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Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Nikon D3 Review

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Cliff Mautner got his hands on a Nikon D3 for a bit and lived to tell about it:

My first impressions, as expected, were mind blowing. To be brief, I’m stunned at how responsive this camera is and I didn’t believe there was much room for improvement to the way the D2xs handled. I was clearly wrong. The Focus, feel of the shutter, focus point selection, enormous LCD, auto white balance, dynamic range, color rendition, and a few other things have all been written about and touted, but nothing prepared me for the incredible quality of the files out of camera. In addition, the high ISO performance, which was also talked about, is nothing short of revolutionary.

This camera literally changes the rules of photography and will simply allow me to capture things like never before.

Keep up with all the Nikon D3 news and reviews on this page.

[tags]nikon, d3, review[/tags]

 

Nikon D3 Available at Amazon

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UPDATE 10/1/07: A couple of readers (correctly) point out that the camera is sold through Beach Camera via Amazon and that the Beach Camera website actually has it on a “pre-order” status. (see comments below). Until Amazon catches on to this, you should consider your order to be only a pre-order only. Sorry to jump the gun folks.

ORIGINAL POST:

The Nikon D3 is showing in stock and ready to ship at Amazon. Check it out!

Keep up to date on all the Nikon D3 news and reviews on this page.

[tags]nikon, d3, shipping, available, amazon[/tags]

Canon Rebel XSi Rumor Archives

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Everyone fully expects this camera to be announced at PMA in January 2008. In fact, it would be downright odd if it didn’t show up then. Canon announced the current generation Rebel XTi in August 2006, which makes PMA 2008 the end of the 18 month product cycle for Canon entry-level cameras. There are some rumors surfacing that after the release of the Rebel XTi replacement, Canon will move to a 12 month life cycle for its entry-level cameras.

So what features can you expect on the Canon Rebel XTi replacement?

LiveView

I think LiveView is a surefire bet. I think Canon wants to stay ahead of the curve and will make LiveView a standard across all of its DSLR product lines.

Video Capability

There’s also rumors of video capture capability. I think this makes sense too. If you’re going to roll out video in DSLRs, why not start on your consumer grade camera? This will be a very popular feature for this market audience. If DSLR manufacturers can do LiveView, then they are capable of doing video as well. I expect this to be a standard feature for DSLRs in years to come, whether we really want it or not.

DIGIC III

An upgraded image processor is sure to come as well, likely to match the 40D’s 14 bit DIGIC III. This is just an evolution of technology and a hand-me-down to the little brother model.

Bigger LCD

I would also expect the LCD screen to go up from 2.5″ to a 3″ LCD. Again, now that the big brother has it, it will be passed down the line to the next Rebel XTi. This is another big marketing point, especially when considered in conjunction with LiveView and video capabilities.

ISO and FPS

Maybe the Rebel XTi replacement will get a boost in ISO to 3200 and an increase in frames per second rate up to 5 fps. I think both of these could be reasonably anticipated now that the Canon 40D has gone above and beyond these specs. It would certainly be welcomed by me.

Image Stabilization

What about Image Stabilization, you say. The question of whether Canon (or Nikon) will produce a camera with in-body IS has been asked time and time again in the various photography forums around the web. Well, I don’t really see that happening in Canon’s DSLR line . . . yet. Yeah, I know, Sony, Olympus and Pentax have it going on with in-body IS; however, Canon has taken the position in recent past that lens-based IS really is better. The tests that I’ve read seem to support this point.

What I would expect to see in the Rebel XTi replacement is a kit containing the new EF-S 18-55mm IS lens, which was announced in August. I think this is a viable option for Canon to market, not only as equivalent to the Sony, etc. kit, but as a better option because it’s lens-based IS. You may disagree with the statement; however, I think this is a viable marketing point that Canon can capitalize on.

Now, there are unsubstantiated rumors surfacing that Canon may move to some body-based IS for entry-level DSLRs in the future (i.e., 2009+); however, I think for present purposes we can look forward to the continued use of lens-based IS, pushed by this promising option of an IS kit lens.

Megapixels

I really don’t expect to see the Rebel XTi replacement moving above and beyond the 40D or the 1D Mk III in megapixels. I think 10 megapixels is plenty of prowess for all of us; however, I’m sure someone will jump out there in front with a 12 MP entry-level DSLR in 2008. I don’t think that someone will be Canon. I think Canon’s video feature and the IS kit lens will be big enough to market it past the megapixel crowd – for the generation at least. Maybe we’ll see 12 MP or more in 2009 from Canon.

Form Factor

I also don’t see Canon moving away from the small form factor body. A lot of people complain about the small size of the body on the Rebel series. It’s here to stay. Buy a BG-E3 grip if you don’t like it (I did), or better yet, a Canon 40D. Canon is not going to alienate women and entry-level users that prefer the smaller size of the Rebel series due to the cries of enthusiasts that really want a 40D for the price of the Rebel series cameras.

Conclusion

I think Canon has big things in store for the Rebel XTi replacement and I think we’ve only got a few more months to wait. If all this comes to fruition in early 2008, I may have to move on from my Rebel XT to the next iteration of the Rebel based on gadget factor alone. Expect the rumors to increase with frequency as we get closer to PMA 2008. As I see more rumors on the next Canon Rebel, I’ll post’em at the bottom of this post – so check back often.

UPDATES

1/16/08: Rumored specs surface on the “Rebel XTs”: same sensor, improved noise and dynamic range, UDMA support. (Read More)

1/5/08: Further support for the announcement of a Rebel XTi replacement / 450D at PMA. The 350D (Rebel XT) has been pulled from at least one 4th quarter ’07 Canon catalog. (Read more)

12/17/07: The Rebel XTi replacement may very well be announced by Canon on January 24th – just prior to PMA 2008. (Read more)

[tags]canon, rebel, xti, replacement, successor, 450d, xtx, eos, dslr[/tags]

Canon Rebel XSi Reviews and Resources

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Canon has announced the new EOS Rebel XSi, which is a 12.2 megapixel consumer level DSLR that packs a ton of “pro” upgrades. At the Rebel XSi’s initial introduction it was available in a body-only configuration for $799 and a kit configuration with the new EF-S 18-55mm IS lens for $899. It is now substantially less.  You can order each of these configurations at Amazon via the following links.

Canon EOS Rebel XSi (body only)

Canon EOS Rebel XSi w/ EF-S 18-55mm IS lens

See the reviews and other info below for further details on this impressive new camera.

Canon Rebel XSi Key Features

  • 12.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor
  • Canon’s EOS Integrated Cleaning System
  • 3.5 frames per second
  • 3.0” LCD with Live View shooting
  • 9-point wide-area AF system with f/2.8 cross-type center point
  • Picture Style image processing parameters
  • DIGIC III image processor
  • Digital Photo Professional RAW processing software
  • Compact and Lightweight body
  • Fully compatible with all Canon EF and EF-S lenses and EX-series Speedlights

Photography Bay Resources

Canon Rebel XSi Full Review

Canon Rebel XSi Sample Images

Canon Rebel XSi Reviews

Bob Atkins

The image quality is surprisingly close to that the the EOS 40D and EOS 50D, but the cost is significantly lower. Of course it has fewer features too, such as a smaller ISO range, no rear Quick Control Dial, a slower continuous drive rate, a smaller buffer etc.

NeoCamera

The Canon Rebel XSi is finally a more complete camera than any Rebel before it.

DigiCamReview.com

Image quality is good – with excellent colour, with high levels of saturation and contrast. Noise is acceptable higher than average compared to the competition, but is low up to ISO400 and detail is good.

PhotographyBLOG

Image quality is on a par with the EOS 400D, with noise-free images up to ISO 800 and a very usable fastest speed of 1600, so usable that I don’t understand why the EOS 450D doesn’t also offer ISO 3200.

DP Review

The EOS 450D feels like a mature product, it is capable of superb results (even if it’s actually now good enough to reveal the limitations of the cheaper EF-S lenses) and it has a feature set that offers an excellent balance between beginner-friendly ease of use and the manual control / customization demanded by those wanting something a little more serious.

PopPhoto

It scored Excellent image quality throughout its ISO 100-1600 range, based on Excellent resolution (2265 lines average), Excellent color accuracy, and noise levels that ranged from Very Low at ISO 100 to Moderately Low at ISO 1600.

Digital Trends

. . . 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.

Let’s Go Digital

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.

The Digital Picture

I’m very pleased (actually somewhat surprised) with the improvements delivered by the Canon EOS Rebel XSi / 450D. It will be a worthwhile upgrade for many XTi / 400D owners – it is a lot of camera for the money for anyone purchasing it.

Steve’s Digicams

The XSi’s image quality is excellent, and has improved at high ISO settings over the former model. Images were consistently well exposed with natural color saturation and accurate white balance. When shooting portrait style photos, skin tones were also very pleasant. Noise is absent from test images shot at ISO 100 and ISO 200, barely detectable in shadow areas at ISO 400 and 800, and noticeable in shadow areas at ISO 1600, but these images are still very usable.

Camera Labs

In use, the 450D / XSi feels very responsive and quicker than its predecessor. The viewfinder is visibly a little bigger than the 400D / XTi, which itself is bigger than the Sony A350’s. The continuous shooting may only be half a frame per second faster than the 400D / XTi, but you really do get 3.5fps in practice and it’s much quicker than the 2.35fps reality of the A350.

Cnet

It doesn’t stand out for its feature set or design, but the Canon EOS Rebel XSi delivers on performance and photo quality.

Gizmodo Hands-On

Shooting produced a more satisfying click than than the XTi as well and the autofocus was definitely snappy. We obviously couldn’t subject it to lotsa photo tests right here, but if the specs and our bit of time add up correctly, this is the new entry-level DSLR king.

Bob Atkins (Features Compared to XTi & 40D)

I’d say the new XSi looks like a real improvement over the XTi in terms of features and usability. Image quality will probably be quite similar. For someone upgrading from a P&S digicam it looks like a very good camera, and that fact that it uses SD cards (which most P&S digicams also do these days) could be a plus.

DP Review Hands-On Preview

Although you can’t really see it when looking from above the EOS 450D’s grip has been redesigned slightly, and it’s a big improvement, though we’d still rather use the camera with the optional battery grip attached. The overall handling and ergonomics have been improved slightly, though again, this isn’t a major redesign.

Do you see a review somewhere that should be added? Drop a line in the comments or an email and I’ll get it on here.

Canon Rebel XSi Sample Images

DP Review Samples

Canon Japan (low-res)

Canon Japan (full size 1)

Canon Japan (full size 2)

Other Canon Rebel XSi Resources

Canon USA Rebel XSi Home

Canon Rebel XSi Videos

Where to Buy Canon Rebel XSi

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.

Canon Rebel XSi Press Release

Canon ‘Beefs Up’ the New Rebel With Optically Image Stabilized Lens Kit and ‘Pro’ Features

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LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., January 23, 2008 – Canon U.S.A., Inc.’s EOS Rebel series of digital single lens reflex cameras – the cameras that defined and refined what it means to be an “entry level” digital SLR – have now redefined the gateway prowess and “pro-ness” of the DSLR category with the introduction of the line’s new leader, the 12.2-megapixel EOS Rebel XSi camera. Incorporating a number of high-end functions and technology found in Canon’s professional SLR models, the EOS Rebel XSi camera boasts an improved autofocus sensor, enhanced 14-bit A/D conversion, an advanced Live View function, and the proprietary DIGIC III image processor. When paired with any of the more than 60 compatible Canon EF and EF-S lenses, including optically image stabilized EF-S lenses like the EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS – now included in the EOS Rebel XSi kit – or the new EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS, the EOS Rebel XSi DSLR delivers images that will delight and inspire family and friends at an entry level price tag. [Read more…]

Sony Working on Gigipixel Camera

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Sony and the University of Alabama are working on a gigapixel resolution camera for improved satellite surveillance. It can see 10-km-square from an altitude of 7.5 kilometres with a resolution better than 50 centimetres per pixel. As well as removing annoying artefacts created by tiling images in Google Earth and similar, it should allow CCTV surveillance of entire cities with one camera. It does it with an array of chips that record small parts of the image and place them at the focal plane of a large multiple-lens system. Wonder how long I have to wait to get that in DSLR form?

[tags]sony, digital, camera, satellite, surveillance, gigapixel[/tags]

Scott Kelby on His Nikon D3 Experience

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Scott Kelby has given his impression of some FAQs after using the Nikon D3 in the field for a few days:

Q. Is the D3 really usable at very high ISO (6400 and more), as promised in the advertisements?
A. I didn’t actually try it at higher than 6400 ISO, but the test shots I took at 6400 ISO were absolutely usable. In fact, they were shockingly usable, and I think you’ll see working pros shooting at 6400 ISO with the D3. When you zoom in, you can definitely see noise, so it’s by no means “noise free,” but the amount of noise at 6400 ISO was dramatically less that I would have expected. In reality, I don’t know how often any of us will be shooting at 6400 ISO (but it’s nice to know that in a pinch; you can), but I can say with certainly that on the D3 I would shoot at 1200 ISO without hesitation.

Head on over to Scott’s blog to get the rest from the horse’s mouth.

[tags]nikon, d3, review, scott kelby[/tags]