Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Nikon D600, Cheaper Full Frame Camera Rumored

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Nikon D600

The Nikon D600 may be the camera that a lot of prosumer shooters have been waiting for . . . that is, if rumors of its specs and price point turn out to be true.  Nikon Rumors has posted rumored specifications of a 24MP full frame D600 set to be released later this summer (pre-Photokina, which is in September).

The big kicker though is a price point that is rumored to be as low as $1500 (half the price Nikon D800).  This would open up full frame cameras to a whole new market.

Key rumored specs include:

  • 24MP CMOS sensor (manufactured by Sony)
  • HD video capture
  • 39 AF points
  • 5fps
  • Dual SD card slots (with Eye-Fi support)
  • 1/250s flash sync
  • Built-in GPS
  • No internal AF motor (autofocusing w/ AF-S lenses only)

What do you think?  Would those of you considering APS-C cameras like the D7000 or D300s/D400 be interested in a D600 with the above specs?

 

Lowepro Flipside Sport AW and Urban Photo Sling Camera Bags

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Lowepro Flipside Sport AW and Urban Photo Sling

Lowepro Flipside Sport AW (left) and Urban Photo Sling (right)

Lowepro has just launched a pair of new camera bags, the Flipside Sport AW and the Urban Photo Sling.

The Flipside Sport AW is available in two sizes and two colors with convenient body-side access so you can get to your camera gear without removing the pack.  Additionally, the divider system is removable, allowing you to turn the bag into a daypack for other gear.  There’s also a side pouch for a hydration bladder and port for a sip tube.  The Flipside Sport AW retails at $124.99 and $134.99.

The Urban Photo Sling is available in black in two sizes and is built for compact, on-the-go kits.  It features two loading options – top load only or fully open. There’s also a dedicated iPad slot, along with pouches for small photo accessories.  The Urban Photo Sling retails at $99.99 and $84.99.

Canon’s Plans for New Cameras that Approach SLR Image Quality

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Canon G1 X

In a recent earnings call, Canon mentioned an upcoming camera announcement that will approach SLR image quality.  Smells like a true mirrorless camera may be in the works for Canon – unlike the big-sensored G1 X.

Next, I will discuss our full year projection for the camera segment. We expect a strong global demand for SLR cameras to continue driven by such factors as an expanding user base and replacement demand.

[Read more…]

Nikon D4 and D800 Lock Up Problems & Temp Fix

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Nikon D800

Nikon has issued a statement regarding the lock up problems with the D4 and D800 and given a temp fix for avoiding the lock up issue.

Nikon has received reports of a small number of D4/D800 users who are experiencing ‘locking up’ issues, where the camera becomes unresponsive until the battery is removed and reinserted. Nikon is investigating a permanent solution to this issue and will update users accordingly. To immediately resolve this issue, users can turn off both the ‘Highlights’ and ‘RGB Histogram’ display options in the ‘Playback Display Options’ sub-menu found in the ‘Playback’ menu. Nikon apologizes for any inconvenience this may have caused users.

Have you encountered problems with your Nikon D4 or D800?

[via Nikon Rumors]

Sony NEX-F3 and A37 Specs Leaked

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Sony NEX-F3

It looks like the full specs for the Sony NEX-F3 and A37 entry-level cameras are now out in the wild with a release date of May 17, courtesy of SonyAlphaRumors.  Leaked images vis Yangcanggih. Check out the spec lists below.

Sony NEX-F3 Specs

  • 16.1MP CMOS sensor
  • ISO 100-16,000
  • 1080/24p or 1080/60i
  • MP4 codec
  • 180-degree tilting LCD
  • Built-in flash
  • 3fps
  • No touchscreen
  • $599 price point w/ 18-55mm kit lens

One thing that doesn’t jive with the specs and the leaked images is the MP4 codec listed in the NEX-F3 specs.  The images clearly showed the AVCHD logo on the camera body.  Likewise, a 1080/24p and 1080/60i frame rate suggests an AVCHD 1.0 codec.  If anything, I think the MP4 codec would be for a 720p option (like the NEX-C3) – although, the NEX-F3 appears to offer full 1080p HD video capture in addition to a possible 720p MP4 mode…

With the recent NEX models sporting the AVCHD 2.0 codec, it looks like Sony will differentiate the video capabilities on entry-level models by sticking with a max 30fps frame rate at full 1920 x 1080 resolution via the AVCHD 1.0 codec.  This should make the NEX-F3 a perfect consumer camera with great 1080p video.  And, if you want to get your overcranked footage on for smooth slo-mo, you’ll need to step up to the NEX-5N or higher.

Sony A37 Specs

  • 16.1MP CMOS sensor
  • ISO 100-16,000
  • Built-in SteadyShot image stabilization
  • 7fps frame frate
  • 15-point AF system
  • Tilting LCD
  • 1080/24p and 1080/60i video
  • $599 price point w/ 18-55mm kit lens
  • $799 price point w/ 18-135mm kit lens

The A37 looks to be very competent as well for an entry-level shooter.  Frankly though, unless you have to have the phase-detection AF system of the SLT models, I would suggest most people to choose the NEX-F3 as an entry-level go-to camera over the A37.

I’ll have more concrete thoughts on these models once they are officially announced and I get my hands on them.

Stay tuned.

Nikon D600 Full Frame Rumors Emerge

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Nikon D600 Strap

Hot on the heels of a Nikon D400 rumor, Nikon Rumors is at it again with new rumors of a cheaper full-frame model, dubbed the Nikon D600, which would serve in a complementary role the D800 (and perhaps replace the now-lower-priced D700) .  Rumored specifications include a 24MP CMOS sensor, no internal AF motor (akin to entry-level APS-C cameras), and a price point around $1500.

Other rumored specs include:

  • The new camera will be marketed as an entry level full frame camera
  • Auto DX crop mode
  • Dual SD card slots
  • In-camera RAW editor
  • Built in time-lapse functionality
  • There will be no built-in HDR feature
  • Possible integrated GPS
  • New external battery grip

The camera is alleged to make an appearance before Photokina 2012.

Stay tuned for the latest.