Digital SLR Cameras Reviews

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Digital SLR Cameras Reviews Reviewed
Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Digital SLR Cameras Ratings Comments on Reviews
1. PC Magazine >> Details/Subscribe	Digital SLRs Editors of PC Magazine As of Nov. 2006		This site keeps updating its summary chart of digital SLR cameras to show the latest reviews, and if you take time to read the full reviews, the quality and detail of the testing really comes through. The summary chart shows editor and user ratings, as well as review date, and you can sort the list by date or rating. The chart only gives clues, though, as nine different digital SLR cameras get a perfect 5-star rating here, and even the Editors' Choice awards don't narrow the field very much. The Canon Rebel XTi, Nikon D80, Olympus Evolt E-330 and Nikon D200 are the most recent Editors' Choice digital SLR cameras.
2. CNet.com	Digital Camera Buying Guide Editors of CNet.com As of Nov. 2006		This site summarizes digital SLR camera reviews ad ratings in separate charts for different price ranges, with ratings on a scale of 1 to 10. The Nikon D80 gets a higher rating than the Canon Rebel XTi, which loses points for poor exposure of backlit subjects. The review of the Canon Rebel XTi has useful charts comparing test times for the five top digital SLRs, with the Nikon D80 outperforming the Rebel XTi and sometimes even the Canon EOS 30D. In a more advanced range, both the Canon EOS 30D and Nikon D200 are deemed "excellent," sharing the site's highest rating.
3. PopPhoto.com	Editor's Choice 2006 Editors of American Photo: Digital SLRs July/Aug. 2006		American Photo gives its Editor's Choice ratings to three digital SLRs in each price range. Among entry-level cameras, top rating goes to the Olympus Evolt E-330 for its live LCD previews, the Samsung GX-1L (as a best buy), and the Pentax K100D (for its image stabilization). For more advanced users, top rating goes to the Nikon D200 for image quality, the Canon EOS 30D (as best buy), and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 (especially for its weather sealing). A March 2006 comparison review of entry-level digital SLR cameras gives the nod to the Canon Digital Rebel XT, which outdoes the Nikon D50 both for image quality and ease of use. The Olympus Evolt E-500 comes in second for image quality, but finishes last for ease of use because settings require menus -- also a problem with the Pentax *ist DS2. The November issue of Popular Photography reports on full tests of the Nikon D80, recommending it as a "sensational buy" even for first-time buyers because of its build and image quality. Unfortunately online comparisons with the Canon Rebel XTi, Sony Alpha A100 and Pentax K10D are incomplete at the time of this report.
4. What Camera? >> Details/Subscribe	Mid-range SLRs: Alpha Beaters? Editors of What Camera? Sept. 2006		This UK magazine runs objective tests and notes some drawbacks that other reviews seem to miss. One review compares the new Sony Alpha digital SLR with three competitors, the Canon XT (Canon 350D in the UK), Nikon D70s, and Olympus Evolt E-500. Despite some great features on the new Sony, editors say the Canon XT is still the winner for image quality. Another issue of this magazine, the Autumn 2006 guide, compares three digital SLRs with anti-shake mechanisms. Here the Alpha does shine, beating the Pentax K100D and Panasonic L1 for best image quality when anti-shake is used. The Pentax K100D handles better than the Panasonic.
5. DCResource.com	Digital SLR Camera Reviews Jeff Keller As of Nov. 2006		Jeff Keller has reviewed so many digital cameras that his single-camera reviews include keen comparisons. Since each review is on one page, they're easier to read than the long reviews at Steve's Digicams and DPReview.com. Though Keller likes the ergonomics and build quality on all the Nikon digital SLRs, he judges the Canon Digital Rebel XTi image quality as slightly superior to that of the Nikon D80, and much better (in terms of image quality) than the Sony Alpha (DSLR-A100). "The comparisons I made to the Nikon D80 and Sony A100 are still accurate here: the XTi beats the D80 by a hair (and some may disagree with this), and the DSLR-A100 by a mile." The Nikon D200 has a brighter LCD screen than the Canon EOS 30D, but is noisier at high ISO settings.
6. Ken Rockwell	DSLR Resolution and Noise Comparison Ken Rockwell Oct. 2006		While most digital SLR reviews hem and haw, photographer Ken Rockwell writes with audacious wit. With clever "mouse-over" comparison photos, Rockwell shows that image quality is basically the same among four top contenders among digital SLR cameras: the Nikon D80 and D200, and the Canon 30D and 20D. He calls the Nikon 70s "history" and recommends putting money into better lenses rather than the camera body. Rockwell offers equally convincing articles on "The Megapixel Myth" and "Why Your Camera Doesn't Matter." The site includes in-depth and comparison reviews of these four cameras and more, comparison reviews of memory cards and SLR lenses, and articles on everything from maximizing battery life to adjusting white balance.

Digital SLR Cameras Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Digital SLR Cameras Ratings Comments on Reviews

7. Imaging- Resource.com	Dave's Picks for "Enthusiasts" Dave Etchells and Editors As of Nov. 2006		In addition to providing in-depth reviews of specific cameras, editors select the top-rated cameras in various categories, summarizing their reviews in one alphabetized list. Among the most affordable digital SLR cameras, three Canon models get the highest scores: the Canon EOS 20D, EOS 30D and Digital Rebel XT, along with the Nikon D200, D50 and D70s. When we checked the lists, readers were most interested in finding out about the Nikon D200. Although some of the newest digital SLRs haven't been reviewed here yet, the existing reviews are well written and thorough, based on clear test results. You can also compare sample photos.
8. The New York Times >> Details/Subscribe	2 Cameras That Break Some Rules David Pogue July 13, 2006		Technology writer David Pogue reviews two newsworthy digital SLR cameras as part of an overview of the current digital SLR field. The Olympus Evolt E-330 is the first digital SLR not only to offer a tilting LCD screen, but to use it for previews as well as playback. The Sony Alpha A100 is Sony's first digital SLR camera, challenging the dominance of Canon and Nikon. Pogue praises the novel features on both cameras, but also notes drawbacks. For example, to use flash on the Sony you have to pry it up. Unfortunately, the author gives the idea that most users would have to buy new lenses to use these cameras. But both cameras can use older lenses, especially the Sony, which has a basic Minolta lens mount.
9. Practical Photography >> Details/Subscribe	Digital SLR Cameras Editors of Practical Photography Oct. 2006		The Canon Rebel XTi gets only a preview here, but four other new digital SLR cameras get full reviews, with overall ratings plus ratings for image quality, handling, features, performance and value. Though tests and sample photos aren't as detailed as at some sites, the reviews are quite helpful. The Nikon D80 gets a perfect 5-star rating overall, with special praise for handling, as "the best D-SLR an enthusiast photographer could buy at the moment." The Pentax K100D is rated only 3 stars overall, basically just adding image stabilization to the Pentax *ist. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 ranks last, with a 2-star rating. Editors say both the Nikon D200 and Canon EOS 30D are much better values; both get 5-star ratings in earlier reviews, as do the Canon Rebel XT and Nikon D50.
10. PC World >> Details/Subscribe	Top 5 SLR Cameras Edited by Eric Butterfield June 8, 2006		Based on well-explained testing, this review ranks the top five digital SLR cameras in order of numeric rating, but gets confusing because the ratings mix price with quality, and the full reviews (done by different people in May 2006) don't always correspond with the summary page. The Olympus Evolt E-500 gets the top rating of 84, barely edging out the Canon Rebel XT (rated 83), but the actual reviews and test scores indicate that the Rebel XT is actually the better camera of the two. Similarly, the Canon EOS 30D is rated lower than both, apparently because it costs more. Despite this ambiguity, the individual reviews are well done, supplemented by helpful user reviews, and it's clear that the Nikon D50 ranks last though it's still a good entry-level choice.
11. DigitalReview.ca	Sony Alpha A100 Compared to the Nikon D80 and Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi / 400D Digital SLR's Editors of DigitalReview.ca Sept. 12, 2006		Two reviews at this Canadian site compare the Sony Alpha A100 with new mid-range competitors, the Nikon D80 and the Canon Rebel XTi. The Nikon D80 gets top ranking, judged worth the extra cost over the Canon Rebel XTi; the Sony comes in last. The Sony does better when compared with the Nikon D70s and Canon Rebel XT, which each have advantages
12. PCPro.co.uk	Digital Cameras Editors of PCPro.co.uk As of Nov. 2006		Reviews here are short and sweet, honing right in on key elements that make or break the camera's rating. This comparison review includes six digital SLR cameras, giving top rating to both the Nikon D50 and Canon Rebel XT, but choosing the Rebel XT as a better buy because of its superior image quality. More surprising, the Olympus Evolt E-330 gets the lowest rating of all -- 2 out of a possible 6. Editors say the fancy LCD just isn't worth the extra price, considering the overall performance of the camera. The Nikon D70s, Pentax *ist DL2, and Olympus Evolt 500 are rated only slightly higher here. Later reviews at this site give the Sony Alpha A100 a rating of 5, on a par with the Nikon D50 and Canon Rebel XT. The Nikon D80 gets an even higher rating of 6, outranking all the DSLRs tested so far, but the Canon XTi hasn't been reviewed here yet.
13. Megapixel.net	Digital SLR Camera Reviews, Ratings Editors of Megapixel.net As of Nov. 2006		Each camera here gets two separate ratings, one for functionality and the other for image quality. However, there's a catch, as ratings are based on what could reasonably be expected based on megapixels. So the ratings give a fair comparison among cameras close in resolution, but not otherwise. Among 6-megapixel digital SLRs, the Nikon D50 gets highest ratings on both counts. With 7.5 to 8 megapixels, the Canon EOS 20D gets top rating; unfortunately its successor, the EOS 30D, isn't yet rated here. The Panasonic DMC-L1 scores nearly as highly.
14. Digital Imaging Websites Association	DIWA Awards Editors of Digital Imaging Websites Association As of Nov. 2006		This Dutch site offers in-depth tests and reviews of digital cameras, clearly defining their evaluation factors. The Canon EOS D20 and the Nikon D50 get the highest scores and a "Platinum Award." The newer models are only previewed here.
15. Steves Digicams.com	The Best Cameras Steve Sanders and the staff of Steve's Digicams Oct. 5, 2006		This award-winning photography-review site, established in 1998, stays very current. Their researchers spend at least two days examining every new model before posting a review. Reviews are detailed, lavishly illustrated, and include lab tests and sets of images from comparable models. As the best digital DSLR cameras in the $1,000 to $2,000 price range, editors choose not only the Nikon D200 and Canon 30D as one might expect, but also the Olympus Evolt E-330 and Fujifilm S3 Pro. As entry-level digital SLRs priced below $1,000, eight models are recommended, but without any ranking.
16. DCViews.com	Camera Reviews Editors of DCViews.com As of Nov. 2006		This site not only offers medium-length reviews of digital SLR cameras, but also keeps up with other review sites and forum discussions, letting you know when new reviews are posted for specific models. That makes it an especially good site to visit after you've narrowed your choice to two or three DSLRs, and we rank this site higher because of these useful links. There's also a useful chart of SLR lenses. The single-camera reviews are based on actual use, not just features, and include drawbacks found in testing, but are not as thorough as the longer reviews on other sites. Some of the newest digital SLRs are missing, but reviews here do cover the Nikon 70s, Sony Alpha, Canon XT and Olympus E-500.

Digital SLR Cameras Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Digital SLR Cameras Ratings Comments on Reviews

17. Personal Computer World >> Details/Subscribe	Digital Cameras Editors of PCW.co.uk As of Nov. 2006		Digital SLR camera reviews are mixed into the list of all digital cameras here, making it tedious to browse. The single-product reviews are also fairly brief, but include comparisons with competing digital SLRs, and ratings are clearly based on testing and use. Editors here give perfect 5-star ratings to the Nikon D80 and to the Sony Alpha A100. Most other digital SLRs get lower ratings of 4, while there are gaps in coverage -- no reviews for the Nikon D200 or Nikon D70s, for example.
18. BiosMagazine.co.uk	Editor's Choice: Canon EOS 30D Editors of Bios Magazine Sept. 2006		This product review site, aimed at small business owners, selects the Canon EOS 30D as the best digital SLR, giving it an overall rating of 9 out of a possible 10. Editors praise the "gorgeous image quality, solid build, and fast startup." There's no separate review of the Nikon D200, but the editors say the Canon is a better value.
19. Let's Go Digital	Digital Cameras Editors of Let's Go Digital As of Nov. 2006		This UK site offers single-product reviews and ratings of most of the digital SLR cameras currently available, but at the time of this report, had not yet reviewed the Nikon D70s, Nikon D80, or Canon Rebel XTi (called the Canon D400 in the UK and Europe). While there's no single comparison report, the overall ratings make it easy to get a rough idea of which DSLR cameras the reviews recommend most. The Canon 30D edges out the Nikon D200 only slightly, with respective ratings of 86 and 85. Among less expensive digital SLR cameras, the Canon Rebel XT (Canon 350D here) is recommended over the Nikon D50, whose rating of 80 is shared by the Sony Alpha and Olympus E-500.
20. Shutterbug.net	Samsung GX-1S Joe Farace Sept. 2006		This relatively brief review evaluates the new Samsung GX-1S in fair detail, with sample photos. Based on some actual use but not comparative testing, the review recommends the camera for photographers moving up from a point-and-shoot digital. Like Pentax digital SLR cameras, the Samsung SLR can use any Pentax K mount lens, even quite old ones, so it's easier to assemble a full kit of lenses at a reasonable price than when starting out with Canon or Nikon. The Samsung GX-1S comes with "Schneider optics," but the review overlooks the fact that Schneider checked the lenses but didn't actually make them. This site also features reviews of some older digital SLR cameras by various experts, with a few comparison reviews. The Olympus Evolt-330 is recommended for macro photography.
21. DP Review.com	D-SLR Reviews Phil Askey As of Nov. 2006		The summary list of "highly recommended" digital cameras actually includes all the digital SLR cameras rated so far, but the reviews themselves are excellent. Active forums discuss different brands. Reading these fully illustrated reviews is nearly as vivid an experience as visiting a camera store, going over every menu and feature in detail. Most reviews include some comparisons with similar cameras, along with sample photos from each. The preview of the Panasonic DMC-L1 includes detailed comparisons between its live-view LCD and both preview modes on the Olympus E-330.
22. OutbackPhoto.com	Reviews Uwe Steinmueller As of Nov. 2006		Geared toward outdoor photographers, this site offers a wealth of resources including subjective reviews in the form of "experience reports" or "diaries" that cover Nikon and Canon digital SLR cameras. Unlike most user reviews, these are detailed reports compiled over time, done by photographers experienced with many digital SLRs. Instead of trying to duplicate information available elsewhere, these reports link to other reviews (at Phil Askey's site, for example).
23. Luminous- Landscape.com	Totally, Completely...Okay Mike Johnston Aug. 2006		Most reviews here cover pro-level cameras and lenses; this review of the Pentax K100D digital SLR camera is an exception. The author calls image stabilization "a virtual tripod," saying it makes the Pentax K100D outrank the Nikon D50 as an entry-level digital SLR, with "OK" performance and image quality. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 also gets a thorough review at this site; author Michael Reichmann concludes that although the Leica lens is indeed fabulous, the Panasonic body is not.
24. Consumer Reports >> Details/Subscribe	Ratings: Digital SLRs Editors of Consumer Reports June 2006, updated Oct. 2006		Aimed at amateur photographers, especially people moving up from a regular digital camera, this review compares the top five digital SLR cameras available in June 2006, rating and ranking them by image quality (as measured by 8x10 print quality) as well as usability and features, taking price differences into account as well. A later article highlights the unique features of some newer digital SLRs, but the newest models still haven't been reviewed here.

Digital SLR Cameras Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Digital SLR Cameras Ratings Comments on Reviews

25. Complete Digital Photography	Buy a 30D now? Or wait for the Rebel XTi? Ben Long and Contributors As of Nov. 2006		Ben Long's weblog, Complete Digital Photography, offers several reviews of new digital SLR cameras, often comparing the features of two models at a time. For example, he compares the Canon EOS 30D with the Nikon D200 in one article, based on actual testing and use. Another article compares the Canon EOS 30D with the less expensive Canon Rebel XTi, but doesn't mention any testing. This weblog puts new cameras into a larger context, and there's plenty of useful information here, but not all the reviews are based on testing.
26. ReviewCentre.com	Compare Digital SLR Cameras Contributors to ReviewCentre.com As of Nov. 2006		This UK site posts user reviews of digital SLR cameras in convenient lists that you can sort by rating, number of reviews or price. Quite a few cameras have only a few reviews posted, and some newer models haven't yet been rated. Among the digital SLRs priced below $2,000 that show more than ten reviews, top ratings are shared by the Canon Digital Rebel XT and the older Canon Rebel.
27. Photo.net	Building a Digital SLR Camera System: Looking at the Canon EOS 30D, Canon Digital Rebel XTi, and Nikon D80 cameras Phillip Greenspun Updated Sept. 2006		Briefly comparing three 10-megapixel digital SLR cameras, experienced photographer Phillip Greenspun recommends looking ahead to the whole camera system, beyond the usual focus on the camera body. Since specialized Canon and Nikon lenses are widely available for weekend rental, he advises sticking with either brand. Among lower-priced digital SLRs, he recommends the Canon Rebel XTi, but fails to make a case for why it's better than the Nikon D80. There's still excellent information here on lenses, with links to articles on lighting, macro photography and more, but as a review this falls short.
28. PC Photo Digital Buyer's Guide 2007	Buyer's Guide 2007: D-SLR Systems Mike Stensvold Nov. 2006		This article compares available digital SLR camera systems as a whole, briefly summarizing the camera body lineups, then delving into the lenses, lighting and accessories available. It's no surprise that Canon and Nikon have the most options available, but the article is a good resource if you're wondering how Olympus, Pentax, Sony, Panasonic and Samsung systems compare. It also clarifies which lenses work with which cameras: for example, the two new Schneider lenses developed for the Samsung digital SLR camera also work on the Pentax cameras. The article does have one gap: it mentions that the Sony Alpha camera can use three new Zeiss lenses, the new Sony lenses, and Minolta lenses -- but doesn't give any idea how many Minolta lenses might still be around.
29. CameraTown.com	Digital Camera Reviews Editors of CameraTown.com As of Nov. 2006		Rather than evaluating digital cameras through testing or usage, this site aggregates and ranks reviews from other sites, listing brief summaries of their findings. You can get a quick overview of what a lot of different publications are saying about a specific digital SLR here, including most of the newest ones, but no analysis or overall summary is provided. "Full review" links go to various other sites, but other reviews are briefly summarized on one page per camera model. The review ratings and rankings are based on a quick popup survey that asks readers to rate the review, rather than by editorial judgment. Not all reviews are rated, so some good professional comparative reviews can end up at the bottom of the list.
30. Digital Camera Tracker.com	Review Roundups Editors of DigitalCameraTracker.com As of Nov. 2006		This is another site that aggregates reviews from other sites, posting brief summaries, but the reviews are not ranked or rated. At the time of this report, several digital SLRs are covered here, though there are some odd gaps: the Canon EOS 20D and 30D are missing, as are the Nikon D70 and D70s. The review summaries aren't ranked or analyzed, and there's no overall summary or comparison with other models. Most summaries emphasize the best points of a camera model, sometimes overlooking important drawbacks.
31. Digital Camera HQ.com	Digital SLR Cameras Editors of DigitalCamera-HQ.com As of Nov. 2006		This site is intended as a buying guide for digital cameras, but it's not clear how the editors evaluate models. No testing or actual use is documented, so comparisons seem to be based on features and specifications, plus average ratings from users posting reviews at Amazon.com and Shopping.com.
32. About.com	Top 4 Digital SLR Cameras for Consumers Michael Carr Not Dated		About.com guide to digital cameras' Michael Carr reviews what he considers the four top-rated digital SLRs for consumers (nonprofessional photographers), but it's not clear how he picked these four, or from how large a field. Lacking detail and testing reports, the reviews are disappointing compared to most reviews from About.com.
33. BobAtkins.com	Canon EOS 400D, Nikon D80 and Sony Alpha A-100 Comparison Bob Atkins Not Dated		Photographer Bob Atkins tests and reviews quite a few Canon digital SLR cameras here, but doesn't review Nikon and other brands, only listing their features and specifications. This comparison chart of the three new 10-megapixel digital SLRs is just based on specifications and features, but it's still useful
34. Amazon.com	Digital SLRs Contributors to Amazon.com As of Nov. 2006		Users post reviews and ratings of digital SLR cameras. You can sort the list of cameras by average rating, but you have to click on a model to see the number of reviews on which that rating is based. Many digital SLRs have loads of reviews, but the differences in average rating are too small to be significant. If you've narrowed your choice to two or three DSLRs, it could be worth wading through some of the reviews, but most of the information is summarized elsewhere.
35. PC Photo Review.com	Digital SLRs Contributors to PCPhotoReview.com As of Nov. 2006		Most digital SLR cameras get fewer reviews here than at Amazon.com, but they're more convenient to read here. The list shows the number of reviews on which each rating is based, and you can sort the list by average rating and filter it in a number of ways. Once you click on a model, all the complete user reviews are on one page, plus links to major professional reviews. New models seem to be reviewed here pretty rapidly, and many models have accumulated ten or more ratings. However, as at Amazon.com, ratings cluster around 4.5 to 5 stars, and the weaknesses revealed here are already summarized in the professional comparative reviews.
36. Outside Magazine >> Details/Subscribe	2006 Buyer's Guide: Digital Cameras Kevin Arnold Apr. 2006		Aimed at outdoor enthusiasts, this review recommends the Nikon D50 for action shots, since the author's test shots of companions biking on "dimly lit forest trails" came out perfectly sharp. The review notes that the autofocus system on the Nikon D50 is not only fast, but designed to track moving subjects. The review also praises the overall build and ergonomics of this entry-level camera.
37. Epinions	Digital Camera Buyer's Guide Howard Creech Not Dated		This buyer's guide covers the basics, including a discussion on megapixels and other features. Links lead to user reviews for digital cameras.

Digital SLR Cameras Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Digital SLR Cameras Ratings Comments on Reviews

38. Focus Camera	Digital Camera Feature Comparison Editors of FocusCamera.com As of Nov. 2006		This chart compares digital SLRs by resolution, size of LCD, power source, type of memory card, and whether or not the camera is waterproof and/or works with direct print. You can sort the list by various criteria, including price range, but the sorting doesn't always work well, sometimes mixing in digital cameras that are not SLRs. Some refurbished models are included. There are no evaluations or ratings here.
39. PhotoAlley.com	Digital Cameras Editors of Photo Alley Not Dated		This is yet another comparison chart, with a few factors not included above: sound recording, specific battery type, largest image size, and weight. If you sort the list by "zoom" this puts all the digital SLR cameras at the bottom. You can also select several models to make a custom comparison chart. The DSLR pages can be printed out in landscape mode. No ratings are given, but the chart is useful for comparing cameras or looking up a specification.