Is the market for the digital SLR (DSLR) approaching saturation? It's possible we'll see a downturn in sales in 2009 or at least a softening. Sales of digital single lens reflex cameras are up 25% this year, says IDC, while sales of digital cameras overall are up 10%. That trend may not hold. Canon president Tsuneji Uchida told Reuters that the recession has begun to affect sales of DSLRs. Consumers aren't upgrading as quickly as camera makers are bringing out new models. The result will be bargains for those who are shopping, especially buyers who don't need the most recent models.
Why the slowdown? Advances in DSLRs may have outpaced the interest buyers have in upgrading. An existing 6-megapixel DSLR may be fine for most users even when the new models measure 12 megapixels. Most every camera now has automatic sensor cleaning, an important feature, and there's no comparable must-have feature just introduced this year. Then there's price. It's one thing to pop for a new point-and-shoot digital camera - average price $150 now - than to invest in a DSLR that runs $500 and up. If you're interested in a digital SLR this season, here's how to take advantage of the camera-makers' desire to lock you in to their brand now:
There's more price competition at the entry level of DSLRs, such as the hot-selling Nikon D40. With one basic zoom lens, the 6-megapixel Nikon D40 runs just over $400, about $550 with a telephoto zoom. The entry Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi EF-S, with 10-megapixel resolution, is about $500 with one lens and the 12-megapixel Canon EOS Rebel XSi is about $650 with a single zoom lens. The 10-megapixel Olympus Evolt E510 is $515 with one lens, $575 with two. The 10-megapixel Sony DSLR-A200 is $500 with one lens, just $550 with a second, telephoto zoom; that's the best deal we've seen if you want a two-lens kit (compared to the same camera with just one lens).
Good deals can be had on the next-newest models with resolution one level down from the top, which is currently 12 megapixels to 15 megapixels. It's just like PCs, where you pay a premium for the very fastest Intel or AMD processor. Watch for online sales, newspaper inserts (Nikon been especially aggressive this year), and for mail-in rebates that increase as you buy multiple items.
Other good deals are on a camera body and a two-lens package. (It all comes in one bigger box and you can't substitute.) Just so you know that package lenses are good not great on sharpness. You won't notice the difference if you're showing images on your PC or making an 8-by-12 print, but if it's for a poster print shot with the lens at its widest aperture, you'll notice the compromises.
Consider last year's model. The new Canon EOS 50D, more ruggedly built than the XSi and XTi models, is $1,400 for the body alone (a body is a camera without a lens), but its predecessor, the Canon EOS 40D, is $1,000 (Canon's suggested price) and more often sells for $900. You fall from 15 megapixels to 10 megapixels resolution. Just make sure the older model has automatic sensor cleaning, which shakes dust off the imaging sensor. Some newer DSLRs add nice-to-have but not essential features such as the ability to detect smiles or open eyes and delay firing the shutter until the picture is optimal. Newer cameras also have larger LCD displays, climbing from 2" to 2.5" to 3".
No need to be brand loyal to your film DSLR brand. Film camera lenses are typically bulkier and some really old lenses will lack auto-focus. Even if you think you can save by using the old lenses, you won't like the bulk when you're carrying them around day-to-day.
More money buys not just resolution but performance. Costlier DSLRs may start up more quickly and focus faster. Their shutters last longer. That's especially important if you're photographing sports, pets, or children and you don't want the moment to pass.
Coming in 2009: More DSLRs Shooting Video
A feature that could make you upgrade is the addition of high-quality video recording to DSLRs, allowing you to carry just one camera for both stills and video. Don't confuse this with the limited video capabilities of point-and-shoots. We've reviewed and appreciated the photo capabilities of the 12-megapixel Nikon D90 but found the HD video capabilities limited. Then there's the new Canon EOS 5D Mark II with stronger video specs and an awesome 21-megapixel sensor but the price, $2,700, takes it out of the realm of most consumer purchases.
Or Just Buy a Good Point-and-Shoot?
The other competition for entry DSLRs is the increasing quality of point-and-shoot cameras. Their resolution typically tops 10 megapixels and the quality of the sensors produces excellent photos. Some may not start up quite as fast, focus as quickly on fast-moving objects, or capture the picture the moment you press the shutter, but it's not as bad as a couple years ago. "The pictures are just as good," says Greg Jarem, a New Jersey-based pro who photographs cars for magazines and manufacturers with a $5,000 DSLR camera body. "The difference is my camera will take a beating day after day and it shoots 11 frames per second."
Reasons to Upgrade Your Old DSLR
Our advice is that you should think about upgrading if this is your existing DSLR:
No sensor cleaning
Resolution of 6 megapixels or less
LCD display of 2.0" or less
ISO speed, the ability to capture images in low light, of 800 or less.
If that's you, you'll appreciate the advances of a new DSLR. Otherwise, it's unclear how much you'll benefit. You might be better off with a better lens, especially one with a wider aperture for shooting in low light. A mainstream zoom lens, say 17mm to 55mm, with a lens aperture of f/2.8 (lower numbers are better) will run you $750-$1,100. Our favorite add-on, if you're not hit by the recession, is the 70-200mm f/2.8 ultimate DSLR lens.
This article is very timely. I have been seriously considering purchase of a new Canon EOS 5D. I've been looking at various models over the past couple of months and decided that this was the camera I wanted.
Just as I have decided on the best supplier with the best price, the new Canon EOS 5D MkII hits the market. Now all the camera suppliers are pushing this model.
I'm not convinced that I will use or appreciate the new video capabilities of the MkII. And while the higher resolution is a 'nice to have', I definitely don't appreciate the significant price increase! The current list price of the MkII certainly puts it out of the realm of this consumer's purchasing power/justification.
My concern is that there might be a rapidly closing window of opportunity to purchase an original EOS 5D before it is no longer available. I expect that I will need to weigh that against the potential bargains that may be offered in the coming months.
Do you have any insight or opinion about the timing of when the original EOS 5D will be withdrawn?
Posted by:
Roger Smith December 5, 2008 10:36 AM
I think the fixation with resolution is over sold. A good camera even with 6 MP is going to produce fine results. Once you get to 8 MP there really isn't a justifiable reason to go for more. Most camera's optical resolution is far below their sensor's rated resolution so all those extra pixels do is make larger files. http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/mpmyth.htm
Posted by:
Neil December 5, 2008 4:22 PM
The most important part of any camera is the "loose nut" behind the viewfinder. In other words, the photographer. I think Ansel Adams will come up with better pictures using a $200 point and shoot than I would toting a top line Canon with a "L" lens.
Also with the current batch of DSLRs now one of the most factors for image quality are the lenses you use. Most of the bundled lenses are not very good. Upgrading your lenses can make a huge difference. If your camera does not have in-body image stabilization getting a lens that has the feature will help increase the margin of error.
Posted by:
Chris December 5, 2008 6:30 PM
A good point and shoot has too small a sensor to do well in low light or with fast moving objects. Even with the Micro 4/3rds cameras coming out, consumers will still get not so stellar shots.
Posted by:
Faye December 6, 2008 4:03 PM
@Roger Smith: This is why Full frame is finally appealing to me. Whilst the 50D is stretching the quality of lenses, the 21MP 5d II has a comfortable 8MP in the APS-C crop zone. Picture quality like this was £6k until recently.
I had a 35mm film camera (An old Russian tank of a camera) when I was in my teens and I'm looking forward to being able to repeat the same perspective and depth of field I could capture back then.
Posted by:
MPG December 7, 2008 9:15 AM
Your comment on the Canon 50d vs. XSi and XTi is not enirely correct. Accorting to Canon the XSi and Xti was designed with women and individuals with small hands. The 50d and Xsi and Xti are not in the same catagory. Although it is a extremely capable camera the XSi and XTi are small and feels flimsy in most peoples hands. The 50d is more solid feeling is technologically more advanced and is considered a back up to professionals and Canon even considers it a professional camera. True, new technology is expensive, but I suspect the cost of The 50d will drop below 1000.00 within a year, Canon and the other manufactures are quick to put out more advanced cameras so they can compete for the largest share of the digital camera market. I do not beleive this recession will prevent the Camera makers from putting out more advanced cameras. They will: advancing technology will allow more tech at lower cost for consumers, yet lower profit margins for camera makers.
Mixx It
Digg It
Stumble
More...
December 5, 2008 6:41 AM
This article is very timely. I have been seriously considering purchase of a new Canon EOS 5D. I've been looking at various models over the past couple of months and decided that this was the camera I wanted.
Just as I have decided on the best supplier with the best price, the new Canon EOS 5D MkII hits the market. Now all the camera suppliers are pushing this model.
I'm not convinced that I will use or appreciate the new video capabilities of the MkII. And while the higher resolution is a 'nice to have', I definitely don't appreciate the significant price increase! The current list price of the MkII certainly puts it out of the realm of this consumer's purchasing power/justification.
My concern is that there might be a rapidly closing window of opportunity to purchase an original EOS 5D before it is no longer available. I expect that I will need to weigh that against the potential bargains that may be offered in the coming months.
Do you have any insight or opinion about the timing of when the original EOS 5D will be withdrawn?
December 5, 2008 10:36 AM
I think the fixation with resolution is over sold. A good camera even with 6 MP is going to produce fine results. Once you get to 8 MP there really isn't a justifiable reason to go for more. Most camera's optical resolution is far below their sensor's rated resolution so all those extra pixels do is make larger files.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/mpmyth.htm
December 5, 2008 4:22 PM
The most important part of any camera is the "loose nut" behind the viewfinder. In other words, the photographer. I think Ansel Adams will come up with better pictures using a $200 point and shoot than I would toting a top line Canon with a "L" lens.
Also with the current batch of DSLRs now one of the most factors for image quality are the lenses you use. Most of the bundled lenses are not very good. Upgrading your lenses can make a huge difference. If your camera does not have in-body image stabilization getting a lens that has the feature will help increase the margin of error.
December 5, 2008 6:30 PM
A good point and shoot has too small a sensor to do well in low light or with fast moving objects. Even with the Micro 4/3rds cameras coming out, consumers will still get not so stellar shots.
December 6, 2008 4:03 PM
@Roger Smith: This is why Full frame is finally appealing to me. Whilst the 50D is stretching the quality of lenses, the 21MP 5d II has a comfortable 8MP in the APS-C crop zone. Picture quality like this was £6k until recently.
I had a 35mm film camera (An old Russian tank of a camera) when I was in my teens and I'm looking forward to being able to repeat the same perspective and depth of field I could capture back then.
December 7, 2008 9:15 AM
Your comment on the Canon 50d vs. XSi and XTi is not enirely correct. Accorting to Canon the XSi and Xti was designed with women and individuals with small hands. The 50d and Xsi and Xti are not in the same catagory. Although it is a extremely capable camera the XSi and XTi are small and feels flimsy in most peoples hands. The 50d is more solid feeling is technologically more advanced and is considered a back up to professionals and Canon even considers it a professional camera. True, new technology is expensive, but I suspect the cost of The 50d will drop below 1000.00 within a year, Canon and the other manufactures are quick to put out more advanced cameras so they can compete for the largest share of the digital camera market. I do not beleive this recession will prevent the Camera makers from putting out more advanced cameras. They will: advancing technology will allow more tech at lower cost for consumers, yet lower profit margins for camera makers.