dSLR Dad

Imaging Resource has published their camera test review of the 720p HD-shooting Nikon D5000 dSLR:

Though it stands out as an oddity in naming terms when compared to the other Nikon digital SLRs in the line, the Nikon D5000 is best described as a lower-cost D90 in a D60 body, with a smaller set of available autofocus lenses. There are a few usability issues related to the articulating LCD and autofocus in Live view mode, and the D-Movie mode won’t serve to replace the basic consumer camcorder, but as I’ve said of the Canon T1i, these things don’t make or break the Nikon D5000. What clearly makes the Nikon D5000 great is its excellent overall performance as a still camera, and its excellent image quality…

You can read the entire review at Imaging Resource. You can find more dSLR Dad articles on the Nikon D5000 here.

Neutral Day has published their review of the Nikon D90 dSLR Camera:

The Nikon D90 is the successor to the very popular and very capable D80, and currently occupies the prosumer niche for Nikon. At about $1000 for the camera body only, the Nikon D90 offers consumers a 12.3 megapixel sensor, an ISO range of 100-6400 (including boost), a 3 inch display with 920k resolution, and a frame rate of 4.5 fps. Additionally, as most of you will remember, the Nikon D90 was the first DSLR to start the now pervasive trend of high definition video in a DSLR camera. For the D90, this meant 720p HD video at 24 fps with mono sound in up to 5 minute clips (for HD). In short, the Nikon D90 offers quite a bit of the performance of the professional level Nikon D300, plus HD video, but in smaller size and with less impact on the wallet. As a previous owner of the Nikon D80, I was more than curious how far things had come with the D90. As it turns out, Nikon sent a D90 kit for me to test, bundled with the AF-S Nikkor 18-105mm lens, and after nearly a month of frequent use (make that non-stop use), I’m ready to share my thoughts in our review of the Nikon D90 digital SLR camera.

You can read the entire D90 review over at Neutral Day.

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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Peter Burian has published his field test report of the Nikon D90 dSLR Camera:

During extensive nature, action, travel and portrait photography, the D90 proved to be unusually fast, reliable and versatile. In terms of image quality, it was competitive with more expensive cameras.

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B&H Photo has the Canon EOS 5D Mark II dSLR camera body in stock and shipping.  Please note, that unlike other retailers, it is selling at it’s correct Street Price of $2,699.95.  If you were hoping to order the 5D Mark II and EF 24-105mm f/4L lens kit, you’re are going to have to wait, it is still listed on back order.

Chris Sanderson has documented his impressions of trying to use a Canon EOS 5D Mark II to capture HD video while on an Expedition to the Antarctic in January:

Let’s be clear at the outset – the video files from the Canon 5D MkII are very good and very useable, as has been shown by many examples posted on the web. I don’t think anyone needs confirmation at this stage that the Canon 5D MkII produces very good stills and good HD video. Rather, for me the question was whether this camera could be used successfully to cover both stills and video in the field. The answer is ‘maybe...’. Know the limitations of the camera and possibly discover your own – as I did.

Certainly the camera is highly competent for stills. For video it’s a bit of a stretch. A stretch both for the camera and the operator. This then is not really a review but more of a story of one person’s experience with the camera on location using it as the primary capture device to record both stills and video on a trip to Antarctica in January 2009.

You can read the entire story at The Luminous Landscape.  As always, you can find more reviews about the Canon EOS 5D Mark II in the dSLR Dad Resource Guide.  All dSLR Dad articles on the 5D MarkII can be found here.

PDN Gear Guide has published their review of the 24.6-Megapixel Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 Camera:

It was little over a year ago that Sony introduced its first DSLR to graze the pro market—the prosumer-oriented 12.2-megapixel A700 which was distinguished as being the company’s first to use a CMOS sensor—albeit of the smaller, standard APS size. Though that camera wasn’t bad as a first entry, it could no way predict the stunning image quality that would come from the 35mm-sized 24.5-megapixel CMOS sensor in the studio-worthy A900. In our testing, the A900 showed that it could produce some of the finest quality images from a DSLR at low ISOs in moderate to good lighting. While this image quality—particularly the A900’s off-the-charts dynamic range—make it a great choice for studio photographers where lighting and shooting conditions can be controlled, its limited range rules out other types of photography. In particular, the camera’s disappointing noise levels at ISO 800-1600 and its unacceptably noisy images at ISO 3200+ make the A900 kind of a one-trick pony. If you’re studio photographer on a budget—and who isn’t these days?—this high-res full frame monster could be for you. But if you’re looking for something more flexible, the comparably priced full-frame cameras from Canon and Nikon are better options.

You can read the entire review at PDN Gear Guide.

Photozone has published their review of the Nikon D90 dSLR Camera:

The Nikon D90 provides definitively “All you need to fuel your passion for photography” and a little bit more. The consumer DSLR camera from Nikon scores already after the first look through the exemplary viewfinder and gives an first impression of the D90 power. Just after the good old Nikon shutter release sound, the big 3 inch high resolution LCD displays a preview of the image taken by the 12.3 megapixel APS-C CMOS image sensor with built-in self-cleaning sensor unit and gives an idea of sharp images with a great resolution even in high sensitivity. The terrific dynamic range of the Nikon D90 in combination with Nikon’s D-Lightning makes sure that the next shot succeeds.  In continuous-servo AF mode you can confidently concentrate on the scene and delegate the imaging part to the camera and its fast and reliable AF. (more…)

Shutterbug Magazine has published their review of the 24.6-Megapixel Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 Camera:

Considering the price ($5000 less than the 24.5-megapixel Nikon D3X), the Sony A900 offers excellent value in terms of resolution, versatility, and speed (for a 24.6-megapixel model) as well as the benefits provided by the stabilizer, Intelligent Preview, and full-frame sensor. This camera is not lacking a single important feature and it’s particularly competent in terms of autofocus and off-camera flash photography. In my estimation, the A900 will meet the needs of virtually any photo enthusiast as well as some professional photographers. Even so, it’s relatively uncomplicated and very convenient to operate.

You can read the entire review at Shutterbug.net.  It seems like their ‘final thought’ doesn’t quite say what they originally wanted it to, what to you think?

Digital Photography Review has published their typically-epic review of the 21-Megapixel Canon EOS 5D Mark II:

While there are still other cameras in its class with marginally higher resolution, marginally better high ISO performance, more advanced AF, faster performance, better weather sealing and more solid build quality – and the Sony A900’s built-in anti-shake remains unique in the full frame arena – the 5D Mark II is certainly one of the best value for money propositions on the market for image quality – especially in RAW, where you really can see the benefit of all 21 million pixels. Canon has also wisely made only minor tweaks to the external interface, so that 5D users can jump right in and feel at home. Looking at the package as a whole the EOS 5D Mark II seems hard to beat.

We have always placed a heavy emphasis on image quality, and all other things aside this means the 5D Mark II has to receive our highest rating. When you consider the price of the EOS-1Ds Mark III, the 5D Mark II seems like quite a bargain. In our review of the original 5D we said ‘only history will tell if the EOS 5D is the start of a full frame revolution or simply the first of a new niche format’. Now we have to wait to see if the 5D Mark II (and the Nikon D90) are the start of the convergence of high end video and still photography cameras. But even if you never shoot video, and consider Live View to be a pointless novelty, the EOS 5D Mark II has an awful lot to recommend it to the serious photographer.

You can read the entire in-depth review at dPreview.  As always, you can find more reviews about the Canon EOS 5D Mark II in the dSLR Dad Resource Guide.  All dSLR Dad articles on the 5D MarkII can be found here.