The Best Digital SLR Under $1,000 |
Page updated: December 2007 |
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Trying to pin down the best digital SLR under $1,000 these days is no easy task. With camera prices on the move (and falling substantially in recent months) the individual SLRs that fall into this price range are constantly fluctuating. That's bad news for me - I have to keep re-writing this page - but great news for you, the individual in search of a new digital SLR. Before I get too deep into an analysis of the best digital SLR under $1,000 I need to identify the price range I'm talking about here: these are cameras that cost LESS than $1,000 but MORE than $600. A few short months ago, ANY digital SLR under $1,000 was considered a bargain. Today, there's a whole new category for cameras that cost less than $600. |
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The Competitors
Here's the list of the latest digital SLR cameras that you can get your hands on that cost between $600 and $1,000:
| MAKER | CAMERA | RELEASED | MEGAPIXELS | U.S. PRICE |
| Nikon | D40x | April 2007 | 10.2 | $ 620.00 |
| Canon | Rebel xTi | October 2006 | 10.1 | $ 645.00 |
| Pentax | K10D | December 2006 | 10.2 | $ 680.00 |
Extra Features
There are three new features that have emerged recently and are now being applied to all new digital SLR camera models:
- Built-in Image Stabilization (IS) - this feature helps you take clearer photos when you hold the camera in your hands
- Dust Control Sensor - these special sensors repel and shake off dust that can enter the camera when you change lenses
- Live View LCD - this lets you see a preview of the image you're ABOUT to take, which is common on compact cameras but NOT on SLRs
The table below shows you which of these features each camera includes:
| Camera | Built-in Stabilization | Dust Control | Live View LCD |
| Nikon D40x | |||
| Canon xTi | X | ||
| Pentax K10D | X | X |
But extra features alone don't make a great camera, so let's do a little more analysis.
Camera Comparisons
It's time for some head to head camera comparisons that will help us to weed out the best digital SLR under $1,000.
Let's eliminate one point of debate right now: image quality. Camera nitpickers love nothing more than to spend their days in deep analysis of the "quality" of photos captured by different digital SLR cameras.
I have no such bias, since I have seen beautiful images captured by every single one of the cameras that I have listed above. Want to judge for yourself?
Nikon D40x
The D40x is the 10 megapixel version of the D40, a small and lightweight entry-level digital SLR.
I can take this camera out of the running pretty fast.
The issue with the D40x is one of value: even though its price is equivalent with the other cameras, it doesn't include a SINGLE extra feature that I listed above.
While a live view LCD and built-in image stabilization might seem like more bling than you really need in your camera, a dust control system is immensly helpful. Over time, dust can collect on your camera's sensor, and without dust control the only way to get it off is to clean it yourself or have it professionally serviced.
Furthermore, the autofocus on the D40x only works with a limited number of Nikon lenses. Since the camera doesn't include an autofocus motor, the autofocus drive must be included in the lens (Nikon lenses with autofocus drives bear the AF-S and AF-I labels).
Canon Rebel xTi
My only real issue with this camera when I was using it for my Canon Rebel xTi Guide is that the standard kit lens that comes with it is sub-standard.
The kit lens simply doesn't have the optical quality that you'd expect from the leading manufacturer of digital SLR cameras.
Other than that, the camera has a responsive 9-point autofocus system, includes dust control, is compact yet easy to hold, and includes something called Picture Styles, which is essentially precise user control over how the camera captures color.
Although the xTi lacks built-in image stabilization, you can buy compatible image-stabilized lenses.
Pentax K10D
Last but not least comes the Pentax K10D, which is one of the top rated digital SLR cameras.
The K10D is the most feature-rich of the cameras listed here since it includes both a dust control system and built-in image stabilization.
In addition, the body of the camera is weather sealed, preventing dust and moisture from contaminating the digital guts.
It also allows for more discreet control of the ISO setting, and lets photographers quickly jump between JPG and RAW capture modes, so that image quality can be tailored to the subject.
My Pick
This may seem like a bit of a cop-out, but I think that the best digital SLR under $1,000 comes down to a two-way tie.
If you're looking for brand recognition, lens compatibility and want one of the top-selling digital SLR cameras of 2007, then your choice is going to be the Canon EOS Rebel xTi.
However, if you already own some Pentax lenses or are just getting started in the world of digital SLR photography, then the Pentax K10D is definitely worth a look.
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