Top D-SLRs Under $1,000Six cameras that deliver hot shots for a fistful of dollars |
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SONY'S DSLR-A350 features a 14.2-megapixel sensor, the highest-resolution CCD in a D-SLR (the few higher-resolution D-SLRs use CMOS sensors). Simple operation and a tilting 2.7-inch LCD monitor with Live-View capability make this an unassuming camera for new D-SLR owners. Because it uses a CCD sensor rather than a CMOS, the A350’s Live View operates via a dedicated Live-View image sensor, to which light is directed through an innovative Pentamirror Tilt mechanism. This system also allows the camera’s normal quick phase-detection AF system to be used, including continuous AF operation, in Live View.The effective D-Range Optimizer brings out more detail in highlights and shadows, handy when shooting contrasty scenes. You can choose any of eight Creative Style presets (Standard, Vivid, Portrait, Landscape, Night View, Sunset, B/W or Adobe RGB) and then further adjust contrast, saturation (in all but B/W) and sharpness. Sony D-SLRs accept a wide range of Sony and Minolta Maxxum lenses, plus Zeiss T* lenses designed for the camera. Currently, Sony lens focal lengths range from an 11-18mm wide zoom to a 300mm ƒ/2.8 super-telephoto and 500mm ƒ/8 mirror lens.
 PANASONIC LUMIX DMC-l10Panasonic’s Lumix DMC-L10 sells for about $1,099, but that includes a 14-50mm Leica zoom lens with Mega O.I.S. image stabilization and a free-angle Live-View LCD monitor that swivels 270 degrees front and back and rotates 180 degrees left and right, making it handy for odd-angle shooting and macro shots. A Four Thirds System D-SLR, the L10 can use all Four Thirds System lenses, encompassing 35mm camera-equivalent focal lengths from 13mm to 1600mm (with the sensor’s 2x focal-length factor). Other features include a Supersonic Wave Filter sensor-dust reduction system, a 10.1-megapixel Live MOS image sensor, Face Detection that can detect (and base focus and exposure on) up to 15 human faces simultaneously, nine Film Modes that provide different “looks,” a variety of AF methods and more.  SAMSUNG GX-20Samsung’s GX-20 features a 14.6-megapixel CMOS sensor developed by Samsung and Pentax and manufactured by Samsung. It shares a number of features with Pentax’s top-of-the-line K20D, including excellent weather resistance, a sensor-dust removal system and sensor-shift image stabilization that works with all lenses. ISO settings extend up to 6400. A handy RAW button instantly switches from JPEG to RAW shooting, and RAW images are saved in the “universal” Adobe DNG format. The GX-20 has a 2.7-inch LCD monitor with Live-View capability and compatibility with a wide range of Pentax lenses (as well as Samsung and Schneider lenses made for the camera). Estimated Street Price: $1,299.
RESOURCES Canon | (800) OK-CANON | www.usa.canon.com Pentax | (800) 877-0155 | www.pentaxslr.com   |
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