Best cameras
Casio developing 300 fps CMOS based camera
Friday, 31 August 2007 07:40 GMT
Casio has today revealed plans of an as yet unnamed twelve times zoom, six megapixel CMOS based digital camera which can capture a burst of full-size six megapixel images at sixty frames per second and VGA AVI movies at an astonishing three hundred frames per second (obviously shutter speed allowing). Exact specifications and details are currently a little vague but we do know that it has a 2.8" wide-screen LCD monitor, electronic viewfinder and sensor-shift image stabilization.Read More
Panasonic DMC-L10, previewed
Thursday, 30 August 2007 14:00 GMT
Eighteen months after the L1 took PMA 2006 by storm Panasonic has announced its second digital SLR, the Lumix DMC-L10. As well as a more conventional design and a new 10MP LiveMOS sensor (which we presume is the same as that used in the Olympus E-410) the L10 features a wealth of new features including a fully articulated screen and live view with sensor-based (contrast detect) autofocus. Like the L1 the new camera is only available in kit for with a (new) Leica branded lens (for more about the lens, see below).Read More
Kodak EASYSHARE goes HD
Thursday, 30 August 2007 13:30 GMT
Kodak today announced three new EASYSHARE digital cameras along with an HDTV-capable EASYSHARE Dock. The V1253 and V1233 share 12 megapixel sensors and 3x SCHNEIDER-KREUZNACH lenses with the V1253 getting a larger 3.1" screen versus the V1233's 2.5". Both shoot 720p video and 16:9 stills and feature face-detection and digital image-stabilization. The Z812 IS meanwhile has optical image-stabilization to go with its 8 megapixels and 12x zoom range. Kodaks new HDTV Dock explains itself really. The cameras will be available from September 2007 with the dock following a month later in October.Read More
Nikon Coolpix P5100
Thursday, 30 August 2007 04:00 GMT
Nikon today announced its new flagship compact digital camera - the COOLPIX P5100. This update from the P5000 uses a variant of Nikon's new EXPEED image processor along with a slightly larger 12.1 megapixel sensor. The lens is unchanged - 3.5x zoom optically-stabilized with Nikon's VR technology. However the sensor change has widened the field of view to 35-123mm equiv. The P5100 also has in-camera distortion correction which works in real time to correct the live preview as well as stored images.Read More
Nikon Coolpix P50
Thursday, 30 August 2007 04:00 GMT
The COOLPIX P50 is an 8.1 megapixel compact digital camera aimed at photographers after a bit more control. The body is modeled after the P5100 with a nice big hand-grip. A 3.6x 28-102mm equiv. lens, Electronic VR (software-stabilization) and ISO 2000 capability help in lower light. The COOLPIX P50 will be available in the UK from Sept 2007 priced at £199.99.Read More
Nikon Coolpix S700
Thursday, 30 August 2007 04:00 GMT
The second metal bodied compact Nikon with an image stabilized lens is the S700. Get ready to be a little bit afraid because this camera packs twelve megapixels behind its three times optical zoom lens (F2.8 - F5.4). Naturally like all the cameras today the S700 gets 'EXPEED', lets hope it has an effective noise reduction algorithm. The S700 will cost £279.99 and will be available from 'Autumn 2007'.Read More
Nikon Coolpix S510
Thursday, 30 August 2007 04:00 GMT
The Nikon COOLPIX S510 is claimed to be the world's smallest digital camera with optical image-stabilization, as well as the most responsive (among 8MP optically-stabilized compacts). There's also Nikon's new EXPEED image processor to deal with images from the 8.1 megapixel sensor. The lens is equivalent to 35-105mm and the camera will cost £199.99 from Sept 2007.Read More
Nikon Coolpix S51c / S51
Thursday, 30 August 2007 04:00 GMT
Nikon has a pair of updates to its S-series of wave-like internal zoom compact digital cameras. The COOLPIX S51c and its non-identical twin the S51 share 7.99 megapixel sensors and VR-stabilized 38-114mm equivalent optics along with a 3.0" anti-reflective screen. The S51c incorporates Wi-Fi connectivity for wireless image transfer. The COOLPIX S51c and COOLPIX S51 will be priced at £229.99 and £199.99 respectively from Sept 2007.Read More
Nikon CoolpixL15
Thursday, 30 August 2007 04:00 GMT
Compared to the L14 the COOLPIX L15 adds VR and an 8.0 megapixel sensor. Its lens equates to a 35-105mm zoom range and it has a larger 2.8" 230,000 dot LCD (so more of the same, a subtly different price and another piece of shelf space owned). The camera will be in UK shops from Sept 2007 priced at £129.99Read More
Nikon Coolpix L14
Thursday, 30 August 2007 04:00 GMT
Nikon's COOLPIX L14 is an entry-level compact digital camera with the claim to fame of being the 3x zoom compact with the longest battery life (as of 30th August 2007). Nikon claim one can squeeze out over 1000 shots from a pair of Lithium AAs. It's also got 7.1 megapixels, a 2.4" LCD and a 38-114 (equiv.) lens. Priced at £129.99, the COOLPIX L14 should be in UK shops from Sept 2007.Read More
Ricoh Caplio R7
Tuesday, 28 August 2007 16:05 GMT
Ricoh has updated its R-series of big-zoom compacts with the Caplio R7. The optical specs remain the same as its predecessor the R6 with a 28-200mm equivalent lens and CCD-shift image stabilization but the capture side gets an overhaul with an 8.15 megapixel sensor - up from 7.2 MP - and an upgrade to image processing with Smooth Imaging Engine III. Available in black, silver or orange, the Caplio R7 will be in UK shops from September 2007 at under £230.Read More
Casio EXILIM EX-V8 and EX-Z1080
Tuesday, 28 August 2007 13:00 GMT
Casio today announced its EXILIM EX-V8 and EX-Z1080 compact digital cameras, making much of their YouTube™ Capture Mode. The 8.1 megapixel EX-V8 fits a 7x 38-266 equivalent lens totally within its slim shell and irons out any shakes with a CCD-shift image stabilization system. The EX-Z1080 ups the pixel count to 10.1 and sports a 3x 38-114 equivalent zoom. Modern H.264/AVC video encoding ensures movie file sizes remain small yet high quality and YouTube™ Capture Mode sets all the right parameters for easy posting via the company's unique “YouTube™ Uploader for CASIO” software. Other headline features include face-detection, Anti Shake DSP and sensitivities up to ISO 6400.Read More
Pentax announces Optio Z10 and S10
Thursday, 23 August 2007 17:00 GMT
Pentax today announced its Optio Z10 and S10 compact digital cameras. The Optio Z10 is a slimline 8.0 megapixel device with a non-protruding 7x zoom lens giving a range of 38-266mm (35mm equiv.). The Optio S10 - which is available exclusively through Wal-Mart stores in the US - boasts 10.0 megapixels and a 3x zoom (38-114mm equiv.). Both cameras will be available from September with a price tag of $249.95.Read More
Nikon D300, previewed
Thursday, 23 August 2007 04:00 GMT
In addition to the FX format (Full-frame) D3 Nikon has also announced the new DX format D300 which also features a 12 megapixel CMOS sensor, 14-bit A/D conversion, EXPEED image processor, sensitivity up to ISO 6400 (with boost), the new CAM3500DX AF sensor (51 point), HDMI video output, UDMA CF support and last but not least the super-impressive 3.0" 922,000 pixel LCD monitor with Live View. No ordinary Live View either as this one supports Auto Focus in two ways; using the current 'normal' mirror-drop / mirror-raise but also contrast detect in the same way as a compact camera (although slower). The D300 will be available in November, at around US$1800.Read More
Nikon D3, Full-Frame, previewed
Thursday, 23 August 2007 04:00 GMT
It's here, after perhaps the longest period of speculation ever Nikon has today lifted the covers on their first full-frame digital SLR, the new 12.1 megapixel D3. The D3 is all about speed and sensitivity, twelve megapixels on a big CMOS chip means large photosites (8.45 µm pitch to be precise) and that adds up to base sensitivity of ISO 200 to 6400 with an additional two stop boost over that (up to ISO 25600). The other side of the speed story (apart from blistering AF and shutter lag) is that the D3 can shoot at nine frames per second with AF tracking or eleven frames per second without. Other headline features are a newly branded EXPEED image processor, a new 51-point AF sensor, color AF tracking, dual CF compartments (with UDMA support), an amazing 3.0" 922,000 pixel LCD monitor with Live View (including contrast detect auto-focus), HDMI video output and even a virtual horizon function which can tell you when you're holding the camera perfectly level. There's too much to fit here so we crammed as much as we can into a preview. The D3 will be available in November, at around US$5000.Read More
Olympus SP-560 UZ
Thursday, 23 August 2007 04:00 GMT
Olympus today announced its SP-560 UZ - successor to the SP-550 UZ which caused quite a stir on announcement with its unprecedented 18x zoom. It's still here but the move to a slightly larger sensor has shifted the range toward the wide. The specs now read 27- 486 mm rather than topping out on the far side of 500 mm. Olympus has fitted this camera out with all it's latest technology so let's hope the slightly disappointing image quality we encountered with the 550 is a thing of the past.Read More
Olympus Stylus 1200
Thursday, 23 August 2007 04:00 GMT
The Stylus 1200 tops off that particular range - known as mju in markets beyond the US. Combining 12 Megapixels with the latest and greatest innovations including Face-Detection, Shadow Adjustment Technology and the new TruePic III image processor. The 3x 35-105mm equivalent zoom is a little tame but you can't deny it's one cool-looking little digicam.Read More
Olympus Stylus 830
Thursday, 23 August 2007 04:00 GMT
Next we have the Stylus 830 which shares most of it's features with the 820 but adds Dual Image Stabilization - a combination of optical stabilization and ISO boost. Available in silver or black, the casing is weatherproofed as a Stylus (or mju as they are known outside the US) should be.Read More
Olympus Stylus 820
Thursday, 23 August 2007 04:00 GMT
The Olympus Stylus 820 squeezes 8.0 Megapixels, a healthy 5x 36-180mm equivalent zoom lens and a 2.7" LCD into it's sleek, weatherproof* frame. We have Face Detection with Smile Shot to trip the shutter only after your subject cracks a grin and Shadow Adjustment Technology to pull a little more detail from murky areas.Read More
Olympus Stylus 790 SW
Thursday, 23 August 2007 04:00 GMT
Olympus is known for its robust SW line of ruggedized digital cameras and has today added the 7.1 Megapixel Stylus 790 SW - known as the µ [mju:] 790 SW outside the US. According to Olympus this tough little digicam will withstand falls of 1.5m and a dip in the water down to 3m so it should survive even the most exciting night out. ISO 1600, A 3x zoom and Face-Detection round out the headline features and an LED Macro Illuminator could come in handy for close-ups.Read More
Olympus FE-300
Thursday, 23 August 2007 04:00 GMT
Well here we go with the big pixel counts. The FE-300 packs 12 miliion of them and ISO settings up to 6400 - albeit with the assistance of pixel-binning so you won't be gettng the sensor's full resolution, ISO 1600 is the limit at 12 MP. The rest of the specs are pretty standard with a 2.5" LCD, 3x zoom starting at 35mm equivalent and the Face-Detection with added Smile Shot mode.Read More
Olympus FE-290
Thursday, 23 August 2007 04:00 GMT
Wider is better with the Olympus FE-290. Bringing a 28-112mm (35mm equiv.) lens within reach of the masses, it also sports a generous 3" LCD and 7.1 Megapixel sensor. Concentrating on usability and versatility, we can only hope that cameras like the FE-290 will set a trend towards more practical lens specifications at the lower end of the market.Read More
Olympus FE-280
Thursday, 23 August 2007 04:00 GMT
Next up we have the 8 Megapixel FE-280 which ups the 'bling factor' with a stainless casing available in four colors for those who simply can't abide plain old silver. The technology is here too with Face-Detection and - wait for it - smile detection (we predict this to be the next must-have feature now that just about every camera can track faces). Also making it's debut appearance is a new TruePic III processor to make the most of all those pixels.Read More
Olympus FE-270
Thursday, 23 August 2007 04:00 GMT
Olympus today announced the FE-270 - a no-frills entry level digital camera aimed at providing an higher quality alternative to cellphone cameras. That's right, it seems the manufacturers are finally admitting that these devices are cutting into their market. That said the FE-270 should comfortably exceed the performance of even the fanciest phonecam with its 3x zoom lens and - crucially larger - 7.1 Megapixel sensor.Read More
Sony DSC-H3
Wednesday, 22 August 2007 02:00 GMT
Sony has today announced its competitor in the 'pocket superzoom' sector. Featuring an 8.0 megapixel 1/2.5" sensor and 10x optical zoom, the Cyber-Shot DSC-H3 brings plenty of technology to the table with Super-Steadyshot optical stabilization, Face-Detection and Sony's Dynamic Range Optimizer. In a bid to speed up response whilst photographing fast-moving subjects, Advanced Sports Shooting mode with predictive AF is here too. Finally, If the camera's 2.5" monitor isn't quite big enough for your tastes, there is also HDTV output at full 1080 line resolution so expect the imminent return of post-vacation slide shows.Read More
Sony DSC-T200
Wednesday, 22 August 2007 02:00 GMT
Sony has today announced a couple of updates to its T-Series of slim digital cameras, replacing the DSC-T100 and DSC-T20. First off we have the DSC-T200 with 8.0 Megapixels and 5x optical zoom. Taking up pretty much the whole of the camera's rear we find a 3.5" touch screen which may be used to choose between focus targets identified by the Face-Detection system. Sony also has an interesting twist on this now-common feature - smile detection! The DSC-T70 carries mostly the same specification but downsizes the zoom and monitor to 3x and 3.0" respectively.Read More
Canon EOS 40D, previewed
Monday, 20 August 2007 04:10 GMT
As anticipated Canon has today announced the successor to the hugely popular EOS 30D digital SLR. Enter the EOS 40D, headline improvements are a more robust build with weather-proofing, ten megapixel CMOS sensor, DIGIC III and 1D style menus, 6.5 fps continuous shooting, three custom user modes on mode dial, 3.0" LCD monitor, Live View with optional mirror-drop auto-focus, larger brighter viewfinder with interchangeable focusing screens, much shorter viewfinder blackout and a quieter mirror mechanism, a all new AF system with all nine points cross-type with F5.6 or faster lens and a new optional combo vertical / WiFi grip.Read More
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, previewed
Monday, 20 August 2007 04:10 GMT
Canon has today tipped digital SLR resolution over the twenty megapixel barrier with the new EOS-1Ds Mark III. The much anticipated Mark III version of the full-frame EOS-1Ds delivers medium-format threatening resolution; 5616 x 3744 (21.1 million) pixels to be precise, in a portable and robust five frames per second Canon EOS body. From a built, function and usability point of view the EOS-1Ds Mark III is identical to the EOS-1D Mark III apart from the full frame (36 x 24 mm) sensor, (naturally) larger viewfinder and UDMA support (up to 45 MB/sec) for Compact Flash cards. At full tilt (at five frames per second) the Mark III is processing an mighty impressive 185 MB of data every second.Read More
Canon PowerShot G9, with RAW
Monday, 20 August 2007 04:00 GMT
Almost exactly a year after the PowerShot G7 was announced Canon has lanched its successor, the PowerShot G9 digital camera. Key changes include the much-requested inclusion of a raw shooting mode, a bright new 3.0-inch screen and a new 12.1MP 1/1.7-inch sensor. The face detection, focus and handling have also been improved (the latter through a redesign of the grip and the addition of a small thumbgrip) and the G9 is now compatible with Canon's ST-E2 wireless flash transmitter. One thing we have all asked for has now returned; RAW capture. The 6x optically-stabilized zoom remains the same. We've had a production quality G9 for a few days and have produced a small gallery of sample shots.Read More
Canon PowerShot SX100 IS
Monday, 20 August 2007 04:00 GMT
Perhaps the most surprising of Canon's PowerShot announcements today is the SX100, the first in a new series of budget super zoom compact digital cameras. The PowerShot SX100 IS features a 10x optical zoom lens with optical Image Stabilizer, 8.0 Megapixel image sensor (1/2.5") and DIGIC III processor. It's also got face detection (of course) and a full complement of auto and manual exposure modes, plus a 2.5" LCD screen (there is no eye level viewfinder). It's not the prettiest camera Canon has ever made but it has a suprisingly comprehensive spec for a 'budget' model.Read More
Canon PowerShot SD950 IS
Monday, 20 August 2007 04:00 GMT
Canon is calling it the 'ultimate Digital IXUS' (or IXY or ELPH or whatever it's called where you live), and the titanium-cased IXUS 960 IS / SD950 IS - successor to last year's IXUS 900Ti (aka SD900) - certainly scores highly on the bling factor. We're pleased to see image stabilization arriving (the lens range has been stretched to a 3.7x zoom) on the flagship IXUS, but we doubt anyone really looked at last year's model and thought 'if only it had 12 megapixels - ten just ain't enough'. Megapixel and lens boost aside, there's a few minor tweaks here and there, and a new intervalometer, but the essential spec and features remain roughly the same.Read More
Canon PowerShot SD870 IS
Monday, 20 August 2007 04:00 GMT
Next up in Canon's new camera frenzy is the Digital IXUS 860 IS, successor to the IXUS 850 IS. If you live in North America that sentence should read: 'Next up in Canon's new camera frenzy is the SD 870 IS Digital ELPH, successor to the SD800 IS'. Confused yet? You should be. The new model shares its predecessor's 28-105mm wideangle zoom but ups the sensor resolution to 8.0MP and the screen size to a massive 3.0" (it almost fills the rear of the camera).Read More
Canon PowerShot A650 IS & A720 IS
Monday, 20 August 2007 04:00 GMT
After months of rumours, Canon's big announcement day has finally arrived, with a raft of new PowerShot and EOS models and a handful of new accessories, We start with a couple of additions to the popular 'A' range of affordable digital compacts, the PowerShot A650 IS and PowerShot A720 IS, replacing the A640 and A710 IS respectively. The A650 IS boasts 12MP resolution, 6x optical zoom, vari-angle 2.5" screen and - in a welcome upgrade to the A640 IS - image stabilization. The A720 IS is a less dramatic upgrade, increasing resolution to 8.0MP, adding face detection and an optional underwater housing, and (like the A650 IS) upping the top sensitivity setting to ISO 1600.Read More
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