10.29.07
Posted in Canon, Reviews at 12:49 pm by Contact
The EOS 40D becomes the sixth Canon ‘prosumer’ digital SLR, a line which started back in 2000 with the EOS D30, and how far we’ve come. It’s been eighteen months since the EOS 30D and although on the surface the 40D looks like a fairly subtle upgrade there’s a lot that makes this an even better camera. Of course we expect a step up in megapixels, and so the 40D comes with a ten million pixel CMOS sensor with the same sort of dust reduction as the EOS 400D, an ultrasonic platform which shakes the low pass filter. Other improvements bring the EOS 40D closer into line with the EOS-1D series, these include a move to the same page-by-page menu system, both RAW and sRAW (2.5 MP), 14-bit A/D converter and 14-bit RAW, cross-type AF points for F5.6 or faster lenses, a larger and brighter viewfinder, interchangeable focusing screens, a larger LCD monitor (3.0″) and faster continuous shooting (6.5 fps).
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Posted in Canon, Reviews at 12:47 pm by Contact
Until the arrival of the G7 last September the majority of observers had written off Canon’s ‘prosumer’ G range, presuming that the arrival of affordable digital SLRs had effectively killed the market for high-end compacts such as this. Barely a year later the G7 has been replaced by the G9, a relatively minor update that increases the pixel count from 10MP to 12MP and the screen size from 2.5 to 3.0 inches and - more importantly given the outcry caused by its omission from the G7 - the return of raw shooting capabilities. Other minor tweaks include a better grip and the addition of wireless flash capabilities. Everything else; the 6x stabilized zoom, flash hot shoe, classic all-metal design and solid build, expansive feature set and extensive manual control system is carried over from the G7.
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05.25.07
Posted in Casio, Reviews at 6:27 am by Contact
Announced back in January at the CES show, the EX-V7 is the latest in a long - and generally successful - range of slim, feature-packed Exilim models from Casio. As well as an impressive set of specifications (CCD shift image stabilization, 7x / 38-266mm equiv. zoom, MPEG movies and a wealth of features) and a super-slim all-metal body (under 21mm thick at its thinnest point) the EX-V7 boasts a new version of Casio’s image processing engine. This brings several new technologies to the V7; motion analysis (to ensure a higher ISO and shutter speed are used if needed to freeze fast moving subjects), Auto Tracking AF and enhanced noise reduction and tonal control. As the world’s slimmest 7x zoom camera the EX-V7 is certainly an enticing product for anyone wanting a bit more lens reach without losing pocketability, but is it any good? Let’s find out, starting as ever with the headline features:
- 59.8 mm high, 95.5 mm wide, and 25.1 mm thin (20.8 mm at the thinnest part)
- Cutting-edge, non-protruding 7X internal optical zoom lens (38-266mm equiv.)
- New CCD shift system actually mechanically compensates for camera shake.
- Automatically analyzes the velocity and vector of a moving subject and sets the most appropriate ISO sensitivity and shutter speed.
- ???Auto Tracking AF??? function follows moving subjects
- Tonal control lets users keep bright areas of the scene bright by limiting the occurrence of dark pixels.
- Offers ability to selectively eliminate noise in designated color regions, such as the sky.
- Boasts faster image processing functions that enable instantaneous color correction or angle adjustment.
- High-quality movies using next-generation H.264 video encoding method
- Silent lens motion enables optical zooming while recording movies in stereo sound.
- Records 16:9 wide-aspect movies compatible with wide-screen TVs.
read more ….
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05.20.07
Posted in Canon, Reviews at 9:20 am by Contact
The Canon SD800 IS Digital ELPH features a compact, stylish case with rounded horizontal edges, and a retracting lens to make it pocket-friendly. The Canon SD800IS includes a 7.1 megapixel imager, and a Canon-branded 3.8x optical zoom lens covers an optimized range of 28-105mm equivalent, a good wide-angle to moderate telephoto.
What’s really cool, though, is that the Canon ELPH SD800 IS incorporates Canon’s excellent Image Stabilization (hence the “IS” in the model name) technology that drastically reduces the effects of camera shake at slow shutter speeds, or long zoom settings. This means that with the SD800 IS Digital ELPH, you can shoot in low light without having to put the camera on a tripod to avoid the camera shake. IS typically lets you take crisp shots under light conditions four times darker than you could manage without it.
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Posted in Samsung, Reviews at 9:02 am by Contact
The Samsung NV7 OPS? is the top-of-the-line model in the Korean manufacturer’s line of premium digital cameras. It packs a 7 Megapixel CCD, 7X optical zoom lens, optical image stabilization, full manual controls, and a very unique user interface.
The NV7 has an average bundle. Inside the box you’ll find:
- The 7.2 effective Megapixel Samsung NV7 OPS digital camera
- SLB-0837 lithium-ion rechargeable battery
- Wrist strap
- Lens cap w/retaining strap
- USB cable
- A/V cable
- AC-to-USB converter
- CD-ROM featuring Digimax Master and drivers
- 80 page camera manual (printed)
As is the case with many cameras these days, the NV7 has built-in memory instead of having a memory card included in the box. You’ll find just 19MB of memory on this camera, which holds just five photos at the highest quality setting. That means that you’ll want to buy a memory card right away, and I recommend picking up a 512MB or 1GB card to start. The camera supports both SD and MultiMedia memory cards, though not the newer and higher capacity SDHC format. The camera performs a little better with a high speed memory card, so it’s worth spending a little more money for one.
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04.30.07
Posted in Olympus, Features at 12:48 pm by Contact
| Product Type |
| Single-lens reflex Live View digital camera with interchangeable lens system |
| CompactFlash Type I/II, Microdrive, xD-Picture Card (Dual-Slot) |
| 17.3 mm (H) x 13.0 mm (V) |
| Four Thirds Mount |
|
| 10 million pixels |
| Image Pickup Unit |
| Live MOS Sensor |
| Approx. 10.9 million pixels |
| 1.33 (4:3) |
| Primary color filter (RGB) |
| Fixed type |
| Hybrid type |
| Supersonic Wave Filter (dust reduction system for image sensor) |
|
| DCF, DPOF compatible/Exif, PRINT Image Matching III |
| RAW (12-bit), JPEG, RAW+JPEG |
[RAW] 3648 x 2736 pixels
[JPEG] 3648 x 2736 pixels - 640 x 480 pixels |
RAW:3648 x 2736 compressed Approx. 11MB
SHQ: 3648 x 2736 Approx. 1/2.7 compressed Approx. 6.8MB
HQ: 3648 x 2736 Approx. 1/8 compressed Approx. 4.7MB
SQ: 3200 x 2400 Approx. 1/2.7 compressed Approx. 5.3MB
3200 x 2400 Approx. 1/4 compressed Approx. 3.7MB
3200 x 2400 Approx. 1/8 compressed Approx. 1.7MB
3200 x 2400 Approx. 1/12 compressed Approx. 1.1MB
2560 x 1920 Approx. 1/2.7 compressed Approx. 3.6MB
2560 x 1920 Approx. 1/4 compressed Approx. 2.2MB
2560 x 1920 Approx. 1/8 compressed Approx. 1.1MB
2560 x 1920 Approx. 1/12 compressed Approx. 0.7MB
1600 x 1200 Approx. 1/2.7 compressed Approx. 1.3MB
1600 x 1200 Approx. 1/4 compressed Approx. 0.8MB
1600 x 1200 Approx. 1/8 compressed Approx. 0.5MB
1600 x 1200 Approx. 1/12 compressed Approx. 0.3MB
1280 x 960 Approx. 1/2.7 compressed Approx. 0.8MB
1280 x 960 Approx. 1/4 compressed Approx. 0.5MB
1280 x 960 Approx. 1/8 compressed Approx. 0.3MB
1280 x 960 Approx. 1/12 compressed Approx. 0.2MB
1024 x 768 Approx. 1/2.7 compressed Approx. 0.5MB
1024 x 768 Approx. 1/4 compressed Approx. 0.4MB
1024 x 768 Approx. 1/8 compressed Approx. 0.2MB
1024 x 768 Approx. 1/12 compressed Approx. 0.1MB
640 x 480 Approx. 1/2.7 compressed Approx. 0.2MB
640 x 480 Approx. 1/4 compressed Approx. 0.2MB
640 x 480 Approx. 1/8 compressed Approx. 0.1MB
640 x 480 Approx. 1/12 compressed Approx. 0.1MB |
| Viewfinder |
| Eye-level single-lens reflex viewfinder |
| Approx. 95% |
| Approx.0.92x (-1m-1, 50mm lens, infinity) |
| Approx. 14 mm (-1m-1) |
| -3.0 - +1m-1 |
| Fixed (Neo Lumi-Micron Mat screen) |
| Eye piece cap EP-4 supplied |
| Interchangeable type EP-5 supplied: optional EP-6 or Magnifier Eyecup ME-1 |
Can be checked (when Left arrow pad is set in preview mode),
selectable from the optical viewfinder or rear-mounted LCD monitor |
| Aperture value, Shutter speed, Record mode, AF confirmation mark, Flash, WB, AE lock, Number of storable still images, Exposure compensation value, Metering mode, Battery warning, Exposure mode, AF frame (super impose) |
|
| Live MOS Sensor for still picture shooting is used, 100% field of view, Exposure adjustment pre-view, White balance adjustment pre-view, Grid line displayable, 7x/10x magnification possible, MF/S-AF, AF frame display, AF point display, Shooting information, Histogram, Heat warning. |
| Available with phase -difference detection system |
| LCD Display |
| HyperCrystal LCD (semi-transmissive TFT color LCD) |
| 2.5 inches |
| Approx. 230,000 pixels |
| 100% |
| 15 levels |
|
| TTL phase-difference detection system |
| Single AF (S-AF) / Continuous AF (C-AF) / Manual Focus (MF) / S-AF + MF / C-AF + MF |
| 3-point multiple AF (Auto, selectable in option) |
| Auto/Option selectable |
| EV 0 to 19 (at 20, ISO 100) |
| Built-in flash (external flash available. Inactivation is available to set.) |
| Locked at first position of Shutter button in Single AF mode / AEL button (customizable) |
| Interlocked with Continuous AF mode |
| Available |
| Exposure Control |
TTL open-aperture metering system
(1) Digital ESP metering (49-point multi pattern metering) (2) Centre weighted average metering
(3) Spot metering (approx. 1% for the viewfinder screen) (4) Spot with Highlight control
(5) Spot with Shadow control |
EV 1 - 20 (Digital ESP metering, Centre weighted average metering, Spot metering)
(At normal temperature, 50mm f2, ISO 100) |
| (1) Auto (2) P: Program AE (Program shift can be performed) (3) A: Aperture priority AE (4) S: Shutter priority AE (5) M: Manual (6) Scene program AE (7) Scene select AE |
| Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sport, Night + Portrait |
| Portrait, Landscape, Landscape + Portrait, Night Scene, Night + Portrait, Children, Sport, High Key, Low Key, Digital Image Stabilization, Macro, Nature Macro, Candle, Sunset, Fireworks, Documents, Panorama* (* Available with the Olympus xD-Picture Card), Beach & Snow, Underwater Wide, Underwater Macro |
| AUTO / ISO 100 - 1600 (AUTO: Automatic control is available in AUTO, Program, A, Scene program, Scene select, Flash be fired. Up to ISO 800) |
| ?5 EV in 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV steps selectable |
| Locked by first position of Shutter button / AEL button (customizable) |
| 3 frames in 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 1EV steps selectable |
|
| Advanced detection system with Live MOS sensor |
| 7 settings (3000K - 7500K) Lamp (3000K), Fluorescent 1 (4000K), Fluorescent 2 (4500K), Fluorescent 3 (6600K), Daylight (5300K), Cloudy (6000K), Shade (7500K) |
| ?7 steps in each R-B/G-M axis (in Auto WB/Preset WB mode) |
| 1 setting can be registered at Kelvin temperature (2000K - 14000K) |
| 1 custom setting can be registered |
| Color Mode |
|
| Vivid, Natural, Muted, Monotone (default setting: Natural) |
Contrast, Sharpness and Saturation level available in 5 steps for Vivid, Natural or Muted
Contrast and Sharpness level available in 5 steps for Monotone |
| Yellow, Orange, Red or Green filter available for Monotone |
| Sepia, Blue, Purple or Green tone available for Monotone |
| 4 levels (auto, high key, normal, low key) |
| Shutter |
| Computerized focal-plane shutter |
| Auto mode: 2 - 1/4000 sec. (depends on settings), P(Ps), S, A, M mode: 60 - 1/4000 sec. (Bulb: up to 8 min. with limiter), Scene program/Scene select mode: 4 - 1/4000 sec. (depends on settings) 1/3EV steps |
| Operation time: 12 sec., 2 sec. (cancel available) |
| Available (with optional RM-UC1 Remote cable.) |
| Operation time: 2 sec., 0 sec., bulb control available (with optional RM-1 remote control) |
| Available (1 to 30sec in each 1sec selectable) |
|
| Single-frame shooting, Sequential shooting, Self-timer, Remote control |
| Approx. 3 frames/sec. |
| RAW mode: Max. 6 frames |
| JPEG mode: Depends on compression ratio and no. of pixels (HQ mode: approx. up to card capacity) |
| Integrated Flash |
| Retractable flash (Auto pop-up type), GN=12 (ISO 100.m) |
| FL-50, FL-36, FL-20, SRF-11, STF-22 |
| TTL Auto (TTL pre-flash mode), Auto, Manual |
| Auto, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction slow sync., Fill-in, Slow synchronization, Manual, Off. |
| 1/180 sec. or less, Super FP up to 1/4000 sec. |
| Up to ?2 EV in 1/3 EV steps |
| 1st curtain synchronization/2nd curtain slow synchronization (selectable) |
| Not available |
|
Battery information, Exposure mode, Shutter speed, Aperture value, Exposure compensation value, ISO sensitivity,
Exposure compensation indicator, Exposure indicator, Flash intensity compensation indicator, Date, BKT warning,
NR warning, WB, WB compensation value, Picture mode, Flash mode, Record mode, Image size, Card information,
Drive mode, Flash intensity compensation value, Metering mode, Recordable still image number, Focusing mode, FP warning
AF frame, AF illuminator, Color mode, Sharpness, Contrast, Saturation, Gradation, IS activating mode, Heat warning. |
| Back light lighting time is selectable. (Keep, 8, 30sec, 1min) |
| Playback |
Single-frame, Index (4/9/16/25 frames), Calendar, Close-up ( 2 - 14X),
Slideshow, Picture rotation (auto mode available) |
Histogram (independent luminance/RGB available),
Highlight/Shadow point warning, AF frame, Shooting information |
|
| Americas: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese |
| Custom setting |
| Left arrow button is available to set some functions. (OFF, One touch WB, Test picture, Preview, Live preview) |
| 2 settings are recordable. |
| Not available |
|
| Single frame, All frames, Selected frames (with protect function) |
| Single frame, Selected frames, Release protect (Single/All selected) |
| Single frame, All frames, Selected frames |
| RAW development |
| Monotone, Sepia, Red-eye reduction, Saturation (color depth), Resize (producing another file) |
| Print |
| Print reservation (DPOF), Direct print (PictBridge compatible) |
|
| USB 2.0 High Speed for storage and camera control (MTP mode is available) |
| Dedicated multi-connector (Video: NTSC/PAL selectable, Optional Remote cable RM-UC1 is available) |
| Hot shoe |
| Power Requirements |
| BLS-1 Li-ion battery (included) |
| Available (1, 3, 5, 10 min., off selectable) |
| Approx. 500 shots (optical viewfinder) |
| (with BLS-1 under CIPA testing standard) |
|
| 5.1 in. (W) x 3.6 in.(H) x 2.1 in. D / 129.5 mm (W) x 91 mm (H) x 53 mm (D) (excluding protrusions) |
| 13.2 oz. / 375 g (body only) |
| Operating Environment |
| 32-104F / 0 - 40 (operation) / -20 - 60 (storage) |
| 30 - 90% (operation) / 10 - 90% (storage) |
|
| E-410 body, 14-42mm lens (kit contents), Li-ion battery BLS-1, Li-ion battery charger BCS-1, USB cable, Video cable, Shoulder strap, OLYMPUS Master CD-ROM, Instruction manual, Warranty card. |
?
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Posted in Panasonic, Reviews at 12:36 pm by Contact
On February 26th 2006, in a packed press conference on the first day of PMA 2006 Panasonic revealed their first digital SLR, the DMC-L1. The DMC-L1 represents another first, it’s the first non-Olympus Four Thirds digital SLR which has to be good news for the system which has up until now been an Olympus only affair. When it was announced many noted the resemblance to the E-330, this is no coincidence as the DMC-L1 shares its optical subsystem (lens mount, mirror box, viewfinder, auto focus and exposure sensors) with the Olympus E-330.
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Posted in fujifilm, Reviews, Features at 12:34 pm by Contact
In the fast-moving, ‘bigger better faster’ world of the digital compact the Fujifilm FinePix F30 will be one of the rare few that are remembered after they have gone (the nearest this throwaway business gets to a ‘classic’). The reason this unassuming, blocky little camera stands out from the scores of other cameras launched last year - and why it has a mantelpiece covered in industry awards - is simple; image quality, or more specifically, high ISO performance. The F30’s low light capabilities come from a combination of clever technology (Super CCD and Real Photo Processor) and a ’swimming against the tide’ attitude to specification, which means a bigger sensor with fewer pixels.
Specification:
- Face Detection Technology built-in to the camera???s processor
- Real Photo Processor II and new Super CCD HR VI
- ISO 3200 sensitivity at full resolution
- 6.3 million pixels
- 3.0x optical zoom
- Long-life battery (up to 580 shots)
- IR Communication (IR simple??)
- VGA movie capture of 30 frames per second with sound
- PictBridge?? compatible for direct printing without a PC
- Quick response times (0.01 second shutter lag and 1.5 second start-up)
- Aperture and shutter priority modes
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