Sony’s Latest DSLRs Take Aim at Photographers on a Budget
It’s generally true that you get what you pay for, but when it comes to DSLRs, you no longer have to pay through the nose to graduate out of point-n-shoot territory. Take Sony, for example, which has gone and released a pair of entry-level DSLR cameras, the DSLR-A290 and DSLR-A390.
Priced at $500 (A290) and $600 (A390), you’re not going to find a ton of high-end features like you would if you spent over $1,000 on a DSLR, but that doesn’t mean these are merely glorified point-n-shoots. Both cameras sport the same 14.2 megapixel CCD sensor, while the A390 adds Sony’s quick AF live view function in combination with a 2.7-inch tilting LCD. Both also share ISO sensitivity up to 3200, 9-point autofucos, sensor shake system, static-free anti-dust coating, a USB 2.0 port, and an HDMI mini-connector.
There aren’t a ton of differences between the two modes. Other than what was already mentioned, the A390 offers a slightly better viewfinder magnification and is ever-so-slightly larger and heavier.
Get a full rundown here.
Image Credit: Sony
FujiFilm Z700EXR Digital Camera Perfect for Pet Owners
FujiFilm’s Z700EXR digital camera was first announced about a month ago, but one feature that has been overlooked is its animal face recognition. Looking to give the feature its due, FujiFilm has been demonstrating the camera’s canine (and feline) facial recognition at this week’s Camera and Photo Image Show in Yokohama, Japan.
FujiFilm used stuffed toy dogs and cats to show off the camera’s capabilities, which works just like face detection for humans. It can detect up to 10 faces of dogs or cats and automatically optimize the focus, but as it turns out, recognizing the real deal is a bit harder than stuffed animals. With that in mind, FujiFilm has put together a list of cat and dog breeds that are easier to identify than others.
There are other pitfalls, primarily "dogs or cats that are constantly in motion cannot be recognized." But the technology also gets confuzzled with dark coats, large patches of fur around the eyes, or a wrinkly nose.
Still, if you’re a pet owner intent on filling up your Flickr account with pictures of Fido, the $280 FijiFilm Z700EXR might be the best game in town.
Pentax Releases ‘Affordable’ Medium Format DSLR
Pining away for a medium format DSLR camera but can’t bring yourself to drop 20 large for Mamiya’s DM40? Maybe Pentax has your number, who just introduced its 645D camera for the comparatively bargain-bin price of $9,400.
It’s the company’s first medium format DSLR, which comes with a high-performance CCD image sensor produced by Kodak. The sensor measures 44mm by 33mm and boasts 40MP shots.
Other features include a 14-bit A/D converter, lightweight body, dual SD/SDHC memory card slots, the company’s DR (Dust Removal) II mechanism, 11-point wide-frame AF sensor, 77-segment multi-pattern metering, 3.0-inch color LCD, HDR function, HDMI output, and whole host of other goodies.
Get the full scoop here.
Image Credit: Pentax
Mamiya Announces $20,000 DM40 Medium Format Camera
It takes a true passion for photography and a deep wallet to plunk down $20,000 for a digital camera, and if you have both, Mamiya will happily oblige with its newly announced DM40 medium format DSLR camera
As evidenced by the price tag ($19,990 for the digital back, or $21,990 for the camera and 80mm f/2.8 lens), the DM40 fits into Mamiya’s lineup of professional large-sensor DSLRs. What you get in return is a 40 megapixel camera capable of shooting 60 frames per minutes (yes, minute), which makes it the fastest in this class of sensor.
You’ll also find CompactFlash storage support, FireWire, 3.5-inch touchscreen, 80-800 ISO sensitivity, a user-selectable shutter system (leaf or focal plane), high-speed flash synchronization, and other odds and ends.
Image Credit: Mamiya
Pentax Reveals Optio X90 (Beauty) and Optio W90 (Beast)
If you’re familiar with commercial jingles, then you’ve heard Timex boast it can take a licking and keep on ticking. Well, Pentax just released a new digital camera that can take abusing and keep on shooting.
We’re talking about the rugged Optio W90, a 12.1 megapixel digicam Pentax claims can withstand up to 20 feet of water, is shockproof up to 4 feet, and has no trouble with sub-freezing temperatures. When you’re not abusing the W90, you can preview pics on its 2.7-inch LCD with 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio, capture movies in 720p HD at 30fps, and hook it up to living room display with its HDMI output.
Pentax also announced a more traditional Optio X90. This too comes with a 12.1MP sensor, as well as a 2.7-inch LCD with an anti-reflection coating, Triple Shake Reduction technology, high speed continuous shooting up to 11fps, and a 26X megazoom, super-telephoto lens (26-676mm equivalent).
Both the W90 and X90 will be available in April for $330 and $400, respectively.
Image Credit: Pentax
Samsung’s TL350 Flirts with DSLR Capabilities
It used to be that if you wanted to run with the big dogs in photography, you needed a DSLR. And while some would argue that’s still the case, point-and-shoot cameras continue to blur the line between the two market segments. Enter Samsung’s new TL350, a 10 megapixel point-and-shoot with a few tricks up its sleeve.
Samsung’s latest entry to the point-and-shoot market comes with a 24mm ultra wide-angle Schneider Keuznach lens, five levels of optical zoom, and a 3-inch AMOLED display. Budding photographers benefit from both smart and manual controls, but that’s not all.
Video buffs will appreciate the TL350’s ability to capture 1080p HD video. And with Samsung’s Dual Capture Mode, users can shoot videos and stills at the same time.
Of course, we need to see its performance before making any kind of judgment, but as far as spec sheets go, Samsung’s off to a good start, and a decent price point. This one will carry an MSRP of $350 when it ships this Spring.
Image Credit: Samsung
Olympus PEN E-PL1 Micro Four Thirds Prematurely Available
It was bound to happen–digital cameras would be redesigned as digital devices, rather than optical devices with digital components press-ganged into service. The new Micro Four Thirds standard, created by Olympus and Kodak does just that for digital single-lens reflex cameras (DSLR), not only blurring the feature line between point-and-shoots and DSLRs, but also allowing for interchangeable ‘smart’ lenses. Pretty neat.
And Olympus’s new PEN E-PL1 Micro Four Thirds camera, promised for March, is now available to eager adopters. The PEN E-PL1 has a 12.3 megapixel high speed MOS sensor, with a 4:3 aspect ratio, and the TruePic V Image processor. It saves images in JPEG and RAW (12-bit lossless compression) formats, in images up to 4032 x 3024 pixels. It can record video in 1280 x 720 HD, and 640 x 480 SD (with file size limited to 2GB). Images are stored to an SD or SDHC card.
Other features include high speed auto focus, image stabilization, shutter speeds from 2 to 1/2000 second (and a bulb option). The LCD is 2.7-inches and 230,000 pixels. (No optical viewfinder.) Flash is built-in. There’s also a full complement of auto features, and for the serious amateur manual control.
Amazon says it has the slate blue and champagne gold versions in stock. If you want the black it looks like you’ll have to wait. Price is $599.99, which includes a 14-42mm f/3.5-4.6 Zuiko digital zoom lens.
Image Credit: Engadget
Casio’s EX-10HG: 12.1MP and GPS to Boot
Casio first showed off its GPS-equipped EX-10HG digital camera during CES earlier this year, at which point it was considered a prototype that may or may not ever make it to market. No longer a prototype, Casio again had its upcoming digicam on display, this time at the Photo Marketing Association (PMA) trade show.
According to Casio, the EX-10HG will be available starting in October of this year and carry a price tag of "around $400." In exchange for 4 C-notes, buyers get a 12.1MP camera capable of geotagging photos, but that’s not all. The built-in GPS also serves as a full-fledged navigation system powered by Google Maps.
There’s not a whole lot of other details to go on, but based on what Casio said earlier this year, there’s a good chance the final version will ship with a touchscreen LCD and SD card slot.
photographybay.com
Sony Plans to Produce 3D Cameras for the Average Joe
It’s little more than talk, but interesting talk to be sure. According to Digital Photography Review, Sony is hot on the idea of 3D digital cameras.
Word of this comes straight from Masashi ‘Tiger’ Imamura, the president of Sony’s Personal Imaging and Sound Business Group. He says that Sony is indeed interested in 3D imaging, following Hollywood’s recent push for 3D movies, and Fujifilm’s new 3D still camera, the FinePix Real 3D W1.
There’s little other information about Sony’s plans, other than their 3D efforts will be aimed at the consumer end of the market. No idea on when such a camera will appear, or how much it will cost.
Image Credit: Engadget
HP Debuts New Touchscreen Cameras, Intros First Pocket Camcorder
Talk about ending the week with a bang. HP on Friday announced five point-and-shoot digital cameras and three camcorders, all eight of which are aimed at the mainstream crowd and priced no higher than $199. What’s most remarkable about this is that half the new models sport a touchscreen display.
Of particular interest are the V5061u and V5560u camcorders. Both come with 3-inch touchscreen LCD displays and are some of the least expensive touch-enabled camcorders around capable of shooting in 1080p. The V5560 adds 5X optical zoom to the mix and runs $199, while the V5061u is priced at $169.
On the point-and-shoot front, the CW450t ($109) and PW460t ($149) boast 2.7-inch and 3-inch touchscreen displays, respectively, along with a newly designed touch interface for viewing photos with a swipe of a finger. Both also boast 4X optical zoom and support up to 32GB SD/SDHC memory.
Get the full scoop here.
Image Credit: HP