see also:

• digital SLR cameras
• medium format digital camera systems
• 35mm full frame digital SLR cameras compared

• benefits:
  • true wide angle views with wide angle lenses
  • dynamic range is generally wider and noise is lower
  • shallower DOF for better portraiture
  • ability to use perspective control devices such as:
    • Cambo Ultima 35 $US3999
• Kodak digital SLRs - no longer produced:
  • Kodak DCS 14N (Sept 2002):
    • 13.7mpixel; ISO 80-640; pop-up flash; 1.7fps x8; timelapse; 1kg;
  • Kodak DSC SLR/n (Feb 2004):
    • 13.5mpixel; ISO 160-1600; pop-up flash; 1.7fps x18; timelapse; 1kg; - slow; moire; 1.7fpsx17RAW;
• Canon 1Ds (Sept 2002):
  • 11mpixel; 3fps x10 RAW; 2“ 120,000pixel LCD; only 1 step zoom playback; 1.59kg;
• Canon 1Ds Mark II:
  • 17mpixel; 4fps x11 RAW; 1/8000th sec; X-sync 1/250th; RGB histogram; 10x playback zoom; 1.2kg.
  • unfortunately, even the Canon L series lenses do not have sufficient resolution to match this sensor, the situation will only be worse when Canon bring out a 22mp version
  • see http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/digital-view.shtml
  • $A13,000;
• Canon 5D (late 2005):
  • 12.8mpixel, full frame, 3fps for 17 RAW, 9pt AF, no AF assist, 3.5% spot meter, X-sync 1/200th; 2.5” 230,000pixel LCD; RGB histogram; no flash but E-TTLII;
  • 895g w batt; 12bit RAW; RAW+ separate jpeg; optional wireless; $US3299;
• Canon 1Ds Mark III (late 2007)
  • 156 pixels per mm may need new range of lenses to cope with the increased resolution.
  • Similar feature set to the 1DIII except:
    • full frame, 21mp (5616×3744 pixels);
    • no 6400 ISO mode;
    • only 5fps or 3fps but no 10fps.
    • max. burst reduced to 45 jpegs or 15RAW
    • 1,205g w/o battery
  • http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=139&modelid=15710
• Nikon D3 (late 2007):
  • similar to Canon 1DMIII except near-full frame FX size sensor (36×23.9mm) at 12.9mp (4256×2832 pixels)
  • 9fps x 64jpgs; 14bit;
  • 51pt AF incl. 15 cross-hair type; AF calibration for up to 20 lenses;
  • 3“ LCD with VGA resolution (= 640×480=307,200pixels); dual CF slots;
  • 1240g excl. battery; 1390g incl. battery; HDMI video out; 10pin remote control/GPS terminal;
  • Live Preview with AF:
    • handheld mode - via 51pt AF system via mirror up/down as in Olympus/Canon.
    • tripod mode - uses sensor contrast detection AF but can choose any point to AF on
    • no mention if can zoom in on a region to assist MF though or whether exposure option for WYSIWYG.
  • exposure bracketing only +/- 1EV;
  • virtual horizon display;
  • can use DX lenses in DX crop mode with AF at 10fps or no AF-tracking at 11fps;
  • ISO 100-25600;
  • still no sensor dust protection or sensor-based image stabiliser option.
  • $US4999;
  • http://www.dpreview.com/news/0708/07082312nikond3.asp
• Nikon D3X (late 2008):
  • 25mp pro camera; much more expensive than the 1DsMIII.
• Sony a900 (late 2008):
  • 25mp pro camera with CCD-shift image stabiliser but no live preview and no movie mode
• Canon 5DMII (late 2008):
  • 21mp entry level full frame with HD video (but no AF during video)
• Sony a850 (late 2009):
  • 25mp entry level full frame with CCD-shift image stabiliser but no live preview and no movie mode
  • weathersealing; 9pt AF with dual cross centre point and 10 assist sensors; 98% viewfinder view;
  • ISO 100-6400; 30sec-1/8000th sec; 1/250th flash sync; 3fps burst; AV or HDMI video out; 850g body;
  • $US2000 body only - ~25% cheaper than the a900 and you really give up only on these - 3 fps not 5 fps, the viewfinder shows 98% coverage rather than 100%, there is a very slight difference to the body's metal finish, and the remote control cable is now an optional extra.
  • http://www.dpreview.com/news/0908/09082705sonya850.asp
• NikonD700
• Nikon D4 sports dSLR
• Nikon D800 dSLR
• Canon 1D X sports dSLR
• Canon 5D Mark III dSLR
• Sony SLT Alpha a99
• Nikon D600 full frame dSLR

• Canon 1D Mark II (Jan 2004):
  • 28.7 x 19.1mm 1.3x crop sensor; 8.2mpixel; 8.5fps x20 RAW; time-lapse; 2” 230,000 pixel LCD; weatherproof; 1.57kg; $A7150;
• Canon 1D Mark IIN (late 2005):
  • as above but 22 RAW burst, 2.5“LCD, dual CF, SD slots allow separate RAW, jpeg recording;
  • shutter should do 200,000 cycles; optional wireless; $US3999 list;
• Canon 1D Mark III (mid-2007):
  • 1.3x crop sensor; 10mp; 10fps x 110 jpegs or 30 RAW; up to 6400ISO; 19 cross pt AF with 26 assist pts; 14bit; 3” LCD with live preview; sensor cleaner; 63 zone metering; 300,000 cycle shutter;
  • 10fps only achievable at shutter speeds 1/500th sec or shorter.
  • buffer holds 48-54 jpegs (but only ~14 if NR on), and if fast CF card burst can reach 110 jpegs but much less if NR on.
  • live preview mode has no AF but reduces shutter noise in burst mode by about 60-70% to my ears.
  • 10Mb RAW files; sRAW files for shooting with jpegs have 1/4 the resolution.
  • optional wireless allows shooting or live preview directly to FTP or HTTP server or can shoot directly to an external USB drive from it
  • optional 3rd party GPS USB dongle to record GPS data.
  • one of the best for photojournalism & sports photography;
  • cons:
    • no inbuilt intervalometer;
    • no on-demand grids - must buy focussing screen;
    • said to be louder than the 1D Mark IIN.
    • AWB not as accurate as FujiS5Pro for artificial lighting;
    • battery charger very large;
    • annoying sensor cleaning animation;
    • some top LCD's are too dim;
    • issues with SDHC speed - seems best to use 2Gb Extreme III SD cards rather than the 4Gb ones.
    • inability to use the AF-ON button to access a home AF point
    • inability to use the multi-controller for direct (other than registered) AF access
  • RRP $US4999 or $A6400
  • http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=312
• Canon 1D Mark IV (2010):
  • revised AF system to address issues of the Mark III
  • HD video
  • the last 1.3x crop dSLR made