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Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax, Samsung or Four Thirds? The different systems explained

What sort of digital SLR system is right for you? From a series of Knols on photography equipment from What Digital Camera

Buying a DSLR? Its important to make the right choice ofsystem from the beginning. This guide details different camera systems and gives information on all the main cameras available.

Once you've considered what features you want on your camera using our Buying advice guide, you also need to consider the choice of systems available to you.

Canon

Website: www.canon.co.uk

The worlds market leader in DSLRs, with almost 50% of the entire market. The leading brand among press and sports photographers thanks to its extensive, high performance system.

The Range

EOS 400D: Canons compact, 10MP entry-level model is the worlds best-selling DSLR.


EOS 450D: 12MP-sensor body bursting with features.


EOS 40D: This just-launched mid-range model offers a more rugged build, higher speed shooting, and cutting edge features like Live View.


EOS 5D: The most affordable DSLR with a full-frame sensor, now around 1300


EOS 1D Mk3: Blisteringly fast DSLR.


EOS 1Ds Mk3: The worlds highest resolution DSLR, with 21 megapixels.

The Departed

You can still find good deals on the entry level EOS 350D, mid-range EOS 30D and EOS 1D MK 2/1Ds Mk2 models.

The Lenses

Canon produces over 60 lenses, ranging from 10mm to 600mm, including some great, fast prime lenses.

The Accessories

A vast accessory system with lots of highly specialist items. All EOS digital SLRs incorporate the E-TTL II flash system that works with EX series flashguns.

Backward Compatability

Canons digital SLRs accept lenses from its 35mm EOS cameras, a lineage that can be traced back two decades. Newer EF-S lenses can't be used on manual bodies, though.

Nikon

Website: www.nikon.co.uk

The Nikon name has been synonymous with professionals for over 30 years. The company has the second largest market share, with over a third of the worldwide market.

The Range

D40: Shrunken Nikon with 6MP sensor and simple interface aimed at the beginner.


D60: Replacement for D40x.


D80: 10MP mid-range replacement for the popular D70, aimed at the more experienced enthusiast.


D300: Semi-pro model with a 12MP sensor, high resolution LCD screen and Live View.


D3: Pro model, and Nikons first full-frame DSLR.

The Departed

The D40x, D200 and D2Xs have only just been replaced, with plenty still available. The older D50 and D70s models are also still around.

The Lenses

Nikons system is vast, with over 50 lenses ranging from 10.5mm to 600mm, and specialised optics such as Perspecive Correction Shift lenses.

The Accessories

Nikons Speedlight flash range includes the SB-400, SB-600 and SB-800 models, while there are many other accessories including conversion and extension rings, battery packs, vertical grips, remote triggering devices, etc.

Backward Compatibility

Nikon DSLRs accept most Nikon lenses made since the 1950s, though with some loss of functionality (eg, autofocusing and stop-down metering).

Pentax/Samsung

Websites: www.pentax.co.uk | http://www.samsung.com/uk/

Classic 35mm SLR brand Pentax was slower out of the blocks on the digital front than its rivals, but its catching up now and its merger wth Hoya should see an injection of much-needed investment for the future. Its collaboration with Samsung has spawned a range of DSLR models

The Range

Pentax K200D: Water and dustproof body, with Shake Reduction and lovely images.


Pentax K20D: Update to the popular K10D, with a solid build.



Samsung GX-20: Much the same as the K20D, though with a few tweaks here and there.

The Departed

Pentax K100D Super: a tweaked update to the K100D, with a 6MP sensor, built-in anti-shake and anti-dust functions.
Pentax K10D: The build quality of a semi-pro DSLR, plus some unique features, for the price of an entry-level model. Samsung GX-1L/S: Samsungs version of the 6MP Pentax K100D/K110D. The S has anti-shake (like the K100D) while the L doesnt (like the K110D).
Samsung GX-10: You guessed it; this is Samsungs take on the K10D. Just as good in every department. Pentaxs K100D is still around and you may also find its budget sibling the K110D (which lacks the anti-shake in our view, not a good trade-off).

The Lenses

Pentax currently has over 25 lenses, from 10mm to 300mm, and is turning up the volume in this area. Its new lenses are weather resistant and have started incorporating built-in motors, like Canon and Nikon. Compatibility is also offered with Samsungs lenses, with Sigma having a wide range on offer, too.

The Accessories

Four current flashguns headline a wide range of accessories, including remotes and a vertical grip.

Backward Compatibility

Uses the K mount, so literally millions of K-mount lenses going back decades will fit the current DSLRs, though with some loss of functionality.

Sony

Website: www.sony.co.uk

A relatively new entrant to the DSLR market but Sony is hitting it in a big way. It bought up Konica Minoltas DSLR and accessory business and is investing massively in DSLR production. A full-frame model is also planned for release.

The Range

Alpha 200: Sonys baby DSLR packs a punch with its great images.



Alpha A300/A350: Live-view enabled models with tilting LCD screens.


Alpha 700: This 12MP semi-pro model really impresses, with a high-resolution LCD screen and great images.

The Departed

Alpha 100: Sonys debut DSLR is more Konica Minolta in feel than Sony, but boasts a 10MP CCD and some innovative features, including the first sensor-based anti-shake system, Super SteadyShot.

The Lenses

Sony has already released 20 lenses (some re-branded KM optics), plus four premium quality Carl Zeiss optics, from the 16-80mm zoom lens to the gorgeous 135mm f/1.8.

The Accessories

The range currently boasts two flashguns, viewfinder accessories and battery packs.

Backward Compatibility

There are lots of Minolta Dynax mount lenses and Dynax accessories out there which will fit, as Sony now uses their mount (re-named the Alpha mount).

Smaller players in the DSLR market

Fujifilm

Website: www.fujifilm.co.uk

Fujifilms party trick is to fit Nikon-based bodies with its SuperCCD sensor, which boasts a wider dynamic range.

Range
The S5 Pro is based on the Nikon D200 body. While slower and lower in resolution, its sensor makes it suitable for portraits and weddings.

System The S5 Pro is a Nikon D200 on the outside, so accepts all Nikon lenses and accessories.

Backward Compatibility Again, with the entire Nikon system.

Leica

Website: http://uk.leica-camera.com/home/

The premium German connoisseurs camera brand has been working with Panasonic to produce compacts and more recently a digital rangefinder and DSLR. Expect to pay a massive premium for that Leica badge.

Range
The M8 rangefinder is not a DSLR but is a system camera, with interchangeable lenses.

The Digilux 3 is very similar to the Panasonic L1.

System The M8 uses the 17 M-series lenses from its 35mm cameras, while the Digilux 3 is a Four Thirds camera, so you can use any of these lenses.

Backward Compatibility Four Thirds isnt a very old system, so not much there, but the M-series goes back before WWII!

Sigma

website: www.sigma-imaging-uk.com

The worlds biggest independent lens brand also makes a DSLR, but the big players wont be losing much sleep just yet.

Range
The SD14 has a unique Foveon sensor, but is it 4.3MP or 14MP? It depends how you do the maths.

System The SD14 can only accept lenses in the Sigma mount. Not surprisingly, only Sigma makes these though there are about nine of them.

Backward Compatibility Only with older Sigma DSLRs, but very few have been sold, so you wont find that many used Sigma-mount lenses.

Panasonic

Website: www.panasonic.co.uk

Their huge success in compacts has yet to be duplicated in the DSLR world, but theyve only been making them for about a year.

Range
The L1 is a quirky 7.5MP Four Thirds DSLR. It has some nice features, such as a traditional aperture ring, though.


The L10 has only just been announced and is yet to be tested, but its unique selling point is a tilt and swivel Live View LCD screen, and its the first DSLR with Face Detection.

System The large and expanding Four Thirds system awaits.

Backward Compatibility Only with older Four Thirds kit, of which there isnt a lot.

Four-Thirds

With its popular 35mm SLRs long since discontinued, Olympus started from scratch with its Four Thirds system, which features a slightly smaller sensor in a 4:3 ratio, optimised for maximum digital performance. The company has also worked closely with Panasonic to develop LiveMOS technology, who in turn have collaborated with optics maker Leica. Sigma has also been steadily developing lenses for the system.

The Range

Leica Digilux 3: One and only model from Leica.

Olympus E-420: The joint worlds smallest DSLR is a throwback to the classic OM cameras of the seventies.

Olympus E-520: Much the same as the E-420, but with a redesigned grip and image stabilisation.


Olympus E-3 Semi-pro model, boasting weatherproofing and a vari-angle LCD screen.


Panasonic L1 7.5MP CCD sensor and 2.5in LCD screen.

Panasonic L10 Latest Lumix DSLR, with an articulated LCD screen.

The Departed

Olympus E-410: Predecessor to the E-420, with a 2.5in LCD screen and compact form.
Olympus E-510: Similar to the E-410, but with image stabilisation and a larger grip.
Olympus E-1: First model in the Four Thirds line, aimed at the semi-pro market. You may still find a small number of E-400 and E-500 bodies if you look around, as well as the even older E-300 and E-330 models, though the new models are big step up in performance.

The Lenses

Olympus produces 19 Four Thirds lenses, from 7mm to 300mmm, which offer a focal length twice that in 35mm terms (thus the 300mm becomes equivalent to a 600mm on a 35mm camera). You can also use Four Thirds lenses from Panasonic, Leica and Sigma, with the latter company having recently announced yet more compatible optics for the Four Thirds range.

The Accessories

Its a new system but all the essentials are here, including FL-20, FL-30 and FL-50 flashguns plus ring flash and twin flash, and even underwater cases for the E-400 and E-410.

Backward Compatibility

You can attach older, manual focus OM lenses using an adaptor, but with some loss of auto functionality.


This article first appeared in What Digital SLR, buying guide by What Digital Camera magazine


Other articles to help you choose camera kit:

• Digital camera buying advice: camera features explained
• Lenses for digital SLRs: Lens features explained
• Accessories for digital cameras