Lens Test: Pentax SMCP-FA 50mm f/1.4 AF
Posted on November 30, 2007 - Filed Under Cameras, Photo, Reviews | Leave a Comment
This high-speed, normal prime ($199, street) has been around for a decade. Why test it now? No other lens in the current Pentax catalog can throw backgrounds into creamy defocus like this. Even better, on a Pentax K10D, K100D, or K100D Super DSLR, it scales up to a medium-tele 75mm, a fine choice for portraits. Better still? The low price.
HANDS ON
A half-inch shorter and several ounces lighter than comparable Canon and Nikon 50mm f/1.4s, this full-framer predates digital. The small, rubber-clad, manual-focus ring’s turning action is a bit rough. Distance scales are large and easily legible; ditto for the depth-of-field scale (remember those?). The AF action on our test camera, the Pentax *ist DL, was rapid and quiet.
Camera Test: Kodak EasyShare Z885
Posted on November 22, 2007 - Filed Under Cameras, Photo, Reviews | Leave a Comment
Just how much camera can you get for less than $200? A whole lot, it turns out. Our test case: the Kodak EasyShare Z885 ($166, street), which comes with 8.1MP capture (more than enough), a 5x zoom (a leap ahead of the usual 3x), and an ISO 8000 setting (holy cow!).
As for image quality, you also get a whole lot. At ISO 80 and 100, the Z885′s Certified Lab Test results were Excellent, with average resolution over 1700 lines, Very Low and Low noise, respectively, and Excellent color accuracy. At ISO 200 and 400 there was no significant drop-off in resolution, while the noise did bump up to Moderate.
By ISO 800, noise increased to the Unacceptable level — although not by much — with a mild drop of about 7 percent in resolution, to about 1590 lines, ranking Extremely High. At ISO 1600, additional noise reduction obviously kicked in, with resolution just squeaking into Extremely High at about 1500 lines. So the Z885 is still quite usable at ISO 800-1600, as long as you stay with moderate enlargement. (Compare it with other current compacts: Its noise performance at these ISOs is considerably better than the noise from the much pricier Canon PowerShot G7, Nikon Coolpix P5000, and Ricoh Caplio GX100.)
Field Report: Olympus E-3
Posted on November 19, 2007 - Filed Under Cameras, Photo, Reviews | Leave a Comment
It doesn’t take much of a camera to capture a simple snapshot. But what if you spot a little girl in the park standing amid a flock of startled pigeons? Or you’re photographing the unpredictable twirls of dancers on a stage? Or you’re shooting travel scenes in bright, contrasty mid-day sun? For that you need a special camera.
And to prove that the new 10.1-megapixel Olympus E-3 is a special camera that can handle just about anything a setting can dish out, Olympus invited me and other members of the photographic press to Puerto Rico in early November for several days of hands-on evaluation.
A full test of the E-3 ($1,700, estimated street, body only) is now underway in the Pop Photo Lab, and we’ll give you the numbers as soon as the data is certified. But in the meantime, let me offer some thoughts on how the E-3 fares in the field.
Fast Thinking
That photo op with the little girl and the pigeons was exactly what I faced as I walked around Ponce, the quiet port city on Puerto Rico’s southern Caribbean coast. With the E-3 hanging on my shoulder, I literally had just enough time to swing it up and shoot before the girl, the birds, and the opportunity were gone.
This is where the camera’s new autofocus system really proved itself. A far cry from the slow and fairly crude AF system on 2003′s E-1, the E-3′s AF system is as fast as it is unique.
There are 11 AF points clustered around the center of the screen where Olympus engineers have determined that most subjects appear (surprise!). While the E-3 won’t win for sheer AF-point quantity (that distinction belongs to the Nikon D300, with 51 points), each of the E-3′s 11 points has a twin that is offset by half a pixel. The result: thorough coverage and super sensitivity. The little girl in my shot is tack sharp, with the focus right where I wanted it.
Hands On: Nikon D3
Posted on November 14, 2007 - Filed Under Cameras, Photo, Reviews | Leave a Comment
The Nikon D3 ($5,000, street, body only) may not be within reach of most photographers’ budgets, but that won’t stop them from dreaming about this amazing pro camera. We’ll find out precisely how amazing it is when we put a production version through the gauntlet of image-quality and performance tests in the Pop Photo Lab. But based on our extensive hands-on experience using a fully operational (but not fully testable) model, we believe this might be the greatest camera Nikon has ever built. The D3 has enough unique features and technology to fill a book — and no doubt several are already in progress. In the meantime, here are five reasons we are so high on it:
1. Rock-solid build and sophisticated design.
Nikon clearly spared no expense in toughening the D3′s ergonomic body, comprising magnesium-alloy chassis components and a durable external surface with rubberized panels in all the right places. Water- and dust-resistant seals keep weather out. And a new shutter, made of a Kevlar/carbon-fiber composite, leads the DSLR pack with its 300,000-cycle rating.
HP Photosmart R937 review
Posted on November 12, 2007 - Filed Under Cameras, Reviews | Leave a Comment
HP Photosmart R937 digital camera review : During HP labs event in Lisbon every participant received a digital compact camera to play with for one week. Of course this is an ideal way to get acquainted with the latest top model of the American brand. Certainly an experience that asked for more, so right after this we requested a model to put to the test and to offer you an extensive HP Photosmart R937 review.
HP Photosmart R937 – Huge touch screen
One of the extraordinary features on the HP R937 camera is its touch screen. Of course HP are not the first to apply a touch screen but it being such a huge screen is a unique experience. It should not surprise anyone that HP is offering a touch screen. The brand is aiming at the consumer. And the consumer wants an easy to operate camera that has not too many buttons and settings. HP is getting better and better at it. The user’s needs are met; he or she can take pictures without having to think too much. This is excellent for the target group the camera is aiming at.
HP R937 – 8.15 Megapixel camera resolution
The resolution of 8.15 Megapixels is sufficient to offer good enlargements. Most pictures will not even be printed in a size that big. Naturally HP’s adaptive exposure is available. It is one of the most sensible functions HP has been integrating in cameras. Furthermore a 3x optical zoom, clear program settings, ISO 1600 and a large 3.6-inch screen enable photographing in most circumstances. The way of sharing a picture with friends or family is quite remarkable too. The R937 is a unique camera in its class so it is time to put the HP Photosmart R937 to the test.
Hands On: Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10
Posted on November 5, 2007 - Filed Under Cameras, Photo, Reviews | Leave a Comment
As more and more consumers graduate to digital SLR cameras, it’s not surprising that some manufacturers are looking to ease the transition for the first-timers. Features normally found on compact cameras — scene modes, face detection autofocus, and live LCD preview – are now commonly found on DSLRs.
Such is the case with Panasonic’s newest DSLR, the 10.1-megapixel Lumix DMC-L10, which brings with it several features and functions normally found on EVF-style cameras.
The L10 is a good-looking, solidly built camera featuring a Live MOS sensor and a Leica D Vario-Elmarit 14-50mm f/3.8-5.6 Mega Optical Image Stabilized kit lens. The complete kit will cost you $1,300, estimated street, a price that may frighten off some consumers, particularly existing Four Thirds System photographers who may already have a similar lens in their arsenal, whether it’s an older Four Thirds Leica or an Olympus Zuiko lens in the Four Thirds mount.
But for the first-time DSLR buyer, or for the photographer who has decided to switch to the Four Thirds system, the L10′s combination of features and functions, particularly EVF-style Live View mode, may be a real selling point of this package.
We’ve spent the past couple of weeks with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10, traveling from New York City to Vermont and back, taking photos all along the way, and there’s a whole heck of a lot to like about this camera.
Sony Alpha A700 review
Posted on November 2, 2007 - Filed Under Cameras, Reviews | Leave a Comment
Sony A700 DSLR review : Finally Sony are making good their promise to bring a real Alpha system on the market that not only appeals to the amateur but the semi-pro and even the professional photographer alike with the introduction of the Sony Alpha 700. I do not wish to claim the Sony A700 to be the ultimate tool for professionals. These photographers most possibly use a DSLR of the same brand they already own as a second camera. However; a start has been made. And a third body, this time a professional one, is ready to be introduced in 2008, as Sony showed us during the PMA 2007 in Las Vegas.
Sony A700 digital SLR camera
Many people were eagerly awaiting the Sony DSLR-A700. Not only Alpha 100 owners felt ready to step over to a new semi-pro body, also consumers marking time looked forward to Sony’s next move. Personally I consider this new Sony Alpha 700 as Sony’s first real statement with its very own face. The Alpha 100 still showed clear signs of Konica Minolta but the Sony A700 is a D-SLR camera I would certainly expect to see from Sony.
Sony DSLR-A700 – 12.2 Megapixel CMOS image sensor
The Sony Alpha 700 is equipped with a newly developed 12.2 Megapixel CMOS image sensor and works with a focal length multiplier of 1.5x. The housing consists of a combination of aluminum alloy and polycarbonate and is mostly waterproof and dustproof thanks to extra attention that has been paid to the closure of covers etc. The weight of a tad less than 800 grams (778 grams without lens) is pleasant to work with and makes the camera lie stable in my hand. The beautiful large sized LCD screen on the back of the Sony A700 is definitely breathtaking. This 3-inch high resolution LCD screen surely adds a surplus value to this camera.
Sony Alpha A700 – Competitors Nikon and Canon
The Sony Alpha 700 can now prepare itself to conquer part of the heavenly competing segment in which brands like Nikon and Canon are ruling. Some weeks before Sony’s introduction of the Sony A700, Canon as well as Nikon have showed with what they will enter the digital battlefield and their weapons certainly cannot be ignored. Especially Nikon surprised me with a high quality DSLR camera with obvious professional features, but with the price tag of a semi-pro camera. One thing is for sure; the upcoming year will be an extremely interesting period for photography lovers.
Sony Alpha SLR-A700 review
During the presentation of the Sony Alpha A700 in Italy, I was able to work briefly with Sony’s new addition. Upon my return Sony contacted me to announce the availability of a full-production model to be used for our camera reviews. Thanks to Sony for a fast delivery, I was able to dive into the studio to make the necessary product photos and test images and to put the camera into practice thereafter. Read my experiences with the Sony Alpha 700 in the Alpha 700 review.
Camera Test: Canon EOS 40D
Posted on October 29, 2007 - Filed Under Cameras, Photo, Reviews | Leave a Comment
Canon’s EOS 30D was the DSLR middleweight contender to beat for most of 2007, thanks to its tough body, great image quality, fast autofocus, and semi-pro controls. So it’s no surprise that the new 10.1MP EOS 40D ($1,300, street, body only; $1,500, street, with EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens) holds fast to the 30D’s overall body design and exposure controls. In fact, from the front it’s hard to tell them apart.
Inside, though, Canon’s engineers found ways to raise the 40D’s image quality, boost its burst rate, speed up the AF system, and improve the viewfinder. Around back, they even squeezed in a 3-inch LCD with live preview mode.
Is there enough punch in the 40D’s new features, and price to keep it from being knocked out by new contenders from Nikon, Olympus, and Sony? We’ll know for sure in the next few months as we run all of those cameras through the Pop Photo Lab and our field tests.
Camera Test: Canon PowerShot SX100 IS
Posted on October 25, 2007 - Filed Under Cameras, Photo, Reviews | Leave a Comment
Looking at Canon’s new 8.0 megapixel 10x (36-360mm f/2.8-4.3 35mm equivalent) optically stabilized zoom PowerShot SX100 IS (street: $299), one can’t help but recall the old Sure Shot Owl 35mm camera. Sure, the Owl was a fixed focal length film camera, but look at the silhouette. There’s certainly a powerful family resemblance in function and focus, even if the guts are now digital, the lens zooms, and that big owl-eye inspired viewfinder has been replaced by a biggish 2.5-inch, wide viewing angle, 172,000-dot LCD.
Like the Sure Shot Owl of yesteryear, the SX100 is first and foremost an easy to use camera with few bells and whistles. It doesn’t do party tricks. There’s no canned music piped into the obligatory slideshow playback mode. There are no in-camera Photoshop-style image adjustments: resize and redeye fix, sound memo, and some DPOF printer settings are the only “bells” on the playback side. You won’t get lost in submenus trying to review an image; this is a camera for people who primarily use their camera for making photos.
Lens Test: Canon 17-55mm f/2.8 EF-S IS USM
Posted on October 21, 2007 - Filed Under Cameras, Photo, Reviews | Leave a Comment
This digital-only, 27-88mm equivalent ($1,000, street) is a pro-caliber upgrade of Canon’s popular 17-85mm amateur Image Stabilizer lens ($515, street). It has the hallmarks of Canon’s professional, full-frame L-series (solid construction, aspheric elements, UD glass). But it couldn’t be labeled “L” because it won’t work on all EOS bodies.
HANDS ON: About an inch longer and half a pound heavier than comparable Sigma and Tamron high-speed digital-only zooms, it has a solid feel, with smooth-turning zoom and focusing rings. AF action is fast, accurate, and — thanks to the Ultrasonic Motor — almost silent.
IN THE LAB: SQF tests found Excellent sharpness and contrast at all tested focal lengths. Our DxO Analyzer 2.0 tests uncovered Slight barrel distortion at 17mm (0.29%), and Slight pincushion distortion at 35mm (0.22%) and 55mm (0.21%). This is equal to or better than the comparable Nikon, Sigma, and Tamron f/2.8 lenses, and a dramatic improvement over Canon’s amateur 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS lens.
Light falloff left the corners by f/5.6 at 17mm and by f/4 at 35mm and 55mm — again a step above Canon’s 17-85mm IS. Magnifying power was okay, with maximum magnification ratios at the uniform close-focusing distance of 13 inches ranging from 1:14.3 at 17mm to 1:5 at 55mm. Lab tests of the IS system based on DxO blur factor readings for exposures made at 55mm by three different shooters showed between 1 and 3 stops of extra handheld sharpness when IS is engaged. Sounds low, but it’s not surprising since IS shows its most dramatic gains at long focal lengths.
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