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Buying a D-SLR is a little different than buying most other high-tech devices. You’re also selecting a complete photo system, from lenses and flash to accessories and software. The “right” camera for your needs, present and future, depends a lot on what you expect from your system.
All of the major camera systems here offer the essentials you’ll need for most subjects and situations. Longtime camera makers have an edge over newcomers in the depth and breadth of their systems, but leaps forward in technology even the playing field.
To help you get a clearer idea of the bigger picture offered by the camera makers, we’ve compiled a comprehensive overview of each system. While we don’t have the space here to list every lens and accessory available, we’ve attempted to provide a representative sampling that will give you insight as to what you can expect from the system you choose.
Canon
Canon offers an extensive D-SLR system that includes six camera bodies, 60 lenses, five flash units and a number of accessories.
Canon makes its own CMOS image sensors and processing engines—a decided advantage in getting them to work optimally together. All EOS cameras feature fully electronic lens mounts and a focusing motor in each lens rather than in the camera body. The electronic mount eliminates mechanical linkages for quick, reliable, accurate and near-silent operation of the aperture diaphragm, while each EF lens has a focusing motor optimized to its characteristics. USM lenses have Ultrasonic Motors that provide quick, accurate, near-silent autofocusing.
Cameras. Canon’s top model is the rugged EOS-1Ds Mark III, by far the highest-resolution, “35mm form factor” D-SLR, with a 21.1-megapixel, full-frame, self-cleaning image sensor, dual DIGIC III imaging engines, 5 fps shooting at full resolution, a big 3-inch LCD with live-view capability and more.For action shooters, the EOS-1D Mark III records its 10.1-megapixel images at up to 10 per second and otherwise basically shares the EOS-1Ds Mark III’s fine features, but has a smaller image sensor, with a 1.3x focal-length factor.
The EOS 5D features a 12.8-megapixel, full-frame image sensor at about one-third the cost of the EOS-1Ds Mark III.
The new EOS 40D provides 10.1 megapixels, 6.5 fps shooting, a 3-inch LCD monitor with even more live-view capabilities than its “big brothers,” a self-cleaning sensor and more. The focal-length factor is 1.6x.
Canon’s entry-level model is the EOS Digital Rebel XTi, with a 10.1-megapixel self-cleaning sensor, 3 fps shooting and very good performance. The focal-length factor is 1.6x. The even lower-priced 8-megapixel EOS Digital Rebel XT remains in the line.
Lenses. Canon users currently can choose among 60 lenses, of which six are EF-S models, designed especially for (and able to be used only on) the smaller-sensor EOS Digital Rebel series and the 20D, 30D and 40D. The EOS series includes five macro lenses like the EF-S 60mm ƒ/2.8 and the 65mm MP-E Macro Photo. Seventeen of the lenses, designated IS, have built-in optical image stabilizers optimized for their characteristics. There are also 1.4x and 2x tele-extenders for the longer lenses.Fixed focal lengths range from 14mm superwide-angle and 15mm full-frame fish-eye to 600mm supertelephoto. Zooms range from 16-35mm superwide to 100-400mm supertele for all cameras. EF-S zooms go down to 10-22mm, providing 35mm-camera focal-length equivalents of 16-35mm with those cameras’ 1.6x focal-length factor. There are also three manual-focus tilt-shift lenses, great for architectural and studio photography.
Flash. All current EOS D-SLRs have hot-shoes for dedicated Speedlite flash units and also can perform wireless TTL flash via the optional ST-E2 Speedlite Transmitter. The EOS Digital Rebel XTi and EOS 40D have built-in TTL flash units; the higher-end models don’t. All current EOS D-SLRs provide Canon’s E-TTL II flash control, which uses ambient and flash readings plus distance information from the lens to optimize exposures. E-TTL II is good at exposing the main subject and balancing flash and ambient background exposures. You can also apply flash exposure compensation to change the flash-to-ambient ratio.Current Speedlites include the new top-of-the-line 580EX II, plus the 430EX, 220EX, MT-24EX Macro Twin Lite and MR-14EX Macro Ring Lite. The dust- and water-resistant 580EX II (ISO 100/GN 190, in feet, at the 105mm zoom setting) swivels 180 degrees left and right and offers 14 built-in Speedlite Custom Functions.
Software. Canon provides an EOS Digital Solutions Disk containing image-processing software for Mac and Windows with each D-SLR. Canon Digital Photo Professional 3.2 lets you view, edit and process RAW and JPEG images. ImageBrowser 5.8 (ZoomBrowserEX 6.0 for Windows) lets you download, view, edit, store and print images. EOS Utility 2.2 downloads RAW and JPEG images, converts RAW images, and lets you operate the camera remotely and modify camera settings. PhotoStitch 3.1 lets you merge multiple images into a panorama. WFT Utility 3.1 lets you work with the wireless file transmitter. Picture Style Editor 1.0 lets you apply and modify Picture Styles to RAW images after the fact. Original Data Security Tools 1.1 (Windows only) works with the Original Data Security Kit to confirm that image data is unaltered.
Accessories. The EOS-1 models, EOS 5D and EOS 40D accept interchangeable focusing screens, can transmit files wirelessly via optional Wireless File Transmitters and are compatible with Canon’s Original Data Security Kit. AC adapters are available for all models, as is the Angle Finder C. All but the Rebel can use the TC-80N3 Timer Remote Controller and RS-80N3 Remote Switch.|
Canon System |
| 6 Bodies: EOS Digital Rebel XT EOS Digital Rebel XTi EOS 40D EOS 5D EOS-1D Mark III EOS-1Ds Mark III |
| 60 Lenses, including: EF-S 10-22mm ƒ/3.5-4.5 USM EF 16-35mm ƒ/2.8L II USM EF-S 17-85mm ƒ/4-5.6 IS USM EF-S 18-55mm ƒ/3.5-5.6 IS EF 28-300mm ƒ/3.5-5.6L IS USM EF 70-200mm ƒ/2.8L IS USM EF 14mm ƒ/2.8L II USM EF 85mm ƒ/1.2L II USM EF 400mm ƒ/4 DO IS USM EF 600mm ƒ/4L IS USM EF-S 60mm ƒ/2.8 Macro USM TS-E 24mm ƒ/3.5L |
| 5 Flash Units: Speedlite 580EX II Speedlite 430EX Speedlite 220EX Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX |
Nikon Nikon’s extensive D-SLR system includes seven camera bodies, 53 AF lenses, four flash units, a host of versatile accessories and some excellent software. Many pros earn their livings with higher-end Nikon D-SLRs, while the entry-level models combine excellent performance with ease of use for newbies.
All Nikon D-SLRs contain a focusing motor except the entry-level D40 and D40X models; these utilize the focusing motor in the attached lens and thus can autofocus only with lenses that contain focusing motors—the AF-S and AF-I Nikkor series. Other Nikkor lenses can be used on these cameras with manual focusing. There are 26 AF-S lenses, with focal lengths from 12-24mm to 600mm, so D40X users have access to a full range of autofocusing focal lengths.
Cameras. Nikon’s new flagship model is the D3, the company’s first FX-format “full-frame-sensor” D-SLR (all other Nikon D-SLRs have smaller DX-format sensors, with a 1.5x focal-length factor). The D3 can shoot its 12.1-megapixel images at 9 per second. If you attach a DX-Nikkor lens, the D3 automatically switches to DX format and can shoot the resulting 5.1-megapixel images at 11 fps. Other notable features include a high-resolution, 3-inch LCD with two LiveView modes, a maximum ISO of 25,600, speedy 0.12-second start-up, two CF card slots and a new AF system.Still in the line is the rugged and fast 12.4-megapixel D2XS—a flagship model until the D3’s arrival—featuring a full range of versatile features and excellent performance. The D2XS can shoot cropped 6.7-megapixel images at 8 fps.
Introduced alongside the new D3 is the mid-range D300, with a 12.3-megapixel, DX-format image sensor, 6 fps shooting, a high-res 3-inch monitor with “tripod” and “handheld” LiveView modes, a 0.13-second start-up, the same new AF system as the D3 and Nikon’s first Self-Cleaning Sensor Unit. The excellent 10.2-megapixel D200 also remains in the line.
The D80 is a big step up from entry-level. It features a 10.2-megapixel image sensor and technology from the D200, quick 0.18-second start-up, in-camera image editing, multiple-exposure capability and more.
Nikon also offers a pair of attractively priced models, the D40 and D40X. The compact D40X features 10.2 megapixels, simple operation, quick 0.18-second start-up, in-camera editing and excellent performance. The D40 provides similar features in an even lower-priced, 6.1-megapixel package.
Lenses. Nikon’s lenses are excellent, and Nikon users currently can choose among 53 AF Nikkors, including nine DX models designed especially for Nikon’s DX-sensor D-SLRs (but also usable on the new full-frame D3, which automatically switches to DX format when a DX lens is attached). DX-sensor cameras have a 1.5x focal-length factor; non-DX lenses used on the full-frame D3 perform just as they do on a 35mm SLR.Fixed focal lengths range from the 10.5mm DX fish-eye and 14mm superwide-angle to the 600mm supertelephoto. Zooms range from 12-24mm (DX format) and 14-24mm ultrawides to a 200-400mm supertele. This gives the D3 user 35mm-equivalent focal lengths from 14mm to 600mm, and all Nikon D-SLR users equivalent focal lengths from 16mm to 900mm with the DX format’s 1.5x focal-length factor. Nikon also offers a manual-focus perspective-control “shift” lens and 1.4x, 1.7x and 2x tele-extenders.
Nikon’s lineup includes 13 VR lenses, with built-in, highly effective optical Vibration Reduction systems that adjust lens elements to counter handheld camera shake.
Flash. Nikon has long been admired for its excellent flash system, and today’s i-TTL version is the best yet. The system uses pre-flashes from the flash unit (built-in or external) and distance data from the lens along with ambient light readings to perfectly balance flash-lit subjects with ambient light. You can also use flash and ambient exposure compensation to vary the flash-to-ambient ratio as desired. Color data from the flash unit is used to compensate for the effects of voltage and flash duration.All current Nikon D-SLRs except the D3 and D2XS pro models have built-in Speedlights, and all Nikon D-SLRs have hot-shoes for dedicated Speedlight flash units. All can perform wireless i-TTL flash with up to three flash groups triggered by the optional SU-4 Wireless Remote TTL Flash Controller and SU-800 Wireless Speedlight Commander or even the built-in flash.
Current Speedlights include the new SB-400, SB-600, SB-800 and SB-R200 Wireless Speedlight. There’s also a pair of wireless close-up Speedlight systems, the R1 (uses the camera’s built-in flash unit or a shoe-mounted unit as “commander”) and R1C1 (same, but with the SU-800 Wireless Speedlight Commander).
Software. Nikon offers some excellent software, but much of it’s optional, including the versatile Capture NX (excellent editing tools for NEF, JPEG and TIFF images—all serious Nikon D-SLR users should have this software); Camera Control Pro 2.0, which lets you operate the camera remotely, including LiveView support with the new D3 and D300 cameras; Image Authentication that enables verification of JPEG, TIFF and NEF data taken with compatible Nikon D-SLRs; and Nikon ViewNX, a powerful browser/NEF converter.Accessories. The pro models accept interchangeable focusing screens and right-angle finder attachments, and all models from the D200 up can be operated remotely via wireless WiFi (via optional wireless transmitter and Camera Control 2 software). Conventional remote controls and AC adapters are available for all models. Models from the D80 up will accept optional Multi-Power Packs, which hold two of the camera’s standard rechargeable lithium-ion batteries or six AA batteries for added shooting capacity.
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Nikon System |
| 7 Bodies: D40 D40X D80 D200 D300 D2XS D3 |
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53 Lenses, including: |
| 4 Flash Units: SB-400 Speedlight SB-600 AF Speedlight SB-800 AF Speedlight SB-R200 Wireless Speedlight |
Olympus Olympus offers several lower-priced but full-featured D-SLRs, plus the new E-3 pro model, along with 20 lenses, several flash units and useful accessories. All Olympus D-SLRs incorporate a Supersonic Wave Filter sensor-dust remover, and all current models but the EVOLT E-500 feature live-view LCD monitors.
All Olympus D-SLRs are Four Thirds System cameras, with bodies and lenses specifically designed around the 17.3x13mm Four Thirds image sensor, rather than adapting 35mm camera systems to digital use. This concept can yield more compact systems (the Olympus 300mm ƒ/2.8 super-telephoto frames like a 600mm ƒ/4 telephoto on a 35mm SLR, but is much smaller and a stop faster), lenses optimized for the image sensor size and an open standard so that any manufacturer’s Four Thirds System lens can be used on any manufacturer’s Four Thirds System camera.
Cameras. Olympus’ top model is the new 10-megapixel pro E-3, which features quick autofocusing with new Supersonic Wave Drive lenses, in-body mechanical (sensor-shift) image stabilization with all lenses, the 2.5-inch full-swivel live-view LCD monitor and dust-reduction system, heavy-duty splash- and dust-proof construction and more.The 10-megapixel EVOLT E-510 features built-in sensor-shift image stabilization, a live-view (but non-swiveling) 2.5-inch LCD monitor, sensor-dust remover, 18 scene modes and more. The EVOLT E-410 provides all of the E-510’s features, except the image stabilizer, in a more
compact package.
Lenses. Olympus currently offers 20 Zuiko Digital lenses for Four Thirds System D-SLRs, with focal lengths from the 7-14mm ƒ/4 zoom and 8mm fish-eye to the 300mm ƒ/2.8 supertelephoto. With the Four Thirds System sensor’s 2x focal-length factor, this provides users with 35mm-equivalent focal lengths of 14mm to 600mm. The longest Four Thirds System lens currently is Sigma’s 300-800mm ƒ/5.6, which takes the long end out to a 1600mm equivalent. Olympus also offers 1.4x and 2x converters and a 25mm extension tube. The MF-1 adapter lets Olympus OM-system users attach their lenses to Four Thirds System D-SLRs.The newest Zuiko Digital lenses are the three SWD zooms introduced with the E-3: the ED 12-60mm ƒ/2.8-4.0, ED 50-200mm ƒ/2.8-3.5 and ED 14-35mm ƒ/2.0, all incorporating the new Supersonic Wave Drive AF system for quick, quiet and precise autofocusing.
Flash. All Olympus D-SLRs incorporate pop-up TTL flash units and accept optional Olympus shoe-mount flash units. The FL-50R and FL-36R are capable of wireless off-camera TTL operation, with four channels and up to three groups of flash units controlled by the camera’s built-in unit. Super FP flash permits shooting at shutter speeds up to the camera’s fastest (1⁄8000 sec. with the E-3) at reduced output.For macro fans, Olympus offers the STF-22 Twin Flash and SRF-11 Ring Flash. Studio shooters can use the Safe Sync Hot Shoe to PC Adapter to connect studio flash systems.
Accessories. Olympus D-SLR accessories include the HLD-4 Power Supply for the new E-3 (holds two standard lithium-ion batteries and provides vertical-format controls), the BCM-1 quick charger, remote controls, the VariMagni Right Angle Finder and 1.2x Eyecup ME-1, and the PT-E02 Underwater Housing for the EVOLT E-330 (it can be used to depths of 196 feet).Software. Olympus Master Software 2.0 comes with each camera and is also available as a free download on the Olympus Website. Master 2.0 helps you organize, edit, e-mail and print your images, process RAW images and update camera firmware. Olympus Studio 2.0, available via download as a free trial, provides powerful RAW handling capabilities and allows you to operate the camera from your PC and store images directly on the computer’s hard drive.
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Olympus System |
| 5 Bodies: EVOLT E-500 EVOLT E-330 EVOLT E-410 EVOLT E-510 E-3 |
| 20 Zuiko Digital Lenses, including: ED 7-14mm ƒ/4.0 11-22mm ƒ/2.8-3.5 ED 12-60mm ƒ/2.8-4.0 SWD ED 14-35mm ƒ/2.0 SWD ED 18-180mm ƒ/3.5-6.3 ED 40-150mm ƒ/4.0-5.6 ED 50-200mm ƒ/2.8-3.5 SWD ED 70-300mm ƒ/4.0-5.6 ED 90-250mm ƒ/2.8 ED 8mm ƒ/3.5 Fisheye ED 50mm ƒ/2.0 Macro ED 300mm ƒ/2.8 |
| 7 Flash Units: FL-50R FL-36R FL-50 FL-36 FL-20 STF-22 SRF-11 |
Pentax Pentax has marketed eight D-SLRs in the U.S. of which two are currently in production—not a huge lineup, but those two value-priced models include something for everyone, from novice to pro. The system also includes 24 lenses (the cameras can use virtually all Pentax lenses ever made, including screw-mount types via adapter), three flash units and several accessories.
Cameras. The top Pentax model is the rugged and weather-resistant K10D. It features 10.2 megapixels, built-in sensor-shift Shake Reduction that works with all lenses, a built-in CCD dust-removal system, 22-bit A/D conversion, RAW image recording in Pentax PEF or Adobe DNG format, switches from JPEG to RAW + JPEG shooting at the touch of a button and more.The K100D Super is a second-generation, 6.1-megapixel, entry-level model featuring Shake Reduction with all lenses, sensor-dust remover, ISOs to 3200, compatibility with new SDM lenses, a host of Picture and Scene modes, 11-point AF (including 9 cross-type sensors) and more, including a 18-55mm zoom.
Lenses. Pentax lists 59 lenses on its Website, and although not all of them are currently in production, all can be used (some with some limitations) on the D-SLRs, including the old 1200mm ƒ/8 manual-focus supertelephoto. There are also 1.4x and 2x tele-extenders. Pentax DA lenses were designed specifically for the D-SLR’s APS-C-sized sensors. High-performance DA* lenses are water- and dust-resistant to match the K10D. The new SDM lenses incorporate supersonic focusing motors for quieter, smoother auto-focusing. FA film-camera autofocus lenses provide full functioning when used on the D-SLRs. A-series lenses provide all functions except autofocusing. Lenses without an A setting on the aperture ring have additional limitations.Fixed focal lengths range from 14mm ultrawide to 300mm super-telephoto, although there still might be some 600mm ƒ/4 superteles around. Zooms range from 10-17mm fish-eye and 12-24mm to 100-300mm. There are also 50mm, 100mm and 200mm macro lenses. Pentax D-SLRs have a 1.5x focal-length factor, so all focal lengths should be multiplied by 1.5 to get the equivalent framing of the lens on a 35mm camera.
Flash. Pentax offers three flash units for its D-SLRs. The top model is the AF-540FGZ, with an ISO 100/GN of 104-175, in feet (depending on the zoom setting), P-TTL flash (with pre-flash), wireless off-camera flash, tilt/swivel bounce head, one-second modeling-light flash and high-speed sync mode. Other flash units include the AF-360FGZ (ISO 100/GN 119, in feet at the longest zoom setting) and the value-priced AF-200FG (ISO 100/GN 65, in feet).
Software. Pentax provides a CD with each camera that includes Pentax Photo Browser 3 and Photo Laboratory 3 applications. Photo Browser lets you view, print and manage images shot with Pentax digital cameras. Photo Laboratory provides extensive RAW-processing capabilities for PNF and DNG files.
Accessories. The K10D accepts the optional Battery Grip D-BG2, which holds an additional rechargeable lithium-ion battery for added shooting capacity, and provides handy controls for vertical-format shooting. There are also two optional focusing screens for the K10D, a grid screen and a scale screen. Both the K10D and the K100D Super can use the optional infrared Remote Control F (which can fire the camera from up to 16 feet away) and the 0.5-meter Cable Switch CS-205. AC adapters are available for both cameras.|
Pentax System |
| 2 Bodies: K10D K100D Super |
| 24 Lenses, including: DA 10-17mm ƒ/3.5-4.5 Fisheye DA 12-24mm ƒ/4.0 DA* 16-50mm ƒ/2.8 SDM DA 18-250mm ƒ/3.5-6.3 DA* 50-135mm ƒ/2.8 SDM DA 50-200mm ƒ/4-5.6 DA 14mm ƒ/2.8 DA 21mm ƒ/3.2 AL DA 70mm ƒ/2.4 Limited FA J 75-300mm ƒ/4.5-5.8 |
| 3 Flash Units: AF-540FGZ AF-360FGZ AF-200FG |
Sony Sony has been making an extensive and popular line of all-in-one digital cameras for quite some time, but didn’t enter the D-SLR market until 2024, when it acquired Konica Minolta’s camera technologies and introduced the DSLR-A100 (or “Alpha 100,” as it’s generally known).
Cameras. Sony’s current top model is the new DSLR-A700 (or Alpha 700), a mid-level model aimed at the photo enthusiast. Features include a new 12.2-megapixel Exmor CMOS sensor with on-chip noise canceling before and after A/D conversion, five-level Dynamic Range Optimizer, a high-speed Bionz processing engine, 5 fps shooting, a rugged magnesium-alloy body, anti-dust technology, including sensor cleaning, Super SteadyShot sensor-shift image stabilization that works with all lenses, a high-res 3-inch LCD monitor, 11-point AF with Eye-Start, ISOs to 6400 and more.The original DSLR-A100 offers a lot for a little price: 10.2 megapixels, sensor-shift image stabilization that works with all lenses, sensor-dust removal, Eye-Start AF, 2.5-inch LCD monitor, 3 fps shooting and more. Like the A700, the A100 has slots for both CompactFlash and Sony Memory Stick media.
Lenses. Sony D-SLRs use the Minolta Maxxum lens mount, so will accept all Maxxum lenses as well as Sony lenses. This gives the user access to a wide range of focal lengths. Sony has introduced a number of new lenses for its D-SLRs and rebranded some of the Maxxum lenses as well. There are also three Carl Zeiss T* lenses for the cameras. Sony’s DT series was designed specifically for use with the D-SLRs and can’t be used on 35mm SLRs due to vignetting. Sony D-SLRs have APS-C-sized image sensors with a 1.5x focal-length factor.Fixed focal lengths range from 16mm fish-eye and 20mm wide-angle to 300mm supertelephoto and the 500mm ƒ/8 mirror lens. Zooms range from 11-18mm to 75-300mm. There are also 50mm and 100mm macro lenses, a 135mm ƒ/2.8-4.5 Smooth Transition Focus telephoto and a 1.4x teleconverter.
Flash. Sony offers four flash units for its D-SLRs: the top-of-the-line HVL-F56AM, with modeling, wireless, high-speed sync, strobe and tilt/rotate bounce capability, and an ISO 100/GN of 182/56 (in feet/meters) at the 85mm zoom setting; the HVL-F36AM with wireless, high-speed sync and tilt bounce capability, and an ISO 100/GN of 117/36; and the HVL-RLAM ring light and Macro Twin Flash kit. Flash accessories include the Alpha Triple Connector (connects three additional flash units to the camera), off-camera flash cords and a hot-shoe adapter with a PC terminal.
Accessories. The Alpha 700 accepts the optional Vertical Grip VG-C70AM, which holds two rechargeable lithium-ion batteries for extended shooting time and provides handy controls for vertical-format shooting. There are also two remote controls, one with a 19-inch cord and one with a 190-inch cord.Software. Both Sony D-SLRs come with a CD containing RAW-conversion and image-management software.
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Sony System |
| 2 Bodies: DSLR-A700 DSLR-A100 |
| 24 Lenses, including: DT 11-18mm ƒ/4.5-5.6 SAL 16-80mm ƒ/3.5-4.5 Zeiss T* DT 16-105mm ƒ/3.5-5.6 DT 18-250mm ƒ/3.5-6.3 SAL 70-200mm ƒ/2.8 G SAL 75-300mm ƒ/3.5-5.6 SAL 16mm ƒ/2.8 Fisheye SAL 85mm ƒ/1.4 Zeiss T* SAL 135mm ƒ/2.8-4.5 Smooth Transition Focus SAL 300mm ƒ/2.8 G SAL 500mm ƒ/8 Reflex SAL 100mm ƒ/2.8 Macro |
| 4 Flash Units: HVL-F56AM HVL-F36AM HVL-RLAM Ring Light Macro Twin Flash kit |
Panasonic Although Panasonic is relatively new to D-SLRs, it’s definitely a force to be reckoned with. The popular 7.5-megapixel DMC-L1 now has been followed up with the 10.1-megapixel DMC-L10. Both cameras have live-view LCDs for easier framing of shots and Live MOS image sensors that harness the benefits of both CMOS and CCD sensors. A Venus Engine III image processor helps reproduce pictures with superior color, better detail and minimal noise, while a Supersonic Wave Filter keeps the sensor clear of dust and particles.
Lenses. The DMC-L1 comes with a Leica D Vario-Elmar 14-50mm ƒ/2.8-3.5 ASPH lens. The DMC-L10 comes with a slower 14-50mm ƒ/3.8-5.6 ASPH lens. Each lens provides an angle of view equivalent to 28-100mm because of the camera’s smaller Four-Thirds image sensor, which is physically half the size of a 35mm piece of film. Currently, the only other lens in the lineup is the Leica D Summilux 25mm ƒ/1.4 wide-angle (with a 50mm 35mm equivalent). But not to worry—Zuiko Digital lenses from Olympus use a Four-Thirds mount and some of Sigma’s 46 lenses can be purchased with one. 
Flash. Both Panasonic D-SLRs have built-in flash units and accept hot-shoe-mounted units like the DMW-FL500. Linked with the camera’s light-metering functions, the FL500 uses a TTL light adjustment system that measures the amount of light that actually strikes the Live MOS sensor, then adjusts the flash intensity accordingly so exposures are more natural looking. 
Accessories. A battery charger, battery pack, AC adapter, interface cables, lens hood and other basic accessories come with LUMIX D-SLRs. Panasonic offers additional accessories, such as a wired remote control, memory cards and an SD/SDHC card reader on its Website. 
Software. RAW-development software, SILKYPIX Developer Studio, comes with either camera, so you can adjust RAW image files and save them as either JPEG or TIFF. PhotoFunStudio software is also included.|
Panasonic System |
| 2 Bodies: DMC-L1 DMC-L10 |
| 3 Lenses: 14-50mm ƒ/2.8-3.5 ASPH 14-50mm ƒ/3.8-5.6 ASPH 25mm ƒ/1.4 ASPH Also compatible with Four Thirds System lenses |
| 3 Flash Units: DMW-FL500 DMW-FL360 DMW-FL28 |
Samsung After successfully producing compact digital cameras, Samsung entered a codevelopment relationship with Pentax to fast-track itself into the D-SLR marketplace. The first results were the Samsung GX-1S and GX-1L, a handsome pair of economically priced yet solid and well-featured 6.1-megapixel models with a shared body shell. The GX-1S features a pentaprism rather than pentamirror finder, 11 rather than 5 AF points and can shoot up to 8 JPEGs/5 RAW frames at 2.8 fps (vs. 5/3 frames for the GX-1L).
The flagship model is the GX-10, a 10.1-megapixel camera with a weather- and dust-resistant body, a sensor-dust-removal system, sensor-shift Optical Picture Stabilization that works with all lenses, 22-bit A/D conversion, one-touch switching from JPEG to RAW + JPEG recording, 2-9 multiple exposure capability and more.
Lenses. As you’d expect, the Samsung D-SLRs employ the Pentax KAF lens mount and can use most Pentax lenses. Samsung also offers its own 16-45mm ƒ/4 zoom, plus six Schneider D-Xenon and D-Xenogon lenses for the camera, including a 10-17mm fish-eye zoom. 
Flash. Samsung offers the SEF-36PZF and new SEF-54PZF flash units (ISO 100/GN 36 and 54, respectively, in meters) to complement the cameras’ built-in units, adding more power and bounce capability.Software. Each camera comes with a CD containing Samsung Digimax Master and Digimax RAW Converter software. Master lets you download, view, edit and save images, and combine still photos, movies, narration and music into a single movie file. RAW Converter lets you edit RAW DNG files and convert them to JPEGs or TIFFs.
Accessories. Accessories include the SBG-D1V high-capacity vertical battery grip for the GX-10 and cases for all three camera models. |
Samsung System |
| 3 Bodies: GX-10 GX-1S GX-1L |
| 7 Lenses, including: D-XENOGON 10-17mm ƒ/3.5-4.5 Fisheye Zoom D-XENON 12-24mm ƒ/4 D-XENON 50-200mm ƒ/4-5.6 D-XENON 100mm ƒ/2.8 Macro Also compatible with Pentax KAF lenses |
| 2 Flash Units: SEF-54PZF SEF-36PZF |
Sigma Sigma has long been established as a pioneer in lens design, and it has carried that tradition into the world of cameras. The SD14, like its predecessors, has a unique Foveon X3 image sensor, which records all three colors (red, green and blue) at every pixel site for “film-like” image quality. Conventional image sensors record only one color at each pixel site, interpolating the other colors from surrounding pixels using complex algorithms.
Unlike previous Sigma D-SLRs, the SD14 can record images in JPEG as well as RAW format at a variety of resolutions—up to 2640 x 1760 RAW and 4608 x 3072 interpolated JPEG. There’s a unique sensor-dust protector that can be removed for infrared photography and a PC terminal for studio flash.
Lenses. Currently, Sigma has 46 lenses that cover just about every conceivable need for shooting scenarios, and a majority of them can be purchased with a mount compatible with the SD14. There’s also a selection of DC lenses for digital, which are specifically designed for cameras like the SD14 that have smaller APS-C-sized image sensors. 
Flash. The SD14 has a built-in flash unit and accepts hot-shoe-mounted units like the EF-530 DG Super and the EF-530 DG ST. Both have bounce head capability and feature automatic flash metering using S-TTL operation. The EF-530 DG Super has a high-speed synchronization function, which can be used at high shutter speeds, and wireless flash connectivity.Accessories. A battery charger, battery pack and other basic accessories are included. A power grip, cable release, remote controller, AC adapter, tripod lens socket and teleconverters are optional accessories.
Software. The SD14 comes complete with Sigma Photo Pro 3.0 software, a RAW-image developer that converts all RAW data quickly and easily. Adjustments can be made in three separate modes. |
Sigma System |
| 1 Body: SD14 |
| 46 Lenses, including: 8mm ƒ/3.5 EX DG 12-24mm ƒ/4.5-5.6 EX DG 18-50mm ƒ/2.8 EX DC Macro 24-60mm ƒ/2.8 EX DG APO 50-150mm ƒ/2.8 EX DC APO 50-500mm ƒ/4-6.3 EX DG |
| 5 Flash Units: EF-530 DG Super EF-530 DG ST EF-500 DG Super EF-500 DG ST EM-140 DG Macro |
| Resources | |
| Canon | (800) OK-CANON www.usa.canon.com | |
| Nikon | (800) NIKON-US www.nikonusa.com | |
| Olympus | (888) 553-4448 www.olympusamerica.com | |
| Panasonic | (800) 211-PANA www.panasonic.com | |
| Pentax | (800) 877-0155 www.pentaxslr.com | |
| Samsung | (800) SAMSUNG www.samsungcamerausa.com | |
| Sigma | (800) 896-6858 www.sigma-photo.com | |
| Sony | (877) 865-SONY www.sonystyle.com |
