Best DSLR Camera 2012
When it comes to advanced, professional photography nothing matches the brilliance of an SLR (Single Lens Reflex) camera. Digital SLR cameras (DSLR) capture images with a digital sensor, thus making photographic 'film' redundant. A good DSLR camera will undoubtedly cost a lot of money - much more than the usual 'point-and-shoot' ones - but if you are passionate about photography, they are totally worth the investment.
A DSLR scores over point-and-shoot cameras in a number of ways. Primarily, the image sensor in a DSLR camera is of a much better quality, which makes for images having less 'noise'. Furthermore, due to the pentaprism mechanism, parallax error is avoided, i.e., the image seen by the photographer is exactly the same as the one captured. There is no 'shutter time lag' either, making DSLRs ideal for capturing moving objects. One of the defining features of an SLR camera is the option to change the lens so that the photographer can get the right lens for certain weather and lighting conditions. It is thanks to this feature that DSLRs score over modern LCD-viewfinder digicams, which have a fixed lens.
Top Digital SLR Cameras of 2012
It is important to buy a camera that comes equipped with all the latest features and technology that is available in the market. You should also consider the size and weight of the camera, since these are much heavier than non-SLR models and can be cumbersome. You should also ensure that you have high resolutions available for the image (measured in megapixels) and also the option to shoot HD videos. With that in mind, here are a few candidates.
Canon EOS 1D X
The replacement for the 1D Mark IV has a heritage to live up to. This phenomenal DLSR offers you an ISO range up to 204800, full 1080p HD recording, 12 FPS continuous shooting and 18.1 megapixel resolution. Canon's brand new Dual Digic 5+ image processor, replacing the older Digic 4 version, ensures that you get the best possible images. The 1D X is priced at $6,799 without a kit.
You can also check out other models from Canon's EOS series, such as the 1D Mark III, the 5D Mark II, the 7D and the 50D.
Nikon D3X
Nikon are well-known for making some of the best cameras in the world and the new D3X flagship model doesn't disappoint. The 24.5 mp CMOS sensor, coupled with Nikon's EXPEED image processor, lets you capture amazing shots of the minutest detail. The ISO ranges from 100-1600, but Nikon has provided the D3X with three new ISO settings, viz. Lo-1, Hi-1 and Hi-2, which enable access to ISO speeds of 50, 3200 and 6400, respectively. It has a sturdy magnesium-alloy construction which protects the delicate internal assembly from dust, moisture and mild impacts. The D3X costs about $8,000, which is much more than the corresponding Canon, but with most reviewers giving it a 5-star rating, it might just be worth the extra dough.
Other notable DSLRs from Nikon include the D4, D800 and the D700.
Sony Alpha a77
Sony specializes in providing excellent features, available only in high-end Canons and Nikons, at a price tag much lower than the other two. The new a77, priced at just $1649 with a 18-135 mm kit lens, has an excellent 24 mp resolution. An important feature in Sony's range of DSLRs is Sony's Translucent Mirror Technology which allows the image to be seen while being clicked. A 12 FPS clicking at 24 MP (the fastest in the world as of August 2011) combined with an Object Tracking AutoFocus technology, makes for wonderfully composed, smooth pictures. You can also take 1920x1080 HD videos at 60p, 60i or 24p.
Other Sony DSLRs are a65, a57 and a37.
Some other notable DSLR cameras are Olympus E-1 and E-5 and the Pentax K-30 and K-5. The Pentax K-30 is, remarkably, said to be fully weatherproof.
If you find that a high-end DSLR is too expensive for you, you can consider getting an entry-level model, such as Canon's Rebel series or the Nikon D3200. These are much cheaper and have many of the features that the high-end models have. Remember, a camera is only a means of capturing an image. It's the photographer's vision that matters.
