The Pentax K10D is a 10.2 megapixel DSLR, coupled with a 22-bit analog-to-digital converter and in-body Shake Reduction (.pdf fact sheet) which also provides a dust removal feature to keep dust off the sensor surface. The K10D features a new image processor called PRIME (Pentax Real IMage Engine), which interfaces with DDR2 RAM, providing a whopping 800MB/s bandwidth. The camera body is dust and weather-resistant featuring 72 seals throughout the camera. Images can be saved in JPG, Pentax’s proprietary raw image format (PEF) or standard DNG format. [Read more…]
Pentax K100D “Super” Reviews and Resources
The Pentax K100D Super is an incremental upgrade from the K100D. The upgrades include a dust reduction system, SDHC card compatibility and full compatibility with SDM lenses. It still features the same 2.5? LCD, an 11 point AF system with 9 cross-type sensors, ISO 200-3200 and 16-segment multi-pattern metering found on the K100D. The in-body Shake Reduction (.pdf fact sheet) means that you get image stabilization with every K-Mount lens out there. [Read more…]
Nikon D40x Review at PhotographyBLOG
Photography BLOG has posted its review of the Nikon D40x:
The Nikon D40x is essentially a 10 megapixel version of the slightly older 6 megapixel D40, and thankfully the increase in resolution hasn’t negatively affected the overall image quality. Indeed, I couldn’t see any noticeable difference in terms of noise between ISO settings on the D40x and the same settings on the D40, which means that the D40x delivers a bigger image without the usual trade-offs of unwanted image artifacts.
It’s a steal for $620 (with lens) currently at Amazon.com!
You can see more reviews of the D40x on this page.
[tags]nikon, d40x, review[/tags]
Olympus E-3 Update
From the DPReview.com forums:
pixinfo.com has a report up on the E-3, though you might only want to have a look if you happen to speak Hungarian. I will try to summarise the highlights. A number of European journalists were invited to Istanbul, Turkey, to hear presentations on and actually take photographs with, the Olympus E-3. They were also granted permission to post full-sized JPG samples, but were asked not to comment on them as they were still taken with cameras sporting firmware version 0.9. A chap called Hans Wiesel presented for Olympus, and the author of the article says that in the middle of his presentation he poured a bottle of water on his demo camera, which had its onboard flash popped up. (I have heard of users washing their E-1s under running water, but never heard of Olympus doing anything similar – they officially claimed the E-1 was only dust- and drip-proof.) (Read more . . . )
Follow all of the latest news and reviews for the Olympus E-3 on this page.
[tags]olympus, e3, e-3, review, news, sample, photo, pic[/tags]
Sony ?700 Review at Let’s Go Digital
Let’s Go Digital has posted their review of the new Sony ?700:
My conclusion after extensively using the Sony DSLR-A700 in practice and testing it thoroughly can be short. Sony’s Alpha 700 is a beautiful DSLR and offers the demanding photographer as well as the amateur a perfect tool to practice photography on a high level. The camera is not perfect but if you put some effort in getting to know the camera and making it part of your digital work environment, you will soon find that you have a refined DSLR camera in your hands. If you are looking for a new DSLR or ready to get acquainted with an advanced camera system you definitely ought to put the Sony Alpha 700 on your wish list.
The Sony ?700 is now readily available for purchase as a body-only or in a kit with the 18-70mm lens. The Sony ?700 kit with the 16-105mm lens is available for pre-order and should be shipping shortly. You can find more reviews and resources for the Sony ?700 on this page.
[tags]sony, ?700, a700, review[/tags]
Cameras for Christmas
Welcome to the 2007 Edition of Photography Bay’s Cameras for Christmas Shopping Guide.
Chances are, you or someone you know has a digital camera on their Christmas Wish List. Which one do you really want or which one should you get for that special someone? I’m picking what I think are the top cameras in a variety of categories below. I’ll also try to give you some kind of sense of what kinds of people fit with these cameras.
Camera on a Budget – Under $200
The growth of technology has really prompted this catagory of cameras. Five years ago, finding a digital camera under $200 was practically impossible. Sure, you might have seen a few on ebay, but how well did they work – or better yet, did they work at all? There are several great cameras in this price range now.
The Canon PowerShot SD1000 Digital Elph is just one example. At about $172, it’s well within the budget-minded giver’s range. It’s a 7.1 megapixel cameral with a 3x optical zoom.
Another great camera is the Canon PowerShot A570IS. It’s a 7.1 megapixel and has a 4x optical zoom and runs in the neighborhood of $165. While it’s got built-in image stabilization, it’s also physically a larger camera. Still, on a budget, you can’t go wrong with this camera. You get a lot more than what you pay for here.
The Kodak Z885 is also an impressive little camera. It’s got 8.1 megapixels and a 5x optical zoom. Popular Photography recently reviewed and had some great things to say about it.
Small Camera, Big Picture
On the high side of the technology wave, there are tons of features and specs to consider. A lot of these considerations are making it into smaller and smaller packages. You can get a lot out of a camera that will fit in your pocket comfortably. That’s what this category is all about. Folks who want to have high technology accessible (in their purse or pants) but not in the way.
The Sony Cybershot DSC-T200 fits the bill nicely. It’s 8.1 megapixels, has a whopping 5x optical zoom, and has image stabilization. It also has a 3.5? LCD and only weighs in at 6.6 ounces. Price of admission? About $367.
Also, take a look at the Canon 950IS. 12.1 megapixels, 3.7x optical zoom, and image stabilization. It’s priced in the $400 range. You might also want to gander at the Fujifilm Finepix F50fd, which has 12 megapixels, a 3x optical zoom and is around $250.
All-In-One Do-It-All
If you or someone on your list wants a camera that can reach out and touch someone, this is the category you need to look at. These cameras typically have a zoom range equivalent to roughly 35mm-400mm+, which is huge! What’s more, is that the best of these have image stabilization built in, which is almost a necessity for such a long reach. With all these features, however, the camera is considerably bigger than the pocket cameras discussed above. You’re going to want to grab a dedicated camera case to tote these along in.
The Canon S5IS is probably the most popular in this category. It’s a 8 megapixel (up from 6MP on the previous S3IS), has a super long zoom and built in image stabilization. It runs about $340. Not a bad deal considering all you get in one camera.
I think the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8 offers Canon some strong competition in this category. Also 8MP and image stabilized, the FZ8 is a pretty camera to look at and has received rave reviews. One big plus for the FZ8 is the ability to capture images in RAW format – a feature that is not a common find among point-and-shoot cameras. It’s also over $100 less than the S5IS at $225 from Amazon at the time of posting.
Olympus has stepped up the competition a notch with the Olympus 560UZ. The 560UZ has a whopping 18x optical zoom. The 18x zoom is the equivalent focal length of 27-486mm on a 35mm film camera, which beats out the Canon and Panasonic competitors. At $420ish, it’s also the priciest of the bunch.
I’ll mention one more Canon camera that doesn’t have quite the reach of the others in this category, but it’s still a great (maybe the best) point and shoot out there. The Canon PowerShot G9 12MP Digital Camera with 6x Image-Stabilized Optical Zoom is the newest of the G-Series line. I encourage you to investigate this camera further. It has a lot of advanced options that you don’t get on your run-of-the-mill point and shoot camera.
Still Not Convinced?
Here’s a link to the Top Selling Point & Shoot Cameras on Amazon.com. Check out the prices. Read the reviews. Decide for yourself.
Digital SLRs
There is a lot of hoopla and debate surrounding the DSLR (digital single lens reflex) question. If you’ve got someone that has a DSLR on their wishlist, you’d better think twice about making this decision on your own. Your best bet is to feel the person out for which particular camera that they want. Go with them to a camera or electronics store and observe their reaction to the cameras listed below. Chances are, after holding and shooting with one or the other, they’re going to form a bias about what “feels” best. Go with that one.
If you are totally out on a limb and you know that the person for whom you’re shopping is as clueless as you about the choice, get the Canon Rebel XTi. It’s the latest offering from Canon in the entry-level DSLR realm. I recommend this camera because of Canon’s sheer market power. While any of the choices below would be suitable, Canon offers a wider selection of lenses than any other brand. When you buy a DSLR, you are buying into a system. Canon lenses fit Canon cameras and likewise with other brands. Canon is the Microsoft of the DSLR world (without the security issues and blue screens of death).
Here’s a list of the DSLR’s that should be on a first-time buyer’s Christmas list:
- Canon Rebel XTi – 10MP – $660 with lens
- Canon Digital Rebel XT – 8MP – $500 with lens
- Canon 40D – 10MP – $1499 with lens
- Nikon D40 – 6MP – $477 with lens
- Nikon D40x – 10MP – $645 with lens
- Nikon D80 – 10MP – $1160 with lens
- Nikon D300 – 12MP – $1799 (at Adorama)
- Sony Alpha A100 – 10MP & built-in image stabilization – $670 with lens
Want a cheaper list? Consider these 5 DSLRs for under $500.
The Photographer
So, you’ve got a photographer (profession/amateur/enthusiast) in your family and you really want to please them? These guys are the tough ones. Hopefully, they’ve given you their wish list in writing and you can hop on Amazon or B&H, or go down to your local camera store, and get what they want. If not though, what do you do?
I think you’ve still got to know categories of what they like or want. If you can figure out the ballbark areas of interest, consider some of the below suggestions. Don’t forget to read some of the reviews on Amazon when you’re shopping online. Sometimes those can be your best indicator of whether you should get the product or not.
Books:
If they’re just starting out, consider Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson. It’s a rather cheap book but could very well be the best $16 anybody spends on photography. If they are into Photoshop and want some good references consider the Photoshop for Digital Photographers series by Scott Kelby. There are several versions of Photoshop out there, so make sure you buy the appropriate corresponding book (e.g., The Photoshop Elements 5 Book for Digital Photographers). Additionally, consider the How to Wow Photoshop series and the Photoshop Cookbook, The Camera, The Negative, or The Print.
Camera Gear:
A quality tripod is a necessity for every serious photographer. In this case it’s hard to go wrong with something from Bogen-Manfrotto. Consider your price range, what your photographer will use it for, and educate yourself on their great line of tripods and monopods.
An off-camera flash is another important item for the new SLR user that has yet to acquire one. Buy the right brand and a flash that has a bounce/swivel head. For Nikon users, get the SB-600 or the SB-800. For Canon users get the 430EX or the 580EX.
More memory please!
This is an easy item to pick up. Find your price range and buy the largest SanDisk Ultra II card or Extreme III card that is within that range. You’ll make a photographer very happy with this gift. To learn more about memory cards, take a look at this earlier post.
Is a camera bag on your list? Lowepro and Tamrac are two very popular and high quality brands. In most cases, I would recommend that you stick to these. However, if you’re on a tight budget, Amazon frequently has a real deal on the Canon 200EG backpack. I’ve got it and I love it. It was cheap and holds everything I need and expect it to hold. Like I said though, if you want to impress, you should probably get the Lowepro.
Finally, consider some other gifts like print albums or even a digital picture frame.
Where to Buy
If you’ve not clicked on any of the links in this post yet, please note that they all will take you to the relevant pages at Amazon.com. I trust Amazon and regularly shop with them for my own camera needs. That said, 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. Additionally, purchasing your camera through these links helps support this site.
You’ve got my two cents now. I hope this run down gives you a better idea of what to look for when shopping in the camera aisle this Christmas. Feel free to fire away with questions, offer additional advice, or even make derogatory comments. Merry Christmas!
[tags]christmas, shopping, wish list, cameras, where to buy, nikon, canon, sony, olympus[/tags]
Canon Powershot G9 Review at DP Review
DP Review has finally posted its review of the Canon G9:
IQ-wise the G9 is about as good as it gets in a compact camera (at low ISO – once you get to ISO 400 the gap between most decent cameras is very narrow), and physically it puts virtually everything else to shame.
There are a whole lot more reviews of the Canon G9 on this page.
[tags]canon, powershot, g9, review[/tags]
Pentax K100D Reviews and Resources
The Pentax K100D is a 6.1 MP entry-level DSLR. The K100D is compatible with any Pentax lens ever produced. The in-body Shake Reduction (.pdf fact sheet) means that you get image stabilization with every K-Mount lens out there. The K100D also features a 2.5″ LCD, an 11 point AF system with 9 cross-type sensors, ISO 200-3200 and 16-segment multi-pattern metering.
Reviews
A good-all round, entry-level contender with enough advanced features to keep enthusiasts happy too – especially if they have brand loyalty to Pentax and can make use of their existing stock of lenses. The K100D Super represents value for money par excellence!
The clear step forward in image processing and the addition of Shake Reduction are enough to tip the K100D into our Highly Recommended category, this is the camera the *ist DS should have been and is a refreshing change from another strong Canon or Nikon.
Photo quality was excellent in most cases. The K100D took well-exposed photos with vivid colors and pleasing sharpness — this camera is clearly aimed toward the consumer set. Noise levels are nice and low through ISO 800, and ISO 1600 is still usable, with ISO 3200 only for desperate situations.
I have enjoyed my time with the Pentax *istD — I mean K100D. Yes, it’s going to take a little time for me to get used to the new/old name of the latest SLR from Pentax. I say “new” because they’ve finally left behind the ill-conceived *istD naming scheme that unnecessarily alienated so many. I say “old” because the K100D’s name so closely matches the long-running mechanical film SLR, the K1000. Due to the similar shape of the D, you can even mistake the two.
If you’re looking for your first digital SLR, the Pentax K100D is well worth a look. The Shake Reduction, easy controls SD card compatibility and lightweight design make this camera ideal for those looking for a step up from a compact digicam. Photographers who travel will also appreciate these features, as well as the ability to use AA batteries. Existing Pentax SLR owners may also wish to upgrade, whether it is from a film or earlier digital SLR.
The Pentax K100D is just what an entry-level DSLR should be – simple to use and functional enough to take good pictures. Pentax deserves praise for putting such a good autofocus system in an inexpensive camera. The combination of the autofocus system and Shake Reduction system will increase the percentage of sharp shots for many users. The 3-zone autofocus systems in the Nikon D40 and Olympus’s DSLRs look pathetic in comparison, and their performance bears out that impression.
In use, the K100 is totally, completely…okay. It won’t blow you away. Neither will it frustrate or dismay you. In fact, you may end up appreciating its tough, cheerful, scrappy can-do character.
With its built-in image stabilization and comfy mix of manual and automatic features, the Pentax K100D is one of the best dSLR bargains on the market.
Because of its 6.1-megapixel sensor, you won’t be able to enlarge the K100D’s images as much as you could with a higher resolution camera, but for users who want a DSLR, and all of the flexibility that it provides, the K100D is a great entry-level camera at an unmatched price.
Serious amateur shooters may have a few issues, but family snap-shooters, P&S digicam users just making the jump to a dSLR, student photographers, casual shutterbugs, and old timers with a collection of Pentax glass will appreciate the K100D’s reasonable price, robust construction, operational simplicity, use of available anywhere AA batteries, image stabilization, and solid performance.
The auto focus has become faster, and we daresay it was about time. The Pentax K100D now turns out to be pleasantly rapid to work with. A helpful function is the Shake Reduction. Perhaps not as effective as an image stabilisation in a lens, but certainly more than sufficient for most uses.
Official Pentax Resources
Where to Buy
First off, consider going to your local camera store (and I don’t necessarily mean Wolf Camera at the mall). By going to your local camera store, you’re supporting your community and you just might build a lasting relationship with people you can rely on when you need some help or answers. 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. Additionally, purchasing your camera through these links helps support this site.
[tags]pentax, k100d, review, dslr, digital camera[/tags]
Olympus E-410 Reviews and Resources
The Olympus E-410 is a 10 megapixel Four Thirds DSLR camera oriented toward the entry-level DSLR market. Announced in March 2007 to succeed the E-400, it a 10-megapixel Live MOS sensor, a new TruePIC III processor, a 2.5 inch LCD, and uses both CF and xD memory cards. [Read more…]
Olympus E-510 Reviews and Resources
The Olympus E-510 is a 10 megapixel Four Thirds DSLR camera oriented toward the prosumer market. Announced in March 2007 to succeed the E-500, it adds in-body image stabilization, a live preview function, and a new “Olympus Truepic III” processing chip that is claimed to provide faster performance. The E-510 uses Olympus’ patented Supersonic Wave Filter dust reduction system to shake dust from the sensor during startup and when requested by the user.
Reviews
I’d say the E-510 with the 14-42 and 40-150 lenses would make an excellent starter camera for someone moving up from a digital P&S, especially if cost and size are issues.
This is a camera we would recommend to anyone who wants the image quality of a good SLR without having to think too much. It’s light weight will also appeal. And now that Panasonic/Leica is in the Four Thirds camp there should be some cheaper third party lenses coming onto the market. Olympus have fitted a CF card slot as well as their own xD slot, which makes sense because CF cards are cheaper and available everywhere.
The image stabilization system is surprisingly effective, the tiny kit lens remarkably good and the live view, though far from perfect, is actually very useful in the studio. It’s a well thought out and SLR that is small and light enough to carry with you all day long yet offers very stable handling due to an excellent grip and well balanced, mature design.
The E-510 does a good job at how it handles and how it produces nice images. There’s low image noise which is a real plus. There are a few issues with white balance and the body feels a little inexpensive. But, this is a fine DSLR with excellent performance.
The Olympus E-510 is arguably the most feature-packed DSLR in its class, ticking almost every box on the wish-lists of new DSLR buyers. You get 10 Megapixels in a relatively light and compact form factor, the option of one or two decent kit lenses, and the triple whammy of built-in anti-shake, anti-dust and Live View capabilities, not to mention easy access to a wide variety of settings. It’s certainly a compelling package, especially for the asking price.
The Olympus Evolt E-510 has quirky exposure and white-balance issues, but its Live View and Image Stabilization modes may make some photographers give this SLR a chance.
Overall, the E-510 and E-410 are compact and well designed, with the best image quality of any Olympus DSLR we’ve tested. The E-510 will appeal to more advanced photographers who want the IS, larger grip, and additional control buttons. The smaller, lighter E-410 is for those who want a compact DSLR at a lower price, as well as underwater shooters looking for an affordable waterproof system.
Probably the biggest selling point for the E-510 is its live view feature. While an improvement over the E-330, the technology still has a long way to go. Those of you moving up from a point-and-shoot camera should not expect the same live view quality as you have on your old camera. It’s not as crisp, bright, or fluid, and it can be difficult to see what’s on the screen both outdoors and in low light. Live view isn’t really for action shots either, as the autofocus is disabled when the feature is active. You can manually focus the lens (the AF can be activated for a little help), or you can just fully press the shutter release button and wait an additional second for the autofocusing process to take place. Therefore, I rarely found myself using live view when out and about. However, I did find live view useful when I was taking photos on a tripod. I could compose my photos the way I wanted, preview the white balance, and even digitally zoom in to make sure everything’s in focus (when in manual focus mode).
The Olympus E-510 is a good quality SLR with great controls and the added advantages of image stabilization and Live View. Though its Live View mode is not what it many will expect, introducing extreme shutter lag, it is quite useful on occasion, allowing you to get shots you couldn’t otherwise.
All in all, the Olympus E-510 is a very good D-SLR camera. It has a nice and solid build, good image quality and it is easy to use. In addition, the camera is fairly compact, it features Live View, and is part of the FourThirds System so that you can mount a large number of lenses.
The E-510 is probably the most feature-rich entry level DSLR available on the market today. Competition may be rife, but it seems that Olympus have succeeded with one of the most obvious (yet effective) selling points – it’s affordable. Not ‘cheap cheap’, but if you are looking to buy into the DSLR market and are looking for a camera with decent auto and manual modes whilst remaining portable and light, then there’s not much missing here.
Literally the bigger brother of the current E-410 DSLR, the E-510’s chief advantage is that any lens attached becomes immediately stabilised. The lack of this feature wasn’t a noticeable omission on the E-410, so whether you spend that extra £100 largely comes down to whether you prefer the E-510’s more rounded build and so more comfortable handling.
All in all, I don’t think any other camera has quite so many features at such a price. And that’s what makes the Olympus E-510 so great..this is a camera that will cuddle you until you get to know it well, and when you really know how to use it, it’ll do exactly what you ask of it. Oh, and the pictures look gorgeous, too.
The Olympus E-510 is a very capable digital SLR, offering terrific image quality, an extensive list of useful features and an automatic cure for a common dSLR annoyance – the dusty image sensor.
The E-510’s auto white balance is accurate even in difficult lighting. Colors are bright and hue accurate, but slightly oversaturated. Default contrast is slightly hard. Images shot at ISO 100 have extremely low noise levels – dependably very good to excellent images with decent shadow detail, acceptable highlight detail, and accurate (Caucasian) skin tones.
The E-510 is compact for a DSLR and crams in dust reduction, mechanical image stabilization, and a live-view LCD. However, its vastly improved image quality is what ultimately helps the Olympus EVOLT E-510 emerge as a contender in the sub-$1,000 DSLR bracket.
At the end of the day you get slightly more flexibility of operation and capture plus better ergonomics with the Olympus E-510, but there’s not a dramatic difference as regards the quality of output, with the same sensor and processor as found on the E-410 doing the lion’s share of the work. So if portability is your prime concern and you’re buying a DSLR mainly for travel and holidays, go for the E-410. If however a greater range of photographic control appeals, then the Olympus E-510 will suit you better, and for the last reason alone it gets individual scores slightly higher than its pared-down but still impressive sibling.
It’s not a gimmick – IS really does work and it’s a very worthwhile feature to include in your photographic armoury. And the Olympus E-510 moving sensor IS is competitive with the OIS served up by Leica’s 14-50mm standard zoom.
Official Olympus Resources
Olympus RAW codec for Vista
Where to Buy
First off, consider going to your local camera store (and I don’t necessarily mean Wolf Camera at the mall). By going to your local camera store, you’re supporting your community and you just might build a lasting relationship with people you can rely on when you need some help or answers. 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.
[tags]olympus, e-510, review, test, dslr, digital camera[/tags]
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