What's New - November 2009
November 26
Test shots posted for 
Sony A550!
We've just posted a full set of test shots taken with the Sony A550 digital SLR camera. The Alpha A550 is based around a 14-megapixel Sony Exmor CMOS image sensor, with ISO sensitivity ranging from a minimum of 200 to a maximum of 12,800 equivalent. The Sony A550 features a 3.0-inch, articulated LCD display which can be tilted vertically upwards or downwards, with a resolution of 922K dots. The Alpha DSLR-A550 is capable of shooting bursts of five frames per second through the optical viewfinder, or four frames per second in live view mode, and offers an additional burst mode which allows an impressive seven frames per second with either the viewfinder or live view - the slight catch being that focus and exposure are locked from the first frame. The Sony DSLR-A550 also offers some unique features, such as an in-camera handheld HDR mode which captures two images and micro-aligns them in-camera, then combines them into a single image with increased dynamic range. See our Sony A550 Hands-on Preview for more details, and the Sony A550 samples page for all the test images we've shot, including links to select RAW files. Happy Thanksgiving!
November 25
Review posted for 
Nikon Coolpix P90!
Long zoom cameras don't get much longer than the Nikon P90's 24x optical zoom lens; and it's a versatile zoom that starts at an impressive 26mm and zooms to an eye-popping 624mm equivalent. Sensor-based vibration reduction keeps the image stable, and the Nikon P90's 12-megapixel sensor delivers prints up to 11x14 inches. The Nikon P90's 3-inch tilting LCD allows easier capture when shooting low or from overhead, and a special Sports Continuous mode allows for reduced resolution capture at up to 15 frames per second. The Nikon P90 is an attractive and enjoyable digital camera to use, but does the image quality measure up? Read our review of the Nikon Coolpix P90 to find out.
November 21
Review posted for 
Canon PowerShot G11!
Giving ear to your most ardent supporters is always a good idea when planning new products, and that's just what Canon did with the Canon PowerShot G11. That change in focus brought back the articulating LCD that was sorely missed by many G-series fans. Canon also took a bold step and reduced the resolution from 14-megapixels to 10, all in an effort to make the Canon G11 a better low-light camera rather than an unnecessarily high-resolution design that struggled to strike a balance between noise and its suppression. Our printed results show that Canon succeeded in reducing chroma (color) noise in the Canon G11's images well enough to produce images of about the same size, but with less noise and less blurring from noise suppression overall. Lens quality is still quite excellent, with minimal chromatic aberration and excellent sharpness in the corners, also likely a result of the switch to a 10-megapixel sensor. The Canon G11 is a joy to use, with its manual EV compensation and ISO dials, articulating LCD, and extremely capable design. Click here to read our Canon PowerShot G11 Review for more on this fine camera.
November 17
First Test Shots posted for 
Pentax K-x!
We've just posted our first set of test shots taken with the Pentax K-x digital SLR camera. The Pentax K-x replaces last year's K2000 model in the company's lineup, and takes some of the impressive features from the K-7, and places them in a more consumer-friendly body whose design is almost unchanged from that of the K2000. The main changes in the Kx are a new image sensor and processor, Pentax's 11-point SAFOX VIII AF module, the addition of both live view and 24fps high-definition video capability, and significant boosts to the camera's maximum shutter speed (1/6000), ISO sensitivity (up to ISO 12,800) and burst-shooting (4.7 fps) capabilities. The Pentax K-x also includes the unusual high dynamic range mode that debuted in the K7, and retains the company's wide range of filter effects and custom image modes, as well as in-camera Raw processing capability. See our Pentax K-x Hands-on Preview for more details, and the Pentax K-x samples page for all the test images we've shot so far, including links to select RAW files.
November 13
Express Review posted for 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1!
The Panasonic ZS1 looks like a simple pocket digicam, but when you turn it on you find a very wide-angle 25mm lens that zooms optically 12 times, out to 300mm equivalent. That makes using the Panasonic ZS1 a pleasant surprise. In terms of optical and sensor quality, the Lumix ZS1 is essentially identical to the very popular and more expensive ZS3, but without a few niceties that you may or may not want (like HD video). If still photography is your only requirement, the Panasonic ZS1 is an excellent choice, and offers VGA and WVGA video as well. The Panasonic ZS1's optical image stabilization is rock solid, and low ISO images print well up to 16x20-inches without sharpening. Click here for our Express Review of the Panasonic Lumix ZS1.
November 10
Express Review posted for 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20!
Not quite shirt-pocketable, the small and light the Sony H20 packs a 10x zoom into a design that's fun to use and takes great shots too. Its 10-megapixel sensor impresses with good image quality, and the Sony H20's autofocus speed rivals some digital SLRs. We were particularly impressed with its sharp corners at wide-angle, and its image quality was good enough for 13x19-inch prints. Though it doesn't have the widest wide-angle lens, the Sony Cyber-shot H20 ranges from 38 to 380mm, a very long telephoto for such a small camera. Clearly we were impressed by the Sony H20's capabilities, and pleased to see that it has a 720p HD movie mode to boot. Its reasonable price is our final amazement, making it a clear Dave's Pick. Click here for our Express Review of the Sony H20 digital camera.
November 9
Express Review posted for 
Nikon Coolpix S630!
The Nikon Coolpix S630 aims high with 7x optical zoom, a 12 megapixel sensor, an updated processor, and updated image stabilization technology. The Coolpix S630 digital camera also has face, smile, and blink-detection technologies for better automated control while portrait shooting. The Nikon S630 is capable of producing good snapshots under most average shooting conditions, and offers a continuous shooting option that can capture up to 11 fps. The Nikon S630 is attractive and easily portable, and worth a closer look. Click here for our Express Review of the Nikon Coolpix S630.
November 6
Accessory Review: 
Cotton Carrier
There are two kinds of camera accessories. Some are designed by people sitting in Herman Miller chairs running CAD programs all day. They produce things that sound like great ideas but end up in the drawer before the credit card bill shows up. The other kind are designed by photographers who are trying to solve a problem that vexes them. Sometimes the photographer has an expertise that extends beyond duct tape and a really useful solution finds its way to the rest of us. Although we had our doubts about the Cotton Carrier concept, we very quickly found out this was the second kind of solution built by a guy who is way beyond duct tape. Read our Cotton Carrier review for the whole story.
November 5
Hands-on Preview posted for 
Olympus E-P2!
Olympus has today announced its second Micro Four Thirds-system digital camera, the E-P2 - and we've just posted our Olympus P2 hands-on preview. The Olympus E-P2 is closely related to its predecessor, the popular Olympus P1 - a camera we recently reviewed. The most significant change is the addition of an accessory port underneath the flash strobe, which is used to provide for accessories including a shoe-mount electronic viewfinder that's provided in the product bundle, and an external microphone jack adapter that's an optional extra. Alongside the launch of its new E-P2 "Digital Pen", Olympus has announced two new lenses that are slated to ship in the first half of 2010. These include a super wide-angle zoom, the M. ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 9-18mm f4.0-5.6, and a high-power wide to telephoto zoom, the M. ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-150mm f4.0-5.6. For more details on the camera, read our Olympus P2 preview.
November 2
Express Review posted for 
Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS!
If ease of use, great quality, and pocketability are what you're looking for in a digital camera, the Canon SD1200 offers up all three at a low price. Optical Image Stabilization, advanced Face Detection, and a Smart Auto mode take away most of the work of taking pictures. And, the beauty of it is, you can trust the PowerShot SD1200 to do a great job in most situations, and serve up excellent prints at home or at the photo lab. Click here for more on the Canon SD1200.
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Top 3 photos this month win:
1 Canon PIXMA Pro 9000 Mark II
2 Canon PIXMA MG8220
3 Canon PIXMA MG6220
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