What's New - October 2009

 

 

October 30

Full Review posted for Nikon D3000!
The Nikon D3000 is the replacement for the Nikon D40 and D60 digital SLR cameras, inheriting some features from each, including a 10-megapixel sensor, a simplified control interface, and a small body. The Nikon D3000 kit includes a Vibration Reduction zoom lens in place of the older ED lens that shipped with the D40. The D3000's special Guide mode is designed to make shooting in special circumstances a little easier for novices, and the Nikon D3000 includes an 11-point AF system for better coverage of the image area. Small and affordable, the Nikon D3000 takes up the mantle of one of Nikon's best selling digital SLR cameras, but does the mantle fit? Click here for our full review of the Nikon D3000 digital SLR.

 

October 23

First test shots posted for Canon PowerShot S90!
We've just posted the first set of test shots for the Canon PowerShot S90, straight from the lab. The Canon S90 takes much of the PowerShot G11's feature set, and puts it into a more compact, pocket-friendly package. The Canon S90 uses the same lower-res 10.0 megapixel imager, but drops some of the telephoto reach, instead including a stabilized 28 - 105mm equivalent 3.8x optical zoom. The S90 also replaces the G11's tilt/swivel screen with a larger 3.0-inch fixed position LCD display. See our Canon S90 Preview for more details, and the Canon S90 samples page for all the test shots we've taken so far, including links to select RAW files. Stay tuned for more PowerShot S90 test shots in the coming days!

 

October 22

Review posted for Canon PowerShot SX1 IS!
Tuned for both stills and video, the Canon PowerShot SX1 continues a long line of Canon long-zoom digital cameras, but with a new twist: it uses a 10-megapxiel CMOS sensor instead of a CCD. Though this doesn't seem to improve the Canon SX1's image quality, it does enable both "Full HD" 1080p video capture and a still-image framerate of up to 4 frames per second. Its 20x zoom lens has a very useful range from 28 to 560mm equivalent, and the Canon SX1's utility is further enhanced with a 2.8-inch, wide-screen, swiveling LCD for easier image composition from odd angles. Very well built, the Canon SX1 is also fairly expensive. Is it worth the extra money? Click here for our review of the Canon PowerShot SX1 IS.

Accessory Review: Lensbaby Fisheye & Soft Focus Optics
Lensbaby has expanded its Optic Swap system with two intriguing new additions. While they aren't identical twins, the Fisheye optic and Soft Focus optic will change the perspective of anyone who adopts them. The company offered us the chance to babysit the new brood for a couple of weeks before they made their debut at PhotoPlus Expo. And we had a ball. See our full review at http://www.imaging-resource.com/ACCS/LFS/FESF.HTM.

Software Preview: Inside Adobe's Lightroom 3 Beta
Adobe has posted a Lightroom 3 beta release that targets image quality and performance improvements. The public beta does not require a Lightroom license but it does have some stiff system requirements. That's the performance part. The image quality part includes new code for noise reduction and sharpening that's so different the company has versioned the image edits. Lightroom will, that is, tell you which version of the image processing code it used to process your image. And you can switch between them on the fly. For a preview of the beta, read our overview Inside Adobe's Lightroom 3 Beta.

 

October 21

First gallery shots posted for Nikon D3S!
We've just posted a gallery of sample images shot on the new Nikon D3S digital SLR with production-level firmware. The samples were captured just a few hours ago during a Nikon press event set at a circus dress rehearsal. The gallery contains 31 Nikon D3S sample images, and we'll hopefully be following up with sample movies during the day tomorrow. (We'd hoped to have them up tonight, but Dave's hotel internet connection wasn't up to the task, and the local coffee shop closed before the transfers could complete. Ah well - such is life!) ;-) Announced just a week ago, the Nikon D3S is based on the company's previous D3 design. Image resolution is unchanged at twelve effective megapixels, but the CMOS image sensor and EXPEED image processor are both new designs. This has allowed Nikon to significantly expand the camera's ISO sensitivity range, as well as add a new high-definition 24 frames-per-second 720p (1,280 x 720 pixel) movie mode. Nikon has also included its Dust Reduction System in the D3S, making the camera its first full-frame model to include both a 100% coverage viewfinder and dust reduction functionality. For more details, read our Nikon D3S preview!

 

October 15

First test shots posted for Canon PowerShot G11!
We've just received a Canon G11, and have posted the first set of our test shots from it right away. The Canon PowerShot G11 retains similar styling to the PowerShot G10, but takes an important step in the direction of sanity by reducing the sensor resolution from 14.7 to 10.0 megapixels. This should help the Canon G11 offer improved dynamic range, reduced image noise and better low-light performance. The PowerShot G11 also features a 2.8-inch tilt/swivel LCD display in place of the G10's 3.0-inch fixed panel, raises the flash sync speed to 1/2000 second, and adds high-definition HDMI output connectivity. See our Canon G11 Preview for more details, and the Canon G11 samples page for all the test shots we've taken so far, including links to select RAW files. Stay tuned for more G11 test shots in the coming days!

Update 10/21/09: Added remaining test shots. We now have our complete set of standard test shots posted for the Canon G11.

 

October 14

Express Review posted for Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX1!
The Sony WX1 is one unique digital camera that will let you take sharp pictures indoors and at night, using a novel approach to low-light shooting: It rapidly snaps six images and stacks them up, aligning them right in the camera resulting in one low-noise image that's good enough to make an 11x14-inch print. The Sony WX1 does other tricks too, building a panorama out of hundreds of images, allowing you to just press the shutter and pan. No tedious stepwise panning as in other digital cameras, just one sweep that takes mere moments. And if that weren't enough, you can even capture a 10-frame per second sequence of images at the full 10 megapixels. Of course, the Sony WX1 also has face detection, smile detection, a 24-120mm lens, and HD movie capability, all in a tiny digital camera whose main drawback is that it may be too hard to hold! Click here for our review of the Sony WX1.

 

October 13

Review posted for Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1!
SLR quality in a digicam-size package comes to the enthusiast digital photographer in the form of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1. Packing a larger sensor into a small body, the Panasonic GF1's images are impressive, rivaling today's best digital SLR cameras, with excellent detail and low noise. To rival SLR digital cameras properly, of course, the Panasonic GF1 needs interchangeable lenses, and Panasonic delivers some of the finest optical performance we've seen from the Lumix GF1's two available kit lenses. In addition to 12-megapixel stills, the Panasonic GF1 can record HD movies of pretty high quality. Coming in at about the same weight and size as its main rival, the Panasonic GF1 is nonetheless faster than the Olympus E-P1; though what the two cameras share is a lens mount and adapters that allow mounting of quite a wide range of Four Thirds and other lenses. There's a lot to cover with the Panasonic Lumix GF1, so click here for our full review of this exciting Micro Four Thirds digital camera.

 

October 9

First Test Shots posted for Sony A230!
We've just posted a full set of test shots taken with the Sony A230 digital SLR camera. The Alpha A230 is Sony's new entry-level SLR offering an APS-C sized 10.2 megapixel image sensor with in-body image stabilization. The sensor resides behind a Sony Alpha (Minolta A) lens mount, and the Sony A230 is capable of shooting at 2.5 frames per second. Other features include ISO sensitivity from 100 to 3,200, shutter speeds from 30s to 1/4000s plus bulb, improved Dynamic Range Optimization, a nine-point autofocus system, and a 2.7-inch LCD. See our Sony A230 Preview for more details, and the Sony A230 samples page for all the test shots, including links to select RAW files.

 

October 6

Express Review posted for Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX1!
The Sony Cyber-shot TX1 may be our new favorite T-series ultra-slim digital camera, but it's hard to pick just one reason. Is it the insanely slim, tapered body? The Sony TX1's surprisingly usable touchscreen? Or perhaps the Sony TX1's extra-sensitive 10-megapixel Exmor R sensor that allows such impressive low light photography? The 4x zoom ranges from 35 to 140mm equivalent, and the Sony Cyber-shot TX1's movie mode can record up to 720p HD movies with sound. What sealed our fondness for the Sony TX1 was certainly the Handheld Twilight and Anti-Motion Blur modes that quickly capture and combine six images into one sharp, low-noise image. The Sony TX1 is one fine little camera, sure to meet the needs of anyone who wants to get good snapshots indoors and at night. Click here to see our review of the Sony TX1.

 

October 5

Review finalized for Canon Rebel T1i!
Canon's 15.1-megapixel Rebel T1i has most of what's great about the EOS 50D in a smaller body, making it the the most advanced Rebel to date. As consumer digital SLR camera choices go, the Canon T1i is a safe bet, with a 3-inch, high-res LCD, an optically image-stabilized zoom lens, a 3.4 frame-per-second frame rate, and built-in HD movie recording capability. The Canon T1i's still-image performance surpasses all contenders at this price point, as well as many higher-priced digital SLR cameras, with not just high resolution, but impressive high-ISO performance. For the first time, a Rebel can go above ISO 1,600, all the way up to 12,800, and the Canon T1i's image quality beats the EOS 50D at this setting, making a decent 5x7-inch print. Overall, the Canon T1i is a very well-rounded digital SLR camera, with plenty to offer amateur, intermediate, and professional photographers. Click here for our full review of the impressive Canon Rebel T1i.

 

October 2

Review posted for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35!
Few long zoom digital cameras are as well-received as the Panasonic FZ line, and that trend continues with the Panasonic FZ35. As we expected, the Panasonic FZ35 is one fine digital camera, with a great lens, good image quality, and more than a few smart features. With a zoom range from 27 to 486mm, the Panasonic Lumix FZ35 will meet just about every need you have on your next outing, and do it in a small package weighing less than a pound. New to the line is HD video capture, allowing up to 1,280 x 720p movie capture, complete with stereo sound. A stack of scene modes, face detection, and several Intelligent exposure modes round out the Panasonic FZ35's features, but it's the relative speed and printed image quality of this digital camera that impressed us so. Click here for our review of the Panasonic Lumix FZ35.

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