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>> Phase One A/S announced the P 65+ digital back and the P 65+ camera system based on Sensor+ CCD technology co-developed with DALSA Semiconductor

Published: 2008-08-06

Phase One A/S announced the P 65+ Phase One A/S announced the P 65+ digital back and the P 65+ camera system based on Sensor+ CCD technology co-developed with DALSA Semiconductor. This patent-pending, Sensor+ technology represents a significant advancement in image capture. The chip platform offers the most demanding photographers upgradeable CCD functions, ensuring a longer lifespan for their digital back investments.
Improvements and upgrades based on Sensor+ technology have been designed to enable:
-- Scaleable pixel and file size
-- Higher sensitivity & dynamic range
-- Increased flexibility for operation and capture
-- Improved capture rates
Read the whole article here

>> Casio EXILIM EX-F1 Digital Camera Review

Published: 2008-08-06

Unquestionably the most futuristic camera of 2008, the Casio EXILIM EX-F1 offers unparalleled capabilities in both still and video shooting. We expect respectable digital SLRs today to take roughly three photos per second. The EX-F1 can take 60 full-resolution pictures in a second. It can even shoot 7 frames per second while firing the flash with each shot.
The ability to shoot video clips is standard on most compact cameras today, and a few even venture into the realm of 720p "high-definition." The EX-F1, though shoots both standard-definition video and full 1920 x 1080 true high-definition video. And for its most jaw-dropping trick, it offers super-slow-motion shooting at up to 1200 frames per second – in other words, you get to watch a moment in time slowed down by a factor of twenty. At that rate, when you burst a balloon full of water, you see the water hesitate before realizing gravity wants it to splatter. Flicking a butane lighter becomes a Tarantino-esque slow-motion dance of spark and flame.
We learned in January, at the Consumer Electronics Show, that the EX-F1 would deliver these extraordinary capabilities, thanks to a new high-speed CMOS sensor paired with a fast LSI processor. It took a full six months before the company could deliver a production model so we could determine how well any or all of these features actually performed. After working with the camera for a few weeks, both in the labs and shooting out on the streets, we’re excited, but with reservations. The ultra-slow-motion video gets lots of attention, but the gee-whiz appeal faded after a day or two. The killer feature turns out to be rapid-fire photography. The ability to shoot continuously anywhere from 1 to 60 frames per second lets you catch the perfect sports moment, or baby’s smile, or animal zipping across your field of view. That said, still mage quality is good but not great, and the video can’t equal dedicated camcorder output, though most casual users will probably be satisfied with the results. Our complete report, including hands-on experience and lab results, follows. Read the whole review here. You can buy the camera here

>> Nikon D700 vs Nikon D300 vs Canon EOS 5D High ISO Noise

Published: 2008-08-06

To compare noise levels under real-life conditions we shot this scene with the Nikon D700, Nikon D300 and Canon EOS 5D within a few moments of each other using each of their ISO settings in Aperture Priority modes. The lenses on each camera were adjusted to deliver the same field of view.
The D700 and D300 were fitted with the same Nikkor AF-S 14-24mm lens, set to 24mm on the D700 and 16mm on the D300. The Canon EOS 5D was fitted with the Canon EF 17-40mm set to 24mm. The lens focal lengths were fine-tuned so the field-of-view was exactly matched.
All three bodies were set to their best quality JPEG modes with default settings for image processing and noise reduction. As such, both Nikons were set to Large Fine JPEG quality (optimised for quality), with Auto White Balance and the default Standard Picture Control, Normal High ISO NR and Active D-Lighting switched off. Read the whole test here. You can buy the Nikon D300 here, the Nikon D700 here and the Canon EOS 5D here

>> Olympus EVOLT E-520 Digital Camera Review

Published: 2008-08-06

The EVOLT E-520 is the center of Olympus' three-pronged approach to the digital SLR market. Flanked by the cheaper and more restricted E-420 on one side and the professional-level E-3 on the other, the E-520 is designed to compete with most entry-level SLRs, like the Nikon D60, Canon Rebel XSi and Sony Alpha 200. It is physically almost identical to its predecessor, the E-510, though beneath the familiar exterior are a number of new functions, such as auto focus for Live View and face detection. It also aims to bridge the gap for point-and-shoot users by incorporating a large number of automatic and preset modes, while still allowing in-depth tweaking for those who desire manual control. It’s a camera that feels good in the hand, with a comforting solidness and a good-sized grip. However, all the new features and excellent construction are mitigated by shortcomings revealed during performance testing. While the E-520 achieved good color and resolution scores, it tested very poorly in white balance and low light performance, and producing high noise levels in a variety of conditions. This is unfortunate because, apart from these low test scores, the E-520 is a solid camera, with great features, powerful controls, and the best Live View available in this price range. The camera retails for $699.99 with a 14-42mm Zuiko lens. You can read the whole review here. You can buy the camera here

>> The Lowepro Flipside 400 AW Backpack

Published: 2008-08-06

August 6, 2008 — Lowepro announces the launch of Flipside 400 AW, a high-performance camera backpack designed with a large capacity, premium security, all-day comfort, plus protection from the elements.

Flipside 400 AW features a unique back-entry compartment that provides easy access to gear when setting up—keeping the harness off the ground and clean—plus extra security when on the move. With access to gear placed in the rear of the backpack, roving hands are discouraged from reaching into the bag. With the padded waistbelt secured, gear is quickly reached by rotating the entire bag to the front, offering hands-free use and providing a stable work platform while changing batteries, memory cards or setting up for the next shot. To protect expensive gear from the elements, the Flipside 400 AW includes Lowepro’s patented, built-in All Weather Cover. Read the whole article here

>> Olympus and Panasonic Announce Micro Four Thirds Format

Published: 2008-08-06

In an attempt to attract compact camera owners hesitant to buy relatively bulky SLRs, Olympus and Panasonic today announced the Micro Four Thirds format, a more compact variant of the existing Four Thirds format, which will enable smaller, lighter camera designs. The new design offers a flangeback distance (the lens mount to sensor distance) approximately half as long as current Four Thirds format cameras. The lens mount diameter also shrinks by 6mm, and the number of electrical contacts in the lens mount increases from 9 to 11. These additional contacts will support unspecified “new features and increased system functionality” in the future. In the meantime, existing Four Thirds system lenses will work with new Micro Four Thirds system camera using an adapter.
While the new format was announced, no specific camera or lens announcements were made. We expect to see these at Photokina, the massive photo industry trade show held in Germany in September, and will bring you updates as they’re available. Read the whole article here

>> The Sony HVL-F58AM flash unit

Published: 2008-06-20

The Sony HVL-F58AM flash unit has a rather unusual tilt / swivel mechanism called the "Quick Shift Bounce" system, which could prove rather more versatile in use than competing products. Instead of the traditional rotation around the flash's vertical axis (as adopted in, for example, Canon's current top-of-the-line Speedlite 580EX II), Sony has instead chosen a mechanism that can swing the bulk of the flash's body 90 degrees to either side. Above this is a separate mechanism which allows the head of the flash to tilt vertically upwards, but with a rather greater range of motion than is ordinarily the case. Since the lower swivel doesn't allow the flash to face behind the photographer's head, the upper mechanism makes up for this by being able to tilt anywhere from 10 degrees downward, through the fully vertical (90 degrees upward) position to a limit of 150 degrees (ie. pointing back over the photographer's head at an angle 30 degrees above the horizontal). Read the whole article here

>> Pentax K20D camera review

Published: 2008-06-20

Review based on a production Pentax K20D using V1.01 firmware

Having risked being left behind by the speed at which the 'affordable' DSLR market developed, Pentax showed how serious its intentions were with the K10D, a semi-pro-level DSLR with a features list to humble the competition at a very attractive price. Having added so many bells and whistles to the K10D, it's not much of a surprise to find that its successor, the K20D, is essentially a refinement of the same design. But, even though it can't quite boast the same novel-feature-count as its predecessor, the K20D still finds room for some interesting changes. Read the whole review here. You can buy the camera here

>> Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ8 Digital Camera Review

Published: 2008-06-20

Announced in January, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ8 is an 8-megapixel, entry-level point-and-shoot with a budget-friendly $180 price tag. Besides its low price, the LZ8’s key features include a 5x optical zoom lens, a well rounded selection of Scene modes, and Panasonic’s Intelligent Auto mode. While the camera may be made for beginners, however, the LZ8 gives new photographers the opportunity to grow with program and manual modes to give users more creative control over their photos. Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, and a full Manual mode are found here, and that can’t be said for many entry-level point-and-shoots. But does the Lumix DMC-LZ8 deliver in terms of image quality? Read on to find out. You can read the whole review here. You can buy the camera here

>> Hasselblad H3DII-31 Kit for $17,995

Published: 2008-06-20

You can purchase a Hasselblad H3DII-31 Kit at a special price of $17,995 when you register for the free online publication of Victor by Hasselblad. The Hasselblad H3DII-31 is a Medium Format DSLR camera system including a 31 megapixel sensor, and the kit is comprised of the H3DII-31 camera body, viewfinder, and 80mm lens. The offer runs from June 1st - August 31st 2008, while stocks last. Read the whole article here