Coming soon: DSLRs to look out for

With eight new DSLRs announced between the CES and PMA trade shows in Las Vegas earlier this year, the choice of models continues to expand at phenomenal pace. Nearly all were entry-level models targeting the first-time DSLR buyer trading up from a digital compact and looking for the next level in quality, but a couple were aimed at enthusiasts. Here’s a quick recap on each to remind us of what to expect to see on retailers’ shelves over the coming weeks.

Sony A200, A300 and A350

Consumer Electronics giant Sony has added three new DSLR models to its Alpha range, bringing the total to five with the introduction of the enthusiasts’ A700 late last year.

The new A200 and A300 pack a 10.2-megapixel resolution CCD, while a mid-range model, the A350, has a very high-resolution 14.2-megapixel CCD.

All three new models share the same basic body design and control layout but the A300 and A350 feature a 2.7-inch tilting screen and new Quick AF Live View mode, a first for the maker. The A200 has a fixed 2.5-inch LCD.

Using a video feed from the optical viewfinder rather than the main imaging CCD, the A300 and A350 have no need for the slower phase-detection AF seen in rivals. Instead the cameras adopt the usual and much faster viewfinder-based (phase-detection) AF system making Sony’s Live View feature a more sensible option for day-to-day use.

All models sport sensitivity up to ISO 3200 and the maker's Super SteadyShot (SSS) body-integral image stabilisation system which promises 2.5-3.5 steps anti-shake compensation with all 24 of the maker’s Alpha lenses.

Both the A200 (which will eventually replace the entry-level A100) and A350 are already available from retailers, priced at £349 and £569 respectively with the Sony 18-70mm f3.5-5.6 standard kit lens. The A300 will be available at the beginning of April, also with the 18-70mm kit lens and priced at $800 (around £450), but as yet can’t be pre-ordered.

Pentax K200D and K20D

Pentax revealed two new DSLRs, the 10.2-megapixel K200D targeting novices and, in a joint venture with Samsung, the 14.6-megapixel K20D aimed at photography buffs. The up-market K20D boasts a Samsung-made CMOS sensor.

Both models feature the maker’s Shake Reduction (SR) mechanism providing an in-camera solution to unwelcome blur from camera shake as well as dust-proof and water-resistant construction – a first at this level for the K200D. The two new cameras also sport slightly larger 2.7-inch screens than their predecessors.

As expected the K20D has the more tempting spec, with a new Live View option, sensitivity up to ISO 3200 (ISO 1600 for the K200D) and continuous shooting at 3fps for 38 JPEG frames or 16 RAW (2.8fps for 4 JPEG/RAW frames – K200D). The K200D can be pre-ordered for £499.99, but the K20D is available now for £799.99, both supplied with an 18-55mm kit lens. Additionally, the K20D can be pre-ordered with the 16-45mm f/4 DA ED AL premium kit lens at £869.99.

Samsung’s version, the 14.6-megapixel GX-20 has slightly different styling, menus, and JPEG processing but is otherwise similarly specified. It’s available with an Schneider-branded (Pentax made) 18-55mm kit lens at £799.99.

Canon EOS 450D

Hitting retailer shelves at the end of April is the eagerly awaited EOS 450D (known as the Rebel XSi in Northern America). For an entry-level model, the EOS 450D boasts a surprisingly high spec with features more usually associated with the manufacturer's higher-end models.

For a start the EOS 450D packs a 12.2-megapixel CMOS sensor, making it the highest resolution DSLR of any of Canon’s cropped (APS-C, and APS-H format) cameras. As well as shooting at up to 3.5fps for 53 Large (high quality) JPEG images or 6 RAW, the EOS 450D adds 14-bit colour processing and capture as well as Live View with a new three-inch LCD.

Live View in the EOS 450D even surpasses that of previous models from the maker by adding both a contrast-detection AF mode, using data from the image sensor, and viewfinder-based phase-detection AF using a new Quick Mode.

An updated 9-point AF system adopts a more sensitive central cross-type sensor for enhanced accuracy with lenses having a maximum aperture of at least f/5.6, and has improved performance with lenses of f/2.8 or larger (smaller numerically).

Sensor sensitivity ranges from ISO 100 to ISO 1600, which at one EV step below rivals at the maximum setting, seems a little on the low-side now. And, surprisingly, the maker has dropped CompactFlash in favour of the smaller SD and SDHC format.

Like most other DSLRs in the range, the new Canon has the manufacturer's dust-busting EOS Integrated Cleaning system and Picture Styles to select and apply image parameter settings.

And, not to be outdone by archrival Nikon, or indeed other makers that have adopted body-integral image stabilisation, Canon has added a new EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS optically image-stabilised lens to the kit.

Canon has streamlined the range by dropping the 8-megapixel EOS 350D, but there’s no word from about the hugely popular EOS 400D. At the time of writing it remains in the maker’s line-up. The EOS 450D with 18-55mm IS kit lens can be pre-ordered for £679.

Read our first impressions of the Canon EOS 450D

Nikon D60

Nikon’s latest addition to its consumer orientated range of digital SLR’s, the D60 replaces the year-old D40x. Using a similar 10.2-megapixel resolution CCD, body design and layout to the departing model, the D60 adds automated sensor cleaning and can now shoot at up to 3fps for as many as 100 frames in JPEG mode.

Dust is shaken from the surface of the image sensor using high-frequency vibration, a system adopted in the semi-pro D300, but the D60 adopts a completely new airflow control system, removing air from the mirror box towards channels in the base. This, it’s claimed, directs dust away from the sensor, preventing the distracting particles from settling back on the CCD’s surface.

Other new features include a proximity sensor to turn off the 2.5-inch LCD when using the viewfinder, a new Active D-Lighting option for optimising exposure during image capture, rather than afterwards as in the D40x, and several new options to the Retouch menu. These include red blue or green Filter Effects to deepen colours, a Cross (Star) Screen option and in-camera RAW conversion, handy if you’re not intending to process them with a computer.

The 6-megapixel D40 remains in the maker's range for now, but the new Nikon D60 is already on retailers' shelves for as little as £399 body only, £449 with the AF-S DX 18-55mm G ED II or £474 with latest image stabilised VR version of the 18-55mm lens.

Like other image-stabilised lenses, the AF-S DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR zoom combats the shakes using part of the optical system to stabilise the image. Both are the equivalent to a 27-82.5mm on a 35mm camera and although the VR version is a little chunkier, the added benefits seem well worth the extra price.

Read our full review of Nikon's D60

Olympus E-420

Olympus missed the opportunity to launch this new model at the trade shows, but the tiny 10-megapixel E-420, which will eventually replace the E-410, certainly seems worthy of the wait. As of March 2008, measuring 129.5x91x53mm and weighing 380g body only, the E-420 is not only one of the smallest and lightest DSLRs around, but it boasts a range of features to entice beginners and enthusiasts alike.

It has a larger 2.7-inch LCD with Live View and Face-detection AF, can shoot at up to 3.5fps buffering 9 RAW frames or an unlimited number of JPEG frames (card capacity permitting), has sensitivity ranging from ISO 100 to ISO 1600, and boasts 28 exposure modes. Live View includes phase-difference and contrast-detection AF options as well as exposure and white-balance adjustment preview. Although it’s probably asking a lot, the only feature we can see missing is the lack of any anti-shake system.

Olympus also chose to announce an equally tiny 25mm (50mm equivalent) f/2.8 ‘pancake’ lens. Available towards the end of April, the E-420 can be pre-ordered for £379 complete with 14-42mm kit lens or £449 with the fixed focal length 25mm.

See photos of the compact Olympus E-420 DSLR