This New York Times article, republished on CNet News.com, provides information on two new pro/am models: the Canon Digital Rebel XT (EOS 350D) and the Nikon D70s.
How to explain a digital SLR? Let’s put it this way: if all you’ve ever used are regular consumer digital cameras, then you’ve been sitting in the peanut gallery.
For example, on a digital SLR, shutter lag–the bane of the amateur shutterbug’s existence–is essentially zero. That’s right: no half-second delay after you press the shutter button. Battery life is nearly endless; the Rebel XT’s new smaller battery is nonetheless still good for 600 pictures a charge, compared with perhaps 200 on a typical digital camera. The D70S’s new battery extends this to a delirious extreme: each charge can power the camera for a staggering 2,500 photos. You can go weeks between charges.
By far the most important advantage of a digital SLR, though, is that it takes much, much better photographs. You can take supersharp portraits with softly blurred backgrounds, just as the pros do. You get good results even in terrible lighting, thanks in part to a smart self-adjusting flash. You get every manual control known to man (exposure, shutter speed and so on). And you can extend your range with interchangeable lenses (telephoto, macro, fisheye, whatever).
Both seem to have an excellent range of features and a very attractive price.
