dSLR Dad

Digital Photography Review has published their review of the Canon EOs 7D dSLR Camera:

Canon’s X0D series was, for many years, essentially the default choice for keen enthusiasts, professionals and aspiring-professionals who wanted top-level image quality and functionality without the bulk (or price) of a pro-level camera such as the 1D series. The 10D, 20D and 30D were hugely successful and popular cameras, and you didn’t have to spend long shooting with them to understand why. However, like every other sector of the DSLR market, there are some very competitive rivals, in terms of both price and features. Cameras such as Sony’s A700 and Nikon’s D200 and 300 have meant the most recent X0D EOSs have been held to higher standards and have found it a little harder to stand-out. Which brings us to the 7D, a camera that seems determined to wrestle back the king of APS-C crown. At first glance it looks a lot like the EOS 50D – it’s unmistakably a member of the EOS family – but a closer look shows that this is far from being the gentle refresh that we’re used to seeing in this range. And indeed, this is intended as big brother to the 50D, rather than as a replacement for it.

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Digital Photography Review has published their gargantuan 33-page review of the 15-megapixel Pentax K-7 dSLR Camera:

Our in-depth review of the Pentax K-7. When it arrived in May we were impressed by the way the K-7 managed to squeeze all the features of its predecessor and a handful of new tricks into such a compact package. It still has a 14.6 megapixel CMOS sensor but gains a new metering system, revised autofocus, a faster shutter mechanism, a high resolution LCD, faster continuous shooting and the ability to shoot HD movies. And, as that svelte little magnesium alloy body has been passed around the office, it’s continued to leave a good impression. So, how did it fare in our studio tests?

As usual, they have released another gargantuan 33-page review. You can read the entire Pentax K-7 review at dPreview. You can find more dSLR Dad article on the Pentax K-7 here.

A note for Pentaxian dSLR Dads: There is now a $100 instant rebate available on the Pentax K-7 from retailers like Amazon and B&H Photo.

Digital Photography Review has published their traditional all-consuming review of the Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 Camera:

When Sony launched the A380’s predecessor, the DSLR-A350, in January 2008 it was arguably one of the best specified cameras in the entry-level segment sporting the highest resolution sensor and an impressive set of features. However, while today, approximately 18 months later, the A380 comes with a specification that is very similar to the A350 (and in some areas even slightly downgraded) all of the competitors in the entry-level segment have inevitably moved on and not only caught up with the Sony but overtaken it quite clearly.

You can read the entire ginormous review at dPreview. dSLR Dads considering this camera should take note that that just because a camera has equivalent specs to the competition on paper, that doesn’t mean it translates to the actual photographs.

Digital photography Review has published their review of the Olympus E-620 dSLR camera:

The E-620 takes most of the features from the semi-pro E-30 and fits them into a body only slightly larger than the E-420, making it the most powerful entry-level Four Thirds camera yet. It has been a little overwhelmed by the buzz about E-P1, but does the little DSLR deserve a second look?

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Digital Photography Review has published their review of the Canon EOS 50D dSLR camera:

It’s exactly eight years ago this month that Phil posted his review of the Canon D30. The camera was Canon’s first ‘developed in house’ DSLR and therefore a milestone in digital photography. But it was also the first model in the popular line of cameras of which the EOS 50D is the latest descendant. Technology has moved on at the speed of light since the year 2000 but each generation of x0D cameras left its mark in the marketplace and the photographic community alike and there is no reason to believe to 50D would be any different. Or is there?

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Digital Photography Review has published another 34-page epic dSLR review, this time focusing on the 720p HD-shooting Nikon D5000:

The recent boom in DSLR sales has seen all the major manufacturers adding bulked-up or stripped-down entry level models, repositioning their offerings to make sure that anyone willing to put up with the size and weight of a DSLR will look at one of their models. The whole thing has often left existing DSLR owners a little lost – ‘why isn’t there a direct replacement for my camera?’ – but has undoubtedly meant there are many more attractive, accessible cameras on the market just waiting to entice first-time DSLR owners.

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Digital Photography Review has published their typically concise review of the 720p HD video recording Canon EOS 500D / Rebel T1i:

The EOS 500D is the latest incarnation of a highly successful line of cameras and although the ‘entry level’ market segment is these days much more crowded than it used to be, we would be very surprised if the new model would not sell like hotcakes.

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Digital Photography Review has spent some special hands on alone time with the new 15-megapixel Pentax K-7 dSLR Camera. As a replacement for the K20D, the K-7 adds 720p HD video recording, a 77 segment exposure meter, a faster 5.2 frame-per-second continuous capture and a 920,000 pixel 3-inch LCD screen. Their hands on preview begins as follows:

Pentax is a name that will evoke fond memories for many photographers whose first SLR experience would have been with a Spotmatic, KM, K1000 or ME Super. Although the company’s market position isn’t as well entrenched as it was during the halcyon days of 35mm film, it continues to attract a devoted following of enthusiasts. And that following isn’t just based on nostalgia – Pentax is alone in having developed a comprehensive range of prime lenses for the APS-C format that dominates modern DSLR photography, while most of its competitors concentrate on offering a selection of zooms.

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Digital Photography Review has published their preview of a pre-production Nikon D5000 dSLR Camera:

The recent boom in DSLR sales has seen all the major manufacturers adding bulked-up or stripped-down entry level models, repositioning their offerings to make sure that anyone willing to put up with the size and weight of a DSLR will look at one of their models. The whole thing has often left existing DSLR owners a little lost – ‘why isn’t there a direct replacement for my camera?’ – but has undoubtedly meant there are many more attractive, accessible cameras on the market just waiting to entice first-time DSLR owners.

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Digital Photography Review has published their review of the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G Lens:

The AF-S Nikkor 35mm F1.8G DX is a lens which certainly caused a degree of dismay on its release, with many Nikon fans disappointed by the decision to make it compatible with the DX format only. However the main benefit of that decision is plain for all to see – even at its introductory price the lens costs rather less than the venerable AF-Nikkor 35mm F2.0D, despite the addition of an AF-S motor to allow autofocusing on Nikon’s entry-level D40 / D40X / D60 bodies. It’s also less than half the price of the few other DX format standard primes currently on the market (such as the Pentax 35mm F2.8 Macro, Tokina 35mm F2.8 Macro and Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM), so Nikon has managed with this lens to produce the first genuinely inexpensive (sub-$200) fast standard prime designed specifically for digital SLRs.

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