Digital SLR Camera Information

The digital SLRs included in this report fit the bill for first timers, families and those who want to keep their camera budget in check. High-end digital SLRs have full-frame sensors, more shooting options and controls, and other features that appeal to professionals and near-pros. See our companion report for info on these digital SLRs costing more than $2,000.

Only the most dedicated photographers carry an SLR camera everywhere, so you may still want a smaller fixed-lens digital camera for backup. See our ConsumerSearch reports on digital cameras and cheap digital cameras. We also have a report on ultra-zoom cameras.

Rob Galbraith's blog is one way to stay up to date on the latest equipment and digital SLR news.

Philip Greenspun's article at Photo.net on building a digital SLR system starts with understanding the basics of choosing a camera, lens and accessories, then goes into digital SLR photography.

The tutorials at CameraTown.com are useful for understanding ISO, aperture, shutter speed and other digital camera terms.

DPreview.com explains digital camera sensors, including size differences.

CambridgeColour.com has excellent tutorials, including one on understanding how autofocus works.

Luminous-Landscape.com, another excellent site for serious photographers, has some of the best articles we've found for learning digital SLR photography.

Are more expensive lenses worth it for a digital SLR? Bob Atkins shows you his research results in his article, "Digital SLR Cameras, Lenses and Film," published at Photo.net. Note that this site has a great deal of information of value to film and digital photographers, along with extensive forums.

Bill Howard's December 2008 article at PCMag.com, "How to Profit from the Digital SLR Glut," offers useful tips on saving money -- by buying slightly older models, for example.

ShortCourses.com includes an explanation of how sensors work.

If you're trying to understand the pros and cons of the Olympus four-thirds system, this Wikipedia article is a big help:

Memory-card choices are covered well at Shutterbug.com.

ConsumerReports.org details its latest testing methods for digital cameras on its public blog.

Manufacturers' Sites:

Canon

Fujifilm

Nikon

Olympus

Panasonic

Pentax

Samsung

Sigma

Sony