Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Canon 60D Announced

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The Canon 60D has been officially unveiled. The new EOS 60D features an 18MP CMOS sensor, in-camera RAW processing and Full HD video capture.  The 60D is also the first DSLR from Canon that features a fully articulating LCD, which is a 3-inch LCD with a 1.04-million dot resolution.

The Canon 60D will capture 1920 x 1080 resolution video at 24p, 25p or 30p.  In 720p resolution, the 60D captures 50p or 60p frame rates. In addition to manual control for video, the 60D also includes manual audio levels in 64 steps, akin to the recent firmware updates for the 5D Mark II.

The Canon 60D should be available in September at an initial retail price of $1099 for body only, or $1399 with an included 18-135mm IS USM kit lens. Check availability on Amazon.com.

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

 

Canon Announces 4 New L-Series Lenses

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Along with the Canon 60D, four new L-Series lenses and two new teleconverters have been announced today.

  • Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM
  • Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM
  • Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM
  • Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM
  • Canon Extender EF 1.4x III
  • Canon Extender EF 2x III

Additional details and images for each of the lenses are in the press release below. [Read more…]

Samsung TL500 Review

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The Samsung TL500 is a stylish, yet serious, compact camera that offers a lot of potential for the discerning photographer looking for a lot of power in a pocket size.  The TL500 (EX1 outside the US) goes head to head with the likes of the Canon G11/G12 and Panasonic LX3/LX5 in terms of features and performance.

So is this powerful pocket shooter good enough for the control freaks out there?  Read on to find out. [Read more…]

Canon Develops 120-Megapixel APS-H CMOS Sensor

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Canon has produced yet another ridiculously high-MP APS-H sensor.   This time, it’s a 120MP CMOS sensor measuring 13,280 x 9,184 pixel.

Back in 2007, Canon had a 50MP sensor in APS-H format.  Of course, we have yet to see anything close to this megapixel count in any full frame or smaller sensor DSLR.

Of particular interest in Canon’s announcement though is that the sensor “also incorporates a Full HD (1,920 x 1,080 pixels) video output capability. The sensor can output Full HD video from any approximately one-sixtieth-sized section of its total surface area.”

Can we get a rumor check on that Canon 1Ds Mark IV?

Check out the full press release below. [Read more…]

Sony A55 and A33 Announced

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The Sony A55 and A33 are two new cameras that benefit from Translucent Mirror Technology (as Sony calls it), whereby the mirror does not move during video or image capture.  This translucent mirror allows the A55 and A33 to continuously focus using the cameras’ fast “phase detection” AF sensors.

The A55 is capable of capturing up to 10 frames per second, while the A33 weighs in at 7 frames per second.  Both cameras feature Sony’s Exmor APS HD CMOS sensors – 16.2MP for the A55 and 14.2 for the A33.

The cameras also feature a 3-inch 921k dot resolution LCD and a 100% coverage electronic viewfinder at 1.1x magnification.  Because of the new translucent mirror technology, the A33 and A55 allow the use of the eye-level viewfinder while recording video – something no other DSLR has managed to do yet.  Additionally, those looking forward to the film-making potential of these new cameras will appreciate the ability to add external mics via a 3.5mm mic-in port.

Sony A55 and A33 Key Specs

  • 16.2MP (A55) and 14.2MP (A33)
  • 3″ Vari-angle LCD (921k dot resolution)
  • 100% Coverage EVF (1.15M dot resolution)
  • 1920 x 1080 at 60i Video Capture
  • ISO 100-12800
  • Auto HDR
  • Sweep Panorama
  • Built-in GPS (A55 only)
  • Memory Stick / SDXC Compatibility

The Sony A55 should be available in October at an initial retail price of $750 for body only.  Check availability on Amazon.com.

The Sony A33 should be available in September at an initial retail price of $650 for body only. Check availability on Amazon.com.

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

Sony A560 Announced

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The Sony A560 is the successor to the popular A550 DSLR, and features a 14.2MP and HD video capture at 1080i.  The A560 also offers Multi-frame Noise Reduction, Sweep Panorama, 3D Sweep Panorama and other familiar features such as Auto HDR and Quick Live View AF.

The Sony A560 should be available in October 2010 with an 18-55mm kit lens at an initial retail price of $750.  A body-only version will be available for $650.  Check availability on Amazon.com.

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

Sony A580 Announced (in Europe)

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The Sony A580 has been announced by Sony UK, but no word from Sony US on the camera yet.  The A580 features a 16.2MP Exmor CMOS sensor, 7fps image capture, AVCHD 1080i video capture and an articulating 3″ LCD.  Like the A560, the A580 also offers Sweep Panorama, 3D Sweep Panorama and Sony’s Quick AF Live View system.

The A580 should be available in October in Europe, and is unknown whether it will be available in the US.

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

Alien Skin Announces Bokeh 2 Plug-in

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Alien Skin has announced Bokeh 2, which is the latest version of its creative focus and lens simulation plug-in.  Bokeh 2 offers 64-bit support for Photoshop CS5, as well as support for Lightroom 2 or greater.

Bokeh 2 retails for $199 and is a $99 upgrade for Bokeh 1 users.  If you purchased Bokeh 1 in April 2010 or later, then the upgrade is free.

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