Small Sized Digital SLR Camera

Page updated: July 2007

A small sized digital SLR camera is the ideal travel companion.

It can go anywhere you go, and you won't wind up with neck strain or hand cramps from carrying it around all day.

Small sized SLR cameras are also a good option if you travel in regions where you don't want everyone around you aware that you're carrying an $800 camera.

You can slip a camera like this into a small shoulder or waist pack, and no one will be the wiser that you're toting around a high-end digital SLR.

Compare SLR Cameras

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

Batteries and Lenses

Before you begin to compare small sized digital SLR cameras, remember these two points:

Weight is added by the battery
Size and weight is added by the lens

While batteries don't add huge amounts of weight to the camera, some manufacturers have gone to great lengths to keep battery weight at a minimum.

Here's my suggestion if you pop by your local camera retailer to hold some cameras and compare the weight: make sure they've got batteries inside.

Since the camera won't do a thing without it's battery, you really can't judge how much it weighs without one.

Lenses are an entirely different story: there is huge variation in the size and weight of lenses, and your selection here will vastly affect the portability of your camera.

While you may start out with a small-sized digital SLR, you can easily negate this advantage by slapping a huge heavy lens on the front of it.

Small Sized Digital SLR Cameras

At this time, there are four contenders in the small-sized SLR camera category (sizes and weights listed are without lenses or batteries):

Camera	Megapixels	Dimensions (Width x Height x Depth)		Weight
Camera	Megapixels	Inches	Millimeters	Ounces	Grams
Olympus E-410	10	5.1 x 3.6 x 2.1	130 x 91 x 53	13.2	374
Nikon D40	6.1	5.0 x 3.7 x 2.5	127 x 93 x 64	17	482
Nikon D40x	10.2	5.0 x 3.7 x 2.5	127 x 93 x 64	16	454
Canon Rebel xTi	10.2	5.0 x 3.7 x 2.6	127 x 93 x 66	18	510

In the size category, the Olympus E-410 is just slightly smaller than either the Nikon D40 or the Canon Rebel xTi. However, there is a more substanial difference in weight.

So, if you're really just looking for the smallest and lightest digital SLR camera, then the E-410 is the camera for you.

While size and weight are probably important to you - you wouldn't be reading this otherwise - you might also be interested in some of the other features that each camera offers.

Here's the quick overview:

The E-410 is the only one of the four with a live view LCD that works like a compact digital camera
Both the E-410 and the Canon xTi have dust control systems
The D40 and D40x have an LCD display that helps beginning photographers learn the camera's features
The D40 and D40x are compatible with a limited numberof Nikon lenses
The E-410 uses the Olympus 4/3 sensor, which is better suited for large print sizes
The Nikon D40 is also one of the top rated digital SLR cameras

And here's some more detailed information about each one of these small sized digital SLR cameras:

Olympus E-410

Release Date	June 2007
Key Features	10 megapixels, dust control, compact and light
Uniqueness	Live view
Great For	Travel
Level	Beginner
Avg. Kit Price	$800
Competitors	Canon Rebel xTi, Nikon D40x
The E-410 packs a lot of punch into its compact frame. Even though it's almost the same size as a compact digital camera, it still includes dust control and a live view LCD screen, making the transition from compact to SLR much easier.
Compare prices for the E-410 at Shopzilla, Amazon or Adorama

Nikon D40

Release Date	December 2006
Key Features	6.1 megapixels, 2.5in. LCD, SD Memory
Uniqueness	Helpful LCD
Great For	Learning photography
Level	Beginner
Avg. Kit Price	$525
Competitors	Canon 350D, Pentax K110D, Samsung GX-1L
The D40 features an innovative LCD display that actually SHOWS you how changing camera settings affects your images. It's a great tool for photographers who are learning terms like aperture, shutter speed and ISO. The D40 is also the smallest, lightest and cheapest Nikon digital SLR.
Compare prices for the D40 at Shopzilla, Amazon or Adorama

Canon EOS Rebel xTi 400D

Release Date	October 2006
Key Features	10 megapixels, dust control, Picture Styles
Uniqueness	Easy to use, exceptional image quality
Great For	Parents, travel
Level	Intermediate to advanced
Avg. Kit Price	$750
Competitors	Nikon D80, Olympus E-410 and E-510, Pentax K10D, Samsung GX-10, Sony A100
The Rebel xTi is the only Canon digital SLR with a 10 megapixel sensor and a dust control system. The intuitive control layout on this camera make it very easy to use and it takes very high-quality photos when paired with the right lens. The xTi is one of the most inexpensive 10 megapixel digital SLRs available.
Compare prices for the Rebel xTi at Shopzilla, Amazon or Adorama

One Size Doesn't Fit All

If you like the idea of a small sized digital SLR, I advise you to hold one in your hands before you make a purchase.

Why? Because small sized cameras are not always easy to use by people who have large hands.

Since the cameras are so compact, a lot of the buttons and key camera controls wind up right under your fingers.

I have used several small sized digital SLR cameras and have found it quite easy to change camera settings without even realizing it.

While I recommend that you try any digital SLR before buying, it is especially important with a small camera to make sure it's the right fit for your hand.