wider, 2.7-inch LCD screen for easy playback viewing; a more compact body and an easily-accessible mode dial, faster auto-focus speed and a better built-in flash system. Get more »

The Alpha A350 looks like a sweet piece of kit on paper, with its 14.2 megapixels of DSLR goodness.

Sony are still struggling a little bit to be taken seriously in the world of photography (not being a photography brand themselves), but the newest range of Digital SLR cameras is set to change that, with some of the cheapest dSLR cameras on the market currently carrying the Sony brand.

It seems that its limited choice in consumer-grade lenses is holding it back from being a genuine competitor to some of the other brands out there. Get more »

If the 20D and 200D were pandas, they’d be fraternal twins - both made their debut in January 2008. The K200 is the K100’s replacement, and it has already made quite a splash in the DSLR marketplace.

Aimed at the entry-level market, the K200D has a few cool tricks up its sleeve, including dust- and some weather proofing (i.e. don’t stand in the rain for hours, but it can take a splash here and there).

The 10 megapixel sensor is petty decent, and the camera has image stabilisation built into the sensor-level, which means that all lenses become IS lenses as soon as you attach them to the camera. Get more »

Nikon’s D80 has impressed more than a few experts, who seem to agree that it’s a whole lotta camera for not-a-lotta money, making it a good choice for DSLR newbies and the serious amateurs alike.

The D80 features a fast new high-resolution image processing engine and a host of image functions that draw on the latest advances in digital technology to extend your creative freedom. It inherits advanced autofocus and auto exposure performance from Nikon’s award winning D-SLRs, the D200 and the D2Xs and it all comes packed into a lightweight body that is easy to use and comfortable to handle.

Get more »

Freshly launched on this side of the 2007/2008 barrier, the Nikon D60 is still wet behind the ears.

So far, the reviews are underwhelming, mostly because the D40x it is supposed to be replacing is still available - and many reviewers are pointing out that while you can buy a D40x for less cash dolla than the D60, spending your hard-earned on the latter makes very little sense indeed.

Get more »

The E510 is like its little sister, the E410, except that it has CCD-shift image stabilization. The slightly larger and heavier E510 is still amazingly light, and is the replacement for the highly regarded E-500. Compared to its predecessor it is considerably more sophisticated, with some important extra features, including the Live MOS sensor.

On the other hand, at least one reviewer accuses it of having “button clutter” - a grievance that has become quite common for Olympus cameras in general. Get more »

The Sigma SD14 has a new body design that is smaller than its predecessors, the SD10 and SD9. Like the previous models, it uses a Foveon X3 direct image sensor. It has a Sigma SA lens mount, which means you can use the whole range of Sigma’s rather awesome lenses - all at a much lower price than Canon or Nikon’s lenses, but at roughly the same quality.

The SD14 may not be for everybody, but if you can live with its flaws, you might be able to get a proper bargain… Get more »