September 6, 2007 – The digital camera industry has undergone a major renovation this summer with the announcement of full-featured consumer DSLRs and new flagship models by almost every major camera manufacturer. The new cameras place emphasis on CMOS sensor technology, faster processing and shooting speeds, Live View LCDs, and dust reduction. The cameras range in price from $519 for the Pentax K100D Super to $8000 for the Canon 1Ds Mark III.
Making headlines this summer are a new breed of elite camera models. The Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, Nikon D3, and the Nikon D300 all include Live View LCDs, a function that was once limited to point-and-shoots and compacts. The Live View capabilities allow users to shoot at steep angles and provides 100% frame coverage.
The cameras' autofocus systems have also been greatly improved. The Canon 1Ds Mark III has autofocus 45 points, including 19 cross-type points, and the Nikon D3 has 51 with 15 cross-type.
Pro DSLR Camera Comparison Chart
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Camera Model
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Fujifilm IS Pro
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Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III
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Nikon D3
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Announcement Date
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July 13
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Aug. 20
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Aug. 23
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Introductory Price
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$2599.95 (body)
$4999 (forensic kit)
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$7999
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$4999.95
|
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Sensor
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12.3 MP Super CCD Pro (S-6.17 MP, R-6.17 MP)
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21.1 MP Full Frame
CMOS
36x24mm
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12.1 MP FX-CMOS 36x23.9mm
|
|
AF System
|
n/a
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45 points (19 cross-type, 26 assist points)
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51 points (15 cross-type)
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Burst
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n/a
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5 fps
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9 fps
|
|
Key Features
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-UV, IR, Visible Light Detection
-Live View
-Post Capture Face Detection
-Bar Code Reading
|
-Live View
-Weather-resistant
-Cleaning System
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-LiveView
-Scene Recognition System
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News Link
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Some of the trends mentioned above are incorporated into prosumer cameras, geared for serious hobbyists. There is a particularly heavy emphasis this season on the CMOS image sensor, instead of traditional CCD sensor. CMOS technology consumes less power than CCDs and are more cost effective to produce. The Canon EOS 40D, Nikon D300, and most recently, the Sony Alpha A700 have CMOS chips. Burst rates rose to a range of 5 frames per second to 6.5fps. Dust reduction and live view LCDs were also prevalent in the new models.
Prosumer DSLR Camera Comparison Chart
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Camera Model
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Canon EOS-40D
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Nikon D300
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Sony Alpha A700
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Announcement Date
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Aug. 20
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Aug. 23
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Sept. 6
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Introductory Price
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$1299 (body)
$1499 (with 28-135mm lens)
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$1799.95
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$1400 (body)
$1500 (K kit with 18-70mm lens)
$1900 (P kit with 16-105mm lens)
|
|
Sensor
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10.1 MP APS-C CMOS
22.2x14.8mm
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12.3 MP DX-CMOS
23.6x15.8mm
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12.2 MP APS-C CMOS
23.5x15.6mm
|
|
AF System
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9 cross-type sensors
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51 points (15 cross-type)
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11 points
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|
Burst
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6.5fps
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6fps
8fps (with optional battery pack)
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5fps
|
|
Key Features
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- Live View
- Cleaning System
- Weather-resistant
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- LiveView
- Dust Reduction
- Scene Recognition
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-Anti-Dust
-HDMI Output
-Hand Grip Sensor
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|
News Link
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The entry-level Pentax K100D Super and Panasonic Lumix L10 DSLRs also include dust reduction systems. The L10, interestingly enough, also borrowed features from point-and-shoots including face detection, a first for SLRs, and a rotating LCD screen.
Consumer SLR Camera Comparison Chart
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Camera Model
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Pentax K100D Super
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Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10
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Announcement Date
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June 28
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Aug. 30
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Introductory Price
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$519 (body)
$599.95 (with 18-55mm kit lens)
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$1299.95 (with 14-50mm kit lens)
|
|
Sensor
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6.1 MP CCD
23.5x15.7mm
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10.1 MP Live MOS
17.3x13.0mm
|
|
AF System
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11 points (9 cross-type)
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- TTL phase difference detection system: 3-point
- Contrast AF system: 9-point
|
|
Burst
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2.8 fps
|
3 or 2 fps
|
|
Key Features
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- Dust Removal
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-Live View
-Rotating LCD
-Dust Reduction
-Face Detection
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News Link
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