Nikon D5100

This model came out last year, and offers Nikon quality at a more reasonable price. The Nikon D5100 16.2MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with an 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR Nikkor zoom lens has an MSRP of $849, but is currently selling for $699 at Amazon, where it’s one of the online vendor’s most popular DSLR cameras.





This 16.2 megapixel DSLR camera has the ability to record HD movies at 1920x1280 pixels /25fps with stereo sound, while the high-resolution 3” vari-angle LCD monitor lets you easily compose shots from difficult angles. An ISO range of 100-25600 covers just about any lighting conditions, giving you perfect shots any time.

Here’s what Digital Trends had to say about the Nikon D5100: “If you’re in the market for a new DSLR you can hardly wrong with the Nikon D5100. It takes solid photos and videos, offering the response shutterbugs demand as they move from point-and-shoots to ‘real’ cameras.”



Canon EOS Rebel T2i

This Canon SLR has been out since 2010, but is still a best-seller in its category. If you’re looking for a lightweight, full-featured camera for under $1,000,  the Canon EOS Rebel T2i is worth a look. Users rave that this camera delivers performance comparable to much pricier models at a more reasonable price.

Here’s what PC Magazine said about this camera in their review: “Pros:?Top-notch images. 18-MP resolution. Low noise levels through ISO 3200. Largest and sharpest LCD available on a D-SLR. Multiple HD video-capture modes. Manual exposure control available during video capture. Compatible with SDXC memory cards. HDMI-CEC support.

“Cons:?Video recording is not as intuitive as with a dedicated camcorder. Frames-per-second capture is slower than the competition. Bottom Line:?The Canon EOS Rebel T2i pumps out beautiful pictures and boasts full-featured 1080p video recording options that were previously only available with D-SLRs twice its price.”

The Canon EOS Rebel T2i SLR digital camera with 18 MP CMOS APS-C sensor, DIGIC 4 image processor and full-HD movie mode with 3” LCD and and EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens sells for $789.99 at Amazon.


Pentax K-5

If you expect to be shooting under less-than-optimal conditions, you need a camera that can withstand the elements. The Pentax K-5 is weather sealed and has a compact size that makes it easy to grab fast shots on the run.





According to MacWorld, “The Pentax K-5 DSLR is engineered for serious enthusiast photographers who want a weatherproof camera with excellent image quality, but in a smaller package than most in its class. The K-5’s solid magnesium alloy/stainless steel chassis feels good in the hands, it’s easy to operate the buttons and dials, and the 16.3 MP images Pentax’s flagship camera captures are high quality, even at ISO settings up to 3200.”

The Pentax K-5 16.3 MP Digital SLR with a 18-55mm Lens and 3” LCD has a list price of $1,249.00, but is currently going for $1,082.99 at Amazon.