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 Nikon D3 is the daddy of Nikon’s professional range of cameras. With a near bulletproof build quality, a near-full-frame 12.1 mpx sensor, the ability to take 9 photos per second and a phenomenal 3-inch display with incredible resolution and all the bells and whistles you would expect from a top-of-the-range camera, the D3 refuses to pull any punches.

A delight to pro snappers, hard-core amateurs and dye-in-the-wool Nikon fanatics, the D3 is nothing short of amazing. As per right now, it’s the pinnacle of Nikon evolution - if you want the best they can offer, here it is.

Of course, if you want higher resolution, you may have to take a look at what Canon’s flagship is up to… 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 »

Confirming to their policy of bringing a new model on the market every year and a half Canon introduced the successor of the Canon EOS 300D. The Canon EOS 350D is not an improved version but it is a totally newly developed camera. Canon has given a lot more functions to the EOS 350D digital SLR. Like an extensive white balance correction and the possibility to shoot in black & white.

The metal EF-S mount is still present so the Canon EOS 350D can be used with the normal EF as well as the special EF-S lenses. The EF-S lenses are somewhat shorter, which is possible because there is more room in the camera’s body.

The mirror is smaller than the one we find on an analogue or full size SLR camera or the Canon EOS 1D Mark II. All EF-S lenses are affordable, which suits their target group, the average consumer and not the professional photographer. The camera’s price is not bad either, which is an additional bonus! Get more »

Canon’s EOS 30D brings proven EOS technology to a new level, giving photographers an unbeatable photographic experience.

The EOS 30D incorporates features with Canon’s highly acclaimed 8.2 megapixel CMOS sensor and DIGIC II Image Processor. The EOS 30D includes enhanced operational features such as the 2.5 inch LCD monitor, true spot metering, a durable shutter mechanism and Canon’s Picture Style feature, all in an sturdy, magnesium-clad body.

With all these features the EOS 30D is truly perfection, refined. But hey, don’t take our word for it - check out what the experts say: 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 »

The D300 isn’t built for rookies used to the wonders of a point-and-shoot, but hard-core DSLR users who know their way around a nicely loaded single lens reflex camera.

A serious camera for serious photographers, the D300 is extremely capable both for professionals who don’t need the extra speed or weather-sealing offered from the truly professional SLR cameras from Nikon, and for the discerning amateur who wants to take a step up the digital camera ladder

We’ve seldom heard a disparaging word about this great camera from the pro reviewers either - it is a bit pricey, perhaps, but you get what you pay for. Get more »

If the E3 could read its own reviews, it might find itself with an identity crisis. Is it just for the pros, or is it a decent choice as an advanced-level consumer camera? It’s a tricky one.

When you pick it up, the E3 certainly feels like a (semi-)pro camera - it’s solid as anything. Picture quality is also pretty damn good, and you do get to choose from some fine lenses. So what’s the problem? For one thing, it’s far too expensive - for this kind of money, you can buy a Canon or a Nikon, which means you get a far bigger choice of lenses. Most importantly, however, is that the E3 is an incredibly fiddly camera. It is as if Olympus put one of their digital compacts in a copier and clicked ‘enlarge’, without stopping to think that perhaps what works for a compact doesn’t work for the slightly more serious photography crowd. Get more »

The Sony A700 is the flagship of Sony’s D-SLR line, and it’s not half shabby. One of the fabulous and much-lauded features is its HDMI output, giving you full high-def pictures on your TV - no doubt tying in with the now-famous Sony Bravia advertisements. It may or may not be a gimmick, depending on how often you use your camera to show images on a big screen, but, hell, it’s kind of an obvious one: even 1080p screens only show about 2 megapixels, so why do most video out solutions show only a tiny bit of your photo, and in terrible resolution to boot? It ain’t pretty.

Beside from being export-happy when it comes to its display, the LCD screen built in to the camera body is one of the best ones we’ve ever seen on a digital camera. Overall, though, the A700 is detracted points for build quality. Get more »

The great-grandson of the first consumer digital SLR, the 40D is the newest child in a series of cameras with great heritage - an evolution from camera to camera has resulted in one of the finest digital SLR cameras you can buy - especially at this price-point.

Sporting a 3-inch LCD monitor, a snappy 6.5 frames-per-second continuous photography mode, digital compact-style ‘live view’ (which means you can see on the LCD monitor what you’re about to take a photo of) and a refreshed menu system brings the 40D up to scratch with the rest of the current digital SLR line from Canon.

Oddly, the 40D is only a 10 megapixel camera - odd, because the freshly launched 450D, aimed at a less professional segment of the market, already wields a 12 megapixel chip. It wouldn’t be unreasonable to see updates to the 40D soon (50D, anyone?), but how soon is anybody’s guess.

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