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{ Monday, February 8, 2010 }
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 reviewed, at last I've posted a review that's so delayed that even I didn't think it would ever be finished -- my review of the Sony Alpha DSLR-A550. It's been a long time since I've reviewed a Sony digital SLR, so have a look to see what I thought about the A550!
Canon introduces the EOS Rebel T2i digital SLR Canon today introduced the new EOS Rebel T2i, which replaces the popular Rebel
T1i. In many ways, the T2i is a scaled down EOS-7D, so it should be a pretty
impressive camera. Here's are all the details:
EOS Rebel T2i[specs to come] Known as the EOS-550D in some countries
18.0 Megapixel CMOS sensor (adapted from the 7D)
Same basic design as Rebel T1i, with a few new buttons
Supports both EF and EF-S lenses with a 1.6X focal length conversion ratio
DIGIC 4 processor
3-inch LCD display with 1.04 million pixels (!) and a 3:2 aspect ratio
Live view with contrast detect AF and face detection
Full manual controls, with an ISO range of 100 - 6400, expandable to 12,800
9-point autofocus and 63-zone metering
Exposure compensation range expanded to ±5 EV
Can take 6 RAW or 34 JPEGs at 3.7 frames/second
Records movies at Full HD (1920 x 1080) with sound
Available resolutions include 1080p24/25/30, 720p50/60, and 480p50/60; max
recording time per clip of 12, 18, and 24 minutes, respectively
Full manual control available
External microphone input
New "movie crop" feature (only available at VGA resolution)
gives you an 7X boost in zoom with no loss in video quality
Optional battery grip, wireless remote (both are new models)
SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card slot
HDMI output; now supports HDMI control from a compatible HDTV
Uses new LP-E8 lithium-ion battery, 470 shots per charge
Available in early March for t $799 body only, or $899 with an 18 - 55
mm EF-S lens
Canon PowerShot SX210 IS Canon also introduced four new PowerShot models, with the new SX210 IS leading
the pack. As its name implies, this camera replaces the PowerShot SX200, boosting
the resolution and zoom while adding a few gimmicks as well. Here's the scoop:
PowerShot SX210 IS[specs to come]
14.1 Megapixel CCD
F3.1-5.9, 14X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 28 - 392 mm
Optical image stabilization, with new "dynamic" mode for improved
shake reduction
3-inch widescreen LCD display with 230,000 pixels
Full manual controls (though no RAW support) plus scene-detecting Smart
Auto
mode
Tons of scene modes including new miniature and fisheye options
Face detection (with auto redeye removal) plus face, smile, and "wink"
self-timers
Records movies at 1280 x 720 (30 fps) with stereo sound using the H.264
codec; both the optical zoom and image stabilizer can be used while recording
SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus card slot (no internal memory or memory
card included)
HDMI output
Uses NB-5L lithium-ion battery, 260 shots per charge
Available in black, gold, and a rather obnoxious purple
Canon PowerShot SD3500 IS Digital ELPH Let's lead off the discussion of the three new Digital ELPH models with a
look at the PowerShot SD3500 IS, which has a touchscreen interface:
PowerShot SD3500 IS Digital ELPH[specs
to come] Known as the Digital IXUS 210 in some countries
14.1 Megapixel CCD
F2.8-5.9, 5X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 24 - 120 mm
Optical image stabilization
Ultra-compact and stylish body comes in silver, black, and pink
3.5" wide touchscreen LCD display with 461,000 pixels
Point-and-shoot operation, with Smart Auto mode
Customizable user interface
Same face/smile/blink/wink detection features as the SX210
Records movies at 1280 x 720 (30 fps) with sound using H.264 codec
SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus card slot (no internal memory or memory
card included)
Canon PowerShot SD1300 / SD1400 IS Digital ELPH The last pair of ELPHs replace the PowerShot SD1200 and SD780, respectively.
Let's begin with the entry-level PowerShot SD1300 IS:
PowerShot SD1300 IS Digital ELPH[specs
to come] Known as the Digital IXUS 105 in some countries
12.1 Megapixel CCD
F2.8-5.9, 4X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 28 - 112 mm
Optical image stabilization
Ultra-compact body comes in blue, silver, pink, green, and brown
2.7" LCD display with 230,000 pixels
Point-and-shoot operation with Smart Auto mode
Records movies at 640 x 480 (30 fps) with sound
SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus card slot (no internal memory or memory
card included)
Uses NB-6L li-ion battery, 240 shots per charge
Available later this month for $199
PowerShot SD1400 IS Digital ELPH[specs
to come] - changes: Known as the Digital IXUS 130 in some countries
14.1 Megapixel CCD
Even thinner body, comes in silver, black, pink, and orange
Same face/smile/blink/wink detection as the SX210
A few more scene modes
Records movies at 1280 x 720 (30 fps) with sound using H.264 codec
Sony A550 gallery update, review poll coming soon I've updated the gallery for the Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 with a few new photos. I'm finally getting close to finishing the review, and I hope to get it posted on Monday (give or take a day).
In other news, once we get a few more camera announcements out of the way, I'll be doing another poll to see which recently introduced cameras you want to see reviewed on this site!
{ Wednesday, February 3, 2010 }
Fuji introduces CMOS-based FinePix HS10 super zoom Catching up with more cameras from yesterday: Fuji introduced a whopping thirteen new
cameras, ranging from budget to high-end. I'm going to start with the FinePix
HS10, an SLR-style camera with a CMOS sensor, 30X zoom lens with manual
zoom and focus rings, and Full HD movie recording. Grab a cup of coffee, because
there's a lot of Fuji news to follow!
FinePix HS10[specs to come]
10.3 Megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor (this thing really
gets around) promises better high ISO /
low light photos
F2.8-5.6, 30X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 24 - 720 mm
Sensor-shift image stabilization
SLR-style body features manual zoom and focus rings and lots of direct
buttons
3-inch, tilting LCD display with 230,000 pixels, plus an electronic viewfinder
with eye sensor
Full manual controls, with support for the RAW format
Continuous shooting at full resolution at 10 fps (up to seven shots)
Motion Panorama mode lets you pan the camera from side-to-side to create
a single panoramic image (just like on Sony's cameras)
Pro Light Light mode combines several images into one, to reduce noise
levels in low light situations
Face detection with auto redeye removal
Multi-Motion feature captures 5 images of a moving subject and combines
them into a single image; Motion Remover mode works in reverse, removing
the moving subject from the scene (can't say I've never needed that one)
Records movies at 1920 x 1080 (30 frames/second) with stereo sound using
the H.264 codec until 4GB file size or 29 min time limit is reached
HDMI output
45MB onboard memory + SD/SDHC card slot
Uses four AA batteries; 300 shots per charge using alkalines
Fuji FinePix F80EXR The next camera is the FinePix F80EXR, which (as you probably guessed) replaces
the FinePix F70EXR. This camera uses Fuji's SuperCCD EXR sensor, which offers
improved sensitivity and dynamic range compared with traditional sensors. The
new model has a higher resolution CCD, a larger LCD, and pet
detection (you read that right). Here are
the details on the F80EXR:
FinePix F80EXR[specs to come]
12.0 Megapixel SuperCCD EXR sensor offers your choice of high resolution,
low noise / high sensitivity, or increased dynamic range (the F70EXR had
a 10MP EXR sensor)
F3.3-5.6, 10X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 27 - 270 mm
Sensor-shift image stabilization
3-inch LCD with 230,000 pixels
Limited manual controls
Face detection and recognition, with auto redeye removal and subject tracking
New Pet Detection feature recognizes 80% of the top 20 American Kennel
Club dogs
and 60% of
the Cat Fancier's Assocation breeds (oh, dear)
Pro Light Light and Pro Focus modes combine multiple exposures into a single
image to reduce blur
Records movies at 1280 x 720 (24 fps) with sound using M-JPEG codec
HDMI output
40MB onboard memory + SD/SDHC card slot
Uses NP-50 lithium-ion battery, 230 shots per charge
Fuji FinePix JV100 / JX250 / JZ300 / JZ500 Nope, not done with Fuji just yet. Next are four ultra-compact models with a rather confusing
naming convention. Here goes:
FinePix JV100[specs to come]
12.2 Megapixel CCD
F3.2-5.9, 3X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 37 - 111 mm
2.7" LCD display with 230,000 pixels
Ultra-compact body comes in black and blue
Point-and-shoot operation, with SR Auto mode
Face, smile, and blink detection
Records movies at 1280 x 720 (30 fps) using M-JPEG codec
24MB onboard memory + SD/SDHC card slot
Uses NP-45A lithium-ion battery, 180 shots per charge
Ships this month for $129
FinePix JX250[specs to come] - changes:
14.0 Megapixel CCD
F3.6-5.9, 5X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 28 - 140 mm
Available in black only
Ships in April for $159
FinePix JZ300[specs to come] - changes:
Back to the 12.2 Megapixel CCD
F3.3-5.6, 10X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 28 - 280 mm
Sensor-shift image stabilization
No smile or blink detection (doesn't make sense, but that's what the press
release says)
Olympus announces new consumer-friendly E-PL1, preview available Olympus today added a new member to their Micro Four Thirds line-up. The new
E-PL1 is a more consumer-friendly version of the E-P2, with a more traditional
body, simpler operation, a
smaller LCD, and yes, a built-in flash. Almost everything else is the same
as its more expensive sibling, including support for an optional electronic
viewfinder.
For more details, check out our preview of the E-PL1. If you just want the
quick rundown, here you go:
12.3 Megapixel Live MOS sensor
Micro Four Thirds lens mount
2X crop factor
Support for classic Four Thirds lenses, and even more classic OM lenses
via optional adapters; should also work with Panasonic's two Leica adapters
Sensor-shift image stabilization
Compact body is lighter (and a bit more plasticky) than the E-P1/P2; comes
in black, gold, and blue
2.7" LCD display with 230,000 pixels
Live view with contrast detect AF (which is a bit faster than the E-P1/P2),
face detection, and subject tracking
Pop-up flash has guide number of 7 meters at ISO 100
Full manual controls, with top shutter speed of 1/2000 sec and max ISO
of 3200 (both lower than the more expensive models)
Continuous shooting at 3 frames/second, which is faster than the E-P1/P2
New Live Guide lets you adjust things like exposure, aperture,
and shutter speed, without even knowing it; shooting tips also included
Intelligent Auto Mode selects a scene mode for you
Six Art Filters, including a new "gentle sepia" option
Records movies at 1280 x 720 (30 fps) using the M-JPEG codec (pretty sure
sound is still stereo); new dedicated movie recording button
Accessory port supports optional electronic viewfinder and external microphone
adapter
Hot shoe for external flash, plus built-in wireless flash support
SD/SDHC memory card slot
HDMI output
Uses BLS-1 lithium-ion battery; 290 shots per charge
Along with the new E-PL1 come two new M. Zuiko Micro Four Thirds lenses. The
first is a compact F4.0-5.6, 9 - 18 mm model, which is equivalent to 18 - 36
mm on the PEN cameras. It'll ship in early May for $699. The second lens is
also F4.0-5.6, but with a really nice range of 14 - 150 mm, which is equivalent
to 28 - 300 mm. That lens will be available in early June for $599.
Nikon Coolpix P100 Nikon has introduced a number of compact cameras, and I'll begin with the
Coolpix P100 super zoom. This camera sports a 26X optical zoom, a 10 Megapixel
back-illuminated CMOS sensor, Full HD movie recording, and a high resolution
LCD display. Here's more:
Coolpix P100[specs to come]
10.3 Megapixel, back-illuminated CMOS sensor, which promises better low
light photos than
traditional CCDs
F2.8-5.0, 26X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 26 - 678 mm
Continuous shooting at 10 frames/second at full resolution; can shoot even
faster at lower resolutions
Smart Portrait system combines face detection, auto redeye removal, skin
softening, smile detection, and blink warning
In-camera HDR feature combines several exposures into a single photo with
high dynamic range; Night Landscape feature works in a similar way, combining
several photos into a single one, to reduce noise levels
Records Full HD movies -- that's 1920 x 1080, presumably at 30 frames/second
-- with stereo sound; while optical zoom can be used during recording, image
stabilization is electronic only
43MB onboard memory + SD/SDHC card slot
HDMI output
Uses EN-EL5 lithium-ion battery; 250 shots per charge
Olympus introduces SP-600UZ and SP-800UZ, breaks 30X zoom barrier Olympus today introduced two new super zoom cameras, one of which takes the
zoom war to a whole new level. The SP-800UZ packs a whopping 30X
optical zoom lenses into its relatively compact body! One
has to wonder if they're going to start including a tripod with these cameras,
since you need
a steady hand to
get a sharp photo at 840 mm! Here's more:
SP-600UZ[specs to come]
12 Megapixel CCD
F3.5-5.4, 15X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 28 - 420 mm
Sensor-shift image stabilization
2.7" LCD display with 230,000 pixels
Point-and-shoot operation, with Intelligent Auto mode (nope, no manual
controls)
Magic (art) Filters include pop art, pinhole, fisheye, and drawing
Face detection with subject tracking, plus a new "pet mode"
In-camera panorama stitching combines three photos into one
Records movies at 1280 x 720 (30 fps) using the MPEG-4 codec
