10MP DSLR Shootout

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Image quality

1. Nikon D80
2. Canon EOS Rebel XTi
3. Pentax K10D  (tie)
3. Samsung GX-10  (tie)
5. Sony Alpha 100

As all these cameras are capable of Excellent overall image quality, our rankings are based on incremental differences in performance. And you should keep in mind that these 10MP cameras give you choices in the look of your images; you can, for example, sacrifice some resolution for lower noise in available-light shots, or add extra sharpening while keeping your shots to low ISOs to keep the noise under control. We gave the nod to the Nikon for its highest resolution numbers at low ISOs and its ability to maintain at least 1700 lines resolution at ISO 3200-still with Very Low noise. The Canon EOS Rebel XTi sacrificed some noise suppression at higher ISOs to maintain high resolution, and it's a good balance. The Pentax K10D and its clone, the Samsung GX-10, also maintain good balance between resolution and noise control. The Sony Alpha 100 has great resolution, but at higher ISOs, digital noise strays into Unacceptable territory.

Ease of use

1. Pentax K10D  (tie)
1. Samsung GX-10  (tie)
3. Nikon D80
4. Canon EOS Rebel XTi
5. Sony Alpha 100

These cameras represent a quantum leap over the previous generation of DSLRs, with much more readable (and comprehensible) menus, a good selection of external controls, and excellent ergonomics across the board. The Pentax/Samsung twins to us struck the best balance between menu control and button/dial access. The Nikon has a zillion controls but it keeps them well sorted out. We marked down the Canon and Sony for their lack of a second command dial, which we think is almost a necessity on cameras of this complexity.

Control

1. Nikon D80
2. Sony Alpha 100
3. Canon EOS Rebel XTi
4. Pentax K10D  (tie)
4. Samsung GX-10  (tie)

Again, all the tested cameras have extensive image controls available. The Nikon's is near overkill, but the color tweaks in in-camera RAW conversion are great things. The Sony's Density Range controls are genuinely useful. The Canon has lots of image tweaks, but we still wonder why color balance can't be set manually in Kelvin. The Pentax/Samsung twins keep things simpler, which is not at all a criticism.

System flexibility

1. Nikon D80  (tie)
1. Canon EOS Rebel XTi  (tie)
3. Pentax K10D  (tie)
3. Samsung GX-10  (tie)
5. Sony Alpha 100

Canon and Nikon make everything for their DSLRs, and then some. Which is not to say that you can't get the lens or flash or battery grip you want/need with the other cameras. It's just the difference between "extensive" and "humongous."

Overall

1. Nikon D80
2. Canon EOS Rebel Xti
3. Pentax K10D  (tie)
3. Samsung GX-10  (tie)
5. Sony Alpha 100

There has to be a winner, and, given its image quality and near-pro-level feature set, the Nikon D80 was hardly a surprise. We're more than happy, though, to use any of these superb cameras.

The Missing Tenner

Olympus has actually fielded a player in the 10MP DSLR class, the new E-400 (price N/A). But since this camera is not for sale in the U.S. (do you feel snubbed?), it doesn't qualify for this shootout. Die-hard Olympus fans, though, can get one if they're willing to travel to Europe.

And that might be worth the trip if you're looking to jump up a notch in image quality from the 8MP E-330 and lower-priced E-500, especially since the new E-400 accepts all of the Four Thirds System lenses you own from Olympus and others. It also features higher resolution and a larger 2.5-inch LCD monitor than previous Olympus cameras. There's no live preview mode, and the AF still features a TTL phase-detection engine with only three zones, but the E-400 now includes an in-camera RAW editing mode and 31 scene modes including Underwater, Wide, and Macro. We like that Underwater feature, especially since we're stuck holding our breath till Olympus introduces its next DSLR in the US (we're hoping in spring of this year.)

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