Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips
A German online retailer, Fotobrenner has listed the Sony A850 for 1.999,00€, which is a discount of about 500€ off the A900.
Fotobrenner has also posted an image of the A850 on its product page, which is either the same body as the A900 or is a Photoshop job to give us something to look at.
Recall that the Sony A850 manual was leaked directly from Sony a couple weeks ago.
What do you think? Legit? Or is Fotobrenner just following the rumor trail like the rest of us?
[via Dyxum]
Just last week, we saw a Nikon D4 surface on an online store, alleging that it was coming soon. Now, another site (Thai camera cafe) has jumped on the Nikon D4 bandwagon with a product page for the camera, as you can see from the screen shot above.
[via Nikon Rumors]
Here’s a few videos that show off the new Nikon D300s and give you a little taste of what you can expect from the video capabilities.
I don’t know that we needed the subtitles on the last one; however, it was nice to see a little more of a home cooked version of video from the D300s. More info about this camera is available on Photography Bay’s Nikon D300s Reviews and Resources.
If you’ve ever been curious about your camera’s shutter count (or maybe you bought a used camera), then the EOSInfo utility might be something you are interested in.
Check it out here.
There’s a few caveats like it only works with DIGIC III and IV DSLRs, 1D series cameras don’t work with it, etc. Read the fine print and disclaimers before you jump head first into this stuff.
(h/t to Canon Rumors)
Canon has updated the 50D firmware to version 1.0.7. The Canon 50D Firmware Version 1.0.7 incorporates the following changes.
1. Corrects a phenomenon where captured images may tend to appear somewhat magenta depending on the shooting scene.
2. Fixes incorrect indications on the Arabic, Romanian, Spanish, and Ukrainian menu screens.
The new firmware is available on Canon’s website.
Several online vendors are already taking orders for the new Nikon D300s and D3000. Others are offering in-stock notifications.
You can pre-order or sign up for notifications at the vendors listed below.
International Availability:
International Availability:
Stay tuned for more as more vendors update their online stores.
The Nikon D300s is a refreshed version of the Nikon D300 that offers video capabilities and other tweaks to the previous model.
The Nikon D300s should be available in August 2009 at an initial retail price of $1799.95.
Check availability on Amazon.com.
More details are available on Photography Bay’s Nikon D300s Reviews and Resources.
The Nikon D3000 is a 10.2-megapixel DSLR and replaces the Nikon D60 at the low end of Nikon’s lineup. Improvements over the D60 include a larger 3-inch LCD, improved interface and 11-point autofocus system.
The Nikon D3000 should be available in August 2009 at an initial retail price of $599.95 that will also cover the included AF-S NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR image stabilization lens.
Check availability on Amazon.com.
More details available at Photography Bay’s Nikon D3000 Reviews and Resources.
Nikon has refreshed two of its most popular lenses. The AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G VR II lens gets an upgrade in optics and moves up to the VR II image stabilization.
The new AF-S 18-200mm VR II lens gets a zoom lock switch to prevent the lens from creeping out while hanging from your neck. Additionally, the new superzoom lens gets Super Integrated Coating to help reducing ghosting and lens flare.
The AF-S 18-200mm VR II should be available in September 2009 at an initial retail price of $849.95. Check availability on Amazon.com.
The AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G VR II should be available in November 2009 at an initial retail price of $2399.95. Check availability on Amazon.com.
More details in the press release below. [Read more…]
The Sony A850 is a full frame 24.6-megapixel CMOS sensor. The A850 also features SteadyShot sensor-based image stabilization, a 3-inch 921k dot LCD and a 9-point AF. Check out the full Sony A850 Review.
The A850 should be available in November 2009 at an initial retail price of $2000. Check availability at Amazon.com.
• Full-frame 24.6 effective megapixel ExmorTM CMOS sensor and dual BIONZ processors for detail-packed, low-noise images with high sensitivity up to ISO 6400 (with expanded ISO range)
• Bright optical glass pentaprism viewfinder with 98% coverage
• SteadyShot INSIDETM offers up to 4.0 steps anti-shake performance with all lenses
• Photo quality (921k dot) 3.0-inch Xtra Fine LCD
• Fast, high-accuracy 9-point AF with 10 focus assist points
SAN DIEGO, August 27, 2009 – Aimed at experienced shooters looking for value and sophisticated SLR performance, Sony today introduced the full-frame ? (alpha) DSLR-A850 camera and a new 28-75mm F2.8 lens.
The ?850 model shares the same 24.6 megapixel sensor and most features of the flagship ?900 camera, introduced last year, but will be available for just under $2000 (body only).
“Sony is bringing the benefits of a full-frame digital SLR camera to a broader group of consumers,” said Kristen Elder, director of the Digital Imaging business at Sony Electronics. “The ?850 strengthens Sony’s alpha DSLR line, which now offers models in each step from high-end professional down to the amateur enthusiast.”
The ?850 camera is designed to deliver ultra-fine picture quality with a high resolution, 24.6-megapixel, 35-mm full-frame ExmorTM CMOS sensor and fast image processing with dual BIONZTM processing engines. It also offers high-speed continuous shooting of 24.6 megapixel images at up to three frames per second.
The camera’s Exmor CMOS sensor delivers the photographic expressive power of wide angles and perspective that only a 35 mm full-frame sensor can offer, and is designed to take advantage of the resolving power of high-precision alpha lenses. Its high pixel count and large size provide enhanced image detail and a wider dynamic range for natural color reproduction and subtle tonal gradations.
Image processing gets a boost in speed and power from two BIONZ processing engines. Large amounts of data captured by the 24.6-megapixel sensor can be quickly processed to achieve a fast shooting response. Additionally, this dual BIONZ system applies advanced noise reduction algorithms producing images of exceptional quality and detail, especially at high ISO sensitivities.
The camera’s innovative intelligent preview function takes the guesswork out of setting up a shot and the hassle of taking multiple shots to achieve a desired effect.
After pressing the depth of field preview button, the camera “grabs” a RAW
preview image which is processed and displayed on the LCD screen. You can then fine tune white balance, determine the best level and effect of dynamic range optimization, adjust exposure compensation and check histogram data, all before you actually take the picture. Preview images are not recorded on the camera’s memory card, thus saving capacity.
The camera’s autofocus system features nine sensors with 10 assist points for improved tracking of moving subjects. A center dual cross sensor comprised of two horizontal and two vertical line sensors as well as a dedicated f/2.8 sensor are included to achieve greater precision, especially when using fast-aperture lenses.
The ultra-bright viewfinder with 98 percent field of view coverage and 0.74x magnification enables accurate framing and preview. It features a high-power condenser lens, an eyepiece with high reflective-index glass, and a multi-layer, anti-reflective coating on optical surfaces to deliver its extraordinarily bright view.
A mirror box features a parallel-link mirror mechanism that moves on two horizontal axes to accommodate both the large full frame mirror and the body-integrated image stabilization system without increasing the camera’s size.
With its body-integrated SteadyShot INSIDETM image stabilization, the camera achieves an anti-shake effect equivalent to shutter speeds faster by 2.5 to 4 stops. The anti-shake system stabilizes all Sony, Minolta and Konica-Minolta compatible lenses even wide angle or large aperture lenses.
Other key features aimed to expand creative options include the Dynamic Range Optimizer (DRO) with five levels of user-selectable correction as well as DRO bracketing for enhanced scene analysis and graduation optimization. EV bracketing with ±2EV range makes it easy to create high dynamic range composite images.
With the camera’s HDMITM output and Photo TV HD mode, your creative output can be enjoyed on a compatible HD television. This mode brings the look of actual printed photography to the television, by fine-tuning such image parameters as sharpness, gradation, and color reproduction.
The a850 model features a 3-inch (diagonally), Xtra Fine LCDTM screen (921K) making it possible to check focus and image quality with accuracy. It incorporates an easy-to-see display with a quick navigation menu to easily access common functions without interrupting your creative flow. A backlit LCD panel sits on top of the camera and displays key settings.
The camera includes dedicated slots for high-capacity Memory Stick PRO DuoTM, Memory Stick PRO-HG DuoTM, HX series and CompactFlash® media.
The choice of full-frame lenses to complement the ?850 model is enhanced with the new SAL2875 28-75mm F2.8 SAM lens. This compact, easy-to-carry lens is ideal for photo enthusiasts looking to add a bright, general purpose zoom to their collection of full-frame optics.
Delivering excellent imaging quality at an accessible price, it offers a wide F2.8 aperture over its entire zoom range. Ideal for day-to-day shooting tasks, its bright constant aperture makes the 28-75mm F2.8 SAM particularly valuable for depth-of-field control and available-light portraits.
The a850 (model DSLR-A850) will be available in September for about $2,000 (body only) along with related accessories. All a900 accessories are compatible with the a850 camera, including the dedicated vertical grip (model VG-C90AM). The SAL2875 lens will be available in November for about $800. All will be available at authorized dealers, at military base exchanges, Sony Style retail stores (www.sonystyle.com/retail) and at sonystyle.com.