Both Canon and Nikon have recently released new digital single lens reflex cameras. Each is aimed at the consumer market and is the result of continued improvements over previous bodies. As digital components get cheaper, and competition heats up, camera manufacturers are offering consumer users options that would have been unheard or prohibitively over-priced just a couple of years ago.


Nikon D80

The Nikon D80 replaces the highly successful D70 and D70s. The camera is the result of Nikon continually adjusting its products to meet what the market demands. The first big change the D80 has over previous models is the amount of megapixels it outputs. While the D70s only had
6.1 million pixels the D80 has 10.2, giving the photographer better options when it comes to file and picture sizes. The second improvement to the D80 is the ISO settings. Nikon has finally produced a consumer camera body allowing photographers to shoot at a low ISO of 100 instead of the 200 in previous models. At ISO100 images will be sharper and hold up better when enlarged.

Nikon has also reduced the overall size and weight of the camera making it easier to travel with. Other changes are a brighter and larger viewing screen, mirror lock-up (perfect for timed exposures), multiple exposures, faster continuous shooting (great for wildlife) and improved top panel information read outs. The only slight downsides are a reduced flash sync speed from 1/500sec to 1/200sec and a slower maximum shutter speed. Overall however, the D80 is a good piece of kit and will no doubt give Canon a run for the money in the consumer range of DSLR’s. High Street price: £849.99, includes 18-135mm lens. Web price: £749.99

Canon EOS 400D

Canon’s newest body is the EOS 400D. Always the innovator the improvements in the 400D over its cousin the 350D once again show why Canon has such a tight hold on the consumer digital SLR market.
Although based on the 350D body, keeping its relative small size and weight, there are a few significant changes that make the 400D probably the best consumer DSLR available today.

The first change over the 350D is another 2 megapixels of sensor output, bringing it up to 10.1 megapixels. More importantly however is the inclusion of a new dust removal system that includes anti-static surface coatings, low pass filter vibration and software that will recognize dust patterns for automatic removal. This feature alone is a good reason to buy the 400D.

Canon has also taken the 9-point Auto Focus feature from the more expensive 30D and incorporated it into the 400D. Other improvements include a longer burst rate in continuous shooting mode and a larger and brighter viewing screen. High Street price: £529.99, includes 18-55mm lens. Web Price: 499.99.

Overall

There is no doubt Canon’s 400D and Nikon’s D80 are great improvements over previous models. Each company knows that buyers want better picture results but don’t want to spend the mortgage on new gear. These two new bodies are equally good and the choice of which one to buy will probably come down to consumers getting the best price.

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