As Easy to Use As a Point-and-Shoot with SLR-Quality Technologies

The Olympus E-P1 is equipped with 19 automatic scene modes for effortless picture taking. Standard scene modes like Night-Scene, Portrait and Landscape are easy-to-use solutions for everyday shooting. Capturing beautiful portraits is easy with the new ePortrait Mode. It enables you to smooth your subject’s face--all in the camera and before capture! Additionally, edits can be made post-capture using the ePortrait Fix mode.

Shooting scenes with both highlights and shadows can often be dicey because of the extreme contrast between dark and bright areas. The Olympus EP1 addresses this challenge with Shadow Adjustment Technology that adjusts for extreme light variations and maintains visible detail in both the shadow and highlight areas of the scene. Now users can see and preview the gradation on the Live View LCD and capture images showing the shadow detail they saw. This feature is also accessible in the Edit menu after the shot has been taken.

The Olympus E-P1’s Face Detection reduces the chance of blurred subjects in images by recognizing up to eight people’s faces and the background, tracking the faces within the image area, even if people are moving, and automatically focusing and optimizing exposure for sharp, brilliant portrait pictures (ideal for large family or party group photos).

If you don’t want to change camera settings every time you’re shooting something different, then the Olympus EP1’s Intelligent Auto Mode is for you. It automatically identifies what you are shooting (Portrait, Landscape, Night + Portrait, Macro, Sports) and adjusts settings to capture the best result depending on the situation. First-time users will enjoy this quick and hassle-free feature, which does the thinking for them and produces incredible images like a pro.

The New Super Control Panel with Live Control technology, along with the camera’s intuitive button layout, enables you to see both the image and the controls on the 3-inch HyperCrystal LCD, making the camera simple to use. The Olympus E-P1 records to SDHC media cards to accommodate large files including videos with In-Camera Creative Features and uncompressed audio.

Canon EOS T1i or Nikon D5000 ?

VS

My Requirements for a DSLR were as below:

1. High Resolution LCD Screen.
2. Great/Easy to use - User Interface.
3. HD Video - 720 (30FPS) - (1080 was optional for me).
4. Live View.
5. Amazing Image Quality.
6. Comprehensive Software Package.
7. Large Variety of Lens options.
8. Performance.
9. Obviously, Cost (<1000$).

In the curent market, i narrowed down to 2 cameras - Canon T1i or Nikon D5000 (Since i trust both brands for amazing image quality).

Canon EOS 500D Scored over Nikon in below areas:

1. LCD Screen 3inch 920,000 dot compared to Nikon's 2.7inch 230,000. For me high resolution screen is very important to enjoy the pics in the camera itself and obviously for better judgement of the focus. I bet, you will fall in love with T1i, immidietly after seeing pics in its brilliant LCD screen.

2. I verified both T1i and D5000 user interface and i felt T1i's user interface/menus were well organised keeping in mind of the entry level DSLR users. Again i love this on T1i.

3. I have seen many people complaining about T1i's 1080 (20 FPS) HD video. But Nikon doesn't even have this feature. And T1i has HD video 720 at 30 FPS which is a treat to eyes when you see it on HDTV. But Nikon provides 720 at just 24 FPS.

4. Both has Live View - Here T1i has the advantage of better resolution screen and D5000 has Lower resolution vari angle screen. My preferenece was high resolution screen.

5. Image Quality, I am very very happy about the Super sharp images of Canon T1i. My interest is mainly Macro and Landscape. And T1i gives me Amazing Quality images (I don't believe much in camera reviews) combined with Canon's brilliant lenses.

6. Canon's provides the best - with camera software package. Digital Photo Professional, EOS Utility, Photostitch and many more are very simple to use and powerful tools and provides necessary inventory for more than basic image editing (Don't compare this with specialized photo editing tools like Adobe Photoshop).

7. Again Canon has the most comprehensive Lens set to choose compared to Nikon (Again don't bring in the theory of 3rd party lenses). I own the kit lens, Canon 100mm Macro, Canon 10mm super wide angle. And these leses combined with T1i produce breathtaking images.

8. When it comes to performance, Canon T1i has got very great start up time, fast focus and good continious burst (9RAW/170 JPEGS at 3.4 FPS) which satisfies my needs. Nikon D5000 can shoot at 4FPS.

9. Cost wise, Canon T1i is cheaper than Nikon D90 and Canon 50D.

I have read many reviews comparing T1i and D5000, saying Nikon has better Low light performance. It may be true, but T1i produces brilliant pics till ISO3200 (Nikon may produce little better than this at same ISO range), but I use my camera very less for low light photograpy and Canon T1i's JPEG quality in normal light is a very sharp, captures more detail due to its 15MP resolution and it is better than that of Nikon D5000.

Handling wise i never felt T1i as bad. It has a great grip and due to its less weight, it is very portable compared to Nikon D5000.

Final word:

For my use/requirements Canon T1i fits perfectly and it produces Amazing Super sharp images with market leading feature set for an Entry level DSLR. T1i has many improvements compared to that of 450D XSi keeping the similar (Better JPEG quality - compared to both 450D XSi and 50D) image quality and it is way ahead of Nikon D5000.

Hats off to Canon for giving a Brilliant Entry Level DSLR again.

Features Compact

The Pentax K7 features a rugged, yet compact new body design, a new 14.6 megapixel CMOS sensor rebuilt from the ground up, and advanced features such as HD Movie Capture and new, unique-to-Pentax camera controls. Compatible with every Pentax lens ever made, the high-end K-7 features an abundance of long-anticipated new and improved features that are exclusive to the camera and combine to make it a tremendous photography tool.

FEATURES Compact, magnesium alloy body is lightweight and durable. New high resolution 14.6 megapixel CMOS sensor is ideal for large, detailed prints and cropping flexibility. Beautiful 3 inch, 921,000 dot LCD features autofocus and face detection Live View. Weather resistant, dustproof, and coldproof (14 degrees F, -10 degrees C) design is at home indoors and out, in most any environment. Fast 5.2 FPS shooting is possible with the PRIME II processing engine's 4 channel output. Ideal for fast action photography!

A top shutter speed of 1/8000 sec freezes even the fastest subject. Highly sensitive 77 segment metering system quickly and accurately determines exposure in even the most complex lighting. High quality pentaprism viewfinder provides 100% field of view with 0.92X magnification to achieve complete composition accuracy. Movie capture in HD 720p video at 30 FPS, movie Shake Reduction, and built-in mono audio or external 3.5mm stereo microphone terminal.

HDMI interface can output high resolution images and 1080i, 720p, or 480p video to HDTV?s. NTSC video is also available. Responsive and accurate autofocus is possible with the 11 point SAFOX VIII+ autofocus system. SAFOX VIII+ features 9 cross sensors, 2 wide angle sensors, and a dedicated AF assist lamp.



The PENTAX original Shake Reduction system provides stabilized images in low lighting, and now features rotational compensation. Compatible with 25+ million PENTAX 35mm lenses! Advanced Dust Reduction features supersonic low pass filter vibration. Electronic level indicator ensures images have level horizons.

See Price: Pentax K7

New Sony Alpha 2009

Models: DSLRA230L | DSLRA230Y

Capture your precious moments with improved clarity and reduced blur with the Sony a230 digital SLR camera, featuring 10.2-megapixel resolution and SteadyShot INSIDE in-camera image stabilization. Thanks to a small and light body and integrated on-screen Help Guide and Graphic Display, the a230 is remarkably easy to carry and use.



Models: DSLRA330L | DSLRA330Y

The Sony a330 DSLR camera brings you the freedom of Live View, which lets you compose and shoot photos using a tiltable 2.7-inch (diag.) LCD screen. SteadyShot INSIDE in-camera image stabilization reduces blur in every shot, while 10.2 megapixel resolution preserves those special moments in stunning clarity and detail.



Models: Models: DSLRA380L | DSLRA380Y

The Sony a380 DSLR camera brings you the freedom of Live View, which lets you compose and shoot photos using a tiltable 2.7-inch (diag.) LCD screen. SteadyShot INSIDE in-camera image stabilization reduces blur in every shot, while 14.2-megapixel resolution preserves those special moments in spectacular clarity and detail.

Nikon D5000 Perfect D-SLR

A remarkable blend of simplicity and highly advanced D-SLR capabilities, the compact and powerful D5000 offers breathtaking 12.3-megapixel image quality, along with a flexible, Vari-angle, Live View monitor for fresh picture-taking perspectives. Nikon's EXPEED image processing further enhances performance, contributing to split-second shutter response and continuous shooting at up to 4 frames-per-second to capture fast action and precise moments perfectly. The Nikon D5000's 24-fps HD D-Movie mode with sound captures video clips with amazing clarity-offering new and exciting creative opportunities. Fast, accurate 11-point autofocus with 3D Tracking, teamed with famous NIKKOR optics, assures incredible image sharpness, while active image sensor cleaning combats annoying dust automatically. Featuring a convenient built-in flash, 19 automatic exposure Scene Modes to make the impossible easy and 23 Custom Setting options to fit your preferences, as well as 14 in-camera image retouching functions, the D5000 is the perfect D-SLR, beginning with performance to meet your picture-taking tomorrows.

D-Movie Mode Features 720p HD Quality

The Nikon D5000's creative potential explodes with the capability to record smooth, 24 fps motion JPEG sound movie clips. Leveraging a 12.3-megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor, legendary NIKKOR optical quality and the one-button Live View function, the D-Movie Mode expands creative possibilities in 720p HD.



The All New Nikon D5000 Is Available for Pre-Order Now, and is expected to Begin Shipping in May 2009.

Specifications: http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Digital-SLR/25452/D5000.html