Every best Digital SLR camera will have High-resolution capturing system, fast shutter speed, high shooting rate, and a wide selection of image processing settings. Each of these utilizes advanced technologies to contribute on the faithful reproduction of scenes and these are the top notch 10 DSLR of the Year 2012.
Sony SLT-A65
As the long-awaited replacement for the DSLR-700, the Sony SLT-A65 promises up to 64% increase in video resolution and 100% progressive screen updates with its TruFinder design. This innovative technology does further than DSLR-style autofocus for live view and video. Its output video is much smoother, giving aspiring film enthusiasts a more life-like shooting experience without the hassles of making manual adjustments.
The Sony SLT-A65 works similarly with a slightly higher-class model, the Sony SLT-A77. Unlike the latter model, the Sony SLT-A65 offers a more affordable price since it is basically intended for consumer-level applications. Its main features include a 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor, 15 points 3 cross-type AF sensor, and a double-hinged LCD with 1080p60 AVCHD 2.0 video. Its maximum shutter speed is 1/4000th at a 10 fps continuous shooting rate. Its 2.4M dot OLED TruFinder technology also works along with the Translucent Mirror Technology to enable the best possible picture for fast-action shots. This camera model provides three HD movie modes, which are the Super-smooth 60p, standard 60i, and richly cinematic 24-p. These modes come at Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution. When it comes to physical aspects, the Sony SLT-A65 comes in a slim-shaped plastic body construction with conveniently located controls. Read user reviews Sony SLT-A65…
Sigma SD1
Starting from its physical details, the Sigma SD1 camera has a magnesium alloy body that provides rugged durability and optimum resistance to dust and water. It also protects the interior from mechanical shock and electromagnetic interference. Adding to that is its perfectly designed shape, light body weight, and well-arranged controls for the convenience of the user.
Another main feature that makes Sigma SD1 an ideal camera is its 46 MP direct image and full color sensor. In its image capturing system, the designation of the RGB pixels is done by a 15 MP CFA sensor. This sensor utilizes three layers of photodiodes in order to capture the entire primary colors information of light and thus, provide full color capture system. Likewise, the camera’s dual true image processing engine improves the quality of the processing speed and image details. It also enables the camera to simultaneously record both JPEG and RAW files.
For a flexible control over metering, this camera features four metering modes. These modes are the 77-segment evaluative, center weighted average, center area, and spot metering. Other main features of the Sigma SD1 include the two-motor anti-vibration system, 11-point autofocus, functional user interface, advanced DDR III buffer, wide coverage viewfinder, and 3” TFT color LCD monitor. Read user reviews Sigma SD1…
Nikon D5100
A CMOS image sensor, variable-angle monitor, and EXPEED 2 image-processing engine – these are just three of the promising features of the Nikon D5100 camera. The high-resolution Nikon DX-format CMOS image sensor provides superior quality of image and rich tone expressions. It also has a High Dynamic Range (HDR) function for up to 16.2-million pixel count. The sensor has standard sensitivity settings of ISO 100-6400 that can be increased up to Hi 2 or ISO 25600. The 3-inch 921k-dot high-resolution vari-angle monitor opens from 0 to 180 degrees sideward and rotates up to 90 degrees clockwise. This gives the user the chance to shoot at a wide range of angles. For supreme noise reduction and high-speed image processing, this camera’s EXPEED 2 is guaranteed to improve the captured image details and tones over a high sensitivity range. The performance of this image processing engine is also energy efficient, whether shooting fast-action or still scenes.
Users of the Nikon D5100 may also use the Special Effects mode, which includes Favorite Special Effects Selective Color, Night Vision, Color Sketch, and Miniature Effect. When capturing scenes with extreme contrasts, this camera can help the user achieve richer color gradation and exquisite details. Plus, this camera has a high-speed continuous shooting of 4 frames per second. Read user reviews Nikon D5100 …
Canon EOS 1100D
With features like 12 megapixels APS-sized sensor, ISO 100-6400 sensitivity, wide-area 9-point AF system, and 63-zone iFCL exposure metering, there is no doubt that the Canon EOS 1100D is among the most sophisticated DSLR camera models nowadays. The 12MP sensor of this camera is incorporated with a 14-bit DIGIC 4 image processor to provide up to 3.2 fps continuous shooting speed and superior image quality. This camera is also usable with any EF and EF-S lenses.
The Canon EOS 1100D camera also features easy to use scene modes. The theme-based modes can automatically pick the most appropriate type or level of focus and exposure. On the other hand, the drive mode settings are more applicable for photograph applications while the creative auto mode showcases adjustable functions. This gives the user a broad selection of capture settings. Other than that, the HD EOS movie mode of the Canon EOS 1100D enables the user shoot stunning HD video rated at 25 or 30 frames per second. It includes an automatic exposure control for a more concentrated capturing. Users may also compose and review images on the 230,000-dot LCD screen of this camera. This screen can also be used to connect the camera’s menu system to the Quick control screen. Read user reviews Canon 1100D …
Canon EOS 600D
The Canon EOS 600D is one of the most user-friendly and stylish DSLR camera models of today. It has an 18-MP CMOS sensor which has an APS-C size. This sensor can effectively capture high-resolution images with superior detail and clarity. The sensitivity of this camera is rated at ISO 100-6400 standard. Through this excellent sensitivity rating, the camera can capture videos or images in low-light conditions without using the built-in flash. There is also a scene intelligent auto mode, which is capable of analyzing each scene and picking the most suitable camera settings that will provide the most faithful reproduction of scenes.
Just like other recent Canon DSLR camera models, the Canon EOS 600D also includes the Basic+ technology. This technology allows users to customize the basic auto setting based on the scene’s ambience or lighting conditions. Another key feature of this camera model is the Creative Filter Effects that can be applied to the post capture of RAW and JPEG files. Included to these effects are Soft Focus, Black Fish Eye, Toy Camera, Miniature, Black & White, and Grainy simulations. Aside from that, the Canon EOS 600D also features a built-in wireless flash control. This integrated controller is basically intended to allow users capture through off-camera TTL flash without using any extra peripherals. Read user reviews Canon 600D …
Pentax K-r
A good combination of promising features can be found in Pentax K-r. One of these key features is the 11 point SAFOX IX autofocus system, which includes a dedicated AF assist lamp for a highly responsive and accurate image capturing system. It works perfectly with the device’s viewfinder focus point indicator that confirms the focus area of an image and the in-camera image processing engine that includes special effects filters. These features can produce widescreen HD video rated at 720 pixels and 25 frames per second.
The capture of detailed images of high color accuracy with very low noise is done through the camera’s 12.4MP CMOS sensor. For a broader range of capture settings, the Pentax K-r provides powerful automatic shooting modes such as the Auto Picture mode. The HDR image capture system, on the other hand, is responsible for the blending options and better pixel registration. This function enables easier operation of the camera without the need of a tripod.
With regards to file storage, the Pentax K-r includes the IrSimple technology. This technology is a high-quality infrared data transfer for convenient file transferring and sharing. It can also be used for a unique camera-to-camera image comparison mode. Additionally, this camera features SDXC memory card compatibility that is regulated through firmware update. Read user reviews Pentax KR …
Nikon D3100
There are several amazing features the Nikon D3100 has that could be of great help for aspiring filmmakers who want to capture scenes with optimum image details. First of these features is the newly developed DX-format CMOS sensor having an effective pixel count of 14.2 megapixels. This high-end sensor works hand in hand with the camera’s EXPEED 2 image processing engine. With this tandem, the Nikon D3100 can product highly detailed images with faithful color and excellent tonal gradations. It also has an ISO 3200 sensitivity standard, which enables capturing images that are free of shake blur in dim lit settings.
Adding to those features is the active D-Lighting that answers the problem with the extreme contrast between lights and shades. With this function, users no longer need to worry of loss of image tone and details when shooting in bright sunlight. For the picture customization, the Nikon D3100 camera also features six picture control settings. These settings are the Standard, Vivid, Monochrome, Neutral, Landscape, and Portrait. Aside from that, users may also adjust the camera’s brightness, contrast, color saturation, and sharpness settings to achieve the most desirable reproduction of scenes. Other features of the Nikon D3100 include the 3-inch HD LCD monitor and HDMI compatibility. Read user reviews Nikon D3100 …
Nikon D7000
Speed and accuracy are the two main factors where the Nikon D7000 excels among the long list of advanced DSLR cameras. This is mainly brought by its Scene Recognition System that includes a 2,016-pixel RGB sensor and image sensor. This system automatically analyzes the given conditions on the subject before it shoots and delivers auto control with excellent accuracy. It is also capable of detecting up to 35 human faces through its face-priority AF for Live View and movie recording. Another important component of this system is the Multi-CAM 4800DX autofocus sensor module. The main functions of this module include detection and tracking of the subject with 39 precise focus points. It has four selectable AF area modes, which can be used by the user according to a given scene. These modes are the single-point AF, dynamic-area AF, 3D-tracking, and auto-area AF.
The Nikon D7000 also has an intelligent auto white balance algorithm whose function is to accurately detect the light source that will render white as truly white. Meanwhile, this camera features a viewfinder technology that includes glass pentaprism, 100 % frame coverage, and about 0.94x high-magnification rating. Lastly, this camera employs newly developed mirror driving, aperture, and shutter mechanisms for high-speed continuous shooting. Through this, image capturing can be up to 6 frames per second shooting rate. Read user reviews Nikon D7000 …
Canon EOS 60D
With an 18 MP CMOS sensor in tandem with a DIGIC 4 Imaging Processor, it is undeniable that the Canon EOS 60D has a lot to offer when it comes to high-resolution image capturing. It has a maximum shooting rate of 5.3 fps for continuous shooting, which is equivalent to almost 58 large-sized JPEG or 16 RAW files. Included to the other important features of this DSLR camera model are enhanced iFCL 63-zone dual-layer metering system and 9-point AF system that utilizes a 2.8 cross-type center point precision. Also, this camera is compatible with all models of Canon EF and EF-S lenses.
Shooting at a wide range of angles is also highly possible with Canon EOS 60D. The camera’s 3-inch clear view LCD monitor can be rotated in 3 axes, whether shooting hand-held or with the use of a tripod. Another good thing about this camera is its compatibility with SD, SDHC, and SDXC memory cards.
In terms of recording system, the Canon EOS 60D uses the design rule for Camera File System 2.0 and Exif 2.3. The available file sizes with this camera are the large, medium, small 1, small 2, small 3, RAW, M-RAW, and S-RAW. The color space technologies used are sRGB and Adobe RGB. Read user reviews Canon 60D …
Sony SLT-A77
Capturing the best images of fast-action, average-action, and still scenes can be conveniently done with the excellent features of the Sony SLT-A77 camera. Its image sensor has a 24.3 MP pixel count, which is the highest full HD resolution among APS-C DSLRs as of August of 2011. It also includes AVCHD codec that is essential in achieving stunning picture quality.
The Sony SLT-A77 camera has a full-time phase detection AF whose function is to provide fast and accurate auto focus in each mode of operation. This detection AF also incorporates Sony’s exclusive Translucent Mirror Technology. Other than that, this DSLR camera includes an object tracking AF. This feature is responsible for locking the focus onto a particular subject even as it moves. Zooming without affecting the focus is also possible while using this function.
Two other key features of the Sony SLT-A77 are the Auto+ or advanced auto mode and the dynamic range optimizer (DRO). The Auto+ mode can be used to get cleaner and more dynamic pictures, minus the missed shots. It also automatically recognizes the suitable scene mode. Meanwhile, the function of the DRO is to improve the images with backlit subjects and recover the hidden details brought by the shadows. All of the mentioned functions are regulated by the camera’s upgraded BIONZ image processor. Read user reviews Sony SLT A77 …
When choosing among these DSLR camera models, the most important thing to remember is to base the decision on the main purpose of using such device. Some of these models are superior in terms of speed and accuracy while some of these are ideal when it comes to image processing special effects.