$3300

by Kevin Arnold

Shana Novak

1. Hi-res still camera and hi-def videocam. Sure, digicams can shoot video. But not like this. Video is recorded through high-quality interchangeable lenses on a full-frame 35mm sensor, providing the type of manual focus and other controls previously available only to Hollywood DOPs. Stunning. And the .mov format makes it very easy to download and edit in QuickTime.

2. The larger, brighter viewfinder is among the nicest we've seen—pro models included—and the three-inch LCD screen adjusts automatically to ambient light. Miss film's different emulsions? The "picture style" button gives instant access to six preset and three customizable modes, each with a unique rendering of color, saturation, and contrast. But shoot in RAW and you can tweak all that later.

3. A helluva deal. Photowise, the 5D blows away the competition with its 21.1-megapixel sensor, new DIGIC 4 imaging processor, ISO speeds up to 25,600, and four-frames-per-second shooting. Against pro cameras more than twice the price, it has smoother tonal transitions, truer colors and skin tones, and more detail. Plus, you get a full-blown HD videocam thrown in?! Sweet.

canonusa.com

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2009 Summer Buyer's Guide Cameras Reviews

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Gear of the Year	$3300
Pentax K2000 Killer Value	$700
Nikon D90	$1000
Fujifilm FinePix F60fd	$300
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3	$500
Leica M8.2	$6300
Olympus SP-565 UZ	$350

2008 Summer Buyer's Guide Cameras Reviews

Nikon D3 Gear of the Year	$5000
Olympus Stylus 790 SW Killer Value	$300
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T2	$350
Canon EOS 40D	$1500
Kodak EasyShare V1253	$250
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18	$350
Pentax Optio S12	$250

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Sanyo Exacti E1	$499

2007 Buyer's Guide Cameras Reviews

Panasonic DMC-LX2 Gear of the Year	$500
Nikon D40 Killer Value	$600
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-N2	$400
Leica Digilux 3	$2495
FujiFilm FinePix F31fd	$400
Canon PowerShot A710 IS	$300
Olympus Stylus 750	$430

2006 Buyer's Guide Cameras Reviews

Nikon D50 Gear of the Year	$760
Olympus SP-350 Killer Value	$399
Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-R1	$999
Leica D-Lux 2	$799
Cannon EOS 5D	$3299
Fujifilm Finepix F10	$299
Pentax Optio WPi	$350

2005 Buyer's Guide Cameras Reviews

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-V3 Pro Gear of the Year	$600
HP Photosmart R707	$300
Canon PowerShot S70	$500
Olympus Stylus 500	$400

2004 Buyer's Guide Cameras Reviews

Canon Digital Rebel Gear of the Year	$999
Olympus C-5060 Wide Zoom	$799
Nikon D100	$1600
Panasonic DMC-FZ10	$599
Sony DSC-F828	$1000
Konica Minolta Dimage Z1	$499
Canon EOS Rebel K2	$299
Casio Exilim EX-S3	$349
Fujifilm Finepix S5000 Zoom	$400
Smartdisk Flashtrax 40GB Portable Hard Drive	$500
Nikon N75 35MM	$430
Pentax Optio S4	$399
HP PSC 2510 Photosmart All-In-One	$399
Epson Stylus Photo 900	$199

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