Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

New Canon DSLR with 1080P Video

By

Several rumors have been circulating over the past several weeks that Canon will release a video-capable DSLR near Photokina.  RED recently let us in on its development plans for a DSLR replacement camera.

Yesterday, RED pushed the button a little harder stating:

While (insert code name) is not a replacement for Epic or Scarlet, it is strategically targeted at the DSLR space. As Nikon and Canon release their 720P and 1080P, respectively, DSLRs with video capture… RED has a more advanced view of the future. We look forward to rapidly pushing the “big guys” along in feature sets and capabilities.

[via REDUser forum]

We know the Nikon D90 shoots HD video at 720P.  Either RED is speculating or they know something we don’t about Canon; however, that’s pretty specific points to “speculate” about.  Sounds like somebody knows something to me.

Will the 5D Mark II be the Canon camera with 1080P video capture?

 

Sony A900 Officially Announced

By

After months of anticipation building among Sony Alpha followers, today Sony officially announced the 24 megapixel A900 DSLR. For the moment, Sony stands alone atop the megapixel hill of DSLRs.

The DSLR-A900 body will be available in November for about $3,000.

See below for the key specs and official press release from Sony. Be sure to check back at Photography Bay’s Sony A900 Reviews and Resources for the latest hands-on previews, reviews and pre-order information.

Sony A900 Key Features

  • 24.6 Megapixel Full Frame CMOS Sensor
  • Dual BIONZ Image Processing Engine
  • Intelligent Preview
  • 100% Viewfinder, 0.74x Magnification
  • 3.0″, 921,000 Dot Xtra Fine LCD
  • 9-point Center Dual-cross AF
  • 5 fps Continuous Shooting
  • SteadyShot Inside

Sony A900 FAQs

Sony A900 With New 70-400mm

Who are the target users of ?900?

They are serious amateur photographers who enjoy taking quality digital photos and also step-up users from entry level DSLR/high-end compact DSC who want to get serious about their photography. [Read more…]

Canon Releasing 2 New DSLRs

By

As we saw from Canon last week, it’s clear something new in the EOS lineup is coming.  What wasn’t immediately apparent, however, is that at least 2 new DSLRs are coming from Canon.  While the “Destined Evolution” page shows the outline of one new Canon DSLR, other Canon pages offer teasers for what appears to be a different DSLR.

Canon Europe shows a flash teaser when the page first loads of what appears to be a 1-series Canon DSLR.  Note there is no mode dial on the right side.

Canon Japan shows off the same sillouhette of what we think is the 5D successor. Note the mode dial on the right side.  This appears to be the same camera from the previously reported “Destined Evolution” page.

Clearly, it’s two different cameras.  This adds credence to the 2-camera rumor of a 5D successor plus a 3D or some other higher-end camera.  Given the recent introductions of the 1-series cameras, I think the possibility of 3D camera is genuine.

Not too much longer to wait though.  Photokina 2008 is closing in.  Stay tuned for the latest.

Canon 50D Movie Mode Possibilities

By

An industrious forum poster over at DVX User dreamed up a little DIY project that will make you go “hmm”.

Depending on the capabilities of the Canon 50D HDMI output, this may or may not be possible; however, here’s his thoughts on the above mockup:

I imagine a Zeiss Planar glass (cause I know it locks at infinite focus)
mounted on a railsystem
with followfocus attached to the lens
a little mount adapter screws it to the
50d
the short hdmi cable goes to the portable hdmi recorder (haven’t looked into those products yet) also attached to rails

This guy thinks we might be able to use the increased resolution of the Canon 50D along with the HDMI output to do some fancy HD video.  (Sample video after the jump.) [Read more…]

First Sony A900 Ad Leaked – UPDATED – Now with REAL SPECS

By

UPDATED: The Sony A900 has been officially unveiled. See Photography Bay’s Sony A900 Announcement and Sony A900 Reviews and Resources for more info.

This is the first advertisement that I’ve seen for the Sony A900. It appears to be legit and coming from a Danish photography magazine. [via DPR]

It looks like there are bubbles in the ad featured with the A900, which are reminiscent of the Sony Foam City shoot in Miami earlier this year for images like.no.other. Perhaps Sony is extending the mileage of Foam City to the A900 as well.

[Update: Here’s Ad # 2 leaked:]

The text in the ad reads as follows:

The new a900 has arrived. A new height in the “a” revolution is now within reach. Engineered with the exclusive 24.6 Mega Pixel Full Frame Exmor CMOS sensor, an industry breakthrough from Sony, this powerhouse integrates only the best imaging technologies from the world’s leading image sensor manufacturer. A work of art for the truly discerning individual.

24.6 Mega Pixel Full Frame Exmor CMOS Sensor – Dual BIONZ Image Processing Engine – Intelligent Preview – 100% Viewfinder, 0.74x Magnification – 3.0”, 921K-out Hybrid LCD – 9-point Centre Dual-cross AF (with f2.8 sensor and wide-area 10-point assist) – 5 fps Continuous Shooting – SteadyShot INSIDE

[via xitek]

Also, Sony appears to have confirmed with some sources that there will be a new DSLR launched on September 10th. [via PC World] It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that will be the day for the A900.

Expect to see lots more A900 coverage as we approach Photokina 2008.

For more on the Sony A900 flagship DSLR, stay tuned to Photography Bay’s Sony A900 page.

Sony A900 Announcement on Sept. 9 [NOT Sept. 3]

By

A tipster, who wishes to keep his identity confidential, passed along that he recently received word from Sony that the Sony A900 will be announced worldwide on September 9th. That’s next Tuesday folks.

While it may seem like we’re all over the place on announcement dates, I feel pretty good about this info, as opposed to yesterday’s rumor of a 9/3 announcement.  He emailed me directly with the info, which he says comes directly from Sony.  Additionally, he’s provided solid info in the past.  I will honor his request to remain confidential, but I thought you should know why I feel good about his info.

Expect to see lots more A900 coverage as we approach Photokina 2008.

For more on the Sony A900 flagship DSLR, stay tuned to Photography Bay’s Sony A900 page.

Rumors of RED Competition for D90

By

RED, the company known for its ‘future-proof’ camcorders, will be adding a DSLR line, according to comments made by Jim Jannard on the company’s forums.

Jannard’s comments focused on RED’s next generation Mysterium “Monstro” sensor. Monstro will be offered as a free upgrade to the Mysterium-X piece shipping in Epic, but is also slated for a new DSLR camera. Further hints seem to indicate that RED’s new DSLR is meant to compete with the Nikon D90 — it seems likely that the camera will shoot both stills and motion.

At a guess, a RED DSLR would at least have adapters for Nikon and Canon lenses, but we’ll have to wait and see.

Canon 50D Photos With 18-200mm IS Kit Lens

By

UPDATE: The Canon 50D has been announced on August 26, 2008. Please see Photography Bay’s Canon 50D Reviews and Resources page and Canon 50D Official Announcement page for more.

You can pre-order the Canon 50D now from Amazon.com via the following links:

The Canon 50D has been revealed with an EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS kit lens option. The image to the left is an official image from Canon, which appeared on this page [Update: Now password protected] from Canon Japan a third party site.

[Update: As some readers have pointed out, the location of the Canon 50D page is not on an official Canon site, nor is it Japanese – the language is Chinese. It looks like it could be a developer for Canon. I am also of the opinion that this page is related to the leak on the official Canon.com.cn site a couple days ago. I think we will see an announcement on Aug. 25th or 26th to confirm the leaks/rumors.]

Below you will find more official images of the Canon 50D. And, for those of you concerned about excessive noise in a 15.1 megapixel sensor, there’s an ISO 1600 sample image below as well.

For more info regarding the specifications and announcement news (when it comes) stay tuned to Photography Bay’s Canon 50D page.

Canon 50D ISO 1600 Official Sample Image (Click for Full Size)

Olympus E-520 Review at DP Review

By


DP Review has posted a review of the new Olympus E-520.

The level of customizability is astonishing for the price, both in terms of the function of external buttons and the ability to fine-tune the output of the camera to perfectly suit your subject, shooting style and personal preferences.

You can read more about the new camera on Photography Bay’s Olympus E-520 page.

Nikon D700 Review by Scott Kelby

By


Scott Kelby has posted his “field report” review of the Nikon D700.

The D700 just takes a better looking photograph than the D300 (and really, that’s what it’s all about-all the rest is really just bells and whistles). The new sensor, the autofocus, the low noise-it all adds up to photos that just beat the D300 (with the D700 you get D3 quality photos, which the D300, good as it is, just can’t deliver).

For the latest Nikon D700 news and reviews, be sure to visit Photography Bay’s Nikon D700 Reviews and Resources.