Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Canon Rebel T3i and Rebel T3 Announced

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Canon has announced a pair of new entry-level DSLRs – the EOS Rebel T3i and EOS Rebel T3.

The Canon Rebel T3i features an 18MP CMOS sensor, a 3-inch vari-angle LCD (very similar to the 60D) and captures HD video in full 1920 x 1080 resolution at 24p, 25p, or 30p.  A new feature for EOS cameras, the T3i allows users to magnify HD video between 3x to 10x while retaining Full HD quality.  Additionally, you can opt to record video clips (dubbed “Video Snapshots”) at 2s, 4s, or 8s while capturing still images.

A big boost for the Rebel line is the T3i’s ability to control Canon Speedlites courtesy of a built-in Integrated Speedlite Transmitter.  The Canon Rebel T3i should be available in March and retails for $799.99 for body only and for $899.99 with the new EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II kit lens.  Check availability on Amazon.com.

The Canon Rebel T3 becomes the entry-level Canon Rebel, and sports a 12.2MP CMOS sensor, DIGIC 4 processor and 9-point AF system.  The Rebel T3 can also capture video, albeit at a lower 720p resolution.  The Canon Rebel T3 should be avialable in March at an initial retail price of $599.99.  Check availability on Amazon.com.

In addition to the new Rebel models, Canon has also introduced two new entry-level Speedlites – the 320EX and 270EX II, priced at $249.99 and $169.99, respectively.  The new Speedlites should be available in April.

More product photos and details below. [Read more…]

 

Samsung NX10 Review

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The Samsung NX10 is 14.6-megapixel camera offering an interchangeable lens design.  The NX10 follows the Micro Four Thirds system from Olympus and Panasonic as a DSLR-like design without a bulky mirror and optical viewfinder.  The NX10 uses a larger APS-C format sensor (with a 1.6x crop factor) as opposed to the Micro Four Thirds cameras (with smaller, 2x crop factor sensors).

The Samsung NX10 does a lot of things right in both form and function.  To see how it stacks up against the competition, read on. [Read more…]

Olympus SP-800UZ Reviews and Resources

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Olympus SP-800UZ

The Olympus SP-800UZ is a compact bridge camera that is situated between traditional point and shoot cameras and larger DSLRs.  The SP-800UZ features a 14MP sensor with sensor-shift image stabilization, a 30x optical zoom lens and the ability to capture 720p HD video.

Check out my Olympus SP-800UZ Hands-On Review.

The SP-800UZ should be available in March 2010.  Check availability on Amazon.com.

Olympus SP-800UZ Reviews

PhotographyBLOG [Read more…]

Canon DSLR Instant Rebates Are Back!

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Canon DSLR Instant Rebates

Canon’s DSLR rebates expired last week; however, they reinstated them for the rest of the holiday season and extended them through January 16, 2010, which is also when the Canon Lens Rebates expire.

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

Package links: B&H Photo / Adorama

Panasonic GH1 Review

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Panasonic GH1

The Panasonic GH1 is a 12.1-megapixel camera built on the Micro Four Thirds platform.  The GH1 is Panasonic’s follow-up to the G1, which was the first Micro Four Thirds camera offered by the company.

What makes this platform unique is the camera body’s mirror-less design, which allow manufacturers to make smaller cameras while still using larger, DSLR-sized sensors.  Additionally, the GH1, like other Micro Four Thirds cameras, has a detachable lens and will accept other lenses with the same lens mount – or even different lens mounts if you use an appropriate adapter.

Another powerful feature for Micro Four Thirds cameras is the use of full time live view.  That is, the image that the lens sees passes directly to the image sensor rather than using a mirror to redirect it to the optical viewfinder.

The Panasonic GH1 adds 1080p video capture at 24fps to its predecessor’s spec list.  Additionally, the GH1 includes a new superzoom lens, specially designed for this camera – the 14-140mm f/4-5.8 HD MEGA O.I.S. lens.  The GH1 was met with a lot of fanfare due to its impressive spec list and overall potential.   While there is no doubt that the GH1 offers a lot of versatility and is fun to shoot with, it’s not without a few chinks in its armor. [Read more…]