What's New - September 2010

 

September 27

Review posted for Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5!
In the battle for supremacy raging between high-quality pocket digital cameras and high quality mirrorless digital cameras, only two cameras are already considered legendary, and only one of those still has an f/2.0 lens: the Panasonic LX5. Its small Leica-like body actually includes a Leica-branded lens, now with a longer zoom, and both its f/2 lens and its 10-megapixel sensor are tuned for better image quality in low light. A 3-inch LCD and small, lightweight body round out the package, but it's the image quality and camera design that make the Panasonic LX5 special. Unlike many other recent camera designs the Panasonic LX5's low-light prowess and image quality is not dependent on special multi-shot modes, it just comes down to a refined sensor design and a fast, high-quality lens. Click here for our review of the Panasonic LX5 digital camera.

 

September 25

Accessory Review: Lensbaby Composer with Tilt Transformer!
The Optic Swap system comes to mirrorless compacts -- and brings Nikkors along with it. Lensbaby didn't just revamp the Composer for Micro Four Thirds cameras (and Sony NEX cameras soon). It split the Composer in half, adding a Nikon F mount on the front for a unique tilt perspective to selective focus. We tried both flavors on an Olympus PEN E-PL1, shooting both stills and movies. And while we're still a little dizzy from the effort, we've posted our Lensbaby Tilt Transformer review with a gallery of sample shots.

 

September 21

Hands-on Preview posted for Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2!
Panasonic Consumer Electronics Co. has today taken the wraps off its Lumix GH2 single-lens direct view camera, and we've just published our hands-on Panasonic GH2 preview. Externally, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 is quite similar to its predecessor, the GH1, with only relatively subtle tweaks to control layout. Under the skin, though, the Panasonic GH2 sports a new 18-megapixel multi-aspect Live MOS image sensor, whose output is piped through the latest iteration of Panasonic's image processor, now dubbed "Venus Engine FHD". The combination allows the Lumix GH2 to shoot full 1,920 x 1,080 HD video with a sensor output of up to 60p. The new processor in the Lumix DMC-GH2 has three CPUs, and allows speed improvements in other areas as well. The Panasonic GH2 offers full resolution sensitivities ranging from ISO 160 to 12,800 equivalents. The Venus Engine FHD processor also allows faster burst shooting, with the GH2 now able to shoot at 5 frames per second at full resolution using the camera's mechanical shutter, and as fast as 40fps at 4 megapixels when using an electronic shutter. For more details, read our Panasonic GH2 hands-on preview.

First Shots posted for Nikon Coolpix P7000!
We've just posted test shots for the Nikon P7000! The Nikon P7000 is an entirely new design inside and out, with its heart being a a 10.1 effective megapixel CCD image sensor that rolls back the megapixel rating slightly in favor of improved noise characteristics. This sits behind an optically stabilized 7.1x zoom lens with a focal length range equivalent to 28 to 200mm on a 35mm camera. The Coolpix P7000 features Nikon's EXPEED C2 image processor, which allows an ISO sensitivity range of 100 to 6,400 equivalents at full resolution. It also provides for 720p high-def video capture, full resolution burst shooting is possible at 1.3 frames per second, and startup in just 0.9 seconds. The rear panel of the Nikon P7000 provides both an optical viewfinder, and 3.0-inch LCD panel with a resolution of 921,000 dots. The P7000 also includes full manual shooting capability, an external flash hot shoe, and a popup flash strobe. See our Nikon P7000 Hands-on Preview for more, and click on the Samples tab to see all the test shots we've taken so far.

 

September 15

Hands-on Preview posted for Nikon D7000!
Nikon Inc. has today announced its new D7000 digital SLR, a major update to 2008's D90 model (which will remain in the product line). The heart of the D7000 is a newly developed, DX-format CMOS image sensor with 16.2 effective megapixel resolution, coupled to Nikon's latest-generation EXPEED 2 image processor. The pairing allows the D7000 digital camera to provide ISO-equivalent sensitivities from 100 to 6,400, expandable as high as ISO 25,600 equivalent at full resolution. The D7000 also sports a newly developed 39-point autofocus system with nine cross-type points at the center of the frame, and a new 2,016 pixel RGB metering sensor. The Nikon D7000 further improves upon the D90's feature set with an uprated H.264 / MPEG-4 AVC Full HD (1,920 x 1080 pixel) high definition movie mode with external stereo microphone connectivity, and an updated viewfinder that now provides 100% coverage. Click here to read our Hands-on Nikon D7000 Preview for more!

 

September 14

Hands-on Preview posted for Olympus E-5!
Olympus Imaging America Inc. has today unveiled its new flagship E-5 single-lens reflex digital camera, a replacement for the 2007-model Olympus E-3. Seen from the front or above, the weather-sealed magnesium alloy body of the Olympus E-5 looks very similar to its predecessor, but from other angles there are numerous changes, and these are continued on the inside. The most noticeable external change is a switch to a larger 3.0-inch tilt/swivel LCD panel on the back. On the left side, there's a new HDMI high-def video output port, and a 3.5mm microphone jack that hints at another big feature change -- the Olympus E-5 is the first E-series digital SLR to include video, thanks to an AVI Motion JPEG 720p HD movie mode. The Olympus E-5 also includes a new 12.3 megapixel Live MOS image sensor with slightly increased resolution, a lower-strength optical low-pass filter, and a new generation TruePic V+ image processor with moire and false-color removal function. Read our Olympus E-5 Hands-on Preview for more details.

 

September 9

Preview posted for Pentax K-r!
The K-r includes a couple of firsts for Pentax's digital SLR lineup, as well as a number of important features that set it above the K-x, alongside which it will continue to be sold for the time being. Perhaps the most noteworthy upgrade in the Pentax K-r is its viewfinder focus point display, a feature whose conspicuous absence we questioned in our K-x review. The Pentax K-r also incorporates a larger, higher-resolution LCD display like that previously seen in the K-7. Among the new features for the K-r, it sets a new high for burst shooting speed in a Pentax digital SLR, at six frames per second. Maximum expanded ISO sensitivity from a newly developed sensor is also increased to ISO 25,600 equivalent. The Pentax K-r also offers dual battery support in-body -- either a provided lithium ion rechargeable pack, or four AA cells with an adapter. See our Pentax K-r Preview for all the details.

First Shots posted for Canon PowerShot S95!
We've posted a full set of test shots for the Canon PowerShot S95, straight from the lab. The Canon S95 updates last year's S90 model, a psychologically important camera for the company, as it took its first steps in trying to roll back the worst excesses of the megapixel race. The Canon S95 retains the same ten megapixel sensor and bright 3.8x optical zoom lens from its predecessor, as well as the same 3.0-inch LCD. The body of the PowerShot S95 is also nearly unchanged. The most significant differences in the S95 are a new 24 fps high-def 720p movie mode with stereo sound, mini HDMI connector, and support for SDXC cards. See our Canon S95 Preview for more details, and the Canon PowerShot S95 samples page for all the test shots we've taken, including links to select RAW files.

 

September 8

Hands-on Preview posted for Nikon Coolpix P7000!
The Nikon P7000 is an entirely new design inside and out, with its heart being a a 10.1 effective megapixel CCD image sensor that rolls back the megapixel rating slightly in favor of improved noise characteristics. This sits behind an optically stabilized 7.1x zoom lens with a focal length range equivalent to 28 to 200mm on a 35mm camera. The Coolpix P7000 features Nikon's EXPEED C2 image processor, which allows an ISO sensitivity range of 100 to 6,400 equivalents at full resolution. It also provides for 720p high-def video capture, full resolution burst shooting is possible at 1.3 frames per second, and startup in just 0.9 seconds. The rear panel of the Nikon P7000 provides both an optical viewfinder, and 3.0-inch LCD panel with a resolution of 921,000 dots. The P7000 also includes full manual shooting capability, an external flash hot shoe, and a popup flash strobe. See our Nikon P7000 Hands-on Preview for more.

 

September 7

First Shots posted for Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5!
We've just posted test shots for the Panasonic Lumix LX5, straight from the lab. Compared to its predecessor, the Panasonic LX5 has an all-new lens, sensor, and image processor, among many other changes to the camera's image quality and handling. The new 1/1.63-inch CCD image sensor offers 10.1 effective megapixel resolution, and includes dual microlenses. The LX5's sensor has larger microlenses with smaller gaps on both layers, and also increases well depth for improved dynamic range and reduced high-ISO noise. The Lumix LX5 couples its imager with a more sophisticated Leica DC-Vario Summicron branded 3.8x optical zoom lens that has bright maximum apertures varying from f/2.0 at the generous 24mm-equivalent wide angle, to f/3.3 at the moderate 90mm telephoto. See our Panasonic Lumix LX5 Preview for more details, and the Panasonic LX5 samples page for all the test shots we've taken so far, including links to select RAW files.

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