Canon EOS Rebel T5

Canon’s new EOS Rebel T5 replaces the T3 as the entry-level model in the large EOS DSLR lineup

By The Editors

Estimated Street Price: $549 (with 18-55mm IS II lens) INTRODUCED 2/2014 Canon’s new EOS Rebel T5 replaces the T3 as the entry-level model in the large EOS DSLR lineup, improving on its predecessor in a number of ways, including a 50% increase in pixel count, a more powerful processor, a bigger LCD monitor and higher-res video. A version of Canon’s... Read more

Nikon D4S

Nikon’s new professional flagship is the D4S, and it’s the fastest Nikon DSLR yet

By The Editors

List Price: $6,499 (body only) INTRODUCED 2/2014 Nikon’s new professional flagship is the D4S, and it’s the fastest Nikon DSLR (11 fps at full-res with continuous AF, up from 10 fps in the D4), with likely the best high-ISO image quality due to a newly developed 16.2-megapixel, FX-format full-frame CMOS sensor and EXPEED 4 processing. Normal... Read more

Retro Revolution

Many photographers are starting to take notice of the trend toward smaller, simpler, interchangeable-lens systems sparked by mirrorless cameras, and are downsizing their systems for much of their work.

By J. Dennis Thomas

Many photographers—even seasoned pros who once revered their large pro DSLRs with all the bells and whistles and huge, fast zooms—are starting to take notice of the trend toward smaller, simpler, interchangeable-lens systems sparked by mirrorless cameras, and are downsizing their systems for much of their work. Not all subjects can be covered effectively... Read more

Nikon D3300

Nikon’s new D3300 improves on the excellent D3200 entry-level DSLR

By The Editors

Estimated Street Price: $649 (with 18-55mm VR II kit zoom) INTRODUCED 1/2014 Nikon’s new D3300 improves on the excellent D3200 entry-level DSLR in a number of ways. There’s a new EXPEED 4 image processor (vs. the EXPEED 3 in the D3200), and normal ISO range is now 100-12800 (vs. 100-6400), expandable to 25600 (vs. 12800). While the pixel... Read more

The Low-Pass Filter

What it does, and why ditching it can be a good thing

By Mike Stensvold

The optical low-pass filter (OLPF), also known as an anti-aliasing or blur filter, has been in the photo news a lot lately, mainly because several manufacturers have eliminated it from some of their DSLRs and mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras. What’s the deal? The low-pass filter’s purpose is to do away with the moiré and aliasing... Read more

Nikon D5300

The D5300 is even more compact than its predecessor, measuring 4.9×3.9×3.0 inches and weighing 16.9 ounces.

By The Editors

Estimated Street Price: $2,999 (with 50mm Special Edition kit lens). INTRODUCED 11/2013 The Nikon D5300 offers a number of improvements over its excellent D5200 predecessor, while retaining the features that made the D5200 so popular. The pixel count remains the same, but the 24.2-megapixel DX (APS-C) CMOS sensor in the new camera was designed without... Read more

Nikon Df

The Df can use all current AF, AF-S, DX and AF-D Nikkor lenses, but it’s also compatible with classic Ai and non-Ai Nikkor lenses with full-aperture metering.

By The Editors

Estimated Street Price: $2,999 (with 50mm Special Edition kit lens). INTRODUCED 11/2013 Nikon went back to its roots to create a full-frame DSLR for the old-school photographer who likes to control everything without messing with multiple menus. The new Df ("Digital Fusion") features a design reminiscent of Nikon’s classic 35mm film... Read more

Nikon D610

The D610 shares the ruggedness and dust- and moisture- resistance of the D600 (and D800), and its shutter is tested to 150,000 cycles.

By The Editors

Estimated Street Price: $1,999 (body only). INTRODUCED 10/2013 A little more than a year after Nikon introduced its most affordable full-frame DSLR—the well-featured D600—we have its successor in the D610. The new camera retains its predecessor’s assets, adding a new shutter mechanism that ups maximum frame rate to 6 fps (from 5.5) and offering... Read more

Pentax K-3

Like the K-5 models, the K-3 features a rugged magnesium-alloy body housing a metal chassis, and is fully weather-sealed and cold- and dust-resistant.

By The Editors

Estimated Street Price: $1,299 (body only) INTRODUCED 10/2013 Pentax has a new flagship DSLR, with lots of improvements over the very good K-5II for not much more cost. The K-3 features a new PRIME III imaging engine and APS-C 24.35-megapixel CMOS sensor with no anti-aliasing filter for optimal sharpness. But for those rare occasions where moiré... Read more

Advanced AF

DSLRs use quick phase-detection auto-focusing for viewfinder (non-live view) shooting.

By Mike Stensvold

DSLRs use quick phase-detection auto-focusing for viewfinder (non-live view) shooting. Phase-detection AF can determine from a single reading whether the subject is in focus, and if not, in which direction and by how much. This makes it great for fast-moving subjects—it’s quick and can do predictive AF. The SLR mirror has to be in the viewing... Read more

LOGIN