Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

GigaPan EPIC Models Launched

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GigaPan EPIC

GigaPan is introducing several new EPIC robotic, panorama mounts today.  If you aren’t familiar with GigaPan products, these mounts allow you to make massive multi-gigapixel images with your camera by capturing literally hundreds of images that are stitched together in post-processing software.  Popular images shot with the GigaPan system include the Obama Inauguration and the 2009 World Series.

The GigaPan EPIC and EPIC 100 are slated for use with point and shoot cameras and smaller DSLRs.  Both models are currently available at gigapansystems.com for $349 and $449, respectively.

The GigaPan EPIC Pro is designed to work with DSLRs are larger lenses with up to a 10 lbs combined weight.  The EPIC Pro should be available in April 2010 for $895 from gigapansystems.com.

All GigaPan EPIC models come with GigaPan Stitch, which “automatically combines and blends hundreds of photos into one seamless gigapixel panorama, then uploads it to GigaPan.com, where users can zoom into the detail, discover, explore and share.”

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

 

Sony H55 Hands-On Review

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Sony H55

The Sony H55 is a 14.1MP point and shoot camera with a 10x optical zoom, which covers an equivalent range of 25-250mm on a 35mm format camera.  It retails for $249 and is a sort-of middle-of-the-road point and shoot.  It’s not quite as high end as the Sony HX5V; however, it’s still a step up from most of Sony’s W-series of Cyber-shot cameras. [Read more…]

Joby Gorillabike (and Some Useful Photo Stuff)

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Perhaps one of the funniest things I saw at PMA 2010, was Joby’s homegrown bike, which looks like it resulted from Lance Armstrong crashing into the Gorillapod factory.  While Gorillapods are pretty sturdy for cameras, I don’t think we’ll see Lance pedaling this bike up the Col du Tourmalet in the Tour de France this year.  Nonetheless, this is one cool bike. [Read more…]

Samsung TL350 Hands-On

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Samsung TL350

The Samsung TL350 is a rather compact point and shoot camera that is sort of the little brother to the Samsung TL500.  It features a 10MP CMOS sensor, a 5x optical zoom and a 3-inch VGA AMOLED screen.  In terms of its specifications, the TL350 is packed full of features and killer numbers across the board. [Read more…]

Sony Unveils the Alpha Ultra-Compact Menu System

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Sony Europe has released a video demonstrating the menu system of the new Alpha ultra-compact interchangeable lens camera.

This HD teaser trailer showcases the camera’s large LCD screen, intuitive menu functionality and on-screen help guide. The practicality of an ultra compact camera is combined with an APS-size sensor and AVCHD video recording, resulting in a sublimely simple photographic experience that produces stunning photos with DSLR picture quality.

[via Sony Europe]

Pentax 645D

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Pentax 645D

The Pentax 645D is a medium format, interchangeable lens camera.  It features a 40MP Kodak CCD image sensor measuring 44mm x 33mm, and a 14-bit A/D converter. The 645D offers a sensitivity range of ISO 200-1000, which is expandable to ISO 100 and ISO 1600.  The 645D also features an 11-point AF system with 9 cross-type sensors positioned in the middle, and a 77-segment multi-pattern metering system.  The 645D’s optical viewfinder offers 98% frame coverage.  Additionally, the 645D features a 3-inch LCD with 920k dot resolution. The 645D stores images via dual SD card slots, which accept SDHC cards (but not the newer SDXC cards).

Initially, the Pentax 645D will only be available in Japan at an initial retail price of ¥850,000, which is a bit under $10,000 USD at the time of the camera’s official announcement.

[Read more…]

Canon Instant Rebates for 7D, 5D Mark II (Double Rebates), Lenses and Flashes

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Canon Spring 2010 Rebates

The Canon Spring 2010 Instant Rebate program is in effect from March 7, 2010 through April 3, 2010 with some killer deals that include the Canon 7D, along with several lenses and flashes, which are doubled amounts for 5D Mark II purchasers.

If you’ve been waiting for the right time to buy a Canon 7D or 5D Mark II, now is that time. [Read more…]

Sony Cyber-shot TX5 Hands-On Review

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Sony Cyber-shot TX5

The Sony Cyber-shot TX5 is a rugged, point and shoot camera that is touted as dustproof, waterproof, freezeproof and shockproof.  The TX5 features a 10.2MP Exmor R CMOS sensor for improved low light performance and noise control.  Additionally, the TX5 features a 4x optical zoom lens with image stabilization and can capture 720p HD video.

Like it’s more powerful sibling, the TX7, the Sony TX5 features a touchscreen LCD for quick and intuitive menu navigation.  The touchscreen LCD also allow you to tap the screen to select your focus point.

I really liked the TX5’s 3-inch touchscreen LCD.  There are some touchscreens that just down work on cameras – either in terms of input response or menu navigation.  The TX5, along with the pricier TX7, do touchscreens right. [Read more…]

Canon 5D Mark II Firmware Update Version 2.0.3

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Canon 5D Mark II

Canon has provided further details on the new Canon 5D Mark II firmware, which will be available for download later this month.  The new firmware version 2.0.3 will enable the Canon 5D Mark II to capture 1080p video at 24fps (actual 23.976fps) and will change the 30fps rate to NTSC standard 29.97fps.  The 5D Mark II will also be able to capture 1080p video at the PAL standard of 25fps.  Additional tweaks include an histogram display for shooting movies in manual exposure, shutter-priority and aperture-priority, manual control over sound recording levels and a broadcast standard audio sampling frequency.

More details available from Canon’s website.

Samsung TL500 Hands-On Review

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Samsung TL500

One of the flagship announcements at PMA 2010 was the Samsung TL500, which is a serious point and shoot camera that matches up well against the popular Canon G11.  I had to opportunity to spend a little time with a preproduction TL500 while at PMA 2010.  As with other prepoduction models that I encountered, I was not allowed to bring back sample images or video to share with you.

The TL500 packs a 10MP 1/1.7″ CCD sensor and a 3x optical zoom lens, which has an f/1.8 max aperture on the wide end.  When zoomed out to full tele, the max aperture becomes f/2.4.  In addition to the headline bright aperture lens, the TL500 also touts a beautiful, swiveling 3-inch AMOLED screen.

[Read more…]