The 1100D replaces the 1000D, Canon's basic starter SLR. It adds a slightly higher resolution 12-megapixel sensor and standard HD (not full HD movies).
There's a revised version of the 18-55mm kit lens too. The new Feature Guide pitches this camera straight at beginners, and it looks like a cautious upgrade designed not to undermine the more expensive cameras in the range.
- Launched: February 2008
- Type: Digital SLR
- Sensor: APS-C 22.2 x 14.7mm
- Resolution: 12.2 megapixels
- Lenses: Canon EF-S, EF
- Key features: Standard HD movies, Feature Guide
- Links: Press release, Product page
The 1600D replaces the 550D as Canon's top amateur/beginners SLR. On the surface, it's not much different to the 550D, offering the same sensor size and resolution, but adding a Feature Guide for novices and an articulating display. It's a step-down from the EOS 60D and EOS 7D, which have sturdier metal construction and faster continuous shooting.- Launched: February 2008
- Type: Digital SLR
- Sensor: APS-C 22.3 x 14.9mm
- Resolution: 18.0 megapixels
- Lenses: Canon EF-S, EF
- Key features: Full HD movies, Feature Guide, articulating LCD
- Links: Press release, Product page
- Launched: September 2010
- Type: Digital SLR
- Sensor size: APS-C, 23.7 x 15.7mm
- Resolution: 16.3 megapixels
- Lenses: Pentax KAF2
- Key features: Full HD movies, in-built anti-shake, 7fps continuous shooting
- Links: Press release, Product page
Summary: High-end digital SLR for enthusiasts and professionals, and a step up from the14-megapixel K-7. Pentax SLRs are strongly built with a host of well thought out features, though the cheaper lenses can be unrefined.
Summary: The D7000 is Nikon's top 'amateur' digital SLR and it replaces the D90. It's designed for photographers who already know the basics and want a camera that can take them to the next level, but without the cost and weight of a fully-professional system.
- Launched: September 2010
- Type: Digital SLR
- Sensor size: Four Thirds, 17.3 x 13mm
- Resolution: 12.3 megapixels
- Lenses: Four Thirds
- Key features: In-built anti-shake, articulating LCD
- Links: Press release, Product page
Summary: Long-overdue replacement of the E-3 as Olympus's top-of-the-line professional digital SLR. The E-5 is rugged and versatile, but the smaller sensor puts it at a serious disadvantage compared to other pro SLRs.
- Launched: September 2010
- Type: Digital SLR/SLR hybrid
- Sensor: APS-C, 23.4 x 15.6mm
- Resolution: 14.2 megapixels
- Lenses: Sony a mount
- Key features: Translucent mirror, full HD movies, 7fps continuous shooting, articulating LCD
- Links: Press release, Product page
Summary: The cheaper of Sony's first two 'translucent mirror' D-SLRs, a design which allows fast 'phase-detection' autofocus even in live view and movie modes. The a33 is ideal for novices and enthusiasts.
- Launched: September 2010
- Type: Digital SLR
- Sensor size: APS-C 23.6 x 15.8mm
- Resolution: 12.4 megapixels
- Lenses: Pentax KAF2
- Key features: In-built anti-shake, 6fps continuous shooting, AA batteries
- Links: Press release, Product page
Summary: Aimed at beginners, but with features for enthusiasts too, including a range of digital filters, very fast 6fps continuous shooting, a 921,000-dot 3-inch LCD display and a maximum ISO of 12800.
- Launched: September 2010
- Type: Digital SLR/SLR style hybrid
- Sensor size: APS-C 23.5 x 15.6mm
- Resolution: 16.2 megapixels
- Lenses: Sony a mount
- Key features: Translucent mirror, full HD movies, articulating LCD, in-built anti-shake, 10fps continuous shooting
- Links: Press release, Product page
Summary: The more expensive of Sony's first two Translucent Mirror SLRs. It has a higher-resolution sensor than the a33 and a higher continuous shooting speed, and is aimed at enthusiasts.
- Launched: September 2010
- Type: Digital SLR
- Sensor size: APS-C 23.1 x 15.4mm
- Resolution: 14.2 megapixels
- Lenses: Nikon F (DX and FX formats)
- Key features: Full HD movies
- Links: Press release, Product page
Summary: Designed for beginners, the D3100 is the next step from the D3000, and includes a full 1920 x 1080 HD movie mode and a new 14-megapixel CMOS sensor.
- Launched: August 2010
- Type: Digital SLR
- Sensor size: APS-C 22.3 x 14.9mm
- Resolution: 18 megapixels
- Lenses: Canon EF and EF-S
- Key features: Full HD movies, articulated LCD
- Links: Press release | Product page
Summary: Enthusiasts/semi-professional SLR which is on a similar level to the Canon EOS 7D, though has slightly less sophisticated autofocus system and a lower continuous shooting speed.
- Launched: June 2010
- Type: Digital SLR
- Sensor size: APS-C 20.7 x 13.8mm
- Resolution: 4.7 megapixels (4.7 x 3)
- Lenses: Sigma
- Key features: Foveon X3 sensor
- Links: Press release | Product page
Summary: Basic but sturdy SLR for enthusiasts which uses Sigma's unique Foveon X3 sensor to deliver pictures of just 4.7 megapixels but with very high definition and clarity which match the real-world definition of regular digital SLRs with much higher pixel counts.
- Launched: June 2010
- Type: Digital SLR
- Sensor size: APS-C 23.5 x 15.7mm
- Resolution: 14.2 megapixels
- Lenses: Sony a mount
- Key features: In-built anti-shake
- Links: Press release, Product page
Summary: Sony's current entry-level DSLR, and the smaller brother to the a390 (the a390 has a live view mechanism and a tilting LCD on the back). The a290 feels quite basic and cheaply made, but it's good for the money and effective.
- Launched: June 2010
- Type: Digital SLR
- Sensor size: APS-C 23.5 x 15.7mm
- Resolution: 14.2 megapixels
- Lenses: Sony a mount
- Key features: Quick AF Live View, articulating LCD
- Links: Press release, Product page
Summary: Basic but effective digital SLR for beginners or those on a tight budget, incorporating Sony's unusual but fast Quick AF Live View mode, which offers a more responsive live view mode than other SLRs.
- Launched: February 2010
- Type: Digital SLR
- Sensor size: APS-C 22.3 x 14.9mm
- Resolution: 18 megapixels
- Lenses: Canon EF-S, EF
- Key features: Full HD movies
- Links: Press release, Product page
Summary: Canon's top 'beginners' SLR will also appeal to enthusiasts. It has the same 18-megapixel sensor as Canon's more expensive EOS 60D and EOS 7D and, like them, shoots full HD movies, though it has a cheaper plastic body.
- Launched: January 2010
- Type: Digital SLR
- Sensor size: APS-C 23.4 x 15.6mm
- Resolution: 14.2 megapixels
- Lenses: Sony a mount
- Key features: 7fps continuous shooting, in-built anti-shake, HDR mode
- Links: Press release, Product page
Summary: Intermediate-level D-SLR that fits between the low-cost a290/390 and the a500/550, but in fact it beats the a500/550's specs with 7fps continuous shooting, a high-capacity battery and one of Sony's new14-megapixel CMOS sensors.
- Launched: October 2009
- Type: Digital SLR
- Sensor: APS-H, 27.9 x 18.6mm
- Resolution: 16 megapixels
- Lenses: Canon EF (not EF-S)
- Key features: 10fps continuous shooting, full HD movies
- Links: Press release, Product page
Summary: High-speed digital SLR for professionals. It has a unique sensor size mid-way between APS-C and full frame, which puts it at a slight disadvantage to the Nikon D3s, though the Nikon only shoots standard HD movies.
- Launched: October 2009
- Type: Digital SLR
- Sensor size: APS-C, 23.4 x 15.6mm
- Resolution: 14.6 megapixels
- Lenses: Pentax KAF2
- Key features: In-built anti-shake, expanded dynamic range, distortion and chromatic aberration correction, standard HD movies
- Links: Press release, Product page
Summary: D-SLR for enthusiasts and professionals, featuring metal construction, good continuous shooting speeds and a host of well thought out and useful features.
- Launched: September 2009
- Type: Digital SLR
- Sensor size: APS-C, 22.3 x 14.9mm
- Resolution: 18 megapixels
- Lenses: Canon EF-S, EF
- Key features: 8fps continuous shooting, full HD movies
- Links: Press release, Product page
Summary: The 7D is designed for high-speed shooting and full HD movies. The video mode has full manual control, and the camera has an external microphone socket. It's one step up from the EOS 60D and one below the EOS 5D Mark II.
- Launched: August 2009
- Type: Digital SLR
- Sensor size: Four Thirds, 17.3 x 13mm
- Resolution: 10 megapixels
- Lenses: Four Thirds
- Key features: None
- Links: Press release, Product page
Summary: Super-compact Four Thirds SLR with great layout and design but hampered by an older 10-megapixel MOS sensor. The only digital SLR to use a classic rectangular design and barely larger than an SLR style hybrid.
- Launched: July 2009
- Type: Digital SLR
- Sensor size: APS-C 'DX' format, 23.6 x 15.8mm
- Resolution: 12.3 megapixels
- Lenses: Nikon F (DX, FX)
- Key features: Standard HD movie mode, 7fps continuous shooting, dual card slots
- Links: Press release, Product page
Summary: Nikon's top ASP-C format DSLR and a development of the old D300, adding a faster continuous shooting speed and standard HD movies. The D300s has a tough alloy body and 150,000-shot shutter life, and is the cheapest of Nikon's professional models.
