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Canon PowerShot A3100 IS, A3000 IS, A490 and A495 Reviews and Resources

January 5, 2010 By Eric Reagan

Canon A3100 IS

Canon’s A-series lineup has been refreshed at CES 2010 with the A3100 IS, A3000 IS, A490 and A495.

The A3100 IS features a 12.1MP sensor, while the A3000 IS offers a 10MP sensor.  Both cameras feature a 4x optical zoom lens with image stabilization built in.  The A3100 IS and A3000 IS should be available in February 2010 at initial retail prices of $179.99 and $149.99, respectively.  Check out the Canon A3100 IS Review.

Canon A495

The A490 and A495 cameras feature a 10MP sensor, 3.3x optical zoom and a 2.5″ LCD.  The A495 offers a number of auto shooting modes for different effects to images, as well as the ability to upload videos to YouTube. The A495 and A490 should be available in February 2010 at an initial retail price of $129.99 and $109.99, respectively.

Check availability for these PowerShot models on Amazon.com:

Canon A3100 IS

Canon A3000 IS

Canon A495

Canon A490

Canon A3100 IS Reviews

Imaging Resource

Cameras.co.uk

PhotographyBLOG

Canon A495 Reviews

Camera Labs

PhotographyBLOG

Canon A490 Reviews

Camera Labs

Canon Press Release

Lake Success, N.Y., January 5, 2010 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, today unveiled four new PowerShot A-Series digital cameras offering entry-level consumers the opportunity to step-up their shooting experience with exciting new creative effects. In addition, for the first time, Canon offers a new rechargeable lithium-ion battery in two A-Series models, extending the battery lives of the cameras. The A-Series lineup, comprised of the PowerShot A3100 IS, A3000 IS, A495 and A490 Digital cameras, offer consumers enhanced photo-taking capabilities through an array of creative modes to help shape one’s personal photographic style.

“With the introduction of the new PowerShot A-Series cameras, Canon brings a new aesthetic design to our entry-level line and new features that enhance the camera’s overall performance and functionality,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A. “The new creative modes are designed to offer consumers the ability to customize their captured images and add personalization to the time-honored art of photography.”

Creativity at its Best:

Whether creating a holiday card to share with friends and family or updating a Facebook page in a fun and unique way, the new PowerShot cameras will help expand a user’s imagination with the introduction of two creative scene modes – Poster Effect and Super Vivid. The Poster Effect scene mode alters the look of a captured image by changing the contrast of the image. Similarly, the Super Vivid Mode creates an enhanced color effect by increasing the hue and saturation of the captured image.

Enhanced Performance:

Achieving a clear shot in low-light situations, such as when a child blows out birthday candles, is no easy task. With Canon’s Low-Light Mode, the A-Series line now provides a wider ISO range (up to 3200), allowing more light to be captured creating sharper, more vivid images. For situations that require a flash, but where one cannot be used, such as a night game or concert, Canon’s Low-Light Mode will help improve the captured image. The A-Series also includes Canon’s Smart FE (Flash Exposure) which improves image quality by automatically adding the optimum level of flash illumination, aperture, shutter speed and ISO.

Supporting Features:

Canon has made it even easier to upload images and videos to YouTube, via CameraWindow. What’s more, starting this year, all new compact digital cameras will support the high-spec SDXC memory cards with a maximum storage capacity of two terabytes (TB) in SDA standard, making it even easier to capture additional images and videos with PowerShot cameras.

Canon PowerShot A3100 IS and A3000 IS Digital Cameras:

The Canon PowerShot A3100 IS Digital camera is available in vibrant red, blue and silver colors while the PowerShot A3000 IS is offered in a stunning, two-toned black and silver casing, ideal for the color-conscious consumer. Both cameras boast features such as 12.1-Megapixel and 10-Megapixel resolution, respectfully; a 4x Optical Zoom lens with Optical Image Stabilization; a large 2.7-inch LCD screen; and Smart AUTO mode, which takes the guesswork out of shooting. New modes such as Low-Light, Super Vivid and Poster Effect mode are also available, as well as Smart FE and the ability to upload video to YouTube. The PowerShot A3100 IS and A3000 IS Digital Cameras are scheduled to be available in late February for an estimated retail price of $179.99 and $149.99, respectively.

Canon PowerShot A495 and A490 Digital Cameras:

Offering a broad array of consumer-friendly features and 10.0-Megapixel resolution, 3.3x Optical Zoom and a 2.5-inch LCD screen, the Canon PowerShot A495 and A490 Digital cameras are ideal for the budget-conscious consumer. Available in two-tone colors, such as red, blue and silver, the PowerShot A495 Digital camera offers a multitude of new modes such as Low-Light, Super Vivid and Poster Effect mode, as well as Smart FE and the ability to upload video to YouTube. Available in a metallic two-toned silver and black, the PowerShot A490 Digital camera comes equipped with scene modes such as Low-Light Mode, Smart FE and the ability to upload video to YouTube. The PowerShot A495 and A490 Digital Cameras are scheduled to be available in late February for an estimated retail price of $129.99 and $109.99, respectively.

Filed Under: Canon Tagged With: a3000 is, a3100 is, a490, a495, Canon, digital cameras, photography, PowerShot

 

Camera Phones Get 14MP and 1080p HD

January 4, 2010 By Eric Reagan

While these specs aren’t out of the ordinary for point and shoot cameras, you might raise an eyebrow at a 14MP camera phone that captures 1080p video as well.  Well, expect them soon.

Omnivision has developed a 14MP HD sensor to be used in cell phones, as well as a sibling sensor with the same pixel count for use in compact cameras.  Given the noisy images produced by much lower MP-count sensors of the same size, you have to be concerned about what kind of grain a 14MP sensor on a mobile phone camera is going to produce.  Maybe the backside illumination of the sensors will help ease the noise.

According to Omnivision, the new sensors are capable of producing 1080p video at 60 frames per second.  These new sensors go into mass production in the second quarter of 2010.

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

Filed Under: Gear Tagged With: 1080p, camera phone, digital cameras, hd video, mobile phone, omnivision, photography, video

Samsung NX10 Announced

January 3, 2010 By Eric Reagan

Samsung NX10

Samsung has officially announced the NX10, which is a 14.6-megapixel hybrid, interchangeable lens camera and uses an APS-C format CMOS sensor.  The Samsung NX10 features a 3-inch AMOLED screen, HD video capture at a resolution of 720p, sensitivity range of ISO 100-3200, and a built-in electronic viewfinder.

The lens mount is new and proprietary to the NX series.  At launch, there will be 3 NX lenses available for the new Samsung NX10: a 30mm pancake lens, an 18-55mm normal zoom lens, and a 50-200mm telephoto zoom lens.

No word yet on price, but the Samsung NX10 should be available in Spring 2010.  Check availability at Amazon.com.

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

Filed Under: Samsung Tagged With: ces 2010, digital cameras, NX10, photography, Samsung

Top Photo Gear of 2009

January 3, 2010 By Eric Reagan

At the end of every year, a lot of people reflect back and give their opinions as to what was the camera or other product of the year.  I decided to take a look in the statistics I receive from Amazon.com to see the products that were hot with Photography Bay readers last year.  Below you’ll find a list of the cameras, lenses and more that were the most popular items among PB readers in 2009.  [Read more…]

Filed Under: Gear Tagged With: Books, Canon, digital cameras, dslr, Lenses, Nikon, photography

Photography Basics: Lens Speed and Aperture

January 2, 2010 By Eric Reagan

Often times you hear photographers say that a lens is fast or slow.  Lens speed can be a difficult concept for beginners to grasp.  So, let’s take a closer look at what we mean when we call a lens fast or slow. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Learn Tagged With: aperture, digital cameras, how to, lens speed, photography, tips

PocketWizard MiniTT1 Transmitter and FlexTT5 Transceiver ControlTL Firmware Version 5.0 for Canon

December 30, 2009 By Eric Reagan

PocketWizard FlexTT5 Transceiver

PocketWizard has updated the firmware for the Canon version of the MiniTT1 Transmitter and FlexTT5 Transceiver.

The new firmware adds several new capabilities to the wireless system.  Two of the big ones are Rear Curtain Sync and Pre-Flash Boost:

“PocketWizard’s rear curtain sync allows the photographer to set the shutter speed at which rear curtain sync automatically engages while optimizing the timing of rear curtain sync to fire at the absolute end of the shutter opening. Pre-Flash Boost provides enhanced E-TTL performance when using flash diffusers, doing bounce flash, or at ranges just beyond the normal E-TTL capabilities. By increasing the pre-flash power, PocketWizard has offset the loss of light in these challenging E-TTL situations.” –PocketWizard

The new firmware also adds automatic camera detection, which allows the system to determine appropriate sync speed for High Speed Sync mode.  Compatibility for the Canon 7D has been added, along with compatibility for the Metz 58 AF-1.

Additional details about the updated firmware are available in a PDF file from PocketWizard, which can be viewed here.

Download info for the firmware can be found here.

Filed Under: Lighting Tagged With: Canon, controltl, digital cameras, dslr, eos, firmware, FlexTT5, Lighting, MiniTT1, photography, PocketWizard, transceiver, transmitter

HDRsoft Photomatix Light 1.0

December 30, 2009 By Eric Reagan

HDRsoft has released a more affordable version of its popular Photomatix software.  The new version is called “Photomatix Light.”

Photomatix Light 1.0 is available for $39 via instant download from HDRsoft.com. Photomatix Pro will run you $99.

Photomatix Light 1.0 is a standalone application that provides HDR tone mapping, exposure fusion and automatic alignment of hand-held photos. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Software Tagged With: digital cameras, hdr, photography, photomatix, post-processing, Software

4 Great Books to Improve Your Photoshop Skills

December 27, 2009 By Eric Reagan

There are plenty of great Photoshop tips and tutorials online; however, sometimes I like to have a book in front of me to help find my way. And, there are plenty of great authors out there producing thorough and well-organized resources. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Books Tagged With: digital cameras, dslr, photography, Photoshop, post-processing

How to Shoot With Your Left Hand Only

December 26, 2009 By Eric Reagan

Shoot With Your Left Hand Only

This topic was brought up by a reader who broke his right arm and asked how he was supposed to take photos and operate his camera with just his left hand.

Even if you are left-handed, cameras are designed to be gripped and operated primarily using the right hand.  That’s why the grip and shutter release are on the right side.

If you have to go one-handed on your camera, you want the right hand to be holding it.  But what do you do when you can’t use your right hand for 45 days?

Sure, you can carry around a tripod for a month and a half, but you’ll probably be without a camera quite often if it has to have a tripod attached to it every time you go out.

So, what are your other options? [Read more…]

Filed Under: Technique Tagged With: digital cameras, left hand, photography, resources, tips, tutorials

29 Cool Christmas Photos

December 24, 2009 By Eric Reagan


Xmas Tree by R. Motti

Here’s some great Christmas photos from Flickr Creative Commons collection. Thanks to these wonderful photographers for sharing their images with us. Merry Christmas from Photography Bay. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Photos Tagged With: christmas, christmas tree, digital cameras, holidays, photography

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