12 Megapixel Digital SLR Cameras

A 12 megapixel digital SLR camera is the right choice for you if you want a lot of flexibility when it comes to cropping and printing your photos.

At the full 12 megapixels, you can make beautiful crystal-clear prints all the way up to 18x24 inches. If you're not overly fanatical about image quality, you can push that print size all the way up to 28x42 inches.

You can also crop your photos agressively and still make large-scale prints.

Even if you cut out a whopping 50% of your original photo, you've still got an image with 6 megapixels, which is more than enough to make a nice 11x14 or 8x10 print if you so desire.

Current 12MP Cameras

While there used to be only a handful 12 megapixel digital SLR cameras you could buy, that's no longer the case.

10 megapixels was once the threshold that most DLSR manufacturers aimed for...not anymore.

Today, many more cameras include a 12 megapixel sensor, so you've got plenty of options to choose from.

CAMERARELEASEDDESCRIPTIONPRICE (USD)
Canon Rebel T3 1100D
canon rebel t3 1100d
March 2011 The entry-level Canon T3 has a 2.7 inch LCD screen, ISO from 100 to 6400 and a 9 point autofocus. Though basic, the camera also includes an HD 720p movie mode and it can capture 3 consecutive photos per second. The T3 includes Canon's new EOS Feature Guide which is designed to help beginners change camera settings without a steep learning curve.
$600 USD
Pentax K-x
pentax k-x
Oct. 2009 The K-x is awash with features: it's small and light with a 720p video capture mode, built-in image stabilization and High Dynamic Range (HDR) capacity. An 11-point autofocus and 4.7 photo per second speed tops things off. Of note: the camera will be available in white, red and blue in addition to black.
$650 USD

Discontinued 12MP Digital SLRs

Great cameras in their time, the following models are no longer available new.

If you find one of these cameras very appealing, then you'll have to look for it on eBay or other used camera web sites.

CAMERARELEASEDDESCRIPTION
Sony DSLR-A500
sony dslr-a500
Oct. 2009 The A500 is an all-around shooter with a reasonable price. Included in the camera are built-in image stabilization, dust control, a live view LCD (that flips out from the camera body) and an in-camera HDR (High Dynamic Range) mode that automatically blends multiple images with different exposures.
Nikon D300s
nikon d300s
Sept. 2009 The D300s is an upgrade to the powerful D300 and includes a 51-point autofocus, live view LCD and a 7 photo-per-second continuous speed. The big new feature on the D300s is the ability to capture High Definition 720p video (an external microphone port will also improve audio quality).
Nikon D5000
nikon d5000
April 2009 The D5000 takes the small size of the Nikon D60 and jams in many of the features of the D90 including its video capture mode. Unique to the D5000 (compared to other Nikon DSLRs) is an LCD screen that flips out from the camera body.
Olympus E-620
olympus e-620
May 2009 An upgrade to the E-520, the E-620 includes an LCD that flips out from the camera body, built-in image stabilization, dust control and an enhanced live view mode.
Olympus E-30
olympus e-30
Jan. 2009 The E-30 includes special "art filters" that let you enhance the images you take without needing a computer. In addition, the E-30 is also a responsive camera, capable of capturing 5 photos per second, and it has an LCD that flips out from the camera body for high and low angle shots.
Nikon D90
nikon d90
Sept. 2008 The D90 is the very first digital SLR to include a video capture mode. In addition, it features an 11-point autofocus, dust control and a 4.5 photo-per-second speed.
Nikon D700
nikon d700
Sept. 2008 The D700 is one of Nikon's full frame digital SLR cameras. It has an incredible ISO range from 100 to 25600, a 51-point autofocus system and a continuous speed of 5 photos per second.
Canon Rebel XSi (450D)
canon rebel xsi 450d
April 2008 The XSi kit includes an image-stabilized lens, paired with the camera's dust control and live view system.
Nikon D300
nikon d300
Nov. 2007 A camera built with semi-professional photographers in mind, the D300 is a workhorse: it rips through shots at speeds of 6 per second or 8 per second (with an optional battery grip) and it includes an advanced autofocus and metering system.
Sony DSLR-A700
sony a700
Nov. 2007 The A700 is Sony's second digital SLR camera, and it includes an 11-point autofocus, built-in image stabilization and dust control. The camera body is dust and moisture resistant, and the magnesium alloy frame makes the camera lightweight but sturdy.

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