Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Canon Rebel T3i and Rebel T3 Announced

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Canon has announced a pair of new entry-level DSLRs – the EOS Rebel T3i and EOS Rebel T3.

The Canon Rebel T3i features an 18MP CMOS sensor, a 3-inch vari-angle LCD (very similar to the 60D) and captures HD video in full 1920 x 1080 resolution at 24p, 25p, or 30p.  A new feature for EOS cameras, the T3i allows users to magnify HD video between 3x to 10x while retaining Full HD quality.  Additionally, you can opt to record video clips (dubbed “Video Snapshots”) at 2s, 4s, or 8s while capturing still images.

A big boost for the Rebel line is the T3i’s ability to control Canon Speedlites courtesy of a built-in Integrated Speedlite Transmitter.  The Canon Rebel T3i should be available in March and retails for $799.99 for body only and for $899.99 with the new EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II kit lens.  Check availability on Amazon.com.

The Canon Rebel T3 becomes the entry-level Canon Rebel, and sports a 12.2MP CMOS sensor, DIGIC 4 processor and 9-point AF system.  The Rebel T3 can also capture video, albeit at a lower 720p resolution.  The Canon Rebel T3 should be avialable in March at an initial retail price of $599.99.  Check availability on Amazon.com.

In addition to the new Rebel models, Canon has also introduced two new entry-level Speedlites – the 320EX and 270EX II, priced at $249.99 and $169.99, respectively.  The new Speedlites should be available in April.

More product photos and details below. [Read more…]

 

Canon EF 500mm F/4L IS II USM and EF 600mm F/4L IS II USM Announced

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Refreshed versions of Canon’s popular 500mm and 600mm super-telephoto lenses will be available, respectively, in May and June 2011.

The Canon EF 500mm F/4L IS II USM and EF 600mm F/4L IS II USM offer reduced weight and greater durability over their predecessors.  The addition of two fluorite lens elements should also provide better image quality over the older lenses as well.

In addition to other features, the new lenses offer a feature aimed at HDSLR shooters, which Canon calls “Power Focus.”  According to Canon, “This mode allows manual rack focusing to be operated smoothly by turning a playback ring that is normally used for the focus preset function.  Both low-speed and high-speed focus shifting are available.”

All these improvements come at a price though.

The EF 500mm F/4L IS USM will retail for $9,499.00 (check availability at B&H Photo and Amazon), while the 600mm F/4L IS USM will retail for $11,999.00 (check availability at B&H Photo and Amazon).

Complete details and more images for the new lenses are below. [Read more…]

Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM (w/ Built-in 1.4x Extender) Under Development [UPDATED]

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Canon is in the process of developing a new 200-400mm f/4L IS lens that features a built-in 1.4x extender.  With the built-in extender, the lens will have a maximum focal length of 560mm.

This is great news for Canon DSLR shooters who have been clamoring for a lens equivalent to the highly-regarded Nikon 200-400mm f/4 VR lens.

While Canon has not provided a release date or pricing info for the new lens, a prototype of it will be on display at CP+ in Japan this week.

Here’s a couple of photo of the new beast-of-a-lens:

You can read more about the new lens in the official press release below. [Read more…]

Canon PowerShot SX230 HS, ELPH 500 HS, ELPH 300 HS and ELPH 100 HS Announced

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The Canon PowerShot SX230 HS is a new 12.1MP camera that is powered by Canon’s DIGIC 4 processor.  The SX230 HS sports a 14x zoom lens (approx. 28-392mm equivalent) with image stabilization, along with a 3-inch LCD.  Additionally, the SX230 HS can capture 1080p HD video as well as super slow motion video.

The Canon PowerShot SX230 HS should be available in March at an initial retail price of $349.99.  Check availability on Amazon.com.

In addition to the SX230 HS, Canon has also announced several new PowerShot ELPH models – the ELPH 500 HS, ELPH 300 HS and ELPH 100 HS.

Lots of product shots and details on the new ELPH models below. [Read more…]

Zeikos Battery Grip for Canon 60D Now Available

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For those Canon 60D owners out there looking for a cheaper battery grip, the Zeikos grip for the Canon 60D just arrived at B&H Photo.

While I haven’t tested the Zeikos grip with the Canon 60D, I compared the Zeikos and Canon grips for the 5D Mark II.  There isn’t as much of a price disparity between the 60D grips as there was with the 5D Mark II grips; however, at $100, the Zeikos for the 60D is still almost half the price of the Canon version.

Canon PowerShot A2200 Hands-On Review

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The Canon PowerShot A2200 is a new 14.1MP, budget-oriented point and shoot camera with a retail price around $140.  The A2200 offers a 4x optical zoom that gives you a 28-112mm equivalent zoom range.  The A2200 can also capture 720p HD video and it sports a 2.7-inch LCD.

I had a chance to spend a few minutes with the new compact camera at CES 2011.  My initial impressions are below. [Read more…]

Canon PowerShot A3300 IS, A2200, A1200 and A800

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The Canon PowerShot A3300 IS, A2200, A1200 and A800 are Canon’s latest round of budget-oriented compact cameras.

Canon PowerShot A3300 IS Key Features

  • 16MP Sensor
  • 720p HD Video Capture
  • 5x Optical Zoom Lens (28-140mm equivalent)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3-inch LCD

The PowerShot A3300 IS should be available in late February at an initial retail price of $179.99.  Check availability on Amazon.com.

Canon PowerShot A2200 Key Features

  • 14.1MP Sensor
  • 720p HD Video Capture
  • 4x Optical Zoom Lens (28-112mm equivalent)
  • 2.7-inch LCD

The PowerShot A2200 should be available in early March at an initial retail price of $139.99.  Check availability on Amazon.com.

Canon PowerShort A1200 Key Features

  • 12.1MP Sensor
  • 720p HD Video Capture
  • 4x Optical Zoom Lens (28-112mm equivalent)
  • 2.7-inch LCD
  • AA Battery-powered

The PowerShot A1200 should be available in early March at an initial retail price of $109.99.  Check availability on Amazon.com.

Canon PowerShot A800 Key Features

  • 10MP Sensor
  • 3.3x Optical Zoom Lens (37-112mm equivalent)
  • 2.5-inch LCD
  • AA Battery-powered

The PowerShot A800 should be available in mid-February at an initial retail price of $89.99.  Check availability on Amazon.com.

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