5 comments about Sony Alpha A100 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).

1. I have had a variety of cameras throughout the past 3 years with my new found interest in photography. I started small and worked my way up, from the FujiFilm 2800 to this Sony SLR and though photography is truly about the photograher, this camera definitely makes photos better, and overall makes photography much more enjoyable.
   
   Well, I'll start with the breakdown of features:
   
   1. 10 megapixel sensor: When I found interest in photography several years ago, my first camera had a resolution of merely 2 megapixels, yet the prints were still spectacular. With this camera, there is significant increase of overall quality, but you have to keep in my different factors such as ISO, and white balance, which also play a roll in good prints.
   
   2. ISO: I found that in low light situations, for example during a party, or something, that when I increased the ISO to 800, pictures were slightly noisy, though not significantly. I feel that the noise-reduction system helped in those situations. As far as ISO 1600, it wasn't that great, but then again not all that bad. I would say 60% of my shots would come out nicely. For regular shooting I used the HI200 setting, which would keep the ISO at <200> (above or below), and pictures turn out really well with this setting, combined with some other modes.
   
   3. White balance: The white balance is okay for the most part. I personally like the "shade" and "sunny" modes, but not so much the tungsten and florescent, I have also at times used the manual white balance, which proved to work well, though, I wouldn't use it as much as the preset modes.
   
   4. Dynamic Range Booster: Great great setting. About 75% of the time I've used this setting, the dynamic range has been slightly if not significantly better. What this basically means is it extends the color capabilities of your picture. So let's say there is a red shovel in a large field of grass, the green of the grass may get prioritized, however once you press the dynamic range booster button, some settings are adjusted and the red looks a lot better than it traditionally would.
   
   5. Other Color Settings: When you are in either manual mode, A mode, S mode, or P mode (my favorite),you get to choose from a menu what best matches the situation you are shooting in. There is a list of the standard preset modes like Macro and Landscape, but there is also a few color settings I like. They are: B&W, Adobe RGB, Standard, and Vivid. My personal favorite is vivid; I don't know what it is, but this setting surely does add the extra "umph" in pictures, kind of giving them a film look. I used it to take a picture of a sunset, and it came out slightly better than the pre-programmed sunset mode.
   
   6. Sports Photography: SLR's are definitely the way to go for action photos. This camera sports a really good 3fps, and I've captured numerous shots that simply wouldn't have been possible had it not been for upgrading to a DSLR. However I must he sports mode on this camera is base-line average, and before I learned the settings to this camera about 70% of my shots would come out of average quality. What I do when taking action shots, is go into P mode and manually select settings, and pictures almost always come out better than the pre-set sports mode. I think that the sports mode fully utilizes the advertised 3 fps, however pictures just aren't as sharp. However, this really isn't a problem once you've had the camera for a week or two.
   
   7. Ease of Use: Well, this was my first SLR of any sort ever, yet I was up and going, fully unlocking the potential of this camera in about two weeks. I flat-out couldn't just sit there and read the manual for two hours, so instead I would go around taking candids in my spare time, and switch some settings around, and then take mental note of what looked best.
   
   8. Comparison: I was in a debate with myself for several weeks, wondering if I should get a Nikon D80, Canon Xti/Xt or a Sony, and when I looked at reviews, each one was saying the same about the other, and I finally chose the Sony. When it arrived I used it for a little bit, then went on to Best Buy to get some accessories, and I just happened to see both the Canon Digital Rebel Xti and D80. The Xti felt really cheap, like the plastic would fall apart if you dropped it once, and sensor and kit lens were both significantly smaller than those equipped with the A100. Another thing, both the Canon and the D80 lacked built in image stabilization of any sort, which really DOES come in handy for everyday shooting. As far as the XT/XTi go, the A100 clearly outshines them. Though on the other hand the Nikon D80 is much better than the Sony. It felt really sturdy, and from shooting with one for a full day, it overall produces much better pictures than I've been able to with this camera, the only factor which stopped me from buying it was the price of over $200 more. As far as camera releases go as this year goes on, I would highly suggest not getting a Canon XSi but instead a Sony A350, because from what I've read, the Sony has much more features and gives you more bang for your buck, especially since it's about $100 less than the canon. I can't really talk for Nikon though.
   
   Well, I hope my review has contributed into your decision for a new DSLR, if you have any further questions, don't hesitate to comment for this review, thanks. -Sam



2. Love my Sony Alpha 100, 10.2 mp. For the money, it is an unbeatable buy. User friendly. Great photos.



3. I bought this camera becuase I am a life long Minolta fan, however they discontinued their cameras without any notice and I was stuck with alot of Konica Minolta camera equipment. Sony picked up Minolta's pattons and made their first DSLR and everything I owed with Minolta is interchangeable with it. But I run 2 photo studios and I have not been happy with the controls, etc. of this camera. However a person who just wants a better camera to take better pictures then their snap and shoot--this would be a good camera for you, for a professional however--no. I am now switching everything over to Nikon.



4. 1. I purchased this camera (Sony a100) about a year and a half ago and it's lived up to my expectations. Photos are crisp and clear, controls are conviently located and the large LCD is handy although I wish it was the swivel type, battery life is good. I have three, one Sony and two much cheaper non-Sony. I wish the lens selection was a little better but this is just a hobby for me and SIGMA lenses are just as good and cheaper. There is some noise at low light levels but that's not a problem for me. My problem is dust bunnies inherent in all digital slrs in this class. But I have solve that too with a small bottle of ECLIPSE 2 and a few SENSOR PADS that fit the low pass filter to be cleaned. Sometimes it only takes a good whiff of dry air with the camera turned upside down. But sending it back to them until the warranty runs out consumes too much time and they don't do a very good job. My job was better. Last of all Sony has the gall to sell the A.C. adapter at well over $125.00 and then recommends that any type of cleaning (dust blower only) not be done without the A.C. adapter. This is of course so the mirror stays up while blowing off the dust. My advice is use a freshly charged battery; it only takes a few minutes to do a good cleaning with the blower or the more adventurous low pass filter. Be advised Sony will void the warranty if you screw up the CCD aka low pass filter while using the SENSOR PADS. But trust me, it's very easy to clean and the low pass filter is tougher than one suspects. Still, extreme caution and patience is needed with a light but firm stroke. By the way, the A.C. adapter can charge two batteries at once but still not worth the price and there are no substitutes because of the proprietary connection on the camera body, again Sony Only! Oh, there is also inaccessible dust inside the viewfinder, again inherent in all slrs in this class. My camera goes almost everywhere I go so there will be dust.
   
   SHELLBACK
   SEMPER FI



5. I bought the camera in Feb. and just charged twice since then. I charged the battery before my 10 days vacation in Europe, and took over 1,000 pictures (very beautiful) and the battery now is still 3/4 full!
   Another advantage of this camera is the anti-shake function. I could take pictures with very low shutter speed (1-2 seconds) and the pictures are still sharp.

No comments about Samsung GX-20 14.3MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm Lens.

1 comments about Sony Alpha DSLR-A350 Kit 14.2-megapixel digital SLR camera with 18-70mm zoom lens.

1. Be honest, how many people do print on images at the size A3? Great value for money. Easy to use. Perfect handling. Bright images. Good build. Neat in clean images. You don't need more Mb.
   Well, this lens is very light and versatile and also quite sharp stopped down, The standard lens 18/70mm is average. But goes futher than other standard lenses. but no match for the Tamron 17-50 f/ 2.8 or Tamron 28-75 f/ 2.8 or the Minolta 50mm very Good.
   Problems
   Sony Lenses are very expensive.

5 comments about Canon Digital Rebel XT 8MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only - Silver).

1. Though this camera is not as good as the 30 which I have since upgraded to it is a great starter camera. The review is a bit slow through pictures and I feel the camera is a bit small in my hands other than that it was wonderful.



2. happy happy happy happy BUT I have a hardware problem, the flash lid is not popping up and give an error sign. So, I sent it to Cannon and they were absolutely wonderful about fixing the problem in a timely manner. Got my camera back,......same problem. POO POO I still love my camera. It takes awesome pictures. I am sure my malfunction is a fluke and I would definitely buy the camera again.



3. This is my first digital SLR camera and I was a bit hesitant at first to spend almost $500 on a camera. However, it was well worth the amount. I've had a lot of fun with this little camera and I've already taken some pretty amazing shots. It's real user friendly. A real small body so it's easy to travel with and the battery power is outstanding. I will purchase a different lens soon. The one that comes with the body is alright if I had to rate that I'd probably give it three and a half stars. I've had a real hard time with trying to focus on people with that lens when trying to take portraits. Other than than that it creates sharp images. I suggest this to anyone who is new to the digital SLR cameras.
   
   enjoy!
   
   [...]



4. excellent value for price. Clear sharp images, good color. the camera is easy to use with a short learning curve. It is small and light. there is a wide variety of lenses available both from canon and third party vendors. the only drawback is the view finder which should be extended slightly further from the body of the camera.



5. la cámara es increíble, pero el lente al ser un Zoom no es muy luminoso, por lo que hay que compensar con el iso de la cámara, incluso 1600, pero ahí la imagen pierde nitidez aparece el grano.

5 comments about Sony Alpha A700 12.24MP Digital SLR Camera with 16-105mm Lens.

1. By all means it is very capable, quick, and well made camera that takes big deal over Minolta's legacy. This camera is distinctively "Sony" while it still incorporates many of nice findings pioneered by swallowed Minolta.
   I played with this camera for couple of days and found there's much to love about the ways it suggests. The lens is terrific. I guess it is the same lens that was permanently mounted to DSC-R1 and by all accounts it is glorious lens. The sharpness, clarity, transparency of it, all across the field is simply second to none. It is hard to touch another lens after trying this. In DSC-R1 just the lens itself was worth the purchase! The range of the lens is exceptionally convenient and extends trough the range that is appropriate with hand holding shooting. Reinforced by Sony's shake reduction it provides complete and very dependable tool for shooting anything with the lens under practically any condition. You must see the full size images this lens on the camera produces to concede it was worth many words. Today, there are many superb cameras on a market and Sony made smart move by offering premium glass in somewhat accessible price range as it makes the whole system very sweet and desirable.
   Great camera, great lens.



2. I've now had the A700 for 8 months. Totally solid reliability, not a problem one. I use a Sigma 10mm wide angle and the Sony 18-200mm lens. The camera feels just perfect to hold. Image quality is of course terrific. The wireless flash system is great, with 2 H56's you can do lots of creative lighting and is fun to use. Complaint would be high noise level shooting in low light with DRO turned up, but of course just turning it down fixes it. Great high quality DSLR, I am very glad with the choice I made.



3. I shot film for many years. Had a change of careers and was out of photography for a while. Then got back into it with digital. This is my third digital camera and my second DSLR. I used Nikons for many years but, knowing Minolta lenses are just as good and often better than Nikon or Canon or other brands, I took advantage of the momentary panic when Minolta lenses were cheap. I had also used Sony digital cameras with Zeiss optics and enjoyed the image quality, product quality and industrial design. I had also used Sony video equipment in professional settings and knew Sony made great stuff. Also, Nikon cameras use Sony sensors.
   Now that Sony has fully taken over Minolta and is doing nice work and being innovative, I picked up the A700 on sale.
   It is a terrific camera. But if you are new to photography and new to SLR photography, you might be better off starting with an A200 or A300 (or their successors if you read this a few months or years later). Then in a few years, pick up an A700 used or its successor (A750?)
   In short, the A700 is an excellent DSLR camera. Combined with classic Minolta or new Sony lenses, you will have great results. For Sony lenses I have the 28mm and the 50mm Macro. Both are excellent. The rest of my lenses are Minolta or Konica Minolta zooms (for a brief time, Minolta combined with Konica before selling to Sony). I hope to pick up some of the newer Sony G or Zeiss lenses in time. But if you are just shooting for fun, the basic zoom is fine to start, then see what you like to shoot and get a "prime" like the 50 Macro.



4. I have a Canon 5D and although it produces impressive pictures, I found too many of my pictures were blurred and I found myself not carrying my 5D around as it was a heavy camera (front heavy and hard to hold still IMHO) with the 24-105mm lens attached (hence the blurred shots). I started to look for a smaller and lighter camera - comfort was a major issue as was the size of the viewfinder and quality of the LCD as the 5D's LCD is frankly poor - very hard to tell if something was sharply focused or the appropriate colour. I tried out the following:
   
   Pentax K20 - didn't like the focusing system or the LCD menu system, but otherwise impressed with the camera. Also, it's not a Nikon or Canon which is attractive given their saturation of the market - it's good not to go with the herd sometimes! Good range of lenses.
   Nikon D80 - uncomfortably ergonomics for me, as with the D300, the thumb rest digs right into the lower joint of my thumb making it hard to hold firmly, I also didn't like the reversal of the focus and zoom rings on their lenses (focus at the back, zoom at the front).
   Nikon D300 - very nice camera, but almost 100g heavier than the 5D!
   Canon 40D - very similar to the 5D in terms of size, weight and shape. Comfortable but bland ergonomics and still on the heavy side. Nice big viewfinder, very impressive large information in the viewfinder too, compatible with my existing lenses. But it's a Canon (I have an aversion to monopolies or duopolies - it's not good for consumers or innovation!) and with their quality 17-80 lens it was going to weigh little less than the 5D.
   Olympus 510 - brilliant size, weight and comfortable ergonomics, good kit lenses. I don't like the 4/3rds system (a smaller sensor just can't be better as I found with comparisons to the 5D and it makes the viewfinder very small) and their menu system is plain ugly. With a 900,000 pixel moveable screen and cleaner menu, Olympus would corner the small DSLR market.
   
   I decided to buy an A700 with a Carl Zeiss 16-80 lens and have used it for a couple of weeks and overall I am very happy - I use it far more than the 5D as it is light and small and easy to carry. On the downside, the picture quality is not as good as the 5D especially at high ISOs where the Sony is noticeably grainy. Amateur Photographer has a review in their current issue which shows that in terms of IQ, resolution and noise the 5D beats the D300 and 40D, so the A700 really can't compete. But there's no point having the best camera sitting at home gathering dust.
   
   Sony A700 Pros:
   - Lightweight and small compared to others in class.
   - Very nice ergonomics and comfort in the hand. Easy to hold very tight with very little camera wobble compared to the 5D which is front-heavy and less easy to hold still.
   - Brilliant LCD, easy to check colour accuracy and sharpness - don't even need to zoom to check focus. Sony and Nikon are miles ahead of Canon, Olympus and Pentax here.
   - Carl Zeiss lens is lightweight and small too, with a very useful range. Very sharp and colourful lens.
   - Very bright and large viewfinder - which is so important and put me off Canon's 20D and 30D a few year's ago which have small, pokey viewfinders.
   - Anti-shake device is superb, makes a huge difference and in my view is better than the lens version with Canon and Nikon. It applies to all lenses which is a major plus.
   - I love the shake level meter in the viewfinder window. It is brilliant and almost on its own has made me a convert to the A700. A little chart fluctuates depending on camera shake, so you wait until the chart drops and then take the picture - it is so helpful.
   - White balance settings have 7 variable settings (-3, 0, +3) which is very helpful.
   - Lovely clean menu system, easier and quicker than Canon and up there with Nikon's which is also lovely to use. Olympus and Pentax really needs to take note, as their menus are cluttered and not intuitive. The A700's menu is a pleasure to navigate.
   - Dedicated ISO, drive, WB and exposure buttons is very quick and useful, all are large and easy to press and can be used without even taking one's eye away from the viewfinder. Also a custom function button (NOT a direct printer button like Canon!). I don't miss the top LCD screen at all - big buttons are more helpful!
   - Compressed RAW looks as good as RAW but takes less space and time.
   - Outdoor shots are very sharp, very colourful and contrasty. I mainly take travel and outdoor pics so this camera really suits my style and needs.
   
   Sony A700 Cons:
   - Picture quality and resolution is not up to Canon 5D standards (but matches 40D and D80 etc). I appreciate they are not like-for-like cameras or in the same class, and the 5D is full frame etc, but it is 3+ years old. My experience is borne out by Amateur Photographer - full frame is best. I should add that at low ISOs (200 or below) and shooting RAW or cRAW the Sony output is almost as good as the Canon, which when coupled with the Sony's size, weight, LCD and anti-shake device is enough for me.
   - Where the Sony suffers is at higher ISOs. At 800 the 5D has almost zero grain or noise whereas the Sony, to me, is noisy in the shadows and darkers areas of the pic. If you mainly shoot indoors or in low light, this may not be the right camera for you.
   - Poor dedicated range of lenses. Not as many lenses as available for Canon and not the same quality either in terms of build and glass. Too many of the Sony lenses I have read about have had poor reviews. No problems if you have Minolta glass - but again, not the range or quality of Canon.
   - Too few Sony lenses have USM/HSM/SSM etc motors. The Zeiss lens is quick but not as quick as my Canon lenses with USM motors. More importantly the Zeiss lens is very "squeaky" in use - when going from completely out of focus to focus there is an audible whirr and squeak as it is not an SSM lens. Only the high-end telephotos have SSM. Also, many of the Sigma lenses don't have HSM while they do for Canon and Nikon mounts making them also loud and slower.
   - WB under incandescent light is poor - very orange cast and even with the parameters being changed, is still badly inaccurate.
   - There is no ISO reading in the viewfinder info bar which would be helpful and is standard at this level of DSLR.
   - The AEL button is very raised away from the body, as a result, when pressed, it is hard to keep my glasses close to the viewfinder and my view becomes distorted - this is actually quite annoying, but nevertheless not a deal breaker by any means.
   - The rubber grips on the lens are very fine and are a dust magnet. It's a really minor point, but after one week my Carl Zeiss lens looked shabby because any dust and dirt gets stuck in the fine rubber ridges and is really hard to clean.
   
   Overall:
   Overall the Sony A700 is a really excellent camera if you shoot at low ISOs (800 or under), mainly shoot outdoors and want something light and compact to carry all day. If you are coming from film where shooting higher than ISO 400 was virtually unheard of, this is a great camera. I give it 4 stars not 5 as it is not perfect (though arguably no camera is perfect, and this comes as close as any) - to me it is a bit too noisy from ISO 400 up, certainly compared to the D300 with which it shares a sensor. But, it doesn't matter 90% of the time. V Highly Recommended.



5. This camera is great. Feel comfortable taking photos ISO 800 and beyond. I don't really miss many photo opportunities. So much control and your fingers too. Seems to be a dedicated button for everything within easy reach. Well done sony. Now if you could get a few more lenses in your lineup...

2 comments about Fujifilm FinePix S700 Black SLR Digital Camera Kit - with 1 GB SD Memory Card - Camera Bag - Professional Lens Cleaning Kit.

1. Very light weight. Very good images in most situations. Noisy at high ISO, and some purple fringing on very high contrast boundaries. Strong tendency for lens flare so a lens hood is a must. I bought a $5 rubber hood that works just fine.
   
   File format limited to JPEG, but pretty good JPEG. Not a professional camera by any means, but it has plenty of manual options and excellent control layout. It's a lot of camera for the price. Not perfect, but very, very good.



2. First thing... This camera is not a D-SLR...It's a great high end point and shoot. Ive owned one for about a year and have taken many great professional quality photos.
   
   Its a 4star because of the Purple fringing on high contrast shots.
   
   I totally recommend a tri pod for thise 10x digital zoom shots...
   
   Macro mode gives awesome photos...
   
   flowermode works great.....
   
   if you dont want a SLR for $600 then this is a great entry camera.
   
   you wont be disappointed

5 comments about Pentax K20D 14.6MP Digital SLR Camera with Shake Reduction and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL II Lens.

1. I've just had the K20D for about 2 weeks and have really enjoyed it. Having to decide between Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Olympus, and Sony was difficult after reading so many reviews. I took a chance on the Pentax based on forums & reviews. I couldn't find the camera in any stores around my home other than the other brands mentioned. The Pentax does feel the best in my hands and when I first held it, it is definitely better built than the others. I bought the 18-55mm AL II kit lens and it does excellent and will purchase the 18-250mm in the future. I have taken the same type shots with my Minolta film camera from the early 80's and this camera surpasses it in quality. I was stubborn for a long time to switch to digital after having the money invested in the Minolta lenses and other equipment.
   I personally think all the major cameras are good and I picked Pentax on a leap of faith. It was the best camera for the money and future lenses and accessories won't break the bank. I have not much use yet for the live view feature but many of the features are usable and intuitive. I really like the idea and flexibility of the front and rear e-dials. I can adjust the aperture with the rear dial and the shutter speed with the front dial. If I could change anything I would make the ISO a dedicated button and maybe the white balance. At least they are at the beginning of the Fn(function) menu button and only requires one extra button to push.
   I would highly recommend this camera unless you shoot alot of sports which the 3 frames per second burst rate doesn't cut it for you. The picture quality is A-1 and the cropping in on some shots I've taken are just great since I don't have a strong zoom lense yet. They don't pixelate on the computer and that has to be the 14.1 megapixels at work with the CMOS sensor. It is a big difference and I'm glad I have purchased the K20D over the K10D if just for the sensor only.



2. I previously owned the Pentax istDl and liked the pictures it produced. The K20D has been a fantastic camera so far. I personally really like having the shake reduction in the body because now all my lenses can take advantage of this. The dust removal has already saved me once where I was shooting and was able to get the dust off immediately without getting out the blower and brush :)
   
   One problem I had was on my Mac Leopard Mac Book Pro I could not get the software that comes with the camera to install. For me this is not a major problem because I use other software that I prefer. I did notice the previous Mac Software update had some patches for the K20D as well as several other cameras.
   
   Here are some examples photos I have taken with the K20D and the older istDL. [...]



3. Some great features for the $. Super images. I recommend the 18-250 lens. I moved over from a Nikon D50 and, after the learning curve, really appreciate what this camera offers.



4. A much bigger jump from K10D than I expected; wonderful color and contrast; A little on the heavy side but very good balance.



5. In March of 2008 I bought a K200D, my first DSLR. Loved the camera, but wanted more control and more options. So, I then bought a K20D.
   -----------------------------------
   
   ****CONTROLS :: The controls on the K20D are incredibly awesome. Everything is just *right*. Changes from the basic K200D layout:
   
   A) External Metering dial
   B) External bracketing button
   C) External focal point mode dial
   D) A second e-dial, which is great.
   
   I absolutely love, love, love K20D ergonomics and menu system.. I can operate the camera and all its functions without looking at it. I never press a button I don't intent to press, and I never confuse buttons. Things just "make sense". It's so hard to describe. This is worlds different coming from Canon and Nikon comparisons -- Perhaps it was my unfamiliarity with those cameras, but their menu systems, while flashy, were downright confusing.
   
   You also have a "Green Button" mode and a "User Mode" on the K20D which is very interesting -- You can set up a custom "profile" on the K20D in User mode which sounds cool, but truthfully I haven't used it yet.
   
   
   ****PERFORMANCE:
   
   The K20D performs admirably, just like the K200D. There are a few differences, though:
   
   1) The K20D has a MUCH improved buffer - I can shoot 15 RAW files at 3.0FPS (still low), compared to 4 RAW at 2.8 FPS on the K200D. Unfotunately the FPS on the K20D remains incredibly slow at full resolution.
   
   2) The K20D has a "burst" mode of 21 FPS at around 1.4MP. Neat to play around with but nothing special.
   
   3) ISO goes up to 3200 standard (K200D is maxed at 1600) with 6400 available. However, IQ drops severely after ISO 1600. ISO 3200 is OKAY if you have a picture with non-dark areas, but there is visible banding at ISO3200 and for the most part I avoid it. I use NoiseNinja on my ISO3200 images and they're acceptable if you're not going to crop.
   
   4) A noticeably improved viewfinder -- I can tell the difference immediately over the K200D. Brighter, nicer. Lovely.
   
   **** IMAGE QUALITY
   
   Great, just like the K200D. As a matter of fact, I really couldn't tell you the difference in IQ between two 100% crops of the cameras, except that the K20D's crop is going to be slightly larger from the added MP.
   
   I've tested this extensively with three lenses (DA 16-45, DA 55-300, DA* 50-135) and there is really no IQ difference between the cameras. I may need to get a high quality prime to tell the difference, and even then, you'll be pixel peeping.
   
   However, the K20D *DOES* allow you to get slightly larger prints before you start interpolating pixels, which is something to consider.
   
   
   ****OTHER:
   
   Live view - Almost worthless. I get hot pixels on the image when I use live view for any extended period of time. I've refused to upgrade to the 1.01 firmware for fear of it breaking some software compatibility. Nothing really important to me, though, because the Pentax implimentation of Liveview isn't that great.
   
   Sealing - Better than the K200D, but by how much I don't know. The battery and SD card doors are latch opened instead of slide opened like the K200D.
   
   Battery Performance -- Pretty good. Pentax has retained their rather uninformative battery meter, unfortunately. I really wish they'd get with the times and introduce a %-estimate for their battery meter.
   
   Autofocus Speed-- Absolutely zero difference between the K200D and the K20D -- I have tested this extensively with two lenses using a video camera for frame-accurate timing.
   
   Autofocus Performance -- Decent. Low light it suffers (EV5/6 or lower), but tries for accuracy, so I'm not sure what to say. I wish it were faster.
   
   
   
   OVERALL --- A highly recommended camera. Pentax makes some great glass. Match them up with a K20D and ENJOY shooting photos. The camera is an absolute ergonomic and control-layout pleasure to use. Menus make sense. Performance is good with just a few small things to gripe about.
   
   I really like the camera and it's recommended for those people not needing very fast FPS or first-party lenses past 300mm.

5 comments about Olympus Evolt E500 8MP Digital SLR (Body Only).

1. The E-500 is my first DSLR. I have owned it for about two years. Overall, the camera is not too bad for what it is, but you need deep pockets for any upgrades. Also, the kit lenses are soft (fuzzy). Later, you will find out that the "high grade" upgrade lens are soft, too. This camera is about the same level as the Canon Xti. If you have ever dreamt about learning professional photography, go with Canon or Nikon and forget about this camera.



2. I have been using SLR cameras for 30 years and have had a digital camera since they came out on the market, most will last at least 5 years. This thing began to break a week after I got it. The second time I removed the compact flash card two of the pins came with it which rendered the slot useless, fortunately the XD slot was still functioning. One week after the waranty expired the thing stopped working completely.
   The pictures were ok but nothing to brag about, my little Casio Exilim takes much better pictures than the Olympus ever took in any mode and it only cost $ 150 that was $ 500 less than the Olympus.
   Get a Fuji S700 or a sony DSC H5 they give professional results and require no expensive special batteries or cards. Both offer manual and automatic settings which work great and are simple to use for the beginner or the professional and both are under $ 250.



3. At the time I bought this camera, it was at the end of its product life. The E-510 had just come out and was selling for more than a $300 premium over the E-500. Yes, the E-510 has a better pixel count and image stabilization. But I just couldn't pass up the relative bargain of the E-500. It's a very satisfying camera. Very good picture quality, good lenses, decent manual (considering the complexity of digital SLRs, a good manual is a necessity) and light weight.
   
   My one complaint is the lack of a usable remote trigger. I have the infrared remote and it's really only useful for taking pictures of yourself as it must be aimed at the lens side of the camera. I like to take shots of birds at my bird feeder using a tripod and this remote is useless for this purpose.



4. OK, so I'm not a professional photographer (not for lack of desire or talent, mind you!). I'm actually very much the novice when it comes to camera equipment, but I'm learning. I've had one form of camera or another since the age of 7, though, and I know what I like.
   
   I got my Evolt 500 kit from my husband, Christmas 2007. This is my first GOOD camera and I'm wondering how I ever got along without it! I love the image quality I'm getting. I love the ease of use. I love the feel of it and, as I saw someone else write, the very satisfying sound of the shutter-click!
   
   I realize I still have much to learn about cameras and all of the bells and whistles that go with them, but I would absolutely recommend this camera to other beginning, aspiring photographers. I'm having a blast with it! By all means, this baby gets Five-plus stars from me.



5. I picked up this kit at Sam's Club a couple of months ago as a used camera for $200, and I couldn't be happier. The camera works wonderfully and takes marvelous pictures. For the everyday walking around camera, this kit completes your needs.

No comments about Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12MP Digital SLR Camera (Black) with Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8-4 DG AF Lens & Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro Telephoto Zoom Lens + 4GB Deluxe Accessory Kit.

5 comments about Canon EOS 6.3MP Digital Rebel Camera with 18-55mm Lens.

1. I'm hoping for a Digic III chip before buying a new one, but for anyone looking for a camera they can learn and experiment at a cheaper price, the 300D is your best choice.
   
   It offers the same basic usage as the newer canons; the 350 and 400D's without the "fancy; seldom used" features. If you're looking for a cheap DSLR for point and shot, this is it.
   
   If you can find a slightly used one, this will be a good choice to start before buying the more expensive ones. :)
   
   Me, i've upgrade to a used D60. same 6MP sensor but more of a MID-Pro camera. I might buy a 30D some day, if you have the money and is seriously looking forward to photography as a hobby, the 30D will be your choice.
   
   Just remember, the camera body is only half the equation, you need good quality lenses too, case in point, my lense collection is 3 times as much as i spend on my camera body.



2. I'm a photography novice and this is my first SLR. It's been a great camera since I bought it 2 years ago; very easy to use and very powerful. I can't see wanting a better camera when you're starting out like I am. There are many better cameras but I can't justify the cost with how little I know about photography.
   
   The software isn't great but it does the job. The only thing that's bad about the camera is that it makes you want to go out and start spending too much money on lenses and other equipment. I'd say photography is a pretty healthy hobby though.. who doesn't want to go out and take great sunset pictures?



3. I had this camera for a little over a year. Takes wonderful pictures, is very easy to carry around. I upgraded to the Rebel XTI, I wanted to upgrade to the 40D but after Nikon announced the D300 I knew the Canon 40D is not worth the asking price. I settled for the XTI until a more fully featured semi pro Canon would be released at a reasonable price. If you want a camera under $600 then the 300D Rebel XT is a good choice. For almost the same price you should go with the new 400D Rebel XTI. I would personally purchase the body only and buy a good lens, the lens that come with these models are not the best.



4. I am a hard core Technology Driven kind of guy. I am the type who people come to for technical answers, Computers, Laptops, Printers, and even Digital Cameras. My first exposure (no pun intended) with this camera happened when my estranged father came back in to my life, and to overcompensate for being out of my life for many many years, he gave me this digital camera. After saying no for too many times, and I felt that I began to offend him, I took the camera. Let me sum this camera up in three little letters..... WOW! I can not believe how easy this camera is to operate. This camera will do two things for you. #1 it will draw you into the hobby of photography, and #2 it will make you feel like you missed your calling, and that you should have been a professional photographer. You will most likely find yourself entering photo contests! I have been blown away at the photos I have taken. I think to myself... "Did I really take that photo?" If you get the camera, make sure to get two batteries and multiple memory cards you will need them as you will find yourself taking so many pictures with this camera. I have used so many digital cameras, bit the bullet and get this one!



5. I purchased this camera January 2005, my first digital SLR. This camera works great most of the time, does everything it is suppose to for the price I paid for. The few times it didn't work is in focusing. Even though I know the camera is in focus, but the Digital Rebel just wouldn't take the photo kept zooming in and out of focus. So I either 1) switch to manual mode or 2) turn the camera off and turn it back on again. Either way, then it would immediately work like the camera it is suppose to. The battery does drain quite a bit if you leave it on or on a cold day. I shot a lot in darker, high speed sports related events. And this camera has performed pretty well considering it is a beginner digital SLR.