Just posted! Our in-depth review of the Ricoh GXR with the A12 50mm F2.5 lens module. The GXR's concept of interchangeable lens modules is completely unique in today's digital camera world and generated a lot of interest when it was first announced four months ago. This review covers the GXR with the A12 50mm f2.5 equiv (12MP APS-C sensor) module (the S10 24-70mm module will follow soon). Find out how Ricoh's new flagship performed in our comprehensive review after the link…
Wacom has released the Cintiq 21UX, an interactive pen display that combines with the company's pressure sensitive Grip Pen to offer 2048 levels of pressure sensitivity. The 21UX comes with a tilting, rotating stand that lets users to view it from varied angles and features customizable menu options. It comes along with basic image editing software and also supports advanced programs such as Adobe Photoshop. Priced at $1999 USD, the Cintiq 21UX will start shipping from late March 2010.
Software maker Topaz Labs has released released version 4 of its color management plug-in for Adobe Photoshop. The latest version features a redesigned interface, new presets and upgraded image processing algorithms. It is available as a free upgrade for existing users or $49.99 for first-time buyers.
March 1, 2010
Canon announces firmware update for EOS 5D Mark II
Canon has announced the long awaited, videorelated firmware for its EOS 5D Mark II will be available from mid-March. Firmware version 2.0.3 enables full 1080p HD video recording at 24, 25 and 29.97fps to match the PAL and NTSC broadcast standards. It also adds a new histogram display while shooting movies and allows users to manually control sound recording levels. Audio sampling frequency has also been increased to match broadcast material standards.
Sony Semiconductor's latest online newsletter gives an in-depth explanation of its 10.34MP 1/2.3" type back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor. The IMX050CQK is designed for low-light photography and has been incorporated in many of the company's recent CMOS sensor equipped cameras including the Cyber-shot TX5, HX5 and Ricoh CX3 compacts. Another paper in the issue talks about how its supporting processor can offer high speed videos, full HD video recording and decreased power consumption.
After a brief online campaign, US-based company Noktor has announced its first product: the HyperPrime 50mm f/0.95 lens for Micro Four Thirds cameras. This ultra-fast manual focus lens with manual aperture control bears an uncanny resemblance to the Senko 50mm f/0.95 C-mount CCTV lens and shares almost all of its vital specifications. The company, that appears to be registered to a residential property in Canton, Georgia will start shipping the lens from April 15, 2010 at a retail price of $750.
Canon has posted updates for several camera software programs including the 'Digital Photo Professional' Raw conversion software. The latest version of DPP extends support to the recently released EOS T1i/550D DSLR and comes with a new image rotation tool. The updated versions of the other pieces of software including EOS Utility and Picture Style Editor also extend support to the EOS T1i/550D DSLR. The updates can be downloaded from the DSLR support pages of individual cameras from Canon's website.
February 26, 2010
Sigma launches interactive website with lens finder
Sigma US has revamped its website with new interactive features. It now includes a Lens Finder section that is aimed at guiding users to select the right lens according to their camera system, price and skill level. Other features include a photo share gallery, blog and social media tools.
Storage device manufacturer Sanho has announced the HyperDrive Album, a portable backup device that can preview RAW files from digital cameras. It's claimed to offer UDMA transfer speeds of 40MB/s, backing up 2GB of data in a minute. Featuring a 4.8" WVGA preview LCD and CF/SD memory card slots, it also includes built-in data recovery tools and a longer-lasting battery that promises up to 200GB of backups per battery charge. The HyperDrive Album is available in 640GB, 500GB, 320GB, 250GB and 160 GB storage capacities - or buy the device on its own and install your own hard disk.
February 25, 2010
UK Photo competition offers chance to win EOS DSLR
The UK government funded Science: [So what? So everything] campaign has announced a photo competition with a chance to win a Canon EOS 500D digital SLR and lenses worth £1150. To enter the Living Science competition, UK residents above 18 years of age are required to submit a photograph accompanied by a brief description to illustrate the 'life-changing impact of medical science'. The competition will run until March 11, 2010.
Just posted! Our lens review featuring Nikon's re-mastered version of its professional workhorse fast telezoom, the AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm F2.8 G ED VR II. When we reviewed its predecessor a couple of years ago we were mightily impressed by its performance on DX cameras, but rather less so on the then-new FX format. On its release Nikon claimed the new version was designed to address such concerns, and give 'excellent edge to corner quality on today’s FX format cameras' - so does the lens live up to its billing?
Two weeks after releasing Aperture 3, Apple has released an update to its raw-conversion and photo management software. Version 3.0.1 improves overall stability and fixes a number of bugs. The update can be accessed via the Software Update feature or is available for immediate download from Apple's website.
February 24, 2010
Pentax unveils Optio W90 rugged compact camera
Pentax has released the Optio W90 rugged compact sporting a tougher body than its predecessor, the W80. It is designed to be dustproof, waterproof up to 6 meters, coldproof down to -10°C (14°F) and shock-resistant for drops of up to 1.2 meters. An interesting Digital Microscope mode claims to deliver magnified images of tiny objects aided by three LED lights in front of the lens barrel. The camera features 12MP sensor, 28-140mm equivalent lens, 2.7" LCD and includes HD video recording and pet detection that apparently 'makes it simple and effortless to capture the delightful faces of active pets.'
Pentax has released the X90 superzoom with 26x optical zoom lens. Featuring the same 12MP image stabilized sensor inherited from the previously released X70, it offers a slightly longer zoom range at 26-676mm equivalent, an electronic viewfinder with dipotre adjustment and a longer lasting battery. Rest of the features mirror the X70 including the 2.7 inch LCD, P/A/S/M exposure modes and HD video recording.
Samsung Electronics has confirmed its planned merger with Samsung Digital Imaging, which will bring the Korean conglomerate's camera division under the same roof as its other consumer electronics businesses such as mobile phones and printers. From April 1, 2010, the camera business will become part of Samsung Electronics with an objective 'to increase management efficiency of the digital camera business and to maximize synergy between businesses'. A year ago the imaging division spun-out from the company's affiliated machinery division, Samsung Techwin, to form an independent camera and optical devices company. Since then it's released a series of ambitious new products, including the mirrorless interchangeable-lens NX system and the enthusiast-orientated TL500/EX1 recently unveiled at PMA.
February 23, 2010
Novoflex shows adapters for Samsung NX
PMA 2010: Novoflex has unveiled a series of mount adapters for Samsung's NX mirrorless cameras. The German manufacturer is showing nine adapters to various lens mounts, including Sony Alpha, Pentax K, Olympus OM and Leica R. There is also a Nikon F mount adapter featuring the aperture control ring the company includes on its Micro Four Thirds to Nikon F adapter. So far there are no details on price or availability.
Samsung wants to 'own' the mirrorless camera sector, according to Seung Soo Park, Samsung’s Vice President, Strategy Marketing and Digital Media. This will include enhanced communication with customers and firmware updates for its cameras based on their requests, he said, in an exclusive interview with dpreview.com.
Samsung wants to 'own' the mirrorless camera sector, according to Seung Soo Park, Samsung’s Vice President, Strategy Marketing and Digital Media. This will include enhanced communication with customers and firmware updates for its cameras based on their requests, he said, in an exclusive interview with dpreview.com.
Nikon will provide a better balance between resolution and high ISO image quality than in the recently launched D3S, according to Nobuaki Sasagaki, General Manager of the Marketing Department of Nikons Imaging Division, speaking in an exclusive interview with dpreview.com.
Source: Debbie
Olympus is still committed to the Four Thirds DSLR standard and will continue to develop it in tandem with its Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras, says the company's US DSLR product manager. 'We still plan to develop full size DSLRs and both, side-by-side' John Knaur told dpreview.com.
