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 (!)
New Nikon DX-format 85mm macro lens introduced Nikon also introduced a new DX-format lens today.
This is an F3.5, 85 mm AF-S DX VR Micro Nikkor lens, which is equivalent
to 127.5 mm when attached to a DX-format camera. This lens features life-size
(1:1) reproduction, with a minimum focus distance of 29 cm. It also features
Nikon's VR II image stabilization system (with up to four stops of blur reduction),
an ultrasonic SWM lens motor, and internal focusing.
This lens is set to ship in December for $530.continue reading »
{ Monday, October 5, 2009 }
Full Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 review posted Today I've posted my final review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1. Is this the portable interchangeable lens camera that everyone's been waiting for? Read the review to find out!
Update: Removed an erroneous reference to an external microphone from the review.
{ Thursday, October 1, 2009 }
Last pre-vacation photo galleries I've got three photo galleries for you today:
Canon USA to skip PMA 2010 Apple isn't the only one skipping their big trade show next year. Canon USA will not be attending PMA 2010, according to PDN. I've only been going to PMA for the last couple of years, and Canon's booth is gigantic, to say the least. It'll be interesting to see if this is a one-time deal, and whether other camera manufacturers will follow suit.
