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Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

 

Sony A57 Launches w/ 16MP & 1080/60p Video

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Sony A57

The Sony A57 is the latest Alpha model utilizing Translucent Mirror Technology – and it steps up the game from its predecessor, the Sony A55.

Priced at $700 for the body, the A57 piles it on in terms of features, offering a 16.1MP resolution CMOS sensor (APS-C format) and the AVCHD 2.0 progressive codec, which allows the A57 to capture 1080p video at a full 60p frame rate – a feature both Canon and Nikon HDSLR shooters have been screaming for on the high-end models (let alone entry-level cameras in the A57 price range).

Sony continues its tradition of fast live-view AF thanks to the Translucent Mirror Technology, which allows users to view the image on the rear LCD or in the electronic viewfinder – all the while maintaining the rapid and accurate AF acquisition that DSLR shooters are accustomed to.

Alongside the A57, Sony announced the HVL-LE1 continuous light for $250, which comes complete with an Alpha shoe mount and barn doors.

The Sony A57 should be available in March at an initial retail price of $700 for the body only, or $800 with the 18-55mm kit lens.

More details in the press release below. [Read more…]

Adobe Lightroom 4 Launches at $149, Upgrades Only $79

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Adobe Lightroom 4

Adobe Lightroom 4 is officially out of the gate after a brief leak last week.  The price for the full version at launch is $149 (half off the $299 list).  Upgrades drop $20 less, down to $79.

If you’ve been following along with the beta release, then you have a pretty good idea what Lightroom 4 is like; however, we’ll hit the highlights below for those wondering what all the fuss is about. [Read more…]

ALL-I and IPB Video Compression on Canon’s 5D Mark III

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5D Mark III

This is no real surprise at this point; however, a leaked review from a French publication confirms that the Canon 5D Mark III supports intraframe (ALL-i) compression for an editing-friendly format and interframe (IPB) compression for superior data compression.

Canon 5D Mark III ALL-i and IPB

Based on what we’ve seen thus far, it’s likely that the 5D Mark III video specs will closely resemble the specs found in the 1D X.  Note that the 1D X allows level monitoring on screen and adjustments to audio levels before and during recording of video clips.  The presence of a headphone output suggests that the 5D Mark III will take this a step further.

Jury is still out on the HDMI-out; however, there have been no leaks concerning this spec and pretty much everything is out in the open now.  Stay tuned over the next few hours for the official unveil.

Canon 5D Mark III: What We Know and Think We Know

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Canon 5D Mark III Press Invite

Above is a supposed to be one of the press invites for the 5D Mark III due out at midnight Thursday night. (via CR)

Something is coming Thursday night at midnight EST.  Of course, I’ll have full details up as soon as I know something official.  We may even get some leaks ahead of time (usually the case).

What we’re expecting is the Canon 5D Mark III – a 22MP full frame DSLR that captures 1080p video with the same codec we see in the 1D X (edit-friendly ALL-I and the more compressed IPB). [Read more…]

‘Act of Valor’ Steps Up the HDSLR Game

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Act of Valor

I waited patiently for a couple of years or so since I first heard about a Navy Seal movie Shane Hurlbut ASC was shooting on the Canon 5D Mark II.  I’ve read about how Shane lit night scenes with practicals, numerous mentions of his man-cam and helmet cam rigs, and how Zeiss lenses worked in tandem with the 5D Mark II for a big screen blockbuster.

It hit theaters yesterday.  And, I set out last night with a few friends to watch it.  I was not disappointed. [Read more…]

Canon 5D Mark III Specs Confirmed? Official on Feb. 27?

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Canon 5D Mark III Rumors

Canon Rumors is predicting next week as a for sure thing for the Canon 5D Mark II replacement. Presumably, it will be called the 5D Mark III; however, there have been rumblings that Canon will go with the 5D X name and apparently play off the recent release of the 1D X.

Semantics about naming schemes aside, below is what’s supposed to be the actual specs for the 5D III/X. [Read more…]

Sony A99 at 24MP and A57 at 16MP Inbound?

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Sony A850 and A900

It’s been a little too quiet on the Sony front since the introduction of the uber-popular Sony A77.  So, it’s not really much of a surprise to hear rumors of a refresh to the full-frame Sony A900 and (even more so) the consumer-ish Sony A55. Both are very solid cameras in their respective categories; however, their age is starting to show. [Read more…]