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Digital photographs can be contrasty -- sometimes too contrasty. That's the message from this latest batch of cameras, all five of which have some means of extending the dynamic range of images. Sony began the trend with its Dynamic Range Optimizer (DRO), which can calm down highlights and bring up shadows on the fly. Nikon's Active D-Lighting, Pentax's Expanded Dynamic Range, and Samsung's High Dynamic Range do similar duty. The Canon Rebel XSi has Highlight Tone Priority, which will maintain detail in an exposure level selected by the user.
But that's just one trick from this bunch. The Nikon D60 can convert RAW files to JPEGs with image corrections, remove redeye, add a cross filter, and even assemble stop-action movies from individual frames. The Pentax and Samsung have an assortment of digital filters and extensive picture adjustments. The Sony A350 inherits the menu of eight scene selection modes, each one of which can be individually tweaked.
And the Canon Rebel debuts a new tool, Auto Optimization, which can improve brightness and contrast on the fly (something like Auto Levels in Adobe Photoshop) and which gives priority to faces in the frame -- to bring up detail in backlit portraits, for example.
Clean Machines
DSLR manufacturers are recognizing that with more megapixels, shooters will view or print pictures at larger sizes -- and will be all the more aware of dust spots on the sensor.
All five of these cameras provide a momentary ultrasonic shake of the sensor to remove dust, but the precautions hardly stop there.
The Nikon simultaneously provides a momentary puff of air -- something like a built-in bulb blower -- and can map dust particles for removal later in software. The Canon also has software dust mapping. The Pentax and Samsung models highlight dust particles on the LCD -- and display the map as a mirror image to facilitate manual cleaning of the sensor.
Should You Buy?
Fierce competition once again proves a good thing, with four of these five models coming in well under $1,000 with a kit lens. And those prices should come down further once the cameras are established in the market. Again, if you've been waiting patiently for a replacement for your aging 6MP model, you'll probably find one of these cameras to your liking. But given the capabilities and features of this new generation of cameras, more than a few hardcore enthusiasts will go for them, as well. Test reports will tell the full tale, and we plan to test all of them. Stay tuned to www.PopPhoto.com for more.
Canon Rebel XSi
12.2MP
$800, street, body only; $900 with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Canon EF IS lens
The Buzz
Fastest Reb yet gets live view and other great upgrades -- plus it comes with an IS lens standard.
The Lineup Now
The 10.1MP Digital Rebel XTi ($520, body only, $590 with non-IS kit lens) now becomes the base model, below the XSi. The 8MP Rebel XT goes away.
New & Noteworthy
• First D-Rebel with speedy DIGIC III processor, 14-bit A/D converter.
• Live view with two flavors of AF plus manual focusing.
• Auto Optimization fine-tunes brightness and contrast on the fly.
• Highlight Tone Priority controls dynamic range. | |
• New Li-ion battery has 50% more juice but size is same as previous version.
• Finally, a real (4%) spotmeter.
• Improved viewfinder is brighter, has 0.87X magnification, good eye relief. |
Not So Hot
• Live view takes some menu fiddling.
• Stays stuck with maximum ISO of 1600.
• Still no built-in wireless flash control.
Our Take
Will jump off shelves at this price. Sony Alpha 350 has better live view, but the XSi's viewfinder beats it by a mile.
Vital Stats
Autofocus: 9-point diamond pattern, improved central cross sensor with high precision for f/2.8 and brighter lenses.
LCD: 3-inch, 230,000-dot.
Burst: Up to 45 JPEGs at 3.5 fps; up to 6 RAW.
Storage: SD card (first EOS DSLR to use SD).
Battery: Canon Li-ion.
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