DSLR Reviews

The Panasonic DMC-L1 DSLR is Panasonic's first digital single lens reflex camera. Priced at just under $2000 with a Leica D Vario Elmarit f/2.8-3.5 14-50mm zoom lens (equivalent to 28-100mm in 35mm format) and 7+ megapixel sensor, it is a member of the Four/Thirds family. That allows you to use any lens from the Olympus and Sigma 4/3 mount offerings on the camera as well. It uses SD cards, and takes the newest SDHC cards with greater storage capacity. And the Leica lens uses Panasonic's OIS (optical image stabilization) that helps you get steady shots in two to three less stops of light than usual when shooting handheld. The body also has a Live View mode similar to the feature found in Olympus' recent DSLRs.

Remember the Canon 7D Mark II? Well, we’re still waiting for a final production sample of that APS-C sensor-based DSLR to review but, in the mean time, you can enjoy this cool video clip (below) showing a photographer jumping out of a plane with a pre-production version of the 7D II.

The D3200 is Nikon’s new entry level SLR with an outstanding nominal resolution of 24MP. The camera uses an APS-C sized CMOS sensor 23.2 x 15.4mm in size, Nikon’s DX format.

The camera offers a lot of help to beginners; just like the forerunner D3100, the D3200 offers a special “Guide” mode. When using this mode and starting the D3200, it will ask the user whether he or she wants to shoot, to review or to setup the camera menu. If the choice is to shoot the camera“asks” whether the user is an absolute beginner and needs “easy operation” or an advanced user who wants “advanced operation.” If an absolute beginner, the D3200 presents short descriptions of some typical photographic situations and sets up all parameters accroding to how the photographer responds.

The Nikon D3500 is an ideal first DSLR for photographers wanting more than their smartphone can deliver. 

Aimed squarely at the first-time D-SLR user, and especially at those family and social photographers who have been frustrated by their digicam's bothersome shutter lag, the Nikon D40 is a compact camera that still holds enough features to satisfy budding photographers. At a mere 1 lb, 1 oz and 5x2.5x3.7" in size, the camera will feel small to those who have worked with...

The 20.8-megapixel D5 is Nikon’s latest flagship full-frame DSLR and with its robust, almost muscular build and speedy overall performance, this professional camera is designed for action and sports photographers and photojournalists. One of the Nikon D5’s most eye-popping features though is that it can shoot at up to ISO 3,280,000 (no, not a typo!) to capture images in extreme low-light conditions, which could open this camera up to a whole new group of photographers. (Surveillance imaging, anyone?)

The new Nikon D5100 D-SLR is a compact and lightweight DX-format camera. The body is about two-thirds the size of a D300, recording on SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards. The similarly compact kit lens, an 18-55mm VR, provides good balance, and, along with my Nikon SB-900 Speedlight, all fits neatly into a compact camera bag. The grip on the D5100 was a little smaller than what I was used to, but I soon grew accustomed to it.