Nikon releases three L-series budget cameras

Posted on February 15, 2009 - Filed Under Digital, Photo, Reviews | Leave a Comment

Pre-PMA 2009: Nikon has announced the L100, L20 and L19 budget cameras. The L100 is a superzoom with 15x optical zoom (28-420mm equiv) and 10MP sensor. It includes features such as Image Stabilization, D-lighting and a Sports Continuous mode that allows shooting at up to 13 frames per second. The L19 and L20 are more conventional comapcts with 8MP and a 2.7" LCD and 10MP and a 3.0" LCD respectively. They share a 3.6X zoom lens.

Press Release:

Nikon announces new Coolpix cameras

Nikon UK announces three new affordable, exciting COOLPIX cameras: the L100, L20 and the L19. All three are packed with high-quality features that make taking photographs a joy, without stretching the budget.

With superb quality NIKKOR lenses, these cameras are both easy to carry and easy to use and include features such as Scene Auto selector, Smile Mode and Blink Warning – making great images possible for everyone.

Mark Pekelharing, Product Manager Consumer Products at Nikon Europe B.V: “Not everyone wants to spend a lot of money on a camera. With these three new cameras, you get the best of both worlds: quality imaging with many exciting features, and all at an affordable price.”

Enjoy your photography
The L100 boasts 10 effective megapixels, Nikon’s EXPEED digital image processing system for high performance and a 15x zoom NIKKOR lens covering a wide-angle 28mm to super-telephoto 420mm (35mm-format equivalent) – you know you’re going to capture almost any scene in detail. Put it in macro mode, and you can even capture objects from as close up as 1 cm. With four anti-blur features, including Image Sensor Shift VR image stabilisation, you can rest assured that it’s also going to be in focus.

You will also appreciate the L100 if you enjoy sports photography, as the L100’s Sports Continuous Mode allows up to 13 fps. Scene Auto Selector automatically adjusts the settings to suit the scene. Smile Mode takes the picture when your subject looks his or her best whilst Blink Warning warns you when your subjects have their eyes closed. Other features include In-Camera Red-Eye Fix for beautiful portraits, D-Lighting for in-camera image enhancement, 15 Scene Modes, movies with sound, and Active Zoom, amongst others.

With a sensitivity range up to ISO 3200, problems images in poor lighting are a thing of the past. This is further enhanced by the camera’s Motion Detection system, which detects camera shake or subject movement during shooting, automatically selecting a faster shutter speed and higher ISO sensitivity.

Easy does it
The L20 and L19 (10 and 8 effective MP respectively) have several features that ensure smooth and comfortable shooting, such as Full-Auto Mode, Scene Auto Selector, Smile Mode and Blink Warning. Power them with two AA-size batteries that are available anywhere, and you’ll never miss a shot. Large buttons and controls, and a 3-inch and 2.7-inch LCD monitor on the L20 and L19 respectively, improve operational ease.

Both cameras record movies and a special new feature for both is the Scene Auto Selector. This automatically judges a scene by its subject and surrounding conditions and chooses the best setting. Now you won’t have to worry about the mode-setting procedure and you will always be ready for speedy, smooth shooting. The L20 is available in black metallic and deep red, the L19 in bright silver or shiny pink.

Taking great pictures with a great looking camera is easy, and very affordable.

The L100, L20 and L19 come with a strap, AA-batteries, USB and audio/video cables, and the COOLPIX software suite. All cameras come with 2GB free online image storage at Nikon’s my Picturetown service on mypicturetown.

Nikon Coolpix L100 images

Nikon Coolpix L20 images

Nikon Coolpix L19 images

Nikon Unveil New Coolpix Range

Posted on February 12, 2009 - Filed Under Digital, Ratings, Reviews, Tips | Leave a Comment

Nikon today have announced a range of 7 new digital cameras. They range from the budget through to more expensive and feature rich models.

  • Nikon Coolpix P90 – a super-zoom camera with a 24x optical zoom.
  • Nikon Coolpix L100 (another super-zoom camera).
  • Nikon Coolpix S630 – 12MP with a 7x optical zoom.
  • Nikon Coolpix S620 – 12MP, 4x optical zoom.
  • Nikon Coolpix S230 – 10MP with a 3x optical zoom lens.
  • Nikon Coolpix S220 – 10MP with 3x optical zoom.
  • Nikon Coolpix L19 and Nikon Coolpix L20 – 8 and 10MP respectively – both with 3.6x optical zoom – budget cameras.

All of these Nikon Coolpix cameras come with a range of scene modes and features including smile and blink detection and Motion detection.

Just posted! Canon 50mm F1.8 II lens review

Posted on February 8, 2009 - Filed Under Digital, Photo, Reviews | Leave a Comment

Lens reviews on DPReview are one year old today, and we’re celebrating this auspicious anniversary with appropriate aplomb. Our 25th review features the Canon EF 50mm F1.8 II, a bargain offering that sells for less than $100, yet features an optical design refined over decades of service as the standard lens supplied with 35mm film SLRs. So how does it measure up against F1.4 lenses costing three times as much?

We’re also taking this opportunity to publish our studio test data for Nikon’s equivalent lens, the AF-Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8D on the D300 and D3. You can view this in the lens widget by clicking here; a full review will follow… sometime.

Panasonic releases the DMC-FS25 digtal camera

Posted on February 3, 2009 - Filed Under Digital, Photo, Reviews | Leave a Comment

Pre-PMA 2009: Last of the Panasonic announcements is the DMC-FS25 digital compact camera. This 12.1MP camera is designed with a prominent grip and an Intelligent 3.0" LCD that adjusts its brightness according to the lighting conditions. Other features include an Intelligent Auto mode and  a new ‘Photo Frame’ mode that lets users put borders around the pictures taken.

Press Release:

Panasonic’s DMC-FS25 – the Perfect Camera for all your Leisurely Needs

27th January 2009: Part of the highly commended Lumix range of digital still cameras, the 12.1 megapixel DMC-FS25 is stylish, sophisticated and packed with features – whilst remaining committed to ease of use even for beginners. Boasting a 29mm wide angle Leica DC lens*1 with 5x optical zoom, Intelligent Auto and a vertical grip for extra comfort– the FS25 is stylish, easy to use and feature packed.

Intelligent Auto Mode Just Keeps Getting Better
Panasonic incorporated Intelligent Auto mode in pursuit of the ultimate ease of operation and the reduction of misshots. This mode is also further advanced with the inclusion of AF tracking and Intelligent Exposure feature for the DMC-FS25.  Furthermore, digital red-eye correction is also integrated in the Face Detection.

In iA mode the camera does all the work, activating AF tracking, Intelligent Exposure, Face Detection, Intelligent Scene Selector, Mega O.I.S. (optical image stabilizer), and Intelligent ISO Control. This leaves the user free to simply compose the shot and press the shutter button, with the assurance that the image will be clear, beautiful and properly exposed.

With the new AF Tracking function, the user can "lock" the focus onto a moving subject. The camera then automatically tracks the subject as it moves, keeping it in focus without the user having to hold the shutter button halfway down. This makes it easier to capture the perfect moment clearly and in sharp focus when shooting images of a child, pet, sports or any scene with moving subjects and spur-of-the-moment action.

Intelligent Exposure suppresses blocked shadows and blown highlights to capture images that look natural and true-to-life. It now features an automatic backlight compensation function that activates whenever the camera detects that the light source is behind the subject.

Face detection accuracy has been increased in the FS25 to now provide continuous adjustment of the focus and exposure even if the face is turned sideways to the camera. Combined with AF

Tracking, Face Detection helps users capture special moments, including the fleeting expressions on the faces of active children. Plus, with the FS25, the red-eye effect can be digitally corrected automatically when it occurs due to the use the flash.

Intelligent Scene Selector automatically selects whichever of 5 scene modes – Macro, Portrait, Scenery, Night Portrait, and Night Scenery – best suits the shooting situation. The Quick AF system allows the camera to keep focus on the subject while the camera is in recording mode even before pressing a shutter button.

In addition to the advanced functions mentioned above, the iA mode inherits fundamental functions users need in a good digital still camera. These include MEGA O.I.S., which prevents blurring from hand-shake, and Intelligent ISO Control, which prevents motion blur by adjusting the ISO sensitivity if the subject moves as the shot is taken. The MEGA O.I.S. system conventionally has mode 1 and 2, and now it has AUTO mode to select the suitable one between the modes according to the zoom ratio being used.

The user can activate all of these useful functions by simply pressing an independent iA button on the top of the camera, which is newly equipped for direct activation. All these features make the FS25 the ultimate, super-versatile automatic camera for capturing clear, beautiful, mistake-free photos with ease.

The bigger picture with the Leica DC VARIO-ELMAR wide angle lens
The 12.1-megapixel DMC- FS25 packages a 29mm wide-angle*1 Leica DC VARIO-ELMAR lens with 5x optical zoom into a slim, compact body. Comprising 7 elements in 6 groups, including 3 aspherical lenses with 4 aspherical surfaces, this advanced lens unit realizes the outstandingly slim and compact body yet passing Leica’s stringent standards to deliver an exceptional optical performance.

The zoom ratio can be extended up to 9.8x (294mm*1) in 3 megapixel resolution mode with minimal deterioration thanks to the Extra Optical Zoom.  By using the central part of the CCD, this powerful zooming function allows you to easily capture and magnify distant subjects. 

High Performance Venus Engine IV
The image-processing LSI, Venus Engine IV, features advanced signal processing technology for rendering high quality images.

Featured in the DMC- FS25, the multi-task image-processing engine Venus Engine IV supports a super-fast response time. The shutter release time lag is as short as 0.006 seconds and the camera’s quick response makes it easier to capture sudden, spur-of-the-moment photo opportunities.

The Venus Engine IV also supports a High Sensitivity mode that lets the DMC-FS25 record at a setting of up to ISO 6400, sensitive enough to capture subjects in near-total darkness without using a flash.*2

Look at me!
The DMC-FS25 incorporates an easy-to-see, large, 3.0-inch 230,000-dot high-resolution LCD for comfortable viewing while both monitoring shots and playing back the results. The Intelligent LCD function detects the light condition and automatically boosts the LCD backlighting by max. 40% when shooting outdoors in bright sunshine, and adjusts the frame rate when shooting in low-lit situations in addition to using the pixel mixed readout method to secure clarity in such situations.

Detecting the lighting condition precisely and automatically controlling the brightness with a total of 11 fine steps, this function gives the display the most appropriate clarity in any situation without using extra energy. The High Angle mode makes the LCD screen extremely easy to view when the camera is held high, such as when shooting over a crowd.

The Sound of Music
To increase your enjoyment when playing back your images, the FS25 provides slideshows complete with music. Just select the pictures you want to show and choose the mood that best matches your selection from natural, slow, urban or swing, and you’ll get an emotion-filled slideshow with a variety of slide change effects and matching music without any annoying adjustments to the newly added speaker.

Additionally, all Lumix cameras can take 1920×1080 pixel high-definition quality photos that are ideal for full-screen viewing on a wide-screen (16:9) HDTV. Panasonic has long focused on making photography more enjoyable, such as by letting people view their images easily on a Panasonic Viera TV with Viera Image Viewer (internal SD card slot).

Not forgetting motion pictures*3, the FS25 can record WVGA*4 (848 x 480) motion pictures at 30 frames per second in addition to standard VGA 640 x 480). The WVGA6 motion picture also fits a wide-screen (16:9) TV perfectly to offer impressive viewing.

The Fun of Photography
Technically specified, yet remaining easy to use – the new FS25 features a variety of features to expand the fun and convenience for users. For example, the user can select from among several icons for the camera to use for indicating when the subject is in focus. In addition to the conventional dot, a flower, car and several other new shapes are available. The FS25 also adds a new “Photo Frame” mode. It lets the user put attractive borders around the photo. When printed, the photos look like postcards in picture frames, making them ideal as presents. With the My Scene setting, the user can assign up to two specific scene modes, which you use most often, and switch instantly to those modes when desired.

The minimum shooting distance has been shortened to 3cm in the FS25 – great for macro shots. Using the digital Zoom Macro function, the user can pull subjects even closer than ever before.with the wide-angle setting, and capture dramatic close ups.

Introducing the included software
The latest version of exciting software PHOTOfunSTUDIO 3.0 comes bundled with the DMC-FS25. The PHOTOfunSTUDIO 3.0 package allows the user to edit or organize a collection of photos with more ease and fun. It features Face Recognition function that recognizes the faces in the picture stored in your PC to sort the photos by faces.

Conventionally, you had to pick up one by one out of hundreds of photos when you only want the picture of a specific person. But with the PHOTOfunSTUDIO 3.0, the software automatically does it once the face is registered regardless of the camera type you used – perfect for digging out all photos of Aunt Joanna for her birthday surprise for example!  On the sophisticated interface, you can also enjoy emotional slideshow with a variety of effects. Motion pictures (MOV or MPEG2) can also be upload directly to YouTube*5

The slim and sleek DMC-FS25 will be available from April in a choice of silver or black.

*1 35mm film equivalent: 29-145mm
*2 Max. 5 images in standard mode / 3 images in fine mode
*3 Motion pictures can be recorded continuously for up to 15 minutes in some countries. Continuous recording exceeding 2GB is not possible when recording motion JPEG. Remaining time for continuous recording is displayed on the screen,
*4 When you set the picture quality to HD, WVGA or VGA, we recommend using  a high-speed card with”10MB”/s” or greater displayed on the package. SD speed class is the speed standard regarding continuous writing.
*5 YouTube is a trademark of Google Inc. *All other company and product names are trademarks of their respective corporations.

Source Technologies ST9620 MICR printer

Posted on January 29, 2009 - Filed Under Digital | Leave a Comment

Source Technologies MICR printer : Source Technologies, a provider of MICR printing solutions, announced the introduction of its new ST9620 MICR and secure document printer. The ST9620 is a robust printer for organizations requiring sophisticated security and functionality in a lower volume, budget-friendly printer. This segment of the market has been underserved in the past, with previous printer offerings limited to low volume and low-security, or high volume and high-security. The new MICR printer boasts print speeds up to 40 pages per minute, an instant on fuser that allows for a rapid time to first page print of approximately 6.5 seconds and its small form-factor ensures it can fit into just about any office environment.
Source Technologies MICR printer
“The new Source Technologies ST9620 MICR printer addresses a segment of the check-printing market that has been notoriously underserved,” advised Sarah Burkhart, Director of Product Marketing, Source Technologies. “The dynamic security features of this printer have been out of reach for most organizations that print checks or other secure documents. We are excited to begin serving this market with a truly robust offering at an attractive price point, and are confident that users will see the value of the ST9620 as an important element in their data security and productivity arsenal.”


Source Technologies ST9620
With remote management tools, a 10-digit keypad for security features, and the powerful Source Technologies security functionality, the ST9620 provides users with a powerful tool to combat fraud and ensure the protection of their data. The Source Technologies ST9620 combines impressive security features with a cost conscious printing solution ideal for branch offices, staffing agencies, insurance agencies, pharmacies, or any organization that prints volumes of 1,500 to 10,000 pages per month. The ST9620 MICR printer offers users an environmentally friendly solution for their secure MICR printing needs with standard duplex and eco-friendly operating modes.

Canon updates firmware for 5D Mark II

Posted on January 23, 2009 - Filed Under Digital, Photo, Reviews | Leave a Comment

Canon has released updated firmware for the EOS 5D Mk II. Firmware v1.0.7 addresses the ‘black dot’ and vertical banding issues experienced by users of firmware 1.0.6. The latest version can be downloaded from Canon’s website. The company also asks users to update their DPP and Picture Style Editor software.

Canon announcement:

Important information for EOS 5D Mark II users.

We have learned that some users of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II digital SLR camera (with firmware version 1.0.6)  have identified two types of image quality phenomena that appear under certain shooting conditions.

  1. “Black dot” phenomenon (the right side of point light sources becomes black)
  2. Vertical banding noise

Details of the phenomena and shooting conditions under which they are likely to occur (if the firmware is version 1.0.6) are as follows:

  1. “Black dot” phenomenon (the right side of point light sources becomes black)
    When shooting night scenes, the right side of point light sources (such as lights from building windows) may become black. The phenomenon may become visible if the images are enlarged to 100% or above on a monitor or if extremely large prints of the images are made.
  2. Vertical banding noise
    If the recording format is set to sRAW1, vertical banding noise may become visible depending on the camera settings, subject, and background.
    ▪ Vertical banding noise is not noticeable if the recording format is set to sRAW2.
    ▪ Vertical banding noise does not occur if the recording format is set to RAW or JPEG.
    ▪ Noise can be reduced if C.Fn II-3: Highlight tone priority is set to 0: Disable.

Firmware version 1.0.7. that addresses these phenomena is now available for downloading from the following Web site:

http://web.canon.jp/imaging/eosd/firm-e/eos5dmk2/firmware.html

When updating to firmware version 1.0.7, please also update the Digital Photo Professional and Picture Style Editor software. For details, please read the Firmware Q&A section on the firmware download page.

Canon Powershot A480, Sony Cybershot DSC-G3, Olympus SP-590UZ: New Cameras

Posted on January 15, 2009 - Filed Under Digital, Ratings, Reviews, Tips | Leave a Comment

Over the last few weeks we’ve started to see a range of new cameras released. We’re updating many of those that capture our interest at the Digital Camera and Gear blog at Digital Photography School.

Here are a few new ones to hit the market:

  • Canon Powershot A480 – 10MP, 3.3x Optical Zoom
  • Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-G3 – 10.1MP, 4x Optical Zoom and with WiFi
  • Olympus SP-590UZ – 12MP and with a 26x Optical Zoom
  • Pentax Optio E70 and P70 – two compact digital cameras

Challenges Beta – now available

Posted on January 7, 2009 - Filed Under Digital, Photo, Reviews | Leave a Comment

Labs beta: As revealed last Thursday (our tenth anniversary) today we are flicking the switch on our latest (and potentially biggest) new site feature. Our Challenges system provides a mechanism by which photographic challenges can be both created and entered by any member of our community. The initial beta has a few limitations (see inside for details). That said we’re excited to make this new feature available today and hope you will enjoy testing it, we would actively encourage feedback using the special link available at the bottom of all challenges pages.

 

Phil: We’re excited (and naturally a little nervous) but hope you’ll enjoy trying out this new site feature (remember it’s in beta), please remember that this is a taster of what will be available in the final version.

Challenges beta limitations

  • Challenges can only be entered, not created (first challenges available have been created by us) *
  • Only voting system available is stars (out of five), only one voting phase
  • Phase periods are currently fixed at a week (one week for submissions, one week for votes)

A taste of some future Challenges features

  • User created challenges
  • User challenge profiles (images submitted, challenges won, etc.)
  • Support for series of challenges
  • Forums integration with forum specific challenges
  • Commenting
  • Multiple voting types (including various points systems, short listing)
  • "Pass the baton" style Challenge creation (winner creates the next Challenge)
  • Additional display modes for challenge page
  • Challenges widget on front page of the site

* Volunteers to become Series / Challenge hosts please contact us via this link, please note we will only consider you for this position if you can demonstrate some experience of challenge creation / series management

(to get going to just click on a Challenge that interests you and then the button)

Happy Holidays, dpreview turns ten

Posted on January 1, 2009 - Filed Under Digital, Photo, Reviews | Leave a Comment

The entire team at dpreview would like to wish all our readers a very Happy Holidays (whichever you’re observing). As always Christmas Day marks another anniversary for the site, this time it’s a big one, ten years. To celebrate we have opened our new labs section as well as revealing our first public beta feature; Challenges. As a bit of a retrospective on the last ten years we’ve also produced two short blog entries looking back and taking stock. Whatever you’re doing today, enjoy yourselves and thank you for being a part of dpreview.com!

 

Xperia X1 review

Posted on December 27, 2008 - Filed Under Digital | Leave a Comment

Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 review at LetsGoMobile : The Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 is a mobile phone with a large touchscreen, a full QWERTY keyboard, integrated GPS antenna, Wi-Fi, HSDPA and much more. Thanks to all these functionalities, the cell phone is widely applicable. The Windows Mobile 6.1 operating system ensures easy synchronization. In general, this software is a tad more enhanced, which is noticeable on, for example, the agenda function, Windows Media Player and the Internet Explorer. Recent improvements carried out in Windows Mobile 6.1 enhance the user’s ease.

• Read the full Xperia X1 review at LetsGoMobile.

Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 digital camera
LetsGoMobile says: ” The integrated digital camera in the Sony Ericsson X1 has a resolution of 3.2 megapixels. This is a considerably smaller amount than similar phones of Samsung and LG (the Samsung Omnia offers a 5 megapixel digital camera and the LG Renoir even 8 megapixels). Access to the camera application is enabled by pressing the camera button on the right side of the mobile phone. Start-up of the camera application takes forever and the button doesn’t always work the first time, which makes it very hard to capture snapshots. You really have to concentrate when shooting. And if in the end correct capture is carried out, the pictures are reasonable, although improvement is possible.”


Multimedia on the Sony-Ericsson Xperia X1 mobile phone
LetsGoMobile says: “Thanks to the fact the Sony Ericsson is standard equipped with Windows Media Player, playing your music is just as familiar as on your computer. Many formats are supported, and there is also an integrated FM radio available. The high resolution and because of it; the excellent quality of the screen, does show to its full advantage when playing some preinstalled demos. A downside is the built-in speaker which is slightly sunken, causing it to sound muffled when something is pressing against it.”


Sony-Ericsson Xperia X1 review at LetsGoMobile
The Sony Ericsson X1 is an extremely enhanced mobile phone with a neat design. Thanks to Windows Mobile as operating system, the use of Office files and synchronizing with the computer is not a problem at all. LetsGoMobile has extensively tested the Sony Ericsson X1. Read the full Xperia X1 review at LetsGoMobile.

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