Nikon D90 Digital SLR Camera

Price $ 899.95 +

The D90 has the flexibility to meet  white balance, and exposure expectations. The menus are extremely well organized and easy to navigate. The top-of-the-camera display is easy to read. The information displayed inside the viewfinder is well organized and configurable. The histogram displays are complete and easy to display.

If you plan to take pictures in rough conditions, (wet, dirty,dusty, extreme cold or heat), you should seriously consider moving further up the Nikon product line as the D90 body is not as tight nor as durable as the top-of-the-line models.

For great results in low light or for indoor situations, one really needs an additional flash.  You will need to use the SB-800 to take exceptional images from great distances as well as wonderful subtle portraits. Try the same with the pop-up and you will be disappointed. Low light without a flash is very good but image editing is usually required.

To check how to use Nikon D90, download a copy of Nikon D90 User Manual. This user manual is from Nikon USA support group and you must have Adobe Reader to read the full text.

Key Features of Nikon D90 Digital SLR Camera

12.3-megapixel DX-format CMOS imaging sensor: Coupled with Nikon's EXPEED image processing technologies and NIKKOR optics, breathtaking image fidelity is assured.

World’s first digital SLR camera with an HD movie mode: Record exceptional 24fps movie clips with sound at up to 720p HD (1280 x 720 pixels) in Motion JPEG format, enhanced by NIKKOR interchangeable lens quality and versatility.

This digital camera has 3-inch super-density 920,000-dot color LCD monitor: High resolution, 170-degree wide-angle viewing guarantees confident image review and movie playback.

11-point AF system: Consistently fast and accurate autofocus, reinforced by the Nikon Scene Recognition System, delivers razor sharpness in a wide variety of conditions.

Nikon D90 has 3D Color Matrix Metering II with Scene Recognition System: Nikon's renowned 420-pixel RGB 3D Color Matrix Metering II, teamed with the exclusive Scene Recognition System, evaluates images, referencing an on-board database of over 30,000 photographic scenes, for unmatched exposure accuracy.

This digital camera has Auto Active D-Lighting: Selectable and Automatic, Active D-Lighting optimizes details within shadows and highlights, taming high-contrast situations in real time.

In-Camera Image Editing: Creative freedom stems from exclusive in-camera image editing, featuring Fisheye effect, Straighten and Distortion Control as well as D-Lighting, Red-eye Reduction, Image Overlay, Monochrome and more.

Nikon D90 is capable of continuous shooting as fast as 4.5 frames-per-second: Combined with fast 0.15ms power-up and split-second 65ms shooting lag, dramatic action and decisive moments are captured easily.

Low noise ISO sensitivity from 200 to 3200: High signal-to-noise components and design deliver exceptional performance, even at high ISO setting.

This digital camera has built-in image sensor cleaning: Effective 4-frequency, ultrasonic sensor cleaning frees image degrading dust particles from the sensor's optical low pass filter.

One-button Live View: Easy to use Live View activates access to 3 contrast detection focus modes including Face Priority AF.

Comprehensive exposure control: Five advanced scene modes plus Program Auto, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority and Manual.

Nikon D90 has durable, high precision shutter: Testing to over 100,000 cycles assures shutter life and accuracy.

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Nikon D700 Digital SLR Camera

Price $ 2,699.95 +

I recommended Nikon D700 to students and other professionals who wanted a multi-featured camera they could grow with. If you can't afford D3, buy D700 instead. Don't get me wrong, Nikon D3 is a wonderful full frame camera to have if you have the extra few thousand dollars to spend. D700 gives you the same quality as NikonD3 can offer, if you do not care too much on using high ISO. Since Nikon D700 is cheaper, you can invest in a nicer lens instead.

Being a full frame camera, D700 can provide exceptional image quality in low light conditions without seeing too much noise when using higher ISO. It is also great for landscape photography if attached to a wide angle lens and a good tripod.

To check how to use Nikon D700, download a copy of Nikon D700 User  Manual. This user manual is from Nikon USA support group and you must have Adobe Reader to read the full text.

Key Features of Nikon D700 Digital SLR Camera

Nikon's original 12.1-megapixel FX-format (23.9 x 36mm) CMOS sensor: Teamed with Nikon's exclusive EXPEED digital image processing, the D700 delivers breathtakingly rich image quality.

This digital camera is capable of continuous shooting up to 5 frames per second: Shoot at up to 8 frames per second with the optional MB-D10 Multi-power Battery Pack.

Nikon D700 has two Live View shooting modes: Choose from hand-held or tripod modes to suit shooting requirements.

Fast, accurate 51-point AF with 3D Focus Tracking: Exacting autofocus precision, plus three Dynamic AF modes.

This digital camera has 1,005-Pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II: Legendary Nikon exposure accuracy aided by an onboard database of over 30,000 images.

Nikon D700 has Picture Control settings: Advanced color control with 9 customizable settings and 4 preset options allow fine tuning of image appearance preferences.

This digital camera has broad ISO sensitivity up to 6400 and incredibly low noise: Super low-noise performance from 200-6400 ISO, with the added versatility of Lo-1 (100 ISO) Hi-1 (12,800 ISO) and Hi-2 (25,600 ISO).

Three-Inch, super-density 921,000-dot VGA color monitor: High resolution with

170-degree wide-angle viewing, calibrated color and tempered-glass protection assure confident image review.

Rugged magnesium-alloy construction: Along with extensive dust and moisture protection and a durable shutter mechanism tested to 150,000 cycles, the D700 merges pro D-SLR performance with expanded agility.

Nikon D700 digital SLR camera has dynamic Integrated Dust Reduction System: Effective quad-frequency, ultrasonic sensor cleaning minimizes image degrading dust particles.

Nikon's exclusive Scene Recognition System: SRS further extends auto-exposure intelligence while also advancing white-balance detection and autofocus performance.

Active D-Lighting with NEW Auto mode: Unique three-phase dynamic control to capture previously lost details in shadows and highlights while maintaining normalized contrast.

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Canon EOS Rebel XS Digital SLR Camera

Price $ 549.99 +

I really like the sports feature of this digital camera. It’s amazing how Rebel XS can capture every jump & dance move. The fact that it is very lightweight to carry around, may just be a good reason why you would want to purchase this camera.

One drawback was the lack of IR receiver for wireless remote shutter control, which is found on the next higher model.

If you don't need the video function, this camera is great for taking pictures. All the features were almost identical to Canon Rebel, so the learning curve is easy if you have owned one.

For its price, this digital camera will give you awesome pictures with the right lenses.

• To check how to use EOS Rebel XS, download a copy of Canon EOS Rebel XS User Manual here. This user manual is from Canon USA support group and you must have Adobe Reader to read the full text.

Key Features of Canon EOS Rebel XS Digital SLR Camera

Canon’s CMOS sensor captures images with exceptional clarity and tonal range, and offers the most pixels in its class. It offers many of the same new technologies first seen in Canon’s professional EOS-1D Mark III to maximize each pixel's light gathering efficiency.

EOS Rebel XS’s Auto Lighting Optimizer is yet another image-quality tool that comes to the rescue in tricky lighting conditions.

This digital camera features a high-speed, wide area 7-point AF system. It can focus using One-Shot AF mode, AI Focus AF, AI Servo AF and Manual.

EOS Rebel XS operates with such effortless speed that operation is nothing short of intuitive.

The EOS Rebel XS has a bright 2.5-inch TFT LCD monitor with 230,000 pixels and a viewing angle of 170º. It’s perfect for Live View composition or viewing camera settings like AF, ISO, Metering, AF Point selection and flash options.

Photographers who must change lenses in dusty environments will find the advanced Canon EOS Integrated Cleaning System a tremendous time saver. Dust that settles on the sensor surface is removed using ultrasonic vibration.

Measuring 4.96" x 3.8" x 2.4" and weighing in at under 16 oz., this digital camera is indeed the smallest digital Rebel ever produced. Its lightweight and compact design does not, however, leave out controls and displays one would expect from an EOS Digital camera.

Canon EOS 50D Digital SLR Camera

Price $1,099.00 +

This digital SLR digital camera’s high ISO quality is outstanding and does as claimed, represent at least a full stop improvement over any Canon camera before it. It is very similar to the 40D in all controls, so it's completely easy to switch from one to the other. The motor drive is fast enough for action. Live view is so much better than 40D, Tripod is still a must but that is expected. Brighter screen is a plus in any landscape work.

I have to say that I prefer EOS 50D to the 7-D or even the 5D MkII. From what I heard,  50D produces comparably less shadow noise than either digital cameras, and the RAW files are quite flexible beyond what you would have expected. I've read that some people mentioned about getting the magenta cast on the photo, and colors are flat. But considering we have a lot of photo editing software now, those can be corrected at the post production. One review that I can’t afford to neglect was when EOS 50D is used to shoot outdoor in a sunny day, highlights are blown out pretty badly, especially in light color objects. Even though Highlight Tone Priority function comes handy in those situations, they were pretty ugly noticeable which you won’t get comparing to 20D.

• To check how to use EOS 50D, download a copy of Canon EOS 50D User Manual. This user manual is from Canon USA support group and you must have Adobe Reader to read the full text.

Features of Canon EOS 50D Digital SLR Camera

• EOS 50D features a newly-designed 15.1-megapixel APS-C sized CMOS sensor which is capable of recording up to 4752 x 3168 pixels with full 14-bit A/D conversion for extremely fine tonal gradation.

• This digital camera operates with such effortless speed that operation is nothing short of intuitive. With instant start-up times, speedy autofocus and minimal shutter lag, the EOS 50D is one of the fastest cameras available today. It can shoot up to 6.3 fps, in bursts of up to 90 JPEGs (using an UDMA CF card), 60 JPEGs (using a CF card) consecutively or 16 RAW files.

• EOS 50D features a bright, high resolution, 3.0-inch Clear View LCD monitor with 920,000 (dots/VGA) pixels and a broad viewing angle of 160° horizontally and vertically. It offers a brighter and more detailed display than the EOS 40D.

• This digital camera features Canon's most advanced Live View shooting thanks to the number of focusing modes available including Quick mode, Live mode and Face Detection Live mode.

• Canon EOS 50D Digital SLR Camera has a high-precision 9-point wide area AF that uses cross-type points at f-stops of f/5.6 or faster, enabling the camera to focus faster, more accurately, and in difficult lighting situations. AF sensitivity is a stunning EV-0.5 to EV18.

• Canon's exclusive Lens Peripheral Illumination setting takes into account any light falloff in the corners of the frame and corrects it, making for a perfectly exposed image.

• This digital camera’s Self Cleaning Sensor Unit eliminates stray dust that enters the camera when changing a lens or when out in the field.

• The EOS 50D has a new Creative Auto mode and a quick control screen that helps novice users narrow the gap between fully automatic and manual control.

This digital camera includes a new HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) output device that enables high definition display of your photographs on any HDTV with HDMI ports.

Nikon D300s Digital SLR Camera

Price: 1699.95 +

If you are a serious amateur or moving on to professional, Nikon D300s was built for you. Compared to Nikon D7000, which is also recommended for photojournalism and sports coverage, this digital camera produces sharper and deeper colors. It’s got excellent features which actually takes some time to learn what they are and how to use them.

Between 7D, which might require heavy investments to find compatible lenses, and Nikon D300s, I would say that the latter could fit all your needs with minimal equipments. Its large LCD is one of its features you would love. You might find other reviews saying that if you go beyond ISO 800, you would lose some of the details. One great tip found on the Internet is to switch off the NR level to bring out the stunning details.

To check how to use Nikon D300s, download a copy of Nikon D300s User Manual. This user manual is from Nikon USA support group and you must have Adobe Reader to read the full text.

Key Features of Nikon D300s Digital SLR Camera

·         12.3-megapixel DX-format CMOS Image Sensor

Delivers stunning high resolution, low-noise images with striking detail and tonal gradation.

·         Nikon EXPEED Image Processing

Drives breathtakingly rich image fidelity, low noise and fast image processing.

·         One-button Live View

Hand-held and Tripod Live View Modes, activated with one-button, for challenging studio and remote shooting conditions.

·         Nikon D300s has Low Noise ISO Sensitivity from 200 to 3200

Additional expanded ISO settings of Lo-1 (ISO 100 equivalent) and Hi-1 (ISO 6400 equivalent) extend versatility to match shooting requirements.

·         1,005-Pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II

Nikon’s unique RGB metering—the only sensor that also evaluates color information when determining exposures with remarkable accuracy..

·         Dual memory card slots (CF and SD)

By using Nikon D300s, you can assign card functions from a variety of storage options, optimizing available memory and file handling.

·         Picture Control Settings

Select from 4 preset image capture preferences (Standard, Neutral, Vivid and Monochrome, plus 9 user customizable settings) controlling Sharpening, Contrast, Brightness, Saturation and Hue.

·         In-Camera Image Editing

Exclusive in-camera image editing, featuring Edit movie, D-Lighting, Image Overlay, Monochrome, NEF (RAW) processing and more.

·         This digital camera has 100% Viewfinder Accuracy

Up to 950 shots per EN-EL3e battery charge*

Shoot as many as 2,950 shots with the body’s EN-EL3e battery installed and the optional MB-D10 Multi-Power Battery Pack with an EN-EL4a Rechargeable Li-ion Battery*.

* based on CIPA standards/guidelines

·         Continuous Shooting up to 7 fps

High speed shooting and fast response—essential to versatile performance in a wide variety of shooting disciplines.

·         D-Movie HD Video

Nikon D300s digital SLR camera captures striking 24 fps, 720p HD movie clips, enhanced by NIKKOR interchangeable lens quality and versatility—featuring external stereo Mic input and AF operation.

·         3-inch Super-density 921,000-dot VGA LCD Monitor

Every monitor is factory-calibrated to assure accurate color for critical still image review and Live View or D-Movie shooting.

·         Fast, Accurate 51-point Autofocus

This digital camera features 4 Dynamic AF modes including 3D Focus Tracking for precise autofocus and razor sharp images.

·         Scene Recognition System

Referencing an onboard image database and teamed with RGB metering, SRS enables even more sophisticated determination of exposures and auto white balance, along with faster, more accurate autofocus.

·         Dynamic Integrated Dust Reduction System

Ultrasonic process combats the accumulation of dust in front of the image sensor, safeguarding image quality.

·         Nikon's Active D-Lighting

Nikon D300s Digital Camera optimizes shadow and highlight detail in real time—Selectable values and 5-frame ADL bracketing offer complete control.

·         Rugged and Durable

The strength and precision of magnesium-alloy construction with advanced dust and moisture countermeasures is teamed with a shutter mechanism tested to beyond 150,000 cycles for real-world reliability.

·         Virtual Horizon Graphic Indicator

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