Digital SLR Camera PentaxThe Pentax K20D is Pentax’s latest midpriced lens-interchangeable digital SLR based on the successful K10D body with a 14.6 megapixel 23.4 mm x 15.6 mm CMOS sensor, upgraded from the 10.2 megapixel sensor in the K10D, that was newly developed to take advantage of Pentax interchangeable lenses by detecting diagonal light better. It also has improved noise reduction, a dustproof and weather resistant body with several dust reducing features like Dust Alert, 2.7-inch wide-view LCD monitor with the Live View function for high and low angle shooting, SAFOX VIII autofocus system featuring 11 sensor points.
Other features:
Shake Reduction compatible with any PENTAX lens ever produced, including new SDM lenses, minimizes the effect of camera shake
PRIME image processing engine maximizes image properties and allows custom adjustment of image parameters
Custom Image modes, with six preset options, offer superior control of how the PRIME processor develops images
Enhanced Dynamic Range mode gives 200% more dynamic range
Advanced 16-segment metering and 11-point AF, with 9 cross sensors, ensure perfectly exposed and focused images
Unique exposure modes, such as hyper-program, Sv and TAv, offer shooting versatility
And best of all you’ll be able to use all of your old Pentax compatible lenses.
February 5th, 2008
Digital SLR Camera NikonNikon’s new compact digital SLR, the Nikon D60 continues to tradition of the D40 and D40x as a professional, technically superior, compact digital SLR. Although Nikon continues to innovate this camera still has 10.2 megapixels, the standard for such entry-level digital SLR is right now which puts this camera between the D40 and the D80 digital SLRs, and uses the EXPEED image processor for smoother tones and more accurate colors and Nikon’s Multi-CAM 530 AF auto-focus sensor. The LCD turns off when the camera senses that you are using the optical viewfinder.
The D60 also has an anti-dust system called Airflow Control System. This sucks in air and directs it at where dust may be sitting and then uses an Image Sensor Cleaning function using vibration to clear up any remaining dust. The camera features in-camera image editing and effects and filters, capture into RAW mode, and a stop motion mode.
All in all the Nikon D60 Digital SLR is a high quality DSLR targeted towards budget or entry-level photographers with an easy to use interface, quick and easy changing of modes using the dial, in a compact body that fits well in the hand, a quick .2 second power up, a nice viewfinder with 2.5 inch LCD screen and can come optionally with the AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II lens or the AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens.
The Nikon D60 Digital SLR will be available this month.
February 2nd, 2008
Digital SLR Camera PentaxAs dpreview.com/ says: “K10D is Pentax’s first foray into the serious-amateur digital SLR market. It’s bigger, tougher and more feature rich than any Pentax digital SLR before it and it certainly carries a wide enough range of features to worry the ‘big name’ brands. Headline features include a stabilized ten megapixel CCD, high quality image processing pipeline, dust and weather proof seals, 11-point AF (with 9 cross-type points) and some unique exposure modes. A full detailed list of the top 20 features can be found below. It’s clear that Pentax are targeting the likes of the Canon EOS 30D and Nikon D200, on paper it’s a very strong contender.”
Pentax has succeeded in producing a 10 megapixel digital SLR at a competitive price that exceeds what Canon, Nikon, and Sony DSLRs has to offer. Image quality is good although not extremely crisp. The body is solid and has been well tested. Autofocus works well even if it takes a second to focus. The continuous shooting feature is great. And the Shake Reduction system is in the camera rather than in expensive lenses and it’s not “fake” digital shake reduction. Best of all the camera can be had for under $700, nearly $500 with some rebates.
Features and basics:
10.2-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 18 x 24-inch prints.
2.5-inch LCD display.
In-camera Shake Reduction (SR) and Dust Reduction (DR) systems; dust-proof, weather-resistant body.
Pentax Real IMage Engine (PRIME).
Dust Removal (DR) system incorporating Pentax-original Special Protect (SP) coating to help keep the CCD surface dust-free, and a shift mechanism to shake dust off the CCD.
11-point wide-frame AF.
5.6 x 4 x 2.7 inches ; 1.7 pounds
December 18th, 2007
Canon Cyber shot Digital Camera Digital SLR Camera FujiFilm Kodak NikonForbes magazine, just published a list of the top deals on digital cameras which included two of our own recommendations, the Fujifilm FinePix S700, Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W55, and the Nikon D40 as well as Canon’s A720 IS. In fact the Canon was their first pick with “above-average features like image stabilization and a long, 6x optical zoom.” Note that the Fujifilm FinePix S700 has a 10x optical zoom. The fact that the Canon A720 IS has faced detection is noted but that also doesn’t set the camera apart from the others.
About the Fujifilm FinePix S700 they said: “The S700 is a great camera for beginners keen to take their photography seriously. This model offers superior image quality from the get-go and doesn’t leave you in the lurch if you want to do something fancy.”
The digital SLR camera that they suggested was the Nikon D40: “Though it’s been updated slightly over the past year with the release of the D40x, the original model is still a fantastic camera with a remarkably low price. For around $500, consumers can have a robust, powerful digital camera that serves as an excellent bridge between casual picture-taking and true photography that you could hang in a gallery or see in a magazine. Furthermore, the D40’s body is relatively small, making it easy to carry and a pleasure to use.”
And finally the cameras they want you to avoid are the Kodak V803and V1003 ultra-compact models and Kodak’s point-and-shoot C743 none of which we’ve recommended either.
December 14th, 2007
Digital SLR Camera NikonUntil Sunday, December 17 if you buy one of the following Nikon cameras from Ritz Camera you’ll get a free digital frame (I got this offer from Amazon.com).
Nikon D40 digital SLR or Nikon D40x digital SLR either with Nikon 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX Lens or Two-Lens Bonus Outfit w/Nikkor 18-55 & 55-200 Zoom Lenses,
or
Nikon D80 Digital SLR with Nikkor 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX Lens.
December 14th, 2007
Digital SLR Camera NikonNikon’s D300 professional digital SLR was announced back in August but was finally released late last month. The DX-format 12.3 (effective) megapixel D300 is an improvement on the D3 and a major step up from the otherwise very successful D200 (commercially and otherwise). Loads of new features have been added, a bunch just waiting for you behind the menus like the new Picture Control System, and then stuff like Scene Recognition System which tweaks autofocus, autoexposure, and auto white balance settings. Here’s what Scott Kelby has to say about that:
“bigger LCD screen on the back.. The 51-point (and 21-point) autofocus rocks, much better, faster, and more accurate than the D200’s, [makes] the D200’s focus seem clunky by comparison.. you can scroll through the different settings and see how different white balance settings look in real time…. you can change Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO, and actually see the settings big and bright (really handy when you’re shooting on a tripod, which I do most of the time)…
Not low noise; but lower (don’t confuse the D300 with the D3. It’s the D3 that’s the low noise miracle machine)… built-in sensor cleaning… Auto White balance seems much improved…
The color is outstanding (better than any Nikon I’ve ever used, and the color rendering is nearly on par with the D3’s). This camera just produces beautiful images, plain and simple, and if you want really saturated colors, you can pump up the saturation with some amazing results (perfect for the Velvia freak deep inside us all).”
There are also some things he didn’t like but it still a huge improvement from the Nikon D200. “So, is my D300 actually replacing my D2Xs? Absolutely!”
December 14th, 2007
Digital SLR Camera EVOLT OlympusLike the Olympus EVOLT E-410 digital SLR the Olympus EVOLT E-510 digital SLR is “a great camera to help you evolve as a photographer” in a hard plastic body, a little bulkier than the E-410 while remaining a compact digital SLR. Featuring Olympus’ 2.5″ HyperCrystal™ Live View LCD technology which works even in the sunlight and has proven very popular despite not being quite point and shoot, proven Dust Reduction System with the exclusive Supersonic Wave Filter and powerful, 10-megapixel LiveMOS imager, sensor-shift image stabilization (which works using a gyroscope inside), two memory slots that hold Compact Flash Type I and Type II, Microdrive and xD picture cards, Zuiko “digital” lenses (the camera also comes as body only), three selectable AF points, and redeye reduction and manually assisted removal.
The E410 lets you shoot in RAW mode and edit although the default settings are not up to par. You can then use Olympus Studio 2 or other software (the included software is not so great and trial only) on the RAW image. Otherwise you can expect pretty good image quality even under low light conditions particularly up to ISO 1600.
On the plus side you can expect long battery life and great prices right now, under $1000 with lenses, making this one of the best DSLRs for this Christmas season. Processing speed is fast and the camera support the Four Thirds Standard lens mount. There are 29 exposure modes.
Product type: Single-lens reflex Live View digital camera with interchangeable lens system
Dimensions: 5.35 in.(W) x 3.6 in. (W) x 2.67in. (D) / 136 mm (W) x 91.5 mm (H) x 68 mm (D) (excluding protrusions);
Weight 16.2 oz. / 460 g (body only).
RAW:3648 x 2736 compressed Approx. 11MB
SHQ: 3648 x 2736 Approx. 1/2.7 compressed Approx. 6.8MB
AF system: TTL phase-difference detection system
Sequential shooting speed: approximately 3 frames per second
December 13th, 2007
Digital SLR Camera NikonThe new Nikon D300 is a nice successor to the D200, a 12.3 megapixel single-lens reflex digital camera with a 3 inch LCD screen similar to the Canon PowerShot G9 the new D300 shares much in common with the Nikon D3 professional digital SLR camera which was also just released. The camera is fast, powering up in a 10th of a second with shutter time release lag of less than half of that and with Nikon’s exclusive Scene Recognition System (SRS), with an improved 1,005-Pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II and a self-cleaning dust reduction system, letting you to shake off the dust and also reducing the static that attracts dust in the first place. A few differences between the D300 and the D3 are the full frame sensor found in the D3 and its second CompactFlash slot.
Approximate dimensions of 5.8 x 4.5 x 2.9 in. (147 x 114 x 74 mm) weighing approximately 1.82 lbs. (825 g) without battery, memory card, body cap, or monitor cover
Nikon D300 test images
The camera starts at $1799 for the body only and that’s how much it’s going for at the major stores right now.
Nikon Japan also has simple test images from this camera using the Nikon AF-S DX VR Zoom Nikkor ED 18-200mm F3.5-5.6G, the prime AF Nikkor 50mm F1.4D and the AF-S VR Nikkor ED 300mm F2.8 IF telephoto lens.
Nikon D300 sample images
December 6th, 2007
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