Buying a digital SLR is not as straightforward as buying a digital camera. We believe the 3 cameras we’ve chosen have a price tag and specification to a range of owners. They are:

CANON EOS 50D 17-85 IS KIT

The E0S 50D is designed with beginners and professionals in mind. Its 15.1-megapixel CMOS sensor – which can reach sensitivity levels of up to ISO 6,400 – and 6.3 frames per second, is more than good enough for a pro photographer there are plenty of other features that are bound to get those who are excited by neat gadgets and clever technology. For a start, the focus can be seen though the camera’s 7.6cm Live View LCD display, as well as its viewfinder. The display is also equipped with face recognition feature. The EOS 50D is also compatible with Compact Flash UDMA cards allowing you to copy files at the same rate. For those who are serious about photography but are just starting out, this is a great choice because of its lens. The increase in quality in the 50D compared with smaller lenses is big and so is its range, meaning you can have versatility with shooting without having to buy more lenses and changing lenses while shooting. At first, at least…

Canon EOS 5D MKII + 24-105 F4 kit

While the E0S 5D MKII shares various features with the E0S 50D, such as its magnesium alloy body and incredibly high ISO speed capability making them both ideal for shooting in the lowest of low lights. Its step up in price is certainly justified by the step-up in sheer capability.

For a start is has outstanding resolution; utilising Canon’s DIGIC 4 processor and 3.9 fps to create outstanding reproduction of colours and subtle tonal gradations. The E0S 5D MKII also features 21.1MP full frame CMOS sensor which captures images that surpasses the standards demanded by the leading picture agencies.

This clarity is extended it perhaps its best feature: Full HD movie recording. That’s 1080p, 30fps and can capture to memory card without losing the ability to capture usable still images that are equally striking and bursting with colours and details.

In terms of preparing and reviewing shots; its extra large viewfinder allows for a true wide angle experience and its High-res 3” VGA LCD (again with Live View) displays three types of auto focus: Quick AF, Live AF, and Face Detection Live AF. Each automatically locks onto faces detected in the frame and allows for ultra-detailed image review in a variety of conditions.

Last but not least; it will last you. The E0S 5D MKII has an Integrated Cleaning System that offers three ways of guarding images against the effects of internal dust build-up.

SONY DSLRA350X

The DSLR-A350 is a particularly good choice of SLR if you’re used to standard digital camera technology and are looking to make the transition to SLR. It’s easy to set up your photos on this camera, because just like a digital camera with regards to how the navigation, reviewing and monitoring is displayed on its 2.7 inch screen. It also tilts upwards and downwards to help find the perfect shot in even the most awkward positions – particularly good if you’re the type of photography who loves to experiment with angles and compositions. Especially because the model includes Quick AF Live View which gives you the added benefits of fast, accurate autofocus plus live image preview when setting up shots through the display screen.

Sony’s equivalent to Canon’s DIGIC 4 is its BIONZ processor; a high-resolution sensor that delivers 14.2 megapixel images of incredible precession, sharpness and noticeably less noise effects compared with other SLR cameras.
Overall, the DSLR-A350 is engineered for non-nonsense photography. It’s versatile and includes features designed to make capturing atmospheric, unusual images in varying light conditions with optimum ease and security. For instance, its SteadyShot feature reduces camera shake when taking handheld shots – which is hugely beneficial if you regularly use high-zoom with your shots.

The ST550 and ST500 digital cameras have a second 1.5 inch LCD in the front of the camera which enables you to frame yourself.  Then, using the Smart Gesture User interface with the built in orientation sensor, all you need do is simply tap the camera to get it to perform certain tasks like focusing or firing off the shutter.

There are definitely some pretty impressive features with these cameras. Like the ‘Children’ mode for example, where the front LCD plays a fun animation to capture a child’s attention whilst their photo is being taken. Smart Face Recognition technology remembers faces it sees frequently and automatically prioritises them when focusing on future shots. ‘Beauty Shot’ mode is a nice feature too where facial skin is retouched to three different user defined levels for smoother and brighter skin tones.

The LCD screens on the back of these digital cameras are huge – 3” for the ST500 and 3.5” for the ST550 in fact, almost four times the size of many other digital cameras. Both are 12.2 mega pixel cameras with a 27mm Schneider Kreuznach wide angle lens and 4.6x optical zoom, plus they record HD video in 1280×720p resolution at 30 frames per second in H.264 format giving you more room on your memory card for images and movies.

Steve Mitchelll, General Manager of the Samsung Digital Imaging Division Marketing said “these cameras are the very first of their kind”. These uber cool digital cameras will be released in the UK at the end of August 2009. 

The Sony Party-shot IPT-DS1 is digital camera dock that pans 360 degrees and tilts 24 degrees, automatically adjusts composition and takes photos for you!

Sony refer to this as a “personal photographer” and its easy to see why. You can control the pan angle range, movement speed, shooting frequency and flash mode, the Intelligent Scene Recognition, Face Detection and Smile Shutter ensures your pictures are of smiley happy people.

The Party-shot digital camera dock is currently compatible with Sony’s new Cybershot cameras – the DSC-WX1 and DSC-TX1. Pricing information is not yet available for the UK, but this innovative conversational party piece is available for around $150 in the US.

Does this sound like a great idea to you? Or, do you prefer to decide for yourself the moments you wish to capture?

The 12.1 megapixel digital camera delivers outstanding pictures, as is standard with Nikon and its comes with a 2.7 inch LCD viewscreen, is able to capture HD video at 1280 x 720 pixels and has a 5x wide angle NIKKOR lens.

Nikon haven’t skimmed on any of features either. The Coolpix S1000pj digital camera is quite literally crammed full of nifty tools to ensure the best images can be achieved. These include five image stabilising features, 16 scene modes for optimised shooting in various settings, D-Lighting, Active Zoom, Auto Sort and Favourite Picture functions, four movie modes with sound, time zone function, Quick Retouch, Smart Portrait System with Skin Softening, 36mb of internal memory and high speed USD connectivity.

Viewing and sharing images with friends will now only require a flat surface – images up to 40 inches can be projected up 2 metres and there is even a nifty projector stand and remote control included.

This is considered by many to be a ground breaking achievement and Nikon have definitely given cause for the digital camera manufacturers to up their game!

President Barack Obama is certainly one to embrace the digital age and for the first time ever, an official presidential portrait has been taken with a digital camera.

The picture, taken by the new official White House photographer Peter Souza, was shot using a Canon EOS 5D Mark II digital camera.

And, as it’s a digital picture, the photo’s Exif data shows the 1916 x 2608 resolution picture was shot using  ISO 100, and a focal length of 105mm, on 13 January 2009.

The Canon EOS 5D Mark II Digital Camera is for sale at Giant Buyer for £2,470.20 including the 24-105 lens kit.