The Five Best Digital SLR Cameras in the World

The Five Best Digital SLR Cameras in the World

Digital SLR's are really in a class by themselves and it probably wouldn't be fair to compare them to the other types of digital cameras we have reviewed, so these cameras have been compared against each other.

Welcome traveler to our last hub on digital cameras for now. This hub we will discuss the five best digital SLR's in the world, their individual features and abilities and how they compare against each other.

Word of note, the advanced compact digital cameras in our hub "The six best advanced compact digital cameras in the world" come closest to matching the capabilities of an SLR, but their overall print quality scores aren't really directly comparable against an SLR's image quality scores. In addition, SLR's have no shutter lag to speak of and none of the models below include rechargeable batteries. Our reviews indicate the Canon, Fuji, and Nikon have been the most reliable SLR brands in consumer surveys over the past few years, so if you're looking for reliability these are generally the best bet.

Well here we go; the models below represent our picks for five of the world's best digital SLR cameras.

• 1. Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT The 8 megapixel Canon EOS Rebel XT provides marginally better image quality then any of the models on this list, they all provide excellent quality. Weighing in at a hefty 27 ounces, the Canon Rebel XT should probably be used with a porter to carry between shoots, if you're a photographer who never carry's their own bags. With a flash range of 12 ft, and included battery charger for the rechargeable batteries which will provide around 250 shots before needing recharging, you're ready for the toughest photo opportunities around. The Canon Rebel XT has a light sensitivity range of 100-1600 for all the different times of the day or cover that might be disturbing the lighting of a shot. Included with this model is a Canon 18-55 mm EF-S lens and all for a price of $600.

•2. Canon EOS-30D The8 megapixel Canon EOS-30D provides about the same image quality as its brother the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT, but weighs 7 ounces more at 34 wet ounces, so maybe that porter we were talking about above is starting to look a lot better. With the same 12 ft flash range as the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT and included charger for the rechargeable batteries, you will need to purchase by the way, this model will also provide about 250 high quality shots before you will need to recharge the batteries. The area where this model rules is in it's light sensitivity range (ISO) of 100-3200, which gives it a versatility of lighting conditions matched by only one other digital SLR on our list, the Canon EOS-20D. Canon has included a Canon 18-55 mm EF-S lens with this model, the same as with the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT above and all for a price of $1,250.

•3. Canon EOS-20D The 8 megapixel Canon EOS-20D comes in third on our list to its companions above, but they all provide about the same image quality with the tip of the hat going to the Digital Rebel at number one. Weighing in at a heavy 36 ounces means this model isn't a camera to carry everywhere with you, unless you plan on hiring a baggage handler. With the same 12 ft flash range as the first two models our this list, the charger also included, and a battery life of about 250 shots, the differences between the models isn't to be found here. This model has the same light sensitivity range of 100-3200 as the Canon EOS-20D at number two, so both these cameras rule in this category. This model also comes with the same 18-55 mm EF-S lens as the first two Canon models on this list, but at a price of $950.

•4. Nikon D200 The 10 megapixel Nikon D200 has a slightly better pixel rate for sure and about the same image quality as the first three on this list. Weighing in at a staggering 41 ounces, the Nikon D200 isn't for the weight conscious photographer, but that's why we always bring a friend on our shoots. An 11 ft flash range is a foot shorter than the first three models, but we doubt you will notice the difference. The included battery charger will come in handy after you take about 250 shots with the full batteries you buy for this model, since their once again not included. This model has a light sensitivity range of 100-1600, but it will be adequate for just about all conditions. Nikon has included the AF Zoom-Nikkor ED 18-55 mm lens with this model, an excellent all around lens. The one area this digital SLR rules, that maybe they wish they didn't, is in the price at $1,330.

•5. Nikon D50 The 6 megapixel Nikon D5 lacks a few million picture elements compared to the other models on this list, and this certainly shows up in the image quality, but this model still provides some of the best image quality available for a digital SLR. It has a flash range of 14 ft, weighs about 37 ounces and will take about 250 shots before you will need to use the included battery charger to once again charge the batteries you will buy. With a light sensitivity range of 200-1600, you might occasionally find a difference between this model and the other five on the list, but only occasionally. Nikon has included the same AF Zoom-Nikkor ED 18-55 mm lens as with the Nikon D200, but all at an amazing price of $580, the cheapest model on this list.

Well that's it for our hubs on digital cameras; we hope you found what you came here looking for and thank you for being with us today. If you enjoyed these hubs we invite you to check out the additional hubs on a variety of products and subjects of interest to people living on this shrinking planet.

Warren Hayashi