Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Sony A290 & A390 Announced

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Sony has announced two new additions to its Alpha series of DSLRs.  The A290 is the base model for the Alpha lineup, featuring a 14.2 megapixel CCD sensor.  The A390 offers the same image sensor, but adds Sony’s popular (and effective) quick AF live view function in combination with a 2.7″ tilting LCD.  Both cameras otherwise share the same body and controls, which (fortunately) includes a redesigned grip over the predecessor A330 and its siblings.

The A290 and A390 should be available in July 2010 at an initial retail price of $500 and $600, respectively.

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

 

Nikon Coolpix S3000 Review

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The Nikon Coolpix S3000 is a 12-megapixel, ultra-compact camera.  The S3000 is quite a basic point and shoot camera that’s really just a step or so up from the bottom-end Nikon L22.  The S3000 has a decent 4x optical zoom, equivalent to a 27-108mm zoom range on a 35mm camera.

If you’re looking for cheap and thin in your digital camera, read on to see if the Nikon S3000 works for you. [Read more…]

Photo Mechanic 4.6.4 Released

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Camera Bits has updated Photo Mechanic to version 4.6.4. Features found in version 4.6.4 of Photo Mechanic are designed to increase the speed and ease with which photographers can browse, caption and manage large digital photo collections. This latest version offers even faster browsing and new support for RAW files captured by the popular Olympus E-P2 and E-PL1 cameras as well as Phase One models, and other features designed to address overall user-friendliness across both Mac and Microsoft-based platforms.

The new version is available on Camera Bits’ website.

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

iPhone 4 Gets 5MP Camera, 720p HD Video, and Lots More

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Apple has just announced the iPhone 4.  Among many other new features, the iPhone 4 steps up its imaging capabilities with a 5-megapixel backlit sensor, 720p HD video capture, an LED flash and video light, touch to focus operation for both still and video and a 5x digital zoom.

What’s more, you can shoot from the front or back since cameras are on both sides of the iPhone 4.  The resolution drops to VGA-quality when using the front camera; however, the front-facing camera’s primary function seems to be dedicated to FaceTime, which is Apple’s name for video calling.

You can also download a new iMovie for iPhone app for $4.99, which gives you non-linear editing capabilities for your videos captured with your iPhone.  The iMovie app includes 5 themes, which allow you to add title sequences and different transitions.  Sliding your finger along the timeline lets you scrub through footage, just like traditional NLEs.  And, you can pinch to zoom to check out footage and details up close.  Using the iPhone’s GPS features, you can let iMovie for iPhone insert your location into your titles within videos.

If you want to put your movie to a soundtrack, you can choose from built-in music that matches the themes, or you can pull music from your song library on your iPhone.  You can also drop photos into you iMovie for iPhone project and it will automatically apply the Ken Burns effect.  Once you’re project is complete, you can email, upload to YouTube, send via MMS or share on MobileMe.  Once you sync your iPhone with your computer, the Movie will transfer during the sync process.

The iPhone 4 really steps up the game on the creativity side of things.  Only considering the new camera, HD video capture and iMovie app, the iPhone 4 seems pretty amazing.  However, these new updates only scratch the surface of the iPhone 4’s new features.  To get the full scoop, check out the iPhone 4 Overview at Tech Tilt.

Rogue FlashBenders – Flexible Light Modifiers for Speedlights

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ExpoImaging has announced a new line of flash modifiers, dubbed Rogue FlashBenders.  The new FlashBenders are designed to work with speedlights and can be shaped and positioned to help get the light from your hot shoe flashes headed in the direction you want it to go.

There are currently 3 models available – a large reflector, a small reflector, and a bounce card/flag, which retail for $39.95, $34.95 and 29.95, respectively.  You can get more details about the Rogue FlashBenders on ExpoImaging’s website.

Official press release follows. [Read more…]

Digital Cameras Are in 3% of Households in India, Canon’s Trying to Change That

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DNA India has published an interesting article on Canon’s attempt to break into and, in many ways, create a digital camera market in India.  In order to get Canon cameras into the hands of Indian consumers, Canon is taking a grass roots approach by going on a 38 city tour with all sorts of Canon cameras, lenses and accessories and simply letting people try them out. [Read more…]