Olympus is showing off their new ‘prosumer’ compact camera at Photokina this year. Details are fairly vague as Olympus plans to keep them under wraps until early next year (probably CES 2011); but so far, they’ve shown that it will be a prosumer-like model (which I am personally guessing will compete against the likes of the Canon PowerShot G12 and Nikon Coolpix P7000) with a built-in (non-interchangeable) Zuiko lens with some amount of optical zoom, a built-in popup flash, hotshoe mount with accessory port, single rotary control dial (and potentially a function ring around the lens)… and well, Olympus says to wait till the new year to find out more about this mysterious new camera of theirs…
Casio has just announced a bunch of interesting compact cameras for Photokina 2010. The Exilim H20G is a compact super-zoom camera that has an ultra-wide angle 10X zoom lens and built-in GPS with fancy internal location sensors; while the Exilim ZR10 is a compact camera with the latest 12 megapixel backlit CMOS sensor, which naturally allows the camera to do various tricks such as high speed continuous shooting and movies with super high frame rates. The other two Exilim cameras announced by Casio today are less head-turning - they’re just your average entry-level compact cameras.
Casio Exilim H20G
(Compact super-zoom camera)
- 14 effective megapixels
- 24 – 240 mm (f3.2 – f5.7) 10X optical zoom lens
- Sensor-shift image stabilization
- 3 inch LCD (461,000 pixels)
- No manual controls
- Hybrid GPS combines built-in GPS tracking with movement tracking using the camera’s accelerometer/direction sensors
Camera has a built-in compass, world map with 140 cities and a million locations; can geotag your photos automatically
- New SR zoom option boosts total zoom to 15X with minimal image quality degration
- New Dynamic Photo feature takes your subject and superimposes it onto another background
- 720p HD (1280 x 720) 24 FPS movie mode with sound; H.264 codec
- Takes SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards
- Uses a lithium-ion battery
- Available in November for $350
Casio Exilim ZR10
(Compact camera)
- 12 effective megapixels (backlit CMOS image sensor)
- 28 – 196 mm (f3.0 – f5.9) 7X optical zoom lens
- Sensor-shift image stabilization
- 3 inch LCD
- No manual controls
- Continuous shooting up to 40 FPS (using lower resolutions); camera can pre-capture photos before you hit the shutter button
- New Slide Panorama mode (think Sony’s Sweep Panorama) lets you record and create panoramas up to 360 degrees around by just panning the camera
- In-camera HDR mode captures and combines several photos into one high dynamic range shot
- 1080p Full HD (1920 x 1080) 24 FPS movie mode with sound
High-speed movie mode boosts frame rate up to 480 FPS at lower resolutions
- Takes SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards
- Uses a lithium-ion battery
- Price and availability to be announced
Casio Exilim Z2300
(Compact camera)
- 14 effective megapixels
- 26 – 130 mm (f2.8 – f6.5) 5X optical zoom lens
- Sensor-shift image stabilization
- 3 inch LCD
- No manual controls
- New SR zoom option boosts total zoom to 15X with minimal image quality degration
- New Dynamic Photo feature takes your subject and superimposes it onto another background
- 720p HD (1280 x 720) movie mode with sound
- Takes SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards
- Uses a lithium-ion battery
- Price and availability to be announced
Casio Exilim Z16
(Entry-level camera)
- 12 effective megapixels
- 36 - 107 mm (f2.9 – f5.4) 3X optical zoom lens
- 2.7 inch LCD (230,000 pixels)
- No manual controls
- WVGA (848 x 480) 30 FPS movie mode with sound
- Takes SD/SDHC memory cards
- Uses a lithium-ion battery
- Available later this month for $100
Fujifilm has come up with a brand new rangefinder-style digital camera that they’ve just announced at Photokina 2010. The camera, though it appears like ‘yet another interchangeable lens camera’, is in fact a niche product with a fixed 23 mm lens and large image sensor behind it. There aren’t many details about the camera so far, but here’s what Fujifilm has revealed about the FinePix X100 so far:
Fujifilm FinePix X100
(Rangefinder camera)
- 12.3 effective megapixels (APS-C CMOS sensor, 1.5X crop)
Imaging sensor is optimized specially for the camera
EXR processor promises high definition, sensitivity and dynamic range
- Fixed 23 mm f2.0 Fujinon lens (35 mm equivalent)
9 blade aperture diaphragm, 10 cm (4 inch) minimum focusing distance, built-in ND filter
- 2.8 inch LCD; Hybrid Viewfinder (combines an optical viewfinder with a built-in LCD that displays an overlay of shooting information and can also double as a dedicated EVF)
- Magnesium alloy body
- Full manual controls with RAW mode and live view
- Manual aperture ring and exposure compensation/shutter speed dials
- HD movie mode
- SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card slot
- Uses a lithium-ion battery
- Will be available in 2011; price to be announced
Looks like things are gonna get pretty interesting this holiday 2010. Why? Cause Nikon’s just come up with their answer to the recently introduced Canon EOS 60D and Olympus E-5 digital SLR cameras (and also the much-awaited successor to their own D90) - meet the new Nikon D7000.
The Nikon D7000 is a fairly sizeable upgrade compared to the old D90, featuring better build quality, a higher resolution display, improved viewfinder, metering and autofocus system, faster burst speed, improved movie mode and a whole lot more!
Nikon D7000
(Digital SLR camera)
- 16.2 effective megapixels (DX size APS-C CMOS sensor, 1.5X crop)
- Nikon F-mount (1.5X crop factor)
- 3 inch fixed LCD (921,000 pixels)
- Weathersealed magnesium alloy body
- ISO speed range of 100 - 6400 (Expandable to 25600)
- 0.94X optical viewfinder magnification with 100% frame coverage
- 6 FPS continuous shooting mode
- Built-in wireless flash control
- Full manual controls with RAW mode and live view
- 39 point AF; 9 points are cross-type sensors
- 1080p full HD (1920 x 1080) movie mode; uses H.264 codec, supports manual exposure and full-time continuous AF
- Basic video editing and RAW conversion available in playback mode
- Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card slots
- Uses a lithium-ion battery (EN-EL15)
- Available in October for $1200 (body only) or $1500 (with 18-105 mm kit lens)
In addition to their brand new D7000, Nikon has also come out with two new lenses and a flash today:
- SB700 Speedlight has a guide number of 38 m at ISO 100, works as a wireless master/slave unit. Available in November for $330
- Nikkor AF-S 35 mm f1.4G prime lens; available in November for $1800
- Nikkor AF-S 200 mm f2.0G VR II telephoto lens; available in October for $6000
What a busy month September has turned out to be. Today Canon introduced the much awaited successors to their prosumer G-series and ultra-zoom SX-series camera lines. The new PowerShot G12 is an incremental upgrade to last year’s G11, keeping the same design and most of the latter’s feature set, but now incorporating improved image stabilization, a few control tweaks to make things more ergonomic and (finally) introduces 720p HD movie recording and auto HDR capabilities.
On the other hand, we have the slightly more interesting PowerShot SX30 IS, which does away with its predecessor’s more ‘serious’ look in favor of a curvier (pretty Fujifilm-esque too, if you asked me) body design and… step aside Olympus… introduces the world’s NEW largest optical zoom lens on a digital camera. That’s a whopping 35X zoom lens for you! The SX30 also promises improved image stabilization and now uses a proprietary lithium-ion battery (what a shame) instead of the more commonly used AA batteries.
Canon PowerShot G12
(Prosumer camera)
- 10 effective megapixels
- 28 – 140 mm (f2.8 – f4.5) 5X optical zoom lens
- Optical image stabilization
Incorporates new ‘hybrid’ stabilization compansates for shift and lateral movement; Canon says this is especially useful for closeup shots
- 2.8 inch rotating LCD (461,000 pixels) and optical viewfinder
- Full manual controls with RAW mode and external flash hotshoe
- New electronic level indicator and smaller, more precise increments on the ISO dial
- New front control dial for adjusting camera settings
- New HDR mode takes and combines 3 pictures in a row into one HDR photo
- 720p HD (1280 x 720) 24 FPS movie mode with stereo sound
- Takes SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards
- Uses a lithium-ion battery
- Available in October for $500
Canon PowerShot SX30 IS
(Ultra-zoom camera)
- 14 effective megapixels
- 24 - 840 mm (f2.7 – f5.8) 35X optical zoom lens
- Optical image stabilization
- New Ultrasonic (USM) and Voice Coil (VCM) motors for fast and quiet lens operation
- 2.7 inch rotating LCD (230,000 pixels)
Electronic viewfinder available (202,000 pixels)
- Full manual controls with external flash hotshoe
- New Zoom Framing Assist ‘snaps’ lens to one of 3 preset zoom positions
- 720p HD (1280 x 720) 30 FPS movie mode with stereo sound
- Takes SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards
- Uses a lithium-ion battery (bye-bye AA batteries)
- Available later this month for $430
People looking for more options in ‘big sensor, small camera’ market - rejoice! Samsung has entered the fray of ‘compact’ form factor interchangeable lens cameras with their new NX100. The Samsung NX100 takes the stuff that made the NX10 (from earlier this year) great, and fits everything into a smaller, less SLR-esque package that may seem familiar if you’ve seen the Olympus PEN series, Panasonic GF1 or Sony NEX cameras.
Samsung NX100
(Interchangeable lens camera)
- 14.6 effective megapixels (APS-C CMOS sensor, 1.5X crop)
- Samsung NX lens mount (1.5X crop factor); compatible with i-Function enabled lenses
New i-Function lenses let you change camera settings using the focus ring
- 3 inch AMOLED LCD
- ISO speed range of 100 - 6400
- NO built-in flash; camera does have a hotshoe with accessory port however
- Full-time live view operation; fast contrast-detection AF
- Smart Filters allow you to use special effects on photos
- Full manual controls with RAW mode
- 720p HD (1280 x 720) movie mode with sound
- SD/SDHC memory card slot
- Uses a lithium-ion battery
- Availability and price to be announced
- Comes in your choice of black or brown
- Optional accessories include an external flash unit, electronic viewfinder and GPS attachment
Samsung has also announced several lenses, which will be available at different times in the future (no word on pricing, however):
- Later this year: New Samsung NX 20-50 mm f3.5-5.6 kit lens and 20 mm f2.8 pancake lens; both with i-Function
- First half 2011: 60 mm macro lens and 18-200 mm super-zoom lens
- Second half 2011: 16 mm wide-angle prime lens, 85 mm portrait lens and 16-80 mm ‘walkaround’ zoom lens
Olympus has just announced their new flagship digital SLR today, the Olympus E-5. The new E-5 introduces a few changes and improvements here and there (some of which you’ve probably already seen in Olympus’ recent consumer digital SLRs); none of which are particularly earth-shaking. But nevertheless, here’s what’s up with the Olympus E-5:
Olympus E-5
(Digital SLR camera)
- 12.3 effective megapixels (Live MOS sensor, 1.5X crop)
- Four Thirds lens mount (2X crop factor)
- Sensor-shift image stabilization
- 3 inch rotating LCD (921,000 pixels)
- Weathersealed magnesium alloy body
Shutter durability rated at 150,000 cycles
- ISO speed range of 100 - 6400
- 1.15X optical viewfinder magnification with 100% frame coverage
- 5 FPS continuous shooting mode (up to 16 RAW or unlimited JPEG shots)
- Built-in wireless flash control and electronic level
- Full manual controls with RAW mode and live view
- 11 point autofocus
- 720p HD (1280 x 720) movie mode with sound; supports external microphone
- Dual memory card slots: SD/SDHC/SDXC and Compact Flash
- Uses a lithium-ion battery
- Available in October for $1700
Pentax announced a brand new digital SLR, a new SLR lens and two new Optio compact cameras today. They’re all pretty interesting if you asked me - the Pentax K-r digital SLR has a feature set similar to mid-range class SLRs while sporting a more affordable ‘entry-level’ price. The Optio RZ10 is Pentax’s first attempt at the compact super-zoom camera market (As far as my memory can recall) while the entry-level Optio RS1000 introduces interchangeable faceplates (just like what you could do with some Nokia phones from ages ago).
Pentax K-r
(Entry-level digital SLR camera)
- 12.4 effective megapixels (APS-C CMOS sensor, 1.5X crop)
- Pentax lens mount (1.5X crop factor)
- Sensor-shift image stabilization
- 3 inch LCD (921,000 pixels)
- ISO speed range of 100 - 25600
- 0.85X optical viewfinder magnification with 96% frame coverage
- 6 FPS continuous shooting mode (12 RAW or 25 JPEG)
- Built-in wireless flash control
- Full manual controls with RAW mode and live view
- 720p HD (1280 x 720) movie mode with sound
- Supports IrSimple infrared transfer and has various image effects you can play around with
- SD/SDHC memory card slot
- Uses a lithium-ion battery; can take 4 AA batteries using optional adapter
- Available in October for $800 (body only), $850 (with 18-55 mm kit lens), $900 with (18-55 mm and 50-200 mm lenses) and $1000 (with 18-55 mm and 55-300 mm lenses)
- Comes in your choice of black, white or red
Pentax also introduced a new lens today, which is the 35 mm f2.4 AL prime lens. That’ll go for $220 once it becomes available next month.
Pentax Optio RZ10
(Compact super-zoom camera)
- 14 effective megapixels
- 28 – 280 mm (f3.2 – f5.9) 10X optical zoom lens
- Sensor-shift image stabilization
- 2.7 inch LCD (230,000 pixels)
- No manual controls (just point-and-shoot operation with scene modes)
- 720p HD (1280 x 720) 30 FPS movie mode with sound
- Takes SD/SDHC memory cards
- Uses a lithium-ion battery
- Available in October for $220
Pentax Optio RS1000
(Compact camera)
- 14 effective megapixels
- 28 – 110 mm (f3.2 – f5.9) 4X optical zoom lens
- Interchangeable faceplates/skins, camera is bundled with 11 of them, and you can custom-make your own
- 3.0 inch LCD (230,000 pixels)
- No manual controls (just point-and-shoot operation with scene modes)
- In-camera panorama mode
- 720p HD (1280 x 720) 30 FPS movie mode with sound
- Takes SD/SDHC memory cards
- Uses a lithium-ion battery
- Available in October for $150
