Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips
DC Resource has posted a review of the 10.1 megapixel Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35.
The FX35 takes good quality photos, though there are definitely some issues to point out. On the whole, photos were well-exposed, with pleasing, vivid color. Images are on the soft side, though it’s not too bad. Panasonic has made great strides in reducing the amount of noise reduction they apply to images on their newest cameras, and that shows on the DMC-FX35.
Trusted Reviews has posted a full review of the Fujifilm FinePix S100FS.
The Fujifilm S100FS is a worthy successor to the S9600, and has superior handling, performance and image quality to any other super-zoom camera on the market, but comparing it to a real DSLR is a bit disingenuous. It is very expensive, more expensive even than an entry-level DSLR, and for all its qualities it doesn’t quite compete on the same level.
Digital Trends has posted a review of the 12.2 megapixel Canon EOS Rebel XSi. The new Digital Rebel XSi kit comes with an stabilized 18-55mm lens. Canon’s entry-level DSLR now features a 3″ rear LCD panel that’s capable of Live View framing and focusing. Digital Trends gave it an editor’s choice award and said:
. . . it’s very easy to recommend the Canon Rebel XSi. It’s a fast-focusing, speedy D-SLR that delivers excellent photos both indoors and outside. At 12.2-megapixels, the camera also has more than enough resolution for huge prints, and you can just shoot in auto or tweak images as much as you’d like.
For more news, reviews and info on the XSi, check out Photography Bay’s Canon Rebel XSi Reviews and Resources.
Imaging Resource has posted a review of the 7.2 megapixel Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S750. The S750 has a 3x optical zoom, 2.5″ rear LCD panel and a sensitivity range of ISO 100-2500.
Overall, shooting with the Sony S750 was pretty straightforward under normal conditions and in the normal parameters. Most functions were easy to find, either in the LCD menu or via one of the external controls. Shutter response was good, faster than average, and cycle times were about average as well.
Let’s Go Digital has posted a review of Canon’s new EOS Digital Rebel XSi. The popular Canon Digital Rebel series is now highlighted by this 12.2 megapixel DSLR, which also features a 3″ rear LCD panel and Live View functionality.
After testing the Canon EOS 450D I am really satisfied with the camera. It is a perfect camera for everybody. If you are just starting with (digital) photography or if you are a bit more experienced, and whether or not you switch from a compact camera, the Canon 450D enables you to take excellent pictures.
For more news, reviews and info on the XSi, check out Photography Bay’s Canon Rebel XSi Reviews and Resources.
The Olympus E-520 is the successor to the popular Olympus E-510. The new DSLR follows the recent announcement of the Olympus E-420, which served as the successor to the E-410. The new E-520 carries on the Four Thirds lens mount, which means a 2x crop factor for all lenses.
The E-520 faces stiff competition in the increasingly-ubiquitous sub-$700 digital SLR category, and although it possesses a number of enticing elements, it lacks key differentiators to elevate it significantly above its rivals.
While the marriage of simplicity and complexity in the E-520 may not be an entirely smooth one, it’s one that makes the snapper a very attractive camera for the transitional photographer who wants to leave point-and-shoot land behind but not lose sight of its shores entirely.
Combine the E-520’s minimal size and built-in image stabilization and you’ve got what I believe is one of the best backpacking cameras available.
This is a good transitional camera for anyone wanting to progress to DSLR for the first time although it does have some minor limitations that should be considered and, I imagine in many cases, overlooked.
The level of customizability is astonishing for the price, both in terms of the function of external buttons and the ability to fine-tune the output of the camera to perfectly suit your subject, shooting style and personal preferences.
There’s one of the best Live View modes on the market (with auto focus), a good image stabilization system that’s built into the body, comprehensive presets and a high degree of customizability and control. However, the test results for noise levels, white balance and dynamic range were so poor that they dragged down an otherwise good camera.
On the surface, the new Olympus E-520 looks very similar to the 1-year old E-510 model that it replaces. The E520 retains some key features from its predecessor; the same 10 megapixel LiveMOS sensor, Supersonic Wave Filter, and body-integrated image stabilisation are all present and correct. What have Olympus added then to tempt you to part with £500 / $750 of your hard-earned cash? There’s a bigger 2.7 inch LCD screen, 3.5fps continuous shooting speed, the introduction of Shadow Adjustment Technology, Face Detection and more convenient auto-focus options in Live View, and wireless TTL flash control. Zoltan Arva-Toth finds out if the evolutionary Olympus E-520 has enough new features to survive in the cut-throat world of the entry-level DSLR market.
The image quality of the Olympus E-520 is solid as a rock, leaving no other option than to go to the closest dealer and make your acquaintance with this camera. How that will work out, is up to you, we have been convinced already!
Indeed while the competition now offers some key features you should carefully weigh-up, we can still confidently award the E-520 the Highly Recommended rating of its predecessor. If you’re shopping for a new DSLR at this price-point, it should be on your shortlist.
In terms of overall approach, the E-520 may well be the most flexible consumer DSLR we’ve reviewed this year: whereas the Nikon D60 proved to be an excellent first SLR, and new models from Canon and Pentax have aimed to appeal to a slightly more advanced audience, the E-520 does both at once.
The improvements, particularly the new image stabilisation mode and autofocus accuracy of Live Modes show that these important technologies are still being perfected, and the latest versions on the E-520 are pretty much as good as they get at the moment.
If you’re buying online, I recommend sticking with Amazon, B&H Photo or Adorama. These three vendors are reliable, trustworthy and generally have the best (legitimate) prices.
PhotographyBLOG has posted a review of the 10 megapixel Samsung NV40. The NV40 features a 3x optical zoom, optical image stabilization, face detection focusing and an sensitivy range of ISO 80-400.
The NV40 remains a premium-level product that is both well made and well thought out, with the unique smart touch interface that makes the camera easy to understand and navigate, but ultimately the image quality and high price-tag of £199 / $280 let the Samsung NV40 down.
Trusted Reviews has posted a review of the Nikon CoolPix S600. The S600 is a 10 megapixel point and shoot digital camera. It features a 4x optical zoom, Nikon’s VR image stabilization and a sensitivity range up to ISO 3200. Trusted Reviews felt that the image quality was excellent, stating as follows:
The 4x zoom lens performs brilliantly, with good edge-to-edge sharpness that only falls off in the extreme corners of the frame at wide angle. There is visible barrel distortion at wide angle, but it isn’t too severe, and there is no trace of pincushion distortion at the other end of the zoom range.
The Sony A350 is a 14.2 megapixel DSLR, which was introduced at PMA 2008. The A350 features a breakthrough Live View function that offers straightforward and easy-to-use image framing and auto-focusing with the rear LCD panel. What’s more, the display alternates so that you can get up high or down low without straining your neck or getting on the ground. As noted in Photography Bay’s Hands-On Preview of the A350, the articulating LCD and Live View function work quite well together. In fact, these features set the Sony A350 apart from other entry-level DSLRs, including the Nikon D60 and Canon Rebel XSi. [Read more…]
Trusted Reviews has posted a full review of the 12 megapixel Fujifilm Finepix F100fd.
It’s well made, easy to operate and has a feature set that appeals to the photographic savvy. However it would be nice to have some more manual control such as aperture and shutter, and a histogram would also be nice.