Picture from Singapore Trip

Leaf Aptus-II

You ever wonder how CSI sleuths can keep enhancing their images all the way until they see what brand sneakers the perp is wearing? Well, they probably had a pre-release version of one of these Aptus-II 12s from Leaf. This new digital back can fill a staggering 80 million pixels with imaging data, thanks to its 53.7mm x 40.3mm-sized CCD sensor. It comes strapped with a 3.5-inch touchscreen on the back, 80 to 800 ISO range, 1.5 0.6fps capture rate, and a mind-boggling 480MB max file size per image. Should you have the imaging gear to match up to such might, you'll want to know that the Aptus-II 12 is shipping now from Leaf Partners worldwide with a price tag just under €24,000 ($31,387), or you could grab the 12R version -- which features a rotating sensor allowing you to shoot portrait shots without having to turn your camera sideways -- for €31,995 ($41,850). That's actually pretty decent value for your money, considering you'd have had to spend the same amount on the Aptus-II 10 only six months ago -- and that only had a measly 56 megapixel sensor!

DSLR....what I thought..

3 DSLR launched within a month. Canon with the replacement of 50D, Olympus with the E5 and Nikon with the D7000, succesor of the D90. Wat do i think is the best?

As for the Olympus , its in a different category as its should be in a pro level dslr. Looking at the spec, as promises by Olympus earlier, they will retain a 12MP dslr as the highest pixel in their DSLR armour. With a new sensor, brighter articulate screen and proven weather shield body and adding a video mode, Olympus should be par with its rival. But there's no stepped up striking features that can blow the competition aparts. The price should be competitive as its will rival the Canon 7D and the Nikon D300s. ( both are APS-C ).

As for the Canon, I am a Canon 50D user and i am a bit disappointed with the 60D spec. Throwing in articulate screen, an in camera RAW editing, art filter doesn't do justice with the camera. I do understand that Canon already have 7D in the fierce semi-pro category and badly needed a rival in advance amateur like the D90 direct rivals. Dropping the magnesium body, lower the speed and no micro adjustment is not what people's expected. Reataining a 9AF like the 550D also not a welcome move by Canon. Nikon and Olympus did came out with their brand new sensor technology in their new launch dslr as Canon still going with the 3 years old DiGic IV sensor. Now, 50D, 5D MK II, 7D, 500D,550D and 60D share the same sensor.

And the Nikon D7000. A new sensor, a magnesium body, faster burst speed, full HD mode. Its totally outrun the Canon 60D in some area. With the price of USD100 below the Canon 60D, Canon should be worried. A new 35AF point compared with 9AF in 60D, its a major step up from the D90. AS Canon loose its magnesium body shell, Nikon added this in their armour. A welcome move by those at Nikon. As for the movie mode, Canon still have a slight advantage but the Nikon is just right behind. It should be an interesting review as who will take the crown in this segment.

For my personal conclusion, I am a hardcore Canon fans but for now, the Nikon D7000 is the best among the 3 product launch. Canon should take serious action as Nikon is catching up with much better product than the Canon. As for the Olympus, its a huge steps from their previous E-3 but still its a long way for them to catch-up both Canon and Nikon.

Nikon D7000

It's been a long time coming, but Nikon has finally unveiled its new midrange model, the D7000, in one of the most eagerly anticipated announcements of the year. The D7000 doesn't replace the D90; it's launching at a higher price than the D90 did, and the D90 is still widely available. Instead, the D7000 takes on the Canon 60D in the price class up from the D90, with a host of improvements that portend well for the new camera.

What's new? Lots. The D7000 incorporates a new Nikon-designed 16.2-megapixel sensor coupled with its Expeed 2 processor; with this pairing Nikon ups its analog-to-digital conversion to 14-bit processing, which has the potential to produce a noticeably better dynamic range. There's also a new (presumably better) metering sensor, more sophisticated autofocus system that falls somewhere between the D90 and D300s in sensitivity, and a viewfinder with 100 percent scene coverage.

It's also Nikon's first dSLR to rise to 1080p HD video, with the added bonus (for whatever it's worth) of full-time autofocus during video capture. And the body's construction, while not quite as tanklike as the D300s, incorporates an all-metal chassis with magnesium-alloy covers (the rest is polycarbonate), and is sealed against dust and moisture like the D300s.

There are also some changes from the traditional Nikon body design that I think are great. The D7000 has custom settings available via the mode dial (rather than just through a powerful but confusing menu interface) and a dedicated movie record button. It also provides two card slots in a category that generally only offers one, and uses a new battery grip that supports AA batteries.

Canon EOS 60D

Key features

18 MP APS-C CMOS sensor

Advanced creative features with Basic +
Vari-angle (flip-out) 7.7cm (3.0”) 3:2 ratio LCD
Full HD movies with manual control
DIGIC 4
ISO 100-6400, H:12800
5.3fps shooting for up to 58 JPEGs
9-point cross type AF System
iFCL metering with 63-zone Dual-layer Sensor
Integrated Speedlite transmitter
In-camera RAW processing

Canon EOS 7D gets high marks all around

Canon's EOS 7D is a pretty grandiose piece of image-recording equipment, whether you're talking about its size, features or price. You're probably aware of the 18 megapixel APS-C sensor and dual DIGIC 4 processors already, but we've all had to be a bit more patient than usual in waiting for the pro reviews to come out. Dpreview doesn't disappoint though, with a thoughtful 31-page tome awaiting the keen reader, and we've also got more digestible video reviews from DPhoto Journal for the less patient among you. If you're after direct comparisons against competing models, such as the Nikon D300s, you'll find those sprinkled in among the reviews as well, with Cameratown throwing in a direct head-to-head with Canon's own 5D Mark II. The 7D was found to produce "virtually no visible noise" all the way up to ISO 1600, and scored further points for its gorgeous 100 percent frame-covering viewfinder and fast 19-point AF. With a weather-sealed, highly ergonomic body design, ridiculously fast processing and a sensor so good that "in most situations the lens, rather than the camera, is likely to be the limiting factor," the only thing reviewers could criticize was the somewhat uncompetitive pricing, but that's likely to soften with time anyway.

Introducing the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV – fast, powerful, high resolution performance for professional photographers

Looks like Canon isn't skipping the number "four" after all. While initially unveiling what looked to be a half-complete website with two teaser videos, the company has now gone official with the EOS-1D Mark IV. So what's new to the table? For starter's there's a 16.1 megapixel APS-H CMOS sensor, ISO range of100 to 12,800 native, up to 102,400 (hello, Nikon), 45-point area customizable autofocus with 39 high-precision cross-type focusing points, dual Digic 4 processors, 1080p HD video, and an option WFT-E2 IIA wireless file transmitter for connectivity over 802.11a/b/g and ethernet. Launch date is sometime in December, and body-only price is estimated at about $4,999 but subject to change.

Developed incorporating feedback from professional photographers, the EOS-1D Mark IV features a new Canon 16.1MP APS-H CMOS sensor and a brand new 45-point Auto Focus (AF) system with 39 f/2.8 sensitive cross-type points, providing a wide selection of precise focus areas across the frame. Dual “DIGIC 4” processors provide the power to shoot continuous, high-resolution images at up to 10 frames per second (fps), as well as delivering the widest ISO range ever to feature in a Canon camera.

“Throughout the EOS-1D Mark IV’s development, we’ve carefully studied feedback from our photographers and developed a camera to meet their specific requirements” said Mr. Shinbori, Senior General Manager of Camera Development Center, Canon Inc. “With a brand new, high-quality CMOS sensor and Dual “DIGIC 4” processors, the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV allows photographers to be the first to get the highest quality images to picture desks in what is becoming an increasingly competitive market.”

MELVILLE, N.Y. (Oct. 14, 2009) – Today, Nikon Inc. announced the FX-format D3S D-SLR, providing professional photographers with a powerful tool that redefines the boundaries of digital SLR versatility, while maintaining the strength of superior image quality and high speed performance inherited from the ground breaking D3. The D3S enables not only new opportunities in low-light photography, but also provides photographers with added shutter speed and aperture freedom with a base ISO sensitivity range from ISO 200 to a remarkable 12,800. Additionally, expanded ISO equivalent settings up to a staggering 102,400 are available, enabling photographers to create images previously thought impossible.


The Nikon D3S builds upon the success of the Nikon D3-the professional digital SLR that set new standards for D-SLR performance and utilizes a newly designed, Nikon original 12.1-megapixel FX-format CMOS sensor that also integrates its amazing low-light ability to High Definition (HD) video, creating a uniquely capable multi-media tool to meet the needs of a changing imaging landscape.

"When the Nikon D3 was released, it ushered in a new era of professional digital imaging. Today, the D3S will further reinforce Nikon's leadership role in the photographic industry as a pioneer in performance-driven technologies that will again break once-rigid picture-taking barriers," said Edward Fasano, general manager for Marketing, SLR Systems Products at Nikon Inc. "The ruggedly constructed D3S was engineered to address the real-world needs of professional photographers and provides them with a tool that, when combined with their skills, delivers stunning images in a broad range of shooting conditions and assignment requirements."

Pentax K-x DSLR now official: 12.4MP, 720p video, coming October for $650

Looks like we didn't have to wait long after today's leak. Pentax has made its not quite entry-level DSLR, the K-x. All the earlier specs have panned out, so we're looking at a 12.4 megapixel CMOS censor, a 200 to 6400 ISO sensitivity expandable to 100 to 12,800, 4.7 frames per second continuous shooting, and 720p HD video at 24 frames per second. Sized up to the K-7, its wider ISO range is the only improvement, otherwise on par in features or lacking, as is in the case of AF / AE, video, and continuous shooting speed. It's due out in October available in black, white, red, or navy blue, with an attractive base price of $650 that nets you a 18-55mm lens.

Purported Canon EOS 7D poster, lenses turn up online

Well, it's nearly become an annual event at this point, but it looks like those patiently waiting for a Canon EOS 7D now have a bit more fodder to consider, with a purported new poster and some new lenses for the camera recently turning up online. As you can see above, however, that poster reveals only a few details and an even less complete look at the camera itself, which was most recently spotted in pieces. The rumored new lenses, on the other hand, are making themselves seen considerably more clearly and, if the pics (after the break) are to believed, include an EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens and a longer EF-S 18-135m f/3.5-5.6 IS.

Sony Alpha 850 full-frame DSLR given the hands-on treatment

Sony debuted three fairly high-end cameras earlier today, but there's no question that the full-frame, 24.6-megapixel Alpha 850 is the flagship of the lot, and sure to garner the most attention (if not necessarily the most purchases). Thankfully, the folks at Pocket-lint have managed to get their hands on the DSLR, and have naturally provided plenty of pics showing it off from every angle (paired with Sony's 50mm F2.8 Macro lens). Hit up the read link for the complete slide show, and a bit more time to contemplate the $2,000 price tag it'll be sporting come September.

More Sony Alpha 500, 850 info

We've already seen plenty of leaked info on Sony's upcoming Alpha DSLR -- the 850 (including what is presumably its user manual). Well, now the German site DigitalKamera's got some more info on it, as well as the a500. First up, the a850 will boast a 24.6 megapixel sensor, a 35mm CMOS sensor, an ISO range of 100 to 6400, and will be capable of shooting 3 frames per second, with a 3-inch, VGA display. The a500 -- about which a lot less info has been previously leaked -- will have a 12.3-megapixel sensor, an up 12800 ISO, with two live view modes (quick autofocus and direct view). There is still absolutely no official word on either of these bad boys, though we're hearing September -- so maybe we'll catch a glimpse of them at IFA -- we'll keep our eyes peeled until then. There's a shot of the a500 after the break.

Image leak shows possible Canon EOS-7D top shell

An image has surfaced that allegedly shows the top shell of an unannounced Canon camera, potentially the EOS-7D, according to a forum post on Digital Photography Review. The component closely resembles the top of Canon's EOS 5D Mark II, although the button arrangement and left-side dial are both slightly different. A separate leak recently showed a zoomed image of the EOS 7D badge, although the entire camera was not presented. Rumored specs suggest the 7D would be a lower-end version of the 5D Mark II, with a 12.1-megapixel full-frame sensor and 3-inch OLED display. The camera is said to be capable of shooting up to 3.9 frames per second, while video recording supports up to 1080p.

A Canon representative is rumored to have slipped a release date of September 1st, along with a price of $2,700 for the body or $2,900 with a 28-135mm EF lens.

Canon Hybrid Stabilization Technology Corrects Bad Photography On More Axes

(Edit, to draft, Slurp)

Copy this whole post to another site

cancel

select site advertising consumerist deadspin defamer fleshbot gay fleshbot gawker gizmodo idolator io9 jalopnik jezebel kotaku lifehacker valleywag artists gawkershop sploid

Canon will include a new Hybrid Image Stabilizer in a forthcoming mystery (!) lens, which corrects both rotational and shift movement.

I've always been partial to the elegant in-body, floating-sensor stabilization systems like those in the Sony Alpha line, but this tech, like all of Canon's IS, will be in-lens, and therefore based, at least a little, on magic. Twist 'n shift correction sounds great on paper, but without any sense of how it works or, you know, having tried it, it's hard to know how well it'll work. What we know for now: the lens is due before the end of the year.

Canon EOS 7D image appears online

Canon might have announced a slew of new compacts today, but we're thinking the most exciting news might be this image of the legendary EOS 7D. That flash button would indicate the presence of a built-in flash, and those mic holes hint at video features, but apart from that we've got little else to go on -- there are whispers that the Best Buy inventory system is listing the body at $2700 and the kit with an EF 28-135 lens at $2900, but we can't verify those at the moment.

Sony Alpha 850 leaked

This photo of what is presumably the upcoming Sony α850 DSLR was spotted by Photo Rumors on an unnamed retail site. It looks exactly the same as the α900, but doesn't really seem off on layout compared to the leaked α850 manual. The scary part is that the camera is listed for 1,999 Euro (about $2,833 US), so hopefully Sony is doing something a bit more wonderful under the hood than just those α900 downgrades that have been hinted at so far.

Nikon D300s officially announced -- 720p/24 movie mode with autofocus and mic input

Well well, Nikon managed to keep the big secret about the new D300s under wraps even as everything else was leaked in the past few weeks: the new $1,799.95 body will shoot 24fps 720p video with contrast-detect autofocus and offers an external mic input. That's basically every would-be DSLR videographer's major wishlist right there -- sure, 1080p would have been nice, but we'll take better sound over a couple more lines of resolution any day. Other highlights include a 12.3 megapixel DX sensor, 51-point autofocus, and 7fps burst shooting, as well as those dual CF and SD card slots and a 920k pixel screen. Yeah, it's looking like a real beast -- that DX sensor probably doesn't have Canon 5D Mark II fans worried, but if you're looking to get into DSLR video this looks like the new cam to beat.

More Nikon D300s sightings in lead up to rumored July 30th announcement

Nikon's D300s seems to be having a hard time staying out of the viewfinder of other cameras, as the DSLR has popped up both in a nondescript close-up shot and in the hands of the president of a Nikon distributor at a Nikon Club gather in the Philippines. Same observations as last time, from what we can tell it's got the same body as the D300 but with holes that suggest a mic input below the logo, although we've seen hints of a SD card slot in previous leaks. As for when we'll be seeing the official debut, Nikon Rumors has a pretty good track record when it comes to these things, and it's reporting with near-absolute certainty that the company has lined up a press conference that'll take place either July 29th in the UK or 30th in Stockholm, Sweden, and a second date for August 4th in Sweden. The first event is expected to be the unveiling for D300s and D3000

and the second some new point and shoots -- or it could be the other way around. Either way, with any luck all these uncertainties will work themselves out by the end of next week at the latest.

Nikon addresses major D5000 glitch

We've fondled Nikon's D5000 SLR, stacked it against the competition, and read no shortage of reviews. In general everyone seems to love the camera, but there's apparently one, big, nagging problem: the durned thing won't always turn on. That's obviously a no-nonsense sort of glitch and thankfully Nikon isn't beating around the bush when it comes to addressing it, posting a service advisory today and pledging to follow up next week with a full list of affected serial numbers. If you're unlucky enough to be mentioned you'll sadly need to part with your hot new body and let Nikon tear it open, but the company will at least cover shipping to and fro. That's something, right?

source : engadget.com

Fujifilm's FinePix Real 3D camera to launch in September, cost around $600

It's been a while since we've heard anything aboutFujifilm's FinePix Real 3D camera, but as the twin-lensed shooter nears that scheduled September release some more details are spilling out -- including the price, which will be "around $600" at launch. Yeah, it's steep, and that's not all: to properly view the images you'll need to either shell out for special prints with a plastic lenticular lens on it or buy a special stereoscopic LCD photo frame, and none of that really screams "cheap." Honestly, our instinct would be to spend all that scratch on a good DSLR or even something like the Olympus E-P1, but there's always a chance Fujifilm's about to reveal the public's deep-rooted desire for 3D snapshots.