Shots in the Dark

A trio of new DSLRs kill static to take crisper photos in low light

TREND
More digital cameras now use CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) sensors to capture sharper images in dim lighting, with less "pixel noise"�colored flecks that occur at high light-sensitivity settings when the camera's processor tries to boost the brightness in a dark image.

REASON
SLRs have large sensors that absorb more light than those in point-and-shoots. CMOS is handy at these sizes because it consumes less power than the charge-coupled device (CCD) sensors in earlier models. And CMOS sensors fit noise-reduction circuitry right on the chip.

BENEFIT
At dawn or dusk, you can photograph outdoor vistas too big for a camera flash to illuminate. Inside, you'll capture scenes in the unique ambient light instead of the harsh, generic glow of flash.

Dan Havlik

more : popsci