Samsung Digital Camera

Samsung NX Series

The new Samsung NX Series takes the hybrid cameras (read: no mirror box) to a new level. This is something that we’ve seen coming for a while. The new NX series will feature the larger, APS-C sensors which are prominent in consumer-grade DSLRs. However, the NX series loses the mirror box and offers an electronic viewfinder, much like the Olympus E-series cameras.

Note, however, that APS-C sensors, presumably the same as the 1.5x crop sensors in current Samsung DSLRs, are larger than the 2x crop sensors in Olympus cameras. Samsung has been aiming high for the past couple years, but has yet to wow us with a killer product. Samsung is now banking on these hybrid cameras to put its stamp on the industry. Details are slim at this point; however, I will be stopping by Samsung’s booth at PMA 2009 tomorrow to try and get more info.

PRESS RELEASE

SEOUL, KOREA - March 2, 2009 - Samsung Digital Imaging Co., Ltd. used PMA 2009 as the global launching pad for the NX Series, the company’s revolutionary new family of hybrid digital cameras. A new concept digital camera, the NX Series offers the performance and image quality of a DSLR and the portability and convenience of a compact point-and-shoot. With the NX Series, Samsung will become a global leader in the new hybrid market.

Samsung’s new NX Series bridges the gap between a DSLR and compact point-and-shoot digital camera by combining the benefits of both in one new model. Like conventional DSLRs, the NX Series utilizes an APS‑C sized image sensor providing a much larger surface area to gather light and produce higher-quality images than comparable digital camera systems. Unlike a DSLR, the NX Series does not feature a mirror box and employs an ultra-precise Electronic Viewfinder (EVF). The use of an EVF has allowed Samsung engineers to significantly reduce the size and weight of the new camera system by decreasing the distance between the lens and image sensor (flange back) by approximately 60% compared to traditional DSLRs. In addition to utilizing the EVF, consumers can also take advantage of the camera’s Live View functionality to frame their shots on the NX Series’ high‑resolution screen.

Samsung has recently intensified its focus on the digital imaging market and established a separate company dedicated exclusively to digital imaging in Samsung Digital Imaging Company. The new company was formed to focus on the development of its digital still cameras around world’s first and best in class features, design, and easy-to-use interfaces, and will work towards achieving the company’s stated goal of becoming the world’s leading digital imaging company.

“We estimate that the hybrid digital camera market will be over 20% of the global digital still camera market by 2012,” said Sang-jin Park, CEO of Samsung Digital Imaging Company. “With the release of the NX Series, a digital camera that combines the strengths of a DSLR and compact digital camera, Samsung Digital Imaging will become a global leader in the new hybrid digital camera market and achieve the company’s goal to become the global leader in the digital camera market by 2012.”

Samsung Digital Imaging Company also creates a much more efficient vertical alignment between related Samsung affiliate business units including semiconductor, LCD panel and consumer electronics. This new vertical alignment will create competitive advantages for Samsung by fostering greater collaboration between Samsung affiliate business units and allowing the company to develop and deliver highly-innovative digital imaging products that set the standard for the industry, including the newly unveiled NX Series.

The first model of NX Series will be available in the second-half of 2009.

source:photographybay.com

Olympus Cameras

Olympus Stylus Tough-8000 Camera Review

The Olympus Stylus Tough-8000 looks like a tank – especially with its stainless-steel case (appropriately enough, black and blue bodies are also available). The camera looks strong, with metal edges and screws that look like bolts scattered on the front, and feel just as sturdy thanks to some nice heft. It camera measures 3.7 x 2.4 x .85 (W x H x D, in inches), and weighs 7.4 ounces with battery and card in place.

The lens, which is a nice wide-angle 3.6x zoom rated 28-102mm, does not extend from the body when you power up. A metal lens cover slides up or down so the camera can confront the elements. And, boy, can it do just that. The Tough-8000 can handle a drop of 6.6 feet, go 33 feet underwater, withstand 220 pounds of pressure, and operate down to 14 degrees Fahrenheit (more on these in the performance section). Also on the front is the flash, an LED illuminator for focus, and a two-pinhole microphone. The logos and nomenclature were very subdued in our stainless version. It looks rugged and definitely stands apart from the competition. Just have a cloth handy, since fingerprints really stand out.

On the top you’ll find the shutter, a power button, and an underwater sensor, which will tell you how deep or high you are when engaged. On the right side is a compartment with a sturdy lock for the multi-use connector (for charging the battery, watching images on a TV or transferring photos and videos to a PC). Below it is a small speaker.

The back also has a rugged look, with sturdy metal keys and a quality 2.7-inch LCD screen rated 230K pixels. The monitor worked well in a variety of lighting situations, including direct sunshine. The controls are similar to those found on almost every point-and-shoot digicam. On the top right are the wide/tele keys and below them is a mode dial. In keeping with a big trend for 2009, there’s an intelligent auto option, where the camera decides the proper settings for the subject it believes is in front of it (sports, portrait, landscape and so on). Strangely, the camera icon, which typically means auto, is actually P for program automatic exposure. Here you can change the ISO, white balance and shadow adjustment; in iAuto, you can’t adjust anything, it’s totally aim-and-forget. You cannot change shutter speed or aperture in any setting, so if you’re looking for these controls pass this one by. Other dial options include SCN for scene modes, which include several for underwater shots, movies (only 640 x 480 at 30 fps), playback and beauty. This is a strange one: The camera picks a face, and smoothes that countenance, creating a 2MP still. Forgive us but something got lost with this one in translation during the trip from Japan to the States.

Below the mode dial is the classic four-way controller with center set button. We don’t know why Olympus duplicated playback here as well, but there’s delete, menu and display (no grid lines, unfortunately). On the bottom of the made-in-China camera is a tripod mount and a compartment for the battery and xD picture card slot.

Along with these controls, the camera also features something called tap control, which allows users to touch parts of the 8000 to engage select commands. It’s nothing like an iPhone touch-screen (more in the performance section).

The Tough-8000 comes with everything you need other than the memory card – body, battery, wrist strap, A/V and USB cable plus an AC adaptor for recharging the battery in-camera. You also get an 86-page printed owner’s manual and Olympus Master 2 software for handling files on CD-ROM along with a microSD card adaptor if you want to use that media instead of xD.

Once the battery was charged and date set, it was time to give the Tough-8000 some punishment – within the limits of our geography.

source:i4u.digitaltrends.com

Fujifilm Camera

Fujifilm FinePix S100FS Review

Review based on a production Fujifilm FinePix S100FS

For many years, consumers wanting more control and range than a compact but lower weight and cost than a DSLR have been able to buy 'bridge' cameras, which look a lot like DSLRs but do away with the bulky, expensive mirror assembly that defines an SLR. They have traditionally had smaller sensors which allow long zoom lenses to be created in a relatively smaller space.

However, in recent years, more manufacturers have started to compete at the bottom end of the DSLR market with slimmed-down offerings at ever-more aggressive prices. This has left the bridge camera in a tight spot - why buy a DSLR-like camera if you can nab the real thing for around the same money? Until recently, it appeared to be a question with no answer: most bridge cameras shrank from the challenge and began to look and feel more like compacts with an absurd zoom on the front. Fujifilm's fully-featured S9100, launched back in August 2006 disappeared from the market without any sign of a replacement.

Until the announcement of the Fujifilm S100FS, that is. And it's an interesting package: one of the largest sensors we've seen in a non-DSLR for many years, a lens covering a 14.3x zoom range (that, importantly, starts at a usefully wide-angle 28mm equivalent), and the eighth generation of Fujifilm's Super CCD sensor technology. There's some photography-related features that have been added too, such as presets designed to mimic the behavior of specific Fuji films and a dynamic range expansion mode.
Headline features

* 14.3X optical zoom (28-400mm equivalent)
* 2/3" sensor with 11.1 million effective pixels
* Eighth generation Super CCD HR sensor
* 2.5" tiltable LCD screen
* Film simulation modes (imitate the behavior of Fuji films)
* Dynamic range expansion mode
* Exposure, dynamic range and film simulation bracketing

Fuji Camera

Fujifilm FinePix F60fd Overview

by Andrew Alexander and Mike Tomkins

The Fujifilm FinePix F60fd is based around a seventh generation 1/1.6-inch Super CCD HR image sensor with twelve megapixel resolution coupled to a Fujinon-branded 3x optical zoom lens that offers a range from a rather tight 35mm wide angle to a 105mm telephoto. The image sensor is mounted on a movable platter, allowing for sensor-shift type image stabilization. ISO sensitivity ranges up to a maximum of ISO 1,600 equivalent at full resolution (3,200 at a reduced five megapixel resolution, or 6,400 at three megapixels or below). The Fuji FinePix F60fd's rear panel offers no optical viewfinder, instead opting solely for a large 3-inch LCD display with 230,000 dots of resolution.

Following in the footsteps of the past F50fd model, the Fujifilm F60fd features face detection as its "fd" designation might imply. The Fuji F60fd has a third-generation implementation of this feature, capable of detecting up to ten faces in a scene in just 0.036 seconds. The angle at which the camera can detect a face has been further improved, with the company stating that the F60fd can now handle faces even at a 90 degree side profile, and even when the face is turned on its side or completely upside down. The face detection system is linked to both the autofocus and autoexposure systems, and to post-exposure red-eye removal.

The Fujifilm F60fd offers a new Scene Recognition Auto mode which is capable of automatically detecting one of four different scene types, and then selecting the scene mode as appropriate: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, or Night. Focusing modes in the Fuji F60fd include both Multi or Center as well as the aforementioned Face Detection. Shutter speeds range from 8 seconds to 1/2,000 second, and apertures from f/2.8 at wide angle or a rather dim f/5.1 at telephoto to f/8.0 when stopped down.

Perhaps unusually for a compact camera these days, the Fujifilm F60fd offers a fair range of manual controls, including the ability to shoot in aperture or shutter-priority modes, as well as manual control of white balance and ISO sensitivity. Thirteen scene modes give some control over the look of images without the need to understand shutter speeds, apertures and the like, and a high-speed burst shooting mode offers five frames per second for up to twelve frames, the tradeoff being that this is achieved at a reduced three-megapixel resolution. The Fuji F60fd is also capable of recording VGA or QVGA videos with sound, using the QuickTime Motion JPEG format.

The Fujifilm FinePix F60fd stores its images on SD or SDHC cards, xD-Picture Cards, or in 25MB of built-in memory, and draws power from an NP-50 lithium-ion rechargeable battery. Available from September 2008 with pricing of about $300, the Fuji FinePix F60fd comes in silver and black body colors.

source:imaging-resource.com

Digital Camera Lenses

There are several types of digital camera lenses and terminology associated with them. The focal lengths of lenses are described in terms of 35mm equivalent.

Fixed focal length lens
The camera lens does not change at all. With a fixed focal lens the only way you can get a close up is to move closer to your subject. But don’t get too close ot your subject’s features are likely to become distorted.

Types of zoom Lenses
Just because your camera is digital doesn’t mean your zoom lens should be!

Optical zoom lens
An optical zoom is a true zoom. Its focal length changes and the zoom mechanism itself extends and retracts so an image is magnified by the lens itself. An optical zoom produces the best quality images.

Digital zoom lens
A digital zoom is not a true zoom. It is a simulated zoom that enlarges the central portion of an image in the camera. The actual length of the lens does not change. Digital zoom produce images with reduced visual quality.
Interchangeable and converter lenses

Single Lens Reflex digital (dSLR) cameras accept a wide range of interchangeable lenses. Some lenses used with a 35mm film SLR may be compatible with the same brand dSLR, though features such as auto-focus may not work if the lens in old. You can get decent consumer level lenses for reasonable prices, however high quality professional lens can cost $1000 or more.

Add-on converter lenses are available for many compact digital cameras. Converter lens are relatively inexpensive and extend the flexibility and capability of a built-in lens.

source:digicamhelp.com

Casio EXILIM CARD EX-S10

Promoted as the world's smallest and thinnest 10 megapixel digital camera, the Casio S10 has a 3x optical zoom lens with a 36 to 108mm equivalent focal length coupled to a 1/2.3 inch CCD. The S10's stylish body, measuring just 94.2mm wide, 54.6mm high and 15.0mm thin (13.8mm at the thinnest part) is the product of Casio's relentless pursuit of thinness.

The S10 incorporates Casio's newly developed 2.7-inch Super Clear LCD. This displays extremely sharp and vivid images, thanks to its high contrast ratio and its 230,160 dot high resolution. According to the company, the S10's display can be viewed easily from above, below, left or right thanks to its wide viewing angle, and it is extremely bright, making it easy to see even in daylight.

The Casio EX-S10's Auto Shutter function automatically records the moment of a smile or the instant when hand shake ceases, using motion blur detection technology. The camera also offers iTunes-compatible H.264 video which utilizes the AAC audio codec widely enjoyed in Apple's iPod, etc., and it's possible to record movies in an appealing wide format. The S10 also features a Movie Button which makes movie recording easy. Images are stored on SD, SDHC, or MMC cards, plus 11.8MB of built-in memory, and the S10 derives its power from a custom lithium-ion battery pack.

The Casio EXILIM Card EX-S10 digital camera lists at U.S.$249.99, ships February 2008, and comes in four colors -- red, blue, silver, and black.

source:imaging-resource.com

Canon G9

RAW power – Canon raises the bar with PowerShot G9

Canon in 2007 has launched its new flagship compact for advanced photographers – the 12.1 Megapixel PowerShot G9. The successor to the PowerShot G7 – recently named EISA European Advanced Compact Camera 2007-2008 – the PowerShot G9 incorporates improvements driven by market feedback with a range of user-oriented enhancements, including RAW image capture* and a redesigned grip and thumb rest for improved handling. Other advancements include a high resolution 3.0” PureColor LCD II, enhanced Face Detection Technology and Red-Eye Correction in playback². A wide range of accessories – including optional lenses and Speedlite flash units – now also features Canon’s Speedlite ST-E2 wireless flash transmitter.

“A combination of advanced features, precision Canon optics and user-centric design made the PowerShot G7 our most successful G-series camera yet,” explained Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging, Europe. “By incorporating user requests and adding further enhancements, our engineers have made a great camera even better.”

The PowerShot G9 features:

* 12.1 Megapixels (1/1.7” sensor) with RAW mode for maximum image control
* 6x optical zoom lens with optical Image Stabilizer and SR coating*
* DIGIC III and iSAPS for lightning fast response, superb image quality and advanced Noise Reduction*
* Face Detection AF/AE/FE and Red-Eye Correction in playback
* 3.0” high-resolution, PureColor LCD II with extra wide viewing angle
* ISO 1600 and Auto ISO Shift
* Compact body with dedicated ISO and Multi Control dials
* 25 shooting modes including full manual control and 2 custom settings
* Extra telephoto reach with Digital Tele-Converter and Safety Zoom*
* Hot shoe support for Canon Speedlite flashes and optional lens accessories

Total image control

With an enlarged 12.1 Megapixel (1/1.7”) sensor, the PowerShot G9 gives photographers the flexibility to crop images and produce high quality prints up to A2 size. The addition of RAW image recording and simultaneous RAW+JPEG recording offers advanced users complete control over image processing. The supplied ZoomBrowser software includes RAW Image Task for fine adjustment of settings such as exposure compensation, white balance, tonal curve and colour temperature. RAW images can then be converted into either JPEG or TIFF format.

Canon precision optics for ultimate clarity

Exceptional optical performance is assured by the fast f/2.8 (W) – f/4.8 (T) Canon 6x optical zoom lens (35-210mm focal length, 35mm equivalent), which includes a double-sided aspherical lens element to counteract lens distortions. The addition of SR coating significantly reduces ghosting and chromatic aberration, while Canon’s optical Image Stabilizer technology counteracts the effects of camera shake. The risk of image blur is further reduced by ISO Shift, which allows an instant ISO boost whenever camera shake threatens to affect image quality. Benefiting from the large pixel count, Safety Zoom allows extra digital zoom with no interpolation – images can be captured at up to 15x zoom with enough resolution for lab-quality postcard (10 x 15cm) prints. Digital Tele-Converter adds extra telephoto reach to every shot (1.5x or 2.0x), without any reduction in aperture.

Improved Face Detection and Red-Eye Correction

The PowerShot G9 offers high speed operation and accurate image rendering through Canon’s DIGIC III processor, which also powers Face Detection Technology. In addition to focus and exposure control, Face Detection Technology has been improved on the PowerShot G9 to adjust for flash exposure – particularly helpful when using the flash close to a subject. A new Face Select and Track function enables the user to manually select and track an individual face from up to 35 faces detected in frame. Photographers will also benefit from Red-Eye Correction in playback, allowing in-camera removal of red-eye from captured images.

Designed for photographers

Built for photo-enthusiasts, the PowerShot G9 provides external controls that include a dedicated ISO dial, multi-control dial and customisable shortcut button. The analogue-inspired design of the PowerShot G9 has been updated on this model with a textured coating and a black alumite lens ring. A larger grip and pronounced thumb rest ensure secure and comfortable handling. On the back of the camera, a 3.0” PureColor LCD II offers several benefits. With 230,000 pixels resolution, the high contrast screen provides vastly improved colour reproduction and better visibility at wider angles of view. An anti-reflective coating helps in sunny conditions, while a protective layer guards against knocks and scrapes. The PowerShot G9 retains its optical viewfinder for extra framing flexibility.

Creativity unlimited

Advanced photographers will benefit from a selection of 25 shooting modes that includes full Manual, Av and Tv, along with two custom modes for user-defined settings. Shooting modes are complemented by a variety of features that assist creative shooting. Safety MF performs fine adjustments to aid manual focusing, while Safety FE reduces the risk of blown highlights when using the flash. Photographers can now choose a smaller AF frame size for finer focusing control – particularly helpful when using the camera’s 1cm Macro mode. Other useful features include an in-built ND (Neutral Density) filter, AEB (auto exposure bracketing), focus bracketing and a live histogram display. A new Image Resize function lets users downsize full-resolution images to 1600x1200, 640x480 and 320x240 sizes. This is equally useful for conserving storage space or preparing images for email or the Web.

Powerful movie functions

The photographic features of the PowerShot G9 are matched by a powerful array of movie capabilities. In addition to VGA (30fps) and high resolution XGA (15fps) movie recording, the PowerShot G9 introduces LP (Long Play) mode. This mode offers movies of half the file size without compromising on resolution or frame rate. The new Time Lapse Movie function allows the extended capture of changing scenes – such as a blooming flower, or bustling city streets - for accelerated playback as smooth VGA-quality movie clips.

No boundaries: Speedlite flash units and system accessories

With hot shoe support for Canon Speedlite EX series flash units, the PowerShot G9 is ideal for existing EOS digital SLR users or those seeking to experiment with creative flash photography. The camera supports the Speedlite ST-E2 wireless file transmitter for multi-flash setups. Additionally, the camera’s menu can be used to control flash settings for the recently launched Speedlite 580EX II.

The PowerShot G9 is compatible with a range of optional lens accessories, including wide (0.75x) and tele (2.0x) converter lenses. A waterproof case allows for shooting at depths of up to 40 metres. Offering a level of flexibility typically only found on digital SLRs, the PowerShot G9 provides photo enthusiasts with a camera that’s fully equipped to lift the limits of their creative potential.

source:dpreview.com

Canon ELP Digital Camera

Canon PowerShot SD790IS Digital ELPH Camera

10MP, 3x Optical Zoom, Optical Image Stabilizer, 3.0" LCD, Motion Detection 2554B001 Product Info

The Canon PowerShot SD790IS Digital ELPH Camera is a powerful Digital Camera with high-end features and an attractive sculptural design. The PowerShot SD790 IS Digital ELPH Camera by Canon features impressive core technologies such as a 10.0 megapixel CCD, a 3x Optical Zoom, and an Optical Image Stabilizer. The Canon Power Shot SD 790 IS Digital Camera 's 10 MP CCD captures a fine level of detail and resolution for extraordinary flexibility in cropping and enlarging an image. The Canon Digital Camera 's 3x Optical Zoom can easily handle the challenges of everyday shooting. Canon 's exclusive Optical Image Stabilizer automatically detects and cancels camera shake, ensuring that images are crisp and blur-free thoughout the zoom range. Motion Detection and Face Detection Technology are also added to maximize quality and performance, allowing for greater freedom shooting an image. Canon 's Face Detection Technology ensures natural hues for both faces and background areas. This technology also detects and automatically removes red eye. Motion Detection Technology automatically senses subject movement and optimizes exposure control and ISO settings to keep faces and other subjects free of blur. Complementing the Camera 's high-end technology is its large 3.0 inch PureColor LCD II screen. This LCD produces a sharp and clear image, accurate color, and a wide viewing angle. The screen is highly durable and easy to see in any light with a scratch-resistant, anti-reflective coating. The Canon Power-Shot SD790IS Digital ELPH Camera is controlled by a DIGIC III Image Processor that operates the camera at top efficiency and battery life, giving images superior quality. Equally attractive as the high-end specifications is the Canon Digital ELPH Camera 's sculptural design. The sculpted edges and futuristic flat buttons stand out in a crowd, and also improve handling and operability. The Canon PowerShot SD790IS Digital ELPH Camera is a stylish, high quality Digital Camera that performs just as well as it looks.

Features of Canon Power Shot SD 790IS Digital ELPH Camera 2554B001:

* Advanced 10.0 Megapixel Digital ELPH with 3x Optical Zoom and Optical Image Stabilizer.
* View your crisp clear images on a large 3.0-inch PureColor LCD II screen for bright, accurate color with great viewing from a wide range of angles.
* Improved Face Detection Technology sets the focus, exposure, flash and white balance automatically, allowing greater freedom of shooting.
* Stand out in a crowd with an edgy, stylish design combined with a cool new button configuration for great operability.
* Motion Detection Technology automatically detects subject movement and optimizes exposure control and ISO settings to reduce image blur.
* DIGIC III Image Processor for superior image quality and improved functionality.
* Print/Share Button for easy direct printing and downloading, plus ID Photo Print and Movie Print with select PIXMA Photo Printers and SELPHY Compact Photo Printers.

source:opticsplanet.net

Camera Casio

CASIO INTRODUCES STYLISH NEW 10.1 MEGAPIXEL DIGITAL CAMERA

Casio America, Inc. and its parent company, Casio Computer Co., Ltd., introduced the latest addition to its stylish series of EXILIM digital cameras today, the EXILIM Zoom EX-Z29. This newest member of the EXILIM line features a stylish, slim and compact design to increase portability, and provides an improved 10.1 megapixels of image resolution with 3X optical zoom. The EX-Z29 will be on display at Casio’s booth at the Photo Marketing Association International Convention and Tradeshow.

This new model stays true to the user-friendly features that have become standard to the EXILIM Zoom series. The 2.7-inch wide LCD display enables users to easily navigate camera operations and enhance the review of images, while the 23 Best Shot Modes and face detection technology help users take high quality photos without having to adjust camera settings.

“Casio is dedicated to creating digital cameras that feature superior technology while maintaining an ease of use for the consumer,” said Bill Heuer, Vice President of Sales for Digital Imaging Division at Casio America, Inc. “We continue to be a leader in the digital camera industry, providing fun and convenient ways to capture quality photographs.”

The EX-Z29 comes loaded with other useful features including Anti-Shake DSP which reduces photo blur from shaky hands or moving subjects, allowing users to shoot images with ease and confidence. Easy Mode simplifies the camera settings to three easy menus (image size, flash and self timer). With Easy Mode, the camera is set to take great photos in every situation without having to check presets or accidentally making a wrong adjustment. Casio’s Face Detection Technology maintains a sharp focus and the correct exposure for the human face.

Available at retail in April, the EX-Z29 will be available in black, pink, blue, silver and purple with an MSRP of $149.99.

source: casio.com

SLR Digital Cameras

Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III Digital SLR Camera Review

It is always exciting to hear that your most-used piece of photography kit is being replaced with a new and improved model - as was the case for me with the announcement of the Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III. The 1Ds III is Canon's ultra-high-end DSLR, delivering top-of-the-line image quality from a top-of-the-line shooting system matched to a top-of-the-line physical structure.

If you read the Canon EOS 1D Mark III Review (Canon's other current-at-this-time 1-Series DSLR), you are going to think that much of the Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III review sounds familiar. And for a good reason. These two redesigned-from-the-ground-up cameras are mostly identical with the exception of a few significant differences - including the sensor size/resolution (and associated parts including the viewfinder) and the max frame rate/buffer depth. Here is how they and the other current Canon DSLRs compare in these and other regards

Each of Canon's 1Ds bodies to date have been introduced with a new sensor having the highest resolution available at that time (the prior-model 1Ds Mark II is still the second highest resolution DSLR). And as usual, the new sensor gets a significant amount of the fanfare in this latest 1Ds iteration. No current DSLR compares to the Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III in regards to its ultra high 21.1 megapixel full frame resolution.

Going from the 1Ds II's 16.6 MP to the 1Ds III's 21.1 MP sensor is not a huge resolution jump, but it makes a nice difference - more than I expected. I think the ISO 12233 resolution chart tool shows this difference the best. Here you can use the mouseover feature to compare the Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III resolution with the ...

Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II and the Canon EOS 5D using a Canon EF 200mm f/2.8 L II USM Lens *

* What you need to know about the above comparisons (aside from how to use the tool's mouse-over feature) ... Canon specifies the Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III viewfinder as having an "approx." 100 percent horizontal and vertical view. In reality - and like the Canon EOS 1D Mark III, it is somewhat less than 100% (maybe 98%?) - this makes precisely framing a test chart hard as I must rely completely on the zoomed LCD review. But, the LCD does not show a 100% view of the final image - cutting about 5 pixels off each side. For most real world uses, these are non-issues for this camera, but for these comparisons, the 1Ds III has an approximately .4% disadvantage to the Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II and the Canon EOS 5D (which also doesn't mean much in the real world). Full disclosure finished.

Another resolution comparison - use the mouseover feature on the links below the following image to compare the 1Ds III to the 1Ds II and 5D.

Expect the additional resolution to help most with the tiny details in your pictures - and with large prints or 100% zoom computer viewing. More headroom is available for cropping as well. If your subject does not have small details in it, the difference from 16.6 MP will not be as apparent.

Noise is a DSLR image attribute that gets a lot of attention. As pixel density on the sensor is increased and individual pixel size is decreased to accommodate this, there is less light reaching each pixel well. The result we often see with increased pixel density is increased high ISO noise in our images. In other words, without a technology improvement, the 1Ds III should produce noisier images than the 1Ds II. Thanks at least in part to an improved sensor design, increased noise is not the case in this comparison.

I shot a lot of comparisons between these two bodies (and the 5D with its much less-pixel-dense sensor). In the end, I could show you examples to make either of the two 1-series bodies appear to be slightly better than the other. If you plan for the 1Ds III and 1Ds II to have a similar amount of noise, you will not be disappointed. Up to and including ISO 400, they are about the same. Above ISO 400, the 1Ds III more frequently begins taking a very slight lead (less noise) and this lead increases to slight at ISO 3200. Of course, uprezzing the 1Ds II to the 1Ds III's pixel dimensions gives it a slightly increased disadvantage. Canon has always given us excellent low noise performance in their cameras - and unlike in the 1D II N to 1D III upgrade decision, noise performance is not a good reason alone to upgrade from the 1Ds II to the 1Ds III.

I mentioned that I compared the 1Ds III to the 5D, Canon's other current full frame DSLR, as well. With its larger individual pixel wells able to capture more light, it is expected that the 5D would be able to deliver better high ISO performance. Even with the disadvantage of being introduced over two years ago - a lifetime in digital SLR years - the 5D still turns in slightly better low noise performance at ISO 1600 and even slightly better performance at ISO 3200. Of course, as you can see with your own eyes in the above comparison links, the 5D does not come close to the Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III in resolution. Uprezzing the 5D image to the pixel dimensions of the 1Ds III results in a softer image with similar amounts of noise.

Noise reduction anywhere in the imaging process can be used to virtually eliminate any amount of noise, but image detail is sacrificed in this process. I did all my testing with noise reduction off - you can turn it on in-camera or add it during post-processing for noise-reduce to your personal taste. I would rather have this option than to have the camera over-reduce noise and destroy image detail in the process.

You can compare the Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III ISO noise at full stop settings from ISO 100 through 3200 by moving your mouse over the ISO labels. This composition shows several smooth color tones/shades including those that show noise most readily. These images were taken from a long distance (slight atmospheric distortion is visible) and sharpening was set to 1 (very low). Increasing the sharpness setting increases the visible noise in the higher ISO shots. Notice how the small rivets in the door remain very identifiable even at ISO 3200.

source:the-digital-picture.com

Panasonic Lumix Digital Camera

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 Digital Camera

The 7.2 megapixel, 10x optical zoom, compact Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 is the successor to the TZ1. Improvements from its predecessor include a bump in resolution, a new imaging processor, the Venus Engine III processor, and Intelligent ISO control. These new features get added to the image stabilization system that exists on every Panasonic camera. The Panasonic TZ3 is a good option for someone looking for a compact ultrazoom camera, with quick performance and a nice feature set.

Image Sensor

The TZ3 has a 1/2.35” CCD that captures an effective 7.2 megapixels. The images have a maximum size of 3216x2144 pixels. There are two quality settings at each resolution setting on the camera. At full resolution and highest quality, you can get approximately 280 shots on a 1GB memory card.

LCD

The TZ3 sports a huge 3 inch LCD with 230K pixels of resolution. It’s not great outdoors, but there are a couple LCD modes that let you boost the brightness (power LCD) and optimize the display for high angle shooting. The LCD shows colors well and it gains up and down, depending on lighting conditions. Refresh rates on the large screen are not completely fluid, but still acceptable.

Lens/Zoom

One of the biggest selling points of the TZ3 is its 10x optical zoom (in the compact body). Not only is the lens capable of 10x zoom, it’s also capable of 28mm wide angle (35mm equivalent). The lens also has a maximum aperture of f3.3. Unlike the lens cap on its predecessor, the TZ1, this camera has a built-in lens cover to protect the lens.

As with every Panasonic digital camera, the TZ3 has their MEGA O.I.S. image stabilization system. There are two stabilization modes or it can be disabled completely. The first mode provides constant image stabilization so that you can see the effects of stabilization on the screen. However, this mode also drains battery faster and is less effective than the second mode, which provides stabilization only at the moment that the shutter is pressed.

Focus Modes and Focus Ranges

In normal focus mode, you can focus as close as 1.64 feet at wide angle and 6.56 feet at telephoto. If you need to get close, the macro mode lets you focus as close as 0.16 feet at wide angle and 3.28 feet at telephoto.

As far as focus areas, you can use 9 area focusing, 3 area focusing (high speed), 1 area focusing (high speed), regular speed one area focusing, and spot focus.

Flash

The built-in flash has an on-paper range of 1.97 feet to 13.8 feet at wide angle and Auto ISO. You can choose from the following modes: auto, auto with red eye reduction, flash always on, flash always on, slow synch/red eye reduction, and forced off.

Memory Media

The TZ3 accepts SD, SDHC, and MMC media cards. There is approximately 12.7MB of internal memory.

Image/Movie File Format(s)

All images are stored as JPEG files and movies are recorded as Quicktime Motion JPEGs.

Connectivity

USB 2.0 Full Speed, A/V out, and DC in

Power

The TZ3 is powered by a 1000 mAh lithium-ion battery pack. The included charger can charge the battery in about 120 minutes. According to the manual, the battery life, according to CIPA standards is 270 shots per charge. In real life, you won’t get this many – during my review which I consider to be pretty heavy use, I got right around 200 shots.

EXPOSURE

Auto/Program Auto Mode

The primary shooting mode on the TZ3 is the automatic mode, which is essentially a program auto mode since you can change the white balance, ISO, etc during image capture. If you want *really* automatic, there is a simple mode that minimizes the options as far as flash modes, menu options, and so on.

The camera also has a bracketing mode which can be a very useful feature when you want to make sure you don't miss the correct exposure. If you press the up direction on the control pad twice, you can set the bracketing interval (1/3, 2/3, or full stop of exposure). In this mode, the camera will take 3 shots: one with default exposure, one that is underexposed by the interval you specified and one that is overexposed by the interval you specified.

The high speed burst mode on the TZ3 takes 3 frames per second (fps), low speed is 2 fps and the “unlimited” mode lets you take as many shots as you want at 2 fps.

Scene Modes

There are plenty of scene modes to choose from on the TZ3. There are actually two options on the mode dial (SCN1 and SCN2) that access the same set of scene modes. By having two entries, it’s easy to access two of your favorite scene modes, just by turning the mode dial since the last scene mode that you used is remembered. Otherwise, you just need to use the menu system to pick which one you want. Here’s what you can choose from: Portrait, Soft Skin, Self Portrait, Scenery, Sports, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Food, Party, Candlelight, Baby, Pet, Sunset, High Sensitivity, Starry Sky, Fireworks, Beach, Snow, Aerial Photo, and Underwater. The manual that comes with the camera has some of the best descriptions that I’ve seen about what each scene mode does.

Intelligent ISO Mode

Intelligent ISO mode is another option on the shooting dial and a new feature that is on all of the latest Panasonic digital cameras. This shooting mode detects subject movement and boosts ISO so that the shutter speed is fast enough to capture the subject. With just standard optical image stabilization, shutter speeds can remain slow while the image stabilization handles any camera shake. However, IS does not account for subject movement - a higher ISO allows a faster shutter speed. You can set the ISO limit in this mode via the camera menu system.

Movie Mode

The TZ3 can capture movies in a 4:3 aspect ratio (640x480, 320x240) and a 16:9 aspect ratio (848x480). At each resolution, you can capture movies at both 30fps and 10fps. Unfortunately, the optical zoom is not available during movie capture.

Metering

The TZ3 is capable of multiple area metering, center weighted metering, and spot metering.

White Balance

White balance can bet set to auto, daylight, cloudy, shade, halogen, or a custom setting that the user can set. In all white balance modes, excluding auto, you can also tweak the white balance towards red or blue, whichever is needed.

Sensitivity

The sensitivity of the imaging sensor (ISO) can be set to auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, and 1250.

In-Camera Image Adjustment

During image capture, you can adjust white balance, sensitivity, and color settings (standard, natural, vivid, cool, warm). During image playback, you can rotate, resize, or trim images.

source: digitalcamerareview.com

Nikon Coolpix Digital Camera

Nikon Coolpix S710 Reviews - great replacement of your DSLR

The Nikon Coolpix S710 is great camera that will make you stop using your DSLR. The S710 boasts of incredible collection of manual controls, 14.5-megapixel sensor, and a 28mm wide-angle lens. The digital camera is capable of capturing full resolution images with sensitivity of ISO 3,200 and 3-megapixel shots at ISO 12,800.

Measuring 3.6 inches wide, 2.3 inches high and 1 inch thick, the Coolpix S710 weighs just 6.5-ounces. The S710 boasts of an optically stabilized wide angle lens with focal range of 28-101mm. The overall design is pretty attractive and the camera is available in three color schemes- deep red, brilliant silver and graphite black.

Nikon S710 boasts of a 3-inch LCD screen but the large size of the screen resulted in the small space left for the camera controls. So, the camera controls are cramped into small space. Nikon has tried to make the controls easily accessible and minimize the accidental pressing of button. To serve this purpose, the controls are slightly raised above the surface of the camera. The camera controls include a directional pad/scroll wheel which acts as directional controls as well as allows you to access flash, timer, macro mode, and exposure compensation. The scroll wheel works with the virtual Mode dial and allows you to go through various menus and manipulate various settings which include setup menus, aperture settings, adjust ISO sensitivity, shutter speed, and skim through captured images in Playback mode.

The S710 provides options to choose from a number of modes which are present on many Nikon Coolpix P-series and dSLR models. These modes include aperture priority, Program, manual modes, and shutter-priority. The manual modes allow you to fiddle with settings such as aperture, shutter speed, and ISO sensitivity. Other settings such as, white balance, color options, metering, auto focus, drive modes, and AF area modes can be adjusted through main menu.

The S710 boasts of 14-megapixel sensor and provides pretty decent performance. The S710 has 0.6 second shutter lag in bright conditions and 0.8 second in low light conditions. It takes a little longer to capture first shot from switch off with average time of 3.7 seconds and 4 seconds between two consecutive shots. If you use the flash, the S71o takes 4.1 seconds on an average to capture two consecutive shots. In the burst speed mode, the S710 can capture 1.1 frames per second. In movie capture mode, the S710 can record videos with resolution of 640×480 pixels.

source: technotalks.com

Nikon Coolpix Camera

Nikon Coolpix P80
10.1MP | 27-486mm (18X) ZOOM

The Coolpix P80 is Nikon's first attempt at a DSLR-like compact camera since the Coolpix 8800 back in 2004, since when the lenses have got a lot bigger, the cameras a lot smaller and - crucially - the prices a lot lower. The camera slots into the premium series of Nikon's Coolpix range (the 'P' denotes Professional, apparently), and offers the 18x zoom range that has very quickly gone from being unthinkable to almost an entry requirement for membership of this segment. Thankfully, it follows the competition by starting that enormous zoom range at a really useful 27mm and, with a relatively bright F2.8-4.5 maximum aperture range, it's still pretty useable at the long end of things. Overall there's little in the specifications to help distinguish it in this fiercely-fought market, but there's still the possibility that Nikon's processing and metering know-how will allow the P80 to stand out.

* 10.1 effective Megapixels
* 27-486mm equiv lens with 18x optical zoom
* 2.7 inch LCD with 230,000 dots resolution
* Electronic Viewfinder with 97% Field of View
* Optical Image Stabilizer
* ISO sensitivity up to 6400
* Face Detection AF, In-Camera Red-Eye Fix and D-Lighting
* 11 scene modes including Sports Continuous Scene Mode
* Program, Shutter-Priority, Aperture-Priority and Manual Exposure Modes
* Expeed processing
* Optional accessories available
* Battery life: 250 shots

Overview

The P80 is a good looking little camera that, understandably for a manufacturer renowned for its DSLRs, resembles a DSLR very closely indeed. It's an almost all-black affair with just the outside lip of the lens featuring a subtle silver ring. The lens itself very closely resembles the 18x zooms fitted to the Fujifilm S8100, S8000 and Olympus SP 560-UZ, and we'd be surprised if the lenses didn't all come from the same factory. Unlike those cameras, however, the Nikon P80 uses a Lithium-ion rechargeable battery (as do the Panasonic and Sony in this group); this helps keep the weight down but, in this instance, has a devastating impact on battery life.

It's a camera that fits in the hand well and certainly looks the part. That low-key black design with restrained silver flourishes looks smart and stylish in a low-key way. The P80 is the only camera in this test to feature a DSLR-like control dial, which helps to make it one of the easiest cameras to use in its manual and semi-manual modes. However, it retains the frustrating Coolpix quirk by which some menus can be navigated using the four-way controller or the dial but others respond only to the dial. The setup menu is accessed via the mode dial - a clever way of de-cluttering the main menu by removing the options you only change occasionally.

Image quality and performance

The Nikon P80 is by no means a sluggish camera, but in this comparison it is placed towards the slower end of the spectrum. Start-up is rather slow; it takes 3.3 sec before you can your first shot after switching the camera on. Shot-to-shot time is 2.6 sec, this increases to 2.9 sec with flash use and, due to the pre-flash, to 6.2 sec when anti-red-eye is activated as well. The shutter lag is very short though.

With approximately 0.6 sec at wide angle and almost 1.0 sec focus time at the tele end of the zoom the P80's AF can't keep up with the quickest competitors in this test. I can mostly find a lock in relatively low light levels but when it gets too dark it simply gives up. In review mode the speed of image browsing and magnification is about average. When you flick between images the camera shows a slightly pixilated preview before the high-res version is displayed.

The Nikon's metering is some of the best we've seen in this test, with it doing a good job of rendering the scenes accurately. This is fortunate since the small chip has fairly limited dynamic range, meaning that bright regions and features tend to be represented as featureless white. The P80 does about as well as can be expected in this respect, though the small sensors in this class of camera mean it there are limitations to what it can achieve. The fine detail rendition is aggressively smoothed-over by noise reduction at all ISO settings, meaning the images are not as sharp or detailed as those from a DSLR would be (the P80's sensor is less than a tenth the size of Nikon's consumer-level DSLRs). The only thing that detracts from images in a way that would be visible in prints is rather unreliable focusing at the long end of the zoom (this didn't seem to be a problem at shorter focal lengths).

The video capabilities of the P80, both in terms of specifications and output quality are fairly unexciting. It can record VGA movies at 30fps in the Motion JPEG format, taking up around 1.1MB/sec. The videos themselves are fairly smooth but not particularly detailed. The camera can only use its digital zoom while recording movies and is also limited to electronic image stabilization, which frankly isn't up to the job of stabilizing a 386mm equivalent lens.

Summary

Unlike its hugely successful digital SLR division, Nikon's Coolpix range has little to distinguish itself from the mass of competing models in the market, and seems to survive purely on the cachet that the Nikon brand carries in the photographic world. The P80 is a typical Coolpix: it offers much, looks pretty and boasts an enticing feature set, but ultimately falls down when you actually come to use it. As with the other 'mid ground' cameras in this group the P80 isn't a terrible camera, it's just not that good. It's slow, the focus at the long end of the zoom is unreliable, the image stabilization unimpressive and the output distinctly average.

The P80 does, of course, have a few saving graces: the presence of a control dial makes it work a lot more like an SLR, and it is capable of good results as long as you avoid the long end of the zoom and higher ISO settings, but ultimately that's not enough to lift it above the competition.

* We like: Solid feature set, small and lightweight body, control dial, excellent metering and appealing color

* We don't like: Unreliable focus at long end of zoom, poor battery life, slightly soft output, poor high ISO performance

source: dpreview.com

Finepix Digital Camera

FujiFilm Finepix A920 Digital Camera Review

The FinePix A920 is equipped with simple, user-friendly operation but enables an even greater variety of people to enjoy photography at the high resolution of 9 megapixels. With this amazing level of detail, photos print crisp and clear even in larger sizes or when cropped to show just one part of the image. The FinePix A920 also supports a 4x zoom, which lets users take great close-ups from far away. The Fujifilm Finepix A920 features high ISO setting up to 800, which offers clear, blur-free detail even in difficult shooting conditions such as indoor or moving subjects. In specific shooting situations, selectable scene positions help eliminate the annoying settings and give users great photos in even tricky situation.

The bright, 2.7-inch LCD displays an icon-based Graphic User Interface (GUI) that explains and confirms camera settings at a glance, letting users shoot with ease and confidence. When users switch shooting modes, scene positions or control settings, a brief explanation of the setting is momentarily displayed on the LCD screen, taking much of the guess work out of digital camera operation. Additionally, the camera sports a conveniently placed mode dial that provides easy access to the most commonly used shooting modes, including Auto, Picture Stabilization and Movie mode and allows one-touch access to other pre-programmed scene modes.

Coolpix Digital Camera

Nikon Coolpix S510 Digital Camera Review

by Karen M. Cheung

The Nikon Coolpix S510 competes with many similar digital cameras currently on the market. It has standard features, including 8.1 megapixels and a 3x optical zoom lens, but, according to Nikon, is faster and produces less noise than competing cameras. Introduced in August 2007, the Nikon camera has face detection and optical vibration reduction image stabilization.

Physical Tour
Front (7.5)
The front of the Coolpix S510 has a flat, smooth surface and features an extending, three-tiered lens. On the inner ring is the text “Nikkor 3x Optical Zoom VR” on the top, with “5.7-17.1mm” focal length and “1:2.8-4.7” aperture information on the bottom rim. Beneath the lens are three built-in microphone holes. Above the lens is the long, built-in capsule-shaped flash and a circular assist illuminator for autofocus and the self-timer.

The right side of the front leaves plenty of space for the right hand to grab onto. A gray Nikon logo sits in the corner, along with an engraved Coolpix logo.

Back (6.75)
The 2.5-inch LCD, which sits on a slightly elevated platform, takes up most of the camera's back. Underneath the monitor is a dark gray Nikon logo. To the right of the screen are the majority of the camera's controls. On the top of the miniature-sized control panel is a sliver of a zoom toggle with black icon labels, indicating its various functions. Underneath the zoom toggle is a flash indicator lamp and five raised squares, a small attempt at thumb rest support.

Halfway down the back is the rotating dial, which acts as a four-way controller for menu navigation and functions for Self-timer, Flash, Focus, and EV compensation. Surrounding the rotary multi-selector are four identical rectangular buttons for Mode, Playback, Menu, and Trash.

Right Side (4.0)
The right side of the Nikon Coolpix S510 contains the A/V-out terminal with ports for audio, video, and USB connection hidden under a door. There is also an eyelet for a wrist strap.

Left Side (7.0)
The left side of the Nikon S510 doesn’t have any key features. There are three tiny screws that hold the exterior plates together.

Top (7.0)
The top of the Nikon Coolpix S510 is fairly bare. A flash operation lamp separates the shutter release from the triangular on/off power button.

Bottom (4.25)
The bottom of the camera features the dual battery and memory card compartment on the right side of the body, housed under a plastic hinged, locking door. To the left side is the battery serial number, an off-axis tripod socket, and three tiny screws.

Camera Sale

Digital Camera on Sale – be Cautious While Buying One

by Kris Saelen

Nowadays, you can find different kinds of digital cameras on sale. But all you need to choose is the right one as per your requirement and budget. Digital cameras that are available in the market come in different prices to enable you to select the best one as far as your budget is concerned.

An electronic machine that can convert images into electronic data is widely known as a digital camera. Before cameras were used for taking photographs only. These days’ multifunctional digital cameras can take photographs along with video and sound recordings. Digital cameras are generally categorized under three basic categories - Video cameras, still cameras and professional modular digital camera system. Professional modular digital camera systems are the latest formats for digital cameras. These three categories have certainly raised the quality level for all the digital cameras on sale.

Usually a digital camera consists of a memory to store any kind of data in digital format. Some camera phones or cheap digital cameras can utilize onboard memory to store the necessary data. Nowadays, in the market you to can find digital cameras on sale that are of removable memory card. These removable memory cards are basically meant to store the data temporarily. Secure digital cards, XD cards and memory stick cards are prime resource for a latest digital camera to store the memory.

Nowadays, you can find different kinds of digital cameras on sale. But all you need to choose is the right one as per your requirement and budget. Digital cameras that are available in the market come in different prices to enable you to select the best one as far as your budget is concerned. Before buying a digital camera your first decision is to make about is its resolution. This is to ensure that you are not going to loose the way for your requirements of a digital camera after buying a high resolution one. This can cost you more with money, storage and processing power.

A hue number of pixels do not mean to offer you a better image. So, this is your duty to be cautious while purchasing. If your work is to post images to the web, email files or view images on your computer then you may go for a lower resolution digital camera. Keep in mind that whether it’s a high capacity memory card or a small one, both are there in the market to give you the best result on use. But as previously mentioned, it depends on your needs and budget.

source: articlesbase.com

Camera Canon Digital Rebel

Canon Digital Rebel XTi

If you're looking for an SLR digital camera, you already know you're going to have to spend a large chunk of money on the camera body, not to mention the add-on lenses and flashes. The good news is you'll usually receive a lot of great features for that high price, and Canon lives up to that standard with its Digital Rebel XTi, which we've awarded with a Best Buy designation.

The Rebel XTi offers a 10.1-megapixel resolution, which allows for near-film-quality prints up to 13x19 inches. It will provide plenty of resolution for beginner and intermediate photographers.

You can shoot your first photo less than one-half second after pressing the power button; you will find very few SLR digital cameras that can match that kind of start-up speed. The Rebel XTi's shutter lag is not noticeable. In continuous-shot mode, you can capture three photos per second for about 9 seconds, which is very impressive for a high-end digital camera. Shot-to-shot delays are a little slow and can approach 3 seconds when using a flash, but this unit's overall performance times are very good.

The Rebel XTi has an interesting feature to preserve battery life. Whenever you lift the digital camera to your eye to frame the shot with the viewfinder, this model senses the movement and automatically turns off the LCD. Not that you'll want to turn off this 2.5-inch LCD very often; it's extremely bright and sharp, and you can view it from almost any angle. You even can select from seven brightness levels with the Rebel XTi's display unit. It's one of the better LCDs we've seen in a digital camera at any price point. Another benefit: The Rebel XTi makes use of a standard optical viewfinder that can show about 95 percent of the actual photo, which is a good result. Many high-end cameras use EVFs (electronic viewfinders), which sometimes cause problems with framing photos.

If you have used high-end Canon cameras in the past and have extra lenses available, you'll appreciate that the Rebel XTi can make use of all Canon EF lenses. However, the Rebel XTi does not automatically ship with a lens. The Rebel XTi kit discussed here only includes the digital camera body (in black or silver) and battery. (Some Rebel XTi kits include an 18-55 mm lens for an additional cost.) For an SLR digital camera, the Rebel XTi is surprisingly small and lightweight, and it feels sturdy.

One great new feature on the Rebel XTi is Canon's decision to include an Integrated Cleaning System (ICS). Because of their design, SLR digital cameras often suffer from dust reaching the image sensor; Canon's ICS eliminates the dust problem.

The Rebel XTi is the third entry in Canon's family of EOS Digital Rebel cameras, which aim at providing digital SLR cameras for less than $1,000. The Rebel XTi's feature list greatly improves on the two previous models -- the Rebel and the Rebel XT. This model compares favorably to others in this category and carries a lower price than most in this category. Finally, if you already have Canon lenses available, it's an amazingly good value.

Pros: Good value for SLR digital, great response times, high-end resolution, LCD quality is outstanding
Cons: Shot-to-shot delays with flash could be better, model could be easier to use

source: howstuffworks.com

35mm Camera

35mm Camera Buying Guide
The Basics: 35mm Cameras

For many people, a film camera is the only way to take a picture. They balk at using the digital camera. And while it is more and more uncommon, you can still purchase a point-and-shoot film camera. A trip to the camera store can be bewildering to someone unfamiliar with cameras. Row upon row of gleaming chrome and shiny black cameras, of all different sizes and prices--how do you choose? The process isn't hard if you first determine exactly what you want to do with the camera.

Before buying a camera, first determine the types of photos you'll be taking and the degree of personal involvement you want to have in the process. Shop for a camera that will best suit your needs. Even some less expensive cameras provide sophisticated systems to automate your photography.

Single Lens Reflex (SLR) Cameras

With this type of camera, you are looking through the same lens that will form the image on the film; this is the most precise viewing method available. Most SLR cameras feature interchangeable lenses, and this is one of the reasons to consider an SLR. Lens choices range from wide angle and telephoto to a wide variety of zooms and close-up or "macro" lenses. The major brands of SLR cameras also have extensive accessory systems that let you tackle almost any photographic task. Whether it's special lenses and flash units for close-ups of tiny insects, an intervalometer for recording a time-lapse series of a flower opening up, or a high-speed motor drive that permits taking up to ten pictures per second for fast-action series, the SLR is the most versatile and adaptable form of camera. Another variation, the ZLR (zoom lens reflex), has a permanently attached zoom lens. While slightly less versatile, it is a good choice for traveling because it avoids a lot of separate components that might get lost or stolen.

35mm Compact Cameras

Nearly all 35mm compact cameras have just a single focal length lens and fixed (or focus-free) lenses that are capable of producing sharp pictures of subjects about 4 to 5 feet away to infinity. Most models include auto exposure and a built-in automatic flash so they may be used anywhere. However, they are generally limited to one or two basic shutter speeds and can just be used outdoors in good weather or indoors with the flash within a rather limited flash range of usually 4 to 10 feet.

24mm APS Cameras

The 24mm camera format was introduced a few years ago. The cassette holding APS film looks very similar to a 35mm cassette, but they are not compatible. APS is far more user friendly and features simple drop-in loading without contending with a leader as is necessary on 35mm film. The small APS film cassette is simply dropped into the camera body (it only fits the correct way) and after the loading door is closed, the film is automatically extracted and moved to the first frame. The camera cannot be accidentally opened while loaded. After the film is exposed and processed, it is returned stored (uncut) in the original cassette.

Instant-print Cameras

Polaroid makes the only instant-print cameras available in the U.S. They use only Polaroid film, which is more costly per print than 35mm or APS film. However, there's no denying the appeal of having a fully developed color or black-and-white print in hand in a matter of seconds or minutes after taking the photo. Polaroid cameras have been popular with partygoers for decades, and probably will be for the foreseeable future.

How to Shop

If you are looking for a point-and-shoot film camera, some of the features to look for are autoexposure, built-in flash, and auto film advance and rewind. If a camera that is featured here appeals to you but is a bit too expensive, or perhaps lacks a particular feature you're looking for, keep in mind that there is often a companion model just above or below the one reviewed. You might save money by deleting an unnecessary feature.

source: howstuffworks.com

Samsung Camera

Samsung Digimax i6

Samsung Digimax i6 digital camera - Multimedia character
Increasingly, Samsung is making its presence felt in the digital camera market as it reacts to all the latest developments. The Korean manufacturer surprised us earlier with innovative models, and now there is the Samsung Digimax i6 PMP. As well as being a user friendly digital compact camera, the Samsung i6 is also a video camera and can be used as a MP3 player. The camera's design also contributes to the modern vibe it exudes from both without and within. The Samsung Digimax i6 has an all-round character thanks to its various possibilities and multi-functionality that will attract a varied group of users. In the area of photography, it will not please the demanding photographer, but trend followers and new generation of photographers may very well fall for this multimedia appliance.

Samsung i6 PMP - User friendly & 2.5 inch LCD display
The Samsung Digimax i6 has many functions concealed in a compact camera and it can sometimes be difficult to have a clear overview of everything. The buttons are well arranged, but the menu could use a little facelift. The multiple options and the fact they can be used simultaneously makes it rather difficult to understand at times. After I had used the camera for hours, regularly referring to the instruction manual, the structure became clear to me, so it's basically just a question of getting used to it. The attractive 2.5 inch format screen displays all of the functionalities clearly and despite the large format, the Samsung i6 is the sort of camera that really should try for a 3 inch screen. Maybe Samsung could bear this in mind if a Samsung Digimax i7 is on the cards?

Samsung Digimax i6 - Good picture quality
The Samsung Digimax i6's picture quality is good and will please the average user. The colour reproduction is nice and strong and gives good print results. There is room for improvement in the ISO quality. The quality of the low ISO values is fine, but the 200 and 400 ISO have relatively too much noise. Considering what is technically possible nowadays, it must be possible to improve the pixel quality and extend the ISO series.

Samsung Digimax i6 PMP - Digital image stabiliser
Although the Samsung Digimax i6 has an image stabiliser, I would prefer it to be replaced with an optical version. The digital image stabiliser in the Samsung i6 works well in good light conditions, but the moment you need to increase the ISO value artificially, the negative effects show up in the picture. Actually, manufacturers should only use the digital version is they are sure that the ISO is of high quality; if not, then an optical image stabiliser is the only solution.

Samsung i6 digital camera - Popular trend setter
I can imagine that the Samsung i6 PMP will go down well with trendy consumers. If people want a pocket-sized piece of equipment with better photo quality than the popular mobile phones with built-in cameras that plays your favourite numbers, then the Samsung Digimax i6 could maybe become a popular trend setter. I can certainly see something in the concept, if only because manufacturers should be very well prepared for new trends. If you market this multimedia appliance as a sort mother of all gadgets, you will be mercilessly taken to task by trendy critics if it doesn't meet high standards. By marketing it, as Samsung has done, as a camera with multimedia extras, you will cultivate the right expectation patterns.

Samsung Digimax i6 PMP - Perfectly good camera
Samsung NV is also active on the MP3 player market and is gaining more experience. I foresee that Samsung will at some point really be able to draw on its experience to make a super gadget, a real high quality multimedia appliance, with for example a touch screen and high quality video applications. Until that time, we will have to make do with the Samsung Digimax i6, a perfectly good camera that allows you to listen to your favourite MP3 numbers while taking photographs or that can be used just in the MP3 mode. Trendy users and the Samsung Digimax i6 is a match made in heaven.

source: letsgodigital.org

Photography Digital Camera

If Only I Had A Better Camera

by Andrew Goodall

"If only I had a better camera, I could take great photos like these!" That is something I hear every day in my gallery, and I am sure many photographers hear the same thing. People walk around a display of professional photography, and think that it is the camera, not the photographer, who is responsible for the great photos.

Pride makes it hard to admit that we are just not very good at something. Photography is no exception: much easier to blame the camera. The trouble is, if we want to take better photos, will buying a better camera make that happen?

Of course not.

The truth is, you can take better photos no matter what sort of camera you have. Digital cameras have become so advanced that almost all cameras now have aperture and shutter speed settings, not to mention amazingly powerful optical zoom lenses. These are features that, until very recently, were only available on SLR cameras. So if you want to take better photos, the features are right there in front of you. All you have to do is take the time to learn how to use them.

To take better photos, start with the manual that came with your camera. It will tell you how to operate the major settings, although it may not be so good at explaining what they are for. Then find the information you need to understand how those settings will help you take better photos. There are courses, workshops, books and ebooks that will tell you what you need to know.

Make sure the course or ebook you choose is about how to take better photos. These days, a lot of the information out there is about fixing your photos on a computer, and not about taking better photos.

A lot of what you can learn has nothing to do with the camera. That's right; you can improve your photography without changing one thing about your camera. My experience in nature photography has taught me that the way you use the light to capture your subject makes a huge difference. The weather and the time of day can affect the light, so your timing and patience can be the difference between a snapshot and a great photo.

Developing a good eye for visual balance and composition is another aspect to taking better photos that has nothing to do with what sort of camera you have. You can go a long way towards better photography by learning to think like an artist, not like a tourist. A good guide to photography should teach you this important element of photography as well.

Here are a few simple examples. If you are photographing a waterfall, try looking at the scene creatively. Perhaps you can stand back and take a photo that follows the flow of water upstream, with the waterfall in the background. Or you could try looking through the branches of a tree, to frame the subject, rather than just snapping the first and most obvious angle.

When photographing people and animals, think about the best way to position them to make a stronger composition. Instead of putting them in the middle of the photo looking straight at the camera, try positioning them to one side, looking in towards the centre of the picture.

These are just a couple of simple ideas to get you thinking. The point is this: you can take great strides to becoming a better photographer by concentrating on the artistic aspects of the craft, rather than just the technical.

Of course, many things you can do with a compact camera, you can do even better if you have an SLR camera. However, buying a better camera is not going to help you take better photos if you just switch it to automatic and keep taking snapshots. So here's my tip. Buy the camera you can afford, then learn how to use it. It's as simple as that. No matter which camera you have, you can take better photos with a bit of knowledge, and a bit of practice. If you decide to upgrade later, so be it, but learning the basics of good photography will get you a lot further than succumbing to the "If only I had a better camera" mindset.

Now, if only I had better golf clubs...