The competition
Image: Sony Alpha 57
There is stiff competition in the ‘upper-entry-level’ DSLR market in the form of the Pentax K-30, Nikon D5100 and Sony Alpha 57. All use a variation of the 16-million-pixel Sony CMOS sensor, which gives an approximate 16.1×10.7in print size, trumped by the EOS 650D’s extra two million pixels and 17.3×11.5in prints. However, the 650D’s measured dynamic range falls a little short of the Pentax and Nikon models.
Image: Pentax K-30
The K-30 uses an expensive pentaprism viewfinder with 100% field of view and 0.92x magnification, while the Alpha 57 uses an EVF with a 100% field of view. There are a number of benefits to an EVF, such as exposure preview.
For video users, the Sony and Canon models are the best options, with each offering full-time AF during video capture and the option for an external mic.
