Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips
Trusted Reviews has posted a full review of the Fujifilm FinePix S100FS.
The Fujifilm S100FS is a worthy successor to the S9600, and has superior handling, performance and image quality to any other super-zoom camera on the market, but comparing it to a real DSLR is a bit disingenuous. It is very expensive, more expensive even than an entry-level DSLR, and for all its qualities it doesn’t quite compete on the same level.
Below are some of the best photography links from other sites that I came across this week. Enjoy!
60 Photography Links You Can’t Live Without – Camera Porn (not an adult site) – As the name implies, this is a nice selection of essential photography links. Of course, it includes Photography Bay.
Compare cell phone to pro camera – Scobleizer – Can cell phones really compare to DSLRs in terms of image quality? Scoble offers some comparisons and makes a very logical point: “The worst photo you’ll ever take is the one you don’t take because you didn’t have your camera with you.”
The Ultimate Guide to Linux Digital Photography Software – Maysville Linux Users Group – If you are a bigger dork than the rest of us photo geeks, then Part 1 of this authoritative guide may be just what the doctor ordered.
The Ultimate Ball Head Guide – Epic Edits – Brian Auer comes through with another great post, giving you the ins, outs, ups and downs of ball heads for your tripod.
Jury Clears Photographer Who Refused to Stop Photographing an Arrest – Thomas Hawk -Always on top of photographers’ rights, Thomas Hawk follows the story of “photographer Nick Adams being cleared by a Galveston jury of misdemeanor charges of interfering with police while photographing an arrest at a Mardi Gras celebration in 2007.”
Digital Trends has posted a review of the 12.2 megapixel Canon EOS Rebel XSi. The new Digital Rebel XSi kit comes with an stabilized 18-55mm lens. Canon’s entry-level DSLR now features a 3″ rear LCD panel that’s capable of Live View framing and focusing. Digital Trends gave it an editor’s choice award and said:
. . . it’s very easy to recommend the Canon Rebel XSi. It’s a fast-focusing, speedy D-SLR that delivers excellent photos both indoors and outside. At 12.2-megapixels, the camera also has more than enough resolution for huge prints, and you can just shoot in auto or tweak images as much as you’d like.
For more news, reviews and info on the XSi, check out Photography Bay’s Canon Rebel XSi Reviews and Resources.
Imaging Resource has posted a review of the 7.2 megapixel Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S750. The S750 has a 3x optical zoom, 2.5″ rear LCD panel and a sensitivity range of ISO 100-2500.
Overall, shooting with the Sony S750 was pretty straightforward under normal conditions and in the normal parameters. Most functions were easy to find, either in the LCD menu or via one of the external controls. Shutter response was good, faster than average, and cycle times were about average as well.
Let’s Go Digital has posted a review of Canon’s new EOS Digital Rebel XSi. The popular Canon Digital Rebel series is now highlighted by this 12.2 megapixel DSLR, which also features a 3″ rear LCD panel and Live View functionality.
After testing the Canon EOS 450D I am really satisfied with the camera. It is a perfect camera for everybody. If you are just starting with (digital) photography or if you are a bit more experienced, and whether or not you switch from a compact camera, the Canon 450D enables you to take excellent pictures.
For more news, reviews and info on the XSi, check out Photography Bay’s Canon Rebel XSi Reviews and Resources.
The Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS is a lower-priced entry-level camera than its more advanced and higher pixel count sibling, the Rebel XSi. The new Rebel XS features a 10.1 megapixel CMOS sensor, 7-point wide area AF system with center f/5.6 cross-type sensor and up to 3fps continuous shooting. You can order the Rebel XS now on Amazon.com. Additional info, news and reviews is below.
The XS model once again makes a lot of sense – it is now a good option for those wanting DSLR image quality and performance at a low price.
The Canon Rebel XS is a good quality digital SLR camera, well-suited to the consumer shooter looking for a little more from a digital camera.
There’s certainly some very strong competition you should also weigh-up, but by delivering all the features budget DSLR buyers look for, the 1000D / XS looks set to be another best-seller for Canon.
The XS makes an excellent first SLR for people more used to point-and-shoot cameras. It has automatic settings that performed well, along with Live View, which is a definite draw for the new-to-SLRs crowd, even if the auto focus system is less than ideal.
The main differences with the 400D are Live View, DIGIC III, a 7-point AF instead of a 9-point AF, auto ISO setting, unlimited JPEG buffer but a lesser amount of RAW pictures, LP-E5 battery instead of the NB-2LH and on top of that a decreased weight of 502 grams which makes the Canon EOS 1000D Canon’s lightest digital SLR camera ever.
It’s clear that Canon has found itself in a situation where they are lacking a model at the low end of the digital SLR market. While the 450D has allowed Canon to come on leaps and bounds in what it offers, an increase in features and tech has meant the 450D has become a mid-level entry-level camera rather than an entry-level entry-level model.
The EOS 1000D is remarkably similar in appearance to its marginally larger relative – the 450D. The basic shape is pretty much identical, although you will be able to spot some minor differences if you look closely enough.
Lightweight, affordable and intuitive to use, the 10.1 Megapixel EOS 1000D offers the simplest way yet for aspiring photographers to enter the world of digital SLR photography.
The Canon EOS 1000D is the perfect D-SLR camera for anyone looking to get creative with photography. It lets you carry on shooting wherever you are, from dark interiors to evenings spent outdoors. Capturing the vibrancy on a street, or once-in-a-lifetime holiday shots, is made easy by the camera’s ability to shoot at up to 3 frames per second. Plus, for shots of kids or friends at a party, the wide area auto focus system has 7 separate points to capture their most active moments.
The EOS 1000D’s bright 2.5? LCD screen rewards instantly with a detailed review of every shot, which can be shared with friends thanks to a wide viewing angle. With Live View mode, the screen can even be used to compose shots, or to easily auto focus in the style of a digital compact camera. And for total shooting flexibility, the EOS 1000D is compatible with Canon’s range of lenses and EX-series Speedlite flashes – the broadest in the world.
The EOS 1000D is available from the end of July priced at the following;
EOS 1000D body only £499.99 / €649.99 RRP inc. VAT
EOS 1000D 18-55mm IS lens kit £579.99 / €749.99 RRP inc. VAT.
Press Release
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., May 13, 2008 – Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging, announces two new additions to its line of compact photo printers: the radical SELPHY CP770 and the exciting ultra-compact CP760 Photo Printers. These sensibly sized photo printers tout a fresh, unique design which simplifies printing for all users and makes it easier to print photos instantly, almost anywhere. Whether it’s baby’s first steps in the nursery or grandma and grandpa’s summer road trip, these compact photo printers can provide the whole family with instant memories almost anywhere -all without having to use a computer or camera to download images. These new printers are the perfect choice for anyone who wants to experience the joy of printing photos.
The Canon SELPHY CP770 compact photo printer is the cute carry-it-all solution for those looking for a small photo printer for the home or on-the-go. The SELPHY CP770 photo printer comes bundled in a basket-style storage bucket, which not only houses the printer, but also stores coordinating accessories including paper, ink cartridge and power cord. The unique design is the first of its kind and allows consumers to tote the printer virtually anywhere they need to go: summer camp, birthday parties, wedding showers, or a scrapbooking get-together.
Canon’s new design innovations were created with a focus on improving mobility and usability based on the printers’ broad range of uses, including printing photos for family albums, school art projects and scrapbooks. Each printer has larger buttons arranged in a “makes-sense” layout, designed for simplicity and easier navigation through menus. The number of buttons on each printer has been reduced from 12 buttons on previous models, down to nine for more simple functionality.
“Canon wants to keep photography fun for the whole family by making it easier for children and adults to print out instant memories and share them with everyone,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A. “The fun design and ease of use helps make these printers the perfect gift for anyone who wants a new and convenient way to display and share their photographs.”
The inviting “basket” design and fun colors make this printer appealing for moms, kids, grandparents or anyone who wants access to a photo printer for their entire memory portfolio. At first glance, many might not think of the SELPHY CP770 as a photo printer because its appearance is such a natural fit for a child’s playroom or family living room. An on-the-spot photo printer makes a great gift for friends and family, too.
The printer is equipped with a 2.5″ High-Definition LCD monitor to preview images before printing. The monitor itself has also been angled so that it can be easily viewed, even when sitting at a table that the printer is resting on. The SELPHY CP770 compact photo printer is available in a friendly apricot and crisp white color. The optional Canon NB-CP2 battery pack, makes it easier than ever to print photos while on the road or camping. The NB-CP2 battery pack can provide hours of printing power before each recharge and has a suggested retail price of $79.991.
This printer makes it easier than ever to print out priceless shots taken from a mobile phone or other handheld device2 3. The CP770 compact photo printer supports the new, must-have “IrSimple” feature4 – a high-speed infrared wireless communications standard allowing consumers to wirelessly print snapshots from their mobile phones, PDAs or other digital devices. The printer accepts a wireless infrared signal to transmit photo data from mobile phones and other devices that support this standard.
Easy to use, the new Canon SELPHY CP760 compact photo printer helps turn digital images into photography with a compact simple to use design to print great 4×6 inch photographs and make the most out of a digital camera. Now the whole family can crowd around the printer and easily see images on the new 2.5 inch, Thin Film Transistor (TFT) control screen which can be clearly viewed from various angles. The easy-to-view screen also lets users quickly navigate through menus and neatly preview images before printing. The addition of simplified card slots lets users plug in memory cards or print straight from the camera with a USB cord.
New Portrait Image Optimize technology from Canon allows users to correct and improve their image quality all without a computer. When “red-eye” occurs in photos, the CP770 and CP760 printers can automatically determine the position of the red-eye and change the pupils back to a natural color for printing. The CP770 and CP760 printers can lighten or darken individual areas of an image, making it possible to create a photograph where the face and background are well balanced. These functions will also identify a subject’s face inside an image, and correct to the ideal brightness and coloring for “brilliant” images.
Both the CP770 and CP760 photo printers feature new overcoat technology to help reduce blurring, and fingerprint smudges. After the yellow, magenta and cyan colors have printed, a special overcoat layer is applied to the image through a proprietary lamination process. Not only does the lamination help to reduce bleeding and blurring of printed photo, it also helps to reduce the risk of water and fingerprint smudges, as well as fading that can be caused by ultraviolet light, gas and other such environmental factors.
Making it even more convenient to print images is the optional Canon BU-30 Bluetooth adaptor. Available for both the SELPHY CP770 and CP760 photo printers for a suggested retail price of $49.991, the BU-30 adaptor allows images to be sent from Bluetooth enabled devices directly to the SELPHY model to be printed2.
The SELPHY CP770 and CP760 compact photo printers carry an estimated retail price of $149.99 and $99.991, respectively.
The Olympus E-520 is the successor to the popular Olympus E-510. The new DSLR follows the recent announcement of the Olympus E-420, which served as the successor to the E-410. The new E-520 carries on the Four Thirds lens mount, which means a 2x crop factor for all lenses.
The E-520 faces stiff competition in the increasingly-ubiquitous sub-$700 digital SLR category, and although it possesses a number of enticing elements, it lacks key differentiators to elevate it significantly above its rivals.
While the marriage of simplicity and complexity in the E-520 may not be an entirely smooth one, it’s one that makes the snapper a very attractive camera for the transitional photographer who wants to leave point-and-shoot land behind but not lose sight of its shores entirely.
Combine the E-520’s minimal size and built-in image stabilization and you’ve got what I believe is one of the best backpacking cameras available.
This is a good transitional camera for anyone wanting to progress to DSLR for the first time although it does have some minor limitations that should be considered and, I imagine in many cases, overlooked.
The level of customizability is astonishing for the price, both in terms of the function of external buttons and the ability to fine-tune the output of the camera to perfectly suit your subject, shooting style and personal preferences.
There’s one of the best Live View modes on the market (with auto focus), a good image stabilization system that’s built into the body, comprehensive presets and a high degree of customizability and control. However, the test results for noise levels, white balance and dynamic range were so poor that they dragged down an otherwise good camera.
On the surface, the new Olympus E-520 looks very similar to the 1-year old E-510 model that it replaces. The E520 retains some key features from its predecessor; the same 10 megapixel LiveMOS sensor, Supersonic Wave Filter, and body-integrated image stabilisation are all present and correct. What have Olympus added then to tempt you to part with £500 / $750 of your hard-earned cash? There’s a bigger 2.7 inch LCD screen, 3.5fps continuous shooting speed, the introduction of Shadow Adjustment Technology, Face Detection and more convenient auto-focus options in Live View, and wireless TTL flash control. Zoltan Arva-Toth finds out if the evolutionary Olympus E-520 has enough new features to survive in the cut-throat world of the entry-level DSLR market.
The image quality of the Olympus E-520 is solid as a rock, leaving no other option than to go to the closest dealer and make your acquaintance with this camera. How that will work out, is up to you, we have been convinced already!
Indeed while the competition now offers some key features you should carefully weigh-up, we can still confidently award the E-520 the Highly Recommended rating of its predecessor. If you’re shopping for a new DSLR at this price-point, it should be on your shortlist.
In terms of overall approach, the E-520 may well be the most flexible consumer DSLR we’ve reviewed this year: whereas the Nikon D60 proved to be an excellent first SLR, and new models from Canon and Pentax have aimed to appeal to a slightly more advanced audience, the E-520 does both at once.
The improvements, particularly the new image stabilisation mode and autofocus accuracy of Live Modes show that these important technologies are still being perfected, and the latest versions on the E-520 are pretty much as good as they get at the moment.
If you’re buying online, I recommend sticking with Amazon, B&H Photo or Adorama. These three vendors are reliable, trustworthy and generally have the best (legitimate) prices.
PhotographyBLOG has posted a review of the 10 megapixel Samsung NV40. The NV40 features a 3x optical zoom, optical image stabilization, face detection focusing and an sensitivy range of ISO 80-400.
The NV40 remains a premium-level product that is both well made and well thought out, with the unique smart touch interface that makes the camera easy to understand and navigate, but ultimately the image quality and high price-tag of £199 / $280 let the Samsung NV40 down.
Trusted Reviews has posted a review of the Nikon CoolPix S600. The S600 is a 10 megapixel point and shoot digital camera. It features a 4x optical zoom, Nikon’s VR image stabilization and a sensitivity range up to ISO 3200. Trusted Reviews felt that the image quality was excellent, stating as follows:
The 4x zoom lens performs brilliantly, with good edge-to-edge sharpness that only falls off in the extreme corners of the frame at wide angle. There is visible barrel distortion at wide angle, but it isn’t too severe, and there is no trace of pincushion distortion at the other end of the zoom range.