canon ixus digital camera

Canon IXUS 970 IS Review
The Canon IXUS 970 IS is a 10 megapixel digital camera with a 5x optical zoom lens. It has a metal body and is a step up in overall quality compared to most point and shoot digital cameras.

The Canon IXUS digital camera range has always been impressive when it comes to picture quality. Extra features such as image stabilisation have also become the norm. The IXUS 970 IS upholds the tradition of good picture quality, stylish design and impressive build quality. This model also has a slight increase in the length of the zoom lens over its predecessors. It also has a top quality LCD screen.

Outdoor 1 (Medium Zoom)
The most striking feature of this shot is the amount of detail you can see in the lighter areas of the photo. The resolution is outstanding. This helps to make the shots appear sharply focused. Some of that sharp focusing is lost at the edges of the shot and if I was being picky I would also say that in where the sun cannot quite reach the IXUS 970 IS is unable to match the definition managed by the Panasonic DMC FS5 I reviewed recently. These are minor points though and this is a good start.

Outdoor 2 (No Zoom)
With the lens zoomed right out my test shot is about average in terms of focusing. There is also a small amount of purple fringing showing on the boat towards the left hand side of the picture.

Outdoor 3 (Maximum Zoom)
This is the best outdoor shot. Again the definition in the shot is highly impressive. The IXUS 970 IS is certainly able to bring out more detail than I am used to seeing. I also like the brightness of the shot. It helps add more life to the picture.

Outdoor 4 (Building)
This is another sharp shot and highlights the fact you should be able to take good quality snapshots in most situations with this Canon digital cameras.

Outdoor Portrait
This is quite a natural looking portrait shot. You will find other brands such as Panasonic digital cameras produce more colour in this test shot on a regular basis than Canon digital cameras manage.

Indoor Portrait with Flash
This photo is near to perfection for an indoor shot with flash. The camera handles the amount of light output by the flash unit expertly. This leads to a photo where the lighting is just right, leaving the colours to stand out.

Indoor Portrait without Flash
I like this photo. Here the IXUS 970 IS has used the natural light available very well. Again there is an impressive level of detail in the shot.

Colours
produce more colour in this test shot on a regular basis than Canon digital cameras tend to be somewhere in the middle rank when it comes to colour strength. In most cases I think the combination of the brightness of the photos and the colours they use creates great photos.

Macro
I have mentioned in other reviews that a really good macro shot suggests a high quality lens. The macro shot produced by the IXUS 970 IS shows great clarity and plenty of details.

ISO 400 and ISO 1600
Increasing the ISO setting on any compact digital camera will lead to noise appearing in the picture. At ISO 400 noise is controlled quite well and is inline with levels produced by most digital cameras. By the time ISO 1600 is reached picture quality really has broken down.

Overall
Based on picture quality I would be happy to own this camera. The way the lighting and colours combine works really well.

Underwater Camera

Intova Underwater Digital Camera 6Mp

Product Description

The new standard in affordable Sports Photography. This full featured 6 MP camera, with a rugged and compact housing, fills all your photographic needs. Use the camera by itself for safe, protected environments or put it in the housing for Wet and Wild photo occasions. The polycarbonite housing has full button feature controls and is waterproof to 180 feet (54 meters). Other features include a 2.4" color LCD display, 12 X zoom (3x optical, 4x digital) and SD card capacity up to 2 gig.

In this modern day & age, we are sometimes sufficiently graced to "get what we pay for". I am happy to convey this boffo little dynamo gives your steady hand way more bang than expected. As an avid diver & photographer I did a lot of research, wedged between some mecha-$1000s set up with strobes out to the sides like insect eyes - and the stoopid $20 disposable film jobbies I'd hobbled by with for years.

Lucky to have found this camera; their (Intova) newer, more mega-pixeled versions could be better - I would not be surprised, given the overall workmanship, quality of build & performance I got. Caveat: 90% of my opinion is based on scuba pix in warm & clear tropical environments; however, the responsive convenience of the digital itself - sans housing - should not be overlooked. For a suave dinky 6MP point & shoot, the built-in flash functioned admirably, if sometimes pawn to close range (~<5>100 ft, & my IC600 negotiated >30 dives without so much as a hiccup. I did also attentively maintain my housing, well rinsed & clean, with good quality fresh silicone grease on my o-rings when I changed the batteries. By the way, the red filter accessory is too much (overtones) & not worth it.

Two other tips - some may ponder ordinary "alkaline" vs rechargable batteries here; follow me & many other reviewers & use rechargeables ONLY. I got a sony 4-pk w/ wall charger & easily kept them going in&out by 2's ~every other day with zero performance lapse (eg, 50-75 HQ photos per day +some videos, over 600 files in total; didn't barely fill half my card). To that end, I also added a better-quality "fast" 2GB SD card. Very curious if the processor reads an SDHC (since the specs don't say), but haven't tried.

For what this camera costs versus what it delivers, it's 5-star, frankly. It is though an "entry level" option, and not meant to compete with those huge multi-eyed 12MP rigs fellows tote around. As at the start, sometimes we're lucky to get what we pay for, and MY IC600 to me is "worth" way more than I paid here on Amazon, that's for sure.

Polaroid Camera

Polaroid PhotoMAX PDC 2300Z Digital Camera

Long a household word in film-based photography, Polaroid started out as a strong contender in the digital marketplace, introducing one of the first high-quality digicams -- the PDC-2000 -- in 1996. At a retail price of $2,500, it fell squarely between the low-end digital point-and-shoots and the expensive high-end portable digital cameras, making it a popular choice for studio-based photographers. Since then, Polaroid has introduced a number of digital imaging products, including the PDC-3000 (another professional quality camera), several high-quality desktop film scanners, a line of complete digital studio systems, and the PhotoMAX series of low-end consumer digicams. The PhotoMAX 2300Z is the first in that series to offer 2-megapixel resolution with a robust imaging software package. As we'll see though, the 2300Z really doesn't live up to the Polaroid tradition of imaging excellence.

Overview
The PhotoMAX 2300Z is marketed as a complete Digital Camera Creative Kit, providing all the tools you need to capture and download your images to a Windows-based computer (including e-mail capabilities). The camera design and operation are very basic, with only one Record mode and a handful of controls to adjust image resolution, flash setting, exposure compensation (brightness), and white balance (color). It's targeted at the novice or amateur photographer who doesn't want to make a lot of exposure decisions -- just point the camera and shoot. The 2.3x optical zoom lens has a focal range equivalent to a 38-90mm on a 35mm camera, providing just enough flexibility to shoot indoors in cramped interiors or outdoors where your subject can be distant or close-up. (Note: a 90mm zoom is adequate for location portraiture but not great for capturing sports action from a distance.) Image resolution is 2.3 megapixels, high enough to make 8 x 10-inch prints or very sharp 5 x 7's.

The 2300Z comes equipped with a built-in flash, 8MB CompactFlash memory card, AC adapter, video cable (for hooking up to a TV), two computer connection cables (Serial port and USB), camera case, wrist strap, and Arcsoft's PhotoMAX Pro Software. The software supports Windows computers only, with image acquisition, photo manipulation (by ArcSoft), special effects, printing setups, optional frames and titles, e-mail, and Internet access to the PolaroidDigital website, where you have 50MB of free storage space provided with the purchase of a camera. While we appreciated the nice complement of supplied accessories (including the all-important AC adapter, which is usually sold as an option), we were disappointed with the difficulty we had in performing simple operations, such as turning the Mode dial or removing the CompactFlash card or AA batteries from their compartments. Latches tended to stick and the Mode dial was very difficult to turn -- with only small plastic nubs around the edges to provide a grip for your fingers.

The 2300Z's Mode dial sets the camera's main operation modes, including Record, Play, Setup, Erase, and PC connection. Each mode has a very short on-screen menu, activated by the Menu button and navigated with the Zoom lever on top of the camera (see Camera Operation). Selections are made with the OK button, which is located directly underneath the Menu button on the back panel. The LCD monitor is activated by the LCD button (also on the back panel) or by engaging the Macro and Digital Zoom modes. (Unfortunately, once you turn the LCD monitor on, you can't turn it off again without switching off the camera.) To our eye, the LCD image display is very poor, with dark muted colors that are difficult to see (impossible in sunlight). In fact, we found it necessary to adjust the monitor to its brightest setting (+5) just to lighten it up enough so we could see what we were shooting indoors.

On the positive side, the optical viewfinder is very clear, and it zooms along with the 2.3x lens, so you have a pretty accurate view of your scene without having to turn on the LCD menu at all. (Framing was also pretty good as far as optical viewfinders go.) In general, the control buttons were well placed, with the four non-menu adjustments lined up along the Status Display panel on top of the camera (Quality / Resolution, Macro, Self-Timer, and Flash). Adjustments for these buttons are reported as black icons in the Status display window, making it very easy to follow along as you make changes. The shutter button was relatively slow, with a long delay between the time you press down all the way to the moment it actually fires the shutter.

Basic Features

* 2.3-megapixel CCD with six image quality modes
* Optical viewfinder
* 1.8-inch color LCD display
* 1.3-inch black-and-white Status display
* All glass 2.3x zoom lens (equivalent to 38-90mm)
* 2x Digital zoom
* Built-in flash
* CompactFlash removable storage, 8MB CF card included
* USB or Serial computer connection
* Four Alkaline, Li-Ion, NiMH, or NiCd AA batteries (4 Alkaline batteries included)
* AC adapter included
* Polaroid PhotoMAX Pro Software CDs (Windows only)

Special Features

* Macro (close-up) lens adjustment
* White balance (color) adjustment
* Exposure compensation (lighten / darken) control
* Self-timer option for delayed shutter release
* Slide show playback feature
* NTSC video cable for viewing images on a TV

Recommendation
The PhotoMAX 2300Z is simple to operate and provides a fairly robust hardware and software package (if you're a Windows user!). However, we'd like to see some design improvements before we put it on our recommended buyers list. At $399, we would expect better quality parts and smoother operation, especially with functions like the Mode dial, CF card eject, and camera battery installation. The camera is pretty bulky, which appeals to some users, but for our tastes we prefer a more streamlined model. We also felt that image quality could be better, particularly in the current market: At $299 with a zoom lens, this would be a marginally OK deal, but at $399, you can do a lot better these days. If you want a complete digital imaging package, and don't mind the minor inadequacies, this just may fulfill your needs. However, we recommend trying it out in the store before you take it home.

Olympus Digital Cameras

Olympus E-3 Hands-On Preview

by Shawn Barnett

Look and feel. Aimed squarely at the Nikon D300 and Canon 40D, it's no surprise that the Olympus E-3 is big and teeming with buttons and controls. Its overall feel is very tight, solid, hefty, and well-thought-out. It is easily the finest experience I've had with an Olympus SLR, and probably the best Live View experience I've had with any SLR to date.

The Olympus E-3's large pentaprism protrudes proudly above its sloping shoulders, just a bit higher than its competitors. Inside is a real glass pentaprism that's bigger and brighter than any Olympus has offered on its Four-thirds cameras. Its 1.15x viewfinder is big and bright, appearing just slightly larger than the Canon 40D, despite the E-3's smaller sensor size.

The Olympus E-3's viewfinder status display runs along the bottom, not off to the right as on the E-410 and E-510. It's still a little tight to see all of the frame plus the status display with my glasses on, but there's a nice big rubber eyepiece protector to prevent my glasses from scratching.

The Olympus E-3's grip is very comfortable, shaped a little differently from the E-510, a little less aggressive on the forward curve, which gives the middle finger a more confident grip overall. It's also a little fatter and contoured, with a nice, tacky rubber surface for excellent traction.

Though it looks a little high in pictures, the Olympus E-3's shutter button is in just the right position when I grip the camera, with a nice finger well to guide me to the button. On the rear, the thumb grip is so comfortable it's easy to forget it's a grip at all. Function and AF-point selection buttons are nearby, but not easy to press accidentally.

Olympus has moved the Olympus E-3's Main Dial on the back relative to the more recent models, but this is indeed where it's located on the Olympus E-1, so they stuck with what upgrading E-1 owners will be used to. Also, both the E-410 and E-510 had no monochrome status display on the top deck, so there was room for a top-mounted Main Dial. The Olympus E-3's dial does not have as good a feel as the metallic dial on the E-510, but it does have good, firm detents. The same goes for the Sub-dial on the front of the Olympus E-3's grip.

Speaking of dials, there's no Mode Dial on the Olympus E-3, instead you press a button on the top deck, left of the pentaprism, and roll the Main or Sub-dial, while changes appear on the Status display.

The E-3's four-way navigator, which Olympus calls an Arrow pad, is well-positioned for easy access, and it's even angled a bit toward the right to accommodate the thumb's angle of attack. Other buttons on the back and top are clearly marked for easy comprehension. The Olympus E-3's rear LCD also serves as a Status display whose settings are accessible via a press of the center OK button.

The Olympus E-3's Power switch is located in a familiar place for Canon prosumer SLR owners, just off the lower right corner of the LCD display.

Opening the Olympus E-3's Card cover is awkward at first, but if you just rock the camera to the left and hold it in your left hand, a simple upward flip of the right thumb moves the release lever and the door pops open to reveal not only a CF card slot, but an xD-Picture Card slot as well.

Build. The Olympus E-3's body is a die-cast magnesium alloy whose two shells pretty well completely enclose the E-3 for a very solid feel. Olympus says they use a Thixomold process to make these shells, a method that promises greater durability, with less potential for bubbles or seams in the magnesium alloy shell structures. We don't know whether other manufacturers do the same, but this low-temperature technique is one of three major methods to cast this increasingly popular metal, and is supposed to give better crystalline structure to the material than the more common hot die-cast method.

Digital Camera Memory Cards

How to Choose the Correct Memory Card for Your Digital Camera

Gone are the days when snapping a picture meant hours of tedious work both for the photographer and the subject. The advent of the digital cameras has made shooting as well as posing for pictures a pleasurable experience.

One of the major advantages of a digital camera is the fact that there is no need for you to shop around for good quality film. Memory cards have replaced the ubiquitous photographic film in the digital camera.

These removable memory cards are necessary for storing the images. These days’ digital cameras are equipped with memory cards that are standardized in sizes of either 16 MB or 32 MB.

More often than not, a professional or even an active photographer finds that this memory is simply not enough. That is why choosing the correct memory card for your digital camera is a necessary evil. An extra memory card with a greater capacity will provide additional space to store more images.

An additional advantage is that users can simply upgrade to a number of memory cards without having to purchase new hardware in the form of different cameras. By using memory card readers, users can also transfer images to their computers; erase them from the card and reuse it seamlessly.

Most digital camera manufacturers do not reveal the exact number of pictures that can be taken using in-built memory cards. Hence the user needs to be aware that these in-built cards do not have optimal storage capacities thus increasing the need to have an additional memory card to store data.

Memory cards are a pre-requisite if you are on vacation and need plenty of images to preserve the memories. Running out of memory in your digital camera is not a good idea at this stage, so stock on memory cards. Extra memory cards are a photographer’s inseparable companion. Therefore it is vital to have plenty of space for that memorable picture.

The capacity of a memory card determines how many pictures can be stored on it. Greater the capacity, more the number of pictures that can be saved on the card. The capacity of a memory card is usually measured in MB (Mega Bytes) or GB (Giga Bytes). The latter is equivalent to 1,000 mega bytes and can store enormous number pictures.

There are several types of memory cards that can be used in a digital camera. These include CompactFlash , Secure Digital, Memory Stick, SmartMedia, MultiMedia Card (MMC), and xD Picture Card. Although these memory cards are compatible with several digital cameras, SmartMedia and CompactFlash continue to be the most widely used cards. Compact Flash cards have the biggest storage capacity and are extensively used in high-resolution digital cameras because of their increased storage capacity.

These cards are of two types; type I that is 3.0 mm thick, and type II which is 5.0 mm thick. Professional photographers often go for type II memory cards as they have bigger storage capacity than the type I cards. That need not be the case for an average consumer.

These cards also have a controller chip, which allows for greater transfer rates. However only digital SLRs can use this chip comfortably because the average digital camera does not have the internal buffer required to use this chip. CompactFlash cards are the cheapest of the memory cards available for a digital camera and are quite popular among camera owners.

MicroDrives are much cheaper than CompactFlash memory cards and may interest a less active photographer. However these cards are slower than CompactFlash cards and can also undergo shock damage wiping out all saved data. These cards are delicate and any rough handling can damage them completely. Secure Digital and MultiMediaCard memory are the smallest available memory cards, but are not ideal for digital cameras and are very rarely used here. Recently companies like Fuji and Olympus have shifted the emphasis on xD cards, thus taking away the importance of SmartMedia cards in cameras.

The xD Picture Card can be used in small cameras as well as in CompactFlash compatible cameras. Memory Stick cards were developed by Sony for use in the Cybershot series of digital cameras. Memory Stick is compatible exclusively with Sony digital cameras and is of no use in other brands. It is of vital importance that you choose non-exclusive Memory card formats for your digital cameras. This is because some companies have designed cards that work only on their branded cameras. One of the things to be kept in mind while choosing any memory card for your digital camera is the time required to transfer the images or files to your PC. Often times the bigger cards require a lot of time to transfer the data to a PC and consumers are left twiddling their thumbs.

An additional criterion in choosing the right memory card for your digital camera is speed. High speed memory cards can record data more quickly and also allow rapid data transfer thus saving time. However you need to be aware of the fact that a large memory card does not necessarily mean a fast one. One large memory card could simply be more costly than a number of smaller ones, which could suit your requirements. Older digital cameras are also not designed to hold large cards. So opting for large memory cards may not be the wisest move.

First of all, determine what format and size is supported by your digital camera. If the support is only for 16x, it makes no sense to buy a 32x card. Another point to note is that an external card reader can easily help you transfer files to your computer.

Memory card readers allow users to connect to their PC without the need to connect their digital camera as well. If you have a laptop, then the operation becomes much easier as you can simply slide the memory card reader into a designated PC slot.

source:memorybits.co.uk

Digital Camera Lens

What lenses for my digital SLR (Canon)

Many people eager for a high end digital camera buy a digital SLR body and then ask the question of what lens to put on it. If, after reading that, you think a DSLR + lenses is the right choice, you can come back here.)

(There are also full-frame cameras like the 5D, for those, the lens choice question is effectively identical to that for film bodies.)

When you take a picture, the lens does most of the work. I've bought camera gear from Amazon and been satisfied. So you could, if you are wealthy and don't mind a big heavy camera, get an digital SLR with just one lens and get some benefit from it.

If you buy just one lens to "start" you're wasting a lot of the value of your camera while that value depreciates.

Why is changing lenses so useful?

Lens design is hard. The more range you try to put in a zoom lens, the more compromises you must make. Shorter range zooms have fewer compromises than long-range ones. Trust me, if we could get a decent lens like this we would buy it. So you want short-range zooms and most of all you want prime lenses. If you can change lenses, you can put the right lens on the camera for the job, with less compromise. The 70-200mm range zooms costing $700 to $1200 are very well made. If you don't want to change lenses, P&S cameras have many major advantages. The good ones (Canon G series for example) have fast lenses. Why do I want fast lenses?

Fast lenses are lenses of large aperture (width), or low f-stop. Fast lenses are big and heavy, but you need them. Fast lenses let you do shallow depth of field. Small digital P&S can't do this very well, even though their lenses are sometimes quite fast, because shorter lenses don't have as narrow a depth of field.

Fast lenses can be stopped down to be like slow lenses, and get more depth of field when you want it. However, usually a stopped down big fast lens is better than a wide-open smaller, slower lens. Most lens problems occur at the edges of a lens, and if you stop down, you cover the edges.

Fast lenses can shoot in less light. Canon "L" series lenses are generally agreed to be the best out there. Some 3rd party lenses are also quite good for half the money. So be ready to exchange a lens if you get one of the duds. Comparing lenses

Two great sites will help you compare your lenses. The first is PhotoZone's lens performance survey. Large numbers of people have given their opinion on quality of various lenses. This site has done actual lab tests on the performance of various lenses. Canon 50mm prime lens

Every Canon owner should buy the Canon 50mm prime lens or one of its fancier cousins. It is one of the sharpest lenses out there. It's called a "normal" lens in the 35mm market, which is good because normal lenses are the easiest to make, and that's why this lens is such a bargain. Even if you want only one starter long-range zoom lens, get this one also. Even though your zoom lens has 50mm in its range, still get this lens. Tele-zoom

You can also get a very good 24mm lens from Canon or Sigma. The Canon 24mm is considered superb. If you have big money to spend, look at shorter lenses, like one of the 14mm lenses. Be prepared to test your lens and return it if it's not good. For the "x0D" and Rebel XT/XTi, consider seriously the Canon 10-22mm EF-S lens. This lens only works on the newer digital SLRs. I have this lens, and it gets me shots I could not get other ways, but it is pricey for a non-L lens, and is not as sharp as that range of lenses.

Digital Camera Cards

Top 5 Digital Camera Memory Cards

Your digital camera memory card is easily the most crucial camera accessory. Without it, you can store very few pictures or none at all. If you have a high-megapixel camera, you also need a high-capacity, high-speed memory card. Otherwise, you will run out of picture space quickly and wait too long for pictures to save between shots. Here is a list of the top digital camera memory cards.

1. Lexar 4 GB Professional Series 133X CompactFlash Card with Write Acceleration
Both the storage and the speed impress with this card, which features a 133x write speed. With 4GB of storage, it's also sure to hold plenty of pictures, even for digital SLR users.

2. U.S. Modular Secure Digital 4GB Extra High Speed 120X Secure Digital Card
For such a little thing, it's amazing what this card does. For digital camera owners with cameras that use Secure Digital, the cards have come a long way on storage capacity. This 4GB card stashes lots of pictures, while writing at a swift 120x speed.

3. Sony 2GB Memory Stick High Speed PRO Media
With 2GB of storage, this memory card by Sony can write up to 80 megabits per second. For Memory Stick users, this is a great choice.

4. Hitachi 6 GB Microdrive High-Capacity Ultra-Miniature Hard Drive
Wow! With 6GB of storage, this is the big mama of all memory cards on the market today. It can store pictures at a rate of 9.4 megabits per second, and it is compatible with CompactFlash drives on digital cameras.

5. FujiFilm 1 GB xD Memory Card
This is one of the smallest memory cards, yet you can still store a heavy picture load with this high-capacity, high-speed xD memory card.

Canon Rebel XT

Overview
Simple, Limitless Performance
For convenience, ease of use and no-compromise SLR performance, look no further than the EOS Digital Rebel XT. Featuring Canon's Digital Trinity - an 8.0 Megapixel CMOS sensor, Canon's own DIGIC II Image Processor and compatibility with over 50 EF Lenses - the new Digital Rebel XT has an all new lightweight and compact body, improved performance across the board and the easiest operation in its class, simplifying complex tasks and ensuring the perfect shot every time. With intuitive simplicity, powerful performance and unprecedented affordability, the Rebel XT is the EOS digital camera for everyone.

Features
High-performance digital SLR with 8.0 Megapixel CMOS Sensor and DIGIC II Image Processor
8.0 Megapixel CMOS Sensor
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The EOS Digital Rebel XT features Canon's 8.0 Megapixel CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor, which captures images of exceptional clarity and tonal range and offers the most pixels in its class. This APS-C size sensor (22.2 x 14.8mm) has the same 3:2 ratio as film cameras, creating an effective angle of view that is 1.6x the normal EF Lens focal length. Featuring an on-chip Noise Reduction Circuit with an expanded ISO range, the Digital Rebel XT's sensor offers professional sophistication in a consumer package.

Digic II Image Processor
The EOS Digital Rebel XT's sensor is driven by the DIGIC II Image Processor, which has been enhanced across the board with improvements in speed and image quality. Information captured by the sensor is processed and assembled into images of exceptional clarity and resolution. Consuming very little energy, DIGIC II works with the sensor to ensure natural colors, accurate white balance and speedy write times, letting you focus on taking pictures.


Specifications
Type
Digital AF/AE SLR
Recording Media
CF card Type I and II
Image Sensor Size
0.87 x 0.58 in./22.2 x 14.8mm
Compatible Lenses
Canon EF Lenses including EF-S Lenses (Focal length conversion factor: Equivalent to approx. 1.6x indicated focal length compared to 35mm format)
Lens Mount
Canon EF mount
Image Sensor
Type
High-sensitivity, high-resolution, single-plate color CMOS sensor
Pixels
Approx. 8.0 Megapixels
Total Pixels
Approx. 8.2 Megapixels
Aspect Ratio
2:3 (Vertical:Horizontal)
Color Filter System
RGB primary color filter
Low-pass Filter
Fixed position in front of the image sensor
Recording System
Recording Format
Design rule for Camera File System 2.0
Image Type
JPEG, RAW (12bit)
Simultaneous Recording: Possible
File Size
JPEG: (1) Large/Fine: Approx. 3.3 MB (3456 x 2304), (2) Large/Normal: Approx. 1.7 MB (3456 x 2304), (3) Medium/Fine: Approx. 2.0 MB (2496 x 1664), (4) Medium/Normal Approx. 1.0 MB (2496 x 1664), (5) Small/Fine: Approx. 1.2 MB (1728 x 1152), (6) Small/Normal: Approx. 0.6 MB (1728 x 1152); RAW: Approx. 8.3 MB (3456 x 2304)
Folder Setting
Automatic setting
File Numbering
(1) Continuous numbering, (2) Auto reset

Standard parameters plus up to three custom processing parameter sets and monochrome can be set
Interface
USB 2.0 Hi-Speed
Image Processing
Type
Auto, Preset (Daylight, Shade, Cloudy/Twilight/Sunset, Tungsten light, White fluorescent light, Flash), Manual (Custom: read off photo quality gray card or white subject)
Viewfinder
Type
Eye-level SLR (with fixed pentamirror)
Coverage
Approx. 95% vertically and horizontally (against JPEG Large)
Magnification
0.8x (-1 diopter with 50mm lens at infinity)
Eyepoint
21mm
Built-in Dioptric Adjustment
-3.0 - +1.0 diopters
Focusing Screen
Fixed
Mirror
Quick-return half mirror (Transmittance: reflection ratio of 40:60, no mirror cut-off with lenses up to EF 600mm f/4)
Viewfinder Information
AF points, AE lock, FE lock, AEB in progress, Flash ready, Improper FE lock warning, High-speed Sync, Flash exposure compensation, Red-Eye reduction, Shutter speed, Bulb, FE lock, Processing data, Built-in flash recycling, Aperture, Exposure level display (Exposure compensation, Manual exposure level, AEB level, Flash exposure compensation, Red-Eye Reduction lamp on time display), Max burst during continuous shooting, AF/MF focus confirmation, CF card full, CF card error, no CF card
Depth-of-Field Preview
Enabled with depth-of-field preview button
Eyepiece Shutter
None (provided on strap)
Autofocus
Type
TTL-CT-SIR with AF-dedicated CMOS sensor
AF Points
7
Metering Range
EV 0.5 - 18 (at ISO 100)
Focusing Modes
One-Shot AF, Predictive AI Servo AF, AI Focus AF (Automatically selects One-Shot AF or AI Servo AF selected according to shooting mode), Manual Focusing (MF)
AF Point Selection
Automatic selection, manual selection
Selected AF Point Display
Superimposed in viewfinder and indicated on LCD panel
AF-assist Beam
Intermittent firing of built-in flash, effective range: approx. 13.1 ft./4m at center, approx. 11.5 ft./3.5m at periphery
Exposure Control
Metering Modes
Max. aperture TTL metering with 35-zone SPC. (1) Evaluative metering, (2) Partial metering at center (approx. 9% of viewfinder), (3) Center-weighted average metering
Metering Range
EV 1-20 (at 68° F/20° C with 50mm f/1.4 lens at ISO 100)
Exposure Control
Program AE (shiftable), Shutter-priority AE, Aperture-priority AE, Automatic Depth-of Field AE, Full Auto, Programmed Image Control modes (Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports, Night Portrait, Flash Off), E-TTL II Autoflash Program AE, and Manual
ISO Speed (Recommended Exposure Index)
Equivalent to ISO 100-1600
Exposure Compensation
Up to +/-2 stops in 1/2- or 1/3-stop increments (1) Manual exposure compensation (2) AEB (Auto Exposure Bracketing)
AE Lock
Auto: Operates in One-Shot AF mode evaluative metering when focus is achieved; Manual: Enabled with AE lock button (No AE lock in Basic Zone modes)
Shutter
Type
Vertical-travel, mechanical, focal-plane shutter with all speeds electronically-controlled
Shutter Speeds
1/4000 to 30 sec. in 1/2- or 1/3-stop increments, bulb, X-Sync at 1/200 sec.
Shutter Release
Soft-touch electromagnetic release

Set with C. Fn-02
Self-timer
10-sec. delay
Remote Control
Remote control with RS-60E3 Terminal or Wireless remote controllers RC-1/RC-5
Built-in Flash
Type
Auto pop-up, retractable, built-in flash in the pentaprism
Guide Number
13 (at ISO 100 in meters)
Recycling Time
Approx. 3 sec.
Flash-ready Indicator
Flash-ready indicator lights on in viewfinder
Flash Coverage
Up to 17mm focal length (equivalent to 27mm in 35mm format)
External Speedlite
EOS Dedicated Speedlite
E-TTL II autoflash
Drive System
Drive Modes
(1) Single, (2) Continuous, (3) Self-timer/Remote Control
Continuous Shooting Speed
Approx. 3.0 fps (with Battery Pack NB-2LH, at Tv=1/250 sec. for all recording qualities)
Maximum Burst
14 shots (Large/Fine)
LCD Monitor
Type
TFT color LCD monitor
Monitor Size
1.8 inches
Dots
Approx. 115,000 pixels (Displayed pixels)
Coverage
Approx. 100% (for JPEG images)
Brightness Adjustment
5 levels (settable with menu's "LCD brightness")
Image Playback
Display Format
(1) Single image, (2) 9-image Index, (3) Magnified Zoom, (4) Auto Play, (5) Auto Play right after shooting
Highlight Warning
In the single image with information display mode, the highlighted portions containing no image information with blink
Image Protection and Erase
Protect
A single image can be protected or unprotected
Erase
A single image or all images stored in a CompactFlash card can be erased if they are unprotected
Menus
Menu Categories
(1) Shooting 1 [6 items], (2) Shooting 2 [7 items], (3) Playback [5 items], (4) Setup 1 [7 items], (5) Setup 2 [7 items]
LCD Monitor Language
Any of the following 15 languages can be selected: English, German, French, Dutch, Danish, Italian, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish, Simplified/Traditional Chinese, Korean, Russian, and Japanese
Firmware Update
Enabled by the user
Power Source
Battery
Battery Pack NB-2LH (x1)
Dimensions and Weight
Dimensions (WxHxD)
4.98 x 3.71 x 2.63 in./126.5 x 94.2 x 64mm
Weight
17.1 oz./485g
Operating Environment
Working Temperature Range
32-104° F/0-40° C
Working Humidity Range
85% or less

Pentax Camera

K20D Digital SLR

14.6 megapixels, the highest in its class
14.6 megapixel CMOS sensor offers superior image resolution with maximum control over noise.

PENTAX-developed body-based Shake Reduction
With body-based Shake Reduction, the PENTAX SLR system will stabilize your shots, providing maximum flexibility with no compromise in optical quality. It increases your handheld shooting shutter speed range by 2.5 to 4 stops for blur-free pictures, and is compatible with every PENTAX lens ever produced.

Live View function on a 2.7 inch LCD monitor
A 2.7 inch high resolution, wide-view LCD monitor with a 160 degree field of view gives a Live View of your subject and allows for more precise composition.

Dustproof, weather-resistant body
The PENTAX K20D body has 72 seals to reliably protect the inner components against humidity, moisture and dust particles. Add the durability of a fiber-reinforced polycarbonate body and a stainless steel chassis, and you can keep shooting even in harsh conditions.

Pentax Real IMage Engine (PRIME)
The PRIME image processing engine maximizes image properties and allows custom adjustment of image parameters, such as truer color tones, a wider dynamic range, and natural-looking high ISO images. PRIME provides beautiful, natural results similar to those shot with film.

Custom Image modes
Custom Image modes, with six preset options, offer superior control of how the PRIME processor develops images, and can be further modified to meet your needs. Get beautifully processed images in any shooting condition.

Advanced White Balance
In addition to a wide range of preset white balance options, take advantage of adjustable Kelvin temperature settings and full manual control. Also, every preset and manual white balance setting offers fine adjustment control, giving you powerful options to tune the white balance exactly as you need it.

Custom Functions
The K20D offers 36 custom functions with 93 individual settings, ensuring that you can fully customize the camera to suit your individual needs.

Increased control with Expanded Dynamic Range
Enhanced Dynamic Range mode gives 200 percent more dynamic range, which brings out detail in the highlighted portions of your image while maintaining detail in darker areas.

Dust Alert function
Dust Reduction and Dust Alert features eliminate the need for time-consuming retouching by minimizing dust and determining if and where any dust remains after the system is activated.

Full backward lens compatibility
PENTAX has manufactured over 25 million lenses in the last six decades; all DSLR bodies offer backward compatibility with every one.* Whichever lens is used, whether the most recent lenses or a classic screwmount, it will faithfully capture the image desired.
*With adapter for screwmount and 645/67 lenses.

Unique Exposure Modes
Expect the right exposures with the settings you want. Unique exposure modes, such as hyper-program, Sv and TAv, offer shooting versatility to instantly change the shutter speed or aperture on the fly.

Image Capture
Advanced 16-segment metering and 11-point AF, with 9 cross sensors, ensure perfectly exposed and focused images, even in the most difficult lighting conditions.

Smallest body size in its category
The PENTAX K20D offers the smallest body size in its category for easy portability.

source: pentaximaging.com

Fujifilm Digital camera

Fujifilm FinePix Z33WP Press Release

The 10-Megapixel FinePix Z33WP is available in three striking colors - green, pink and black - and is ready for any adventure including underwater activity up to approximately 10 feet (3M)! A 2.7″, 230,000 dots resolution LCD screen - the largest of any Z-series camera yet - and Fujinon 3x Optical Zoom lens allows for a clearer view of those not-to-be-missed moments on the beach, on the ski slopes, hiking in the mountains or boating at the lake. It’s also perfect for everyday activities in the rain, the pool or any other place you might think twice about taking a conventional digital camera.

Intelligent Scene Recognition

Adding ease to outdoor navigation, the FinePix Z33WP is equipped with a new SR Auto (Automatic Scene Recognition) mode that enables the camera to intelligently recognize six types of scenes automatically. For each picture taken in this mode, the Z33WP will optimize the ideal exposure, focus, white balance and ISO for the scene to ensure the best quality picture is captured with ease. In addition, Fujifilm’s Picture Stabilization is powered by high sensitivity for faster shutter and operational speeds to help reduce camera shake, keeping real life moments as true to form as possible.

Easy Sharing

The family-friendly Z33WP also features Fujifilm’s handy Blog Mode which allows for easier sharing with friends and family members. The Blog mode automatically resizes a photo to a standard 640×480 pixels (VGA) or 320×240 pixels (QVGA) image size and enables 12 in-camera editing features such as Zooming, Miniature effect, Illustration and Painting, cutting the need for extra time with home editing.

In addition to these innovations, the FinePix Z33WP is loaded with the following handy features:

- Face Detection Technology: Operating in tandem with automatic red-eye removal, the FinePix Z33WP identifies up to 10 human faces in a scene, and sets the correct focus and exposure, regardless of where subjects are located within the frame.

- Automatic Red Eye Removal accents the aforementioned features by lending an extra touch to that group shot. The Z33WP automatically checks for red eye and self-corrects it in each and every person in the photo, saving time on post-editing.

- Couple and Group Timer Modes: Working in conjunction with Face Detection technology, detects two faces in ‘Couple Timer Mode’ and up to four faces in ‘Group Timer Mode’ in a frame.

- One Touch MOVIE Button: Capture VGA quality movie clips at 30 frames per second with sound to capture all of those once-in-a-lifetime moments.

- Battery Life: The long-life rechargeable Li-ion battery (up to 200 shots) allows for extended use without worrying if the camera is going to last for the duration of the trip.

“With the success of the FinePix Z20fd for the Gen Y crowd, it is only a natural progression for Fujifilm to provide active, technology-savvy families with the unparalleled style and function that everyone demands in the 21st century,” said David Troy, marketing manager, Consumer Digital Cameras, Electronic Imaging Division, FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc. “Today’s users not only want to experience everything life has to offer, but they also want their camera to be able to experience and capture it with them.”

The FinePix Z33WP will debut in late March at a retail price of $199.95.

Fuji Digital Camera

Fujifilm FinePix F200 EXR Review

We have received a preproduction sample right before the official introduction of the Fujifilm F200 EXR. However, due to the non-final status of the model, it is not yet possible to bring you a full Fujifilm FinePix F200 EXR review. The new Fujifilm FinePix F200 EXR has the Super CCD EXR sensor onboard. Fuji's primary aim with the Super CCD image sensor is to improve the image quality, which depends on a number of things. High quality pictures in badly lit circumstances require a high light sensitivity, while contrast-rich subjects need a large dynamic range and, detailed pictures will obtain the best results with the availability of high resolution. In short, quite a challenge for Fujifilm!

The Fujifilm F200EXR has a housing that feels quite solid and a weight of 175 grams to offer the camera a stable hand-fit. There's no handgrip on the F200EXR and the front is fairly smooth. The flash is positioned next to the shutter release, which presents a risk of accidentally blocking the flash light with a finger. A small edge on the front underneath the flash would perhaps prevent this.

It takes approximately one or two seconds for the 5x zoom lens to take its position after turning the camera on. The large 3” inch monitor offers a clear reproduction, thanks to the soft colors used for the menu. The large screen also provides an excellent wide viewing angle from all sides. The multi-control button allows you to quickly navigate through all the setting possibilities, and the command dial on the back of the camera offers direct access to the main programs of the Fujifilm FinePix F200 EXR, among which the EXR.

The EXR program offers access to all of the possibilities offered by the new image sensor. It is possible to use the sensor in various ways, and it allows the photographer to dedicate priorities to it. For instance, if the circumstances are ideal, the highest resolution of 12 Megapixels can be used.

And in case a high ISO setting is required, which should of course not affect the signal/noise ratio, the resolution will be halved and two pixels will be combined to obtain a larger photo diode. This adds positively to the pixel sensitivity without it causing more noticeable noise. Furthermore, a mode is available to obtain the widest dynamic range possible by taking two pictures, each of which will be made with 6 Megapixels of resolution.

When it comes to operation, the Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR is straightforward. Despite the camera's popular design, a large amount of possibilities are available. Many automated functions and manual functions for the creative photographer through the P/M modes, at which the M mode offers the possibility to set the shutter speed as well as the aperture manually. The aperture range is slightly restricted and offers just minimum or maximum aperture. In addition, the Fujifilm F200EXR camera offers various preset scenes to obtain the best possible setting.

The Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR even includes some nostalgia. If you are familiar with a 35mm Fujifilm, you can continue this experience with the F200EXR. Specific features such as the Velvia, Provia and Astia are included in the menu, each of which offers the typical image of ancient times.

As for its video functions, Fujifilm have renewed hardly anything; if even anything at all. It's clear that photography is the first priority of the Fujifilm FinePix F200 EXR, also when looking at the video resolution of 640 x 480 pixels.

Fujifililm seems to have bid farewell to the xD Picture card with the introduction of the new FinePix digital camera series. In addition to the Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR, two other new FinePix cameras also feature an SD / SDHC card slot offering an optional memory capacity of 32GB at the maximum. Fujifilm makes a statement with this gesture, which is important in these turbulent times for the camera market. Question remains how long Olympus, Fujifilm's former companion of the xD card, will keep supporting this medium type. I can't image they will carry on forever. Unless there are other interests involved.

The new Fuji FinePix F200EXR is a typical compact camera of the Fujifilm brand. Fujifilm continues on the path they have walked on for the last decennium. The corporation continues to focus on image and quality while cameras such as the FinePix F200EXR, in combination with innovative sensor solutions, e.g. the Super CCD EXR, are able to continuously bring the compact camera to a higher level. The final test result will still take a while.

Introduction to Digital Camera Memory

Digital camera memory is an essential and often overlooked piece of digital photography equipment. There are many types of memory and it's a good idea to consider what type of memory a camera uses before you buy your first digital camera. It's also important to make sure you have enough memory before you take pictures of an important event or leave for vacation. Although memory cards are reusable, they don't have a limitless capacity and it's always good to have more than you actually need.

Most digital cameras come with very low capacity memory cards. If you're shopping for your first digital camera make sure to budget for an additional card. It's a safe bet that the card that comes with your camera is woefully inadequate. And as camera megapixel counts grow, higher capacity memory cards become necessary. I started out with two 64 meg cards and now I have two 1 gigabyte and three 256 megabyte cards.

Most camera manufacturers publish tables on their Web sites to show how many images you can save on their included memory card. There is no fixed rule for the number of photos you can put on one card because different image file types, different amounts of compression, and image content all affect the size of each file. But the manufacturer's site is a good place to start when you decide how much memory you want. As a general rule, I'd recommend at least a 256 megabyte or two 128 megabyte cards if you're buying a 3-5 megapixel compact digital camera. If you want to shoot lots of high resolution TIFF or RAW files, then you'll probably want to look at 512 megabyte and 1 gigabyte cards. It's also a good idea to not save all of your photos on one card. There's always the possibility that cards can get corrupted, lost, or stolen. Using more than one and switching during a shoot protects your valuable photographic data.

Casio Digital Camera

Casio EXILIM Pro EX-F1

Casio Exilim Pro F1 an innovative Megazoom camera
We have to admit that Casio do not lack courage. Courage to be different and to introduce interesting innovations in a time where the competition is severe. Quite rightly do they deserve the receiving of awards from various international organizations such as the DIWA Innovation Award. The Casio EXILIM Pro EX-F1 may be considered a camera that is able to build bridges between a camera and a camcorder, an astounding achievement. The difference with a digital Full HD camcorder is (still) obvious; nevertheless, the Casio F1 should be considered the first product with such a speedy sensor and processor. Hopefully, it is not the last and Casio will be challenged to further develop and improve things.

Image quality of the Casio Exilim Pro EX-F1
This brings us to the marginal comments we have on Casio's innovative product. In addition to the superb performance on speed and video capture, the Casio EXILIM Pro F1 is also used as photo camera. You'd think the 12x optical zoom lens, stabilization technique and 6 Megapixels of image resolution form a strong combination. However, Casio have to work on the quality of the lens and the signal / noise ratio, in our opinion.

Casio Exilim F1 shows chromatic aberration
The tests carried out in our DIWA Lab, and the additional sample pictures taken in practice, show a considerable suffering of chromatic aberration of the lens. This is rather conspicuous while the last generation of 12x zoom lenses shows improvements. Casio really dropped some stitches here and this should not be the case considering the substantial price tag dangling from this camera. The image resolution of 6 Megapixels raises hopes for the quality of the pixel. Or at least the expectations are higher than is the case with its congener equipped with 12-20x optical zoom lens and a resolution of at least 10 Megapixels. This makes it rather disappointing to find out that the signal / noise ratio is showing visible noise at a value of ISO 400. Even ISO 200 has difficulties keeping its channels clean. That's why we decide to leave ISO values higher than 400 for what they are. A real disappointment!

Casio Exilim F1 offers many setting possibilities
The Casio EXILIM Pro EX-F1 is obviously a Megazoom camera with potential. The many setting possibilities, the large optical range including the remarkable speed and video performances should in theory guarantee a powerful combination that successfully claims a new segment. It is sad having to conclude that part of this powerful combination delivers a no more than average performance, and that only the innovation as such stands strongly; High-Speed shooting and Full HD recording.

Casio Exilim F1 unique for High Speed photo- / video photography
Casio are true pioneers; constantly breaking new ground. The Casio EXILIM Pro EX-F1 is the first model equipped with a 60fps specification and Full HD mode. Presuming there is work being done to a higher resolution sensor with at least the same capacities, and hoping for the necessary improvements to the signal / noise ratios and the performance of the lens; we can only anxiously look forward to the next generation. It may be clear; if you’ve always wanted to shoot and film on High-Speed, you will have a unique and innovative product at your disposal with specifications that have become affordable. If we remove these unique specifications, what's left is an (expensive) Megazoom camera performing averagely.

Canon Powershot Digital Cameras

Canon PowerShot S400 Digital ELPH Camera

Ask a photographer, either professional or amateur, to name the a couple of camera manufacturers and chances are one would be Canon. In the digital arena, Canon's continued their history of innovation, with a broad line of products ranging from entry-level models all the way to no-holds-barred digital SLRs for professional photographers. In the consumer arena, their products are distinguished by superb design, sharp lenses, and excellent color.

In both the film and digital worlds, Canon is known for their high-style, diminutive "ELPH" cameras. Long a popular APS film camera design, Canon brought the ELPH size and styling to the digital world with the original S100. The S400 launches the fourth generation of the design, with a larger, 4.0-megapixel CCD. Other improvements include a Center-Weighted metering mode option, faster maximum shutter speed (1/2,000 second), and improved macro capabilities. Add an improved user interface, easy point-and-shoot operation, a sharp lens, and great image quality, and the S400 is sure to please a host of consumers. Read on for all the details, this one looks like another winner from Canon.

Camera Overview

The latest in Canon's digital ELPH series, the S400 continues the line's tiny dimensions and stylish looks. Portable and quick on the draw (thanks to its smooth retractable lens design), the S400 offers point-and-shoot control with a handful of extra exposure features. Its flat front panel (with lens retracted) makes the camera pocket friendly, while the aluminum body panels keep it rugged yet lightweight. Equipped with a 4.0-megapixel CCD and a sharp lens, the S400 captures high quality images, suitable for printing photos as large as 8x10 inches with nice detail, even with some cropping. Smaller resolutions are also available for email transmission, and a movie mode captures short videos with sound.

The S400 features a 3x, 7.4-22.2mm glass zoom lens, equivalent to a 36-108mm zoom on a 35mm camera. Aperture is automatically controlled, but the maximum setting ranges from f/2.8 at full wide angle to f/4.9 at full telephoto. A maximum 3.6x digital zoom option increases the S400's zoom capabilities to 11x, but keep in mind that digital zoom decreases the overall image quality in direct proportion to the magnification achieved, as it simply crops out and enlarges the center pixels of the CCD image. Image noise is likely to be more prominent with digital zoom, and details softer. Focus ranges from 1.5 feet (46 centimeters) to infinity in normal AF mode, and from 2.0 inches to 1.5 feet (5 to 46 centimeters) in Macro mode. An Infinity fixed-focus mode is also available. The S400 uses Canon's sophisticated, nine-point AiAF (Artificial Intelligence Autofocus) system to determine focus, which examines a broad active area in the center of the image to calculate the focal distance. Also built into the S400 is a bright AF assist light, which aids the focus mechanism in low lighting. For composing images, the S400 has a real-image optical viewfinder, as well as a 1.5-inch color LCD monitor. (In my testing, the S400's optical viewfinder was rather tight, but the LCD monitor showed almost exactly 100% of the final image area.) The LCD reports a fair amount of camera information, but excludes exposure information such as aperture and shutter speed. In Playback mode, a histogram display reports the tonal distribution of a captured image, useful in determining any over and underexposure.

Like the rest of the ELPH line, exposure control is automatic. The S400 does provide some manual adjustments, however, as well as a range of exposure modes for specific shooting situations. The Mode dial on the rear panel controls the main operating mode, offering Auto, Manual, Stitch-Assist, and Movie modes. A Mode switch on the back panel offers Record and Playback settings. Shutter speeds range from 1/2,000 to 15 seconds, with the 1.3- to 15-second end of the range only available in Long Shutter mode (which also automatically invokes a Noise Reduction system to reduce image noise in longer exposures). In straight Auto mode, the camera essentially controls everything about the exposure except for file size, flash, etc. Manual mode provides more hands-on control, with White Balance, Exposure Compensation, ISO, and a host of creative effects. Camera operation is straightforward and simple, as you literally just point and shoot most of the time. Pressing the Shutter button halfway sets focus and exposure, and the small LEDs next to the optical viewfinder let you know when the camera is ready to take the picture.

The S400 uses an Evaluative metering system, which means that the camera divides the image area into zones and evaluates contrast and brightness across the entire image to determine the best overall exposure. A Spot metering option ties the exposure to the very center of the frame, and is useful for off-center or high contrast subjects, as you can shift the metering region to pinpoint the exact area of the frame to base the exposure on. There's also a Center-Weighted metering option, which bases the exposure on a large area in the center of the frame. Exposure Compensation brightens or darkens the overall exposure from -2 to +2 exposure equivalents (EV) in one-third step increments. A White Balance option offers Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, and Custom (manual) settings. The S400 also offers a creative Photo Effects menu, which adjusts sharpening, color, and saturation. Sensitivity equivalents include 50, 100, 200, and 400 ISO settings, as well as an Auto adjustment. The S400's built-in flash operates in Auto, Forced On, Suppressed, Red-Eye Reduction, and Slow-Synchro modes. You can also lock the flash exposure in a similar manner to locking normal exposure. Pressing the Shutter button halfway and keeping it pressed initiates the exposure lock, signaled by two beeps. Pressing the metering-pattern button (the up-arrow button) while you're still holding down the shutter button fires the flash, locking the flash exposure as well. When this is done, an "FEL" icon appears in the LCD monitor until the Shutter button is released or fully pressed.

A two- or 10-second self-timer option counts down by flashing a small LED on the front of the camera before firing the shutter, giving you time to duck around the camera and get into the shot. Stitch-Assist mode is the S400's panoramic shooting mode, which lets you shoot as many as 26 consecutive images with the same exposure and white balance. The series of images can then be "stitched" together into one panoramic frame with the accompanying software. The S400 also has a Movie Record mode, which records moving images with sound for up to three minutes per clip, depending on the resolution setting and amount of memory card space. (Movies are recorded at either 320 x 240, or 160 x 120 pixels.) Finally, a Continuous Shooting mode captures a series of consecutive images (much like a motor drive on a traditional camera), at approximately 1.5 frames per second, for as long as the Shutter button is held down. The actual frame rate will vary with the resolution setting, and the total number of images will depend on the amount of memory card space and file size. Through the Record menu, a High Speed Continuous Shooting mode is also available, capturing images as fast as 2.5 frames per second. (See my "picky details" page for detailed timing of these modes, along with information on buffer-memory capacity, etc.)

The My Camera settings menu lets you customize camera settings to a specific theme. Everything from the startup image to operating sounds can be assigned to a theme, either one of the preprogrammed themes or one downloaded via the host software. The S400 also lets you record short sound clips to accompany captured images, via the Sound Memo option, great for lively captions to vacation photos or party shots.

The S400 stores images to CompactFlash Type I memory cards. A 32MB card accompanies the camera, but I strongly recommend picking up a larger capacity card so you won't limit your shooting due to insufficient card space (CompactFlash cards are available as large as one gigabyte). The camera uses a rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack for power, which accompanies the camera, along with the necessary battery charger. Because the S400 does not accommodate AA-type or other readily available batteries, I advise picking up an additional battery pack and keeping it freshly charged. The optional AC adapter is useful for preserving battery power when reviewing and downloading images, and actually has a "dummy" battery that inserts into the camera's battery compartment to couple the power adapter to the power contacts. (Most users would find a second rechargeable battery more useful though, at least in my opinion.) A USB cable and interface software are also packaged with the camera, for downloading images to a computer and performing minor organization and corrections. Two software CDs provide the necessary drivers and editing software, both compatible with Windows and Macintosh platforms, but no added driver software is required with Windows XP or Macintosh OS X. One CD holds Canon's Digital Camera Solution Disk version 12.0 and the other features ArcSoft's Camera Suite version 1.2. Finally, an A/V cable connects the S400 to a television set, for reviewing and composing images. The S400 is DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) compatible, with detailed print settings in the Playback menu. Canon offers a selection of direct-connect printers as well, which simplify printing even more. (Read my review of Canon's excellent little CP-100 photo printer for an example of one of these.)

Basic Features

* 4.0-megapixel CCD.
* Real-image optical viewfinder.
* 1.5-inch color TFT LCD monitor.
* Glass, 3x, 7.4-22.2mm lens, equivalent to a 36-108mm lens on a 35mm camera.
* Maximum 3.6x digital zoom.
* Automatic exposure control, with Long Shutter mode for longer exposures.
* Shutter speeds from 1/2,000 to 15 seconds.
* Maximum aperture f/2.8 to f/4.9, depending on lens zoom position.
* Built-in flash with five modes.
* CompactFlash Type I memory card storage, 32MB card included.
* Power supplied by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack (charger included) or optional AC adapter.
* ArcSoft Camera Suite 1.2, Canon Digital Camera software, and USB drivers included for both Windows and Mac platforms.

Special Features

* Movie mode with sound.
* Standard and High Speed Continuous Shooting modes.
* Stitch-Assist panorama mode.
* Infinity and Macro focus modes.
* Customizable "My Camera" settings.
* Two- or 10-second Self-Timer for delayed shutter release.
* Sound Memo option for recording captions.
* Spot, Center-Weighted, and Evaluative exposure metering.
* White balance (color) adjustment with seven modes, including a Custom setting.
* Photo Effect menu for color adjustment.
* Adjustable ISO setting.
* DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) compatibility.
* USB cable for connection to a computer (driver software included).
* A/V cable for connection to a television set.

Recommendation

Canon's "Digital ELPH" cameras have proven popular with consumers, thanks to their tiny size and reputation for quality, both in construction and in the images they deliver. The PowerShot S400 Digital ELPH updates and extends the line with a 4.0-megapixel CCD for higher resolution images. The increased resolution lets you print images as large as 8x10 inches with good detail, even with some cropping, and lower resolution settings are good for printing snapshots or sending to family and friends via email. Although exposure control is mainly automatic, the availability of exposures up to 15 seconds, adjustable ISO, and flexible white balance and color saturation options increases the camera's exposure versatility. The uncomplicated user interface is comfortable for novices and more advanced users alike, with simple operation for the novices, and enough variable exposure control to keep the advanced folks happy. All in all, an excellent "all around" digicam that just happens to live inside a super-compact case.

Design

Practically identical to the PowerShot S300 and S330 before it, the S400 maintains the small dimensions that made the ELPH line so popular. The compact size is perfect for quickly stashing in a pocket or purse without worrying damaging delicate camera mechanisms. The retracting lens is a smart design that keeps the front of the case completely flat when the camera is off, underscoring the camera's pocket friendly design, while an automatic lens cover means you don't have to worry about smudging the lens or losing the lens cap. Measuring 3.4 x 2.2 x 1.1 inches (87 x 57 x 28 millimeters), the S400 is actually a hair smaller than the S330 model. The camera weighs a mere 7.96 ounces (226 grams) with battery and memory card.

source:imaging-resource.com

Camera Minolta

The meteoric rise of the electronic, super-compact SLRs such as the Olympus OM-2n, Pentax ME forced many camera manufacturers into a game of catch-up. But Minolta chose to set its own standards with the XD-7/11. Among other innovations, the XD-7/11 settled the debate over aperture-preferred vs. shutter-speed-preferred automation because it was a both - it gives you a choice between either mode.

The universal XD-7 shares essentially the same configuration with the XD-11, which is a US designed model. Although competition was keen from the later Canon A-1, Nikon FE, Olympus OM2n or even from Fuji with their Fujica AX-5 but it was the Minolta XD-7 that has kicked started the full and sophisticated automation in camera design in 1976.

The chapters followed here are to help someone that are hungry for such information to have a basic knowledge of this very much under-rated camera produced by Minolta, Japan - the company that brought you many fine cameras like the XK-1, the X-700 and the revolutionary Maxmum class AF cameras in the eighties and eye-start AF in the Dynax series cameras.

But since the older Rokkor MC/MD lenses are not compatible anymore with the new autofocus Maxxum or Dynax class AF bodies. Your possible investment could lack a migration path should there is a necessity to upgrade into an Minolta's autofocus camera in the future. Anyway, this is a extremely well made SLR camera, if your primarily interest is not on autofocus or modern fancy metering, this can be a very attractive used entry camera model to be seriously take into consideration. Of cause, other than compatibility issues with the new AF mount design, the biggest advantage for such older series of manual focus Minolta cameras is because it is more economical if you have a tight waist belt to spend. This could have answered most photographic request if you got hooked or getting a little serious about photography later. In the used market, the is a great pool of cheap, used lenses, accessories for you to look into.

source:mir.com.my

The Best Camera Brand Rants, Ramblings, and Opinions

by Chris Campbell

Looking for the best camera brand that offers you everything in terms of photo quality, high ISO with low noise, great lenses, popular and the best cameras overall?

In this article I'll try comparing some brands that I tested at one time or another or simply would've loved to buy. I'll talk a bit about Leica/Minolta, Pentax, Olympus, Sony, Fuji, Leica/Panasonic, Minolta.

Quality of the photos. Great lenses are produced by a lot of manufacturers, including Leica/Minolta, Practika, Contax, Leica, Fuji, Pentax, Leica/Minolta, Yashica, Zeiss, Leica/Panasonic, Pentacon, Olympus and Exakta. I've tried a number of different lenses from these manufacturers and photos have been great each time. When I wanted something that had ground glass screen I chose a 55mm Zenit lens and I paid less for it than I did for a MF SLR lens (which I used only for a few photos).

If we're talking about high ISO with low noise, this isn't an area where I'm comfortable talking.

If you want to know which one has the best lenses, check the photo quality that I wrote about above.

If you're looking for the manufacturer with the biggest market share, look around the Internet and you will probably find this data.

Best camera brand overall. Now, there isn't an easy way to differentiate here. They can be the best in size, photo quality and in many other factors, but the overall best depends on what the customer needs. One example would be my Leica digital camera, which could be the best point and shoot camera if its size was a bit smaller. This is true for many other point and shoot cameras, which would be the best if one of their features was better, like having manual controls, smaller CCD's and many others. When you talk about the best camera, it's more like choosing one that will do everything you need in 9 out of 10 cases. Other than that, you can choose an Olympus DSLR and spend a lot of money on lenses, and the end result would be a great camera.

This article might confuse you even more, but this is the ultimate truth. If you want the manufacturer that offers the most innovation in their products, then you should go with Panasonic/Leica or Olympus, which is close behind. So if you want to buy a digital camera from the best camera brand, you should look at either Leica/Panasonic or Olympus and don't choose something less. If you want the best, look at only these two major brands.

Getting the perfect camera brand, is never an easy thing, especially with the way digital technology is constantly changing. Fortunately, there are plenty of helpful websites online, that can narrow down your search and help you find the camera with all the features important to you

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Campbell

Bag Camera

Camera Bags

by Philip Greenspun

The great thing about camera bags is that no matter how much you spend, you will never be at peace with one camera bag. It will always be too big, too small, not padded enough to check through, not slim enough to carry on, ... . You may be sure only of the following:

* you will eventually have a closet full of camera bags
* you will never regret having spent big bucks for quality

Ideal Shopping Procedure

The best way to shop for a camera bag is to gather up all of the gear that you think you'll be likely to use on a typical project and walk into a well-stocked camera store. Budget at least an hour to find the bag that best fits the gear collection.
The holster

A holster-style bag is sized precisely for one camera body attached to a particular lens. The ThinkTank web site is a good illustration of the possibilities. Tamrac is an alternative high quality supplier and publishes a useful fit chart. The holster is not used in between photographs; the camera needs to be kept out and ready. The holster is used to protect the camera/lens between projects and when the camera/lens is tossed into a standard backpack or duffel bag.
The small bag

A small bag holds a camera body, three lenses, and maybe a flash. Typically these are rectangular bags with a shoulder strap. Perhaps the classic example is Domke, the perennial favorite of photojournalists. I find this kind of bag good for leaving under a table at a wedding reception, but not great for access to gear while I'm in motion.

A minor improvement on the standard design is the addition of a waist belt that can be tucked back away when not in use. The waist belt, pioneered with the venerable Tamrac 709, stabilizes the bag on a long walk.

Some designs worth investigation:

* LowePro, especially the AW versions that are rain-proof
* ThinkTank Urban Disguise (shoulder bags) and Change Up (waist belt, backpack straps, chest harness); the ThinkTank bags include an integrated rain cover that can be spread over the bag

Photo.net reviews of small bags:

* Lowepro Photo Runner
* Lowepro Off Road
* Lowepro Slingshot 300 AW
* Lowepro Compudaypack
* Bags for small Rangefinder or DSLR cameras (Crumpler, Lowepro, Domke, Mclassics, & Billingham)

Once a shoulder bag becomes large enough to hold enough equipment to cover a wedding or an entire medium format system, it becomes awkward to carry and difficult to dig through. Consider a backpack. The best big camera bags that the author has used is the LowePro SuperTrekker AW backpack.

The SuperTrekker is a big frameless backpack divided up with foam. It has only one level so you don't have to figure out what goes on top of what, as with big shoulder bags. I've stuffed this one bag with two Canon EOS bodies, five EOS lenses (including a big telephoto L zoom), plus a Fuji 617 monster, lots of accessories, a tripod and film (it was that long ago!). The bag was not quite full. You can configure the case to hold a 600/4, a 300/2.8, a folding view camera, or maybe even all three.

Back before I got old/wise enough to hire assistants, I found the SuperTrekker very comfortable to wear and it had thoughtful and clever design features that took years to appreciate fully. The SuperTrekker can be a little tight for putting in an airline overhead bin, though a couple of times I checked it with no ill results.

The tripod case on the back is worth mentioning. It separates from the backpack if you wish to carry it separately, is big enough for a Manfrotto/Bogen 3021 and ballhead, and is well padded with foam.

If you are caught in the rain with the bag, unfurl the built-in rain fly.
The photo backpack

The SuperTrekker is too big and heavy to carry while taking pictures and, even if you force an assistant to wear it, getting lenses out while the backpack is in a vertical position is not easy. LowePro makes some smaller backpacks that are worth investigating. The Rotation 360 from ThinkTank is perhaps the most interesting idea in photo backpacks. The lower part of the pack can be swiveled around to your front temporarily. It opens at the top so that you can conveniently change lenses while standing and wearing the rest of the pack on your back.

source:photo.net