Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Nikon Coolpix P7000 Announced

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Nikon P7000

The P7000 is Nikon’s flagship point and shoot camera.  It is fitted with a 10MP sensor, 7.1x optical zoom, the ability to capture RAW format images (finally) and 720p video capture at 24 fps.  The P7000 also features a hotshoe for attaching an external Nikon Speedlight.

Additionally, Nikon steps up the game with an external mic input on the compact shooter, which will add to the functionality of optical zoom during video capture and full time AF.  By using an external microphone for audio capture, the P7000 allows us to avoid the problem of internal camera noise during video recording.  Of course, this feature is likely of limited use for most users, but certainly signals that Nikon is taking video customers seriously.

With the P7000, Nikon finally looks like it has the feature list to tackle Canon’s G-series (e.g., the new Canon G12) head on.

The Nikon P7000 carries an initial retail price of $499.95 and should be available in September 2010.  Check availability on Amazon.com.

Nikon P7000 Key Features

  • 10.1-megapixel, large 1/1.7-inch CCD sensor
  • 7.1x Wide-Angle Optical Zoom-NIKKOR ED Glass Lens
  • 5-way VR Image Stabilization System
  • 3-inch 921k dot resolution LCD
  • RAW file function compatible with Mac and Windows
  • PSAM (Program, Shutter, Aperture, Manual) exposure control
  • ISO 6400 at full resolution

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

 

Nikon Coolpix S80 Announced

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The Nikon Coolpix S80 is 14MP point and shoot camera with a 5x optical zoom lens and a touch-sensitive 3.5-inch OLED screen.  The Nikon S80 should be available soon at an initial retail price of $329.95.  Check availability on Amazon.com.

Nikon Coolpix S80 Key Features

  • 14.1-megapixel CCD sensor
  • 5x Wide-Angle Optical Zoom-NIKKOR ED Glass Lens
  • 3.5-inch Ultra-High Resolution (819,000-dot) Organic LED (OLED) Clear Color Display
  • Full HD (720p) Movie with Stereo Sound and HDMI Output
  • ISO can be set as high as 6400.

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

Nikon Coolpix S8100 Announced

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The Nikon Coolpix S8100 is a compact point and shoot camera that features a 10x optical zoom and a 12.1MP backside illuminated CMOS sensor.  The new S8100 should be available in September 2010 at an initial retail price of $299.95.  Check availability on Amazon.com.

Nikon Coolpix S8100 Key Features

  • 12.1-megapixel CMOS sensor
  • 10x Wide-Angle Optical Zoom-NIKKOR ED Glass Lens
  • Full HD (1080p) Movie Recording
  • Mode Dial for quick setting of key functions.
  • ISO can be set as high as 3200

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

iStockphoto Changes Royalty Rates, Dishes Out Pay Cuts to Most Contributors

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Seemingly out of the blue, iStockphoto announced a major change in stock photography royalty rates starting in 2011.

Gone are the days of when a contributor’s canister level (based on number of total downloads) determined the royalty rate received by the contributor.  Starting in 2011, the royalty rate will be based on annual “targets” of redeemed credits. [Read more…]

Canon G12 Tomorrow

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Just a heads up – I received a tip that the previously leaked Canon G12 should be announced tomorrow.  There shouldn’t be any real news about it that we don’t already know – other than the price tag, of course.  I don’t expect it to veer too far off of the standard $499 retail price though.

Hopefully, we’ll see the final update on the G12 at midnight.  Stay tuned.

Taking Stock: Make Money in Microstock Creating Photos That Sell – New Book

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Taking Stock: Make Money in Microstock Creating Photos That Sell is a new book from photographer, Rob Sylvan.  In Taking Stock, Sylvan addresses “how to shoot, edit and keyword photos that sell” on microstock sites like iStockphoto.

If you’ve ever tried your hand at microstock photography, then you understand how challenging it is to acquire the right formula for image upload acceptance, let alone sales.  Sylvan is an iStockphoto inspector and well-respected member of the iStock community, so picking up this book might be a good idea for those who need to brush up on their stock photo skills.

Taking Stock: Make Money in Microstock Creating Photos That Sell carries a retail price of $29.99; however, it can currently be found on Amazon.com for $19.79.

More details in the full press release below.

[Read more…]

Canon 1D Mark IV vs. Nikon D3S – Autofocus Performance [Part 3]

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Canon 1D Mark IV vs. Nikon D3s

In Parts 1 and 2 of this series, I provided an introduction to this autofocus evaluation, as well as a brief overview of the Canon 1D Mark IV and Nikon D3S AF systems.  If you have not read the previous installments in this series, you can do so now by clicking the links below:

  1. Canon 1D Mark IV vs. Nikon D3S – Autofocus Performance [Part 1]
  2. Canon 1D Mark IV vs. Nikon D3S – Autofocus Performance [Part 2]

In Part 3 below, we will look more in-depth at images captured during basketball games with the 1D Mark IV and D3S. [Read more…]

SD Association Bumps SD Card Specs to 300MB/s Max

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SD Logo

The SD Association has announced a new design that will allow an increase in bus interface speeds for SD-format memory cards up to 300MB/s.  The new design is also backwards compatible with existing devices that accept SD, SDHC and SDXC cards.  To give you an idea of what this transfer speed means in real products, SanDisk’s powerful Extreme Pro line of CF cards is rated at 90MB/s.

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