Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Canon Wireless Transfer Units for 1D Mark IV, 5D Mark II and 7D

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Yesterday, Canon introduced Wireless File Transmitter units for 3 of its DSLRs – the 1D Mark IV, 5D Mark II and 7D.

The Canon 1D Mark IV will use the WFT-E2 II A unit.

The Canon 5D Mark II will use the WFT-E4 II A unit.

The Canon 7D will use the WFT-E5A.

All models offer 802.11a/b/g connectivity, FTP mode for transfer even remotely over the Internet, camera linking for firing up to 11 cameras simultaneously, and several other features.

The E4 II A and E5A is currently available at an initial retail price of $699.99.

The E2 II A should be available in the first quarter of 2010 at a yet to be announced price.

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

 

Canon PowerShot A3100 IS, A3000 IS, A490 and A495 Reviews and Resources

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Canon A3100 IS

Canon’s A-series lineup has been refreshed at CES 2010 with the A3100 IS, A3000 IS, A490 and A495.

The A3100 IS features a 12.1MP sensor, while the A3000 IS offers a 10MP sensor.  Both cameras feature a 4x optical zoom lens with image stabilization built in.  The A3100 IS and A3000 IS should be available in February 2010 at initial retail prices of $179.99 and $149.99, respectively.  Check out the Canon A3100 IS Review.

Canon A495

The A490 and A495 cameras feature a 10MP sensor, 3.3x optical zoom and a 2.5″ LCD.  The A495 offers a number of auto shooting modes for different effects to images, as well as the ability to upload videos to YouTube. The A495 and A490 should be available in February 2010 at an initial retail price of $129.99 and $109.99, respectively.

Check availability for these PowerShot models on Amazon.com:

Canon A3100 IS

Canon A3000 IS

Canon A495

Canon A490

Canon A3100 IS Reviews

Imaging Resource

Cameras.co.uk

PhotographyBLOG

Canon A495 Reviews

Camera Labs

PhotographyBLOG

Canon A490 Reviews

Camera Labs

Canon Press Release

Lake Success, N.Y., January 5, 2010 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, today unveiled four new PowerShot A-Series digital cameras offering entry-level consumers the opportunity to step-up their shooting experience with exciting new creative effects. In addition, for the first time, Canon offers a new rechargeable lithium-ion battery in two A-Series models, extending the battery lives of the cameras. The A-Series lineup, comprised of the PowerShot A3100 IS, A3000 IS, A495 and A490 Digital cameras, offer consumers enhanced photo-taking capabilities through an array of creative modes to help shape one’s personal photographic style.

“With the introduction of the new PowerShot A-Series cameras, Canon brings a new aesthetic design to our entry-level line and new features that enhance the camera’s overall performance and functionality,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A. “The new creative modes are designed to offer consumers the ability to customize their captured images and add personalization to the time-honored art of photography.”

Creativity at its Best:

Whether creating a holiday card to share with friends and family or updating a Facebook page in a fun and unique way, the new PowerShot cameras will help expand a user’s imagination with the introduction of two creative scene modes – Poster Effect and Super Vivid. The Poster Effect scene mode alters the look of a captured image by changing the contrast of the image. Similarly, the Super Vivid Mode creates an enhanced color effect by increasing the hue and saturation of the captured image.

Enhanced Performance:

Achieving a clear shot in low-light situations, such as when a child blows out birthday candles, is no easy task. With Canon’s Low-Light Mode, the A-Series line now provides a wider ISO range (up to 3200), allowing more light to be captured creating sharper, more vivid images. For situations that require a flash, but where one cannot be used, such as a night game or concert, Canon’s Low-Light Mode will help improve the captured image. The A-Series also includes Canon’s Smart FE (Flash Exposure) which improves image quality by automatically adding the optimum level of flash illumination, aperture, shutter speed and ISO.

Supporting Features:

Canon has made it even easier to upload images and videos to YouTube, via CameraWindow. What’s more, starting this year, all new compact digital cameras will support the high-spec SDXC memory cards with a maximum storage capacity of two terabytes (TB) in SDA standard, making it even easier to capture additional images and videos with PowerShot cameras.

Canon PowerShot A3100 IS and A3000 IS Digital Cameras:

The Canon PowerShot A3100 IS Digital camera is available in vibrant red, blue and silver colors while the PowerShot A3000 IS is offered in a stunning, two-toned black and silver casing, ideal for the color-conscious consumer. Both cameras boast features such as 12.1-Megapixel and 10-Megapixel resolution, respectfully; a 4x Optical Zoom lens with Optical Image Stabilization; a large 2.7-inch LCD screen; and Smart AUTO mode, which takes the guesswork out of shooting. New modes such as Low-Light, Super Vivid and Poster Effect mode are also available, as well as Smart FE and the ability to upload video to YouTube. The PowerShot A3100 IS and A3000 IS Digital Cameras are scheduled to be available in late February for an estimated retail price of $179.99 and $149.99, respectively.

Canon PowerShot A495 and A490 Digital Cameras:

Offering a broad array of consumer-friendly features and 10.0-Megapixel resolution, 3.3x Optical Zoom and a 2.5-inch LCD screen, the Canon PowerShot A495 and A490 Digital cameras are ideal for the budget-conscious consumer. Available in two-tone colors, such as red, blue and silver, the PowerShot A495 Digital camera offers a multitude of new modes such as Low-Light, Super Vivid and Poster Effect mode, as well as Smart FE and the ability to upload video to YouTube. Available in a metallic two-toned silver and black, the PowerShot A490 Digital camera comes equipped with scene modes such as Low-Light Mode, Smart FE and the ability to upload video to YouTube. The PowerShot A495 and A490 Digital Cameras are scheduled to be available in late February for an estimated retail price of $129.99 and $109.99, respectively.

Canon 1D Mark IV Availability

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It looks like the Canon 1D Mark IV has commenced shipping in the US and Canada.  I’ve seen several user reports of folks taking delivery across the photo forums and blogosphere.  Rob Galbraith has posted the same news today as well.

Some of the biggest camera retailers have yet to update their stock status for the 1D Mark IV, which suggests that the shipments are still rolling out.

You can continue to check availability at the following trusted retailers:

B&H Photo

Amazon

Adorama

Stay tuned over the next few days, as we should see the stock continue to update at US retailers.

Canon G11 Review at Photocrati

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Canon G11

Photocrati has published a review of the popular Canon G11 point and shoot camera.

In my estimation, this 10MP PowerShot model will be as successful as its predecessor in attracting long-time photographers due to its classic styling and controls, high resolution articulated LCD and a feature set that targets the experienced shooter.

You can check out Photocrati’s full review here.

Also, if you haven’t seen it yet, be sure to check out Photography Bay’s Canon G11 review and the Canon G11 Reviews and Resources for more info on this powerful little camera.

Canon EOS 7D Review

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Canon 7D

The Canon EOS 7D is a 18-megapixel DSLR featuring an APS-C format CMOS sensor.  At the time of its release, the 7D is situated in the EOS lineup between the 50D and the 5D Mark II.

The Canon 7D brings a number of improvements and new features to the Canon prosumer lineup.  Taking these advancements into account, Canon has finally produced a DSLR whose specs outshine its Nikon counterpart – in this case the Nikon D300s. [Read more…]

Vincent Laforet’s Nocturne Finally Gets Nod from Canon for Release + Behind the Scenes Footage

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Vincent Laforet dropped his short film ‘Nocturne‘ on the scene almost immediately after the Canon 1D Mark IV was announced back in October. The video created a huge amount of buzz in the photography and film making communities in large part because it was shot under available light in the dead of night at ISO 6400.

Then, inexplicably, Canon pulled the plug on the video.  [Read more…]

Canon DSLR Firmware Updates for WFT-E2 II and WFT-E4 II Compatibility

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Canon WFT-E4 II

Canon has made available firmware updates on several DSLRs for compatibility with the recently announced, and soon to be available, WFT-E2 II and WFT-E4 II wireless file transmitters.

Note that the 5D Mark II firmware update also “Corrects a phenomenon in which visible noise may appear in images taken by continuous Bulb shooting.”

See the following links for the respective firmware update pages.

Canon 1Ds Mark III

Canon 1D Mark III

Canon 5D Mark II

Canon SX20 IS Reviews and Resources

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Canon SX20 IS

The Canon SX20 IS features a 20x optical zoom lens and is paired with a 12-megapixel sensor.  As a point & shoot camera, it is often referred to as a “bridge” camera, somewhere between compact cameras that go in your pocket and the even larger DSLRs that use interchangeable lenses.

The SX20 IS offers many advanced features that help it live up to the “bridge” camera designation, including a hotshoe for using external flashes (like the Canon 270EX), 720p HD video capture and high quality UD glass in the lens.  Speaking of the lens, the 20x stabilized zoom lens covers the equivalent focal length of 28-560mm on a traditional 35mm-format camera.

For the sake convenience, the Canon SX20 IS uses (4) AA batteries for power.  While you can pop in alkaline batteries that can be found virtually anywhere, I would recommend using rechargeable batteries to ease the cost of use over the long term. [Read more…]