2008 is working its way to a close, and in the end-of-the-year fervor over Canon’s long-anticipated 5D Mark II and Nikon’s rather controversial (or so it seems on the forums, anyway) D3x, I’d like to take a moment to go over some cameras that, to my mind, didn’t get quite the recognition they really did earn out there on the market.
One is Nikon’s D700, the po’ man’s D3. Attacked on several fronts, mostly the decision to stick to “low rez” 12 MP and not to include video, somewhere in the shuffle I think the market lost sight of the fact that this is among the absolute best low-light cameras ever made (consistently getting the promised 2-stop ISO advantage over my own beloved E-3, in my own findings and comparisons). In addition, reputation has the weather-sealing on this up to snuff for pro use (even if the shutter is “only” rated at 150,000). All this for comfortably under 3 grand.
Sony’s Alpha 900: This one is a similar but opposite story. Sony’s first full frame offering trotted out with twice the resolution as the D700, but it got panned somewhat unfairly on noise. From everything I’ve seen the A900 is an outstanding performer in low light, especially for RAW shooters. For its pixel density and price point I think it’s image quality is nothing short of impressive, and I’ve struggled since its introduction to understand the seemingly undue negativity some reviews have pointed at this camera. And, let’s not forget, Sony has, in my opinion, possibly the best grasp on ergonomics I’ve seen out there.
I’ve just found it odd in a market that clamored so loudly for more affordable full-frame options, a niche the 5D has long been the sole contender in, that two solid and uniquely tailored answers seem to have gotten lost in the scramble. It’s worth remembering, as this year draws to a close, that all of the big names offer a line-up of cameras that are all “little miracles,” full of a simply astounding level of sophisticated technology. So, whether your poison is for Canon digital SLR cameras (like the 5D Mk II, which I’m starting to see some very beautiful shots from), Nikon digital SLR cameras, Olympus digital cameras, Sony digital cameras (and just look at how far Sony has come in the past year. I may not be a huge fan of the parent company, but their photographic arm is a truly impressive lot), Pentax, Samsung, Fuji, Leica… you name it. They all have strengths, and they’re all tailored to certain styles, and they’re all truly capable imaging machines, from the cheapest DSLR on up.
Tags: 5d mk II, a900, alpha, alpha 900, camera, Canon, d3, d3x, d700, digital cameras, dslr, e-3, fuji, full frame, ISO, leica, Nikon, Olympus, pentax, roberts, Sony
