Coolpix S630 reviewed, plus an apology I have finally posted my review of the Nikon Coolpix S630, a compact camera with a big 7X zoom lens.
I really apologize for the slow pace of reviews lately. I've been spending a lot of time working on the new back-end for the reviews portion of the site, and its turned out to a lot more difficult to implement than we expected. I know that I have a huge backlog of cameras to review, and I ask for your patience as I work my way down the list.
{ Thursday, April 23, 2009 }
April firmware update roundup There are a bunch of recent camera firmware updates that should be mentioned:
Canon
EOS-50D: Fixes vertical banding when using sRAW1 setting; adds support
for 270EX Speedlite; gives more specific error codes
Canon EOS Rebel XS / XSi - adds support for 270EX Speedlite Nikon
D40 / D40x - adds support for EN-EL9a battery Panasonic
Lumix DMC-FS15 - improves image quality Panasonic
Lumix DMC-TS1/FT1 - allows viewing of 720p movies recorded by DMC-GH1;
improves playback mode image quality Panasonic
Lumix DMC-ZS1/TZ6 - focusing noise in Quick AF mode reduced; improves
playback image quality Panasonic
Lumix DMC-ZS3/TZ7 - allows viewing of 720p movies recorded by DMC-GH1; reduces focusing noise in
Quick AF mode Pentax K20D -
improves Shake Reduction Ricoh CX1 -
Fixed bugs in continuous shooting and focus bracketing modes; improved compliance
with Multi-Picture format Ricoh GR Digital
II - Adds manual flash strength adjustment, flash sync timing,
number of photos taken per day; fixed bugs in playback mode
{ Sunday, April 19, 2009 }
Canon EOS-5D Mark II reviewed, finally Just about everyone has had their say on the Canon EOS-5D Mark II, but here's mine. Check out my review of the EOS-5D Mark II to see how this full-frame digital SLR performed.
After that grueling review, I'm ready to get back to compact cameras for a while...
Monday update: I corrected some inaccuracies in the movie mode section of
the review. I apologize for any confusion this may have caused.
{ Tuesday, April 14, 2009 }
Nikon introduces D5000 digital SLR -- preview available Nikon today introduced the new D5000 digital SLR, which takes many of the features
from the D90 and puts them into a smaller (and less expensive) body. The D5000
features an HD movie mode, so you can't help but compare it to the upcoming Canon
EOS Rebel T1i and Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1. I received the camera on Monday morning and about 14 hours later, I've got a preview ready for you, so check it out. Here are the highlights of the D5000:
12.3 Megapixel CMOS sensor (same as the one on the D90)
Supports all Nikon F-mount lenses
Autofocus only available with AF-S and AI-S lenses (just like the D40/D60)
As usual, there's a 1.5X focal length conversion ratio
Relatively compact body; shutter rated at 100,000 cycles
Flip-down, rotating 2.7" LCD display with 230,000 pixels
Optical viewfinder has 0.78x magnification and 95% coverage
11-point autofocus system
Live view with contrast detect AF and face detection
Full manual controls, plus tons of scene modes
ISO range of 200 - 3200, expandable to 100 - 6400
Can record HD movies at 1280 x 720 (24 fps) using the M-JPEG codec, just
like the D90; there is no continuous AF while you're recording a movie
Auto Active D-Lighting improves overall image contrast
Quiet Release Mode reduces mirror cycling noise so you don't startle your
subject
Numerous retouching tools in playback mode
Dust reduction system
SD/SDHC memory card slot
Support for optional GPS unit
HDMI port
Uses EN-EL9a lithium-ion battery; 510 shots per charge
Ships in late April; get the body only for $730, or with an F3.5-5.6,
18-55 mm
VR lens for $850 >> Read our preview for more <<
In addition to the new camera body, Nikon also released a new DX-format lens. The
new F3.5-4.5, 10 - 24 mm AF-S lens (equivalent to 15 - 36 mm on the D5000)
has a Silent Wave Motor for quiet focusing, two ED elements, and a rounded
diaphragm for good bokeh. The lens will ship in May for $900.
Fuji FinePix F200EXR review posted, plus a preview of what's to come I've posted my review of the Fuji FinePix F200EXR, a compact camera which uses the new SuperCCD EXR sensor. Read the review to see if the camera can deliver on Fuji's promise of high resolution, high sensitivity and low noise, and a wide dynamic range (though not all at the same time).
Looking ahead toward future reviews: I'm more than overwhelmed with cameras right now, so I've deicded to do at least two group tests. First will be a battle of the super zoom cameras, featuring the Kodak EasyShare Z980, Nikon Coolpix P90, and Olympus SP-590UZ. Further out, I'm going to compare the Canon PowerShot D10, Olympus Stylus Tough 6000, and the Panasonic DMC-TS1, which are three rugged, waterproof cameras.
{ Thursday, April 9, 2009 }
Olympus updates E-3 firmware Olympus has released firmware version 1.4 for their E-3 digital SLR. Simply put, this update improves the camera's autofocus performance. As usual, you can install the update via Olympus Master or Studio.
{ Thursday, April 2, 2009 }
Take the 2009 DCRP Reader Survey! It's that time again -- time for a reader survey. If you can spare five minutes
to answer the questions on this survey, I would greatly appreciate it. The results
will help us improve the DCRP, and also provides valuable demographic information
to camera manufacturers and potential advertisers, who may not know much about
our site (and this is especially helpful given the events of last week).
Thanks in advance for your help!
Olympus updates E-30 firmware Olympus has updated the firmware for their E-30 digital SLR. Fixes include:
Reduces the sound of the Image Stabilizer operation when Imager AF and
Hybrid AF are being used
Stops the card access lamp from blinking if the delete button is pressed
when reviewing images in close-up playback mode
Removes horizontal stripes that occasionally appeared in images captured
with different aspect marks when viewed in the index image playback mode
(thumbnail view)
You can use the Olympus Master or Studio software to download and install
this update.
{ Wednesday, April 1, 2009 }
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 reviewed I've posted my review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3, also known as the TZ7. I missed my self-imposed deadline for this review because I had to buy software to convert the AVCHD Lite video into a web-friendly format. Doh! Anyhow, click the link to learn more about this impressive compact ultra zoom camera.
