PhotographyBLOG reviews the Canon EOS 40D and
writes - 'The high points of the Canon EOS 40D are the tough, durable
body, the control layout and that amazing 6.5fps shooting mode. Yes, it
does soundly like a badly-muffled machine-gun, but it lets you grab
action sequences that lesser cameras would miss. The speed of the AF
system keeps moving subjects sharp, too. But perhaps the most striking
thing about the Canon EOS 40D is its value. It’s true that it costs
more than other 10-megapixel cameras, but it’s also much more
professionally-orientated. Its nearest rival in the semi-pro market
would be the newly-announced Nikon D300, but the list price is £1300
for the body only, and for that money you could get an EOS 40D and
Canon’s 17-85mm image-stabilised lens and have change to spare. The
Canon EOS 40D’s strength doesn’t lie in any great technological
breakthrough but in its professional appeal and its sheer value for
money.'
Photo Review has reviewed the Sony DSLR-A700 where they write - 'Despite taking a while to produce this camera, in the DSLR-A700 Sony has delivered a camera that enthusiasts can enjoy with features that will be of value to many professional photographers. A nice step up from the A100, it goes head-to-head against Canon's recently-released EOS 40D and Nikon's D300, which is expected in November. The only feature missing from the A700 that its rivals have is live viewing using the camera's LCD screen. However, this is of only marginal benefit for most photographers and only provides an advantage over viewfinder-based shooting when the camera is tripod mounted and in situations where precise frame coverage is required. Outside of those occasions, the viewfinder gives a more accurate rendition of the hues and tonal intensities that will be recorded and it's easier to read the shooting data on the viewfinder's screen.'
"Nikon has eclipsed the competition with the D3, a cutting edge camera that will change how professional photographers take pictures," said Robert Cristina, Brand Manager, Nikon Professional Products, Europe. “The incredible speed, resolution and flexibility of the D3 will enable photographers to capture images under conditions previously thought impossible.”
The D3, the result of years of development and feedback from professional photographers, combines many innovative Nikon technologies. These include an exclusive 12.1 effective megapixel FX format (36.0x23.9mm) image sensor with 12-channel read out, a blazing-fast 9 fps frame rate, expandable ISO settings from 200-6400, a completely new 51-Point autofocus system, a 3-inch VGA LCD screen with Live View and a cutting-edge image processing system.
The D300 is loaded with the latest professional technologies designed to produce images of the highest quality. The high-resolution 12.3 MP DX format CMOS sensor generates image files suitable for almost every type of output, combined with a fast standard frame advance rate of 6fps (up to 8 fps with optional Multi Power Battery Pack). The D300 offers fast power-up, quick response and outstanding flexibility to meet the needs of a wide variety of photographic assignments. The D300 powers-up in just 0.13 seconds, with an almost imperceptible 45 millisecond shutter lag.