New to the Digital ELPH (AKA Digital IXUS) line-up is the all-new Canon PowerShot SD4000 Digital ELPH (also known as the Canon Digital IXUS 300 HS). Unlike your average compact camera, this one’s pretty unique – it combines the “wide and fast” 3.8X zoom lens with a starting aperture of f2.0 (first seen in Canon’s own PowerShot S90) along with manual exposure controls (a rarity in Canon’s IXUS/ELPH line) and a new back-illuminated CMOS image sensor (which has found its way into at least one model in every camera maker’s current lineup).

The new 10 megapixel backlit CMOS image sensor allows the camera to take better quality images (ie less noise) than conventional CCD sensors traditionally used in compact cameras. That means, in theory, that you could use higher ISO settings (which are especially useful shooting in low-light) with lower noise levels… but we’ll put that to the test once we review the PowerShot SD4000 Digital ELPH in the near future.

Canon PowerShot SD4000 IS Digital ELPH
AKA Digital IXUS 300 HS
(Stylish compact camera)

• 10 effective megapixels (Backlit CMOS sensor)
• 28 – 105 mm (f2.0 – f5.3) 3.8X optical zoom lens
• Optical image stabilization
• 3.0 inch widescreen LCD (230,000 pixels)
• Full manual exposure controls
• Face, smile, wink and blink detection [Facepalm]
• 720p (1280 x 720) 30 FPS movie mode with stereo sound
  “High speed” QVGA (320 x 240) movies also available at 240 FPS
• Takes SD, SDHC and SDXC memory cards
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Available in June for $350
• Comes in your choice of silver, black, red or white

DP Interface has recently recovered from a slow down on our host’s servers last weekend, which caused the site to be inaccessible from Friday thru mid-Monday.

Keep those camera review requests coming – we’re listening. This week, we have the Nikon D300s SLR and Panasonic Lumix TZ10 (also known as Lumix ZS7) reviews coming out on Friday and Saturday respectively.

On next week’s agenda, we have a couple of new 2010 Nikon Coolpix compacts and a Panasonic Lumix camera. And April is gonna keep us fairly busy with several new Sony cameras coming in, along with a few Canon’s and Olympus’. Of course, there will be reviews of cameras from other brands in between, so look out for those as well!

I recently had the opportunity to attend Panasonic’s launch event for their new 2010 video camcorders and digital still cameras.

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It’s gonna be a fairly busy week over the next five days or so, beginning Monday. First off, I’m gonna post my reviews of the Nikon D3000 and Nikon D300s. Then I’ll start off with DPInterface’s first ever review of a 2010 digital camera… and while all that happens, I’ll be attending several manufacturer events – so look out for exclusive coverage of some 2010 digital cameras =). Stay tuned!

2009 has certainly been an eventful year in the consumer electronics world. The digital camera area has seen more and more new camera models, digital SLR cameras have been getting more affordable and are now almost mainstream. And of course, Digital Photography Interface here has taken another step further in playing an even important, growing role to potential camera shoppers and existing camera owners alike. Average readership numbers (and so has bandwidth) in 2009 have increased significantly compared to previous years … and I’ve only got you readers to thank.

The year that was… 2009. In 2009, DPInterface posted over 60 digital camera reviews and three preview articles covering three very big camera launches. Notably, we were the first ever independent digital camera review party to review the Olympus E620 digital SLR, as well as one of the few who first got to look at the Panasonic Lumix GF1 Micro Four Thirds camera when it first came out. We’re excited for 2010, as we continue to bring you digital camera news and reviews, and also strive for even higher quality reviews, even bigger galleries, new site features and more.

Again, a big thank you to all our readers (especially long time visitors) and welcome aboard to newer readers. Here’s to a bigger, better 2010. Not just for us, but for everyone, everything (including the economy!).

DPInterface editor – Brad

Hey all, after writing countless camera reviews this year, I’ll be taking a well-deserved, short “break” this week till Thursday. I’ll be back Friday with my review of the Nikon Coolpix S570 and Canon PowerShot SD960 Digital ELPH AKA Digital IXUS 200 IS. See you then – Brad

Hey all, it’s time for an update to keep everyone posted about the latest and greatest at DPInterface. Well, first off, we’ve covered three very exciting camera launches over the past three months (complete with previews) and other areas, published quite a number of full reviews… I don’t know about you, but I’ve felt things have been moving a little sluggishly lately (yes, I’ve been overwhelmed with things over the last two weeks), not that the site’s been static but I just feel the need to post more reviews, reach out to readers looking for specific cameras. Main thing is, I wanna help you as much as possible for year-end/holiday shopping; if you want to know whether camera A is good, or if camera B is worth your time, I would surely like to have reviewed that camera so you know you’re making the right choice before you pull out that plastic (or wad of cash).

I’ve got hot stuff like the Canon PowerShot S90, Nikon D3000 and Panasonic Lumix GF1 (just to name a few) lined up for review… and plenty more (too many cameras, from too many makers to list). I’ve got good news… and more good news. The good news is Thanksgiving is coming next week, I’m wrapping up with most ‘real life’ things this Friday and I’ll be all ready to write plenty of camera reviews. And the even better news? Well, if I’m feeling nice, I might just post a bunch of Panasonic GF1 photos taken in Australia (DPI readers from downunder will probably know the precise locations where the photos were taken .

Teasers/spoilers:
-The Panasonic GF1 is surprisingly compact and pocketable (body only), shutter is fairly noisy for a mirrorless camera though.
-Canon PowerShot S90 has advanced white balance controls, 9×9 color grid is adjustable towards green/magenta and blue/amber directions (bet you didn’t know that!)
-Fujifilm’s EXR sensors in their latest compact are impressive for their small size

That’s it for now, hope those doing Thanksgiving have got turkey ready =). Stay tuned to DPInterface, camera review season starts this week.