With the biennial fall Photokina show in Germany always come many interesting product introductions. This year’s batch included seven new feature-packed digital SLRs. All are scheduled to be on sale in the United States by the time you read this, except the Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro (which will be available in early 2024) and the Sigma SD14 (no release date as of this writing).
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi
The dust-reduction features are quite effective, with an antistatic charge on the sensor’s low-pass filter that resists dust and the Self Cleaning Sensor Unit that uses ultrasonic vibrations to remove any dust that does adhere, each time you switch the camera on or off. You can also activate the Dust Delete Data feature to map dust particles on the sensor and then automatically remove them in-computer by using software supplied with the camera.
Autofocusing performance is very good, thanks to essentially the same system used in the EOS 30D, with nine AF points compared to the original XT’s seven and the AF working range improved a stop (down to EV -0.5). The three metering systems (35-zone evaluative, nine-percent partial and center-weighted average) are the same as the XT’s and highly accurate.
With Canon’s latest DIGIC II image processor, the XTi is fast (0.2-second startup, 3-fps shooting of up to 10 RAW or 27 large JPEGs in a burst) and delivers good image quality, with noise levels and dynamic range similar to the XT’s, despite the 25-percent increase in pixel count on the same-sized sensor. Picture Styles (introduced in the EOS 5D) provide broad control over color, contrast and sharpening.
Both the built-in pop-up flash unit and the shoe-mount Canon EX-series Speedlites provide Canon’s latest E-TTL II exposure control, with flash sync up to 1⁄200 sec.
The Digital Rebel XTi is compatible with the full range of more than 60
Canon EF lenses, including the EF-S models designed specifically for
smaller-sensor digital SLRs. Available focal lengths range from 12-22mm
to 600mm; with the sensor’s 1.6x focal-length factor, these are
equivalent to 19mm through 960mm on a 35mm camera. Estimated Street
Price: $799.
Contact: Canon, (800) OK-CANON, www.usa.canon.com.
Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro
Similar in appearance and camera features to the Nikon D200, the
FinePix S5 Pro differs largely in its Fujifilm Super CCD SR Pro image
sensor and RP Processor Pro imaging engine. It’s fully compatible with
current Nikkor AF-D/G lenses and flash units.
The Super CCD SR Pro sensor, which made the FinePix S3 Pro camera quite
popular with wedding, studio and portrait pros, utilizes 6.17 million
high-sensitivity S-pixels and 6.17 million low-sensitivity R-pixels to
provide a wide dynamic range. The S5’s new RP (Real Photo) Processor
Pro works with the latest version of the sensor to further extend
dynamic range and provides two cycles of noise reduction for good image
quality, even at ISO 3200. Six preset dynamic ranges and three new film
simulation modes make it easy to get just the “look” you want.
The S5’s strong, lightweight magnesium-alloy body incorporates a
2.5-inch, 235,000-pixel LCD monitor with 30-second color and monochrome
live-preview function. The 100,000-cycle shutter tops out at 1⁄8000
sec., with flash sync up to 1⁄250 sec. Performance is good, since the
11-point AF and 1005-segment metering systems are essentially the same
ones used in the excellent Nikon D200.
Unlike previous FinePix Pro models, the S5 comes with a rechargeable
Li-ion battery. The new camera stores images on CompactFlash cards and
Microdrives, but doesn’t have the S3’s second slot for xD-Picture
cards. A useful feature for people photographers is Face Detection
Technology, which at the touch of a button, detects up to 10 faces in a
recorded scene, then lets you quickly zoom in on them to check
expressions, focus and exposure on the LCD monitor. Estimated Street
Price: TBD.
Contact: Fujifilm, (800) 800-FUJI, www.fujifilmusa.com.
Leica Digilux 3
With the Digilux 3, Leica joins Olympus and Panasonic as manufacturers
of Four Thirds System digital SLRs. Actually, Leica has been producing
compact digital cameras for quite a while, along with a digital back
for its 35mm SLR film cameras, and has even introduced a digital
version of its famed M-series rangefinder cameras (the new M8), so it’s
not too surprising to see a D-SLR come from the legendary German camera
maker.
Sharing basic specs with Panasonic’s DMC-L1 introduced earlier in 2024,
the Digilux 3 looks like a Leica rangefinder model, but is actually a
D-SLR with an eye-level porro-mirror TTL viewfinder as well as a
2.5-inch, 207,000-pixel LCD monitor that can display the image live
before shooting. While live-view monitors are found on virtually all
compact digital cameras, among D-SLRs, only the Digilux 3, Olympus
E-330 and Panasonic DMC-L1 provide the feature. It’s a plus to be able
to check the image, white balance, exposure comp and even histograms
before capture!
The 7.5-megapixel (7.9-megapixel gross) LiveMOS sensor produces images
3136 pixels wide. You can choose among three aspect ratios: 4:3 (3136 x
2352 pixels), 3:2 (3136 x 2024) and 16:9 (3136 x 1760). Images can be
stored on SD, SDHC or MMC media as JPEG or RAW files.
Like all Four Thirds System D-SLRs, the Digilux 3 will accept all Four
Thirds System lenses. These are currently offered by Olympus and Sigma,
ranging from a 7-14mm ƒ/4 Olympus super-wide-angle zoom to a Sigma
300-800mm ƒ/5.6 super-telephoto. Leica offers the D Vario-Elmarit
14-50mm ƒ/2.8-3.5 ASPH zoom lens, which incorporates a MEGA Optical
Image Stabilizer to reduce camera shake in handheld shooting; both the
Digilux 3 and the Panasonic DMC-L1 are sold as kits with this lens.
Taking into account the Four Thirds System’s 2x focal-length factor,
users of these cameras have access to 35mm-equivalent focal lengths of
14mm to 1600mm.
Like the other current Four Thirds System D-SLRs, the Digilux 3 has a
built-in anti-dust system that uses ultrasonic vibrations to shake dust
off the image sensor each time the camera is switched on. Other Digilux
3 features include convenient analog controls (a shutter-speed dial and
focusing, zooming and aperture rings on the lens), superb build and a
great warranty. Estimated Street Price: $2,499. Contact: Leica, (800) 222-0118, www.leica-camera.com.
Nikon D80
Nikon has replaced its long-successful 6.1-megapixel D70s with the D80,
a 10.2-megapixel D-SLR that’s priced at less than $1,000, which has a
lot going for it besides the 67-percent increase in resolution.
For starters, the D80 is fast: It starts up in just 0.16 of a second
and has a shutter-release lag of a mere 80 milliseconds, so you’re not
going to miss shots waiting on the camera. It can shoot up to 100 JPEGs
or 6 NEF (RAW) images at 3 fps, and the 11-area Multi-CAM 1000 AF
system (which functions in light levels as dim as EV -1) can keep up
with quick-moving subjects.
Like the higher-end D200, the D80 features Nikon’s Color Matrix
Metering II, but with a 420-segment sensor instead of the D200’s
1005-segment sensor. There’s also center-weighted metering (with 75
percent of the emphasis on a central 6mm, 8mm or 10mm area in the
center of the finder, which is your choice via a menu) and 2.5-percent
spot metering.
The Nikon D80’s image-processing engine combines color-independent
analog pre-conditioning with precision 12-bit digital image processing
for outstanding color and tone reproduction, yet reduces power
consumption to provide up to 2,700 shots per charge with the provided
Li-ion battery.
Creative features include D-Lighting (which automatically balances underexposed areas without affecting highlights), Trim (which lets you reduce file sizes in-camera for easy sharing), Image Overlay (which merges a pair of selected RAW images in-camera, useful for sharp/unsharp image soft-focus effects), monochrome settings and film effects. You can also do multiple exposures with the D80. The 2.5-inch, 230,000-pixel LCD monitor can be viewed from angles of up to 170 degrees and provides magnifications up to 25x for easy image checking. Notably smaller and lighter than the D200, the D80 offers many of its features in a much lower-priced package. Estimated Street Price: $999. Contact: Nikon, (800) NIKON-UX, www.nikonusa.com.
Pentax K10D
After half a dozen 6.1-megapixel digital SLRs, Pentax has introduced
the 10.2-megapixel K10D, still priced at less than $1,000. The new
camera is Pentax’s second D-SLR with built-in sensor-shift Shake
Reduction and adds a two-pronged Dust Removal system, a new 22-bit A/D
converter and PRIME imaging engine, dustproof and weather-resistant
construction, and a 100,000-shot shutter.
Featuring a larger body than previous Pentax D-SLRs (although still
compact), the K10D is inherently a bit easier to handhold steadily, but
the Shake Reduction is a valuable asset. Equally welcome is the Dust
Removal system, which consists of a coating of vapor-deposited fluorine
compound to keep dust from sticking to the sensor, and a CCD-shift
system that vibrates dust off the sensor.
The K10D can shoot 3872 x 2592-pixel JPEG images at 3 fps until the SD
or SDHC memory card is full and up to nine RAW images at the same rate.
A button near the lens mount allows for quick switching to RAW format,
and images can also be captured in DNG, Adobe’s “universal” archival
digital negative RAW format.
A host of exposure modes can be easily selected via a dial on top of
the camera. The Hyper Manual feature allows you to set the proper
exposure (via program AE) instantly at the press of a button, without
leaving manual mode, which is handy when a fast-breaking photo op
doesn’t leave you time to fumble with shutter-speed and aperture
controls.
Like all Pentax D-SLRs, the K10D will accept all Pentax lenses,
providing full functions with the KAF2, KAF and KA versions. Pentax 67
and 645 lenses and old screw-mounts can be used with adapters.
Estimated Street Price: $899.
Contact: Pentax Imaging, (800) 877-0155, www.pentaximaging.com.
Samsung Digimax GX-10
Similar in form, function and feature set to the Pentax K10D, the new
Digimax GX-10 is the third member of Samsung’s new D-SLR family. All
are compatible with Pentax K-mount lenses; Samsung also offers a line
of Schneider D-Xenon and D-Xenogon lenses that were designed for these
cameras (and which also can be used on Pentax D-SLRs).
Optical Picture Stabilization adjusts the image sensor to counter the
effects of handheld camera shake and thus functions with all lenses,
not just special stabilized lenses. A dust-resistant coating on the CCD
image sensor combines with a sensor-vibration dust-removal feature to
keep images spot-free.
The pentaprism viewfinder shows a generous 95 percent of the actual
image area, while the wide-view, 2.5-inch, 210,000-pixel LCD monitor
shows 100 percent of the actual image area. An LCD panel on top of the
camera displays camera settings for easy reference.
Like the Pentax K10D, the GX-10 is rugged and water- and
dust-resistant. The 100,000-cycle shutter provides speeds up to 1⁄4000
sec., with flash sync up to 1⁄180 sec. You can shoot JPEG images at 3
fps until you fill the SD card or up to nine consecutive RAW images at
3 fps. A RAW button lets you quickly switch to RAW recording mode; you
can convert the RAW image to JPEG while viewing it on the LCD monitor
if desired. A “My Set Dial” allows users to store and quickly access
favorite camera setups. Estimated Street Price: TBA.
Contact: Samsung, (800) 762-7746, www.samsungcamerausa.com.
Sigma SD14
As was the case with Sigma’s previous D-SLRs, the big feature of the
new SD14 is the unique Foveon X3 image sensor. Unlike other
digital-camera sensors, which record data for just one primary color at
each pixel location and calculate the other colors for each pixel site
via complex interpolation, the X3 captures data for all three primary
colors (red, green and blue) at every pixel location.
The SD14’s Foveon sensor contains 14 million pixels (three 2652 x 1768
pixel layers), each image having a 2652 x 1768 pixel count. How these
images compare to, say, the 3872 x 2592 images of a 10-megapixel
conventional image sensor that captures data for just one color at each
pixel site, is something you’ll have to judge with your own eyes.
The SD14 improves on the SD9 and SD10 not only in pixel count (2652 x
1768 x 3 versus 2268 x 1512 x 3), but in LCD monitor size (2.5 inches
versus 1.8), maximum shooting rate (3 fps at full resolution versus 1.9
fps) and five AF targets (up from one). It also autofocuses down to EV
0 (a two-stop improvement over the SD10’s EV 2), can shoot JPEG as well
as RAW images (previous SD D-SLRs would only shoot RAW) and has
improved Photo Pro 3.0 RAW processing software.
Like its predecessors, the SD14 has an image-sensor dust protector
positioned far enough from the sensor that any dust that does adhere to
it will be out of focus and not evident in images. The SD14’s shutter
tops out at 1⁄4000 sec. (versus 1⁄6000 sec. for the SD9 and SD10), but
has a life cycle of over 100,000 exposures. A new included BP-21
lithium-ion battery provides up to 500 shots per charge.
Other features include a bright pentaprism finder with 0.9x
magnification (up from 0.77x), a built-in flash unit (ISO 100, guide
number 36, in feet) and a PC terminal with sync up to 1⁄180 sec.,
mirror prelock, easy operation and compatibility with more than 40
Sigma lenses, from an 8mm fisheye to an 800mm super-telephoto
(equivalent to 13.8mm through 1380mm on a 35mm camera, due to the
sensor’s 1.7x magnification factor). Estimated Street Price: TBA. Contact: Sigma Photo, (800) 896-6858, www.sigma-photo.com.
> New D-SLR Chart PDF
