PMA 07, run by the Photo Marketing Association, is the world’s largest photo imaging convention and trade show and was held in Vegas this year from March 8–11. With the latest products from more than 650 companies and over 200 educational sessions full of innovative ideas, PMA 07 was the photo imaging event of the year.
In the spirit of PMA, this month’s article features 10MP digital SLR cameras which are ideal for professional graphic applications. With a 10MP camera you can print a decent 9”x12” 300dpi image, which is suitable for magazine covers. To avoid any favoritism, this list is presented here in alphabetical order.
Canon XTi
The Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi offers a combination of performance, ease of use, and value. It has a newly designed 10.1 MP Canon CMOS sensor plus a host of new features including a 2.5–inch LCD monitor, the exclusive EOS Integrated Cleaning System featuring a Self Cleaning Sensor, and Canon’s Picture Style technology, all in a lightweight, ergonomic body.
Key Features:
- 10.1 megapixel APS–C Size CMOS Sensor with Self Cleaning Sensor Unit
- Large 2.5–inch LCD monitor
- 9–Point Auto Focus System
- Fast 3 frames–per–second shooting with 27–frame burst
- DIGIC II Image Processor
- startup time of 0.2 seconds
- $899 (US) with the Canon 18–55 EF–S lens
Canon EOS–1D Mark III Digital SLR
The Canon 1D Mark III Digital SLR camera is the world’s fastest digital SLR camera and, as such, is the camera of choice for many photojournalists & sport event photographers. At 10 frames per second, the 10.1 megapixel 1D Mark III can fire huge motor–driven bursts of 110 large JPEGs or 30 RAW files because it employs the new Dual DIGIC III image processor engine, providing enough computational horsepower to do parallel processing at a rate unmatched by any other digital SLR.
Key Features:
- 10.1 megapixels featuring the EOS Integrated Cleaning System
- Large 3.0–inch LCD monitor, featuring Live View function
- High–precision Auto Focus system with 19 user–selectable AF points and 26 additional “assist points”
- Shooting up to 10 fps, with a burst rate up to 110 full–resolution JPEG images or 30 RAW images
- Superior low–light performance and faster operation
- New lighter body with enhanced weather resistance featuring a shutter that’s durability–tested to 300,000 exposures
- Dual “DIGIC III” Image Processors produce superb image quality fast
- Fully compatible with over 50 EF lenses and a wide range of EOS System accessories
- $4695 (US) for body only
Nikon D80
The new Nikon D80’s combination of high–end features and its 18–135mm DX kit lens make it a great photographic tool for the intermediate amateur photographer who can’t afford or justify the extra cost of the Nikon D200
Key Features:
- 10.2 megapixels, with self–cleaning sensor
- 2.5” LCD color monitor with 170–degree, wide–angle viewing
- 11–area AF system with Wide–area Center Segment and Auto–area AF functions
- Continuous shooting at up to 3 frames per second and up to 100 consecutive JPEG images
- 100 to 1600 (ISO equivalent)
- Instant 0.18 sec. start–up with fast 80ms shutter response
- $1299.95 (US) Packaged with 18–135mm DX Zoom Nikkor lens
Nikon D200
The Nikon D200 has more possible custom settings than the average photographer would ever need but if you have specialized photographic needs, you will enjoy the extensive settings menu and exposure flexibility available.
Key Features:
- 10.2 megapixel DX Format CCD image sensor
- 2.5–inch LCD monitor with wide angle viewing to 170 degrees
- 11–area Multi–CAM AF System with 7 Area Wide AF
- Durable magnesium alloy (Mg) body
- 5 frames per second in continuous bursts of up to 22 NEF (RAW) or 37 JPEG
- Instant power–up in just 0.15 seconds
- $1999.95 (US) Packaged with 18–70mm DX Zoom Nikkor lens2
Olympus E–410
At PMA, Olympus announced an upgraded and improved version of the E–400 digital SLR which they first revealed at Photokina. The E–410 has a 10 MP Live MOS sensor which provides it with Live View capability as well as improved high sensitivity performance. Other improvements include implementation of the TruePic III processor, better buffering of continuous frames, and shadow adjustment technology in play mode.
Key Features:
- 10 megapixel Live MOS sensor
- 2.5”/6.4cm Hyper Crystal LCD
- 3–point TTL phase difference detection
- 3 fps with up to seven images in RAW buffer
- Supersonic Wave Filter for dust protection
- Dual memory card slots (for XD Picture Card and CompactFlash)
- AF–lock functionality
- $799 (US) with 14–42mm Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens
Olympus E–510
PMA also saw Olympus debut the big brother to the E–410, the Olympus E–510 which offers the same 10–megapixel resolution and Live MOS sensor, but is slightly larger and adds sensor–shift image stabilization. In a completely new body, the E–510 looks both stylish and purposeful and features a wide range of features aimed at both the serious amateur and the semi–professional.
Key Features:
- 10 megapixel Live MOS sensor
- 2.5”/6.4cm Hyper Crystal LCD
- dedicated auto focus system offers 3 selectable AF points
- 3 fps with up to seven images in RAW buffer
- Mechanical Image Stabilization for Sharp Images
- Supersonic Wave Filter for dust protection
- AF–lock functionality
- $999 (USA) with a 14–42mm Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens
Pentax K10D
After a slow start into the digital revolution and a series of 6MP offerings, Pentax now has a serious 10MP contender. Announced on 14 September 2006, just in time for Photokina 2006, the new K10D is Pentax’s first foray into the serious–amateur digital SLR market.
Key Features:
- 10.2 effective megapixel CCD
- Large 2.5” LCD display with 140 degree viewing angle
- 11–point AF (with 9 cross–type points)
- Shake Reduction CCD–shift image stabilizer
- Two–prong dust removal system
- Dust–proof, weather–resistant body
- 9 RAW or an unlimited number of JPEGs at 3 frames/second
- $999 (US) with an 18–55 mm lens
Samsung GX–10
In September 2006, Samsung announced the launch of the 10.2 megapixel GX–10 digital SLR, the first DSLR from the company directed towards the discerning enthusiast photographer searching for comprehensive functions and ease of use.
Key features:
- 10.2 megapixel CCD sensor with Dust–free CCD dust removal system
- Brightness adjustable and wide–angle view 2.5” TFT LCD
- TTL phase–matching 11 points wide AF
- Continuous shooting of 3 pictures per second (up to memory full)
- Shake reduction with image–sensor shift mechanism
- Support high sensitivity ISO 1600
- TTL open–aperture 16 segment metering system
- $999
(US) with a Pentax DA 18–55mm zoom lens
Sony DSLR–A100
The Sony Alpha DSLR–A100 is the first digital SLR for the Japanese consumer electronics giant. If it looks like the Konica Minolta Maxxum 5D and 7D, that’s no coincidence: Sony bought KM’s camera business in 2005. The A100 shares the same basic design as the 5D and 7D, which includes the lens mount and CCD–based image stabilizer.
Key Features:
- 10.2 megapixel APS–C–sized CCD sensor
- Large 2.5–inch TFT color Clear Photo LCD Plus
- 9–point AF with Wide, Spot, and Focus Area Selection
- shoots continuously at three frames per second
- Anti–dust system automatically shakes dust off the imager
- ISO Range: 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600
- $999 (US) DSLR–A100K kit, which includes a 18–70mm zoom lens
Peter Dulis
Wide Format Printing Specialist
T: 647.895.3315
E: pdulis@iprimus.ca
