Pentax K100D reviewed I have posted my review of the Pentax K100D digital SLR. If you want an entry-level D-SLR that gives you image stabilization on every lens you use, then this may be the camera for you.
{ Monday, August 28, 2006 }
Nikon D80, Pentax K100D galleries updated Not thrilled with their mediocre kit lenses, I grabbed my Nikon D80 and Pentax K100D and some prime lenses and ventured out into the fog. I added a few new photos to each gallery: D80, K100D. I think you'll see an improvement in sharpness!
Tuesday update: I added a few more photos to each of the above galleries.
{ Friday, August 25, 2006 }
Fuji FinePix S9100 This camera totally slipped under the radar, and it's the fault of my spam filters -- sorry! The Fuji FinePix S9100 updates their popular S9000 model with a few new features. Here are the specs on the S9100 (called the S9600 in some countries):
Nikon Coolpix S10 I told you it was going to be a crazy day today. Nikon has their own batch of new cameras, and I've decided that the new Coolpix S10 is the most interesting. It's the latest evolution of Nikon's classic rotating lens body, this time adding vibration reduction to keep things steady at the telephoto end of that 10X zoom lens. Here are the specs:
Nikon Coolpix S7c/S9 Next up we have two compact models, both of which are in the S-series (like the S10 above). Nikon is calling one of these cameras, the S7c, their most advanced compact camera ever. Based on the specs, it sure sounds like it. Here are the details for the Coolpix S7c and S9 -- I have no idea what happened to the S8.
F2.8-5.0, 3X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 35 - 105 mm
Slim, wave-shaped black metal body
Huge 3.0" LCD display with 170 degree viewing angle
Built in 802.11b/g Wi-Fi; like the Coolpix S6 before it, users can wirelessly transfer photos to their Mac or PC
New Coolpix Connect service lets you e-mail photos wirelessly using any open Wi-Fi hotspot; camera includes one year of T-Mobile Hotspot access, which works seamlessly with the S7c
Point-and-shoot operation; high sensitivity mode can boost ISO to 1600
Same Nikon goodies as the Coolpix S10
New stop-motion animation feature
Can record movies at 640 x 480 (30 fps) with sound
14MB onboard memory + SD card slot
Uses proprietary li-ion battery; 200 shots per charge
Nikon Coolpix L5 Moving on now to Nikon's "life" camera series. The Coolpix L5 packs a bigger-than-average lens and vibration reduction into a small package. It'll be interesting to see how this camera compares to the Canon PowerShot A710 which was also announced today!
Nikon Coolpix L6 Last, but not least, we have the Coolpix L6. If you want a camera with amazing battery life (albeit with disposable batteries) then this one's might be worth checking out:
Canon Digital Rebel XTi / EOS-400D Canon today took the wraps off their new entry-level digital SLR, the Digital Rebel XTi (North America) / EOS-400D (elsewhere). Unfortunately I don't have many details yet, since Canon apparently doesn't trust websites like this one enough to provide specs, press releases, or product photos in advance. Ironically, it was Canon themselves that leaked the information (again!) that you may have seen floating around the web in the last few days.
New dust reduction system: 1) ultrasonic waves blast dust off the low pass sensor; 2) low pass filter split into two parts to keep the dust further from the sensor; 3) front of low pass filter now has anti-static charge
Users can also create a "dust map" (Canon calls it Dust Delete Data) for dust that just won't go away; this information is saved in metadata, and the bundled Digital Photography Professional 2.2 software can remove it from your photos
2.5" LCD display (with 230k pixels)
LCD info display has gone away; shooting info now shown on LCD; when you put your eye to the viewfinder, the screen goes dark automatically
Now has 9-point autofocus versus 7-point on the Rebel XT
Improved burst mode compared to Rebel XT: now takes up to 10 RAW or 27 JPEG images (still at 3 fps)
Inherits the Picture Styles menu and RGB histogram from the EOS-5D and EOS-30D
Same body design (and colors) as Rebel XT -- very hard to tell them apart; compatible with all Rebel XT accessories, including the battery grip
Still uses DIGIC II processor and CompactFlash
USB 2.0 High Speed supported
Ships mid-September for $799 body only or $899 with the same 18-55 EF-S lens that comes with the Rebel XT
The Rebel XT will be around for the rest of the year. Its price will drop to $699 body only or $799 with the kit lens.
Two new and expensive Canon lenses Canon also released two new lenses along with the Rebel XTi. First up we have an F1.2L, 50 mm USM lens which is one of the fastest lenses you can buy. It will ship in November for a whopping $1600. Slightly cheaper is the F4.0L, 70 - 200 mm IS USM lens, which as you may have guessed has image stabilization. This lens will also be out in November for $1250.
Canon PowerShot A710 IS In addition to the new D-SLR Canon also updated their PowerShot A-series lineup. The new top-end model is the PowerShot A710 IS, which as its name implies, offers image stabilization.
Samsung NV3 reviewed I have finally posted my review of the Samsung NV3. More than just another ultra-compact camera, the cool-looking NV3 also plays movies and MP3 files. Check out the review to see how it performed!
Nikon D80 sample photos posted I've posted the first set of sample photos from my production quality Nikon D80. Enjoy!
Olympus SP-510 Ultra Zoom Olympus today unleashed an onslaught of new cameras, nearly all of which are compact point-and-shoot models. The most interesting one of the bunch isn't like the others -- it's an ultra zoom. The new SP-510UZ didn't give me what I really wanted from an Olympus ultra zoom (optical image stabilization), but it still has some nice improvements over its predecessor. Here are its specs:
Olympus Stylus 1000 Well that was the only SP-series camera for today, so let's move on to the weatherproof Stylus lineup now. The first camera has a 10 Megapixel CCD -- and like I said the other day, there's plenty more of this to come in the weeks ahead (groan). Anyhow, here are the specs:
Olympus Stylus 740/750 While the next two Stylus cameras look very similar on the outside, inside they have some significant differences. Both cameras offer a 5X zoom lens in a compact, weather resistant body, with the Stylus 750 adding image stabilization!
Olympus FE-200 Let's move on to Olympus' budget line of cameras now. This first model, the FE-200, has a 5X zoom lens that starts at 28 mm, all for $250.
Olympus FE-170/FE-180 The final set of cameras in today's huge Olympus announcement are also in the FE-series. Here's what you'll find inside the new FE-170 and FE-180:
Two printer reviews at PrinterSpot Over on our PrinterSpot site we have two new reviews available. The newest one is an exclusive review of HP's impressive new Photosmart D7360. Before that we took a look at Epson's capable Stylus RX700 all-in-one printer.
{ Friday, August 11, 2006 }
Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 final review I've posted my final review of the Sony Alpha DSLR-A100. This is Sony's first foray into the digital SLR world -- find out how they did in our review!
{ Wednesday, August 9, 2006 }
Nikon announces the D80 digital SLR They've been dropping hints about it for the last week, and here it is: the Nikon D80. This is the long-awaited replacement to the best selling D70/D70s digital SLRs, and it sounds pretty impressive from the specs. I'm hoping to get my hands on one soon for a preview, with a final review to follow when production models become available. Until then, you'll just have to live with this in-depth preview at DP Review. And now, the specs:
Two new Nikon lenses announced Nikon also introduced two new lenses to go along with the D80. The first is the very sames 18 - 135 mm lens that comes in the D80 lens kit -- you'll be able to buy it separately for $485.
If it's telephoto power you're after then you may want to look at the new F4.5-5.6G, 70 - 300 mm Nikkor lens with Vibration Reduction (Nikon's word for image stabilization). This lens has Nikon's second generation of VR technology, and they're promising a four stop advantage over unstabilized lenses. The 70-300 will be available this October for $670.
Casio Exilim EX-S770 Casio yesterday introduced a trio of 7 Megapixel cameras. The most stylish (not to mention most expensive) of the bunch is the EX-S770:
Casio Exilim EX-Z850 review From the better late than never file, today I have a review of the Casio Exilim EX-Z850, an ultra-compact 8 Megapixel camera. This one has been delayed forever, and I apologize for that!
{ Wednesday, August 2, 2006 }
Sony DSLR-A100 gallery posted I've posted a bunch of photos from my production quality Sony Alpha DSLR-A100. In the gallery you'll find all of the usual suspects, plus a few fun shots.
Sony introduces Cyber-shot DSC-T10 Sony today introduced a new addition to their T-series of ultra-compact cameras. This one's a whole lot like the DSC-T30, with the major differences being LCD size and battery life. Here are the important details:
F3.5-4.3, 3X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 38 - 114 mm
Optical image stabilization
Ultra-thin metal body comes in four colors: silver, black, white, and (gasp) pink
2.5" LCD display (versus 3.0" on the T30)
Point-and-shoot operation
ISO can be set as high as 1000
56MB onboard memory + MS Duo slot
Uses proprietary li-ion battery; 250 shots per charge (versus 420 shots on the T30)
Optional underwater and sport cases
Ships this month for $400
In addition to the new camera, Sony also came out with a new GPS receiver that can be used with both their cameras and camcorders. The GPS-CS1 weighs just 2 ounces so it can go anywhere with you. As you take photos, the GPS stores the location in its memory. Once you get back to your PC the included software combines the GPS and image data so you can see where you took your photos. The GPS-CS1 will ship next month for $150.
