Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Archives for 2011

 

Sony WX9 Hands-On Review

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The Sony Cyber-shot WX9 is 16.2MP compact camera that fits somewhere in the middle of Sony’s early-2011 lineup.  The image sensor is Sony’s rather impressive back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor, which is backed up by the power BIONZ image processor that allows the WX9 to deliver up to 10fps in burst mode and capture 1080i AVCHD video.

The WX9 is a close mate to the WX10, although it takes a step down in a couple parts of the feature set.  Check out my first impressions of the WX9 below. [Read more…]

Sigma Lens Announcements

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Sigma has announced pricing and updates for a number of new lenses, which include the APO 120-300mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM, the APO MACRO 150mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM, the 12-24mm F4.5-5.6 II DG HSM, the APO 50-150mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM, and MACRO 105mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM.

The previously announced 12-24mm, 120-300mm and 150mm lenses have retail price tags of $1400, $4700 and $1600, respectively.  As usual with Sigma lenses, however, the street prices should be substantially lower.

The 12-24mm lens will be available in April.  Initial availability at Amazon for $949.

The new 120-300mm lens will be available in February.  Check availability on Amazon.com.

The new 150mm lens will be available in March.  Check availability on Amazon.com.

Sigma has updated its 50-150mm f/2.8 and 105mm f/2.8 macro lens to include optical stabilization.  Both lenses feature Sigma’s high-quality EX exterior and speedy hypersonic AF motor.  The Sigma 105mm lens is capable of true 1:1 macro reproduction.

No word yet on pricing or availability for the new 50-150mm or 105mm lenses.

More details in the press release below. [Read more…]

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2: The Unofficial Quintessential Guide – New Book

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The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2: The Unofficial Quintessential Guide is a new book from Brian Matsumoto and Carol F. Roullard.  As you may know, the Panasonic G2 is an entry-level Micro Four Thirds camera.

This new book retails for $29.95; however, it can currently be found for $19.29 on Amazon.com.

More details in the press release below. [Read more…]

Sony Reveals More About A700 Replacement, Coming Mid-2011

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Sony has taken every opportunity over the past year or so to tease an A700 replacement.  Such is the case again this week at CP+ in Japan.

In this case, however, Sony managed to give an idea of when it would be available.  The yet un-named model that will replace the A700’s position in the Sony Alpha lineup will be available “mid-2011” according to the official word from Sony at CP+.

In addition to the new A700 successor, Sony is developing a new standard kit lens and a new hot shoe flash to pair with the prosumer camera.  As we have already learned, the Sony prosumer model will feature Sony’s Translucent Mirror Technology (as found in the A55 and A33).  The prosumer model, rumored to be called the A77, will also capture AVCHD in full 1920 x 1080 resolution.  The camera will also feature an APS-C format sensor.

Nikon Coolpix P300

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The Nikon Coolpix P300 is a compact point and shoot camera with a 12.2MP backside illuminated CMOS sensor and a bright f/1.8 max aperture lens.  The P300’s lens offers a 4.2x zoom range for a 24-100mm equivalent and a max aperture of f/4.9 at the long end.

The P300 features a 3-inch 921k-dot resolution LCD and covers a sensitivity range of ISO 160-3200.  The Coolpix P300 will record 1080p HD video at 30fps with full autofocus, stereo sound and use of the optical zoom.

Like its superzoom sibling P500, the P300 can capture in-camera HDR images by combining multiple photos into a single photo.  The Coolpix P300 should be available in March for $329.95. Check availability on Amazon.com.

Sigma DP2x

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The Sigma DP2x is a 14MP compact camera  with an APS-C image sensor, which is roughly the same size as found in DSLRs like the Canon 7D.

This newest iteration of the DP2 offers improved autofocus capabilities and incorporates Analog Front End (AFE), which converts full color data through the FOVEON X3 image sensor into a digital signal.  Sigma says that AFE “enables the camera to reproduce high definition and richly colored images.”

For those unfamiliar with the FOVEON image sensor, Sigma explains the DP2x’s functionality as follows:

The DP2x uses the same 14 megapixel (2,652×1,768×3 layers) direct image sensor as the SD14, SD15 and other DP series cameras. Utilizing the special features of silicon, which is penetrated to different depths by different wavelengths of light, this direct image sensor succeeds in full-color capture with the full RGB in a single-pixel location. Since the moire is not generated, use of a low-pass filter is not needed because full information of light and color can be captured with three-dimensional feeling.

The Sigma DP2x features a fixed 24.2mm f/2.8 lens, which is equivalent to the field of view of a 41mm lens on a full frame DSLR.  The lens is a new design and exclusive to the DP2x.  The DP2x allows for RAW image capture in order to make the most of the FOVEON X3 sensor and TRUE II image processor.

No word yet on price or availability.

See the full spec list below. [Read more…]