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DPInterface September 2008 News Archive
September 30th, 2008
Fujifilm FinePix F100fd reviewed
It's the end of the month and I'm just in time for another review before we enter October, the start of a very busy season with Thanksgiving and Christmas coming really soon. So here it is: the Fujifilm FinePix F100fd review and the Fujifilm FinePix F100fd photo gallery. Check out it out, the F100fd performs better in terms of image quality compared to your typical compact camera.
September 25th, 2008
Olympus FE340 reviewed
This week somehow feels really long and am I glad the weekends are coming (phew!), I can finally get down to writing reviews on several fairly new cameras from this and last month. And oh, how time flies... Photokina 2008 is already coming to a close on Sunday; means Christmas shopping season isn't far around the corner.
So how about checking out a fairly thin camera with a big 5X lens? Here's my review on the Olympus FE340 and the Olympus FE340 photo gallery. Thankfully the image quality is (much) better than on the FE360 I reviewed two weeks ago.
September 24th, 2008
Photokina 2008 showcases
Here's some news from Photokina 2008 that's interesting and may change things in the camera industry soon enough:
- Panasonic Lumix micro Four Thirds prototype - just as you were getting excited about that Panasonic Lumix G1 two weeks ago; Panasonic is already planning a follow-up model which looks similar but this time with HD video capabilities.
- Olympus micro Four Thirds and new full Four Thirds cameras - Olympus is planning to release their own version of a micro Four Thirds camera as well as a mid-range full-Four Thirds model positioned below their flagship E3 digital SLR.
- Fujifilm SuperCCD EXR imaging sensor - Fujifilm says this new sensor will combine the improved resolution, sensitivity and dynamic range of their various sensors into a single do-it-all sensor.
- Fujifilm 3D photography - Another concept by Fujifilm which uses a camera with dual lenses to capture 3-dimensional photos.
September 22nd, 2008
New entry level digital SLR from Pentax
Pentax announced a new SLR for beginners this morning, the Pentax K2000 SLR, also known as the Pentax K-m in some parts of the world. They've also introduced some new lenses and an external macro ring flash to expand their line of SLR accessories.
Pentax K2000 aka K-m
- 10.2 effective megapixels (CCD)
- Pentax mount
- CCD shift image stabilization
- Dust reduction
- NO live view
- 2.7 inch LCD display (230k pixels)
- 96% viewfinder with 0.85X magnification
- Dynamic range adjustment and RAW to JPEG function
- 5 point AF
- Full manual controls with RAW and hotshoe
- 3.5 FPS burst mode
- SD/SDHC card slot
- Uses 4 AA batteries
- Available in November for $700
Pentax also released a macro ring flash and some new lenses today:
- Pentax DA 60-250 mm f4 ED SDM IF
- Pentax DA 55 mm f1.4 SDM
- Pentax DA 15 mm f4 ED AL Limited
- Pentax 18-55 and 55-200 rehashed; smaller designs
- 1.4X teleconverter
September 19th, 2008
Panasonic Lumix TZ5 reviewed
It's a Friday and just in time for another review. This time, I've written the Panasonic Lumix TZ5 review along with posting the Panasonic Lumix TZ5 photo gallery. Have a look at what this versatile camera with a 10X lens can do.
September 17th, 2008
It's official: new Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Here's what we've been all waiting for: the new Canon EOS 5D Mark II. Looks like Canon won't sit there and let Nikon/Sony come in without a fight! In case you're too overly excited to actually be able to read the specs, here's a brief summary: the 5D II is a 21 MP full-frame SLR with a 4 FPS burst mode and true HD movie mode built-in.
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
- 21.1 effective megapixels (Full-frame CMOS sensor)
- Canon EF lens mount
- DIGIC IV image processor
- Dust reduction
- 3 inch VGA LCD display (920k pixels)
- 98% viewfinder with 0.71X magnification
- Improved weather sealing
- Live view with contrast detect AF and face detection
- Full HD movie mode records 1920 X 1080 with sound; there's an external mic input so you can plug in an external microphone to record movies with stereo sound
- 9 point AF with 6 invisible 'assist' sensors (Only the center one is cross-type so it looks to be the same AF system as the original 5D)
- No on-board flash
- ISO range 100 - 6400 (expandable to ISO 50 - 25600)
- Full manual controls with RAW and hotshoe
- Lens vignetting correction and lighting optimizer
- 3.9 FPS burst mode up to 310 JPEG shots or 14 RAW shots using a UDMA CF card
- Compact Flash (Type I/II) card slot; UDMA compatible
- Uses a lithium-ion battery; 850 shots (CIPA Standard)
- Available in November for $2700
Along with the new EOS 5D Mark II, Canon also announced a new lens: the redesigned EF 24 mm f1.4L II. This fast ultra-wide angle prime lens is weather-sealed, has an improved design and claims to have reduced flare and ghosting.
Five new compact cameras from Canon
While we're all caught up in the news of the new EOS 5D Mark II now, let's not forget about compact camera - Canon also released four new PowerShot digital cameras along with two new Digital ELPH aka Digital Ixus models. So here they are (and they're loaded with megapixels!):
Canon PowerShot G10
- 14.7 effective megapixels
- 28 - 140 mm (f2.8 - f4.5) 5X optical zoom lens
- Optical image stabilization
- DIGIC IV image processor
- New Servo AF (Subject tracking) and usual face detection, motion detection
- 3 inch LCD (461k pixels) with optical viewfinder
- Full manual controls with hotshoe and RAW
- Slight redesign - better grip and new exposure compensation dial
- VGA 30 FPS movie mode with sound
- Takes SD/SDHC cards
- Uses a lithium-ion battery
- Available in October for $500
Canon PowerShot SX10 IS
- 10 effective megapixels
- 28 - 560 mm (f2.8 - f5.7) 20X optical zoom lens
- Optical image stabilization
- DIGIC IV image processor
- New Servo AF (Subject tracking) and usual face detection, motion detection
- i-Contrast brightens dark areas of photos
- 2.5 inch flip-n-rotate LCD with EVF
- Full manual controls with hotshoe
- VGA 30 FPS movie mode with stereo sound
- Takes SD/SDHC cards
- Uses 4 AA batteries
- Available in October for $400
Canon PowerShot SX1 IS
- Almost similar to the SX10 IS mentioned above except this one is the first Canon compact camera to feature a CMOS sensor and more
- 10 effective megapixels (CMOS sensor, versus CCD on the SX10 IS)
- 4 FPS burst mode at full resolution thanks to the CMOS sensor
- Flip-n-rotate LCD measures a slightly larger 2.8 inches
- Full HD 1080p (1920 X 1080) 30 FPS movie mode with stereo sound
- HDMI output port
- Availability and price to be announced
Canon PowerShot SD880 IS aka Digital Ixus 870 IS
Comment from Brad: That sure is one anorexic looking flash, makes the camera look sleek
But Canon's specs say no compromises were made, the range is 4.2 m at W/A, so, okay...
- 10 effective megapixels
- 28 - 112 mm (f2.8 - f5.8) 4X optical zoom lens
- Optical image stabilization
- DIGIC IV image processor
- New Servo AF (Subject tracking) and usual face detection, motion detection
- i-Contrast brightens dark areas of photos
- Face Self-timer automatically activates self-timer when a new face enters the scene (great for group shots and self-portraits)
- Customizable My Menu
- 3 inch LCD
- No manual controls
- VGA 30 FPS movie mode with sound
- Takes SD/SDHC cards
- Uses a lithium-ion battery
- Available in October for $300
- Comes in your choice of silver and gold
Canon PowerShot SD990 IS aka Digital Ixus 980 IS
Comment from Brad: I've always wanted to see a black Ixus (I thought it'd look cool and 'pro')
since my Ixus 500 in 2004... and now this is my dream come true! along with the manual controls
- 14.7 effective megapixels
- 36 - 133 mm (f2.8 - f5.8) 3.7X optical zoom lens
- Optical image stabilization
- DIGIC IV image processor
- New Servo AF (Subject tracking) and usual face detection, motion detection
- i-Contrast brightens dark areas of photos
- Face Self-timer automatically activates self-timer when a new face enters the scene (great for group shots and self-portraits)
- Customizable My Menu
- 2.5 inch LCD with optical viewfinder
- First ever Digital ELPH/Ixus with manual controls (Yeah!)
- VGA 30 FPS movie mode with sound
- Takes SD/SDHC cards
- Uses a lithium-ion battery
- Available in October for $400
- Comes in your choice of silver and black
September 16th, 2008
New Casio Exilim superzoom
Casio announced a new high-speed superzoom today as a followup to their Exilim F1 camera.
Casio Exilim EX FH20
- 9 effective megapixel CMOS
- 26 - 520 mm (f2.8 - f4.5) 20X optical zoom lens
- Sensor shift image stabilization
- 3 inch LCD display with EVF
- 40 FPS burst mode at 7 MP up to 40 shots, pre-capture available
- Full manual controls with RAW
- 720p 30 FPS movie mode with sound, can achieve movies up to 1000 FPS although at a very tiny (unusable) resolution
- Takes SD/SDHC cards
- Uses 4 AA batteries
- Available in October for $600
Mathematical Canon speculation
Out of a little boredom, and a little curiosity, I thought I'd give speculation, on the new Canon SLR (rumored Canon 5D II day), a go. It sounds like everyone's having fun doing it (speculation) so let's begin with previous announcement dates up to 2004 (that should be enough):
Canon only made camera announcements in Photokina years: 2006, September 21st Thursday and 2004, September 14th Tuesday.
Based on history, Canon has not made announcements previously on Fridays and weekends (supposedly so their news won't be drowned by weekend emails, other busy weekend stuff like sports events, etc). So Fridays and weekends are out.
And now let's put ourselves in Canon's shoes... when would be the perfect day to bring out their new camera?
Photokina 2008 will be held between 23 - 28 September and so we can narrow down to before 25th September 2008 because who would want to announce their products towards the end of the show?
There's also the Canon Moon teaser which evolved from a small crescent to a half moon in 11 days (5th till today, the 16th).
Canon has a point of uncovering cameras on Tuesdays and Thursdays because these days seem to create more of a buzz among people. Tuesdays because the 'Monday Blues' are over, and Thursdays because there can be discussion over the weekend. However, 18th September will be unlikely as it is too soon for the Canon Moon to become a full moon and unveil the new camera (Imagine growing to half moon in 11 days but full moon in 13 days? No way). So with the weekends out of the way, that leaves announcement date to be between 22 September and 25 September.
Suppose Canon would want to make a splash at Photokina, then they can have the new camera on display throughout the ENTIRE Photokina where there will be lots of press and coverage of the event (and products), so they may want it announced before Photokina itself...
which leaves just ONE day remaining: 22 September 2008! Friendly reminder: Remember this is a speculation, don't kick up a tantrum if that isn't the date =). Have a great day all, more reviews to come this week.
UPDATE: Turns out my speculation was 5 days off =(
September 12th, 2008
Panasonic Lumix G1 micro 4/3 camera
Panasonic proudly presented their new micro FourThirds Lumix G1 today, the first of its kind. It's the world's smallest camera with an interchangeable lens.
- 12.1 effective megapixel LiveMOS (2X crop factor)
- Micro FourThirds lens mount (Supports full FourThirds lenses with adapter)
- Dust reduction
- 3 inch high resolution display (460k pixels), very high resolution EVF
- No mirror or optical viewfinder; this is a full live view camera
- 23 point contrast detect AF
- Full manual controls with RAW and hotshoe
- Venus Engine HD image processor
- 3 FPS continuous shooting mode
- Takes SD/SDHC cards
- Uses a lithium-ion battery
- Available in November, pricing to be announced
September 9th, 2008
Sony Cyber-shot T300 review posted
Better late than never; here's the Sony Cyber-shot T300 review along with the Sony Cyber-shot T300 photo gallery.
Sony Alpha A900 announced!
Sony released their very much discussed Alpha A900. And now, here's the awesome camera you've all been waiting for:
- 24.6 effective megapixel CMOS (Full frame sensor)
- Sony lens mount (compatible with Minolta ones too, DT lenses are subjected to 1.5X crop factor to 11 MP)
- In-body sensor-shift image stabilization
- Dust reduction
- 3 inch super-high resolution display, same as Alpha 700 (921k pixels)
- 100% viewfinder with 0.74X magnification
- NO live view but the camera can take a 'sampling shot' for you to preview various exposure, dynamic range and white balance effects
- 9 point AF with 10 extra assist sensors (center is dual cross type)
- No on-board flash
- Full manual controls with RAW and hotshoe
- Dual Bionz image processors
- 5 FPS continuous shooting mode
- Dual memory card slot (Compact Flash Type I/II UDMA-enabled and MS Duo)
- Uses a lithium-ion battery; 880 shots (CIPA Standard)
- Available in November for $3000 (body only, of course)
With the new Alpha A900, Sony also released two new lenses: the 70-400 mm f4-5.6 G and the Carl Zeiss 16-35 mm f2.8 Vario-Sonnar T*, priced at $1500 and $1800 respectively. Both lenses will be available in January 2009.
September 8th, 2008
Olympus FE360 reviewed
I've just posted my review of the recently announced new Olympus FE360 as well as the photo gallery of the FE360. Check out whether this entry-level camera managed to impress me much...
September 7th, 2008
DPInterface goes widescreen... and more reviews to come
I'm back for more reviews! Tomorrow, I'll be posting a review on another very new Olympus digital camera (you can count on that). But first, to celebrate four years of being the first to review the year's hottest cameras (and of course reviewing other cameras), I'm proud to uncover a slight re-design to DPInterface.
No radical changes here, just a good design made better. With majority of people now using widescreen, our site has gone a wee bit wider as well to accommodate more information and content (that's to come). Don't worry, it still fits 1024 x 768 screens like a glove. You may also notice the improved list of reviews we have over on the right, now known as the Review Bar, as well as our latest camera review featured on the top right.
Alright, I'm getting back to writing reviews now...
September 5th, 2008
We did it - Olympus Stylus 1040 (aka Olympus mju 1040) review!
In the past DPInterface brought you the internet's first...
- Canon PowerShot S2 IS review in 2005
- Sony Cyber-shot T30 review in 2006
- Canon PowerShot S5 IS review in 2007
Those were the hottest cameras of their respective years... and continuing that tradition this year, here's the net's first Olympus Stylus 1040 review from an independent camera review website! And oh, there's the Olympus Stylus 1040 photo gallery as well over here.
Check them both out - the Stylus 1040 (also known as the mju 1040 in the rest of the world) combines a thin, stylish (and familiar) design with an affordable price. This 10 megapixel ultra-compact camera looks like the next potential big hit that we'll be seeing at family gatherings and social events.
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