(XII 22, 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: $10,199.01 (check prices)
Review date: 2008-7-31
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: $3,579.95 - $3,999.00 (check prices)
Review date: 2007-6-18
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: $6,099.95 - $9,999.00 (check prices)
Review date: 2008-2-25
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: $2,669.99 - $2,899.00 (check prices)
Review date: 2009-1-28
Excellent
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Canon EOS 7D (body only)
An excellent midrange dSLR, the Canon EOS 7D delivers for the money.
Price: $1,699.00 - $1,699.99 (check prices)
Review date: 2009-12-10
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: $2,696.95 - $2,699.99 (check prices)
Review date: 2008-11-19
Excellent
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Nikon D300s (body)
The Nikon D300s is a great camera, especially if you need the burst speed or slightly improved low-light focus, but if you don't care about video you might consider looking for a really good deal on a D300 and using what you save to splurge on a good lens.
Price: $1,496.21 - $1,699.99 (check prices)
Review date: 2009-9-9
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: $1,199.95 - $1,699.95 (check prices)
Review date: 2008-2-15
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: $2,498.95 (check prices)
Review date: 2005-11-10
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: 2009-1-20
Very good
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