Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips
The ColorRight custom white balance tool has been updated to a 4th version, which features a semi-transparent plastic center piece, instead of glass in the former version. Likewise, the outer ring is now a hard plastic shell instead of metal. (Update: The ring is metal, but it feels better than the old version.) [Read more…]
The Ricoh GXR modular camera system is a unique system that pairs lenses and imaging sensors into sealed components, which are interchangeable on the GXR camera body.
The GXR system initially offers a camera body, which is essentially an LCD, controls and a memory card slot. The two initial lens units cover 24-70mm and 50mm, featuring a 10-megapixel CCD 1/1.7-inch sensor and a 12.3-megapixel CMOS 23.6mm x 15.7mm (APS-C size) sensor, respectively.
The GXR body carries an initial retail price of $549.
The GXR A12 50mm lens unit carries an initial retail price of $830.
The GXR S10 24-72mm lens unit carries an initial retail price of $440.
The system should be on store shelves in December 2009.
The purpose of this guide is to help you pick the right digital camera or photography accessory for yourself or that special photographer on your Christmas shopping list. [Read more…]
The Sony A850 is the newest full frame DSLR from Sony. It’s based largely on the Sony A900; however, its a couple of notches below on feature sets. Since the A850 uses the same 24.6-megapixel sensor as found in the A900, we shouldn’t expect any real difference in image quality between the two.
Although, comparing these two cameras to the Canon 5D Mark II, which is the current prosumer state of the art for low-light performance, is another story. You’ll also see some Canon 7D samples at higher ISOs for the sake of comparing a crop-sensor camera to these full framers. To see how the Sony A850 and A900 stack up, read on. [Read more…]
Sony has released a firmware update for the Sony A230, A330 and A380 DSLRs. The firmware version 1.10 addresses the following:
When the [Metering mode] is set to the [Center weighted] or [Spot] metering modes, the exposure will be locked when the focus is confirmed. (When shooting in AF mode).
To learn more about the update or to download it, visit Sony’s download site for Windows PC or for Mac.
The Olympus E-P2 is a quick follow-up to the E-P1, which was introduced just 5 short months ago. The E-P2 actually appears to be a mild upgrade to the E-P1 since it sports the same internals, including the same 12.3-megapixel Live MOS sensor. What the E-P2 adds is a port for accessories like an external mic or high-res electronic viewfinder, along with AF tracking capability, i-Enhance color boosting and some new Art filters.
The E-P2 should be available in December 2009 at an initial retail price of $1099.
DxO Labs has announced DxO Optics Pro 6, which is geared toward taming high ISO RAW conversion and extends optical fault correction. Additionally, the software adds support for Olympus DSLRs, the Sony A230, A330 and A380, as well as the Nikon D300s.
More details in the press release below. [Read more…]
Rumors of the Sony A750 have been floating around for a while now in the form of hoaxes and wishful thinking; however, those rumors have recently picked up and the chatter is stirring that Sony will unveil a full frame follow-up to the aging A700.
The rumored specs for the A750 suggest a 14.6-megapixel full-frame sensor, which should fit neatly between the APS-C powered Sony A550 and the high-resolution, full frame Sony A850. As for pricing, there’s no hard number bouncing around but, if there’s truth to these rumors, my guess would be in the $1500 range.
[via Neutral Day, among others]
Canon has announced an Instant Rebate program for certain DSLR and lens combos, which runs from November 1, 2009 through November 21, 2009 – just in time for holiday shopping lists.
The camera and lens combos are listed below, along with links to product pages for each package at B&H Photo and Adorama. Remember, this is an instant rebate, so there’s no UPC to clip and mail-in while you wait 6-8 weeks for a check to come back. Prices should be reflected in your checkout cart.
Canon 50D Kit w/ 28-135mm IS USM lens + EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lens = Save $200
Package links: B&H Photo / Adorama
Canon Rebel T1i Kit w/ 18-55mm IS lens + EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS lens = Save $200
Package links: B&H Photo / Adorama
Canon Rebel XSi Kit w/ 18-55mm IS lens + EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS lens = Save $200
Package links: B&H Photo / Adorama
Canon Rebel XS Kit w/ 18-55mm IS lens + EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III lens = Save $100
Tamron is offering mail-in rebates on several lenses through the end of the year.
The lenses are listed below, along with links to product pages for each lens at Amazon, Adorama and B&H Photo. Additionally, you’ll need the respective rebate forms (there are different forms for different lenses), which are also linked with each lens below.
SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR VC Di II LD Aspherical IF – $25 rebate – Amazon / B&H Photo / Adorama – (rebate form link)
SP AF60mm F/2.0 Di II LD IF 1:1 Macro – $25 rebate – Amazon / B&H Photo / Adorama – (rebate form link)
AF18-270 F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC LD Aspherical IF – $70 rebate – Amazon / B&H Photo / Adorama – (rebate form link)
AF18-200 F/3.5-6.3 XR Di II LD Aspherical IF Macro – $60 rebate – Amazon / B&H Photo / Adorama – (rebate form link)
SP AF11-18 F/4.5-5.6 Di-II LD Aspherical IF – $75 rebate – Amazon / B&H Photo / Adorama – (rebate form link)
SP AF17-35 F/2.8-4 Di LD Aspherical IF – $10 rebate – Amazon – (rebate form link)
SP AF28-75 F/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical IF Macro – $10 rebate – Amazon / B&H Photo / Adorama – (rebate form link)
AF28-200 F/3.8-5.6 XR Di LD Aspherical IF Macro – $50 rebate – Amazon / B&H Photo / Adorama – (rebate form link)
AF28-300 F/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF Macro – $50 rebate – Amazon / B&H Photo / Adorama – (rebate form link)
AF55-200 F/4-5.6 Di II LD Macro – $40 rebate – Amazon / B&H Photo / Adorama – (rebate form link)
SP AF200-500mm F/5-6.3 Di LD IF – $30 rebate – Amazon / B&H Photo / Adorama – (rebate form link)
SP AF90mm F/2.8 Di 1:1 Macro – $60 rebate – Amazon / B&H Photo / Adorama – (rebate form link)
SP AF180 F/3.5 Di LD IF 1:1 Macro – $50 rebate – Amazon / B&H Photo / Adorama – (rebate form link)