See video that entertains and explains the latest in tech

CNET editors' digital SLR buying guide: Performance and features

Print this guide

E-mail to a friend

Feedback

What you need to know, from the kind of user you are to current technologies.

Performance and features

As with standard digicams, digital SLR features and performance vary widely. These are some of the most important differentiators.

Performance and feature criteria

Resolution	Low end: 6 megapixels High end: 16 megapixels
Frame rate	Low end: about 1.5fps to 2fps High end: 10fps
Burst depth	Low end: 4 to 6 shots High end: 110 shots
AF speed and tracking	Hard to quantify, but there are wide gaps in the AF performance of current digital SLRs, especially when tracking moving subjects. The top-end sports and news pro cameras definitely outperform the rest.
Ruggedness	Also hard to quantify, but another area where a wide gap exists between low-end offerings and the top sports and news pro cameras, which are sealed against moisture and made with more durable materials.
Viewfinder coverage	Low end: 90 percent High end: 100 percent
Start-up, playback, and mode-switching times	Low end: 1- to 6-second delays High end: Virtually instantaneous
Viewfinder information	Varies widely. The more information you can see without taking your eye away from the viewfinder, the faster you can shoot.
Quality of auto white-balance system	None is perfect, but a good one saves lots of time and headaches for JPEG shooters. Those who shoot raw files have the option of correcting white balance with software after shooting.
Ergonomics	Impossible to quantify--and partly a matter of personal preference--but critical to efficient shooting. Our advice: try before you buy.
Image stabilization	Lens or body? With respect to the final photo produced, both work equally well. Optical stabilization has the advantage of letting you see the stabilized version while you're looking through the viewfinder, which can be crucial when framing at long focal lengths (beyond 300mm), but putting the technology in the lens generally results in more expensive lenses. On the other hand, mechanical (sensor-shift) stabilization will work with any lens you buy, making it a less-expensive long-run solution.

» Back to top

Previous page:
Lens considerations

Next page:
Which digital SLR is right for me?

More digital camera resources from CNET

Top products

Editors' top professional digital SLRs

Editors' top prosumer digital SLRs

The latest
news, reviews,
and features on
cameras and camcorders.
Delivered Mondays

Sign up now

All free newsletters