Archive for the ‘New Products and Models’ Category
Olympus Zuiko 14-35mm f/2.0 Digital ED SWD Lens Review (Digital Camera Review)
Let’s get this out of the way right from the start: this lens, the Olympus Zuiko 14-35mm f/2.0 Digital ED SWD, has an MSRP higher than the cost of a used compact car. While it’s not for the financially faint of heart, this long-awaited flagship pro lens provides a fast constant aperture across its range, making it arguably the most versatile heavy hitter in Olympus’s Super High Grade lens lineup. With the original product announcement coming all the way back at PMA 2005, this has quite literally been a review three years in the making. So was it worth the wait? If you’re an Olympus fan, all I can say is hold on to your wallet. More…
In a year where “retro chic” designs for consumer electronics seem to be, in fact, chic again, the Canon PowerShot SD890 IS updated version of the venerable SD850 seems to be right at home: the new camera’s look and feel are at once contemporary and the logical continuation of design trends from previous Digital ELPH cameras. While the slightly bolder appearance may not appeal to everyone, the 10 megapixel SD890 IS remains an easily pocketable camera with a great feel and, with its 5x optical zoom and optical image stabilization, a lot of performance potential to match. More…
Digital SLRs have consistently and dependably gotten better and prices have dropped precipitously since the introduction of the first prohibitively expensive versions 20 years ago. While it took 35mm SLRs almost 60 years to reach their developmental zenith, the new Nikon D60, a slightly upgraded entry-level model, is a prime example of just how much digital SLRs have improved in less than two decades. With a 10.2 megapixel sensor and a lot of carryover from the well-regarded D40x, the D60 is clearly an incremental upgrade rather than a major shift in direction for Nikon’s amateur line. Still, some minor polish and feature-expanding upgrades along with an excellent new kit lens keep the Nikon in the hunt for consumer dollars in this competitive space. More…
[eminimall ... ] [tags]digital camera review, camera reviews[/tags]
Casio Exilim EX-S10 Review (Digital Camera Review)
I was pretty excited when I found out I would be reviewing the Casio Exilim S10, “the world’s smallest and thinnest 10.1 megapixel camera.” Encased in stainless steel and decked out in four color choices, it looks and feels like a great accessory. Of course, it’s not all about looks, as any fool knows, and with tiny cameras, compromises often have to be made somewhere. Want to know if this book lived up to its cover? Read on… Read More…
Unboxing the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS20 was déjà vu: “Didn’t I just review this camera?” As it happens, in a way I did, having recently checked out the FS20′s sister model, the FS3. While the cameras are strikingly similar, visually, with a wide-angle lens, more resolution, and a neat joystick controller, the FS20 makes it clear in a hurry why it gets top billing in this pair (actually, with the mid-level FS5, a trio) of new Lumix cameras. Good specs, good styling, and good images are all in the FS20′s corner. So what’s holding it back? In some ways, a case of high expectations for this most feature-packed of the FS models. Read More…
I have to admit that as much as I love SLRs, the compact camera market captures a portion of my photography heart as well. There is something so novel about being able to slip a camera into most any pocket and get pictures anytime: try doing that with an SLR. The latest compact I have been playing with, the 12 megapixel Pentax Optio A40, is a fun little camera that works great as a back-up, but does it do enough to be an all-in-one picture taking device as well? Read More…
Last year’s retro-minimalist Canon PowerShot SD1000 got rave reviews from both professional camera reviewers and ordinary consumers because it delivered everything an ultracompact digicam could reasonably be expected to provide. What made the SD1000 unique in a flood of generally competent but mostly uninspired mini-cams was not its old school style or its flashy collection of features, but its proficiency and dependability as a digital image-maker. Updating a very popular digital camera like the Canon PowerShot SD1000 is an especially tough job, but the new Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS, which replaces the SD1000, retains most of what made its predecessor one of the mini-cam sales leaders of 2007. Read More…
Since the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35 was released in January, the buzz on this camera has focused on the lens. Sure, having a 25mm wide-angle on a compact camera is impressive, even class-leading, but there’s a lot more to the FX35 than wide-angle shooting. With a good screen, reworked image processing, vibrant color, and excellent all-around performance squeezed into a pocket-sized package, Panasonic has put together a camera that can really stand on its own – 25mm lens or not. Read More…
No, it’s not an April Fools prank: after half a year on the top of our Most Popular Digital Cameras list, the Sony Cyber-shot T200 hasn’t just been dethroned – it’s been completely removed from the top 10 altogether. With new models hitting store shelves, half of the cameras from last month didn’t make a repeat appearance in March. This list of cameras shows you what visitors to DigitalCameraReview.com viewed most often over the past month. The rankings are determined by the number of times a particular product page is viewed by our users. Read More…
[eminimall ... ] [tags]digital camera review, camera reviews[/tags]
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35 Review (Digital Camera Review)
was released in January, the buzz on this camera has focused on the lens. Sure, having a 25mm wide-angle on a compact camera is impressive, even class-leading, but there’s a lot more to the FX35 than wide-angle shooting. With a good screen, reworked image processing, vibrant color, and excellent all-around performance squeezed into a pocket-sized package, Panasonic has put together a camera that can really stand on its own – 25mm lens or not. More…
Picture this: you’re working on an image in Photoshop, and you need to do a little precise brush work to clean things up. So you pick up your display, sketchbook style, grab a pen and go to work just like you would with pencils or pastels – “drawing” directly on the displayed image with your pen to lay down the edits. For photographers and graphic artists, this scenario captures the allure of the Wacom Cintiq 12WX, a combined tablet interface and LCD from the company thats name has become synonymous with “graphics tablet.” More…
Last year’s retro-minimalist Canon PowerShot SD1000 got rave reviews from both professional camera reviewers and ordinary consumers because it delivered everything an ultracompact digicam could reasonably be expected to provide. What made the SD1000 unique in a flood of generally competent but mostly uninspired mini-cams was not its old school style or its flashy collection of features, but its proficiency and dependability as a digital image-maker. Updating a very popular digital camera like the Canon PowerShot SD1000 is an especially tough job, but the new Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS, which replaces the SD1000, retains most of what made its predecessor one of the mini-cam sales leaders of 2007. More…
I have to admit that as much as I love SLRs, the compact camera market captures a portion of my photography heart as well. There is something so novel about being able to slip a camera into most any pocket and get pictures anytime: try doing that with an SLR. The latest compact I have been playing with, the 12 megapixel Pentax Optio A40, is a fun little camera that works great as a back-up, but does it do enough to be an all-in-one picture taking device as well? More…
When Pentax recently released their updated flagship K20D and mid-range K200D, they also offered a series of new “DA” lenses designed specifically for Pentax DSLRs. One of the most impressive lenses from this latest release is the Pentax DA* 200mm ED (IF) SDM f/2.8 prime. After a few years of criticism over the lack of modern telephoto primes and long zooms, Pentax has stepped up to the plate in 2008 with some excellent new high-quality lenses for DSLR users. Can Pentax re-establish its former popularity with its latest line of cameras and lenses? If this lens is any indicator, they may be on the right track. More…
In the compact digital camera world, standard zoom lenses have tended to start out in the low- to mid-30mm focal range at the wide-angle end of the spectrum, a 35mm-equivalent length that isn’t really all that wide. Every so often you’ll come across a 27 or 28mm, but those have tended to be the exception rather than the rule. As a brand, Panasonic’s lineup has a fairly high concentration of 28 to low-30mm lenses, but the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35 breaks new ground in the compact wide angle sweepstakes: a 4x optical zoom starting out at 25mm. More…
I was pretty excited when I found out I would be reviewing the Casio Exilim S10, “the world’s smallest and thinnest 10.1 megapixel camera.” Encased in stainless steel and decked out in four color choices, it looks and feels like a great accessory. Of course, it’s not all about looks, as any fool knows, and with tiny cameras, compromises often have to be made somewhere. Want to know if this book lived up to its cover? Read on… More…
Unboxing the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS20 was déjà vu: “Didn’t I just review this camera?” As it happens, in a way I did, having recently checked out the FS20′s sister model, the FS3. While the cameras are strikingly similar, visually, with a wide-angle lens, more resolution, and a neat joystick controller, the FS20 makes it clear in a hurry why it gets top billing in this pair (actually, with the mid-level FS5, a trio) of new Lumix cameras. Good specs, good styling, and good images are all in the FS20′s corner. So what’s holding it back? In some ways, a case of high expectations for this most feature-packed of the FS models. More…
[eminimall ... ] [tags]digital camera review, camera reviews[/tags]
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T70 Review (Digital Camera Review)
is a nice little camera with some unique features that just might fit this bill. Continue…
When Pentax recently released their updated flagship K20D and mid-range K200D, they also offered a series of new “DA” lenses designed specifically for Pentax DSLRs. One of the most impressive lenses from this latest release is the Pentax DA* 200mm ED (IF) SDM f/2.8 prime. After a few years of criticism over the lack of modern telephoto primes and long zooms, Pentax has stepped up to the plate in 2008 with some excellent new high-quality lenses for DSLR users. Can Pentax re-establish its former popularity with its latest line of cameras and lenses? If this lens is any indicator, they may be on the right track. Continue…
When Pentax announced the K10D back in 2006, serious amateurs and professionals quickly started paying attention. The K10D was more rugged and feature-packed than any Pentax digital SLR before it. In 2008, the company decided to update their line with the Pentax K20D, featuring a stabilized 14.6 megapixel CMOS image sensor, high quality image processing, dust- and weather-proof seals, 11-point AF, and more custom features than any photographer would need. If you’re in the market for a Canon EOS 40D or a Nikon D300, pay close attention. The Pentax K20D might just be the best choice you can make. Continue…
Having hit consumers with a barrage of new compact digicams just last month at PMA, Panasonic is back at it again today with the announcement of the ultracompact, 10.1 megapixel Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX500. As a new flagship model for the FX line, the newest Lumix comes with a wide-angle Leica zoom lens, 1280×720 video recording capability, optical image stabilization, and – most notably – a 3-inch touch screen LCD. Continue…
[eminimall ... ] [tags]digital camera review, camera reviews[/tags]
Lowepro Flipside 300 Camera Bag Review (Digital Camera Review)
With its SlingShot line of side-entry SLR shoulder bags from a few years back, Lowepro showed the camera world a different approach to quickly getting at your gear while carrying it on your back. Taking this different way of thinking from single-shoulder bags to traditional, two-strap backpacks, Lowepro’s new Flipside series moves the access point to the back of the bag – the part that rests against your back. While the look and feel are unconventional, some time with the Flipside suggests that there’s a lot to be said for this unique approach to the traditional photo backpack.
Read More…
Sony also made its new top-of-the-line W model public today, with the launch of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W300. The W300 features a fairly conventional 3x zoom, but boasts an impressive 13.6 megapixels of effective resolution.
Read More…
True confessions time: I’m a soft target for camera accessory advertisements. It doesn’t take much more than a few flashy product shots to convince me that the $30 gizmo of the week is going to change my photographic life, and over the years I’ve been especially drawn to accessories promising better flash pictures. With the help of NotebookReview.com editor and flash photography guru Jerry Jackson, we’ve done some side-by-side testing on a few of the more popular and heavily hyped accessory light modifiers on the market to see whether these add-ons really do as much as they promise to improve flash photos.
Read More…
When Olympus recently introduced their updated flagship E-3 DSLR, they also offered up three new zooms designed especially for that camera. The most interesting and certainly the most versatile of these lenses is the Zuiko ED 12-60mm f/2.8-4.0 SWD ESP zoom. Olympus is clearly hungry for a larger slice of the lucrative DSLR market, as evidenced by the impressive capabilities and generous feature set of the new E-3, and providing a high-performance kit lens like the 12-60 for this pro-level DSLR is a very gutsy move. Will it pay off for Olympus? Only time (and sales) will tell.
Read More…
[eminimall ... ] [tags]digital camera review, camera reviews[/tags]
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS3: First Thoughts and Video Overview (Digital Camera Review)
, however, concerns about these cameras looking, feeling, and performing like budget units have largely been put to rest.
More…
[eminimall ... ] [tags]digital camera review, camera reviews[/tags]
Kodak announces new high-zoom EasyShare Z1012 IS (Digital Camera Review)
In a midnight announcement, Kodak made public the next continuation model in its high-zoom Z lineup, the Kodak EasyShare Z1012 IS. Building on the basic package put forward by the Z812 IS and visually nearly identical to its predecessor, the new model features 10 megapixels of resolution, a 12x optical zoom, and image stabilization.
Read More…
In a press conference this morning, Sony put the announcement from Tuesday about the semiconductor division’s development of a full-frame 24 megapixel CMOS sensor into a production context with the news that it is working to develop a flagship full-frame DSLR for its Alpha series. Other than its 24.6 megapixels of resolution and innovative A/D conversion technique for lower high-ISO noise, detailed specs for the new camera were few in coming. What is known is that the camera should be ready for market by the end of the year.
Read More…
After a weekend to recover and refocus, we’ve compiled our notes and put together some general thoughts about PMA 2008. While most of the technology was incremental and expected, there were a few industry-level surprises this year that may well change the relationship between cameras and other mobile devices, especially. For the full story on new cameras and larger trends, as well as some reading-between-the-lines predictions about what’s around the corner, read on…
Read More…
PMA officially starts tomorrow, and most of the pre-events today focused more on seeing the new items than on spending a lot of time with them. In-depth interactions with the individual manufacturers throughout the week should provide for some more thorough analysis, but we were able to form some initial impressions and begin sifting through the range of new tech that PMA 2008 has to offer.
Read More…
[eminimall ... ] [tags]digital camera review, camera reviews[/tags]
Kodak announces new high-zoom EasyShare Z1012 IS (Digital Camera Review)
In a midnight announcement, Kodak made public the next continuation model in its high-zoom Z lineup, the Kodak EasyShare Z1012 IS. Building on the basic package put forward by the Z812 IS and visually nearly identical to its predecessor, the new model features 10 megapixels of resolution, a 12x optical zoom, and image stabilization.
More…
At an ongoing press conference in Las Vegas this morning, Panasonic presented some top-level specs for several new compact models, including an update to the popular TZ3, a 25mm wide-angle compact, and several models offering true HD video recording and output.
More…
The Nikon Coolpix S210, S520, S550, and S600 will all be joining the company’s Style series of compacts, according to an announcement this evening. Three new cameras and a replacement broaden the range of offerings in Nikon’s S line, which offers solid features, imposing styling, and impressive image quality, but has yet to really vie for dominance with the strongest competitors in the ultra-compact market. All four new models bring more advanced features to the table, including large, sharp LCDs, improved high ISO performance, Nikkor optics, and in several cases, Optical Vibration Reduction.
More…
In an announcement today, Sony officially launched two additions to its digital SLR lineup. The 10.2 megapixel Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 and 14.2 megapixel DSLR-A350 introduce the manufacturers Live View system, allowing users to compose images on-screen rather than through the optical viewfinder alone.
More…
We had barely finished reporting on the follow-up news from CES when the pre-PMA camera and accessory announcements began to roll in, and after only a few weeks back to shift gears, it’s time to hit Las Vegas again for the 2008 PMA show. As with CES, DigitalCameraReview.com will be here all week providing condensed, concise coverage of the most significant developments from the show floor in our daily wrap-up, with lots of photos and video of what we find as well as editorial commentary on what all of this new tech means for you, the camera buying public.
More…
[eminimall ... ] [tags]digital camera review, camera reviews[/tags]
Latest Fujifilm F camera, F100fd, rolled out (Digital Camera Review)
Not to be outdone by Fuji’s barrage of ultra-zoom announcements, the 12 megapixel Fujifilm FinePix F100fd is the latest iteration in the company’s F series of advanced compact digicams. Built around an eigth-generation Fuji Super CCD sensor, the F100fd is expected to deliver the kind of impressive low light/high ISO performance that users have come to expect from these cameras. Other physical specs include a 2.7-inch, 230,000-pixel wide-angle view LCD, as well as a Fujinon 5x optical zoom.
Continue…
Pentax made official what many have suspected for several months today, with the release of its new K20D and K200D digital SLRs. The K20D appears to offer some substantial improvements over the popular K10D semi-pro model – most notably, a 14.6 megapixel CMOS sensor and a live view system. The K200D adds another rung to Pentax’s entry-level ladder, building on the 10.2 megapixel sensor technology and many basic features of the K10D, but in a lighter and more compact K100-sized package.
Continue…
The Fujifilm FinePix S1000fd is billed by the manufacturer as the world’s smallest digital camera with a 12x zoom. Replacing the popular FinePix S700, the 10 megapixel S1000fd covers an impressive 35mm-equivalent range of 33-396mm, and features a hi-res 2.7-inch LCD.
Continue…
Hyphenated, hyperbolic marketing copy abounds with the release of Fujifilm’s Z10fd update, the FinePix Z20fd: it’s “style-savvy” and “ultra-glam.” Basically a light retouching of the Z10 concept, the 10 megapixel Z20fd gets an upgrade in resolution but offers many of the same basic physical specs as its predecessor including signature Fuji Z styling in outlandish colors.
Continue…
In the DigitalCameraReview.com forums last week, one of our members posted about stumbling upon a one-off Canon SD model on Target.com. As it turns out, the PowerShot SD1100 IS Digital ELPH that leaked out on the retailer’s site was actually one of a batch of pre-PMA releases from Canon announced late this evening.
Continue…
Working in tandem with its new DSLR releases, Pentax has announced the addition of five new DA-series lenses to its lineup. New glass includes two additions to the DA* line of high-end lenses, a new limited macro lens, and an improved version of the company’s 18-55mm kit lens.
Continue…
In a press release today, Canon announced the launch of a new consumer-level DSLR, the EOS 450D or Digital Rebel XSi. The new camera, which features a 12.2 megapixel CMOS sensor, DIGIC III processing, and live view, looks, from all indications, to make some significant improvements over the current Rebel XTi.
Continue…
[eminimall ... ] [tags]digital camera review, camera reviews[/tags]
Fast Learner: Tips for getting better actions shots with your compact camera (Digital Camera Review)
The difficult truth, as any working sports or nature photographer will tell you, is that shooting action photos is equal parts skill and art. Good instincts, intuition, anticipation, and the ability to read a scene and make choices quickly all play a part in getting the best possible photos in fast-moving situations. While there are no shortcuts to great photos, some basic knowledge of which camera settings and what shooting techniques to depend on in these situations will go a long way toward improving your action photos.
Read More…
From an ergonomics standpoint, the most important aspect of any camera kit in my view is often the most overlooked – the strap. In the world of aftermarket camera straps, the Lowepro Voyager C is about as luxurious as it gets: a 3-inch rubberized neoprene pad, quick-release buckles, reinforced connections, and an included memory wallet give it the potential to be the ultimate travel photography accessory.
Read More…
Nikon and Canon have dominated the professional DSLR market since the beginning of the digital revolution, effectively condemning Olympus, Pentax, Panasonic, Leica, and Sony DSLRs to second tier status. That’s too bad because there are some really exciting and very pro-capable digital SLRs on that second tier, including the new 10.1 megapixel, 4/3 sensor format Olympus E-3.
Read More…
[eminimall ... ] [tags]digital camera review, camera reviews[/tags]
