Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

 

Pentax X-5 26x Superzoom Officially Announced

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Pentax X-5

After some earlier leaks of the camera, Pentax got official with the new X-5 superzoom camera today.  The Pentax X-5 sports a stabilized 26x optical zoom lens (22.3-580mm equivalent) and a 16MP BSI CMOS sensor.  While its not quite the reach as the massive 40x zoom Olympus SP-820UZ announced today, that’s still a great wide angle to telephoto reach.

The X-5 also features a 3-inch tilting LCD, an electronic viewfinder and 1080/30p HD video capture.  It can capture up to 10fps for a max of 30 images per sequence.

The X-5 is powered by four AA batteries and should be available in September 2012 for $279.95.  You can order the Pentax X-5 here at B&H Photo.

Olympus STYLUS SP-820UZ iHS Packs a Whopping 40x Zoom

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Olympus SP-820UZ iHS

Olympus just launched the Stylus SP-820UZ iHS, its flagship Ultra Zoom compact camera. It features a 40x optical zoom lens (22.4-896mm equivalent) a 14MP CMOS image sensor.

The zoom is further magnified by what Olympus calls Super-Resolution Zoom, which doubles the focus distance, enabling up to 80x zoom magnification.

The SP-820UZ iHS also sports a 3-inch LCD 1080p HD video, as well as 720p video at 60fps for smooth slow motion footage.

The Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ iHS should be available in September 2012 at a retail price of $329.99.  You can order the SP-820UZ here at B&H Photo.

Full specifications below. [Read more…]

Canon EOS 3D Rumored as 46MP Resolution King

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Canon EOS 3D Rumors

Rumors of a high megapixel DSLR from Canon have really been heating up since the 1D X launched with “only” 18.1MP.  The rumors persisted after the 5D Mark III rolled in at roughly the same resolution as its predecessor.

Now comes a spec list from Canon Rumors for a Canon EOS 3D rumored to weigh in at a whopping 46MP . . . that’s 10MP more than the current resolution king – the Nikon D800.

Canon EOS 3D Spec Rumors

  • 46 MP
  • 3.7 frame per second
  • Dual DIGIC 5+
  • ISO: (25) 50-6400 (12800)
  • AF: Same as 1DX
  • USB 3
  • CF+SD

Even though I used to joke about cameras with resolution at 40MP, Canon has plenty more room to work with on a full frame image sensor given that it developed a 120MP APS-H sensor more than two years ago.  And we just thought the megapixel wars were over . . . .

Who would pick up a 46MP Canon DSLR?  What price would you be willing to pay for this camera?

Mastering the Nikon D800 – New Book

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Mastering the Nikon D800

Mastering the Nikon D800 is a new book from Darrell Young, who has authored several other books in this series on Nikon DSLRs.

“This book explores the features and capabilities of the camera in a way that far surpasses the user’s manual. It guides readers through the camera features with step-by-step setting adjustments; color illustrations; and detailed how, when, and why explanations for each option. Every button, dial, switch, and menu configuration setting is explored in a user-friendly manner, with suggestions for setup according to various shooting styles.”

Mastering the Nikon D800 retails for $39.95; however, it is currently available for $21.07 from Amazon.com.

Slow Motion Video Captures Light Moving

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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoHeWgLvlXI&w=640&h=360]

This amazing video from a Ted Talk shows off a new camera that can capture video at 1 trillion frames per second.  As a result, the camera can record the movement of light through space.  There are lots of potential applications for this technology as it develops, including medical imaging and military applications.

How do you see this technology being used in the future?

Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM Lens Firmware Update ver. 1.2.0

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Canon EF 40mm

Canon has issued a firmware update for the EF 40mm f/2.8 STM lens.

Firmware Version 1.2.0 addresses the following phenomenon.

1. If pressure is applied to the lens barrel while the lens is mounted to the camera (pressure can be applied even while attaching the lens cap or while carrying the camera with the lens attached in a bag), the autofocusing function of the lens may stop working.

Note that only the following cameras can be used to install the update: [Read more…]