NY Times Picks the Best Entry-Level DSLRs
July 11, 2007: I don’t know how I missed this, but the NY Times did a DSLR roundup wayyyyy back on June 21st that I never let you know about!
Reviewer David Pogue, who seems freakishly productive, looks at the Canon Digital Rebel XTi, the Nikon D40X, the Pentax 10D, the Olympus E510 and the Sony Alpha.
He kind of slams the Digital Rebel, calling it “one of the least comfortable” SLRs and saying that the pictures looked a little washed out and muted.
Like other reviewers I’ve read, he said the Pentax 10D is for more experienced shooters who shoot in RAW and are familiar with post-processing.
He loved the other models, though, concluding:
With three of these cameras — Nikon D40, Olympus E510, Sony A100 — you can’t lose. Let price, features and your existing lens collection, if any, be your guide. And then get outside while the days are long and the colors bright.
I really respect David’s opinions, so it makes me sad that he’s critical of my beloved Canon. You can read his take here.
Scott
July 12th, 2007 at 8:15 am
I presume that he tested the Canon 400D/ Rebel xti with the kit lens which is known to be low quality. If he had of concidered the large range of Canon lenses avaliable for the xti compared to the other cameras, It would have probably got a slightly better review. Remember you buy into a manufacturers system, not just one camera.
July 12th, 2007 at 9:47 am
I’m really tempted to buy the Olympus E510. I think it was recommended in this month’s Pop Photo. Live Preview is something I could use, if only to compose. Let’s face it, the viewfinder on most DSLR is tiny!
July 12th, 2007 at 3:43 pm
Sure, you buy into a camera’s system, but the vast majority of people who buy an entry level camera are going to just go with the kit lens. So, this is still a serious issue for Canon, I would say.
July 14th, 2007 at 1:56 am
For those upset over the poor review of the XTi from Pogue should look at the other reviews of this less than great camera from Canon. Unlike my Rebel XT (350D), Canon pushed the limit on pixels on the small sensor in this camera which causes the images to be noisey and look washed out. The kit lens is cheap, but this same lens does a good job with the 350D - Rebel XT. Consequently, the flaw is as much with the new body and the agressive addition pixel to the sensor.
Plus, I am refraining from purchasing this camera because of the lack of a secondary LCD. And if the next Digital Rebel is missing this feature, I will move to the 40D when it comes out.
July 16th, 2007 at 8:20 pm
I have the Canon 400D (XTi) and the Nikon D40 (not the x version) and I must say that I prefer the Nikon D40 over the 400D and here is why:
1. The Nikon kit lens is a lot sharper than the Canon kit lens espacially in the corner areas.
2. The Nikon D40 has an configurable Auto ISO function available in P,A,S modes. This is very handy for grab shots. On the 400D I have to manualy change the ISO rating when shooting in A or P mode.
3. Selecting the AF point is a pain on the 400D but super easy on the D40.
July 18th, 2007 at 4:39 am
Of course the Pentax K10d is is for more experienced shooters, it’s in the same class as the Canon EOS 30D not the Canon Digital Rebel XTi and other entry level cameras, the Pentax K100d would be a better comparison,
Although Pentax has some very competitive pricing that might explain this, I’ve seen the Pentax K100d selling for the same price as a top end compact digital.
July 20th, 2007 at 3:59 am
1. Scott / Michael–> I love your podcast (listen to it every week), but you guys are driving me nuts–> you should call your podcast “The Canon and Nikon Show”.
2. Your fairly strong recommendation for those entering the DSLR world to buy either a Canon or Nikon is basically pretty… lame (i’ll have to leave it at that). You make a few good points, but most of the arguments you put forth have really no merit.
3. Michael, of all people, I assume you would recognize the bogus points as to why one should buy Nikon or Canon. Why? Because those bogus points are the same ones the PC / Windows folks have been proclaiming as to why one should buy Windows OS over the Macintosh (ie more software, better support, more periperhals… Mac only has 3% marketshare etc… etc…).
4. Guys–> here’s a better more rationale criteria on which people should utilize when deciding what kind of camera / brand to buy: a) Buy a camera that works for YOU. b) Buy a camera that YOU like; non-concrete issues like asthetics are a very important thing at least some people. c) Buy a camera based on quality and not on whether or not it has the market share of the DSLR market.
5. Last thought in regards to the bogus argument that Pentax, Olympus, Sony doesn’t have a large line of lens, accessories etc… It is 100% true that if you are a true professional, based on my suggested criteria as noted above—> it may be rational to get a Canon (ie sports photographer etc…). However, you guys should know that the true reality is that the super majority of folks who buy a DSLR and the super super majority of folks who listen to the podcast are not such professionals. Furthermore, the vast majority of people who buy a DSLR, just use the kit lens that came with the camera, let alone purchase an external flash etc… I’m just thinking of my friends… 100% have Canon DSLRs, only one guy has more than one lens, and after the initial excitement of getting a DSLR, none of them take pictures on a regular basis and certainly none of them every make prints of their images…
6. sorry for the ramble–> focus on photography and forget the fanboy bs. #1 focus should be quality and not “brandism”
July 20th, 2007 at 5:44 am
Harry, I agree with everything you said but not your conclusion. In fact, I think we said most of what you wrote here: That other companies also make great DSLRs and that if you’re not thinking of upgrading and/or buying a slew of accessories, that you could get a excellent DSLR from a number of companies who have pretty extensive lens collections.
But we also said that if you might one day want to move up to a pro camera, or if you wanted to take workshops or classes, that most pros and instructors use Canons or Nikons. There are also more accessoires for those brands. I stand by that statements because they are demonstrably true.
So, I think we’re agreeing with each other. Maybe most people never upgrade past the kits lens. Maybe even, as you suggest, many of them don’t even use their cameras on a regular basis. To them I say: Fine. Do what you want to do.
However, I don’t believe that’s true of our audience, who go to the trouble of finding, downloading and listening to a podcast dediced solely to digital photgrapy. I think we get the more enthusiastic shooters, and it is to them that I directed these comments. They can do with them what they will: Its just our opinions.
I actually agree with your Windows/Mac analogy: Macs might make great systems, but there is more software, hardware and training available for Windows. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t buy a Mac; it just means you should be aware of the implications of that decision. That being said, the vast majority of what most people want to do can be done on either platform, and probably easier on the Mac.
July 23rd, 2007 at 8:37 pm
Hey guys, great show! Just listened to this episode today, and I wanted to give you my take on why the reviewer thought the Canon images were inferior. Well, that’s probably because they were! I am on to my second Canon body now, this time a 30D, and my biggest complaint is the metering sucks. Or, more specifically, it tends to overexpose in contrasty light if given half a chance. I find I have to set my 30D to minus 1/3, or it tends to clip highlights, just enough to be really annoying, and in general just makes images a bit too light. My point and shoot Canon A570 is even worse, it needs minus 2/3. And of course, as we all know, overexposed images are washed out and lose saturation, exactly like the reviewer stated.
Don’t get me wrong - I like my Canons. A lot. But the metering sucks. Plain and simple. Some days I really wish I had a Nikon :-)