The Fastest Consumer Digital SLR

Page updated: October 2007

The fastest digital SLR camera is definitely not for everyone.

If you are a portrait or landscape photographer you have no need for a camera like this. Since your subjects aren't zipping all over the place, paying a premium for speed is a waste.

On the other hand, if you're a die-hard action junkie, then having the fastest digital SLR camera will help you capture shots that would not be possible with a slower camera.

Compare SLR Cameras

Introduction By Megapixels By Cost (Inexpensive) By Ratings (Top Rated) By Size (Smallest) By Speed (Fastest) By Special Features

Consumer Speed vs. Professional Speed

Before I talk too much more about the fastest digital SLR, a disclaimer is in order.

Since the Digital SLR Guide is geared toward the average consumer instead of the professional photographer, I am leaving the pro cameras out of this analysis.

Yes, professional digital SLRs are faster than their consumer counterparts, but they SO expensive that they're priced outside the range of most non-pros.

Therefore, this discussion about the fastest digital SLR will focus on models that are more within the price range of consumers.

How to Compare Camera Speeds

There are two obvious way to compare camera speeds:

Photos Per Second - also called frames per second (or FPS) this indicates how many photos the camera can capture in 1 second
Number of Continuous Photos - also called a BUFFER, it's the number of back-to-back shots the camera can take before the FPS rate slows down

Think of FPS and Buffer like marbles being dropped into a funnel. When you start out, the funnel is empty, so you can drop marbles into it as fast as you can go.

Let's say that you can drop marbles into the funnel at a rate of 5 marbles per second. This is equivalent to FPS.

Since the marbles don't fall out of the funnel at the same speed you put them in, at some point the funnel is going to fill with marbles. The funnel is equivalent to the Buffer. Once the funnel/buffer fills up, you have to add marbles at a slower rate so the funnel doesn't overflow.

The Fastest Digital SLR

As it turns out, you're going to have some choice here: there are actually TWO cameras that are significantly faster than the competition.

When it comes to pure undiluted photography power, the two current consumer digital SLRs that fit the bill are the Nikon D300 and the Canon 40D.

Here's how the two compare:

Camera	Megapixels	Autofocus	FPS	Buffer	Release Date	Avg. Cost
Canon 40D	10.2	9-point	6.5	75	September 2007	$1,300
Nikon D200	12.3	51-point	6/8*	100	November 2007	$1,800

* 8fps is only possible with the optional MB-D10 battery grip.

Without the optional battery grip, the FPS rates on both the 40D and D300 are comparable: 6.5 versus 6. But the Nikon gets the edge in the buffer department (100 continuous shots vs. 75) and also has just a few more autofocus points.

However, the extra buffer, autofocus points and 2 extra megapixels will run you about $500 more, so it's worthwhile to for you to determine if the difference is really important to you.

Nikon D300

Release Date	November 2007
Key Features	12.3 megapixels, 51-point autofocus, dust control, live view
Uniqueness	Fastest consumer SLR
Great For	Action
Level	Advanced to semi-professional
Avg. Kit Price	$1,800
Compare prices for the D300 at Shopzilla, Amazon or Adorama

Canon EOS 40D

Release Date	September 2007
Key Features	10 megapixels, dust control, 3 inch live view LCD, weather sealed
Uniqueness	Fastest consumer DSLR
Great For	Action
Level	Advanced to semi-professional
Avg. Kit Price	$1,500
Compare prices for the 40D at Shopzilla, Amazon or Adorama

Do You Really Need It?

If you're willing to pay the price, either one of these cameras will suit you well if you're an action photographer.

I have a pretty broad definition of action photography: simply put, I think that there is a wider audience for the fastest digital SLR than just people who want to photograph sporting events.

While sports do require speedy cameras like the 30D and D200, there are plenty of other subjects where a fast camera can make a difference:

Wildlife - skittish birds and mammals are hard to capture if you don't have a speedy SLR
Children - my son moves SO much that I'm happy I have a fast SLR to capture the moment when he ACTUALLY looks at the camera
Pets - while cats don't warrant the fastest SLR, it's much easier to photograph active dogs with a camera like this in your hands

And - of course - if nothing brings you greater joy than taking photos at a NASCAR race, then you'll be happy that you decided to buy one of the fastest digital SLR cameras you could get.