Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips
Adobe Photoshop turns 20 tomorrow, February 19, 2010. It’s kind of amazing to think that it’s been around for that long. While DSLRs really just began to flourish 5 or 6 years ago, Photoshop has been kicking for four times as long. There is a whole lot of celebrating and special events coinciding with Photoshop’s 20th anniversary. There are plenty of links in the press release below that can point you to ways to connect with the Photoshop community if you’re interested. [Read more…]
Sony has announced two new Cyber-shot point and shoot cameras – the TX5 and H55.
The Sony TX5 is a 10.2MP compact waterproof camera up to 10 feet deep. The TX5 features optical image stabilization as well as Sony’s Exmor R CMOS and Sweep Panorama technology. It also carries freezeproof ratings down to 14 degrees F, and is dustproof and shockproof for up to 5-foot drops. The TX5 can also capture 720p HD video. The Sony TX5 should be available in April 2010 at an initial retail price of about $350. Check availability on Amazon.com.
The Sony H55 is a 14.1MP point and shoot camera with a 10x optical zoom (25-250mm equivalent), optical image stabilization, Sweep Panorama mode and a 3-inch LCD. The H55 can also capture 720p HD video. The Sony H55 should be available in April 2010 at an initial retail price of about $250. Check availability on Amazon.com.
Lowepro has updated its Slingshot series with three new camera bags, the SlingShot 102 AW, SlingShot 202 AW and SlingShot 302 AW. The new camera bags add extra space for personal items, improved organization options and the ability to carry an attached tripod. [Read more…]
The Seitz Roundshot VR Drive “s” is a high-speed automated panorama head. The mount automatically rotates the attached camera and allows it to capture up to 5 frames per second as part of a panoramic image. The Roundshot VR Drive “s” is available directly from Seitz’s website.
More details in the press release below. [Read more…]
Canon has introduced some big rebates for the Rebel XS, which takes it into the sub-$500 territory for the basic kit. The rebates get bigger when you add telephoto lenses to the kit.
The rebates of $70 and $170 for the various kits lead to the final price points noted below. The instant rebates expire on March 13, 2010.
Rebel XS w/ 18-55mm lens: $499 – B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Rebel XS w/ 18-55mm lens + 75-300mm lens: $599 – B&H Photo / Adorama
Rebel XS w/ 18-55mm lens + 55-250mm IS lens: $699 – B&H Photo / Adorama
X-Rite, maker of a number of color management products, has launched a new website geared toward providing color management tips, tricks and technologies for both amateur and professional photographers. You can find the new website at XritePhoto.com.
More details in the news release below. [Read more…]
Digimarc has unveiled 3 new digital watermarking solutions for photographers with it Digimarc for Images software. The software features a new “Chroma” technology that embeds ownership and usage rights into the images themselves without affecting the quality of the image. These digital watermarks as embedded and read with Photoshop software and can be detected with free browser plugins for Windows users.
Digimarc for Images is now available in basic, professional and small business editions at price points ranging from $99 to $499.
More details in the press release below. [Read more…]
Sigma has announced the availability of the 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM lens for Sony and Pentax DSLRs. The lens was previously announced for Canon, Nikon and Sigma mounts. [Read more…]
The Canon PowerShot S90 is a 10MP point and shoot camera, but it’s more than just another compact camera. It symbolizes a return of the popular Sxx-series of cameras. It boils down to a G11-junior with a portability bonus and, of course, the same RAW format capture.
Is it worth the price of admission? Read on to find out. [Read more…]
Scientists at Oxford University have developed a method for capturing extremely high frame rates by expanding on existing consumer-grade photography and video camera technologies. The new capture method works by using a single sensor to capture images simultaneously. According to Dr. Gil Bub,
“This is done by allowing the camera’s pixels to act as if they were part of tens, or even hundreds, of individual cameras taking pictures in rapid succession during a single normal exposure. The trick is that the pattern of pixel exposures keeps the high resolution content of the overall image, which can then be used as-is, to form a regular high-res picture, or be decoded into a high-speed movie.”
The most interesting aspect to this new development is the relatively low cost. While the scientists developed the technology with medical and scientific applications in mind at macroscopic and microscopic levels, the underlying hardware is primarily what we use in consumer-grade cameras. As a result, patent licensing of this tech could see future consumer applications but, obviously, at lower than the extreme frame rates required for use by the scientific community.
[Nature Methods via Sideways and UPI]