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{ Wednesday, November 18, 2009 }
Casio introduces everything-proof Exilim EX-G1 Casio today entered the "everything-proof" market with their introduction
of the Exilim EX-G1. This new G-series camera (yes, like the G-Shock watches
they've made for years) is waterproof, dustproof, and shockproof, so it should
be able to handle whatever life throws at you. Here's more:
Exilim EX-G1[specs to come]
12.1 Megapixel CCD
F3.9-5.4, 3X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 38 - 114 mm
Ultra-compact body is waterproof to 10 feet, dustproof, freezeproof (to
14F/-10C), and shockproof (from roughly 7 feet);
Body is actually two layers: outer body is stainless steel with a polycarbonate
cover, inner body is fiberglass-reinforced polycarbonate
Includes two detachable protectors to absorb shocks
LCD panel is 1.5X thicker than on traditional cameras and has a resin
mount to reduce shock
Available in black and red
2.5" LCD display with 230,400 pixels
Point-and-shoot operation; only manual controls are for white balance and
focus
Tons of Best Shot (scene) modes, including a a new interval shooting (time-lapse)
option
Dynamic Photo lets you "blue screen" your subject onto a different background
Records movies at 848 x 480 (30 fps) with sound
35.7MB onboard memory + microSD/microSDHC card slot (not thrilled about
that one)
Uses NP-80 lithium-ion battery; 300 shots per charge
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX1 finally reviewed I know it seems like a million years since I posted a review, and that's pretty close to accurate. Let's just say that getting back to work after 3 weeks of vacation has been harder than I thought! Anyhow, today I've posted my review of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX1. This ultra-compact camera uses Sony's new Exmor R CMOS sensor, which promises double the sensitivity of traditional CCDs. Does it live up to the hype? Check out the review to find out.
{ Tuesday, November 10, 2009 }
Ricoh announces unique GXR camera system Ricoh today introduced a totally new system camera, known as the GRX. The big
thing here is that you buy the camera body, and the lens and sensor module are
a separate unit. This isn't an entirely new concept -- it was first
done by Minolta
over a decade ago.
Initially there are two modules available: one with an APS-C CMOS sensor and
F2.5, 50 mm macro lens, and another with a 1/1.7" CCD
and a 3X, 24 - 72 mm zoom lens.
While an interesting concept, the skeptic in me thinks that it's a bit too much
of a niche product. Only time will tell, though! Now, on with the details!
Ricoh GRX[specs to come]
Compact magnesium body uses modules (Ricoh calls them units) that contain a
lens, sensor, and image processor
Main benefits (according to Ricoh): compact
size, no dust issues, image quality can be optimized by matching the
sensor with the lens
GR lens A12 unit features an F2.5, 33 mm macro lens (equivalent to 50 mm)
and a 12.3 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
Shutter speed range of 180 - 1/3200 sec, ISO range of 200 - 3200
Continuous shooting at 3 fps
Video recording at 1280 x 720 (24 fps) with sound
Ricoh lens S10 unit has an F2.5-4.4, 24 - 72 mm lens and a 10 Megapixel,
1/1.7" CCD sensor (compact camera size)
Sensor-shift
image stabilization
Shutter speed range of 180 - 1/2000 sec; ISO range of 100 - 3200
Continuous shooting at 1.6 fps
Video recording at 640 x 480 (30 fps) with sound
Optional wide and telephoto conversion lenses; a self-retaining lens
cap (see pictures on following page) is also available
3-inch LCD display with 920,000 pixels and scratch/anti-reflection coatings
Live view (your only option) uses contrast detect AF and has all the usual
bells and whistles
Optional electronic viewfinder can tilt up to 90 degrees and has 920,000
pixels
Full manual controls, RAW (DNG) image format supported
Electronic level
Built in-flash + hot shoe for external flash
Optional remote shutter release cable
HDMI output
86MB onboard memory + SD/SDHC slot
Uses DB-90 lithium-ion battery; 320 shots per charge with A12 unit, 410
shots with S10 unit
Pricing is as follows: body is $549, A12 unit is $830, S10 unit is $440,
electronic viewfinder is $257; not sure about ship dates
Olympus announces E-P2 interchangeable lens camera Olympus today introduced their E-P2 interchangeable lens camera. This camera is what I'd call an evolutionary update to the E-P1 (introduced less than six months ago), which adds a detachable electronic viewfinder (which uses a new accessory port), subject tracking AF, two new art filters, full manual controls in movie mode, and a couple of other minor items.
For those of you hoping for a sharper LCD, faster autofocus, or a built-in flash... well, you'll be disappointed. Some may also balk at the price -- the E-P2 will sell for $1099, which is $300 more than the E-P1 (which is not being discontinued, I might add).
For more details on the E-P2, check out my preview of the camera. If you want the short version, just check out these highlights:
Micro Four Thirds lens mount, with a 2X crop factor
Can use "classic" Four Thirds lenses with optional adapter; adapters for really classic OM lenses also available
Sensor-shift image stabilization
Same compact design as the E-P1, now in a new glossy black color
3-inch LCD display with 230,000 pixels
Live view with contrast detect AF, face detection, subject tracking (new), Perfect Shot Preview, a live histogram, and more
Bundle includes a new articulating electronic viewfinder which attaches to the hot shoe and plugs into a new accessory port on the back of the camera (just like on the Panasonic GF1); EVF has 1.44 million pixels, a magnification of 1.15X, and 100% coverage
Dust reduction system
Full manual controls, plus an "intelligent" auto mode for beginners
No built-in flash, so you'll need to mount something on the hot shoe for that
Two-axis electronic level
11-point autofocus system
Two new art filters: diorama (miniature) and cross process, plus a new iEnhance Picture Mode
HD movie mode with full manual controls, continuous AF with subject tracking, and stereo sound
New external microphone adapter lets you record better sound with your movies; adapter attaches to the hot shoe and uses the new accessory port; price not available
HDMI port; camera can be controlled from your remote control if you're connected via HDMI and your TV supports the CEC protocol
Uses BLS-1 lithium-ion battery; 300 shots per charge
Olympus also dropped some hints about what Micro Four Thirds lenses they're working on for the first half of 2010. They include an F4.0-5.6, 9 - 18 mm wide-angle, as well as an F4.0-5.6, 14 - 150 mm zoom. Pricing is not available at this time.
Still alive I made it back safe and sound from Asia and am currently working on a preview of something new. After that I'll be getting to the cameras that you wanted to see reviewed the most.
Oh, and I made a few updates to my Panasonic GF1 review based on my experiences with the camera on my vacation.
{ Wednesday, October 21, 2009 }
Canon introduces EOS-1D Mark IV professional D-SLR Canon has introduced the new EOS-1D Mark IV professional digital SLR. The
Mk IV doesn't just take photos -- it takes HD videos too, at a variety of resolutions
and frame rates. Here are the highlights:
EOS-1D Mark IV
16.1 Megapixel APS-H CMOS sensor
Supports all Canon EF-mount lenses with a 1.3X crop factor
Sealed, weather resistant magnesium alloy body ; shutter rated to 300,000
cycles
Dual DIGIC 4 image processors with 14-bit A/D conversion
3-inch LCD display with 920,000 pixels and live view support (with both
contrast detect and phase difference AF)
Optical viewfinder has 0.76X magnification and 100% coverage
New 45-point AF system, with 39 cross-type focus points; new AI Servo II
AF mode improves focusing performance when your subject is moving
Continuous shooting at up to 10 frames/second (28 RAW, 121 JPEGs when using
a UDMA-enabled CF card)
Full manual controls (obviously)
Shutter speed range of 30 - 1/8000 sec, plus bulb mode
Standard ISO range of 100 - 12,800, expandable to 50 - 102,400 (!)
Three RAW sizes to choose from
Hot shoe and flash sync port for using an external flash; X-sync speed
is 1/300 sec
Auto Lighting Optimizer improves contrast, Peripheral Illumination Correction
reduces vignetting, Highlight Tone Priority protects highlight detail
Records Full HD video (1920 x 1080) at 24p, 25p, or 30p
Can also record
720p or VGA movies at 50p or 60p
Full manual control available
Records monaural sound, with support for an optional external mic
Dust reduction system
Dual memory card slots: CompactFlash Type I/II and SD/SDHC
HDMI output
New Wireless File Transmitter (price TBA) supports numerous Wi-Fi protocols,
Ethernet, and can be connected to a GPS; User can control up to ten other
cameras,
access the camera remotely, and more
Uses LP-E4 lithium-ion battery; 1500 shots per charge using viewfinder
Nikon announces D3S digital SLR Nikon has announced their new D3S digital SLR, which is an update to the popular D3. While
the D3S uses a newer FX-format CMOS sensor than its predecessor, the 12.1 Megapixel
resolution remains the same (interesting, huh?). This new sensor allows you
to increase the ISO as high as an incredible ISO 102,400 -- and the results
are usable, believe it or not (I've seen them myself). The D3S also adds HD
movie recording, just like on Nikon's other D-SLRs. Here's more:
Nikon D3S
New 12.1 Megapixel, FX-format (full-frame) CMOS sensor
Supports all Nikkor F-mount lenses with no focal length conversion ratio
to deal with; if you're using a DX-format lens, the resolution will drop
to 5MP and there will be a 1.5X crop factor
Very rugged, weather-sealed magnesium-alloy body; shutter rated to 300,000
cycles
3-inch LCD display with 921,000 pixels
Live view (now activated by one button) with two AF modes and frame
enlargement in manual focus mode
Optical viewfinder has 100% coverage (97% with DX-format lenses) and 0.70X
magnification
Same 51-point autofocus system as the D3
Full manual controls (obviously)
ISO range of 200 - 12,800, expandable to an incredible 100 - 102,400
Shutter speed range of 30 - 1/8000 sec, plus a bulb mode
Six different RAW options to choose from: 12 or 14 bit, lossless
compressed, compressed, or uncompressed
User can bracket for exposure, white balance, and Active D-Lighting
Can take up to 36 RAW or 82 JPEGs at a whopping 9 frames/second with FX
lenses and 11 fps with DX lenses
New 1.2X crop mode gives you a small telephoto boost with a modest decrease
in resolution (drops to 8.4MP)
Dust reduction system (which the D3 did not have)
Hot shoe + flash sync port
Same virtual horizon feature as D3
Records HD movies at 1280 x 720 (24 fps) with monaural sound
5 minute recording limit
New algorithm "severely reduces the phenomenon of rolling shutter while panning"
Stereo microphone input allows for better sound quality
High sensitivity movie mode allows video recording in near-darkness
Dual CompactFlash card slots with overflow, backup, and file format separation
options
HDMI output
Compatible with Nikon GP-1 GPS unit and WT-4A wireless transmitter
Uses EN-EL4a li-ion battery; 4200 shots per charge (!)
