INTRO TEXT
DSLRs have the largest image sensors, and therefore will produce the best quality images of any digital camera. Interchangeable lenses give you entrée into a world of flexible picture-taking options that lets you run with the pros. If you care about the quality of the pictures you take, that sounds like a no-brainer, right? The problem is, advanced DSLRs are intimidating to the uninitiated. If you are intimidated by the thought of too many controls to learn, no worries: The current crop of starter DSLRs, available atAdorama’s DSLR department, is point-and-shoot-easy to use!
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| Canon Digital Rebel T5i | Nikon D3200 | Pentax K-500 | Sony Alpha 65 | |
| Maximum ISO for Acceptable image Quality | ISO 800 | ISO 1600 | ISO 800 | ISO 600 |
| Maximum ISO for acceptable dynamic range | ISO 800 | ISO 1600 | ISO 1600 | ISO 800 |
| Color depth/ Bits on a Scale of 1-25 | Very Good/ 21.7 | Outstanding/24.1 | Excellent/23.7 | Excellent/23.4 |
| Overall image quality/ On a Scale of 1-100 | Very Good/ 62 | Excellent/ 81 | Excellent/ 79 | Very good/ 74 |
| Adorama Price | $799with 18-55mm kit lens | $496.95 with 18-55mm Kit Lens | $599.95 with kit and tele-zoom lens | $598 with kit lens |
 |
Adorama price: $799with 18-55mm kit lens Overview: The Canon Rebel T5i, while being touted as a starter DSLR, is in many ways almost as sophisticated as the enthusiast-oriented Canon 70D. Canon is calling the Rebel T5i the most sophisticated Rebel-class DSLR yet. It has an 18MP APS CMOS sensor, a new DIGIC 5 image processor, 5 fps, on-screen help, and a new, snapshooter-friendly 3-inch flip-out touch screen. The T5i’s sophisticated features are overlayed with user-friendly technology, such as the flip-out touch screen which made its debut on the T3i, as well as a set of intuitive creative features such as intelligent auto, special effects filters, and on-board HDR, all designed to make using such an advanced camera more intuitive for folks who are ready to step up from compact cameras and cell phones to the flexibility and creative possibilities of DSLR photography. For videographers, the 5Ti offers full 1080p HD video in several frame rates with continuos AF during video capture..The T5i’s performance is said to be the fastest yet, with a hybrid live CMOS AF system for faster autofocus and an ISO range that can top out at 25000. |
| The system:An extensive range of Canon lenses from the mid-range “kit”zoom lens (kit lenses are typically 18-55mm, with smaller apertures. They are relatively inexpensive; quality is usually good enough for up to 8×10 prints) to a wide range of pro optics. Canon was the first camera company to offer image stabilization in its lenses, and offers a wide range of IS lenses if you are willing to pony up the extra cash. Most Canon lenses are extremely quiet and autofocus quickly and decisively. | What’s special about this camera?Amazing bang for buck, a great camera for beginners to grow with as well as an affordable, capable second body for owners of more advanced cameras.
Who would love it:Snapshooters with ambitions to improve their photography, enthusiasts looking for a low-cost body that provides optimal image quality in low light. |
Nikon D3200
Adorama price: $496.95 with 18-55mm Kit Lens Get current price
Overview: With the Nikon D3200 (which replaces the D3100 in the Nikon DSLR lineup) Nikon has raised the bar for image resolution in the sub-$700 camera category. With an announced price of $699.95, the D3200 combines a 24MP DX-format (APS) CMOS sensor that measures 15.4×23.2mm with a feature set that’s designed to please snapshooters who are stepping up from point-and-shoot photography and for more serious shooters looking for a low-cost second body. Nikon’s popular Guide Mode, which was introduced with the D3000, offers on-screen guidance for beginners and holds your hand as it allows you to explore the camera’s range of creative picture-taking options. Full HD 1080p video capture should appeal to budget-conscious videographers. The camera is lightweight; it is well-suited for soccer moms who want to capture Junior’s sports activities with its 4 fps burst rate. The Nikon D3200 is compatible with a newWU-1a Wireless Mobile Adapter($58), which can send images to mobile devices like smartphones and tablets and let you control the camera remotely from your device (Android app available now, iPhone/iPad version coming in the fall).
The juicy details: 24MP DX CMOS sensor, ISO range 100-5400, expandable to 12800. 3-inch, 921k monitor; 1080p HD video at 24, 30fps; stereo mic jack; 4fps burst rate; 11-point autofocus system; guide mode; 6 scene modes (Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close-Up, Night Portrait). Compatible with Nikon FX-format and DX-format lenses, Nikon Speedlight strobes.
Tip: The 18-55mm kit lens offers excellent resolution for most snapshots and prints up to 8×10. However, because the D3200 lacks an internal focusing motor, some older Nikon lenses may not focus automatically. They will focus manually, however.
What’s special about this camera? Super-high resolution, legendary flash system and Nikon lenses.
The system: Over 70 current-production Nikon lenses and teleconverters (including close-up lenses, fisheyes, superwides, long zooms, Vibration Reduction lenses, and super telephotos) are available (although some may not focus automatically), plus eight flash units, many with wireless operation.
Who would love it: First-time DSLR buyers who don’t expect to go beyond that. Snapshooters can cruise in auto or grow in their abilities by experimenting with its For pros, it has enough features to qualify it as a worthy back-up camera, and since it is light and small it wouldn’t add significantly to a pro’s gadget-bag payload.
Coming Soon:The Nikon D3300, is on the cusp of replacing the D3200. For bargain hunters, that means the D3200, an outstanding camera in its own right, costs less now. The D3300 is mostly the same, but its highest ISO is now 12,800, and can be pushed to 25,000, continuous shooting speed has been bumped to 5fps, and a new Expeed 4 image processor promises improved overall image quality. If none of these improvements are important to you, it’s time to bargain hunt. If they are, you can pre-order the Nikon D3300 now.
Pentax K-500
Adorama price: $599.95 with kit and tele-zoom lens
Overview: If you’re stepping up from a compact camera to a DSLR to improve image quality, the K-500 should be at the top of your list. As one of the top cameras for overall image quality, the K-30 has an ISO range up to 51,600, which makes it a great camera to have in low-light situations. If you prefer letting the camera make exposure decisions for you, the K-500 is an expert, thanks to its Auto Picture mode, which can take the guesswork out of picture taking. However, if you are more advanced, the camera offers many ways to manually control exposure. The camera also offers many features you’d expect of a more expensive model: You can capture rapid action sequences at 6 frames per second, built-in HDR improves shadow and highlight detail capture, and use the camera’s wide-range of in-camera special filters and effects creative results. The camera’s low price includes both a standard 18-55mm and a tele zoom 50-200mm lens, giving you a rather flexible, long zoom range—and more photographic bang for your buck.
Do you sacrifice quality for the camera’s low price? No way. In fact, the K-500’s test results are among the best we’ve seen for an APS-sensor camera. See DxOMark.com’s full image quality test results, below.
The juicy details: Beginners can simply put the camera, with its 16MP sensor that measures 15.7×23.7mm, in its green mode and start shooting. It’s that simple. Press a button to flip up the on-board flash. The built-in optical anti-shake reduction makes it possible to shoot in lower light without flash, using any Pentax K-mount lens. When photographing parties and post groups, the camera’s Face Detection can ID up to 16 faces in a scene and optimize focus and exposure.
For more advanced shooters, as well as for those who want to grow as photographers, there are mode dials, a multi-function four-way controller, and switches that take you under the hood so you can tinker with focus, exposure, color balance and more. You can choose between standard JPEG format and the higher-quality RAW format. The camera can handle ISO 100-51,600, and has a shutter speed range of 30-1/6000 sec. Focusing can be manual, spot or wide, and digital filters that include: Toy Camera, High Contrast, Soft, Starburst, Retro, Color Extract (N/A) Custom Image Modes includes Bright, Natural, Portrait, Landscape, Vibrant and Monochrome modes; Color Custom Image Modes include gamut radar and fine adjustment for saturation, hue, contrast and sharpness; Monochrome Custom Image Mode includes adjustment for film filter effects (green, yellow, orange, red, magenta, blue, cyan, infrared), toning (sepia warm/cool), contrast and sharpness (regular and fine adj scales). It shoots MPEG-4/H264 videos at up to 1080p/30fps.
What’s special about this camera? It’s simple, inexpensive, and small from a company known for producing SLRs with staying power. And it has…drumroll please…true 3-exposure HDR, which combines an overexposure, underexposure and normal exposure to bring out more details in shadows and highlights.
The system: Pentax has spent decades perfecting the art of lensmaking. And while you can get great shots with the kit lens that is bundled with the camera, the Pentax lens mount is compatible with just about any lens Pentax has ever made (although you may lose some automation with the older lenses). Explore bargain used lenses, which throws enough light to supplement the small, built-in, flip-up flash.
Who would love it: Snapshooters for whom image quality is a high priority, low-light photography fans students and travelers to more serious photographers who want HD video, in-camera HDR and image quality that rivals that of cameras costing twice as much.
Sony Alpha 65
Adorama price: $598 with kit lens
Overview: The A65 represents a great value and comes fully loaded with 1080p HD video recording capabilities (in 30 min intervals) and built-in GPS. Its Function Guide provides intuitive on-screen help for those who are not yet comfortable with SLR controls while offering respectable specifications, impressive image quality, and good performance. Sony offers a diverse and growing lineup of lenses, from basic kit-type lenses to fancy Zeiss-designed optics—and the cameras are compatible with classic Minolta mount SLR lenses.
The juicy details: While the price is entry-level, the features are enthusiast-friendly: In addition to built-in SteadyShot image stabilization (which is compatible with all Minolta-mount lenses), the camera has a big 24.3MP APS-C CCD sensor that measured 15.6×23.5 mm with reduced noise and the ability to make poster-sized prints and to crop considerably and still get crisp prints. Specs include a 3-inch LCD monitor, ISO range 100-16000, Eye-start AF, 15-point cross sensor AF, up to 10fps continuous shooting, pop-up flash, Dynamic Range Optimizer, Anti-Dust technology, creative style settings.
What’s so special about this camera? If you own one or more of the millions of Minolta lenses out there, you already know the answer.
The system: In addition to all of those already-owned Minolta lenses, Sony has a full line (over 25) lenses in the Alpha/Maxxum mount, many of which are made for Sony by Carl Zeiss.
Who would love it: First-time DSLR users, and anyone who needs to keep their payload light and small. It’s a great camera if you want to learn as you shoot! And if you used to own a Minolta SLR and still have the lenses, they’ll fit on the Sony. The interchangeable lens mount is the same.
Bargain alert: The slightly older Sony SLT-A58, at $498, is about $100 less than the A65. The 20MP sensor’s resolution is slightly lower than the A65’s but for practical purposes the difference is negligible.
Backgrounder: What are the “Test results”?
Test results accompanying the camera descriptions above are based on objective measurements provided by DxOMark‘s state-of-the art camera test facility, with their permission. DxOMark has become the industry standard for independent lab image quality test results for today’s most popular cameras and lenses.
Each camera’s sensor is measured for color depth (which indicates how smooth the transitions are between colors), dynamic range (the range of visible detail in shadows through bright highlights in the same scene), and low-light ISO. Low-light ISO determines which is the highest ISO that will produce acceptable levels of digital noise in an image. I present the data along with an explanation which is intended to help you understand each camera’s performance. Note that we do not yet have results for all cameras listed here but as new cameras are tested we will add that information.
Note:While the four DSLR models listed above are a good starting point, there are many more entry-level DSLRs available at Adorama. You may want to save money by buying an older model that is still available at Adorama, or a manufacturer-refurbished model. Here’s how to narrow your search and find a starterDSLR at Adoramathat fits your needs:
- Go to theAdorama Digital Cameras Department.
- SelectDSLR Cameras.
- Under “Sort by:” select “Price Low to High” (on the right side of the black bar going across the top of the camera listing). Keep in mind that some cameras are listed with a kit lens, others just body only.
- Finally, if you know which brand of camera, choose it from the Brand list on the left side of the page. You can also choose number of megapixels and even camera body color!
Additional research by Jena Ardell
