Which digital SLR should you buy?

Maybe the first question for you should be, do I need an SLR (a camera that allows you to change the lenses). If you are used to using a film SLR, downgrading to a digital point and shoot will probably only leave you dissatisfied. In the same way that film point and shoots can't do the job of a film SLR, a digital point and shoot is not as feature rich as a digital SLR. In general people who upgrade are happy, people who downgrade say, "why can't I do..."

So once you've decided you want an SLR, which one is right for you. If you've been shooting a film SLR and have autofocus lenses, choosing the same manufacturer digital SLR will allow you to use your current autofocus lenses on your new digital. That could save you some bucks, especially if you have some expensive lenses already.

The five most popular digital SLRs are: The Pentax *ISTDs, the Canon Digital Rebel XT, the Canon 20D, the Minolta Maxxum 7D, and the Nikon D70.

The Pentax is an excellent camera for the price ($899.99 18-55 kit, 6 megapixels). The kit includes an 18-55 lens, it has a metal body construction, and the kit lens has a metal mount. It is durable, takes SD cards, and uses double AA size batteries. Most importantly, the pictures are fabulous. The former drawback will soon be a moot point, Pentax doesn't offer image stabilization. Sigma has a 100 - 400 mm image stablized lense, and since they make lenses for Pentax (as well as other brands), no longer a problem.

The Canon Digital Rebel XT ($999.99 18-55 kit, 8 mp), has some great features but personally I prefer a sturdy metal body to the light weight plastic one the XT has. I've seen more than one Rebel have to have the battery door repaired. It is the best priced 8 megapixel out there though, so if you need to present your work to an audience in poster size, and you can't afford the $1599.99 20D, the XT will meet your needs. The picture quality is good, although I'd like to see more contrast. The 18-55 kit lens is the same cheap plastic one used in the lower end 20D kit, but for only $100 more than the body, it is well worth the price to get the kit.

The 20D ($1599.99 18-55 kit, 8 mp, 5 fps) is metal, fast, offers the same tracking foucus (AI Servo) feature now available in the Rebel XT (I really like that feature), and Canon offers the widest variety of lenses available. It takes the sturdy, inexpensive CF cards. This uses the same sensor as the XT, so picture quality is similar for both. One disappointment in this camera is that there is no spot meter. That means it is very difficult to get a back lit bird correctly exposed. Center weighted just doesn't get it.

The Maxxum 7D ($1599.99 body only, 6 mp) is the only digital SLR with antishake built into the CCD chip. That means you don't have to pay for it with each lens you buy. A nice feature, but they aren't flying off the shelves and I've seen one come in for repair that was having trouble with exposures. Pics alternated between grossly over exposed and underexposed. Also, the kit comes with a lens that starts at 28mm which equates to about 42mm taking the digital recording plane size into consideration. That is just not enough wide angle. To get your wide angle back you will need to buy another wider lens.

The Nikon D70 ($1199.99 17-80 kit, 6 mp) is a great camera, does a fantastic job, but is harder to learn. If you are the type that likes to keep your camera in autosettings most of the time and doesn't like learning and reading the book, skip this one. Nikon does have a following in the journalism business and as I mentioned in an earlier post, most of the Pulitzer prize winning photographs were taken with a Nikon. The lens in this kit puts all the other kit lenses to shame. It has a large objective, bringing in more light than the others, a wider zoom range, and is well built. It gives great wide angle shots. This is a fast camera that does a great job with birds. I am baffled though as to why Nikon hasn't produced an 8 mp in this price range yet. Sure not everyone needs 8 mp, but for some it can be a deciding factor.

All of these are very good cameras and I'm sure you'd be happy with which ever one you choose. Just be sure to buy the extended warranty because (whether you buy an SLR or a point and shoot), because digital cameras are VERY expensive to fix.

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