Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Sony Reveals More About A700 Replacement, Coming Mid-2011

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Sony has taken every opportunity over the past year or so to tease an A700 replacement.  Such is the case again this week at CP+ in Japan.

In this case, however, Sony managed to give an idea of when it would be available.  The yet un-named model that will replace the A700’s position in the Sony Alpha lineup will be available “mid-2011” according to the official word from Sony at CP+.

In addition to the new A700 successor, Sony is developing a new standard kit lens and a new hot shoe flash to pair with the prosumer camera.  As we have already learned, the Sony prosumer model will feature Sony’s Translucent Mirror Technology (as found in the A55 and A33).  The prosumer model, rumored to be called the A77, will also capture AVCHD in full 1920 x 1080 resolution.  The camera will also feature an APS-C format sensor.

 

Panasonic HDC-HS700 Full HD Camcorder Review

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Panasonic’s HDC-HS700 is a great little HDD/SD hybrid AVCHD camcorder that will serve well for most anyone wanting to produce rock solid HD video and the integrated 5.1 channel built in mic can make for fun, surround sound home movies.

Read the full review at Tech Tilt: Panasonic HDC-HS700 Full HD Camcorder Review

Panasonic G2 Review

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The Panasonic G2 is one of the many Micro Four Thirds system cameras available now.  As you may know, Micro Four Thirds cameras don’t have a mirror like traditional DSLRs.  Instead, the G2 and other Micro Four Thirds cameras utilize a live view system where the composition is displayed on the camera’s rear LCD panel.  With the G2, you also have the option of viewing an electronic viewfinder (EVF) in a manner similar to traditional optical viewfinders.

The Panasonic G2 is the big brother of the previously reviewed Panasonic G10.  The upgrades are mild in most instances, but could the difference maker for some shoppers.  The G2 offers the same 12.1MP found in the G10, as well as HD movie capture.  However, the G2 features a tilt/swivel LCD and improved video capture modes put the G2 well ahead of the G10.

To see how the G2 stacks up, read on. [Read more…]

Sony A580 Announced (in Europe)

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The Sony A580 has been announced by Sony UK, but no word from Sony US on the camera yet.  The A580 features a 16.2MP Exmor CMOS sensor, 7fps image capture, AVCHD 1080i video capture and an articulating 3″ LCD.  Like the A560, the A580 also offers Sweep Panorama, 3D Sweep Panorama and Sony’s Quick AF Live View system.

The A580 should be available in October in Europe, and is unknown whether it will be available in the US.

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

Nikon D3100: 14.2MP, Full-Time Video AF and 1080p H.264 AVCHD

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It’s here.  1080p on a Nikon DSLR.

The Nikon D3100 is the first Nikon DSLR to feature 1080p video capture – and it does so at 24p with full time autofocus.

The D3100 is an entry-level DSLR with its $699.95 price tag, which includes a kit lens.  Nikon has traded up from its previous 12MP DX sensor, to a new 14.2MP CMOS sensor with Nikon’s new EXPEED 2 image processing system. [Read more…]

Sony A33 and A55 Promo Images Leak Out

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It looks like the Sony A55 and A33 have leaked out into the open via a Chinese forum. Recall that the Sony A55 and A33 are rumored to be just two of four DSLRs that are impending release (the other two being the A560 and A580), all of which supposedly will feature the ability to capture AVCHD movie footage.

As you will see in the following images, the swivel LCD looks to remedy one of the features that I have taken issue with in previous Sony DSLR models – that being the ability to move the LCD when shooting in portrait orientation.

Check out the rest of the images below. [Read more…]

Canon VIXIA HF S21 Camcorder Review

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The Canon VIXIA HF-S21 is a compact camcorder that captures Full HD 1920 x 1080 in AVCHD format with a number of frame rate options.   The Canon VIXIA HF-S21 is larger than entry-level camcorders like the Sony HDR-CX350V; however, it’s not so big to prevent you from toting it on family outings or other casual endeavors.

Read the rest of the review at Tech Tilt: Canon VIXIA HF S21 Camcorder Review.