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Introduction
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01.Metering/Exposure/Focus
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02.Performance/Image Quality
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03.Components
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04.Model Design/Physical Tour
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05.Spec Comparison
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06.Overall Impressions/Conclusion
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07.Photo Gallery
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08.Comments
Canon Rebel XTi vs. Nikon D80 vs. Sony Alpha A100 Head-to-Head-to-Head Digital Camera Review
Previous: Page 5
Spec ComparisonNext: Page 7
Photo GalleryD80 Rebel XTi Alpha
Conclusion
When Sony announced the 10-megapixel Sony Alpha A100, with dust control and image stabilization in a sub-$1000 kit, it seemed as though other camera makers were going to have to adjust their prices or their products radically. In some ways, they have. Neither Canon nor Nikon had a 10-megapixel DSLR near the $1000 mark when the Alpha was announced. Now they do, and Canon's has dust control.
But still, why spend $50 more for a Canon or $250 more for a Nikon with seemingly fewer features than the Alpha? Both cameras have as important advantages over the Alpha as they have disadvantages. Both are laid out better – the left hand control dial on the Alpha is odd and slower at everything than the XTi and D80 alternatives. The XTi has much better color accuracy and high ISO dynamic range, and the D80 has much better autofocus and build quality, which are apparently the most expensive qualities to engineer into a digital camera.
There will be plenty of buyers for each camera, and many happy owners all around. The cameras are not equivalent, though, and their differences are reflected in price, appropriate owners and features. The Sony Alpha A100 is intended for buyers who don't plan to buy more advanced equipment soon. The Canon certainly could be, and the Nikon is not just an entry camera, it's an appropriate backup body for prosumers and pros on a budget.
Latest News
& Reviews
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11-Feb-2012
Canon PowerShot 320 HS First Impressions Review
Canon fleshes out the ELPH series with a somewhat plain touchscreen ultracompact. We’re just not sure how well this model will sell without the travel zoom barrel of its more expensive cousins. Read More...
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11-Feb-2012
Canon PowerShot 530 HS First Impressions Review
Canon guts their 500 HS and creates a tiny travel zoom from the leftovers. This could be a cool little camera, if the company can sort out some hardware issues. Read More...
Top Rated Digital Cameras
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Digital SLRs
Point & Shoots
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$1,129.001Canon EOS 60D
The Canon EOS 60D is a top-notch camera in terms of performance, handling and flexibility. However, the performance of the kit lens leaves something to be desired. Read full 7-part review
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$459.991Panasonic Lumix FZ150
Excellent image quality, speedy performance, and a great design add up to the best superzoom that has ever graced our labs. That distinction seems to change hands every week, but trust us when we say that the FZ150 is a truly great camera. Read full 16-part review
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$746.952Nikon D5100
The D5100 is the latest entry-level DSLR from Nikon, with full 1080/30p video, an articulated LCD, and the same image sensor as the D7000. It lacks an internal focus motor, but we found it produced some of the most accurate colors we've seen yet. Read full 7-part review
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$378.992Canon PowerShot SX40 HS
Canon's SX30 got a CMOS makeover that resulted in the SX40 HS, an impressive ultrazoom that captures beautiful shots in almost any scenario. Read full 16-part review
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$1,269.993Canon EOS 7D
The 18-megapixel Canon 7D delivers high resolution stills and full HD video in a well-built camera designed for serious photographers without the desire (or budget) for a full-frame model. Read full 7-part review
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$427.953Sony Cyber-shot HX100V
This professionally-geared ultrazoom offers some of the best color accuracy we've ever seen. It's a shame the other scores weren't quite so strong. Read full 16-part review
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$1,199.004Nikon D7000
The Nikon D7000 is a powerhouse camera at an excellent price. It offers a huge range of features that will make shooting quicker and easier for the experienced shooter, with lots of customizable options and quick control access. Read full 7-part review
$1,199.00
$314.954Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47
Panasonic resists the urge to cram more megapixels and more focal length into their latest ultrazoom. The FZ47 instead focuses on image quality and features, resulting in an incredibly strong camera that we loved shooting with. Read full 16-part review
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$569.995Sony Alpha SLT-A55V
The SLT-A55 is a well performing SLR, with a wide ISO range, good color and relatively low noise. . Read full 7-part review
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$417.005Canon PowerShot S100
Canon's PowerShot S100 improves on the popular S95 and takes its place at the top of the point-and-shoot food chain. Read full 16-part review
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Features
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DigitalCameraInfo New Year's Giveaway
Check back every day for the rest of 2011 to see what we’re adding to the grand prize package. It all starts with the Sony NEX-5N and ends with over $4000 in prizes! Read More...
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DigitalCameraInfo.com 2011 Select Awards
After a year of tireless testing and deliberation, we’ve made our selections for the very best cameras of 2011. Read More...
(add your own)