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DSLR Shootout- Entry Level Features Comparison

March 2010, Barry Fitzgerald

Entry Level DSLR: Features Shoot Out and Comparison

For buyers in the market for a new DSLR that don't have a wad of cash to spend, we wanted to do a side by side analysis of these popular DSLRS currently on the market. This should be viewed as a quick reference guide based only on specifications and how they compete/compare with one another by those standards. As such we hope this article can also give you a snap shot look at what other makers are doing in comparison to Sony Alpha models.

Ricoh GXR Review - S10 24-72mm f/2.5-4.4 Module

March 2010, Carl Garrard

Brilliant or Unique? Ricoh's GXR attempts something completely new to the photography industry. For anyone who has lived in a cave the last few months, the GXR is a camera system unlike anything you've seen yet. Although it is digital, it offers a completely new set of advantages that sets it completely apart from compacts, *D.I.L systems , and DSLRS. GXR is a system made whole in two parts. One part (the module) houses the lens, sensor, and a processor - all sealed and perfectly matched to one another.. and the other part is the body, which is a sort of docking bay for the module- which has its own processor, an LCD, hot-shoe, dedicated af assist lamp, full manual controls (with customizable FN settings) and more.

Tamron SP Di II 60mm F/2 Macro Lens Review

February 2010, Carl Garrard

Tamron's newest macro lens is the new Tamron SP Di 60mm f/2 Macro lens. SP is the designation for Tamron's special performance lens (their professional grade lens). It comes equipped with an internal focus motor, internal focusing design (the lens does not change shape during focusing), and a bright max f/2 aperture rating. Specifically Tamron calls this lens a Di II lens which means that is is optimized optically for digital cameras, and for sensos with an APS-C sized sensor only. However, in my findings during testing this lens on the A900 full frame sensor, some might consider this Tamron to be fully functional for full frame use as well. More on that further in the review. Announced on September 28th, 2009 the Tamron currently sells for about $570.00 in the U.S. Considering this lens could be capable of being a great portrait lens (90mm on APS-C is a great focal length for portrait work), it could be a bargain to some photographers looking for a lens that can do more than its specified task. Lets see how the Tamron performs in testing on our new AMW lens chart, and what my opinion of the overall value of this lens can mean to you.

Sony Alpha DSLR A500 Review

December 2009, Carl Garrard (*Update 1-18-2010 Price Increase), (*Update 12-20-2009 Price Drop)

Sony Alpha DSLR A500 Review- The Sony Alpha DSLR A500 is Sony's latest released DSLR this year, along with the Alpha A550. The Alpha A500 and A550 are so close in specifications (a common strategy with Sony DSLRS within the DSLR lineup) that there won't be too much new information to report here in terms of 'paper performance' when compared to the A550 review I prepared, yet I will report on various areas of difference in details that I think are truly worth reading and hit areas that I didn't cover for the A550 review. Together both reviews should give the reader a combined and informative article in total between both cameras, and clarify some key differences that you would experience had you bought both cameras and compared them yourself.

Sony Alpha DSLR A550 Review

November 2009, Carl Garrard

(Updated 1-18-2010 Price Increase), (*Updated 12-20-2009 Price Drop)

(*Updated 11-21-2009 User Interface and Conclusion)

Houston, our Alpha A550 Review has landed. Speed back a few months ago and I was still suffering from an entry level Alpha hangover. I have to admit here that I was still a tad disappointed with those cameras going into the A550 review, and brought some of that disdain with me. After spending just two days with the new Sony Alpha A550 DSLR however, pretty much most of that negativity went away and a fresh green view on this new camera began to emerge. My time spent with Sony and the A550 was brief initially, and left me with a lot of curiosity and questions as well as a pretty good first impression overall. The Sony Alpha A550 charmed away much of my lack luster feelings and thoughts about the new entry level lineup, yet it was vital for me to spend some real time with the A550 alone, to give it a real thorough evaluation. Read on if you please for futher thoughts on this new DSLR from Sony. *Price $950 body only, $1050 with the 18-55mm Kit lens.

Sony Alpha DSLR A850 Review - Just Think Alpha A900 "Lite"

September 2009, Carl Garrard (Update 9-27 See Additional Commentary, Page 6)

Review - Just about a year ago today Sony announced the Alpha A900 DSLR, and nearly a year later its near twin cousin the Alpha A850 hits sales floors at 1/3rd less cost than the Alpha A900. The Alpha A850 is the worlds first full frame digital SLR to break the stubborn 2K sales price at release. There is no question about it, the Alpha A850 represents value. It is also the worlds highest resolution DSLR, sharing the 24.6 megapixel title only with the Alpha A900. If the Alpha A900 turned heads, then certainly the Alpha A850 must as well, yet this time it might make you pull out your wallet. This is a professionals tool, don't let the price fool you. Similar build, performance, and feature set are usually found at a much higher cost.

Review-Ricoh GR Digital III

August 2009, Carl Garrard (Updated 9-30- New Firmware V1.21 Available!)

Is the Ricoh GR Digital III the best digital Ricoh Camera to date? This question almost immediatley popped into my mind while I handled the pre-production copy of the GR III, and the same question was repeated after using the final production version of this camera for this review. If you think the GR Digital III looks simliar to the camera it replaces, it does. From the front image of the GR Digital III it is hard to distinguish it from the GR Digital II it replaces, less one very important detail on the front of the lens housing- the 1:1.9 designation.