Over the years, the British Journal of Photography has reviewed hundreds of cameras from the leading manufacturers. Here is a list of all digital SLRs and links to their BJP reviews (registration required).

It was the worst-kept secrets of the summer. Last Thursday, in an private briefing with BJP, under a Non-Disclosure Agreement, Canon was showing off its new EOS 50D digital SLR. And on Monday, Nikon was doing the same with its D90 camera featuring video capabilities.

However, these meetings just confirmed what many photographers knew for days if not weeks. The 50D had been the subject of numerous rumours and speculations, and even an official confirmation when Canon's Chinese website published the camera's full specifications ahead of its launch. The page was quickly pulled offline, but it was already too late: copies of the page reached forums and specialised websites, thanks in main part to Google's habit to host a cache of each page it indexes.

The same happened with Nikon, which saw the full specifications of its new DSLR published days before on websites such as Nikonrumors. In fact even Nikon UK's group marketing manager Jeremy Gilbert acknowledged the leak. 'I'm sure you've all gone to Nikonrumors, but this is the official announcement,' he told the many journalists attending the press briefing and hoping for some surprise announcement.

For full coverage of the new mid-range additions, check BJP's article on Canon EOS 50D and our preview of Nikon's D90. Our 03 September print issue will also feature extended coverage of the two new cameras.

Photo District News has rightly enough reported on the helpful imaging applications of the smart phone for the on-location photographer.

“For the photographer, and especially for the on-location shooter, the smart phone is the latest tool to help you not only stay connected when out of the office, but also to keep ahead of deadlines, to show off portfolios, and to help find shooting locations.”

The article praises the iPhone as the “most talked-about” devices, which “runs an increasingly large collection of third-party software, has built-in 3G and GPS capabilities, can work with WiFi and offers a truly ‘realistic’ internet experience.”

In fact, imaging companies are starting to notice the utility of Apple's phone. At last month's Photokina trade show, BJP was shown how the iPhone could be used with the Leaf camera system. Leaf developed an iPhone version of its image capture and processing workflow application, the Leaf Capture Remote.

A photographer using a Leaf AFi medium format camera can, instantly, send to his client's iPhone the photographs he is taking. The client can then edit the image on his iPhone if he wants and send live feedback to the photographer. Leaf told BJP that the application would be regularly updated with new editing tools, with the goal to have a full-fledge portable editing suite.

What's next? An iPhone version of Photoshop CS4? The idea is not that far-fetched. Adobe already has an online version of the photo editing software. Adapting it to the iPhone would not be that difficult.

After weeks of ad teases, Red has gone live with its announcement of its DSMC (Digital Stills and Motion Camera) System – which many think will change the way we think about image capture forever.

The hybrid system is available in multiple configurations, based around one of two 'brains' – the Scarlet, or the higher-spec Epic – with sensor sizes available from 2/3-inch to 6x17cm, reportedly delivering still image resolutions ranging from 4.9 million pixels to a whopping 261 million, together with full-frame motion picture capability.

Add to the brains with the many various lenses and accessories, Red is only half-joking when it boasts there are '2,251,799,813,685,248 possibilities (as of today)'.

'An extreme case of multiple personalities' indeed.

'Scarlet will launch in four choices ranging from $2500 (and possibly less) to $12,000 with a variety of lens mounts (yes, Canon and Nikon) capable of shooting 3K @120fps on up to 6K @30fps,' reports Endgadget. 'Epic will offer similar mounts with capabilities spanning 5K @100fps ($28k) to 9K @50fps ($45k) - a 28K system hitting 25fps is expected in 2010 for $55k. Still image resolutions will range from 4.9 megapixels to a freakish 261 megapixels. The first Scarlet systems could come as early as Spring of 2009 while Epic should arrive by summer.'

But there's more. Namely, the unnamed '5D Mark II-killer'.

'We believe, and are developing for late 2009, a replacement for DSLRs,' says Jim Jannard, founder of Red on the RedUser site today. 'Currently, we call it a DSMC (Digital Still & Motion Camera). 'While (insert code name) is not a replacement for Epic or Scarlet, it is strategically targeted at the DSLR space. As Nikon and Canon release their 720P and 1080P, respectively, DSLRs with video capture... Red has a more advanced view of the future. We look forward to rapidly pushing the "big guys" along in feature sets and capabilities.

'Red firmly believes in higher resolution, higher S/N, higher DNR, higher frame rates, smaller bodies, more system flexibility, and many more options as we move forward in camera development.

'The strength of Red is in our sensor development program, "REDCODE", and having no legacy platforms to deal with. That left us free to explore, develop and prepare to deliver a new platform. DSMC.

'We think all our customers already know what the future will bring. They are just afraid to wish for it for fear of disappointment. Fear not. Sleep tight. Red is awake.'

Our friends over at PDN have some background and analysis of the new Scarlet and Epic systems.

2008 was a year of surprises and long-awaited updates in the equipment arena. Nikon and Canon released a few new models (the EOS 50D for example, or the D60 at Nikon). Sony also introduced its flagship camera, which it had been hinting at for more than a year. But the best surprises came from unlikely candidates - Leica and Red. Here is our top nine of 2008's best cameras!

9 - Nikon D60

Unveiled in January 2008, the D60 replaced the D40x, itself introduced less than one year before. The £450 digital SLR with a 10.2 million pixel resolution is very similar to its predecessor, with the main innovation being the inclusion of Nikon's image sensor cleaning function, as well as an airflow control system. Nikon also added some filter effects to make this model an entry level camera for enthusiasts. For more on the camera, read our news item here.

8 - Canon EOS 450D
Also unveiled in January 2008 is Canon EOS 450D DSLR. The camera, which replaces the 400D, came with a bigger resolution (12.2 million pixels, and introduced the nine-point autofocus system and the DIGIC III processor to the range. It is capable of burst rates of up to 3.5fps and comes with live view composition (a feature that became a standard in DSLR this year). Costing £600 (body only) the camera can take up to 500 shots with only one charge. For more, read our article here.

7 - Sony Alpha 900

The Alpha range now has its flagship. Two years after the introduction of its first DSLR camera, Sony launched a full-frame 24.6 million pixel resolution Alpha 900. The CMOS sensor was designed from the ground up for 35mm format full-frame imaging. It has an aspect ratio of 3:2 and features the SteadyShot Inside stabilisation system, whic is fitted in-camera to ensure lower image degradation compared to lens-based systems. However, the camera's best feature is its price - £1800 - making it the cheapest full-frame camera on the market, thus introducing high resolution images to more people. For more on this camera, which was launched in September 2008, read our article here.

6 - Canon EOS 50D

To fill the gap between the 40D and the 5D, Canon released in September its 50D. With a 15.1 million pixel resolution CMOS sensor and Canon's new DIGIC 4 image processor, the 50D allowed Canon to catch up with Nikon in terms of low-noise image quality. The camera shoot at ISO levels of up to 3200, expandable to 12,800. The 50D is in a waterproof casing and comes with the EOS Integrated Cleaning System, which now includes an improved Self Cleaning Sensor Unit with a new fluorine coating. The camera retails at £1200. For more, click here.

5 - Nikon D90
Nikon was the first camera manufacturer to add High-Definition video to a DSLR. The camera, set to replace the D80, offers a 12.3 million pixel resolution with a newly-designed DX-format CMOS sensor. It is couples with Nikon's Expeed image procession system, which provides a wide ISO sensitivity ranging from 200 to 3200. But the 720p HD video mode is the real innovation, even if autofocus does not work in this mode, forcing videographers to focus manually or to use an external system. The camera retaisl at £700. For more, read our article.

4 - Nikon D3x

Less than a year after its release, Nikon updated its flagship pro camera, the D3. The D3x (following on Nikon's naming scheme) comes with a 24.5 million pixel sensor, effectively doubling its predecessor's resolution. The sensor was designed by Sony, but is different than the one fitted in the Alpha 900 DSLR. The full-frame camera does not add a lot of new features, as Nikon wanted it to be its biggest camera ever, without any additional bells and wistles. It can shoot up to 5fps in raw format, and also comes with a live view mode. But video was left out as Nikon did not 'have the right type of video for this product' and 'wanted to focus on getting the best DSLR with a high-resolution'. For more on this camera, read our article here or view the world's first test in this week's issue of BJP.

3 - Canon EOS 5D Mark II
This one was easily this year's most hotly anticipated DSLR. Its predecessor, the 5D, was called the best DSLR ever, as it provided amazing results. As soon as the 5D was released, it obtained cult status, butusers still asked for a new version that would keep the same sensor but come with a more rugged body. Canon delivered that, but added a few extras. Now boasting 21.1 million pixel resolution, the 5D Mark II also comes with High-Definition video capabilities. Nikon offered five minutesof 720p video, Canon went one step further with 12 minutes of 1080p HD recording. The camera, like its predecessor, has become a cult camera with photographers such as Vincent Laforet shooting amazing movies using this second coming of a camera. View some of them here or read our article. You can also read the first test in this week's issue of BJP.

2 - Red One

This new camera system did not gather much press in the UK, with BJP running one of the only articles on it when it was unveiled in November. However, the Red Digital Still & Motion Camera has the potential to reshape the industry. Based on the firm's Scarlet and Epic models, the DSMC can deliver still image resolutions randing from 4.9 million pixels to a whopping 261 million, together with full-frame motion picture capability. Starting from $2500 up to $12,000, the first versions of the camera will be available in early 2009. They will be capable of shooting 3000 images at 120fps or 6000 at 30fps. Red also developed more than 20 lenses, from wide-angle primes to image-stabilised zooms. For more about the system, read our exclusive article here.

1 - Leica S2

But this year's biggest surprise is, without doubt, Leica's foray into the DSLR realm. The S2, which will introduce the S system, was first announced at this year's Photokina international trade show. The 37.5 million pixel resolution camera is designed to bridge the gap between more versatile professional DSLRs and medium-format high resolution models. The device sports a 30x45mm CCD sensor, which is 56% bigger than a typical 35mm sensor. The weather proof S2 is smaller than top Canon or Nikon DSLRs, Leica claimes, but provides the same features usually found in medium format camera. The S2 will also come with nine new lenses. The camera will retail in mid-2009 at more than €20,000 and Leica will unveil more technical details at the 2009 PMA show in Las Vegas in March. For more, read our article here or view more than 12 images of the system here.

Personally I was sold on the title alone, but for readers with a slightly more technical approach, check out Lesbian Vampire Killers, in cinemas from 20 March. It was shot entirely on RED cameras, the first theatre-wide release to be made in this way.
www.lesbianvampirekillersmovie.co.uk

If you were wowed by the full production quality of Vincent Laforet's film Reverie, shot on a Canon EOS 5D MkII, take a look at what Bill Frakes achieved with a Nikon D3s:

Shot on assignment for Nikon in Australia, and presented at the European launch of the D3s in St Andrews, it tells you much more about how photographers will be using DSLR cameras to capture video alongside stills in the near future. Reverie shows just what these cameras (and an army of assistants) are capable of, but it's a movie. Frakes' film tells me much more about how shooters can combine stills and motion to create really effective multimedia presentations that add more of a story element to their published pictures, and how online can work with and enhance the printed story.

Frakes, who shoots for Sports Illustrated, told us that as many as eight million readers see his pictures in the magazine, but his multimedia stories garner as many as 50 million hits, which drive visitors back to the magazine. (And who says multimedia doesn't pay?)

Frakes has used the D3s in extreme low light conditions in the film, but what's really interesting for me is that as they're combined together, the stills jump out from the video footage, proving that photographs still hold their arresting power in this environment.

There are, of course, many other examples of the effective use of stills and motion (Media Storm is a pretty good place to start your search), so let us know what's impressed you.

Hasselblad is introducing the H4D-40 medium format camera. We first reported on the camera on 04 February here, but now you can see the 40 million pixel resolution camera in action: