(Jul 07, 2009)
Lori Grunin
Senior Editor
Professional photographers require a level of customization, performance, and ruggedness that's at least a notch above what consumer dSLRs provide. Compatibility with a broad range of accessories and studio equipment is also a must. If you have professional aspirations or are a seasoned pro going digital, these are the models you should consider. They require a serious investment, but in exchange they'll give you state-of-the-art imaging technology and the breadth of creative control you need to produce professional results.
Nikon D3 (body only)
Nikon's flagship dSLR packs a full-frame 12-megapixel sensor and is a highly versatile imaging powerhouse that lets photographers create images previously impossible to capture.
Price: $4,699.00 (check prices)
Review date: Jul 31, 2008
Outstanding
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Canon EOS 1D Mark III
Canon's EOS 1D Mark III offers a luxurious cocktail of high-resolution, extremely low noise, blazingly fast burst shooting, abundant customization, and a build quality and ergonomic design among the best you'll find in today's camera market.
Price: $3,999.95 - $4,499.99 (check prices)
Review date: Jun 18, 2007
Outstanding
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Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III
The 1Ds Mark III marks another high-end success for Canon, though you'll need a lot of spare cash if you want to own this ground-breaking camera.
Price: $6,899.95 - $7,999.99 (check prices)
Review date: Feb 25, 2008
Outstanding
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Canon EOS 5D Mark II (body only)
A great follow-up to the 5D and top-flight full-frame camera, the Canon EOS 5D Mark II delivers the fluid shooting experience and fine photos you expect from a professional model.
Price: $2,699.99 - $3,899.99 (check prices)
Review date: Jan 28, 2009
Excellent
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Nikon D700 (body only)
As long as you don't need seriously high-resolution photos, video capture, or machine-gun-fast sports shooting, the Nikon D700 has everything you need in a pro full-frame camera for a reasonable price.
Price: $2,099.99 - $2,699.99 (check prices)
Review date: Nov 19, 2008
Excellent
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Nikon D300 (body only)
Visibly better photo quality and slightly improved performance make the Nikon D300 a significant upgrade over the D200 and an excellent all-around choice.
Price: $1,599.99 - $1,799.99 (check prices)
Review date: Jan 28, 2008
Excellent
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Olympus E-3 (body only)
Despite some interface quirks and a slightly awkward design, the Olympus E-3 fares quite well against its midrange dSLR competition.
Price: $1,252.95 - $1,399.99 (check prices)
Review date: Feb 15, 2008
Excellent
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Canon EOS 5D (body only)
A decent midrange digital SLR camera built around a superb sensor, the Canon EOS 5D delivers great images and the familiar 35mm-film-format shooting experience for a comparatively low (though still hefty) price.
Price: $1,999.95 - $3,300.00 (check prices)
Review date: Nov 10, 2005
Very good
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Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 (body only)
A good first try at a pro-level camera, the Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 has the high resolution but unfortunately lacks some of the performance and usability you expect from a model in its price range.
Price: $2,699.00 - $2,699.99 (check prices)
Review date: Jan 20, 2009
Very good
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