The good news for consumers is that DSLR makers appear to be in the throes of an entry-level price war
This week both Nikon and Canon effectively reduced the prices of their entry-level DSLR cameras, perhaps in anticipation of new low-priced entry-level models from Pentax and Olympus. Canon has introduced a £100 cash-back offer for purchasers of its EOS-300D in November through to the end of January, while Nikon has announced a reduction in the D70 list price by £100.
Olympus is rumoured to be pricing its new 8 megapixel E-300, scheduled to go on sale just before Christmas, at the same level as Canon's now-ageing 6MP EOS-300D best-seller. Pentax, meanwhile, is set to introduce its new lower-priced 6MP *istDS imminently.
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Model | Canon EOS-300D (Digital Rebel | Nikon D70 | Olympus E-300 | Pentax *istDS
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| Typical price (UK) | £620 | £899 | £699 (dpnow estimate) | £799
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| Typical price (USA) | $879 | $1299 | $899 (dpnow estimate) | $999 (dpnow estimate)
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| Typical price (Euros) | €899 | €1289 | €999 | €1199
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| Megapixels | 6 | 6 | 8 | 6
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| Kit lens | EF-S 18-55mm (29-88mm equiv) f/3.5-5.6 | AF-S DX 18-70mm (27-105mm equiv) f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED | Zuiko Digital 14-45mm (28-90mm equiv) f/3.5-5.6 | DA 18-55mm (27-83mm equiv) f/3.5-5.6 AL
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| Shutter speed range | Bulb-1/4000th sec | Bulb-1/8000th sec | 8min-1/4000th sec | Bulb-1/4000th sec
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| Flash sync speed | X=1/200th sec | X=1/500th | X=1/180th or 1/4000th (Super FP) | X=1/180th
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| Max continuous shooting speed/frames (JPEG) | 2.5fps/4 frames | 3fps/12 frames | 2.5fps/unknown | 2.8fps/8 frames
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| LCD size/resolution | 1.8in/118,000 pixels | 1.8in/130,000 pixels | 1.8in/134,000 pixels | 2.0in/210 pixels
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| Special features | Photostitch panorama software | i-TTL distance related flash system, grid lines in viewfinder, extensive customisable image settings | Porro viewfinder, supersonic wave sensor cleaner | Compact design, SD card support (no CF)
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| Dimensions/weight (no battery, card or strap) | 142x99x72mm/560g | 140x111x78mm/595g | 146.5 x 85 x 64mm/580g | 125x 92.5x 66mm/505g
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There is also a question mark over the ability of the digital camera market as a whole to shift stock produced in anticipation of a record Christmas. Instead, industry sources suggest that there may be too much inventory in the market and manufacturers are either having to cut production or limit planned increases in production. Of course, when there is too much product in the channel, prices drop – which is good news for the customer.
