Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips
PDN Gear Guide has posted a review of the Canon 5D Mark II.
While there are some definite stumbles-in particular, the focus system in low light was disappointing-other features live up to the hype. As a very solid low-end full-frame camera, the 5D II is definitely no flash in the pan.
For the latest news and reviews on the 5D Mark II, be sure to stay tuned to Photography Bay’s Canon 5D Mark II Reviews and Resources.
Let’s Go Digital has posted a review of the Nikon D700.
Don’t be blinded by a few more pixels. The D700 performs better than its rivals in many areas.
Read Photography Bay’s Nikon D700 Review.
For the latest Nikon D700 news and reviews, be sure to visit Photography Bay’s Nikon D700 Reviews and Resources.
PDN Gear Guide has posted a review of the Sony A900.
No other camera aside, perhaps, from the 21.1 Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III has produced such rich, luscious, and true-to-life tones in good lighting as the A900.
For more news and reviews, check out Photography Bay’s Sony A900 Reviews and Resources.
Canon Professional Network has published a review of the Canon 5D Mark II, which was written by professional wedding photographer Jeff Ascough.
I can see some of the ‘weaknesses’ it has compared to the 1 series but, those aside, it is really good. For me, the image quality coupled with the size and weight of the camera are very, very appealing.
For the latest news and reviews on the 5D Mark II, be sure to stay tuned to Photography Bay’s Canon 5D Mark II Reviews and Resources.
Cnet recently published a review of the Pentax Optio E60.
The Pentax Optio E60 is an inexpensive compact camera that produces good photos and doesn’t require much expertise to snap them.
Neocamera has posted a review of the Canon PowerShot E1.
Certain aspects of its image quality such as color and white-balance accuracy are rather good, while others such as vignetting are not.
Photo.net has published a review of the Canon 5D Mark II.
It represents an advance in features over the original EOS 5D and the overall image quality is generally higher-though that higher quality may only be revealed in large prints.
For the latest news and reviews on the 5D Mark II, be sure to stay tuned to Photography Bay’s Canon 5D Mark II Reviews and Resources.
Imaging Resource has posted a review of the Canon G10.
Print quality is quite excellent from the Canon G10’s images, with good color. Conservatively, the ISO 80 JPEG images look great at 16×20 inches, and are usable at 20×30 straight out of the camera; sharpening and processing from RAW can sharpen things up considerably at all ISO settings.
For the latest news and reviews, see Photography Bay’s Canon G10 Reviews and Resources.
The Fuji FinePix F200EXR is a 12 megapixel point and shoot camera, which features Fuji’s EXR technology. The Super CCD EXR technology offers some pretty lofty promises for those who demand better performance from point and shoot cameras. The sensor operates in 3 modes depending on the situation: (1) high resolution; (2) high sensitivity; and (3) wide dynamic range. If the F200EXR lives up to Fuji’s promises, it could be a new step for point and shoot camera image quality.
The F200EXR was initially available in February 2009 for $399.95. Check availability and current prices on Amazon.com.
Photography Bay (hands-on preview)
Based on my first impression of the new F200EXR, I think it is going to be one of the handful of truly standout cameras in the sea of boring “me too” point and shoot cameras released in the first quarter of 2009.
There’s some to-die-for technology going on behind the lens of the F200EXR. The pixel-level control of the sensor is well implemented, with even an Auto option that intelligently selects the best exposure method.
The Fuji Finepix F200exr is a good all round camera, offering some innovative extra features. Although it can be used as a point and shoot camera you will need to spend some time getting to know the features available if you are to get the most out of this camera.
I can very well imagine the user leaving the EXR in auto mode and leaving the other functionalities for what they are. And this is also what the Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR is made for.
The Fuji FinePix F200 EXR is well-made premium compact that represents a major technological breakthrough in terms of sensor design and performance, and a welcome return to form for Fuji’s flagship compact series.
The Fuji Finepix F200 EXR turns in an exceptional level of image quality, better than any camera in its class by a wide margin.
Buy this camera if . . . You’re looking for a well-built, slimline digicam with moderate zoom, good wide-angle coverage, image stabilisation and plenty of point-and-press shooting modes.
The new EXR mode is as effective in practice as it is revolutionary in principle. The D-Range Priority (DR) mode in particular is literally a real eye-opener, recording much greater dynamic range and preserving more detail in the shadows and highlights than either the F200EXR’s own high-resolution mode, or any other compact camera that we’ve ever reviewed.
Valhalla, N.Y., February 4, 2009 – Following the long line of award-winning F-series models, FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc., today announced its latest and greatest, the FinePix F200EXR digital camera, introducing the world to Super CCD EXR technology. Combining the 12-MegaPixel, Super CCD EXR with a powerful Fujinon 5.0x wide angle optical zoom lens and a larger 3.0″ high-resolution LCD, the FinePix F200EXR is Fujifilm’s most advanced compact digital camera yet.
First announced in September 2008 on the tenth anniversary of Fujifilm’s FinePix cameras, Super CCD EXR is a revolutionary new sensor developed in the rigorous pursuit of high image quality.
“There is strong demand in the digital camera market to increase the number of pixels on a sensor, which, all too often, is used as a convenient yardstick for image quality,” said David Troy, marketing manager, Consumer Digital Cameras, Electronic Imaging Division, FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc. “Consumers have realized there’s more to a good picture than just the number of MegaPixels, and with our Super CCD EXR sensor we prove that true image quality is about a combination of many factors like tone, hue, color fidelity, dynamic range, sharpness, and resolution – all brought to life vividly in the FinePix F200EXR.”
As with previous award-winning F-series models such as the FinePix F10, F31fd, F50fd and F100fd, the F200EXR is a powerful, feature-packed compact digital camera aimed at consumers looking for the most sophisticated in feature-rich point and shoots.
The FinePix F200EXR offers 3 selectable modes in one sensor:
Fine Capture Mode (High Resolution), which deploys all twelve million pixels, and is designed to offer the finest detail of intricate subjects when light is full and even;
Pixel Fusion Mode (High Sensitivity and Low Noise), which caps two adjacent pixels together to produce six million large photodiodes, which are big enough to absorb light in the darkest of conditions, to produce low-light shots of extraordinary quality with minimal noise and grain; and
Dual Capture (Wide Dynamic Range), which captures different exposures with two sets of six million pixels, which, when combined, gives an excellent level of detail in highlights and low lights that would otherwise be lost.
In addition to the new Super CCD EXR sensor, the F200EXR offers the most advanced technologies available, including Dynamic Range Bracketing, Dual Image Stabilization, Face Detection 3.0, and ISO settings of up to an unprecedented ISO 12800, allowing you to capture any shot, any place and at any time with the lowest noise signature to date.
EXR AUTO
With EXR AUTO, the F200EXR recognizes the subject and scene, and automatically decides the optimum EXR shooting mode. With three options of Fine Capture Technology with High Resolution, Pixel Fusion Technology for High Sensitivity and Low Noise, and Dual Capture Technology for Wide Dynamic Range – that users can also select manually – the camera combines the best of EXR selectable sensor modes with SR Auto Automatic Scene Recognition.
New to the F200EXR are an extra-large 3.0” LCD (the better to see all your great photos), HD Photo to capture still photos at 1920 x 1080, HD output (to view high image quality on your HDTV) and new film simulation modes (based on Fujifilm’s legendary Velvia, Provia and Soft lines), including Sepia and Black and White modes.
Wider Dynamic Range – Up to 800%
Dynamic Range, or the gradations of light that exist between bright and dark in any setting, can be easily detected by the human eye, but not by most cameras. Through a combination of advances in Fujifilm’s new Super CCD EXR and Real Photo Processor, this wide dynamic range dramatically broadens tonal capability and guarantees exceptional rendition of photos with both bright highlights and dark shadows. This expansion of sensitivity captures greater detail, and subtle nuances of brightness and tonality that bring the photo closer to what the human eye actually sees.
In addition to these advances, the FinePix F200EXR has a number of other impressive features:
• Super Intelligent Flash: The new “Super Intelligent Flash” is the flash control technology that lets you take flash-assisted macro shots without flash washout. Integrated in the AUTO mode, this next-generation flash system makes it easy to capture subjects and background in bright, clear and natural detail over the full flash range including ultra close-ups.
• Face Detection 3.0: Featuring automatic red eye removal, it can detect up to 10 human faces in a scene with super fast speed, automatically correcting focus, exposure, and white balance, regardless of where subjects are located within the frame.
• Dual Image Stabilization: Combines mechanical sensor shift image stabilization with the effects produced with higher ISO.
• Continuous Shooting: Top 3 /Final 3 at 1.4 frames per second at full resolution and Top 12/ Final 5 frames per second at 3-MegaPixels.
• High Speed Playback: No waiting for high resolution images to load during playback. The FinePix F200EXR can display images at full resolution at 10 frames per second.
• Portrait Enhancer Mode: Mimicking a professional photo studio setting, by using Face Detection and preset camera settings, Portrait Enhancer minimizes fine lines and small skin blemishes for smooth, natural looking portraits.
• Dual Shot Mode: In this selectable mode, the FinePix F200EXR quickly shoots two images in rapid succession – one with the flash and one without – and saves both. This convenient function lets users perform a comparison at their convenience and select the most pleasing image.
• Special Scene: The FinePix F200EXR has 17 pre-programmed scenes, including a special underwater scene mode for use with a special underwater casing.
• White Balance (Underwater): Adjusts color temperature for more beautiful blues; you are ready to dive into another world of photography.
• Micro Thumbnail: A playback feature that allows for viewing an index-style print on the LCD. The FinePix F200EXR will show up to 100 images in micro form, and the control buttons are used to select specific images.
• xD / SD / SD-HC Compatible slot: The FinePix F200 EXR features a “xD/SD Compatible slot” which accepts not only Fujifilm’s traditional xD-Picture Cards but also Secure Digital (SD) and SD-High Capacity/SD-HC cards too.
The FinePix F200EXR will debut in February 2009 at a retail price of $399.95.
The Canon 7D is an 18-megapixel prosumer DSLR, announced September 2009. The 7D is slotted between the Canon 50D and 5D Mark II. While it retains the 1.6x crop sensor format of the 50D and its predecessors, the 7D is geared toward serious amateurs and pro wildlife and sports photographers.
The Canon 7D brings new video options to the table for those interested. The 7D sports 1080p video capture at 24fps, which is a feature many users of the 5D Mark II had asked for. Many other new features are highlighted below.
The Canon 7D should be available September 2009 at an initial retail price of $1699. Check availability at Amazon.com.
International Availability:
Canon 7D vs. Nikon D300s ISO Test – Round 1 (NR on)
Canon 7D vs. Nikon D300s ISO Test – Round 2 (NR off)
The end result is that much of what Canon users may have admired in other cameras is now available in the Canon 7D.
The focus is phenomenal and the speed I can shoot at before the buffer fills up makes it possible to get the shots I need.
Overall, I’d say that the 7D has the best noise performance of any Canon APS-C sensor camera to date.
The bottom line is that the 7D is Canon’s new king-of-the-APS-C DSLRs – clearly the best yet.
British Journal of Photography
The 7D is a very well built camera with a magnesium body under the skin, 77-seal weather proofing, much improved design, detailing and controls. Compared to the 5D MkII, it feels better in the hand and more solid.
It provides class leading resolution, arguably the best ISO capability, amazing HD video, all packed in a professional level camera body.
Canon’s EOS 7D is a direct response to Nikon’s D300s. The company has taken a good long look at the areas where Nikon always had the edge over models like the EOS 40D and 50D, and addressed almost all of them here.
An accomplished and well-equipped semi-professional camera with professional build and specification that’s capable of stunning results and at high resolution too.
The new 18 megapixel CMOS sensor and expanded ISO range produce virtually no visible noise at all from ISO 100 all the way up to ISO 1600, with even the three faster settings of 3200-12800 producing perfectly usable images.
So far, the photos we’ve taken with a beta 7D look a lot like they’ve come from a 50D, except with 2.9 million additional pixels of resolution.
PDN Gear Guide (preview)
This is a serious mid-level professional digital SLR for serious photographers and it should gives its rivals in the HD video/APS-C sensor category — the Nikon D300s and Pentax K-7, in particular — a serious run for their money.
Let’s Go Digital (preview)
To sum it up; the Canon EOS 7D is an advanced semi-pro DSLR camera which incorporates several technology from the professional EOS-series, yet also features many new technologies and innovations applied to an EOS camera for the first time.
PopSci (preview)
In short, many pure-photo features previously found only in the same camera pro photojournalists are taking to Afghanistan have been pulled down to a camera aimed at serious enthusiasts and semi-pros, albeit without the full-frame sensor.
Harnessing the Power of the EOS 7D’s Video System
What’s New in the EOS 7D: Sophisticated, Customizable AF System
The EOS 7D Features Fast Eight fps Continuous Shooting, Class-Leading 18-Megapixel Resolution and Full HD Video Recording with Variable Frame Rates and Manual Exposure Control
Lake Success, N.Y., September 1, 2009 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, today introduced a revolutionary camera that redefines the highly competitive mid-range DSLR product category: the Canon EOS 7D Digital SLR camera. Professional photographers and advanced amateurs have been demanding higher performance and more diverse functions in their cameras, and Canon has answered – with the new EOS 7D. Far more than a slight improvement from a previous model, the EOS 7D DSLR is a brand new product that stands on its own with new features never before seen in any Canon camera. Whether it’s shooting at eight frames per second (fps), focusing with the new Zone AF mode or recording 24p Full HD video, the EOS 7D DSLR camera satisfies the most rigorous professional requirements with durability, flexibility, high-resolution images and customizable controls. With its unprecedented out-of-the-box performance and high-end feature set, the EOS 7D is poised as the ultimate step-up camera for serious photographers or a second camera for professionals in the field.
The EOS 7D boasts significant EOS advancements including a completely new 19-point Autofocus system, a new Canon iFCL Metering System (Intelligent Focus, Color, Luminance) and a new Intelligent Viewfinder. An 18-megapixel Canon CMOS sensor and Dual DIGIC 4 Imaging Processors fuel the EOS 7D’s 14-bit A/D data conversion and its ability to freeze fast motion in high-resolution with eight fps continuous shooting up to 126 Large JPEGS using a UDMA CF card, positioning this camera for the studio as well as the sideline. The EOS 7D captures beautiful low-light images with or without a flash, at occasions such as a dance recital or wedding reception, thanks to a wide range of ISO speed settings from 100-6400 (expandable to 12,800). In addition to its new still capture capabilities, the EOS 7D features Full HD video capture at 1920 x 1080 resolution with selectable frame rates of 24p, 25p or 30p. Native 24p recording helps videographers achieve a more cinema-style look for their footage without the need for post-processing.
“The EOS 7D represents a completely new chapter in digital photography and Canon product development. This camera stands alone as the most functional and innovative DSLR Canon has released to-date, bringing together all of the best professional features offered, along with numerous user requests at a price-point everyone can appreciate,” stated Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A.
The Canon EOS 7D boasts the most advanced AF system ever seen in an EOS SLR. The completely re-designed system includes a new multi-axis cross-type 19-point AF grid, where the focusing points are evenly spread out across the image plane and clearly displayed through Canon’s new Intelligent Viewfinder. All 19 points are f/5.6-sensitive for both horizontal and vertical cross-type focusing, while the center AF point adds high-precision diagonal cross-type sensitivity for f/2.8 and larger aperture lenses. The Canon EOS 7D Digital SLR camera is the first EOS SLR to feature 19 cross-type focusing points that remain fully functional with maximum apertures as small as f/5.6, which brings the performance of the AF system to unprecedented levels for assignments as varied as fast-moving sports action or low-light wedding ceremonies.
The Canon EOS 7D’s AF system allows numerous AF area selection modes never seen before in an EOS SLR camera. New modes include:
Additional AF improvements include a revised Automatic AF point selection sequence that allows a user to pick any one of the 19 AF points as a starting point for tracking moving subjects in AI Servo mode. (Previous EOS models required the subject to first be acquired by the center focusing point.) If the subject moves away, the camera will continue to track the movement with the remaining points and display the active focusing point in the viewfinder. Also, a time-saving feature is AF Point Switching, which allows photographers to select and register one AF point for horizontal compositions and a second AF point for vertical shooting, ideal for studio and portrait photographers.
To complement the new AF system, the exposure metering system for the EOS 7D has been completely re-designed to take color information into account, another first for an EOS system. Canon’s iFCL metering includes a 63-zone dual-layer metering sensor that reads both illumination and color for consistent results in all lighting conditions, keeping exposure levels stable from shot to shot, even as the light source changes.
Canon’s new Intelligent Viewfinder uses a liquid crystal overlay to provide clear and precise displays of focusing points and zones, on-demand grid lines and a spot metering circle. The LCD overlay can also be illuminated in extreme low-light situations or turned off completely. The EOS 7D camera’s viewfinder includes a large all-glass pentaprism with an antireflective coating to maximize clarity and provide a brighter display. The EOS 7D’s Intelligent Viewfinder features 1.0x magnification with 100 percent coverage for accurate composition and checking of detail.
Canon has blazed new trails in HD video capture with the 5D Mark II. Now, the EOS 7D takes DSLR video to new heights with Full HD capture featuring fully manual exposure control, and selectable cinematic frame rates for both NTSC (National Television System Committee) and PAL (Phase Altering Line) standards. Compatible with more than 60 Canon EF and EF-S lenses, the EOS 7D lets videographers take full advantage of the camera’s large CMOS sensor to achieve the dramatic frame composition they desire. At the heart of the EOS 7D are two key proprietary Canon technologies, Dual DIGIC 4 Imaging Processors and a large APS-C-sized CMOS sensor, helping to render stunning color reproduction, amazing depth of field and fine detail, even in low-light conditions. The Canon EOS 7D allows for three video recording modes – Full HD and HD in a 16:9 aspect ratio and Standard Definition (SD) in a 4:3 aspect ratio, all at selectable frame rates. The EOS 7D Digital SLR camera will record Full HD at 1920 x 1080 pixels in selectable frame rates of 24p (23.976), 25p, or 30p (29.97); 720p HD recording at 50p or 60p (59.94) and SD video at frame rates of 50p or 60p (59.94). The EOS 7D features a new dedicated button to initiate live view for both video and still shooting. Once engaged, the same dedicated button will start and stop video recording. Like the EOS 5D Mark II, the Canon EOS 7D Digital SLR camera provides users with the capability to use an external stereo microphone for professional audio effects or a built-in monaural microphone for convenience.
A helpful new tool for architectural and landscape photography where angles and perspective are critical is Canon’s new built-in Dual Axis Electronic Level, featuring an artificial horizon over the image on the rear LCD screen in Live View or in the viewfinder using illuminated AF points for easy leveling while shooting. The dual axis electronic level shows both horizontal roll and vertical pitch, making it easy to identify when the camera is in a fixed level shooting position and ready to take the shot.
The EOS 7D’s pop-up flash features a built-in Integrated Speedlite Transmitter for control of multiple off-camera EOS Speedlites without the need for an external transmitter. This built-in wireless option is a compact and economical solution for studio and wedding photography with multiple flash set-ups.
A new Intelligent Macro Tracking function helps reduce blur during macro shooting by recognizing when a macro lens is attached and automatically adjusting the AI Servo sampling frequency. This AI Servo adjustment accounts for camera movement forward and back, a typical occurrence when moving in close for a macro shot as photographers rock back and forth, or a flower blows in the wind.
Once in your hands, you can immediately feel the ergonomic improvements of the Canon EOS 7D camera, starting with a new super-fluid body design with continuous curves outlining the top of the camera and a revised grip that fits better in a user’s hand. The camera has a new Quick Control Button, which opens an easy-to-navigate menu on the camera’s LCD screen. From this menu, users can adjust all camera settings including AF modes as well as set custom button functions, an insightful new feature that can easily customize each button’s function to the photographer’s preference. Another new feature is the RAW/JPEG toggle button providing quick dual-format shooting, allowing photographers to quickly add large JPEG or RAW file formats to their already selected shooting mode at the touch of a button.
The Canon EOS 7D camera also features a new large, clear 3.0-inch solid structure Clear View II LCD screen with 920,000 dot/VGA resolution for enhanced clarity and color when viewing images. The camera’s nine internal seals enhance weather resistance, and its 150,000-cycle shutter durability positions the EOS 7D as a “workhorse” for professionals in any photography discipline.
Canon is announcing the availability of the new WFT-E5A wireless file transmitter (WFT) exclusively for the EOS 7D Digital SLR camera. The WFT-E5A wireless transmitter offers professional photographers a wide range of digital connectivity options including IEEE802.11a/b/g and Ethernet, ideal for commercial and studio work. The WFT-E5A wireless file transmitter opens the door to new possibilities in remote and Geotagged shooting applications. Photographers can fire up to 10 cameras simultaneously from across the room or across the country while maintaining control over camera settings and remote live view on a laptop or smart phone.i The WFT-E5A wireless transmitter can also transfer and display images on DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) compatible televisions and photo frames. Geotagging is now possible via Bluetooth, using compatible GPS devices to append coordinate data to the images.
The Canon EOS 7D Digital SLR camera is scheduled to be delivered to U.S. dealers at the end of September, and will be sold in a body-only configuration at an estimated retail price of $1,699.00ii. It will also be offered in a kit version with Canon’s EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM zoom lens at an estimated retail price of $1,899.00iii. The Canon WFT-E5A wireless file transmitter is scheduled to be available in early November and sell at an estimated retail price of $699.99iv.
Online visitors and Web surfers are encouraged to browse the Canon Digital Learning Center and take advantage of the various educational resources that Canon has to offer for novices and advanced photographers alike. The Canon Digital Learning Center provides a schedule for a wide variety of Live Learning classes across the country with renowned photographers as well as online resources and tips. The site also features online tutorials for beginners and professionals to learn their way around a digital SLR camera and inkjet printer and unlock the full creative control of digital photography. To learn more about each program and register, please visit: www.usa.canon.com/canonlivelearning
Canon U.S.A., Inc. is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions. Its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), a top patent holder of technology, ranked third overall in the U.S. in 2008†, with global revenues of US $45 billion, is listed as number four in the computer industry on Fortune Magazine’s World’s Most Admired Companies 2009 list, and is on the 2008 BusinessWeek list of “Top 100 Brands.” At Canon, we care because caring is essential to living together in harmony. Founded upon a corporate philosophy of Kyosei – “all people, regardless of race, religion or culture, harmoniously living and working together into the future” – Canon U.S.A. supports a number of social, youth, educational and other programs, including environmental and recycling initiatives. Additional information about these programs can be found at www.usa.canon.com/kyosei. To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company’s RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/rss.
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Specifications and availability are subject to change without notice.
All referenced product names, and other marks, are trademarks of their respective owners.
* Pricing subject to change at any time. Actual prices are set by individual dealers and may vary.
† Based on weekly patent counts issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office
All referenced product names, and other marks, are trademarks of their respective owners.
Specifications and availability are subject to change without notice.
i The WFT-E5A WFT unit supports various LAN functions, including wireless LAN “11a” in environments where IEEE802.11b/g cannot be used, high-speed communication Ethernet (100BASE-TX), and Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS). The WFT-E5A will also support the WFT server, which enables remote shooting while viewing the Live View image on a computer or handheld terminal, such as a smart phone.
ii Pricing subject to change at any time. Actual prices are determined by individual dealers and may vary.
iii Pricing subject to change at any time. Actual prices are determined by individual dealers and may vary.
iv Pricing subject to change at any time. Actual prices are determined by individual dealers and may vary.