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Olympus' 10MP EVOLT E-520 DSLR gets reviewed
Although we were able to take an all-too-brief peek at Olympus' EVOLT E-520 late last month, the results weren't exactly indicative of what this thing is capable of -- you know, considering the unit in question was defective. The cats over at PhotographyBLOG managed to secure a fully functional unit, and results were much, much improved. Although reviewers didn't go quite so far as to call it the perfect camera, it sure came close in their eyes. Aside from the depressingly small viewfinder and the low quantity of AF sensors, critics found the unit quite hard to bash. Overall, it managed to snag a stellar 4.5 out of 5 rating, and better still, it was said to be just the thing for "beginners and enthusiasts alike." Taking Olympus more seriously in your search for a suitable DSLR just might be in order.
Sony's Alpha A350 DSLR gets reviewed
For some, tossing around phrases like "live preview" and "flip-out swivel screen" would be enough to sell Sony's Alpha A350, but we know you're more discerning than that, right? Right. Truth be told, Sony's feature-packed Alpha only turned out okay -- not great -- during a review session with the folks over at CNET. Still, the unit did offer a sturdy feel, a fantastically useful LCD monitor and satisfactory color / dynamic range. Unfortunately, the extra $200 or so you pay for 14-megapixels (over 10MP on the A300) wasn't deemed worthwhile, as the extra processing "exacted a performance toll" in real-world use. The bottom line? These critics felt the Rebel XSi would be a better bet if you're just looking for a nice resolution bump, but for the vast majority of folks, you're likely better off snagging the A300 and putting your leftover dough towards a decent piece of glass.
Olympus' E-3 DSLR gets reviewed
As seems to be the case with most new DSLRs these days (regardless of manufacturer), there was quite a bit of buzz behind the E-3. On paper, Olympus' latest big boy was fairly impressive, but we all know it's the real-world results that matter. Thankfully, the kind folks over at PhotographyBLOG grabbed hold of the admittedly hefty shooter and put it through a few paces to see how it stacked up. Design wise, it was deemed a "chunky monkey," and if too many buttons have a tendency to overwhelm you, we'd suggest stopping here and looking elsewhere. Performance wise, however, the E-3 seemed to be a winner. The built-in image stabilization, Supersonic Wave Filter and general speed of operation were all highly praised, and the "true-to-nature" image results were also smiled upon. Overall, we'd say the 4.5 out of 5 star rating pretty much sums it up, but we noticed enough quirks to recommend that you still give the read link a look before buying blind.
Canon's EOS-1D Mark III DSLR gets reviewed
Although Canon's powerful EOS-1D Mark III has priced itself right out of consideration for a large sect, the niche that has been waiting in tense anticipation to see a solid review of the unit need wait no more. The folks over at Digital Camera Info were able to put the beastly DSLR through a gauntlet of tests, and while it did end up shining gloriously in the bulk of them, one persistent problem seemed to mar the otherwise flawless camera. As expected, the design, speed, live LCD, color accuracy, noise / low light performance and controls were all highly praised, but the white balance and a nagging autofocus problem did prove troublesome. Granted, the reviewers did state that a firmware fix seemed to solve the issue, but it was apparently so aggravating that patient folks (who?) may want to consider holding off until things get ironed out. Nevertheless, the unit was still regarded as a fantastic DSLR, and if you've got five grand just burning a hole in your pocket, why not take some time out and read the full review before taking the plunge?[Via DigitalPhotographyBlog]
Fujifilm's IS Pro DSLR lends a hand in forensics
Fujifilm has been lending a helping hand in the realm of investigative photography for quite some time, and the firm's latest picks up where the S3 Pro UVIR and IS-1 left off. Featuring Fujifilm's Super CCD Pro and Real Photo Processor Pro technology to see light from the ultraviolet, visible, and infrared portions of the spectrum, this 12.3-megapixel gem also sports face detection, password protected lockouts, optional "rubber body armor," CF / Microdrive slots, RAW support, and a live image preview LCD to boot. Moreover, it's fully compatible with Nikon F mount lenses and iTTL flash systems, which should ease the burden of switching costs if you've already sunk way too much into Nikon accessories. No word just yet on how much coinage this will demand, but look for it to land in precincts (okay, store shelves too) next month.
Olympus E-410 EVOLT DSLR gets reviewed
It's tough to not get all worked up about a live LCD on a DSLR, but if you've managed to hold off until a thorough review came your way, your patience has paid off. The discerning folks over at DPReview were able to crack the whip on the E-410 EVOLT, and after the dust settled, it seemed like a pretty good buy. Initial praises included its light weight, outstanding out-of-the-box results, effective dust remover, low noise across the ISO spectrum, and the speedy auto focus / shutter performance. Notably, the list of digs was rather puny compared to the cheers, as the disappointing dynamic range performance and counterproductive Noise Filter were the only major qualms that reviewers felt were worth mentioning in detail. Overall, it seems the E-410 should fit the bill quite nicely if you're looking for a relatively advanced entry-level DSLR, but be sure and visit the read link to make absolutely sure this is where you want your $800 or so to go.
Canon's EOS-1D Mark III DSLR with live LCD
Canon's latest pro DSLR is officially here as of tonight: welcome the EOS-1D Mark III. This 10.1 megapixel shooter can fire 10fps in bursts of up to 110 large JPEGs or 30 RAW files with is dual DIGIC III processor. It also features a really friggin light sensitive APS-H size 28.1 x 18.7mm CMOS sensor with ISO modes up to 3200 (it's also got a "highly usable" just-in-case 6400 mode sure to kill image quality), but the real winner here is the 3-inch live LCD (with 5 and 10x magnification for locking that zoom). There's also a new WFT- E2A Wireless File Transmitter option for dumping to external storage and even GPS geotagging, the OSK-E3 Original Data Security Kit for file encryption and verification (if your images are just that valuable), the Speedlite 580EX II flash, and EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM lens. We don't yet have word on price or release date, but you know what they say about having to ask.%Gallery-1744%
