Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Olympus E-PL1 Hands-On Review

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Olympus E-PL1

The Olympus E-PL1 is a 12.3MP Micro Four Thirds camera that follows the original Olympus E-P1 and E-P2.  The former cameras were geared more toward enthusiast photographers, and the new E-PL1 is aimed squarely at consumers graduating from point and shoot cameras.

The E-PL1 is smaller than both the E-P1 and E-P2.  Additionally, the new camera features a pop-up flash, which is a feature that was missed by many on the previously released Olympus cameras.  The big kicker, however, is a reduced price point of $599 for the body and kit lens.  These factors combine to create a solid offering over the previous E-P1 and E-P2 cameras, and a serious option for consumers shopping for a powerful point and shoot camera. [Read more…]

 

Topaz Adjust 4

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Topaz Adjust 4

Topaz Labs has updated the highly touted Photoshop plug-in, Topaz Adjust, to version 4.  The new version is available as a free upgrade to existing Topaz Adjust users.  Topaz Adjust 4 is available direct from Topaz Labs for $49.99 for new users.  A banner on the Topaz Labs website reveals that you can get 20% off Topaz Adjust 4 through March 15, 2010.  You can also download a free 30-day trial to take the plug-in for a spin before you buy it.

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

Canon Rebel T2i Hands-On Review

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Canon Rebel T2i

The Canon Rebel T2i is an 18MP DSLR that follows up the popular Canon Rebel T1i.  The Canon Rebel T2i is geared toward entry-level shooters with a number of features and components that make it a very powerful camera suitable for serious shooters as well.  After spending a few hours with it, I wanted to provide my first impressions, along with some impromptu sample shots. [Read more…]

Canon 5D Mark II Firmware Update Version 2.0.3

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Canon 5D Mark II

Canon has provided further details on the new Canon 5D Mark II firmware, which will be available for download later this month.  The new firmware version 2.0.3 will enable the Canon 5D Mark II to capture 1080p video at 24fps (actual 23.976fps) and will change the 30fps rate to NTSC standard 29.97fps.  The 5D Mark II will also be able to capture 1080p video at the PAL standard of 25fps.  Additional tweaks include an histogram display for shooting movies in manual exposure, shutter-priority and aperture-priority, manual control over sound recording levels and a broadcast standard audio sampling frequency.

More details available from Canon’s website.

Samsung TL500 Hands-On Review

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Samsung TL500

One of the flagship announcements at PMA 2010 was the Samsung TL500, which is a serious point and shoot camera that matches up well against the popular Canon G11.  I had to opportunity to spend a little time with a preproduction TL500 while at PMA 2010.  As with other prepoduction models that I encountered, I was not allowed to bring back sample images or video to share with you.

The TL500 packs a 10MP 1/1.7″ CCD sensor and a 3x optical zoom lens, which has an f/1.8 max aperture on the wide end.  When zoomed out to full tele, the max aperture becomes f/2.4.  In addition to the headline bright aperture lens, the TL500 also touts a beautiful, swiveling 3-inch AMOLED screen.

[Read more…]

Canon Rebel T1i Firmware Update Ver. 1.1.0

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Canon Rebel T1i

The Canon Rebel T1i has received a firmware update to version 1.1.0.  The new firmware addresses the following issues:

  1. Enhances the reliability of Live View shooting
  2. Fixes incorrect indications on the Arabic, English, and Swedish menu screens

The firmware update and upgrade instructions are available from Canon’s website.

Read Photography Bay’s Canon Rebel T1i Review.

Canon Digital Photo Professional Updated

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Canon has updated its Digital Photo Professional software to version 3.8 and 3.8.1 for Windows and Mac users, respectively.  The new version of DPP ships with the Canon Rebel T2i and includes other new features and enhancements. Additionally, Canon has updated several ancillary software products as follows:

EOS Utility 2.8.1
Picture Style Editor 1.7.0
WFT Utility 3.5.1
Original Data Security Tools 1.8.0

The updated software is available from Canon’s Download Library.

Up Close With the Fuji GF670

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Fuji GF670

Fuji took an interesting turn earlier this month with the introduction of a medium format film camera – the Fuji GF670 Professional.  I don’t have much more information other than what was available at the time of the announcement; however, you will find a number of up close photos along with some additional commentary on the new medium format shooter below. [Read more…]