Canon's PowerShot S90 is the best shirt-pocket compact we've ever used: it has full manual controls that approach the tools on a DSLR and takes great pictures in just about any lighting situation. The PowerShot SD4000 IS, on the other hand, is an everyday point-and-shoot camera that offers some manual controls and stellar image quality

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Canon PowerShot S90 10MP Digital Camera with 3.8x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3-Inch LCD Sale Price: $475.00   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days 8 new from $475.00  11 used from $174.99

Description

By combining a 10 megapixel CCD sensor and Canon's advanced DIGIC 4 Image Processor, the PowerShot S90 offers dramatic low light sensitivity with minimal noise. Impressive ISO 3200 capability reduces blur and subject movement for crisp photos with spectacular sharpness and clarity. The S90 boasts an incredibly slim profile and lightweight body for true pocket-sized convenience. For the photographer that never wants to miss an opportunity, the S90 the high quality camera that you can carry every day. With an equivalent zoom range of 28-105mm, Canon's 3.8x Optical Zoom Lens captures everything from sweeping landscapes to telephoto action shots with ease. An impressive f/2.0 aperture allows you to create dramatic portraits by emphasizing your subject's face and blurring the background with a soft, shallow depth-of-field.

Features

• New 10-megapixel High Sensitivity System; DIGIC 4 Image Processor
• Improved low-light image performance, plus a Low Light scene mode for ISO settings up to 12,800
• Customizable control ring for easy access and operation of manual or other creative shooting settings
• Wide-angle 3.8x optical zoom with Canon's Optical Image Stabilizer; bright f/2.0 lens
• RAW + JPEG shooting and recording modes; capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)

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Canon PowerShot SD4000IS 10 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 3.8x Optical Zoom and f/2.0 Lens (Black) List Price: $299.99 Sale Price: $199.00 You save: $100.99 (34%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days 10 new from $199.00  7 used from $169.99

Description

Canon PowerShot SD4000IS Digital ELPH (Black)

Features

• 10.0-megapixel CMOS sensor combined with DIGIC 4 Image Processor create the Canon HS System
• f/2.0 lens, great for shooting in low light conditions or using a shallow depth-of-field; 3.8x optical zoom
• 720p HD movie shooting capability; HDMI output connector; Super Slow Motion Movie function
• Low Light mode for dimly-lit situations; shoot like a pro with Aperture- and Shutter-priority modes
• Capture images and video to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)

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Experts say the Canon PowerShot S95 continues the company's tradition of offering the best blend of image quality and features for the price. It also offers lots of manual controls to give you room to grow and the ability… expandto shoot 720p HD video, a step up from its predecessor. This 10-megapixel camera has a 3.8x zoom lens with optical image stabilization, which compensates for unsteady hands. There's a vibrant 3-inch LCD, and image quality is top-notch even in low light. The S95 has an automatic mode for beginners, including intelligent contrast correction, face and motion-detection technology. Reviewers like the control ring around the lens, which you can use to tweak settings. The S95 also has a useful mode that simultaneously captures an image in both RAW and JPEG formats. Slow shooting speeds and short battery life are the two most common complaints. Experts also note that you can't use the S95's optical zoom while shooting video.

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Canon PowerShot S95 10 MP Digital Camera with 3.8x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3.0-Inch LCD List Price: $399.00 Sale Price: $364.10 You save: $34.90 (9%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days 15 new from $364.10  23 used from $280.00

Description

One look at Canon's new PowerShot S95 will have you moving "upgrade my digital camera" to the top of your to-do list. The ultra-slim, ultra-intelligent S95 is loaded with all a serious photographer's must-haves, including a bright f/2.0 wide-angle lens and professional-style control ring for intuitive manual control. Canon's HS System is on board for spectacular performance and image quality in low light.And, new for a compact, the S95 incorporates Canon's Hybrid IS for blur-free shooting even close-up. You'll shoot stunning 720p HD video with stereo sound, then watch it immediately on your HDTV with the simple HDMI connection. If photography's your passion, now is the perfect time to step up to PowerShot S95.

Features

• 10.0-megapixel sensor combined with the DIGIC 4 Image Processor creates Canon's HS System
• Capture 720p HD video in stereo sound; play back on an HDTV via the HDMI output
• f/2.0 lens for low light conditions or shallow depth-of-field; control ring for intuitive manual control
• 3.8x optical zoom; 28mm wide-angle lens; Canon's Hybrid IS to compensate for angular and shift camera shake
• Capture images to SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards (not included),Made in JAPAN

Expert reviews say the most important thing to keep in mind when choosing a digital SLR camera is the brand more than the specific model -- that is, the entire system of camera bodies, lenses and accessories. A digital SLR body may be obsolete within two years, but the lens can perform well for decades. You can use some SLR lenses on both digital SLR and film SLR camera bodies of the same brand. And you're almost sure to find one brand more comfortable in your hands than another -- a factor emphasized in expert reviews. If a camera isn't comfortable to you personally, you're apt to leave it at home.

Reviewers also note that even within the same camera or lens model, quality varies. Take time to put a new digital SLR camera and lens through its paces before committing to the purchase. Experienced users sometimes return cameras and lenses several times until they find one that meets their standards. Enlist the aid of an experienced photographer if you're in doubt.

Most digital SLR cameras now come with self-cleaning sensors plus LCD monitors that show exposure and focus changes in live view. Image stabilization is routinely built into the camera body or, for Nikon and Canon cameras, built into the standard zoom lens bundled in the kit. LCD monitors keep getting bigger and often sharper as well (with 920,000 dots instead of 230,000). Both the size and resolution of LCD monitors make it much easier to fine-tune focus manually.

Reviews say the following tips are important in choosing a digital SLR camera:

• Resolution isn't everything. Unless you plan to print large crops from landscape photos and need all the resolution you can get, don't be swayed too much by megapixels. Image quality depends just as much on several other factors. Lens quality, sensor and focus also matter, not to mention your composition skills. Reviews say that when comparing digital cameras, a difference of 2 megapixels isn't usually significant. Unless the sensor's really big (as on a pro-level camera), cramming on a lot of megapixels tends to generate more noise (graininess) in your photos, which then must be dealt with by in-camera processing or in photo-editing software. Also, the higher the camera's resolution, the more powerful a computer you'll need to process the image files.

• How much do you want video? This is an important feature for many and can be lots of fun to use, but it adds to the camera's price. Other factors -- a full-frame sensor, fast burst speed for action shots, high resolution for big landscape shots or simply great image quality at a budget price -- may matter much more to you.

• Choose a digital SLR camera body that feels good in your hands. This is a personal matter depending partly on the size of your hands but also on factors that no one can quantify. Expert reviews recommend comparing cameras in person before buying. Note that a camera that feels too small for your hands may feel more comfortable if you add a battery grip, which holds an extra battery, boosting the number of shots you can take between charges.

• Size and weight are important if you plan to take the camera and at least one lens with you most of the time. A survey of digital camera owners by the Consumer Electronics Association found that 81 percent chose portability as an important factor -- after their purchase. It's easy to underestimate this when buying. We list size, weight and other specifications in our single-product reviews for each camera to help you compare.

• Though reviews evaluate digital SLR image quality, it's a subjective matter. Expert reviews suggest looking at lots of sample photos from the cameras that interest you most to find a digital SLR whose images on automatic settings are most appealing to you. Many people prefer the vivid colors and extremely sharp focus that characterize point-and-shoot cameras, but digital SLRs tend to be geared to the more natural-looking colors and focus that many professional photographers prefer. (The softer focus can be sharpened in later editing.)

• A large, bright viewfinder is important on a digital SLR camera. This matters much more than on a compact digital camera because on an SLR, you're more apt to use the eyepiece viewfinder to compose shots and check focus, depth of field and lighting. Most digital SLRs have adequate diopter correction (an adjustment based on your vision so you don't need to wear your eyeglasses), but if that doesn't' work, or you prefer to keep your glasses on, you may also need an eyecup to accommodate them -- usually an option at extra cost. You can get used to the way controls are laid out on a camera, but if you can't see well through the viewfinder, you're really stuck.

• The larger, brighter and higher-resolution the LCD screen, the better. Reviews say 3-inch (and larger) LCD screens are much nicer to use than smaller screens. The LCD is especially important if the camera provides live view for composing shots and checking settings. The best LCD screens now have 920,000-dot resolution, making it easier to use manual focus -- selecting focus points -- in live view. Most LCD screens have a brightness adjustment, and newer LCD screens also have wider viewing angles. A tilting and swiveling LCD screen is another plus.

• Expect features that minimize dust on the sensor. Sensors that repel dust and clean themselves are now a standard feature on most digital SLR cameras. Many of the better cameras also use internal software to delete dust spots from images. You can fix dust spots on an image using photo-editing software, and with care you can clean a sensor yourself, but a camera that takes care of this problem by itself is ideal.

• Image stabilization makes for sharper shots in lower light. This feature can make the difference between carrying a tripod or leaving it at home. Image stabilization is also a boon for any user who has trouble holding a camera steady. Reviews say image-stabilized SLR lenses are a more reliable but also a more expensive solution.

• Depth-of-field preview is helpful. This feature enables you to take full advantage of the through-the-lens viewfinder, so you can be sure that the subject is fully in focus while controlling the sharpness of the background for the effect you want. Most brands offer this on entry-level models, but to get it on a Nikon requires moving up to the Nikon D90 (*Est. $900 with kit lens).

• For action shots, startup time, shutter lag, maximum shutter speed and burst mode are all important. Keep these features in mind if you plan to photograph a lot of moving subjects -- children at play, sporting events, birds in flight, etc. A PCMag.com customer-satisfaction survey finds that one of the primary complaints of digital-camera owners is blurry photos, so it may be more important than you anticipate.

• A spot meter is necessary for high contrast shots, like a sunrise. For example, it's a challenge to shoot a subject that is backlit (by the sun or other bright light) against a dark scene. To get this on a Canon digital SLR requires moving up to the mid-range Canon T2i, but Nikon offers it even on the entry-level Nikon D3000 camera.

• For close-ups, product shots and other studio work, mirror lockup and remote control can minimize image blur when the camera is mounted on a tripod. Mirror lockup lifts the mirror out of the way well before the camera takes the picture, so the camera vibration is finished before the shutter opens. A cable or infrared remote control can eliminate shakiness resulting from pressing the shutter button.

• Budget for accessories. Think beyond the cost of the camera itself to accessories you may need. At the very least, you'll probably want at least one larger, faster memory card, plus an extra battery so you can use one while the other charges.

• Don't get too caught up in megapixel counts. Instead, look for a
  camera with good low-light sensitivity and optical image stabilization.
• Ignore digital zoom. A higher optical zoom is what you really
  want.
• Almost all cameras and camcorders alike take good photos/video,
  so you may not need two devices anymore. Buy a camera unless you're more auteur
  than shutterbug.
• Want great photos, but don't want to lug around an SLR? Hybrid
  cameras are almost as good, work with interchangeable lenses, and can slip into
  a purse or coat pocket.
• Take a lot of shots at your kid's soccer game? Look for a camera with a higher optical zoom. It will be best for sports and action shots as well as nature photography.

Our favorite sale cameras: Canon Rebel T3i ($549), Panasonic Lumix FH5V
($149), Olympus TG-310 ($199)

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Canon EOS Rebel T3i 18 MP CMOS APS-C Sensor DIGIC 4 Image Processor Full-HD Movie Mode Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch Clear View Vari-Angle LCD and EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens List Price: $799.99 Sale Price: $744.99 You save: $55.00 (7%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days 31 new from Too low to display  40 used from $619.00

Description

The Canon 5169B003 includes the EOS Rebel T3i Digital SLR Camera and EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS type II Lens. This camera and lens will help photographers who are looking for an easy-to-use camera to create their next masterpiece. The next in a long line of phenomenal compact DSLRs, the EOS Rebel T3i continues the Rebel tradition of easy operation, compact design and no-compromise performance. Featuring Canon's newest DIGIC 4 Image Processor and an 18.0 Megapixel CMOS Image Sensor plus cutting-edge technologies like Full HD video recording, Live View shooting, Wireless flash photography and even a Vari-angle 3.0-inch LCD monitor, the EOS Rebel T3i offers the best of EOS photography in a compact package.

Features

• 18.0 MP CMOS sensor and DIGIC 4 Image Processor for high image quality and speed
• ISO 100 - 6400 for shooting from bright to dim light
• Vari-angle 3.0-inch Clear View LCD monitor (3:2) for shooting at high or low angles and 1,040,000-dot VGA with reflection reduction
• Video Snapshot features for enhanced video shooting options
• Comes with camera body, EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Type II lens, eyecup, wide strap, USB cable, AV cable, battery, and charger

Offering a full complement of advanced and automatic features, a new 16-megapixel CMOS sensor, 3D color-matrix metering, good low-light performance, full 1080p high-definition video, and full-time autofocus in video mode and Live View, the D7000 is an extremely appealing DSLR for enthusiasts and prosumers.

Basic Features
Like other DSLRs currently on the market, the D7000 is equipped with manual, semimanual, and automatic exposure options; two custom setting modes and 19 scene modes round out the basic shooting choices. The D7000's 16-megapixel CMOS sensor gives the camera the second-highest resolution in the Nikon DSLR line, equalling the sensor found in the D5100, and bested only by the 24-megapixel sensor in the $8000, professional-level D3x.

The D7000 is more rugged than it seems at first glance. It's weather-sealed for protection against the elements and dust, and it weighs a reasonable 1.5 pounds. Although it's a bit heavier than the D90, it's about the same physical size. I shot comfortably with several different Nikkor lenses, including the 18-105mm kit lens, a 24-70mm lens, and a 70-200mm VRII lens. All of the lenses felt well balanced on the body; and unlike some of Nikon's entry-level cameras, the D7000 accommodates both DX and non-DX lenses.

Photographers who have shot with other Nikon DSLRs will feel at ease with the control layout, but newcomers to the Nikon DSLR family will probably have to spend time reviewing the user manual to become familiar with the buttons and dials. For the most part, controls are arranged conveniently, and Nikon has implemented a couple of really nice adjustments to make Live View, video mode, and continuous shooting more readily accessible. However, since the Function button is buried tightly between the grip and the lens barrel, it's difficult to reach. Another drawback is that the bracket button sits just below the flash pop-up control, so it's too easy to activate the bracketing function inadvertently when you're trying to pop up the flash.
What's New and Notable

In addition to the standard DSLR features and specs, the D7000 offers a number of notable options.
Dual card slots: The D7000 is equipped with two slots that handle SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, providing a lot of flexibility. For example, you can use the second slot for storage overflow or backup. Alternatively, you can record JPEG and RAW files to separate cards, and direct movie files to a separate card as well. Also, the D7000 is the only camera (so far) that can take full advantage of the ultrahigh-speed Extreme Pro SDHC UHS-I card.

Low-light shooting: The native ISO range is 100 to 6400, but you can expand it up to 25,500. Even though you should use such a high ISO setting only when no other options are available, the D7000's low-light/high-ISO performance is quite good even at that extreme. Yes, it produces noise at 25,500, and details aren't as crisp as they are at lower ISOs, but the D7000 captures cleaner images at this ISO than many other DSLRs do at more moderate settings. However, you might want to shoot in RAW mode when pushing the ISO above 1600, as you get more control in manually applying noise reduction in ACR (Adobe Camera Raw) versus the D7000's Off/Low/Normal/High noise-reduction options.

Video mode and Live View: Outfitted for 1080p HD capture, the D7000's video mode offers Nikon's latest video-centric features, including full-time autofocus and manual exposure control. Video-resolution options range from 1920 by 1280 at 24 frames per second to 640 by 424 at 30 fps, with five setting combinations in between.

The D7000's new 39-point autofocus works well in still mode, but it isn't as responsive in video and Live View modes. Although that isn't much of an issue in Live View (which is mostly for use with stationary subjects), you can see and hear the lens searching while shooting video. Fortunately, you can adjust the D7000's microphone sensitivity and, better yet, attach an external microphone such as the Nikon ME-1 to lessen or eliminate the AF noise.

More special features: Among the other features that add to the D7000's strengths are multiple exposure and interval shooting (perfect for stop-motion videos, which are really hot these days), a virtual horizon graphic indicator, and continuous shooting at up to 6 fps.

Performance, Image Quality, and Video Quality
Still-image quality in our tests was good in automatic mode and first-rate when we used manual controls. Rich colors and generally spot-on exposures are the norm, but aesthetic preferences for more vivid (or subtle) color, for example, are easily achieved, as are adjustments to contrast, sharpness, and white balance.

The camera keeps high-ISO image noise well under control, particularly if you shoot in RAW mode. Nevertheless, JPEG images are more than acceptable, even when you push the camera to about ISO 1600 (depending on the scene and the print size).
Your lens choice will, of course, affect image sharpness, chromatic aberration, and other aspects of image quality, so choose your optics wisely. The 18-105mm kit lens ($400 for the lens alone) did a good job of delivering well-focused images in our trials.

In our lab tests, the D7000 earned a word score of Very Good for exposure, and a mark of Good in the color, sharpness, and distortion categories. Click any of the images at left to view the full-size photos we used for our lab tests.
The camera's video quality is quite good, as well, particularly in bright light. Under low-light conditions, colors may be a little splotchy and grainy. As mentioned earlier, footage can seem dizzying (and noisy) as the lens searches for its autofocus point. Still, the D7000 is capable of producing videos that are on a par with--and, in many cases, exceed--those of similarly priced DSLRs. In our lab tests, the D7000 received a word score of Good for video quality, and a rating of Superior for audio quality. The video test did not use the autofocus feature.

Buying Advice
If you're ready to get serious about your photography, the Nikon D7000 is well equipped to help you transition to the next level. It has a sophisticated feature set, top-notch performance, and highly pleasing image quality. Expect a challenging learning curve, though, particularly if you want to take advantage of everything this camera has to offer. It's easy to get lost when digging deep into functions such as autofocus and its multiple-choice menu, but exploring the D7000's many options is well worth the effort. Beginners may want to check out entry-level cameras such as the Nikon D3100 or the Canon T3i for more user-friendly features (and prices).

If you purchase or own the D7000, be sure to update the firmware. Nikon issued a firmware update on April 25 that addresses several issues (none of which we experienced).

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Nikon D7000 16.2MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR with 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR ED Nikkor Lens List Price: $1,499.95 Sale Price: $1,496.95 You save: $3.00 (%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours 13 new from $1,496.95  11 used from $1,110.00

Description

Meet the new Nikon D7000, a camera ready to go wherever your photography or cinematography takes you. Experience stunning images with sharp resolution and smooth tonal gradation, thanks to the 16-megapixel DX-format CMOS image sensor and a powerful EXPEED 2 image processing engine. Take advantage of its wide ISO range of 100 to 6400 (expandable to 25,600) and its incredibly low levels of noise. Expect your images tack-sharp and accurately exposed, thanks to the camera’s 39-point AF and Scene Recognition System using a 2,016-pixel RGB matrix metering sensor. And with an approx.  0.052-second release time lag and approx. 6 frames-per-second shooting, you won’t miss a moment.

Features

• High Resolution 16.2 MP DX-format CMOS sensor
• High Speed 6 frames per second continuous shooting up to 100 shots
• Breathtaking Full 1080p HD Movies with Full Time Autofocus
• Dynamic ISO range from 100 to 6400
• Ground-breaking 2,016-pixel RGB (3D Color Matrix) exposure sensor

Sony Alpha A55: Speedy Shooting, Fast Focusing, and a See-Through Mirror

The first step in taking a photo is to point the camera in the right direction. But to know what that right direction is, you need a viewfinder. The problem with designing a viewfinder is that the lens on the camera is located in front of the image sensor, so it’s difficult to get your eye directly behind the lens.
SLRs get around this problem by using a flip-up mirror to bounce light into the optical viewfinder. Most digital cameras, though, simply use the LCD screen on the back of the camera to show the current framing. The Sony Alpha SLT-A55 is a new interchangable-lens camera that looks a lot like a traditional SLR. But, like a lot of its competitors, it lets you switch between the rear LCD screen and a small electronic viewfinder located where the viewfinder on an SLR would be.
The difference between the A55 and every other modern-day digital camera is that Sony has placed a translucent mirror in front of the image sensor. It doesn’t move, like the mirror in an SLR, and because it’s mostly transparent, the bulk of the light coming through the lens passes on to the sensor. A tiny bit, though, gets bounced upward to the camera’s autofocus sensors. The practical upshot of this is that the camera can do what few SLRs can: continuously autofocus in Live View mode. When shooting video, this makes for a camera that handles like a point-and-shoot, but that offers the flexibility and superior image quality of an SLR.
Camera Design
The A55 is a about the same size as competing mid-range digital SLRs. Small and lightweight, the camera is sturdily constructed, and offers a secure grip and well-designed interface. A big rear-mounted LCD screen flips out from the back of the camera. You can spin it around to fit it flush with the camera’s back, or tilt it up or down. It’s hinged at the bottom, rather than the side, but it still provides all the range of motion you need for above-the-head or waist-level shooting.
For self-portraits, the only way to face the screen forward is to tilt it so that it sticks straight down, below the camera. If you mount the camera on a tripod, you may not be able to see the screen when it’s sticking straight down. A proximity detector automatically switches from the rear LCD to the eye-level electronic viewfinder when you raise the camera to your eye, and the A55’s electronic viewfinder is very good, offering a big, bright, clear view of your scene.
Sony has added a really cool real-time level inside the viewfinder. As the camera tilts, a virtual horizon line shows you whether you’re level or not. Handy and non-obtrusive, the level doesn’t get in the way of the rest of the status information. All that said, I’m not a fan of electronic viewfinders, simply because their dynamic range is limited by the camera’s sensor. So, if you want to be able to see details in both bright highlights and deep shadows when you’re composing, you’ll be out of luck. This is an important consideration when weighing this camera against a traditional SLR.
As with other Sony cameras, the A55 includes a stabilized sensor, which means that any of Sony’s excellent lenses will deliver stabilized imagery. The A55 is compatiable with Sony's a lenses, Minolta lenses, and Konica Minolta AF lenses. There's an in-camera pop-up flash, as well as a iISO hot shoe mount if you'd like to use an external flash. As with other Sony DSLRs, the proprietary hot shoe mount works with Sony and Minolta products, but an adapter can be purchased separately if you'd like to turn it into a standard mount to use it with Nikon, Canon, Pentax, or Olympus accessories.
Special Features
Because the A55 doesn't have to move a mirror around, Sony has been able to get a remarkable 10 frame-per-second burst rate out of the camera. It is continuously autofocusing in this mode, so fast moving subjects stay sharp. In addition to giving you a tremendous advantage when shooting sports, animals, and other fast-moving subjects, the A55's burst speed allows some other handy features. The camera's Sweep Panorama feature allows you to shoot stitched panoramic images by simply holding down the shutter button while panning across a scene. The camera automatically captures overlapping images and stitches them together, and the results are very good. No trip to Photoshop or other image editor is needed.
The A55 also offers a multi-frame noise reduction feature. If you're in low light, and are worried about your images being too noisy, this feature allows you to shoot a burst of images. The camera then combines them to create a low-noise result. Because of the camera's high burst rate, you can rattle off a few shots extremely quickly, giving you a better chance of shooting images in close registration.
While ten frames per second may not be that big a deal to photographers used to high-end, pro-level cameras, to get such speed at this price point is a real breakthrough for those who want speedy shooting.
Settings and Controls
The A55 offers a full complement of auto and manual modes. Full auto, program, priority and manual modes are all accessible from the top-mounted mode dial, and controlling exposure parameters is easy and intuitive. The A55 does very well in low light, up to around ISO 6400. After that, things get pretty noisy, but Sony has included their unique multi-shot noise reduction feature, which shoots multiple images, and then combines them to reduce noise.
Surprisingly, the A55 lacks any type of Program Shift feature, for cycling through reciprocal exposures in Program mode. This is a great way to maintain some manual control while shooting in Program, and is sorely missed on the A55.
Video
The A55 shoots full 1080p AVCHD video, and shooting video with this camera is much easier than with any digital SLR. Because the camera can continuously autofocus while shooting video, you don’t need to worry about how you or your subject moves while rolling video. The camera’s quick autofocus mechanism will keep your scene in focus, even during difficult camera movements. Sony has wisely included an external mic jack, since handling the camera while shooting video generates lots of hand-holding noise.
Image and Video Tests
The A55 received impressively high ratings in our lab's subjective image and video tests. We tested it alongside the Sony A580 and Nikon D3100 DSLRs. The A55's scores were extremely close to those of the A580, and it did slightly better than the D3100. It received word scores of Very Good for exposure, color, and sharpness, but only a Good for distortion (the one category where the A580 did noticeably better).
The video quality on the A55 was one of the best we've seen on an interchangable lens camera in the past year, especially in bright light, earning a word score of Superior. Watch the sample clips from our subjective video tests (for both bright light and low light) below. Select 1080p in the drop-down menu in the lower-right corner of each player to see each clip at maximum resolution.
Buying Advice
The A55 holds its own against its competition thanks to its nice feature set and very good image quality. What sets it apart is its small size, ability to continuously autofocus while shooting video, and fast continuous shooting mode. If portability, video capability and burst shooting are serious concerns for you, then you’ll want to give this camera a very close look. If regular still images are your primary concern, then you’ll need to pay close attention to the electronic viewfinder, and try to determine if you are comfortable with its limitations.

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Sony a55 DSLR Camera with 18-55mm zoom lens List Price: $798.00 Sale Price: Too low to display   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days 5 new from Too low to display  22 used from $476.49

Description

Sony Alpha SLTA55VL DSLR with Translucent Mirror Technology (Black)

Features

• DIGITAL SLR with Translucent Mirror Technology accelerates AF performance
• Continuous 10 fps shooting with continuous Phase Detect AF
• Worlds1st consumer HD video camera w/ cont. Phase Detect AF
• 16.2 megapixels with Sony?s Exmor HD APS sensor
• 1080/60i Full AVCHD or 1080/30p movies

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Canon Rebel T3i Review: A Pro DSLR for Beginners

The Canon EOS Rebel T3i is a complete picture-taking machine, especially when you use it with its 18-135mm, f/3.5-5.6 IS optional kit lens. The latest Rebel features an LCD that you can swing out and position at a variety of angles, as well as full HD video recording, wireless flash control, a respectable continuous-shooting mode, and the same high-resolution sensor as its predecessor, the EOS Rebel T2i.

You can build an entire system around the T3i by purchasing additional lenses, but we encountered no problems handling common shooting situations with the kit 18-135mm zoom lens ($1200 for the kit configuration as of April 29, 2011); that versatile camera/lens combination will serve most hobbyists well. For tighter budgets, a kit with an 18-55mm lens is also available ($900 as of April 29, 2011), and a body-only version of the camera costs $800 (as of April 29, 2011).
Performance-wise, the Canon Rebel T3i is outstanding. It currently resides at the top of our chart of the best DSLR cameras for less than $1000.

Basic Specifications
At the heart of the EOS T3i is an 18-megapixel APS-C sensor powered by Canon's Digic-4 processor. It can record images up to 5184 by 3456 pixels. The optical viewfinder provides 95 percent view, and its sharp, adjustable 3-inch LCD shows 100 percent view with 1,040,000 dots of resolution. Data records to SD, SDHC, or SDXC cards.

When you look through the optical viewfinder, you see nine autofocus points. The center AF point is cross-type, and is the most sensitive of the group. When you're letting the camera's autofocus system determine the focus for the shot, it has a wide area of coverage, due to the nine sensors detecting objects in the frame. The pop-up flash provides a wide-enough coverage area to properly illuminate subjects with the kit lens attached, plus it serves as the wireless trigger for off-camera flash control with Canon Speedlites. Powering the camera is a rechargeable Canon LP-E8 battery, which is rated for about 550 shots per charge with the LCD powered off and 200 shots per charge with the LCD continuously active.

Maximum continuous-shooting speed is 3.7 frames per second, which compares favorably with the competition. At 18.2 ounces without a lens attached, the T3i feels light but sturdy in the hands, and it's well balanced with either the 18-55mm lens or the 18-135mm lens mounted. If you're on the go, this camera won't weigh you down.

Physically, the T3i isn't much different from its predecessor, the Canon EOS Rebel T2i, with the exception of the Vari-Angle LCD that swings out from the back of the camera. However, you will find some notable changes inside this latest model from Canon.

Features Worth Noting
When you look at this class of DSLR, which you might describe as "sophisticated entry level," the T3i stands out for its value-adding features. Not only does it generally take excellent photos, but it also gives you the ability to experiment with off-camera flashes, record HD movies with great audio, and creatively play with images while they're still in the camera.
Here are a few of the T3i's highlights.

Built-In wireless flash control: If you have an external Canon flash unit with wireless slave capability, such as the Speedlite 430EX II, you can fire it off-camera with the T3i. You don't need a separate wireless controller. Options include firing a single off-camera flash, balancing the off-camera flash with the built-in flash on the T3i, or operating multiple external flashes. The upshot is that with just one external flash and the T3i, you have a number of flexible lighting options. This is a powerful feature for a consumer camera, putting pro lighting techniques at your fingertips for an affordable price.

Vari-Angle LCD: The T3i's adjustable LCD is an excellent design for recording video, and a significant differentiator when compared to the Rebel T2i. You flip open the LCD, and then swing it out. You can angle it up or down, or turn it completely around and fold it against the back of the camera. The resolution is terrific both for Live View capture and playback. When you're done, simply turn the screen around and secure it face-first against the back of the camera to protect it during transport. The screen's design encourages capture from assorted angles, helping you make more interesting movies.

Full HD movie recording with controls: On the T3i you can record 1920-by-1080-pixel video at 24, 25, or 30 fps, as well as 1280-by-720 video at 50 or 60 fps, or standard definition 640-by-480 video at 25 or 30 fps. Emerging filmmakers can opt for auto or manual exposure mode while shooting video, and can even choose between auto and manual options for recording audio. The audio is further enhanced thanks to the built-in mini-stereo mic jack for an external microphone; it even has a built-in wind filter.

Video Snapshot function: This feature allows you to record a series of 2-, 4-, or 8-second video clips, after which the T3i combines them into one movie, without your having to do any editing. Each Snapshot saves to an album after you record it, and you have the opportunity to keep or discard the clip. Once you've captured sequences, you merely go to playback mode to watch the fast-paced movie you just created. It's a cool feature that saves you a trip to a desktop video editor. Once you're finished, disable the Video Snapshot mode to return to regular moviemaking.

Creative Filters mode: After you've captured an image, you can continue to play with it via the Creative Filters mode in the playback menu. You have five to choose from: Grainy B/W, Soft Focus, Fish-Eye Effect, Toy Camera Effect, and Miniature Effect. Once you choose an effect, you can apply one of three different strengths. The T3i then processes the image and saves it as a separate file on the memory card.

Setting maximum speed for Auto ISO: Existing-light photographers will appreciate the ability to set the maximum speed for Auto ISO. Without a top limit setting, Auto ISO can sometimes result in noisy photographs. The T3i allows you to set the maximum ISO speed to a level you're comfortable with, so you can use this feature with confidence.The available range is from 400 to 6400. If you're conservative about how high the ISO should go, you can choose a setting such as 800 for the top end limit. But because this camera performs so well at higher ISOs, you can easily set the limit to ISO 1600 or 3200 and still get very good image quality.

Copyright Information setting: When you access the Copyright Information tab in the menu, you can set the author's name and copyright details for every shot that the camera records.
Performance, Image Quality, and Video Quality

With either kit lens (the 18-55mm or the 18-135mm), the Canon T3i provides excellent sharpness and detail. If you're tempted to upgrade to the 18-135mm kit lens for its extended zoom range (29-216mm in 35mm terms), it's probably worth the bump in price. But the 18-55mm holds its own nicely against the upgraded zoom in image quality. Don't expect better pictures with the more expensive kit option--base your decision on zooming range, not picture quality.

Neither kit zoom is a particularly fast lens (maximum aperture ranges from f/3.5 to f/5.6 on both); but even so, the T3i is a reasonable low-light performer. You can push the ISO to 1600, even 3200, and still get good-quality images.
In our lab tests, the T3i performed incredibly well in its test group, earning a word score of Superior in the exposure, color, sharpness, and distortion categories. Click on any of our lab's test images to view the original files.

As for the video mode, movies live up to the hype. You can produce excellent HD video with terrific audio (provided that you use an external mic) with the T3i. It earned a word score of Very Good for video quality and Good for audio quality.
Drawbacks

The limited amount of physical real estate on the T3i seems to have influenced the location of the control buttons. The Menu and Info buttons are awkwardly placed in the upper-left corner of the back of the camera. They're not nearly as easy to access in that spot as, for example, on the right side (where the Canon EOS 60D places them).

The T3i would also benefit from the addition of a dedicated movie recording button. Currently you have to rotate the Mode dial to movie mode, and then you can initiate recording with the Live View button on the back of the camera. It would be nice to directly access movie recording for spontaneous moments.

And finally, as with most Canon cameras, Auto White Balance produces an excessively orange cast when the camera is shooting without a flash under tungsten lighting.

Buying Advice
The Canon EOS Rebel T3i is a premium entry-level DSLR that captures excellent still images and video. If you don't need the extended zooming range of the 18-135mm IS kit lens option, you can save yourself a couple hundred dollars with the shorter 18-55mm kit zoom. Both lenses provide terrific image quality, and you can add lenses later as your budget allows.

• Details
• Description
• Features

Canon EOS Rebel T3i 18 MP CMOS APS-C Sensor DIGIC 4 Image Processor Full-HD Movie Mode Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch Clear View Vari-Angle LCD and EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens List Price: $799.99 Sale Price: $744.99 You save: $55.00 (7%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days 31 new from Too low to display  40 used from $619.00

Description

The Canon 5169B003 includes the EOS Rebel T3i Digital SLR Camera and EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS type II Lens. This camera and lens will help photographers who are looking for an easy-to-use camera to create their next masterpiece. The next in a long line of phenomenal compact DSLRs, the EOS Rebel T3i continues the Rebel tradition of easy operation, compact design and no-compromise performance. Featuring Canon's newest DIGIC 4 Image Processor and an 18.0 Megapixel CMOS Image Sensor plus cutting-edge technologies like Full HD video recording, Live View shooting, Wireless flash photography and even a Vari-angle 3.0-inch LCD monitor, the EOS Rebel T3i offers the best of EOS photography in a compact package.

Features

• 18.0 MP CMOS sensor and DIGIC 4 Image Processor for high image quality and speed
• ISO 100 - 6400 for shooting from bright to dim light
• Vari-angle 3.0-inch Clear View LCD monitor (3:2) for shooting at high or low angles and 1,040,000-dot VGA with reflection reduction
• Video Snapshot features for enhanced video shooting options
• Comes with camera body, EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Type II lens, eyecup, wide strap, USB cable, AV cable, battery, and charger

The good: Excellent photo quality; well-laid-out controls; interesting, user-friendly Guide mode; full manual controls in video capture.

The bad: Smallish viewfinder; slower than the competition; no bracketing.
The bottom line: A very good entry-level dSLR, the Nikon D3100 delivers excellent photo quality in a body that's streamlined for experienced photographers, but relatively unintimidating for the less advanced. Its only weakness is performance; though solid, it nevertheless lags behind the competition.

Until I sat down to actually write this review, it hadn't struck me how confusing the market placement of the Nikon D3100 is. It's priced the same as the still-available D5000, which is in many ways a better camera. And with the exception of video, which many users don't care about anyway, it's very similar to the much cheaper D3000. So while the D3100 isn't a bad camera, and for the most part holds its own against competitors from other manufacturers, it still pales in comparison with its own line mates.

The D3100 has a very good noise profile; it matches (and perhaps bests) the current leader in the budget dSLR category, the Pentax K-x. It produces exceptionally clean JPEGs up through ISO 800 and very usable ones through ISO 3200. (Adobe Camera Raw doesn't yet support the D3100 and Nikon Capture NX 2 doesn't provide sufficiently granular enough noise reduction for me to do raw versus JPEG comparisons). The camera delivers excellent color reproduction in its default SD mode as well--a nice change from some overly saturation-pushing competitors like Pentax and Sony--and its metering and exposure system work reliably and well.

Sharpness is, of course, lens dependent, but I was pretty happy with the various models I tested; generally, shots looked sharp but not oversharpened. In addition to the always reliable 18-55mm VR kit lens, I shot with the new pro-level 28-300mm f3.5-5.6 ED VR and consumer 55-300mm f4.5-5.6 ED VR, as well as the older 35mm f1.8 lens. In many ways I think the 28-300mm is a great lens optically, but I didn't like the feel of the zoom ring--it's feels inconsistent and a little too tight--and it's too heavy for a light body like the D3100's. The 55-300mm is obviously a better fit for the body, but it is slower, not quite as sharp, and more prone to fringing; that said, many will find it satisfactory for the money, and good a choice as a second lens. Similarly, for a relatively cheap lens, the 35mm f1.8 fares pretty well overall. There's a little bit of asymmetrical distortion on the right, however, as well as some fringing along backlit edges. But once again, it's a great lens value.
Video quality looks typical for its class, but with seemingly more rolling shutter artifacts than usual (and note that the lens VR makes a huge difference when shooting video). The audio isn't bad, but the full-time AF is not only loud, but pretty bad at locking on the appropriate subject. However, the camera does offer full manual exposure controls during movie capture. A 30-second countdown-to-shutoff timer appears in the upper left side of the display while the camera is idle in Live View/movie mode--an interesting touch.

Though the camera's performance is perfectly fine, it is a bit slower than the D3000 overall and not quite as fast as its competitors. It powers on and shoots in about 0.4 second and can focus and shoot in good light in the same 0.4 second. In dim light, that rises to a still-good 0.6 second, which is better than its predecessor. JPEG shot-to-shot time is about 0.6 second, which increases to 0.9 second for raw; that's slower than the D3000 and the rest of the pack. With flash, it's about 1.1 second. The D3100 also has the slowest burst performance of the group, at 2.9fps; in practice, it really did feel a hair too slow to photograph randomly moving subjects, like squirrels and birds. It might be fine for photographing the kids, though.

It has essentially the same viewfinder as the D3000, although it now uses the tiny AF points I hate; Nikon claims they were requested by users, though. The viewfinder itself is on the small, low-magnification side, but isn't too bad. You can view the LCD pretty well in direct sunlight.

Nikon has also managed to cram more direct-access controls onto it. It's quite a comfortable camera to shoot with, though it feels a little plasticky. Though the location of some controls has changed, it has the same overall operation.
A programmable Fn button--you can set it to control the image quality, ISO sensitivity, white balance, or Active D-Lighting menus--lies under your left thumb, though it's a little hard to differentiate from the flash pop-up/compensation button that sits above it by feel alone. Behind the shutter button circumscribed by the power switch are the exposure compensation and info buttons; the latter toggles the back display.

As usual, the top mode dial is segregated into the scene, PASM (Program, Aperture- and Shutter-priority, and Manual), and full auto modes. Nikon adds a twist here, a Guide mode that provides various levels of step-by-step help for a limited number of common shooting scenarios. There's Easy operation, which, like Auto, provides access to a limited number of options, as well as an Advanced mode, which describes the appropriate settings for the chosen scenario and then allows you to change the settings yourself. For instance, in Easy Operation/Distant Subjects it puts you into the Sports scene mode--the camera tells you what it's doing, which is really nice--then optionally allows you to adjust flash, release mode, and ISO sensitivity. The options are not specific to the scenarios, however, which would be useful. My one minor quibble with this is that the controls don't always function the same in this mode as when shooting normally; so, for example, here you'd adjust shutter speed with the up/down buttons on the multiselector, whereas you'd normally use the command dial to change the speed. This might confuse some people. On the back there's a nicely implemented thumb-operated Live View rocker switch and record button. The four-way navigation switch feels a little more responsive than the D3000's.

Nikon moved the drive mode controls--single, burst, self-timer and Quiet--to a switch next to the mode dial, a location I prefer to burying it in the menus or in the interactive display. I also like Nikon's implementation of the interactive display. The adjustment options are arrayed around the edges of the display, which makes the one you're looking for easier to find compared with some of the more cluttered full-screen layouts of competitors. On the other hand, you do have to navigate sequentially through the options, which you don't have to do with control panels that allow you to move up, down, and sideways.

In addition to a composite, a HDMI out, and a USB connector, the D3100 has a connector for Nikon's proprietary GPS module. But there are a lot of more useful shooting features still missing that other cameras in this price class provide, including wireless flash control. Most egregiously, though, the D3100 lacks simple exposure and flash exposure bracketing. Nikon seems to concentrate on in-camera postprocessing for the bulk of its features instead. (For a full account of the D3100's features and operation, download the PDF manual.)

Though the D5000 is expected to remain in the channel for a while, obviously there's significant overlap between the D3100 and the D5000 at similar prices, with only a few things to distinguish between them: the D5000 offers the articulated LCD, better viewfinder, better performance and a more well-rounded feature set (bracketing!), while the D3100 provides a slightly larger LCD, higher resolution which you probably don't need, and better movie capture features. They're about tied on photo quality. So ultimately, unless you're into video, the D5000 is probably the better buy at the same price; if you are into video, the D3100 probably isn't the camera for you, anyway. That leaves the Nikon D3100 as a very nice dSLR, but one that isn't a very compelling buy as long as the D5000 is still around at a decent price.

• Details
• Description
• Features

Nikon D3100 14.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens List Price: $649.00 Sale Price: $546.95 You save: $102.05 (16%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours 28 new from $546.95  41 used from $424.99

Description

Nikon's affordable, compact and lightweight D3100 digital SLR features a high-resolution 14-megapixel CMOS DX sensor, high-quality 3x NIKKOR 18-55mm VR image stabilization zoom lens and intuitive onboard assistance including the learn-as-you grow Guide Mode.Capture beautiful pictures and amazing Full HD 1080p movies with sound and full-time autofocus. Easily capture the action other cameras miss with a fast start up time, split-second shutter release, 3 frames per second shooting and 11-point autofocus.

Features

• 14.2-megapixel DX-format CMOS image sensor; 3-inch monitor with One-Touch Live View shooting and movie capture
• Includes 3x 18-55mm Zoom-NIKKOR VR Image Stabilization lens
• Full 1080p HD Cinematic Video with full-time autofocus and sound
• Easy-To-Use Nikon Guide Mode with intuitive controls and on-board assistance
• Capture images to SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards (not included)

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