Casio Exilim EX-FH20 reviewed I've finally posted my review of the Casio Exilim EX-FH20, a super zoom camera which can shoot at up to 40 frames/second. How do the images look? You'll have to read the review to find out!
{ Tuesday, February 24, 2009 }
Olympus announces E-620 digital SLR -- preview available Olympus has rolled out a new digital SLR, and one I think it's the camera a lot of FourThirds fans have been waiting for. The new E-620 takes the "guts" of the recently released E-30 and puts them into a body not much larger than the E-420. In other words, now you get an E-420 with image stabilization, a rotating LCD, more focus points, and yes, art filters.
For all the details, check out our preview of the E-620. For a quick rundown of its features, look below:
Samsung introduces TL320 with AMOLED display Samsung today introduced a pair of digital cameras, bringing their total of new
models in 2009 to ten. The most interesting of the two cameras, the TL320, is
only the second digital camera ever to use an OLED display -- the first being
the Kodak EasyShare LS663 from way back in 2003. Here's what else the TL320
has to offer:
Samsung TL320
12.2 Megapixel CCD
F2.8-7.3 (!), 5X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 24 - 120 mm
Optical image stabilization
High resolution 3-inch AMOLED display, with 460,000 pixels
Benefits over a traditional TFT LCD include much better viewing
angle, improved contrast, and reduced power usage
Ultra-thin stainless steel body sports two analog gauges on the top, for
battery life and memory card capacity (the TL9 had this too)
Full manual controls, including the ability to set white balance by color
temperature
Smart Auto mode picks one of eleven scene modes for you
Face, smile, and blink detection
Can record videos at 1280 x 720 (720p) using H.264 codec; optical zoom
can be used while you're recording
Smart Album feature lets you locate photos by date, color tone, whether
they're a portrait, and by file type
Ricoh announces CMOS-based CX1 Ricoh has announced a new CMOS-based digital camera, the CX1. This camera
has a lot in common with the Ricoh R10, but the new sensor and image processor allow
for increased dynamic range, greater image quality, and faster continuous shooting
(according to Ricoh). Here's more:
9.3 effective Megapixel CMOS sensor (I think it's the same one that's used
in the recent Casio high speed cameras)
Sensor and new Smooth Imaging Engine IV processor promise 1EV
of additional dynamic range
F3.3-5.2, 7.1X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 28 - 200 mm
Sensor-shift image stabilization
Super high resolution 3-inch LCD display
has 920,000 pixels
Compact body comes in silver, black, and pink
Point-and-shoot operation
Dynamic range double shot mode combines two photos into one, for even better
dynamic range (12EV total)
Can shoot as fast as 4 frames/second at full resolution; can go even faster
at (much) lower resolutions
Multi-target AF functions finds seven focus points and takes photos at
each of them; resulting images go into some kind of new multi-picture
format, though.
Multi-pattern white balance promises more accurate color in mixed lighting
Records movies at 640 x 480 (30 fps) with sound, which is disappointing
these days
Uses DB-70 lithium-ion battery; 270 shots per charge
HD movie mode search now available in camera database I've added a new checkbox to the Reviews & Info page that let's you find
cameras that have an HD movie mode (720p or better). Seeing how this feature
is pretty sought after these days, I think you'll like this addition.
{ Tuesday, February 17, 2009 }
Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Canon has finally brought the PowerShot SX1 IS to US shores. This camera,
introduced in Europe last year shares the same design and lens as the PowerShot
SX10, but the similarities end there. The SX1 features a 10 Megapixel CMOS
sensor, Full HD (1080p) video recording, a rotating widescreen LCD display,
and an HDMI port. It's not cheap, but for those who want what sounds like the
ultimate hybrid camera, it may be worth the dough. Here's the full story:
Canon PowerShot SX200 IS Next up is the PowerShot SX200 IS, which seems to be Canon's answer to the
Panasonic Lumix
DMC-ZS3. Here
are the details on this compact ultra zoom camera:
Canon PowerShot D10 And now for something completely different. The PowerShot D10 is Canon's
first everything-proof camera -- water, shock, and freeze proof, to be exact.
It seems like everyone
is introducing one of these in 2009! In my humble opinion, the D30 is
the most,
umm, homely looking camera in this category. Here are its specs:
Canon PowerShot SD960 / SD970 IS Digital ELPHs Let's move onto Digital ELPHs now, of which there are four. Keep in mind
that all of these have totally different model names in Europe and elsewhere,
which makes things even more confusing than they already are. I'll start
with the high end SD960 and SD970:
F2.8-5.8, 4X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 28 - 112 mm
Optical image stabilization
Compact and stylish body comes in blue, silver, pink, and gold
2.8" widescreen LCD display with 230,000 pixels
DIGIC 4 processor
Point-and-shoot operation, with same Smart Auto and face/blink detection
features as described above
New Active Display technology lets you move through photos in playback mode
by gently shaking the camera; you can advance through images by tilting the
camera: the more tilt, the faster it goes
Records movies at 1280 x 720 (30 fps) for up to 20 mins
SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus slot (no card included)
F3.2-5.8, 5X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 37 - 185 mm
High resolution (non-widescreen) 3-inch LCD with 461,000 pixels
"Zoom Blur" feature zooms in while taking a picture for a "great
effect"; Creative Light Effect feature turns bright light sources
into stars, hearts, etc.
Uses NB-5L li-ion battery; 270 shots per charge
Only comes in one color; no underwater case available
Canon PowerShot A1100 / A2100 IS We're just about done with Canons, with the final three models falling into
the entry-level A-series. Up first are the PowerShot A1100 and A2100, which replace
the A1000 and A2000, respectively.
Canon PowerShot A480 Last up is the PowerShot A480, Canon's "basic" camera. It was introduced in
Europe last month, so you may already be familiar with it.
Having trouble finding the Panasonic LX3? One of the most popular cameras of the last few months has been the Panasonic
Lumix DMC-LX3. Recently, myself and several other people noticed that online
resellers have been showing the model as backordered, and even discontinued.
A few stores are selling it for nearly
$700!
That seemed like a pretty short
lifespan for a popular camera, so I checked with Panasonic and got an official
response:
Due to high consumer demand, Panasonic is currently out of stock of the LUMIX
DMC-LX3 digital camera model. The LUMIX DMC-LX3 models are expected to arrive
in March 2009.
So it sounds like you'll just need to hold out a little bit longer to get
one. I did notice that B&H
Photo-Video, one of our sponsors, has the silver
model in stock for $430.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20 The final group of camera announcements (for now, at least) come from Sony.
Let's start things out with an inexpensive ultra zoom model:
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T90 / DSC-T900 How about ultra thin instead of ultra zoom? Both of these new T-series cameras
sport touchscreen LCDs and HD movie modes, with the flagship T900 offering
an HDMI port via a bundled camera cradle. Here's more:
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 / DSC-W290 Next are two new models in the compact-but-not-tiny W-series. Another W-series
model, the DSC-W220, was introduced back at CES.
Samsung SL620 / SL820 Samsung today introduced four new models in their SL-series of cameras. I'll
split them into two parts, beginning with the SL620 and SL820:
Samsung SL620
12.2 Megapixel CCD
F3.5-5.5, 5X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 35 - 175 mm
Optical image stabilization
3-inch LCD display
Compact body comes in silver and black
Point-and-shoot operation; Smart Auto mode will pick one of eleven scene
modes for you
Face/smile/blink detection
Smart Album feature lets user search through photos by date, color tone,
portraits, file type, and more
Records movies at 640 x 480 (30 fps) using the MPEG-4 codec
Ships in March for $200
Samsung SL820 - changes:
F3.4-5.8, 5X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 28 - 140 mm
Records video at 720p (1280 x 720) using H.264 codec
Samsung SL30 / SL202 The other two SL-series models are a little cheaper, and pack a standard 3X
zoom lens. Here's what little information I have about these two models at
this time:
Samsung SL30
10.2 Megapixel CCD
3X optical zoom lens
2.5" LCD display
Compact body comes in silver and black
Point-and-shoot operation, plus face detection
VGA movie mode (30 fps) with sound
Uses AA batteries
Ships in March for $100
Samsung SL202 - changes:
2.7" LCD display
Smart Auto and Smart Album features described earlier
Fuji FinePix S1500 Two weeks after announcing the FinePix F200exr and A150,
Fuji has released five more cameras for your enjoyment.
The first camera I want to mention is an inexpensive ultra zoom camera, the
FinePix S1500:
F2.8-5.0, 12X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 33 - 396 mm
Sensor-shift image stabilization
2.7" LCD display with 230,000 pixels + electronic viewfinder
Full manual controls
Automatic Scene Recognition (every camera this year seems to have this)
Face detection + auto redeye removal
"Instant Zoom" feature lets you select a subject in the frame to follow, and
right before the photo is taken, the camera zooms in so the subject fills
the frame
Fuji FinePix Z30 Next up is a new ultra-compact model, the FinePix Z30, which Fuji is targeting
toward the "younger, tech-savvy, fashion-conscious consumer". I guess
that leaves me out!
Fuji FinePix Z33WP Need something a little more rugged? Then you might be interested in the
FinePix Z33WP -- Fuji's first entry into the waterproof camera arena. Here
are its specs:
Olympus E-30 review posted Just in time for the holiday weekend, I've posted my review of the Olympus E-30. Click the link to find out what this midrange digital SLR has to offer!
Firmware update roundup There have been several firmware updates released over the last week or so, so
here's a quick catch-up news item:
Canon
PowerShot G10 - fixed problem with magenta cast in images taken at
ISO 1600 in continuous shooting mode (talk about a rare bug!)
Olympus
FE-370 - improves sound quality of movies edited on the camera
Panasonic
Lumix DMC-G1 - improved auto white balance and color reproduction;
flash works better in low temperatures
{ Monday, February 9, 2009 }
Nikon announces F1.8, 35 mm AF-S DX lens Nikon has introduced a new F1.8, 35 mm AF-S DX lens. This is the fastest DX-format
lens on the market, and it's also the widest AF-S prime you can buy (I'm talking
to you, D40 and D60 owners). This lens ships next month for $200. More details
and a photo after the link.
Fuji introduces FinePix F200EXR with new SuperCCD EXR sensor Fujifilm has announced their first camera to use the SuperCCD EXR sensor,
which was announced last
September. This new sensor aims to combine the high resolution of the SuperCCD
HR with the high sensitivity of the SuperCCD SR. The new camera looks a lot
like the FinePix F100fd, with the biggest changes being the new sensor and
a larger LCD. We'll see how it performs when I get my hands on one! For now,
the specs:
Fuji FinePix A150 Fuji introduced a second camera, though it's not nearly as innovative. The
FinePix A150 revives the A-series that Fuji got rid of about a year ago. The
big selling point for that series has always been its use of AA batteries,
and I guess consumers weren't too happy when last year's models went the proprietary
route. Something else I noticed: this camera doesn't support xD cards! Hmmm...
Nikon Coolpix P90 Nikon has unleashed eight new compact cameras on the world today. The first
one that I want to mention is the Coolpix P90, which packs a whopping
24X zoom lens (up from 18X on the Coolpix P80). Here are the details on this
mega zoom camera:
New Smart Portrait feature combines fancy face detection (in which your
subject doesn't have to be looking right at the camera), smile and blink
detection, and redeye fix
Can shoot at 15 frames/second (up to 45 shots) at 2 Megapixel resolution
in Sport Continuous mode
Nikon Coolpix S220 / S230 The other new S-series models are a whole lot thinner. One of them, the Coolpix
S230, features a large touchscreen LCD. Here's more:
Canon EOS-50D reviewed Here's another one from the better late than never file: my review of the Canon EOS-50D. As you know, this camera is an update to the popular EOS-40D -- hit the link to find out if it's worth the upgrade. Sorry for the delay on this one!
Four February galleries It's been a while since I posted new photo galleries, so here are four of them for you:
