Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips
Rumors of a replacement for the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 G VR have been around for a while now. About a year ago, Graham Watson (the cycling photographer) appeared to have inside details on the updated lens and that it would be announced September 2008. That came and went with no new lens. [Read more…]
The Samsung NX10 is a 14.6-megapixel hybrid, interchangeable lens camera. The NX10 is the first camera in what Samsung plans as an entirely new system, complete with NX-mount lenses and other accessories.
Read Photography Bay’s Samsung NX10 Hands-On Review.
Ridgefield Park, NJ (January 4, 2010) – Samsung Electronics America, Inc., a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, today announced the Samsung NX10 – an innovative digital camera that provides users with optimum image quality in a sleek, compact body. Delivering creativity without compromise, users can now be as creative as they want on the move, without having to compromise perfect images. The NX10 will be on display during the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show, January 7-10, in the Samsung booth #11026 in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
The NX10 incorporates a fast and decisive auto focus (AF), 14.6 MP APS-C size CMOS sensor and unique, large 3.0? AMOLED screen, allowing users to easily view their images, even in bright sunlight. Users can also record in HD movie to create the full story. Available in two colors, Noble Black and Titan Silver, the Samsung NX10 is small, light and ergonomically designed to ensure maximum portability for everyday use.
The Samsung NX10 ensures users never miss a moment, with one of the fastest AF in its class on the market. The company’s latest innovation, the new DRIMe II Pro engine and advanced AF algorithm, also provide ultra fast AF speed with the higher precision of contrast AF.
The Samsung NX10 has the heart of a DSLR embedded inside the compact frame of a digital camera, successfully integrating the APS-C size CMOS sensor with a mirrorless interchangeable lens, for a sleek, lightweight camera that users can easily take with them everywhere they go.
Consumers are not just limited to taking shots but can also tell their own stories in video format with HD movie recording (H.264 codec).
Samsung continues to extend the usage of AMOLED screens across many products, using a large 3.0? AMOLED screen in Samsung NX10. AMOLED provides easier viewing even in bright sunshine and at acute viewing angles, meaning users no longer need to shield their screen with their hand. The category leading screen also provides 10,000 times faster response rate than conventional LCDs, has a far lower power consumption and higher contrast ratio – 10,000:1 vs. 500:1.
“The new Samsung NX10 marks the start of the next generation of cameras,” said Mr. SJ Park, CEO of Samsung Digital Imaging Company. “We know from our detailed research over several years that what consumers want from their cameras is evolving, which we’ve reflected in the development of the Samsung NX10. With specialist equipment open to everyone and no longer restricted solely to the professional, more and more people want to capture something creative and tell a story through their camera – but they also want something compact that they can carry around with them all day. The large sensor and the ultra fast auto focus give consumers the quality they demand as well as the compactness they want in one exceptional package.”
Mr. Park continued: “Samsung has always been quick to implement cutting edge technology and no more so when it comes to quality of images. For the first time in the market, Samsung has successfully integrated an APS-C size sensor into a compact body by eliminating the mirror box, meaning that our users can now be as creative as they want to be on the move without having to compromise on image quality.”
The Samsung NX10 also contains a range of intelligent features to put professional quality images within reach of the amateur photographer. The Samsung NX10 includes in-depth manual controls and also a Smart Auto function which automatically detects the surrounding environment of the shot and selects the best shooting mode. Its Smart Range feature also enables the user to vividly express both bright areas and dark areas in the same frame, and the Supersonic Dust Reduction system keeps those dust particles clear of the image sensor that can often impair an image. It even senses when the user brings the camera close to their face to look through the viewfinder, and puts the AMOLED screen on standby to conserve power.
Canon has announced two new PIXMA all-in-one printers and a compact SELPHY photo printer model today. The PIXMA MP560, priced at $149.95, is a wireless and compact inkjet printer, also allows you to print directly from USB flash drives. The MP490 is a bargain-priced photo printer at $99.95 and features a 1.8-inch LCD screen.
The SELPHY CP790 is a $179.99 compact printer, which offers a 3.0-inch LCD panel that allows you to crop images directly from your memory card – no computer required. Additionally, it is capable of being powered by batteries to use a portable device.
More details on these new printers in the press release below. [Read more…]
Rumors of a Canon EOS 3D have been around since the original Canon 5D was released (maybe before it was released). The film-based EOS 3 was a very popular camera, and still brings a decent penny in good, used condition. Canon Rumors received a tip from a confidential source yesterday that brings a bit of a resurgence to the fabled EOS 3D.
I’ve been told, that the EOS 3D is coming. My source sad to me it will be announced after the replacement from the Nikon D300. It is going to be something between the 1D MarkIII and the 50D/60D. The Body is similar to the 5D MarkII. He won´t me to tell something about the specs but said that the D300/D400 will be blown away.
Aside from the totally bogus image above (that’s been floating around the blogosphere and forum world for a couple of years), there’s really no support for such a rumor over the past couple of years that Canon gear heads have been pining for this camera.
Frankly, it seems a bit of an ill fit in Canon’s current lineup. The camera would presumably be situated between the Canon 5D Mark II and 1D/1Ds models. That’s really just spreading the top end of cameras a little too thin.
Enough of my commentary . . . What do you think? Is there a place for a Canon 3D? What’s the price point need to be for you to buy one?
While I like some apps on my iPhone, I have always stuck to the free apps. I really hate being nickled and dimed for every little app that comes along.
Maybe it’s just the principle of it; however, I had never purchased an iPhone app until a couple of weeks ago, when a friend showed me some photos on his iPhone by using SmugWallet. Instantly, I knew I had to get this app.
As you may know, I am an avid SmugMug user/evangelist. It’s a service that works and is constantly improved upon by the founders. You can always find someone to return your emails within a few minutes, and the SmugMug staff act like they really care. SmugMug accounts start at $40/year. You can get $5 off the first year by using a referral code (mine’s 7jCtURK05RxC if anyone is in need – in the interest of disclosure, I get a credit toward my annual fees as well).
Ok, so you know I like SmugMug and SmugWallet obviously has something to do with SmugMug.
Now, let’s get to the point of this discussion. [Read more…]
The following post is by New York-based photographer and artist Angela Datre, who provides a thorough introduction into concert photography and delves into what it takes to capture the essence of a concert. Learn more about her at the end of this post.
“It’s very hard with a still photograph to capture the action of a concert. You try to see something in the face, the body, the lighting…Once I see a good shot in the viewfinder, it’s gone. The music gets inside of me, it’s in my brain, I’m close enough to the stage so that the vibration from the speakers is making my skin tingle, and I’m filling the viewfinder with the musician. I just always feel high.”
-Baron Wolman, Concert Photographer
When it comes down to it, I take photographs at the shows I attend because I can’t not take photographs when I am there. I feel awkward if I am not all the way up front-able to see everything, shoot everything. It started with snapshots in the crowd when I was younger and has now become a lifestyle, an obsession.
I thought I would write a blog post on live music photography because it is something that is so near and dear to me. And I’ll admit it; I started off the same way many young photographers start out-bringing a point and shoot digital camera to shows and shooting with a slow-shutter speed or tilting the camera so the image is askew. It took me some time to realize that there is so so much more you can do with live music photography and I feel the need to share what I have learned with others. [Read more…]
Above is a possible leaked picture of the Nikon D300s, which we pretty much know is a sure thing. Whether the image is real or not, however, is still up in the air. [Read more…]
The Nikon D3000 is a 10.2-megapixel DSLR and replaces the Nikon D60 at the low end of Nikon’s lineup. Improvements over the D60 include a larger 3-inch LCD, improved interface and 11-point autofocus system.
The Nikon D3000 should be available in August 2009 at an initial retail price of $599.95 that will also cover the included AF-S NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR image stabilization lens.
International Availability:
It offers the complete gamut of usability from point-and-shoot simplification right through to more advanced manual control and image design expected of a DSLR and produces a standard of image that far outperforms anything a digital compact could produce.
During extensive action, travel and wedding photography, the D3000 proved to be very responsive in most situations.
Very good printed results in terms of detail, capable of producing good 13×19-inch prints from ISO 100 to 800
In terms of user-friendliness, the Nikon D3000 reaches a high rating, and the integration of innovative imaging editing and processing technologies even increase the user’s ease.
The Nikon D3000 is an excellent option for new DSLR owners. It is a well-built camera with very good image quality and excellent speed of operation.
Though this DSLR offers a top resolution of “just” 10 megapixels, we found very little difference comparing results with that of a 12MP model.
It’s a solid model in every sense of the word that should see the amateur photographer through years of happy service.
This is a great first SLR and a genuine pleasure to use. It’s fast and intelligent, with a good quality kit lens, and comes with all the advantages of Nikon’s optical heritage.
Like the D40 before it, the D3000 is a great “no-brainer” digital SLR with a responsive and quiet shutter that begs to be pressed.
For beginners or prosumers who want a compact digital SLR to complement their existing set up, Nikon has made a very nice camera for a good price.
A little pricey at the moment, but it makes an ideal first camera for DSLR newbies
British Journal of Photography
Yet another entry-level DSLR camera arrives this week with the introduction of Nikon D3000. But look beyond some of the more idiosyncratic features aimed at novices, says David Kilpatrick, and you’ll find its versatility also makes it extremely pro-worthy
For consumers who into family, travel and children sports photography, this is an excellent camera at a very reasonable price.
MELVILLE, N.Y. (JULY 30, 2009) – Today, Nikon Inc. announced the D3000 digital SLR camera, an affordable answer for users looking to experience the superiority of digital SLR photography or enthusiasts seeking a capable, compact D-SLR. The 10.2-megapixel D3000 has features that make it easier than ever to take great pictures, including the new Guide Mode, which lends a smart helping hand to new D-SLR users, and an extensive Retouch Menu, enabling consumers to edit photos, even without a computer. The D3000, which offers an 11-point autofocus system, also leverages proven Nikon D-SLR technologies, including the exclusive EXPEEDTM image processing, Active D-Lighting system and 3D Color Matrix Metering II, enabling entry-level D-SLR shooters to take stunning pictures.
“The D3000 combines the best of both worlds, providing picture takers with the ease-of-use currently offered in point-and-shoot cameras alongside the speed, precision and exceptional results that have made Nikon D-SLRs so popular,” said Edward Fasano, general manager for Marketing, SLR Systems Products at Nikon Inc. “The D3000 offers everyone the ability to discover the superiority of D-SLR photography at an affordable price point. We look forward to enabling more consumers to explore the possibilities of D-SLR picture taking and, more importantly, capture life’s memories faithfully.”
The D3000 includes the all-new Guide Mode with an easy-to-use interface to help new photographers build confidence in using a D-SLR with step-by-step instruction and inspiration. The Guide Mode, easily accessed by the Mode dial on the top of the camera, displays a variety of shooting situations via the LCD screen, indicating the most appropriate settings for a particular scenario. Users can also see sample photos on the LCD screen, which illustrate the effects of different photo-taking techniques. The Guide Mode also helps users easily review, organize and delete images.
Whether new to D-SLR photography or simply mastering new shooting techniques, the D3000’s Guide Mode assists users in exploring effective picture taking solutions at their own pace to make capturing great pictures even easier.
With elegant ergonomics, softly rounded corners, and a comfortable grip, the D3000 packs powerful technology into a compact form factor. Though the D3000 is tiny when compared to professional D-SLR cameras, it boasts a large, bright three-inch 230,000-dot LCD screen, and now features an easier-to-read font size, 20 percent larger than in previous Nikon D-SLRs.
Quick performance and response are at the core of the D3000’s design and its 11-point Multi-CAM 1000 autofocus system makes it easy to find and focus on a subject. Also, the D3000 offers split-second shutter response, eliminating the frustration of shutter lag, as well as the ability to capture images up to three frames per second, allowing users capture every moment. Users can enjoy the benefits of Nikon’s advanced 3D Subject Tracking, which continuously focuses on a fast moving subject throughout the frame.
The D3000 provides multiple ways for users to engage with their pictures, post capture. It uses Nikon’s extensive in-camera Retouch Menu, which allows users to easily apply a variety of fun and dramatic effects to their images even when away from a computer. The D3000 introduces a new Miniature effect, which changes the appearance of distant subjects to look like close-ups of miniature models. The D3000 also inherits the Soft Filter and Color Outline Retouch options from the D5000, allowing users to express their photography in a new and artistic way. As with all Nikon D-SLRs, the camera creates the new retouched image, while preserving the original.
For users who want to take their creativity to the next level, the D3000 also includes the ability to capture images in the NEF (RAW) format, in addition to traditional JPEG. Images captured with D3000 in the NEF (RAW) format include a greater amount of image data, which in turn, affords finer image control and higher uncompressed lossless image quality. With NEF (RAW) images, users can fine-tune the appearance of an image with simple adjustments to things like exposure, color saturation, brightness, and overall tone – especially in the post-production process. Users can use Capture NX 2, Nikon’s powerful image editing software, to achieve these desired effects.
Nikon extends the creativity with Stop-Motion Movie Mode. With this mode, users can choose a collection of images within the D3000’s Retouch Menu, and the camera then compiles and stitches them into a fun and creative video file.
The D3000 leverages proven Nikon technologies to create the most positive picture taking experience for consumers. The D3000 delivers highly detailed images with vibrant color reproduction and low noise across a broad ISO range, due to its 10.2-megapixel CCD image sensor coupled with Nikon’s exclusive EXPEED image processing system. The D3000’s normal ISO range extends from ISO 100 to 1600, allowing for low light versatility. Additionally, the D3000’s ISO range can expand to a Hi-1 setting of ISO 3200, furthering the opportunities for shots that other cameras miss.
The D3000 also makes use of Nikon’s Active D-Lighting system, which automatically compensates to reveal veiled details in shadows and highlights in high-contrast situations. For instance, when selected, Nikon’s Active D-Lighting can improve the appearance of fine detail in a person’s face that was previously hidden in dark shadows or bring out the highlights in a beautifully backlit landscape.
Nikon’s exclusive 3D Color Matrix Metering II, in conjunction with the EXPEED image processing system, contributes to the D3000’s ability to capture breathtaking images by instantly evaluating the exposure elements of each scene and comparing it to an onboard database of information from more than 30,000 images. These split-second calculations allow the D3000 to ensure beautiful exposures-even when conditions are extreme.
The D3000 also incorporates Nikon’s Integrated Dust Reduction System, which offers a comprehensive solution that combats the accumulation of image-degrading dust from the camera’s image sensor. The system not only utilizes an active sensor cleaning function that activates whenever the camera is turned on or off, but also the Airflow Control System to redirect dust particles, limiting their ability to reach the sensor.
Photographers and enthusiasts alike can also appreciate the D3000’s system expandability, as the camera can work in conjunction with a variety of Nikon accessories, including a broad assortment of legendary NIKKOR AF-S interchangeable lenses. While the D3000 offers a versatile built-in flash, the camera is also compatible with Nikon’s Creative Lighting System and capable of Advanced Wireless Lighting when using the SB-900 Speedlight or the SU-800 Wireless Commander.
The D3000’s design also supports Eye-Fi memory card functionality, enabling the convenient wireless transfer of images from the D3000 to a computer, when using Eye-Fi memory cards.* Additionally, photos can be securely written to readily available SD cards, high-capacity SDHC cards and Eye-Fi memory cards, offering users a range of data storage options.
The D3000 outfit, including the versatile AF-S NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR image stabilization lens, is scheduled to be available at Nikon Authorized dealers beginning in late August 2009 at an estimated selling price of $599.95.
The Canon Rebel T1i (also known as the 500D and Kiss X3 outside of the US) is the follow-up to the Rebel XSi, which was (and still is) a very appealing entry-level DSLR. With the Rebel T1i, however, Canon steps into a new feature set for entry-level DSLRs. This camera is leaps and bounds above what we saw in the original Rebel. The T1i also pushes the entry-level boundary beyond what we previously expected Canon to offer in a camera at this price point.
While you may not consider the Rebel T1i cheap (a retail price of $800 for the camera body and make it $900 if you want an 18-55mm lens in your kit), it offers considerable value as compared to other cameras at or above its price range. Over the past couple of years, Nikon and Sony have pushed Canon out of its comfort zone at the top of the digital camera world. Competition has forced Canon to really push its camera development (particularly in DSLRs) to new levels. The Rebel T1i is demonstrable evidence of this renewed competitive environment among what can fairly be characterized as the “big three” camera manufacturers.
Over the past couple months, I have shot with the Rebel T1i on a regular basis in my ordinary photographic endeavors. Everything from backyard snap shots, fast moving cars and motorcycles, and the occasional indoor play or event. I have tried to make use of this camera in the way that I expect most purchasers of entry-level cameras would use it. Additionally, I have taken a bit of time out of my normal shooting to pit it against its most direct competitor, the Nikon D5000. Anyone shopping for the Rebel T1i is likely considering the similarly equipped Nikon D5000. It was useful shooting with these cameras side-by-side, and below I will direct you to some more specific image and video comparisons for these two cameras. [Read more…]
We fully expect to see the Sony A500 and A550 soon; however, Photo Rumors received a tip that Sony is bringing two new DSLRs this Summer that will have full frame sensors. Whether or not these two models are represented by the A500 and A550 leaks, we don’t know yet. The tipster also points out that the new full frame cameras from Sony will cover both the high-end and low-end price spectrums. He goes on to note that one model will be situated above the current A900 as a pro-level model. The other . . . under $1,000. [Read more…]
