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| Panasonic Lumix GF1 reviewed |
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The typical Micro Four Thirds review seems to come down to a matter of tradeoffs -- size and convenience for a bit of a drop from the image quality and performance of a real DSLR. The GF1 doesn't break that trend, but it has some pretty nice things to offer for the inquisitive interchangeable lens shopper. The most notable feature when put up against its direct competition, the E-P1, is the GF1's built-in pop-up flash, and the primary drawback of both of these cams versus their regular Micro Four Thirds counterparts is the lack of an eye-level viewfinder, though the GF1 does offer a pricey hot-shoe mounted approximation. As for images PhotographyBLOG says the camera gets "almost everything right," and video doesn't look bad neither -- a couple samples are after the break. The camera is no ultra-compact, but it seems another good proof for the existence of Micro Four Thirds as a DSLR alternative.Continue reading Panasonic Lumix GF1 reviewedFiled under: Digital CamerasPanasonic Lumix GF1 reviewed originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 10/12/2009 3:29 AM (44d 22h 57m ago) |
| Canon EOS 7D pics and specs leak out |
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We saw the top, we saw the poster, and now it looks like we've got more or less the whole deal: Canon's EOS 7D has been leaked in (most of) its gory detail. At the heart there's an 18 megapixel sensor and dual DIGIC 4 processors, which shoots stills at 8 FPS with ISO from 100 to 6400 and a special 12800 ISO mode. The 3-inch LCD has a 920,000 dot resolution, while the viewfinder offers 100% coverage and a built-in digital level. Naturally the camera picks up the HD movie capabilities of the 5D, but no word on how it might expand upon them just yet. All this info has been gleaned from a Chinese forum, so we're still obviously awaiting on official word from Canon -- but if the rapid leakage rate is any indication, it can't be too far off.
[Thanks, Darko]
Read - Spec breakdown
Read - Forum sourceFiled under: Digital CamerasCanon EOS 7D pics and specs leak out originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 29 Aug 2009 20:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 8/31/2009 4:43 PM (86d 9h 43m ago) |
| Olympus grabs for entry-level DSLR dollars with $600 E-600 |
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We had some pretty overwhelming evidence that Olympus' entry-level E-600 was more than just some fancy Photoshop, and sure enough, the outfit has today made things official for us. Designed as a low-cost E-620, the 12.3-megapixel shooter drops only the backlit buttons, a trio of 'art filter' modes, aspect mask control and the two-shot multi exposure mode from an otherwise heralded device. If you can live without those, you'll find a delectable $599.99 price tag that includes a 14-42mm f3.5/5.6 Zuiko zoom lens, a 2.7-inch swiveling Live View LCD, in-body image stabilization, a dust reduction system, sequential shooting at four frames per second and the ability to accept CF, UDMA and xD memory cards (sorry, SD lovers). It'll be available from respectable camera outlets this November -- just in time to satisfy that nagging need on the forthcoming holiday gift list.[Via Electronista]Gallery: Olympus grabs for entry-level DSLR dollars with E-600Filed under: Digital CamerasOlympus grabs for entry-level DSLR dollars with $600 E-600 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 09:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 8/31/2009 4:41 PM (86d 9h 44m ago) |
| Sony debuts Alpha A850, A550 and A500 DSLRs |
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Sony's really hitting two sweet spots this morning with its new (or, newly confirmed) full-frame A850 (pictured) and mid-range A550 and A500 DSLR additions to the Alpha family. The rumors were basically dead on, with the A850 offering a slight reduction to the A900's skillset while keeping on the exact same 24.6 megapixel sensor -- and nabbing a $1,000 or so price cut in the process (it's now landing at around $2,000). The A550 and A500, meanwhile, fill in any perceived gaps in the Alpha line with 14.2 and 12.3 megapixel sensors, respectively. They also both score tilt-out LCDs akin to the poorly-received A380, with the A550 sporting a much higher resolution screen than its sibling. Still, even with the other minor tweaks present, we're not sure how reasonable the $200 price difference between the two cameras is: the A550 goes for $950 ($1050 with a kit lens), while the A500 hits at $750 ($850 with a kit). The glaring omission in all of these cameras, of course, is video recording -- something that Sony's various competition is sporting in a majority of these pricepoints. A head scratcher, to be sure.
Read - Sony Alpha A550 and A500
Read - Sony Alpha A850
Read - Sony Alpha A550 hands-on previewGallery: Sony Alpha A850Gallery: Sony Alpha A550Gallery: Sony Alpha A500Filed under: Digital CamerasSony debuts Alpha A850, A550 and A500 DSLRs originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 10:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 8/27/2009 5:11 PM (90d 9h 15m ago) |
| Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35 superzoom reviewed: crème de la crème |
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If you're in the market for a superzoom, and you've already decided that none of those Micro Four Thirds options will sway you, it looks as if you'll be hard pressed to find a superior alternative to Panasonic's minty fresh Lumix DMC-FZ35 (FZ38 in some regions). Both TrustedReviews and PhotographyBLOG managed to score a unit for review, and both outlets came away generally impressed. The former concluded that the outfit's newest 18x zoomer was only marginally changed from its predecessor, but those who skipped on over the FZ28 should certainly give this one a look. In fact, it straight up confessed that to "get anything better than this, you'll have to move up to a DSLR." You may notice that this bugger doesn't offer the greatest zoom nor the most megapixels in its class, but the stellar image quality and even more stirring video mode kept critics from suggesting any of those more marketable rivals. Don't believe us? Check the read links below for all the proof you can handle.[Thanks, TheLostSwede]Read - TrustedReviews' takeRead - PhotographyBLOG reviewFiled under: Digital CamerasPanasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35 superzoom reviewed: crème de la crème originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 07:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 7/28/2009 12:50 PM (120d 13h 36m ago) |
| Get a 4GB Eye-Fi wireless SD card for $59.99 |
| | Though still pricey, the 4GB Eye-Fi card is now a much better deal.(Credit: Eye-Fi)
I really dig Eye-Fi memory cards, which wirelessly beam photos from your digital camera to your PC (and/or an online sharing service). But I always thought they were overpriced.
They still are, but at ... Originally posted at The Cheapskate |
| | 6/22/2009 8:42 PM (156d 5h 44m ago) |
| Olympus E-P1 video samples posted, camera turns up in ad-within-an-ad Blendtec spot |
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There's much to love about the new Olympus E-P1, but the hip new thing for the DSLR market is video, and Panasonic has already demonstrated with the Lumix DMC-GH1 that Micro Four Thirds cameras are in some ways even better suited to the demands of high quality point-and-shoot video. The folks at Digital Photography Review have some samples up now of the E-P1's video performance, and while we'd like to see how the camera fares indoors as well, the outdoor samples they've posted are very promising. The colors seem just a touch washed out, but there's great motion and clarity, and solid manual controls. It is interesting to note that while the camera does include some built-in effects, most of them dramatically reduce the frame rate -- making them more or less useless. Most unfortunate, however, is the fact that there's no auto focus in video mode, which is where the DMC-GH1 still reigns supreme in DSLR land. Hit up the read link for the videos, or if that's not your style check out the bemusing Blendtec advert for the E-P1 after the break -- it's a real viral meets meta mashup, or something like that.[Thanks Richard L.]Update: We've heard conflicting word on auto focus. According to Photography Review's preview, the camera doesn't have auto focus in video mode, but according to the Olympus press release, as Super Marxio pointed out in comments, there is auto focus during recording. Perhaps Photography Review was looking at a non-final version of the camera. We do know that the camera does auto focus using contrast detection, like a regular compact camera, and while that's the same method used by the GH1, DP Review claims it's slightly inferior -- though they did state they were working with a 0.9 firmware.Continue reading Olympus E-P1 video samples posted, camera turns up in ad-within-an-ad Blendtec spotFiled under: Digital Cameras, HDTVOlympus E-P1 video samples posted, camera turns up in ad-within-an-ad Blendtec spot originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Jun... |
| | 6/17/2009 4:20 PM (161d 10h 6m ago) |
| Canon 5D Mark II's manual video controls arrive |
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Half a year after the camera's debut, Canon released promised firmware that updates its vaunted EOS 5D Mark II SLR with the ability to manually control camera settings while shooting video.
The much-desired feature lets users set aperture, ISO sensitivity, and shutter speed manually. It was the first Canon ... Originally posted at Underexposed |
| | 6/11/2009 4:14 PM (167d 10h 12m ago) |
| Apple update supports new Canon, Nikon SLRs |
| | Canon's Rebel T1i(Credit: CNET)
Apple released a software update Thursday to let its Aperture 2, iPhoto '08, and iPhoto '09 photo-editing software handle raw images from three newer SLRs, Canon's Rebel T1i, Nikon's D5000, and Olympus' E-30.
Higher-end cameras offer raw image formats that provide more flexibility and quality than JPEG, but the raw file formats are proprietary, vary from one camera model to another, and require companies such as Apple and Adobe Systems to release a constant stream of updates. Microsoft relies on camera manufacturers to supply software for Windows that can interpret the raw data, which is taken directly from camera image sensors without in-camera processing.
Camera makers typically supply their own software for handling raw images, but many people prefer their own photo software.
Further detail on Apple's support is available on Apple's raw camera support page.
Originally posted at Underexposed |
| | 6/11/2009 4:13 PM (167d 10h 12m ago) |
| Olympus E-620 reviewed, does entry-level DSLR right |
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When Olympus introduced the E-620 it was presented as a sort of greatest hits camera, cramming many of the features found in the higher-end E-30 into a small body like that on the E-450, then selling it at a middle-of-the-road price. It sounds like a tall order, but according to Photography Blog it's a an almost complete success, offering "the most effective combination of features, ease-of-use and price of any Olympus DSLR camera to date." Not everything is perfect, with low-light performance suffering from visible noise degradation, blamed on the relatively petite sensor here, and the lack of video capture being something of a detriment. But, overall image quality is rated very high, in-body image stabilization effective, the flip-out LCD useful, and overall it's said to be a great value for its $699 MSRP -- that it's already selling for well over $100 less than that is an extra bonus.Filed under: Digital CamerasOlympus E-620 reviewed, does entry-level DSLR right originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 6/11/2009 4:04 PM (167d 10h 22m ago) |
| iPhone app to remotely control your Canon dSLR |
| | DSLR Camera Remote software lets your iPhone or iPod Touch remotely trigger Canon dSLRs.(Credit: OnOne Software)
Still longing for a decent camera on your iPhone? All you need's an app and a Canon dSLR and the dream is yours. Well, not exactly, but OnOne Software's DSLR Camera ... |
| | 6/03/2009 4:35 PM (175d 9h 51m ago) |
| Jazz up your shower curtains with custom photos |
| | (Credit: Photo Shower Curtain)
Here's a new way to exhibit your photos, if not yourself in the buff. Photo Shower Curtain has a service that prints pictures onto shower curtains that you can hang in your bathroom. If you're wondering whether the ink will fade after a hot ... |
| | 6/03/2009 4:33 PM (175d 9h 53m ago) |
| Canon EOS 5D Mark II update with manual video exposure controls now available |
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We'd heard it was coming and now it's here -- the just-released EOS 5D Mark II 1.1.0 firmware update adds a much-longed-for manual exposure control to the video mode. That ought to warm some budding filmmaker hearts our there -- and the rest of us can enjoy a few other minor enhancements. Fun for the whole family![Thanks to everyone who sent this in]Filed under: Digital CamerasCanon EOS 5D Mark II update with manual video exposure controls now available originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Jun 2009 22:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 6/02/2009 5:29 PM (176d 8h 57m ago) |
| New Canon EOS 5D Mark II firmware to add manual exposure control for video recording |
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Hey, it's no autofocus, but Canon's sent word that a free firmware update is coming for the EOS 5D Mark II that'll enable manual exposure control while shooting video, including ISO and aperture settings and shutter speed. Excited? Yeah, us too. No word on what else the update might entail, but it looks like we won't have to wait long either, as the company's saying to expect the download sometime in early June.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Filed under: Digital CamerasNew Canon EOS 5D Mark II firmware to add manual exposure control for video recording originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 May 2009 23:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 5/27/2009 4:47 PM (182d 9h 39m ago) |
| Sony debuts three new entry-level dSLRs |
| | (Credit: Sony Electronics)
Look! A hidden SD card slot!(Credit: Sony Electronics)
Sony announced its three new entry-level dSLRs for 2009, the Alpha DLSR-A230, A330, and A380, which replace the A200, A300, and A350 respectively.
digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gadgets/Sony_debuts_three_new_entry_level_dSLRs';
The products preserve Sony's three-tier strategy for its low-end SLRs. The cheap A230 differs from the slightly-less-cheap A330 by the viewfinder and the tiltable LCD, plus the A330 will be available in brown. And except for its higher resolution sensor--14 megapixels versus 10 megapixels--the A380 is otherwise identical to the A330. Sony's big marketing points on these models is lighter weight and friendlier, more point-and-shoot-like guided operation.
But perhaps most notably, these models have dual memory slots, one of which takes SDHC cards and the other Sony's proprietary Memory Stick Duo. I can only imagine the internal politicking it took to pull that off.
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| | 5/22/2009 8:34 PM (187d 5h 52m ago) |
| Will Pentax's K-7 K.O. midrange dSLRs? |
| | (Credit: Pentax)
Pentaxians on the Web have been abuzz for months about the K-7, Pentax's new midrange dSLR that replaces the now sub-$1,000 K20D. Though it shares a lot in common with its predecessor, there are some notable enhancements that might have Pentax photographers willing to step up, including significantly faster performance and video support, plus some attractive features for the brand-agnostic midrange buyer.
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| | 5/22/2009 8:34 PM (187d 5h 52m ago) |
| Latest cameras that do HD video |
| | (Credit: Kodak)
I still remember a conversation I had a couple years ago with a digital camera product manager about movie recording in his company's cameras and why it was limited to clips only 30 seconds long. His response was "our research tells us consumers don't use the movie mode or don't even know it's on their camera so it's really not a concern for us." YouTube and other video-sharing sites weren't exactly a secret at that time so the answer--regardless of research--seemed pretty off to me.
Since then, camera makers have been steadily rolling out improvements to movie recording. The main thing they've gone after--no surprise--is resolution. Slapping "HD" on a camera is the video equivalent of megapixels. Put "full HD" on a model and you'll really grab some attention. Squeeze an HDMI jack on the camera and you're in even better shape to sell some units to consumers interested in getting one product that takes good photos and videos and can play them back instantly on an HDTV.
One of the biggest missteps in this quest for the perfect movie mode, however, seems to be whether you get use of the optical zoom while recording. Kodak was one of the first, if not the first to add HD capabilities to its cameras. Its longest megazoom, the EasyShare Z980, is currently under review and like most of its other cameras features HD-quality movie capture with full use of its 24x zoom lens.
So, is a good movie mode crucial to a purchase decision these days or is it just one more thing manufacturers can slap on the box to up-sell you?
See the latest reviews of digital cameras in all types and sizes that capture HD video after the break.
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| | 5/22/2009 8:33 PM (187d 5h 53m ago) |
| More Pentax K-7 details, pictures leak out ahead of launch |
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If the earlier reports are accurate, Pentax's latest K series DSLR should be getting official real soon now, but there's still a few days left before that rumored May 21st launch date, and that means more leaks. One of those comes in the form of a seemingly authentic ad (pictured after the break) that all but confirms that the K-7 (or K7D) will be a 14.6-megapixel DSLR, and will boast a new Prime II imaging engine, along with the increasingly standard HD video recording that we had heard about earlier. As if that wasn't enough, a whole slew of images of the camera have just surfaced on RiceHigh's Pentax Blog, along with a complete (but not exactly verifiable) spec list, which offers such details as a 3-inch VGA LCD, continuous JPEG shooting at 5.2 frames per second, a viewfinder with 100% image coverage, a new 77-Segment Multi-Pattern metering system, a built-in AF assist light, and an integrated HDR mode, among countless other features. Unfortunately, the one thing still up in the air is the price, although there's still room for one more rumor before Pentax removes all the mystery.Read - RiceHigh's Pentax BlogRead - PentaxForums, K7 ad [Via Electronista]
Continue reading More Pentax K-7 details, pictures leak out ahead of launchFiled under: Digital CamerasMore Pentax K-7 details, pictures leak out ahead of launch originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 May 2009 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 5/19/2009 4:49 PM (190d 9h 37m ago) |
| Sony confirms new Alpha 230, 330 and 380 mainstream DSLRs |
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Sony's been pretty generous with the Alpha leaks in the run up to this launch, but it looks like this new trio of DSLRs for "first time" SLR buyers, the Alpha 230, 330 and 380, is ready to go. The press release confirms all of what we already knew, along with bringing word that the cameras will support SD/SDHC cards in addition to Sony's still-kicking Memory Stick format. The best news is in pricing, however: the shooters will retail in two different kit types, with the L-series cams ringing in at $550, $650 and $850, respectively, when paired with the SAL-1855 standard zoom lens. The Y kit series adds a second lens, the telephoto SAL-55200, along with bumping the kit price $200 across the board. Pre-orders will start on May 18th, with the cameras becoming available in July. Oddly, while parts of the press site are live, the press shots are still on lockdown, beyond a nice stack of thumbnails -- we'll keep you posted.[Via Photo Rumors]Filed under: Digital CamerasSony confirms new Alpha 230, 330 and 380 mainstream DSLRs originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 16 May 2009 20:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 5/18/2009 5:08 PM (191d 9h 18m ago) |
| Sony's Alpha 230, 330 and 380 DSLRs get flood of official pics |
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Sony's latest mainstream DSLRs cameras got the seal of officialness this past Saturday, and now the company's added some icing to the cake by releasing of plethora of pictures for its α230, α330, and α380. Direct your eyes lovingly at the articulating screens and SD/SDHC card slots in the gallery below. Pre-orders for the trio are supposed to start today at Sony's official retail site, but as of this writing, they're not yet there.
Gallery: Sony's Alpha 230, 330 and 380 DSLRs get flood of official picsFiled under: Digital CamerasSony's Alpha 230, 330 and 380 DSLRs get flood of official pics originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 May 2009 02:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 5/18/2009 5:05 PM (191d 9h 21m ago) |
| Do-it-yourself wireless tethering for your DSLR |
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You know what kinds of projects we especially love? The kind that save you seven hundred bucks, for starters. That was photographer and bon vivant Pete Tsai's inspiration when he bought a $40 wireless USB dongle, a AA battery pack, and an angled USB adapter, with the idea of using it to tether his Nikon D300 to his laptop. According to the modster, Nikon's Camera Control 2 software doesn't seem to have any problem with the device, and the whole setup offers "very fast" transfers (about four seconds for a fine Jpeg, or eight seconds for RAW+ fine). Apparently this bad boy more than does the job of a Nikon's WT-4a wireless transmitter, which sells at around $800. Are you a photographer on a budget? Hit that read link for all the red hot details. [Via Wired]
Filed under: Digital CamerasDo-it-yourself wireless tethering for your DSLR originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 May 2009 10:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 5/18/2009 5:00 PM (191d 9h 25m ago) |
| Sony Alpha 230, 330, and 380 DSLRs out on May 19? |
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This next item is for all of you DSLR fiends who are champing at the bit in nervous anticipation of the revamped Sony Alpha 230, 330, and 380 DSLRs that were subject to some leakage a week or so ago. It looks like the cameras in question will be the raison d'être of a press event that the company has scheduled for the 19th of May, so you may just be getting your hands on the video-less wonders in short order -- y'know, if that's what you're into. With prices starting at €549.99 (around $738) and going up from there, these bad boys feature a revised UI, HDMI out, and Memory Stick Duo support. And if you think that's exciting, wait'll you get a load of the spec breakdown! Peep it after the break.[Via Photo Rumors]
Continue reading Sony Alpha 230, 330, and 380 DSLRs out on May 19?Filed under: Digital CamerasSony Alpha 230, 330, and 380 DSLRs out on May 19? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 May 2009 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 5/15/2009 8:33 PM (194d 5h 52m ago) |
| Canon's EOS-1D / EOS-1Ds Mark III leaking oil all over your precious images |
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As if the Canon EOS-1D Mark III autofocus issues weren't enough, the company has issued yet another service notice for it and its sibling, the EOS-1Ds Mark III. It looks like the cameras' mirror box has the potential to leak lubricant -- causing the excess oil to end up on the surface of the low pass filter, whereupon your award-winning pictures exhibit large, ring-shaped spots. So there you have it -- it wasn't your lousy photographic skills after all! The company has offered to repair the affected models for free, so make sure you notify customer support to get the ball rolling. Hit that read link for all the details.[Via Adorama]
Filed under: Digital CamerasCanon's EOS-1D / EOS-1Ds Mark III leaking oil all over your precious images originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 May 2009 15:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 5/15/2009 8:33 PM (194d 5h 53m ago) |
| Sony Alpha 230, 330, and 380 DSLRs leak out a little early |
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We've been hearing vague murmurs of revised Sony Alpha DSLRs all week, but now we've got some actual proof: these shots of the new Alpha 230, 330, and 380 went up briefly on Sony's Russian website earlier today. The biggest improvements seem to be smaller cases, a revised interface, and HDMI out, but there's also a new "handbook" to help new users get started and a Bravia control mode that allows the camera to be controlled by your TVs remote while it's displaying pictures. A nice enough upgrade, but unless these are somehow super cheap we'd say the omission of a video mode is going keep most people focused on the Nikon D5000 and Canon T1i. Bigger screenshot with the full feature list at the read link.[Via Photo Rumors]Filed under: Digital CamerasSony Alpha 230, 330, and 380 DSLRs leak out a little early originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 09 May 2009 14:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 5/11/2009 3:43 PM (198d 10h 42m ago) |
| Eye-Fi's 4GB WiFi Video cards now with more options for Internet regret |
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You know that video mode you haven't used since first bought your compact point and shoot? Right, the one that does 720p HD video if you've purchased a camera within the last 6 months? Well, Eye-Fi's back to remind you that it's now selling its $99 Eye-Fi Explore Video (with geotagging) and $79 Eye-Fi Share Video SDHC cards nationwide. They've also enabled video sharing with Picasa, Photobucket, and SmugMug in addition to Flickr and YouTube. The result is dead-simple, un-edited direct-to-internet video sharing without the need for a tethered computer. Of course, these cards work equally well for dumping your films and photos over WiFi to your Mac or PC at home -- but why live your life in a bubble?Filed under: Digital Cameras, Wireless, StorageEye-Fi's 4GB WiFi Video cards now with more options for Internet regret originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 May 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 5/05/2009 3:38 PM (204d 10h 48m ago) |
| Ritz Camera store liquidations start Saturday |
| | In case some of you missed this Thursday, Ritz Camera--and by association Wolf and Kits Camera among others--is shutting down more than 300 stores around the U.S. as part of a court-supervised bankruptcy reorganization. This of course means stock liquidation sales, which will begin Saturday, April 4.
As ... |
| | 4/20/2009 9:20 PM (219d 5h 6m ago) |
| Eye-Fi's 4GB WiFi SDHC cards start to ship out |
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Nah, Eye-Fi's latest Secure Digital cards still aren't nearly as capacious (nor as cheap) as other alternatives on the market, but good luck getting that free-after-rebate 8GB SDHC card from IAWANNA Corp. to upload images via a wireless hotspot. We pinged the company today to see if the company's 4GB Explore Video and Share Video SDHC models were shipping out, and we were informed that orders placed over the web were indeed leaving the docks. If you're not kosher with handing $99.99 or $79.99 (respectively) over through the intertubes, both devices will splash down in stores starting on April 19th.Filed under: Digital Cameras, Wireless, StorageEye-Fi's 4GB WiFi SDHC cards start to ship out originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Apr 2009 07:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 4/09/2009 4:47 PM (230d 9h 38m ago) |
| Dual does it for Olympus E-450 |
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Photos of Olympus E-450 entry-level dSLR.
Olympus E-450 photos
Olympus follows up its E-420 compact dSLR with the similarly small and aggressively priced E-450. At launch, at least, Olympus plans to offer the camera solely as a 2-lens kit, with its f3.5-5.6 14-42mm and f4.0-5.6 40-150mm lenses (for 35mm-equivalent focal range coverage of 28 to ... |
| | 4/07/2009 5:03 PM (232d 9h 23m ago) |
| Ritz Camera store liquidations start Saturday |
| | In case some of you missed this Thursday, Ritz Camera--and by association Wolf and Kits Camera among others--is shutting down more than 300 stores around the U.S. as part of a court-supervised bankruptcy reorganization. This of course means stock liquidation sales, which will begin Saturday, April 4.
As ... |
| | 4/07/2009 5:00 PM (232d 9h 26m ago) |
| Electronics innovation on track, despite the recession? |
| | The Wall Street Journal is out this morning with an analysis showing that, as major U.S. companies are cutting jobs and wages, many (including many consumer electronics companies) are still spending on innovation. Big U.S. companies spent nearly as much on research and development in the dismal last quarter of 2008 as they did a year earlier, even as their revenue fell 7.7%, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis. (Registration and a subscription is required to read the Wall Street Journal article online.) The sampling looked at 28 of the largest U.S. R&D spenders, excluding deeply troubled auto makers and the drug industry, where R&D spending is dictated by government requirements. The takeaway: On the one hand, the study suggests the flow of innovative new electronics products may not diminished by the recession as much as feared back in January, when electronics editor Paul Reynolds posted that "it's hard to imagine that the many job cuts announced by electronics sector, and the rumors of more to come from the likes of Sony, won't in some way affect development of new products." The WSJ analysis, which begins on page one of today's paper and turns to a full inside page, points out that many companies have “learned from past downturns that they must invest through tough times if they hope to compete when the economy improves.” It includes a cautionary comparison from the last major recession, when Apple boosted R&D spending even as their sales dropped while Motorola cut theirs by 13 per cent. The result: Apple launched the first iPods in the midst of the recession, and later saw its sales soar, while Motorola lost ground in developing sequel products to its hit RAZR cellphone, eventually losing ground. However, the piece also cautions that "the robust R&D spending may be temporary," and may in part reflect how long it can take to cut corporate budgets, including those for innovation. Also, the WSJ notes that some R&D is being retooled to deliver safer, short-term... |
| | 4/06/2009 4:03 PM (233d 10h 23m ago) |
| Panasonic DMC-GH1 Micro Four Thirds shooter with 1080p video landing April 24th |
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While we patiently wait for the Micro Four Thirds format DMC-GH1 with 1080p video to pop for purchase, we have to feed on whatever retail crumbs we can grub off Panasonic. As usual, our Japanese camera overlords will have first dibs on this ¥150,000 (less than $1,500 when it arrives Stateside) bundle that includes a 14-140mm lens starting April 24th. Think about it; we've gone from zero to four HD-capable video DSLRs in six months. Ok, ok, three-plus actually, since Micro Four Thirds cams are technically not DSLRs due to the lack of an internal mirror and prism -- just humor us with with GH1's interchangeable lens mount, DSLR-sized sensor, and bevy of manual controls ok? Geesh.[Via PC World],Filed under: Digital CamerasPanasonic DMC-GH1 Micro Four Thirds shooter with 1080p video landing April 24th originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 06:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 3/27/2009 3:54 PM (243d 10h 31m ago) |
| PMA 2009's photo finish |
| | (Credit: Matthew Fitzgerald/CNET)
For what it's worth, the consensus about the 2009 Photo Marketing Association show seems to be that it wasn't as bad as everyone expected. The mood was low-key, many of the booths were half empty, and several manufacturers were notably absent--like Adobe and Epson--while others only had meeting rooms.
Nonetheless, several announcements managed to generate some buzz, and most of the manufacturers I spoke with agreed that their business-to-business business at the show was quite productive. Despite the economy, tons of new products debuted, partly because planning takes place 6 to 12 months out. So it's likely that the first real signs of contraction will appear with the fall product lines. And, in fact, at least one manufacturer has already changed its dSLR release plans in preparation for tough times.
A random walk through PMA
The biggest hits of the show seemed to be Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-HX1, a CMOS-based megazoom with a novel shooting mode that creates panoramas on the fly as you pan across the scene, and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1, a video-capture enabled version of its interchangeable-lens G1. What has everyone excited about the camera is how much control you have over depth of field when... |
| | 3/10/2009 9:42 PM (260d 4h 43m ago) |
| Eye-Fi releases two SD cards, iPhone app |
| | Eye-Fi, maker of memory cards that can automatically upload photos and video to the Web, announced Tuesday its two new video-uploading SD memory cards called Eye-Fi Share Video and Eye-Fi Explore Video.
(Credit: Eye-Fi)
These two 4GB cards are capable of uploading photos and video clips to more than 20 ... |
| | 3/04/2009 5:38 PM (266d 8h 48m ago) |
| Eye-Fi's Wi-Fi no longer video shy |
| | (Credit: Eye-Fi)
Eye-Fi's now ready to unleash its next generation of Wi-Fi SD cards on the point-and-shooting public. The Eye-Fi Share Video and Eye-Fi Explore Video cards, first announced at CES, extend the capabilities of their predecessors to support uploading video directly to YouTube and Flickr via Wi-Fi.
While ... |
| | 3/03/2009 5:07 PM (267d 9h 18m ago) |
| High-end ideas reshape compact-camera market |
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Compact-camera manufacturers have begun testing the waters with a wealth of high-end features as they search for new ways to gain revenue, market share, and recognition.
In earlier digital photography days, a camera with an extra megapixel of resolution, face recognition, or image stabilization could stand apart from the herd. But now that herd has grown larger, most folks who'll buy a digital camera already have done so, the economy has put consumer spending on ice--and camera makers are making some bolder bets with high-end features.
Among them: Nikon's built-in GPS support to record where a photo was taken, Casio's high-speed video, and the Micro Four Thirds camera system from Panasonic and Olympus.
Photos: Compact cameras race ahead of the pack
View the full gallery
Premium features aren't an easy sell. They tend to appeal to market niches rather than the mainstream. Early implementations are often rough around the edges. And it's hard enough to convince people to buy a new camera, much less one with the higher price of premium features.
But winning those customers can have a good payoff with better profit margins. And that's critical in this day and age. Market research firm IDC expects that after years of growth, the shipments of digital cameras will decline in 2009.
"It's crowded, and it's getting crowdeder," IDC analyst Ron Glaz said of the digital camera market. "We're anticipating that with the slowdown in economy and disposable income, we'll start seeing consolidation of the vendors." In other words, even though something in the neighborhood... |
| | 2/13/2009 4:30 PM (285d 9h 56m ago) |
| Better JPEG standard due in 2009 |
| | digg_url = 'http://digg.com/tech_news/Better_JPEG_standard_due_in_2009';
JPEG XR, an image format created by Microsoft that promises a number of advantages over JPEG, has cleared a key standardization hurdle.
The Joint Photographic Experts Group, which standardized the original and still ubiquitous JPEG format, sent JPEG XR to the "final phases of ... Originally posted at Underexposed |
| | 2/10/2009 5:35 PM (288d 8h 51m ago) |
| Digital photography's missing manual |
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New York Times tech columnist and camera critic David Pogue attempts to take the mystery out of digital photography in O'Reilly Media's new release, David Pogue's Digital Photography: The Missing Manual.
In fairly concise, jargon-free terms, Pogue works to explain shooting, editing, and organizing pictures, and distributing ... |
| | 1/30/2009 4:39 PM (299d 9h 47m ago) |
| CES 2009: Digital imaging wrap-up |
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Most interesting camcorders of CES 2009
All things considered, this year's CES had a surprising amount of innovative--or at least interesting--tech for cameras and camcorders, beyond the usual bigger/faster/cheaper we've come to expect from the show.
Though each manufacturer took a different approach to pumping up its HD camcorder lines, they all ... Originally posted at CES 2009 |
| | 1/13/2009 4:53 PM (316d 9h 33m ago) |
| Red cameras encroach on Canon, Hasselblad turf |
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The Red cameras come with a lot of not-so-cheap accessories.(Credit: Red Digital Cinema Camera)
Red Digital Cinema Camera, a new maker of high-end digital movie cameras, is expanding its turf closer to traditional camera makers such as Canon and Hasselblad.
On Thursday, Red announced a new range of modular camera designs that it plans to deliver mostly over the coming year and a half that can take not just high-resolution video but also still images. The move comes just as Canon and Nikon have begun adding video support to their SLR (single-lens reflex) cameras.
Red hopes to ship a large-format camera sensor in 2010.(Credit: Red Digital Cinema Camera)
Various new models from Red will be able to accept lenses from Canon, Nikon, and Mamiya, a move that could make them a more serious possibility for professional photographers, but the prices--thousands of dollars to tens of thousands--restrict this equipment to a very small market.
Certainly Red's new cameras will never be as widely used as video-enabled SLRs costing less than $3,000. But Red, if it can deliver on its promised road map, holds the potential now of shaking up professional markets. Its original Red One video camera did, winning high-profile accolades from Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson among others for its ability to outdo film.
What's unclear is how well cinematographers used to video will take to still imagery and photographers will take to video, but the two realms are certainly growing ever closer in the consumer market.
High-end sensors
The models come with a variety of high-end sensors: a 24-megapixel chip the size of the 36x24mm full-frame sensors in the top-end cameras from Nikon and Canon; a 65-megapixel 56x42mm sensor competitive with those in medium-format digital cameras; and one large "617" format sensor that measures a whopping 186x56mm and whose 28,000x9,334 pixel resolution comes to 261 megapixels.
Red divides these new camera models into two lines, the more compact Scarlet... |
| | 11/19/2008 5:12 PM (371d 9h 14m ago) |
| Eye-Fi celebrates one year with 4GB camera card |
| | Eye-Fi, the maker of camera storage cards that can also beam photos directly to a computer or Web site via Wi-Fi, on Wednesday celebrated its first anniversary with a new special-edition product.
(Credit: Eye-Fi)
It's called the Eye-Fi Anniversary Edition, and it offers 4GB of storage space for $129. ... |
| | 11/13/2008 9:04 PM (377d 5h 21m ago) |
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| Nikon's D5000 gets reviewed in staggering detail |
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Just in case our comparatively brief overview of the D5000 wasn't enough to sway you either way, why not have a gander at DPReview's astonishing 33 page critique of Nikon's first-ever DSLR with an articulating display? Within, you'll find oodles of sample shots, comparison to rival cameras and enough analysis to make you feel like a bona fide expert upon leaving. If you're looking for the long and short of it, however, you'll find a conclusion that essentially matches up word-for-word with our own summary: the articulating display is a bit of a personal preference, but every other aspect is rock solid. If you're not down with ponying up for the marginally more expensive D90 and you can't bear the thought of buying Canon glass, there's hardly a better option on the market right now. Dig in below if you still need more proof.Filed under: Digital CamerasNikon's D5000 gets reviewed in staggering detail originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 10:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 6/12/2009 3:32 PM (166d 10h 54m ago) |
| Budget shopping tips: Digital SLRs |
| | Older models are frequently good enough. Just make sure you're not paying last year's list price.
There are a lot of good reasons to pay the extra bucks for a digital SLR over a point- and-shoot, including better photo quality (especially in low light), faster shooting, ... |
| | 6/11/2009 4:13 PM (167d 10h 13m ago) |
| Eye-Fi Pro wireless SD card hands-on |
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We're all pretty spoiled in these digital days; not that long ago taking a look at a vacation's worth of photos required a trip to the store, a couple of hours (or days) wait, and then the better part of an afternoon getting fingerprints all over a stack of poorly composed shots that you daren't throw out because you just paid good money to have them printed. Now you pop a memory card into your computer, wait a few seconds for them to fly into an appropriately labeled folder, and then... probably forget you took them. It's so much easier it's hard to fathom the process getting even more simple, but that's what Eye-Fi has done with its line of wireless flash memory cards, which beam pictures directly from your camera. The company has just announced the $149, 4GB Eye-Fi Pro to make the process even more direct, letting you send pictures straight to a computer while also adding some additional features that pros and semi-pros will appreciate. We put it through its paces after the break.Continue reading Eye-Fi Pro wireless SD card hands-onFiled under: Digital Cameras, StorageEye-Fi Pro wireless SD card hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 6/11/2009 4:05 PM (167d 10h 21m ago) |
| Fujifilm FinePix S1500 gets reviewed |
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Fujifilm's FineFix S1500 got a little lost among the company's slew of other cameras unveiled back at PMA and CeBIT, but the camera's now finally moving out on its own, and the folks at Photography Blog have seen fit to give a thorough review. In case you missed it, this one's a 10-megapixel bridge camera, and packs quite a few impressive features for its $200 street price, including a 12x optical zoom, image stabilization, a decent 2.7-inch LCD, and a full range of manual controls in addition to the usual point-and-shoot options. According to Photography Blog, however, while the S1500 "feels like a lot of camera for the money," it falls a bit short when it comes to image quality, and things seem to get particularly tricky if you're shooting in less than ideal conditions. That said, is is just $200, and should still be a nice upgrade for anyone looking to move up from a basic point-and-shoot.
Filed under: Digital CamerasFujifilm FinePix S1500 gets reviewed originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Jun 2009 08:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 6/02/2009 5:26 PM (176d 9h ago) |
| Olympus E-450 compact DSLR gets reviewed: entry-level through and through |
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Momma always said you couldn't have your cake and eat it to, and we suppose it's just about time we stop resisting and just believed. Olympus' decidedly compact E-450 was recently reviewed over at PhotographyBLOG, and while image quality was satisfactory for a camera of its stature, it was indubitably missing a few key ingredients. Most notably, the inexplicable lack of image stabilization and the inability to handle video were lamented, and the rudimentary 3-point AutoFocus was called "frankly obsolete for a 2009 model." Indeed, critics pointed out that the E-620 would likely be a far superior choice for those who didn't mind the additional weight and cost, but even if the E-450 was at the top of your budget, we didn't really get the impression that it was a surefire winner. Check the read link for the full spill.Filed under: Digital CamerasOlympus E-450 compact DSLR gets reviewed: entry-level through and through originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 May 2009 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 5/29/2009 7:57 PM (180d 6h 29m ago) |
| Phase One takes lead in camera sensor test |
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Medium-format digital cameras, which have larger sensors and higher price tags than even high-end SLRs, didn't fare so well in earlier tests of sensor quality by measurement firm DxO Labs, but Phase One's newly tested top-end technology has risen to the top of the DxOMark Sensor test.
Phase One now rules the DxOMark Sensor roost.(Credit: DxO Labs)
Phase One's 60-megapixel P65+ camera scored 89.1 on the test, edging out the Nikon D3X, which scored 88, according to data released Thursday. In addition, the 51.7-megapixel Hasselblad H3DII 50, an older model than Phase One's, scored 78.2. Click here to compare the two models and Nikon's D3X.
The DxOMark sensor test measures a camera sensor's dynamic range, color depth, and low-light performance. DxO Labs cautions that differences of less than 5 points aren't really distinguishable, and of course many other factors including price, lens quality, autofocus, and resolution factor into overall camera quality.
The P65+ features the best color performance yet, but DxO Labs said its comparatively good performance in low-light conditions helped it carry the day.
... Originally posted at Underexposed |
| | 5/22/2009 8:36 PM (187d 5h 50m ago) |
| Olympus SP-590UZ (and its 26x zoomer) gets reviewed |
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We're beginning to think there really is no number too high for the megazoom focal length. Back in the day, just boasting a 10x zoomer was enough to fall into said category; today, you best top 20x if you even want into the discussion. Olympus' 26x SP-590UZ is definitely amongst the craziest out there, sporting a 12 megapixel sensor, 2.7-inch LCD and a launch price of just under $450. Reviewers over at PhotographyBLOG were duly impressed across the board, with a certain critic noting that "the ability to go from capturing wide-angle landscapes to distant details in a four second zoom of the lens cannot be underestimated, especially as there's little distortion to worry about at either end and excellent sharpness across its entire range." Not surprisingly, the cam notched a "Highly Recommended" badge along with 4.5 out of 5 overall stars -- that said, are you really willing to buy in knowing a 58.983x successor is just around the bend?Filed under: Digital CamerasOlympus SP-590UZ (and its 26x zoomer) gets reviewed originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Apr 2009 22:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 4/07/2009 4:55 PM (232d 9h 31m ago) |
| DP Review: Enthusiast Compact Camera Group Test |
| | Just posted! The fourth (and penultimate) installment of our compact camera roundup looks at the top-end cameras aimed at the experienced photographer. These enthusiast cameras offer a bit more flexibility than the cameras we've looked at so far, whether that's the inclusion of a large zoom range or a greater degree of manual control. Follow the link to find what we made of them. |
| | 12/23/2008 5:01 PM (337d 9h 25m ago) |
| Best digital cameras for kids |
| | If it's time to buy a digital camera for the child in your life, what type should you buy and how much should you spend? While you can find digital cameras for as little as $20 to $60, those are... |
| | 12/23/2008 4:57 PM (337d 9h 29m ago) |
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| A romp through the camera rumor mill |
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While none of these seem verifiable, there are simply too many rumors about new dSLRs and interchangeable-lens cameras floating around on the Web to ignore. So here, for your delectation, is a summary of all the bits that are fit to post.
The most frequent topic playing Ring Around the Web is for a Canon EOS 1D Mark IV. A host of sites have repeated a set of specs first posted at Northlight Images by a supposed tester of the aforementioned model. He specifies the following:
Same 1.3x multiplier (APS-H) as previous models.
16-megapixel sensor with 8-megapixel sRAW
ISO 50 to ISO 26,500
Same video and display as the 5D Mark II
Slight redesign of button layout and grips
Said tester reports good high ISO photo quality (as you'd expect), faster continuous shooting than the 1D Mark III, "Nikon fast AF", usable Live View AF, and an overall better feel.
Supposedly there'll be a late summer announcement and end-of-year ship. Start saving those pennies now. Use a really big jar.
... |
| | 6/22/2009 8:42 PM (156d 5h 44m ago) |
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| Holiday-card photo tips |
| | To take adorable digital holiday photos of your kids—ones that get rave reviews from family and friends—try these pro-photographer tactics. Keep outfits simple. With babies, less is more. “Newborns look best naked,” says Diana Berrent, a professional portrait photographer in... |
| | 12/03/2008 6:52 PM (357d 7h 34m ago) |
| Digital Photography 1 on 1: Episode 3 - How Does Light Impact Your Photos... |
| | Mark Wallace discusses the basic principles of how light impacts your digital photography. |
| | 4/30/2008 7:10 PM (574d 7h 15m ago) |
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