Canon Eos D60 6mp Digital Camera
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.ukThe world's 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: Canon's compact, 10MP entry-level model is the world's 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 world's 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
Canon's 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.ukThe 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 Nikon's 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
Nikon's system is vast, with over 50 lenses ranging from 10.5mm to 600mm, and specialised optics such as Perspecive Correction Shift lenses.The Accessories
Nikon's 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 it's 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: Samsung's version of the 6MP Pentax K100D/K110D. The S' has anti-shake (like the K100D) while the L' doesn't (like the K110D).
Samsung GX-10: You guessed it; this is Samsung's take on the K10D. Just as good in every department. Pentax's 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 Samsung's 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.ukA relatively new entrant to the DSLR market but Sony is hitting it in a big way. It bought up Konica Minolta's DSLR and accessory business and is investing massively in DSLR production. A full-frame model is also planned for release.
The Range
Alpha 200: Sony's 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: Sony's 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.ukFujifilm's 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 connoisseur's 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 isn't a very old system, so not much there, but the M-series goes back before WWII!
Sigma
website: www.sigma-imaging-uk.comThe world's biggest independent lens brand also makes a DSLR, but the big players won't 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 won't find that many used Sigma-mount lenses.
Panasonic
Website: www.panasonic.co.ukTheir huge success in compacts has yet to be duplicated in the DSLR world, but they've 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 it's 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 isn't 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 world's 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
It's 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
Digital camera basic tips pointers and advice
16 Nov 2008 at 4:59pm
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