Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips
A german site, digitalkamera.de has provided additional info on the coming Sony A500 and A850. While there a few mysteries left to the Sony A850 since the full manual leaked online, details of the Sony A500 (other than it’s existence) has been scant.
If the report is to be believed, which it appears credible, the Sony A500 specs appear to be as follows: [Read more…]
First, I want to give a special thanks to everyone who participated in the Sony Twilight Football Photo Contest. If you haven’t seen all the great photos, check out the 20 Sony Twilight Photo Contest Finalists. Additionally, a big thanks to Sony for making Photography Bay a part of the contest and sending a Photography Bay reader on this cool photographic journey.
And the winner is . . . [Read more…]
I received a tip that the September 2009 edition of Résponse Photo, a popular French magazine, that the Canon 1D Mark IV would be announced on August 25. That’s Tuesday for those of you who don’t have your calendar handy.
I looked around the Interweb and couldn’t seem to find an online presence for Response Photo, other than the publisher’s site. However, a poster on the Spanish forum Ojo Digital corroborates this tip and provides a little further insight as to what’s in the issue, including tips on the Nikon D700x or D800 and Sony’s new Alphas (via Google’s automated translation):
– A Nikon D700x (or D800) that should be the D3x what the D700 to the D3 (Sensor Sony 24 Mpx).
– One that replaces the Canon 1D Mk III … (anunciada el 25 de agosto) (announced on August 25)
– A Pentax entry-level …
– Three Sony models, two bodies twins who come to fill an empty space range today and a third that seeks to satisfy the fans who consider 24×36 expensive current models be announced on August 27 and will hit stores on September 15 . . . announce a complete test in the October issue.
Rumors of the Nikon D700x have been rattling around for a long time now (pretty much since the Nikon D3x was announced December 2008). I’m skeptical that Nikon has such a camera planned this soon after the D700, but I’ve been wrong on these feelings before.
The Canon 1D Mark IV sounds plausible; however, that date is inconsistent with other rumors we’ve heard.
A replacement for the Pentax K2000 seems a little quick as well, but manufacturers seem to be shortening the product life cycle more and more.
The three Sony models sounds like the real deal though. I think that the reference to the 24x36mm shooter is clearly the Sony A850, which has all but been announced. The other two that fill a new slot in the lineup is likely the Sony A500 and A550.
The Sony A230 is a 10.2-megapixel DSLR that is geared toward entry-level shooters. The Sony A230 replaces the Sony A200, which was virtually identical in specifications to the A230. As a result, the A230 is more of a refreshed version of the A200 rather than an all new model. Unlike the A200 though, the Sony A230 kit lens is an 18-55mm lens rather than the 18-70mm range provided by the A200’s kit lens.
The key difference between the Sony A230 and A330 is the lack of Live View and an articulating LCD. Other than that (and those are kind of big differences in my book), the A230 is essentially the same camera. [Read more…]
We got the Nikon D3X for Christmas last year. So, why not the Nikon D4 for Christmas this year?
Our friends at Southern Photo Technical Service are again claiming to have info on the Nikon D4:
1. It will be announced December 2009.
2. It will have video.
3. It will be ground breaking.
4. Chuck Norris already has one.
Ok, so I made the last one up . . . but that doesn’t mean it’s not true.
What do you think about video in a flagship camera?
Pros, will you use video?
Will you avoid the camera because of the video feature?
Why?
Adobe has made the release candidate for Camera Raw 5.5 available for download on Adobe labs.
Release notes are as follows:
Newly supported camera models include:
- Nikon D300s
- Nikon D3000
- Olympus E-P1
- Panasonic DMC-FZ35
Camera Raw 5.5 includes a correction to the demosaic algorithms for Bayer sensor cameras with unequal green response
More details and download links are available over at Adobe labs.
Is this an image of the Canon 7D‘s top? I don’t know, but it looks like a real something…
What’s different from the 5D Mark II?
Other than that, it looks a lot like the current Canon 5D Mark II.
[via DPR forum]
Remember the Sony Twilight Contest? It ended yesterday.
I have selected the 20 finalists from the entrants who submitted their photos to the contest. They are listed below in no particular order. Sony will now choose one of these images as the winner from Photography Bay’s portion of the contest and the photographer and a guest will be traveling to 1 of 7 awesome locations to shoot with Sony’s new gear at a Twilight football match.
1. Hong Kong at Twilight by zpowderhound
2. Burning Fever by Bchild33
3. One more trick by hungrig4leben [Read more…]
The Casio EX-Z450 and EX-Z90 are 12.1-megapixel point and shoot cameras that feature Casio’s new Intelligent AF, which adds more flair to the typical face detection that we see in other point and shoot cameras. The EX-Z450 features a 4x optical zoom lens and sensor-based image stabilization. The EX-Z90 features a 3x optical zoom.
The EX-Z450 and EX-Z90 will be available in October 2009 at an initial retail price of $199.99 and $149.99, respectively.
Check availability of these two cameras on Amazon.com:
The Casio EX-Z450 is a likeable enough compact camera, offering a good package of compact dimensions, versatile wide-angle lens, large LCD screen and HD movies, but ultimately it fails to excite.
DOVER, NJ – AUGUST 18, 2009 – Casio America, Inc. and its parent company, Casio Computer Co., Ltd., announced the release today of two new additions to the EXILIM digital camera lineup. The EXILIM Zoom EX-Z450 and EXILIM Zoom EX-Z90 both are equipped with Intelligent AF, a new function that can detect even a non-human photographic subject, allowing the models to automatically determine the focus and exposure area. In addition, Casio’s unique Dynamic Photo function, for composite moving image creation, is now faster and easier to operate, allowing users to produce animated electronic greeting cards and other digital creations.
New to the Casio EXILIM lineup is the Intelligent AF feature which, in addition to the line’s usual face detection technology, automatically detects non-human photo subjects in the whole composition and determines the focus and exposure area. By simply pointing the camera at a desired shot, Intelligent AF ensures a focused, crisp picture without an out-of-focus subject. Taking pictures of your family pet or even beautiful scenery can be done in a snap, utilizing Intelligent AF to help minimize the number of photos that need to be taken to get a perfect picture. Thanks to the high-speed image processing technology and image analysis technology of the EXILIM Engine 4.0, users can enjoy taking quality photographs with ease.
Further advancements have been achieved for Dynamic Photo, which enables users to cut out images of a moving subject and combine them with a different still image. In the past, it was necessary to take photos twice* in order to cut out the moving subject, but now a moving subject can be cropped from a single shot, as long as the background is flat and in one color.
* Capturing separate photos with and without the subject, while keeping the camera in the same position.
The EXILIM Zoom EX-Z450 is built with a stylish design, producing a 12.1 effective megapixel image while boasting a wide-angle 28 mm 4X optical zoom lens. In addition to a CCD-shift image stabilization mechanism, the EX-Z450 features a Landscape Mode for taking enhanced scenery shots, and a Makeup Mode that enhances the beauty of a person’s face. The high performance features Casio is known for are evident in this camera, while the image quality is never sacrificed with the addition of new functions.
Also announced today was the EXILIM Zoom EX-Z90 – a high-powered 12.1 effective megapixel digital camera with a 3X optical zoom lens. The EX-Z90 offers advanced based performance and a wide range of functions. The camera’s stylish design creates a fashion accessory for users that can fit in your pocket, clutch or the palm of your hand.
“Casio continues to create cameras that come equipped with high-powered, cutting -edge technologies such as the new Intelligent AF feature and improved Dynamic Photo function which creates a whole new picture taking and sharing experience for users,” says Toshiyuki Iguchi, Senior General Manager of Casio’s Digital Imaging Division at Casio America, Inc. “The two new additions to the EXILIM line continue to demonstrate Casio’s commitment to producing quality digital cameras that can be utilized by novice users and professional photographers.”
The EX-Z450 will have an MSRP of $199.99 and will be offered in champagne. The EX-Z90 will have an MSRP of $149.99 and will be available in pink and black, making it the perfect fashion accessory for consumers. Both cameras will begin to ship to stores in early October.
RadioPopper just dropped the bomb on their JrX model wireless transmitter and receivers. While they’re not in the bargain bin price range we were initially told, they still come at a significant discount when compared to the PocketWizard triggers.
The RadioPopper JrX Basic receiver runs $69.95, while the JrX Studio runs $89.95. The JrX transmitter (only one flavor) is $69.95. [Read more…]