Digital Camera - Ken Gilbert

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whatsoever. On the other hand, if
you’re ofthe opinion that video
shooting is best left to camcorders,
the wide range of advanced, photofriendly
controls provided on the
50D and E-30 make them appealing.
Firmly ensconced in the opposite
camp, the Canon 550D brings
powerful, High-Definition video
features to the party –features
unseen as yet in this price range.
.
SIzE IS EVERYTHING
For most high-tech gadgets, including
digital compacts, smaller is sexier,and
you’ll often pay a premium for ‘tiny’.
There’ssomething to be said for
lightweight, compact SLRs in this
pricerange, especiallyifyou’reinto
travel or outdoor pursuits. However,
there’s a real compromise in terms of
handling –abigger build givesSLRs a
more natural feel, making them easier
to use and guarding against camera
shake at slower shutter speeds.
Manyofthe latest SLRs go
the extra mile to give you shake-free
shots, utilising various forms of
How we test SLRs advice you can trust
There are two strands to our SLR
test process. The first involves
testing each camera under real world
conditions, where they are put
through their paces in everyday
scenarios ranging from dull interiors,
through to gloomy overcast days and
bright sunshine. All features and
functions are tested as the camera
would be used on a day-to-day basis.
The second strand of our test
process involves testing each SLR
within Digital Camera’s ownspecially
constructed controlled testing
environment. Each camera is fitted
DigitalCamera July2010
Below Introducing
newfeatures such
as hD video has led
to aslightincrease
in the weightof
mid-range SLR
camera bodies
with aSigma 50mm f/1.4prime lens
and industry-standardcolour (x-Rite)
and greyscale (Q-14) step charts are
shot under daylight bulbs, with the
same white balance, ISO and aperture
settings used on each SLR.
The RAW files from each SLR are
then processed with Imatest software
and aseries of benchmarks fornoise,
colour accuracy,exposureaccuracy
and dynamic range are generated.
youcan see the benchmarks forthis
test on page 139.
See Trusted Tests on page 112
for more information on this process.
Shop smart Camera systems
A vital
anti-shake technology. Canon and
Nikon favour ‘optical’ stabilisation
built intothe lens, with their IS
(ImageStabilizer)and VR (Vibration
Reduction) systems. These work in
essentiallythe same ways,using an
extra micro-processor-controlled,
motion sensitive group of elements.
The Olympus, Pentax and Sony
cameras in this group feature sensorshift
stabilisation, which is built into
the camera body so that the sensor
itself is shifted to compensate for any
movement in the camera. It’s a system
that became popular in camcorders,
but has made the transition to SLRs
(and compacts) extremely well.
Sensor-shift stabilisation is generally
not quiteascompetent as lens-based
optical stabilisation, but it’sstill
worth having,and the fact thatit
factor when choosing any ‘system’ camera, like
an SLR, is that you’re buying into the depth, breadth
and quality of a complete system rather than just the
camera itself. For example, buy a Canon or Nikon and
you get access to an almost endless list of available
lenses, flashguns and other own-brand or third-party
accessories. The diversity for some other makes can be
a little more limited or come at a higher price. For
example, buy aqualitystandardzoom lens and you’ll pay
£800 for the Canon EF-S 17-55mm IS uSM, as opposed
to a monstrous £2,000 for the Olympus 14-35mm f/2
SWD. It pays to understand what you’re committing to.
works with any lens you decide to use
is another point in its favour.
The control system is avital area of
camerahandling and, here, the main
choiceisbetween acomplexarray
of dedicated buttons for quick access
to araft of essential settings, or a
simplified, less clutteredlayout. More
buttons canmakefor moreconfusion
at first,but having fewerbuttons runs
the risk of burying important
parameters in relatively inaccessible
menus, making them hardtoget at
and adjust when you’re in a hurry.
PAYING FOR THE VIEw
At the higher end of the price bracket,
youcan expect to getabetterquality
pentaprism viewfinder,instead of the
cheaper pentamirror viewfinders
usuallyfitted to cheaper SLRs. This is
For most high-tech gadgets, smaller is sexier.
Butwhile youoften payapremium for‘tiny’,
it comes at the expense of handling – a bigger
build definitely gives SLRs a more natural feel
Digital editor Ali Jennings shoots acolour step chartfor this test
in the Digital Camera controlled testing environment