Canon unveiled four new compact cameras today, and all four are entry-level, sub-$200 models. The breaking news here is that Canon is the first (of many) camera makers this year that will support the upcoming SDXC standard in their latest cameras. Like what SDHC did to SD, SDXC will bring even higher maximum capacities (someone’s been dropping hints of a 64 GB SDXC around the corner!) and faster read/write operation speeds compared to SDHC.

The first two cameras Canon has in store for today are the PowerShot A3000 and A3100 twins. These two cameras will replace last year’s A2000 and A2100 models respectively. From their features list, it appears that these cameras are ‘refresh’ models – the only noticeable changes are in terms of camera design (they look even sleeker and more stylish) and the use of lithium-ion batteries (versus AA batteries), and of course SDXC support.

Canon PowerShot A3000 and A3100
(Entry-level cameras)

• A3000: 10 effective megapixels
  A3100: 12 effective megapixels
• 35 – 140 mm (f2.7 – f5.6) 4X optical zoom lens
• Optical image stabilization
• 2.7 inch LCD (230,000 pixels)
• No manual controls (just point-and-shoot operation with scene modes)
• Face detection, software redeye removal
• VGA (640 x 480) 30 FPS movie mode with sound
• Takes SD/SDHC memory cards (SDXC ready)
• Uses a lithium-ion battery (both A3000 and A3100 share the same NB-8L)
• Available in February for $150 (A3000) and $180 (A3100)
• A3000 comes in a two-toned silver/black body only
  A3100 comes in your choice of silver, blue or red

Canon decided to come up with two budget/super basic cameras this year (instead of one each year). These two cameras appear to be rehashes of last year’s PowerShot A480 with some minor changes.

Canon PowerShot A490 and A495
(Entry-level cameras)

• 10 effective megapixels
• 37 – 122 mm (f3.7 – f5.6) 4X optical zoom lens
• NO image stabilization
• 2.5 inch LCD (115,000 pixels)
• No manual controls (just point-and-shoot operation with scene modes)
  A490: 5 point autofocus, A495: 9 point autofocus
• Face detection, software redeye removal
  A495 only: Face self-timer mode and two additional scene modes (Super Vivid and Poster Effect)
• VGA (640 x 480) 30 FPS movie mode with sound
• Takes SD/SDHC memory cards (SDXC ready)
• Uses 2 AA batteries
• Available in February for $110 (A490) and $130 (A495)
• A490 comes in one color only (silver)
  A495 comes in your choice of silver, blue or red

CES is this week, and naturally, we have new cameras being announced already. Sony is the second camera maker this year, after Samsung, to make their first camera announcement for 2010. Like Samsung, Sony also has a new interchangeable lens camera to bring to the table, and it comes in the form of a traditional ‘with mirror and optical viewfinder’ digital SLR. The Alpha A450 is yet another sub-$1000 digital SLR which, as its name suggests, sits below the current Alpha A500 in terms of feature set. Still, there are still some things (ie the image sensor) which it receives as a ‘pass-me-down’ from the higher end Alpha A550.

Sony Alpha A450
(Basic digital SLR)

• 14.2 effective megapixels (APS-C sensor, 1.5X crop) for Alpha A450
• Sony/Minolta lens mount (1.5X crop factor))
• Dust reduction
• In-body sensor-shift image stabilization
• 2.6 inch fixed LCD (The Alpha A500/A550 have larger displays which can be tilted outwards)
• 95% viewfinder with 0.80X magnification
• ISO speed range of 200 – 12800
• Live view uses secondary CCD sensor inside viewfinder chamber
• Auto HDR (High dynamic range) takes two pictures and combines them into one
• 5 FPS burst mode, goes up to 7 FPS in “Speed” mode (which locks focus and exposure)
• Full manual controls with RAW mode and hotshoe
• 9 point AF
• No movie mode
• Dual memory card slots for SD/SDHC and Memory Stick Duo
• Uses a lithium-ion battery (NP-FM500H); 1050 shot per charge battery life rating
• Available in February, price to-be-announced (All Sony USA tells us now is “under $1000″ , presumably with 18-55 mm kit lens)

Samsung NX10
(Interchangeable lens camera)

Well, Samsung did it – they achieved two things today: being the first camera manufacturer to launch something new for the year 2010, and releasing the first (out of many to come) camera in the new mirrorless, interchangeable lens NX camera system. Let me introduce to you, the new Samsung NX10!

What makes the Samsung NX10 different is that it’s a whole lot smaller than conventional digital SLR cameras, and roughly the same size as Panasonic’s G1/GH1 cameras. That’s been made possible by removing the mirror mechanism and optical viewfinder prism found in traditional SLRs. The NX10 features a 14.6 megapixel APS-C sized CMOS sensor, 3 inch display (along with a VGA resolution electronic viewfinder), full manual controls that you’d expect in a digital SLR and 720p HD movie recording capabilities. A more complete of specifications include:

• 14.6 megapixel CMOS sensor (2.0X crop factor)
• New Samsung NX lens mount (see below for 3 announced lenses)
• Dust reduction
• 3 inch high resolution AMOLED display has 514,000 pixels; promises better contrast ratio and viewing angles versus LCD
• Electronic viewfinder has 921,000 pixels (VGA resolution), 0.86X magnification
• On-board flash
• Smart Auto mode simplifies automatic shooting; Smart Range feature improves dynamic range
• Full manual controls with RAW mode and flash hotshoe
• 720p (1280 x 720 at 30 FPS) movie mode with sound; H.264 codec
• Takes SD/SDHC memory cards
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Available this spring; exact price and availability to be announced

Samsung will also be releasing completely new lenses made specifically for the NX camera system (means that you won’t be able to use any existing camera lenses with the NX10 at the moment). Unlike digital SLR makers like Olympus, Pentax and Sony which have in-body image stabilization, Samsung here is taking the same route as Canon, Nikon and Panasonic – with in-lens image stabilization (also known as optical image stabilization). As usual, the presence of optical image stabilization inside the lens is denoted by the “IS” in the name. The three lenses that they’ve announced today are a 18-55 mm f3.5-f5.6 IS kit lens, 55-200 mm f4-f.5.6 IS telephoto zoom lens and 30 mm f2.0 pancake lens. The Samsung NX10’s APS-C sized sensor means all lenses will be subjected to a 1.5X focal length crop factor.

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

From the better late than never file, I’ve just posted my review of the E30 digital SLR, a mid-range digital SLR model from Olympus. You can also check out photos taken straight out of the camera in the Olympus E30 photo gallery. Hit the link for the full review.

Read the full review

Here’s the Olympus E30 Photo Gallery containing full-sized pictures taken by the camera. Be sure to check out the Olympus E30 review for more about the camera.

Enter the Olympus E30 gallery

I’ve just published my review of the Nikon Coolpix S570. The Nikon Coolpix S570 is the budget version of the S640 I recently reviewed, packing a similar 5X zoom lens and automatic operation. Check out the Nikon Coolpix S570 photo gallery to view sample photos as well.

Read review