Digital SLR Cameras Test

Tests

"Canon EOS 7D"

1 Digital Camera (approx. £1240)

Issue 12/2009

On test: Canon EOS 7D

"Boasting a massive resolution and a bevy of new features, can the EOS 7D take APS-C digital SLRs to new heights?" Review details: One D-SLR was reviewed and rated on features & build, performance, image quality and value for money. → Test results

"Panasonic Lumix GH1"

1 Digital Camera (approx. £1060)

Issue 8/2009

On test: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 Kit (with LUMIX G VARIO HD 14-140mm / F4.0-5.8 ASPH. / O.I.S.)

Filling a void between compacts and D-SLRs, Micro FourThirds cameras have jettisoned mirror box to reduce size and replaced optical viewfinder with an electronic one. Successor to pioneering G1, the GH1 boasts some firsts such as AF during HD recording and built in stereo mic. Review details: Single Test. One hybrid D-SLR was reviewed and rated on features & build, performance, image quality and value for money. → Test results

"Olympus E-450"

1 Digital Camera (approx. £430)

Issue 8/2009

On test: Olympus E-450 Kit (with ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6)

With 2.7in LCD and 95% viewfinder coverage, E-450 is available with 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ED lens kit, utilising Supersonic Sonic Wave Filter dust reduction technology, wireless flash gun support and infrared remote capture triggering system, but has no video feature or image stabilisation. Review details: Single Test. One DSLR was reviewed then rated on features, design, performance, image quality and value. An overall score out of 100% was given. → Test results

"Panasonic Lumix GH1"

1 Digital Camera (approx. £1060)

Issue 8/2009

On test: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 Kit (with LUMIX G VARIO HD 14-140mm / F4.0-5.8 ASPH. / O.I.S.)

Offering impressive HD video, GH1 allows mid-video AF without picking up motor-sound. Boasting a range of creative functions including intelligent ISO features, GH1 can cleverly detect movement, and increase ISO accordingly, whilst iAuto mode produces very natural skin tones. Review details: Single Test. One DSLR was reviewed then rated on features, design, performance, image quality and value. An overall score out of 100% was given. → Test results

Digital SLR Cameras

A normal camera would usually be made up of two lenses, one for the viewfinder and one for recording the image. This leads to parallax errors in macro photography and bad framing in landscape and portrait modes. These problems do not occur when using a Single Lens Reflex (SLR) camera.

SLR cameras use a mirror or prism to redirect light entering the lens directly to the viewfinder. When the shutter is released the mirror will flip up or the prism rotate to allow the light to pass onto the sensor.

Digital SLR cameras, or DSLRs, occupy the upper price bracket for digital cameras but as prices are constantly dropping, a good DSLR can now be picked up for less than £500.

Many D-SLRs now also include an LCD screen to review photos and a separate screen where the current picture settings will be displayed.

SLR cameras have an advantage over normal compact cameras in that their lenses are interchangeable. This offers a big choice of focal lengths meaning that DSLRs can cope with everything from extreme close up photography to long range shots. There are also more manual controls to allow the experienced photographer to achieve the best possible results.

Another benefit of a DSLR is that its size allows for a larger CCD chip to be used, making the pictures taken on such a camera much sharper and cleaner than those taken on a compact.

The market for digital SLR cameras is not as hotly fought as for compacts, as many manufacturers build proprietary lenses for their cameras, meaning once a camera and all the necessary accessories have been bought, the investment is so much that it would not be worth it to change models. With some cameras however there still exists the possibility of using lenses and accessories from analogue SLR cameras, a fact that makes the transition to digital an interesting prospect for anyone who has already built up a collection of accessories.

This category contains tests on DSLR, D-SLR, digital single lens reflex camera, DSLRs, D-SLRs, digital single lens reflex cameras.

Digital SLR Cameras

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Digital SLR Cameras