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Digital SLR cameras on a shoestring

Lori Grunin
Lori Grunin, Senior Editor
Updated April 29, 2008
Remember when it was common to drop $500 to $700 on a nice digital point-and-shoot? These days, with the same money, you can pick up a digital SLR camera. These aren't professional models or the very best that current technology has to offer, but for the photo enthusiast on a budget--or even the avid family photographer--they can be a big leap forward. With larger sensors and generally faster performance than snapshot models offer, these cameras provide plenty of tools to photographers who prefer a camera with more than one button. And if you save your pennies, you can increase their flexibility and image quality in the future with additional lens and accessory purchases.

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Product name Nikon D60 (with 18mm-55mm lens)
Nikon D60 (with 18mm-55mm lens)  
Canon EOS Rebel XTi (EF-S 18-55mm Lens, black)
Canon EOS Rebel XTi (EF-S 18-55mm Lens, black)  
Nikon D40 w/18mm-to-55mm lens
Nikon D40 w/18mm-to-55mm lens  
Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 (with 18-70mm lens)
Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 (with 18-70mm lens)  
Olympus Evolt E-510 (with 14-42mm f3.5/5.6 lens)
Olympus Evolt E-510 (with 14-42mm f3.5/5.6 lens)  






Review date March 24, 2008   September 22, 2006   November 22, 2006   March 11, 2008   September 11, 2007  






CNET editors' rating 7.2 out of 10 7.2
Very good
7.8 out of 10 7.8
Very good
7.5 out of 10 7.5
Very good
7.0 out of 10 7.0
Very good
7.1 out of 10 7.1
Very good






Users' rating 8.9 out of 10 8.9
Excellent
7.6 out of 10 7.6
Very good
8.9 out of 10 8.9
Excellent
9.2 out of 10 9.2
Spectacular
7.0 out of 10 7.0
Very good






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Review summary Despite modest improvements in performance and a couple of new features, Nikon's D60 fails to impress and costs more than some competing models. The Canon EOS Rebel XTi remains a very good first dSLR, but ultimately a disappointing followup to the XT, which cedes its lead to the Nikon D80. The Nikon D40 is a great transition camera for going from point-and-shoot to your first dSLR. The Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 is a solid entry-level dSLR that doesn't really stand out in its very competitive field. The Olympus Evolt E-510 has quirky exposure and white-balance issues, but its Live View and Image Stabilization modes may make some photographers give this SLR a chance.






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My Products
Basic Specs
Video input type Digital camera Digital camera Digital camera Digital camera Digital camera






Effective sensor resolution 10,200,000 pixels 10,100,000 pixels 6,100,000 pixels 10,200,000 pixels 10,000,000 pixels






Light sensitivity ISO 100 , ISO 200 , ISO 400 , ISO 800 , ISO 1600 , ISO 3200 ISO 100-1600 , ISO auto (100-400) ISO 200-1600 ISO 100 , ISO 200 , ISO 400 , ISO 800 , ISO 1600 , ISO 3200 , ISO auto ISO auto , ISO 100-1600






Still image format JPEG , NEF (RAW) , RAW + JPEG RAW , JPEG , RAW + JPEG JPEG , NEF (RAW) RAW , JPEG , RAW + JPEG RAW , JPEG , RAW + JPEG






Lens aperture F/3.5-5.6 F/3.5-5.6 F/3.5-5.6 F/3.5-5.6 F/3.5-5.6






Optical zoom 3 x 3 x 3 x 3.9 x 3 x






Manual focus Manual , Automatic Manual , Automatic Manual , Automatic Manual , Automatic Manual , Automatic






Display (projector) diagonal size 2.5 in 2.5 in 2.5 in 2.7 in 2.5 in






Display (projector) technology TFT active matrix TFT active matrix TFT active matrix TFT active matrix TFT active matrix






Weight 17.5 oz 1.1 lbs 16.8 oz 19.2 oz 16.2 oz






Equivalent 35mm focal length Info unavailable Info unavailable 27 - 82.5 mm 27 - 105 mm 28 - 84 mm






Battery technology Info unavailable Info unavailable Info unavailable Lithium ion Lithium ion






Service & support type Info unavailable Info unavailable Info unavailable 1 year warranty Info unavailable






Product name Nikon D60 (with 18mm-55mm lens)   Canon EOS Rebel XTi (EF-S 18-55mm Lens, black)   Nikon D40 w/18mm-to-55mm lens   Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 (with 18-70mm lens)   Olympus Evolt E-510 (with 14-42mm f3.5/5.6 lens)  






Full specifications Full Specifications Full Specifications Full Specifications Full Specifications Full Specifications






Price range Check latest prices
$629-760
from 19 stores
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$570-1050
from 12 stores
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$420-503
from 21 stores
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$475-600
from 14 stores
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$479-1061
from 12 stores











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