DSLR Cameras - Intermediate These cameras have more advanced features and better specs than most of the Entry Level DSLR cameras. The The Canon T3i was released in early 2011 and it features 18 megapixel capability like the best-selling T2i. The Nikon D90 is still a strong seller even though it is now a bit dated and its specs are below most of the competition. The Sony a580 is another strong entry from the Sony alpha line of DSLRs.
Sony A580 - Best Intermediate Camera When you look at the comparison below, you will see that the Sony Alpha 580
has very solid specs in virtually every category. In many cases, it is a strong
second but overall, this gives it the strongest showing. The image quality
is very good, the price is reasonable, it supports full HD video,
it has a quick 7 fps burst mode and it is very good in low light conditions.
It also offers a flip-out screen and it has a unique built-in panorama mode.
The reasonable price of an add-on telephoto lens compared to the other brands
is an added bonus.
Have a look at the comparison chart below or read the
Summary
JQuery Tablify - Demo
Canon
T3i / 600D
Nikon
D90
Sony
A580
Panasonic
GH2HK
Pentax
K-5
Price
$899
$985
$899
$1,499
$1,579
Megapixels
18 mp
12.3 mp
16.2 mp
16 mp
16.3
ISO Max
(with boost)
12,800
6,400
25,600
12,800
51,200
Sensor
APS-C
22.3x14.9
DX
23.6x15.8
APS-C
23.5x15.6
Four Thirds
17.3x13
APS-C
23.6x15.7
Video Mode
(highest)
1920x1080
30 fps
Supports 24 fps
1280x720
24 fps
1920x1080
30 fps
AVCHD
No 24 fps
1920x1080i
60 fps
AVCHD
Supports 24 fps
1920x1080
25 fps
Type
SLR
SLR
SLR
Mirrorless
SLR
Standard
Lens
EF-S
18-55mm
Not USM
AF-S
18-55mm
USM Motor
DT
18-55mm
Micro 4/3
14-140mm
18-55 mm
Lenses
Available
149
131
56
19
82
Sample lens
cost
70-300mm
f4-5.6
Stabilized
$512
70-300mm
f4.5-5.6
Stabilized
$512
75-300mm
f4.5-5.6
$249
70-300mm
f4-5.6
Not stabilized
$339
55-300mm
f4-5.8
$349
Viewfinder
Pentamirror
.63x
Pentaprism
.54x
Pentamirror
Pentaprism
LCD
3"
1040K dots
Var Angle
3"
920K dots
Fixed
3"
921.6K dots
Flip Out
3"
460K dots
Flip-Out
Touchscreen
3"
920K dots
Battery Life
50% Flash
CIPA Test
Lithium-ion
470 shots
Lithium-Ion
850 shots
lithium-ion
560 shots
(Live view)
Lithium Ion
340 shots
lithium-ion
Optical view
740 shots
External (stereo)
Mic Jack
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
Auto Focus
9 point
15 point
11 point
Image
Stabilization
In-Lens
In-Lens
In-Camera
up to 4 stops
?
in-camera
Image Quality
(DXO Mark)
66
73
80
60
82
Low-Light
(DXO Mark)
784 ISO
977 ISO
1,121 ISO
655 ISO
1162 ISO
Color Depth
22.1 bits
22.7
23.8
21.2
23.7
Dynamic Range
11.5 EV
12.5 EV
13.3 EV
11.3 EV
14.1
Shutter speed
(max)
1/4000
1/4000
1/4000
1/8000
Burst Mode
3.7 fps
34 JPEGs
4.5 fps
100 JPEGs
7 fps
45 JPEGs
5 fps
7 fps
Extra
Features
Scene Detect
10x Video Zoom
Wireless Flash
Panorama Mode
Warranty
1 Year
1 Year
(2 years in Canada)
1 Year
1 Year
1 Year
(2 years in Canada)
Comment
Preliminary. All specs and tests were not available at time of publication. T2i specs have been assumed where specific info was not available.
The T3i has some great features but the picture quality still lags the leaders.
Best overall quality but a generation behind the T3i in features (especially video). Viewfinder 40% bigger than T3i.
Better picture quality (than 600D) and some higher specs. Bulkier and slightly heavier than T3i because of in-camera stabilization. Not quite as "feature-rich" as the T3i but at this level, the picture quality has to be given a high priority.
Good features. Much lower quality picture than competition. High Price.
Great image quality, very good specs overall. Video lacks 24 fps and 30+ fps.
Heavy and too expensive for this level.
