Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips
The Fuji FinePix Z33WP is a 10 megapixel point and shoot camera whose main attraction is a waterproof body – up to 10 feet though. Other features include a 2.7″ LCD and 3x optical zoom. The Z33WP is set to be available in March for $199.95. Check availability on Amazon.com.
For more details see the press release below. [Read more…]
The Fuji FinePix Z30 is a 10 megapixel point and shoot camera that has a stylish body to appeal to the younger crowd. It also features a 2.7″ LCD and 3x optical zoom. The Z30 is priced at $179.95 and due on store shelves in March. Check availability on Amazon.com.
More details in the press release below. [Read more…]
Fuji has added the J250 and J20 to is budget model lineup at $199.95 and $129.95, respectively. Each camera has a 10 megapixel sensor. The J20 has a 3x optical zoom and a 2.7″ LCD, while J250 has a 3″ LCD and 5x optical zoom.
Check availability on Amazon.com:
More details in the following press release. [Read more…]
Sony has added 5 more point and shoot digital cameras to its lineup. The Cyber-shot models, without their DSC designation are: T900, T90, W290, W230 and H20. As you can probably guess, Sony is keeping with the trend of an abundance of megapixels – most are 12 megapixel cameras, with one camera at 10 megapixels. The key features and images are below.
Check availability at Amazon.com.
There is a lot to like about the Sony Cybershot DSC T900. It scores highly for ease of use and build quality as well as more innovative and advanced features.
Check availability at Amazon.com.
Check availability at Amazon.com.
Check availability at Amazon.com.
Check availability at Amazon.com.
The Sony Cybershot DSC H20 gets most things right. There is plenty of competition, but this camera provides a reliable alternative to models from Panasonic and Canon.
With this camera, Sony has demonstrated that it is a company which listens to user feedback, as most of the issues we criticised the H10 for have been addressed.
For additional info see the press release below.
PRESS RELEASE
SAN DIEGO, Feb. 17, 2009 – Sony today announced five new Cyber-shot® cameras (models DSC-T900, DSC-T90, DSC-W290, DSC-W230 and DSC-H20) that make it easier to take the best pictures without changing settings.
The intelligent auto mode, available on the T900, T90, W290 and H20 models helps “think” for you and detect scene conditions then adjust settings, especially in difficult lighting scenarios.
“This camera provides a seamless experience,” said Karim Noblecilla, senior product marketing manager in Sony Electronics’ Digital Imaging Division. “You can go from a walk in the park to taking pictures of a flower and then back to beautiful landscapes or indoor birthday parties, and the camera will know what to do to get the best shot.”
Additionally, intelligent auto mode enhances pictures of faces to capture natural skin tones, identifies when your subject has closed eyes, and helps reduce blur without damaging image quality.
Sony has combined three key technologies to make these cameras smarter.
Intelligent scene recognition (iSCN) detects up to eight scenes, recognizing objects, faces and lighting conditions (e.g. low light and backlight). Then, in one-thirtieth of a second, it changes the setting to get the best shot.
Face detection registers up to eight faces; adjusts focus, exposure, white balance and flash; and detects motion. This intelligent camera combines face detection with iSCN, featuring blink detection. It takes two pictures and saves the one in which the subject’s eyes are the least shut.
The W290 and H20 cameras also have selected-face memory, allowing you to zero in on the main subject’s face. The next time the camera detects the priority face in the frame, it will automatically focus on that person.
The W230 model has iSCN that detects up to five scene conditions, face detection with child and adult priority, and the Optical SteadyShot™ image stabilization feature. You can turn on these features in auto mode to make the W230 camera intelligent.
All of the new cameras have the Optical SteadyShot feature and Smile Shutter™ technology. The Optical SteadyShot image stabilization feature helps prevent blur due to camera shake without impacting image quality. Equipped with Sony’s Smile Shutter technology, these cameras automatically capture a smile the moment it happens.
Another advanced feature that sets these cameras apart from most digital still cameras is iSCN advanced. Noblecilla said the iAuto feature increases the chances of getting a great shot. You can also set up iSCN advanced as a permanent feature. When the scene has difficult lighting such as backlight or low light, the camera will take two shots within a fraction of a second using two alternative settings, so you can select which picture you prefer.
HD Movies
The W290, H20, T90 and T900 cameras feature wide and full-screen 720p movie recording at 30 frames per second in fine, standard and VGA recording modes. The 720p movie resolution is three times higher than VGA movies.
The movie function is based on the MPEG4 codec for video compression. Plus the T900 has a stereo microphone. Benefits of the format include high-quality video as well as PC-friendly files that are easy to download, upload and share.
Style and Color
With a compact design for easy on-the-go portability, the DSC-T90 and DSC-T900 cameras are 15 millimeters and 16.3 millimeters thin, respectively. 2009 line of W and T colors come in a pallet of colors to match your unique style.
Powerful Core Features
The W230 camera has 12.1 megapixels, 4x (30mm) Carl Zeiss® Vario Tessar optical zoom lens and 3-inch (measured diagonally) LCD screen. The W290 model adds a 5x wide (28mm) optical zoom lens.
The T90 camera also has 12.1 megapixels and a 4x Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar optical zoom and 3-inch (measured diagonally) wide touch-panel LCD screen. The T900 camera adds a larger 3.5-inch Xtra Fine LCD screen that delivers high resolution images (921,600 dots), which is approximately four times higher than conventional LCD screens.
The H20 model features 10.1 megapixels, a 10x Carl Zeiss optical zoom lens and a 3-inch (measured diagonally) LCD screen.
Easy navigation
Sony has simplified the display of options on most of these cameras to make it easier for customers to use them. The most commonly used features include shooting mode, zoom, play, delete and Smile Shutter. These are available at a click or touch of a button. More sophisticated users can select other shooting modes or change the settings using the menu button.
Tools to Edit, Archive and Share
These cameras are equipped with tools to edit, archive and share. They have in-camera retouch features like red-eye correction and image management to easily sort through thousands of photos in calendar view or album view. You can group favorites and filter by baby, adult, all faces or smiles. The PhotoMusic feature offers an HD slideshow mode with transitions and music for viewing on the camera or television.
The HD output feature lets you view images in high-defintion, although HDMI and component cables are not included. The T900 camera is bundled with a camera stand that allows HDMI connectivity, but the cable is not included.
Bundled Picture Motion Browser (PMB) software allows you to quickly organize images on a compatible PC and upload images to the Web. You can search and organize images by event, smile or face, including children and infants. Then you can display them in calendar or chronological views organized into folders.
Pricing and Availability
Consumers can start pre-ordering these cameras in March at www.sonystyle.com. They will be available for purchase in April online at sonystyle.com, at Sony Style® retail stores (www.sonystyle.com/retail ), at military base exchanges and at authorized dealers nationwide.
Samsung has launched 4 new point and shoot cameras – two at 12.2 megapixels and two at 10 megapixels. Samsung makes some pretty cameras that will probably capture sales on their stylishness alone.
Unfortunately though, other than the unnecessary addition of megapixels and the standard bells and whistles, such as Face Detection, Blink Detection, Smile Shot, and Beauty Shot (“a unique functionality which will automatically brighten and even out skin tones as well as remove blemishes”), there is nothing that sets these new point and shoots apart from the rest of the 10 and 12 megapixel cameras we have seen over the past month or so. Each of these new cameras should be available in March 2009.
The models and key specs are as follows: [Read more…]
PocketWizard has dropped a bomb in the lighting world with their new FlexTT5 and MiniTT1. The big deal about these off-camera flash triggers is the ability to operate in TTL mode on Canon and Nikon cameras at an extended range using radio waves.
Pricing will be roughly $199 for the MiniTT1 and $219 for the FlexTT5 and will be available in March for Canon models and in the Second Quarter of 2009 for Nikon models. You order them at Amazon via the following links:
Pocket Wizard FlexTT5 Transceiver For Canon TTL Flashes and Digital SLR Cameras
PocketWizard MiniTT1 Radio Transmitter for Canon TTL Flashes and Digital SLR Cameras
Pocket Wizard FlexTT5 Transceiver For Nikon TTL Flashes and Digital SLR Cameras
PocketWizard MiniTT1 Radio Transmitter for Nikon TTL Flashes and Digital SLR Cameras
The above video from PocketWizard does a great job of explaining the features that the FlexTT5 and MiniTT1 offer over the older Plus II and MultiMax models. Additionally, I will refer you to the Strobist himself, who has spent some hands-on time with these new models and seems to be quite impressed with their capabilities. Rob Galbraith also has a thorough write up of his hands-on experience with the new PocketWizards, though you won’t find the same witty commentary as the Strobist post. Chase Jarvis adds to the mix of commentary as well. Finally, you’ll find more details in the press release below. [Read more…]
Fundamentals of Photography was written by Tom Ang, who is an author of many other photography books prior to this one. The subtitle of Fundamentals of Photography is “the essential handbook for both digital and film cameras,” which I think better describes this book.
When I first heard about the book from Random House, I figured it was another “intro to photography” type of a book. It’s not. In fact, if you are a beginner, I recommend that you don’t pick up a copy of this book. If you are an experienced amateur, then this book will fit nicely into your library.
Fundamentals of Photography is really more of a handbook as the subtitle calls it. The book is divided up into a handful of chapters that cover various aspects of photography. Inside each of these chapters, Mr. Ang breaks down these aspects to minute subtopics and provides an overview of the key points of each subtopic. While not comprehensive for any given topic, Fundamentals offers you a solid grasp of many key concepts in photography.
Do you want to know what the different types of elements are that go into a lens? Turn to page 144 and you’ll get to see the differences between convex-concave, meniscus, biconcave, plano-concave, biconvex and plano-convex. And with Mr. Ang’s introduction and explanation of how these lens types form images from light, you’ll have a basic understanding of what this all means.
Are you curious about the different effects of layer blend modes in Photoshop? Turn to page 270 and you’ll get an introduction to the modes followed by several pages of examples that apply to the blend modes on the same image, along with a short explanation of what’s going on with each mode.
Fundamentals of Photography is not one of those books that you sit down and read cover to cover. It is a handbook, or reference book, to pull out when you have questions about a specific topic – be it color space, lighting set ups or darkroom equipment. It is a fair reference for both film and digital photography. Its also rather inexpensive at around $15 on Amazon.com.
Here’s a new reader question that I received from Patel via email.
Can you provide me the details as I am totally confused with the digital camera that i have to purchase. My target is 400$(US). I am more interested in optical zoom digital camera. I am totally confused between Panasonic DMC-FZ28, latest Nikon P90 (that is going to be launched on April 9th) , Panasonic DMC-ZS3. I want digital camera with the best photo and video quality.
You guys have rocked with the past several reader questions. I’m sure you guys also have some great advice for Patel, who is clearly interested in superzoom cameras that offer solid image and video quality.
Which one is the best?
What cameras has Patel failed to list that he should consider?
Why is the camera that you recommend better than others?
Fire away in the comments below.
DC Resource has posted a review of the Olympus E-30.
Images are fairly sharp by D-SLR standards, with lots of detail captured. In terms of noise, the E-30 performs quite well, though if you look hard enough you’ll spot some noise in shadow areas of a photo (even at lower ISO settings).
For more news and reviews, stay tuned to Photography Bay’s Olympus E-30 Reviews and Resources.
Digital Camera Review has published a review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX150.
Image quality is reliably very good to excellent (outdoors in good light) with essentially no effort on the part of the photographer. Images are very sharp with balanced contrast and colors are hue accurate and slightly over-saturated.