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.

Photography Blog has published their camera test review of the Nikon D3000 dSLR:

As with the Nikon range topping D3x, with the D3000 at the very opposite end of the scale, its manufacturer is again providing the photographer (fledgling in this case) with their own virtual ‘wingman’, delivering essential aid whilst leaving them to get on with the business of taking photos.

(more…)

It’s been quite a Summer for Nikonian dSLR Dads. First came the D5000, then the D300s, and now the youngest kid in the Nikon lineup, the 10.2-Megapixel D3000 dSLR Camera.  It may not record HD video, but as a replacement for the entry-level D40 and D60 it still has quite a few highlights:

• 10.2-Megapixel (3,872 x 2,592 pixels) DX-format 23.6 x 15.8mm CCD sensor.
• ISO sensitivity range from ISO100 to 1600 plus an ISO3200 expansion (for emergency purposes only)
• 11-point Multi-CAM1000 autofocus module. A nice upgrade over the D60.
• 3 frame-per-second continuous shooting of 12-bit NEF (RAW) files
• Images are saved to SD/SDHC cards
• 3-Inch, 230,000-pixel LCD screen
• 420 pixel RGB sensor 3D Color Matrix Metering II with a Scene Recognition System
• Nikon Guide Mode – Intuitive controls and the on-board Guide Mode assist you every step of the way. Think of it as a manual in the camera. For more detailed information, download the manual from the recourses section below.
• Active D-Lighting – for complete control over highlight and shadow detail.
• Six Picture Control modes: Standard, Vivid, Landscape, Portrait, Neutral, and Monochrome
• Nikon’s most compact dSLR at 5.0 x  3.8 x 2.5-inches (126 x 94 64mm W/H/D).

(more…)

Douglas Brown over at the Luminous Landscape has posted a field review of the Olympus Evolt E-3 dSLR (Available at Amazon and B&H Photo):

When you look back at the standout photos you’ve taken in a year most of the major thought process and effort that went into them had very little to do with the technology of photography. Joss Stone starts vamping at a press event, turns and shoots a look over her shoulder that’s pure, delicious trouble, then sticks her tongue out at you, and believe me you aren’t thinking shadow noise, sensor size, or dumping your current system because some other maker’s camera would be able to shoot the images 1 frame per second faster. You’ve got that camera up to your eye, unconsciously moving slightly to keep distracting background elements out of the way, while simultaneously thumbing the focus point over the eyes, firing a burst then zooming in closer for a second one (because closer is always better). You are running on muscle memory.

In too many of these kind of photographic moments the E3 stumbles over itself. Awkward positioning of major controls, buttons that are small or flush with the camera surface making it difficult to positively locate them, (more…)

Nikon’s been getting a lot of the press recently, but Canon has new cameras too. The new 40D was announced the same time, but has been shipping since early fall. With that, I present you dSLR Dad’s with all the information you need to justify spending more money. (more…)