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Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Metz mecablitz 52 AF-1 Digital Touchscreen Speedlight

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Metz mecablitz 52 AF-1 Digital Touchscreen

Metz has announced a new touchscreen speedlight – the mecablitz 52 AF-1.  The new hot shoe flash features a guide number of 52 and is capable of wireless TTL operation.

The touchscreen rotates when holding the camera in portait orientation for easier readability.  Additionally, the mecablitz 52 AF-1 sports a USB port for future firmware upgrades.

Metz mecablitz 52 AF-1 Digital

The mecablitz 52 AF-1 will be available in Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony and Micro Four Thirds versions.  No word yet on final release date and pricing.  Check availability here at B&H Photo.

Full specs listed below. [Read more…]

 

Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 Announced, Upgrade & Subscription Options Available

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Adobe has updated its Creative Suite line of products from CS5 to CS5.5.  With the introduction of CS5.5, Adobe is shifting from an 18-24 month product cycle upgrade.  Instead, Adobe will now be release a major version update every 24 months and a mid-cycle upgrade every 12 months. [Read more…]

Fuji Z700EXR Review

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The Fuji Z700EXR is a 12-megapixel point and shoot camera featuring Fuji’s popular EXR sensor technology. The Z700EXR offers a 3.5? wide touchscreen display in 16:9 format, a 5x optical zoom and is capable of capturing HD video at 720p.

To see how well this casual shooter handles, read on. [Read more…]

Sony Touchscreen DSLR

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A pair recent Sony patent applications reveal what is clearly an Alpha-system DSLR with a touchscreen display that is functional with both the standard grip and a vertical accessory grip.  (See US Patent Appl. Nos. 2010/0134676 and 2010/0134433.)  According to the patent application, the challenge with integrating a touchscreen on a DSLR is keeping your nose from activating it when looking through the viewfinder, while at the same time allowing you to access features mapped to the touchscreen controls. [Read more…]

Sony Cyber-shot TX5 Hands-On Review

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Sony Cyber-shot TX5

The Sony Cyber-shot TX5 is a rugged, point and shoot camera that is touted as dustproof, waterproof, freezeproof and shockproof.  The TX5 features a 10.2MP Exmor R CMOS sensor for improved low light performance and noise control.  Additionally, the TX5 features a 4x optical zoom lens with image stabilization and can capture 720p HD video.

Like it’s more powerful sibling, the TX7, the Sony TX5 features a touchscreen LCD for quick and intuitive menu navigation.  The touchscreen LCD also allow you to tap the screen to select your focus point.

I really liked the TX5’s 3-inch touchscreen LCD.  There are some touchscreens that just down work on cameras – either in terms of input response or menu navigation.  The TX5, along with the pricier TX7, do touchscreens right. [Read more…]

Fuji FinePix Z700EXR Reviews and Resources

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Fuji FinePix Z700EXR

The Fuji FinePix Z700EXR is a 12MP point and shoot camera featuring Fuji’s popular EXR sensor technology.  The Z700EXR offers a 3.5″ wide touch screen display in 16:9 format, a 5x optical zoom and is capable of capturing HD video at 720p.

The Fuji Z700EXR will be available March 2010 at an initial retail price of $279.95.

Fuji Z700EXR Availability

B&H Photo

Amazon.com

Adorama

Fuji Z700EXR Reviews

Neutral Day

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

Samsung TL225 Review

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The Samsung TL 225 is a 12.2 megapixel point and shoot camera.  The TL225 features a 4.6x optical zoom lens and optical image stabilization.  It has a 3.5″ touchscreen LCD on the back.  What makes the TL225 so different though, is that it has a 1.5″ LCD on the front. [Read more…]

Nikon Coolpix S70 Reviews and Resources

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Nikon Coolpix S70

The Nikon Coolpix S70 is a 12.1-megapixel point and shoot camera, which features a 3.5-inch touchscreen display.  The S70 allows users the ability to touch the subject they wish to focus on and the camera will then autofocus on the subject and capture the image.

The S70 also offers a 5x optical zoom and Nikon VR Image Stabilization System.  The S70 will be available in September 2009 at an initial retail price of $399.95.

Check availability on Amazon.com.

Nikon Coolpix S70

Nikon Coolpix S70 Reviews

PhotographyBLOG

As a digital compact camera, it is average – it has some nice functions, such as the Touch Shutter feature that lets you focus on your subject and take a picture very quickly; but enthusiast photographers will likely bemoan the limited level of user control over the picture taking process as well the lack of a pre- or post-capture histogram to check exposure.

DP Interface

The Nikon Coolpix S70 is a capable touchscreen camera which deserves my recommendation. It excels at shooting outdoors and in bright light, has a basket of neat features and takes good quality photos.

Nikon Coolpix S70 Press Release

NEW COOLPIX S70 FEATURES SUPERIOR STYLING AND OLED TOUCH-SCREEN INTERFACE

Nikon Coolpix S70

Built on the success of Nikon’s previous touch-screen models, the COOLPIX S70 features Nikon’s newly developed 3.5-inch Clear Color Display and a new generation of touch-screen controls that offer an enhanced shooting and playback experience. In addition to its photographic technology and stylish dual-texture design, the S70 captures stunning HD video at 1280 x 720 pixels (720p).

New to the COOLPIX line, OLED technology offers the benefits of vivid color reproduction, sharp contrast and the absence of afterimages. The capacitive touch-screen provides an immediate response at the lightest touch of the display for a fun and intuitive feel to every camera operation. For example, using the Touch Shutter feature, users can have a completely “button-free” experience and focus on and photograph a subject by simply touching it on the camera’s display. The touch-screen also makes viewing and retouching images more fun and efficient. With the swipe of a finger, users can scroll through images and use a pinching motion with two fingers to zoom in or out on displayed images, switching between thumbnail and full screen views. Additional new touch-screen controls include on-screen sliders for adjusting brightness and Scene Effect Adjustment, which offers controls specific to the scene mode in use.

The COOLPIX S70 features 12.1 megapixels; a 5x wide-angle Zoom-NIKKOR lens; ISO 6400***; 5-way VR Image Stabilization System; Subject Tracking; Scene Auto Selector Mode; Nikon’s Smart Portrait System and an ultra-stylish design.

The S70 will be available in September 2009 for $399.95 MSRP in a choice of colors and textures including Red & Red, Champagne & Beige, Black & Black, or Champagne & Light Brown.