Gadgets of the Week: SLR Cameras
FOR snapping weekend shenanigans, compact digital cameras are just fine. But if you want to take your photography to the next level then it’s an SLR for you.
Once the preserve of the professional snapper, digital SLRs are more affordable than ever and offer unbelievable versatility in taking a huge range of shots.
The acronym SLR stands for Single Lens Reflex, and in a nutshell this means that you see exactly what the lens sees.
For starters...
Sony A300 – £339.00 from www.jessops.com
The newest kid on the SLR block has certainly caused the more established players to take notice. This A300 with its ten-megapixel resolution and decent lens produces very sharp snaps. Impressing us the most is a battery life that can cope with taking up to 750 pictures.
Canon D50 – £1,271.05 from www.amazon.co.uk
Any SLR round-up must have at least one Canon contender. These folk have been at the top of their game for many years now. This model, although expensive, offers an incredible ISO (sensitivity to light sensor) of over 12,000, meaning it can take pictures in places where there is little or no light with decent results.
Nikon D90 – £799.00 from www.jessops.com
This is the first digital SLR that allows you to shoot in movie mode for those occasions when still snaps just don’t capture the action adequately. It also offers good snaps through the 12 megapixel sensor and features-a-plenty.
Olympus E520 Evolution – £1,499.99 from www.abc-digital-cameras.co.uk
If you have been with an SLR for some time and are looking to trade up, this set-up will suit you well. Packed with four lenses, a wireless flash unit and complete with a couple of 1GB memory cards, this is for serious snappers – especially given the second-hand car price tag.
