Archive for November, 2006
The D40’s new Retouch menu offers exclusive in-camera image editing features that add to the D40’s “fun factor†by providing greater creativity without the need for a computer. Included in the Retouch menu is Nikon’s D-Lighting, which brightens dark pictures and Red-eye correction that automatically detects and corrects red eye – a common condition that occurs in flash photography. Image Trim allows for creative cropping of an image and creates smaller files for easy e-mailing. Other creative features include Image Overlay, Small Picture, Monochrome (Black-and-white, Sepia, Cyanotype) and Filter Effects (Skylight, Warm filter, Color balance).
The D40 comes packaged with the new 3X zoom 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor lens that assures superb picture sharpness and optimum contrast, along with the versatility to capture everything from tight portraits to wide-angle landscapes. The D40 is also compatible with all of Nikon’s AF-S and AF-I Nikkor lenses*.
For flash photography of subjects at greater distances, the newly announced, light and ultra-compact SB-400 Speedlight proves to be a perfect companion to the D40, providing a simple solution for adding more power and bounce flash capability. Keeping with the D40’s remarkable ease of use the SB-400 Speedlight is as simple as sliding it on, turning it on and shooting.
Specification
* 6.1 effective megapixels
* 3 area Multi-cam 530 AF system
* ISO sensitivity range ISO200 to ISO1600 plus HI-1(equivalent ISO3200)
* SDHC compatible
* File formats - Compressed NEF or Jpeg
* 2.5inch LCD screen
* Compatible with Nikon F mount with AF coupling and AF contactsType G or D AF Nikkor Nikon AF lenses.
* 3D colour matrix metering II, and centre-weighted or spot metering modes
* Exposure metering range - EV0 to EV20 with 3D colour matrix or centre weighted metering EV2-EV20
* Exposure compensation up to +/-5EV in 1/3 stop steps
* Shutter speed range - 30secs to 1/4000sec and bulb
* Flash synch up to 1/500sec
* Flash compensation -3 to +1EV in 1/3rd steps
* Rechargeable EN-EL9 Li-ion battery (MH-23 charger)
* Dimensions126 x 64 x 94mm (5.0 x 2.5 x 3.7 in.)
* Weight - 475g without battery
The Olympus Stylus 600 features a 6.0-megapixel CCD, 3x lens, an all-weather body design, and compact size. It also introduces an innovative help system that should inspire its competitors. While it lacks both sound recording and an optical viewfinder, it does provide a large and bright 2.5-inch LCD monitor to compose images. Like other Stylus Digital models, the fully automatic system requires very little user intervention and has only a handful of creative options, but has the benefits of 24 preset Scene modes, including a QuickTime Movie mode. The all-weather body can withstand water spray from any direction, but isn’t meant to be fully submerged in water. Still, rubber seals and a separate plastic chassis inside the metal body provide excellent protection against water splashes and rain. As long as you keep it from getting completely submerged, you needn’t worry about taking this camera to the beach, on ski trips, sailing trips, etc.
ALL-WEATHER PROTECTION.
Protective seals and a durable design will relegate the weather to being the last thing on your mind.
A BRIGHT IDEA.
Bright Capture Technology means taking pictures in that dark club is never out of the question.
PREMIUM-SIZED LCD.
With every shot this big 2.5″ view will remind you why we take pictures and movies in the first place.
26 SHOOTING MODES.
Dazzle yourself with 26 different shooting options, then impress your friends by showing the results.
TRUEPIC TURBO.
With the exclusive TruePic TURBO image processor the Stylus 600 is able to deliver high-performance results with the speed and image quality to back it up.
BUILT-IN HELP GUIDE.
Finding the shooting mode best suited for the shot is as easy as consulting the built-in guide.
The Olympus Stylus 600 features:
* 6.0 million pixels
* BrightCapture Technology for better framing and better image results in low light including a special mode that reduces the possibility of image blur
* 6.4cm / 2.5†LCD Weatherproof* metal body in Navy Blue, Ruby Red or Arctic Silver
* 3x zoom lens 1:3.1-5.1 (equiv. to 35-105mm in 35mm format)
* 23 scene modes plus Programme Auto
* TruePic TURBO Processor
* Movie function up to memory capacity
* Macro and Super Macro mode (from 7cm)
* PictBridge compatible
* Multi-language menu plus possibility to download further languages from the Internet through the Olympus Master software.
* Histogram function in shooting mode and playback
* Special editing functions to enhance images and to add creative effects: e.g. red-eye-fix, adjust brightness and insert frame and/or title
The Sony DCR-DVD201 is Sony’s most advanced DVD camcorder this year, though that might not be saying much. The DCR-DVD201 is outfoxed in low light performance by all other DVD camcorders this year, except the DCR-DVD201, from which it offers some imager upgrades.
The DCR-DVD201 ships with a 1/5 inch CCD with 1.07MP gross, more than any other DVD camcorder this year, though Hitachi’s DZ-MV580 comes close with 960K. But, something about the DZ-MV580’s 1/3.8 inch CCD yields superior low light performance. The DCR-DVD101 only has a 1/6 inch (680K) CCD.
TECH SPECS
Format: DVD-R, DVD-RW (8cm)
Lens: f/1.8-2.3, 3.2-32mm, 10:1 optical zoom, 25mm filter diameter
Image sensor: 1/5-inch CCD
Gross pixels: 1,070,000 pixels
Video effective: 690,000 pixels
Still effective: 1,000,000 pixels (1 megapixel)
Viewfinder: color LCD (123,000 pixels)
LCD viewscreen: 2.5-inch color LCD (123,000 pixels)
Focus: auto, manual
Anamorphic 16:9: yes
Image stabilization: electronic
Exposure: auto, manual, presets
Minimum shutter speed: 1/4 (automatic)
Maximum shutter speed: 1/4,000 (automatic)
Iris Control: automatic
Electronic Gain: yes
Zebra Stripes: no
Night Mode: IR illuminated
White balance: auto, outdoor, indoor, hold
Audio: Dolby Digital AC-3, 2-channel
Microphone input: 1/8-inch mini
Inputs: S-video, composite video, stereo audio, USB 2.0
Outputs: S-video, composite video, stereo audio, USB 2.0
Edit interface: USB 2.0
Other features: progressive shutter, visual index, Super Nightshot plus, ImageMixer authoring/editing software
Dimensions (w x h x d): 2 1/4 by 3 1/2 by 5 3/8 inches
Weight: 1 lb. 2 oz. (sans tape/battery)
Introducing 2GB storage capacity in its xD-Picture Card™ range, PNY now meets all customers’ needs: digital camera owners can now take 1,000 shots (with a camera resolution of 8 megapixels) with an Olympus digital still camera in HQ mode (the default high-quality image setting).
The development of advanced video-recording functions in digital cameras and the desire for higher digital picture quality means a demand for larger memory. Olympus plans to apply this high-capacity technology to develop the xD-Picture Cardâ„¢ for Olympus digital cameras with memory capacities eventually reaching up to 8GB.
PNY xD-Picture Cardâ„¢ Type M can be widely found both online and on the highstreet.
All PNY xD-Picture Cardsâ„¢ offer the exclusive Olympus panorama option.
Model Design / Appearance
The E-400 looks like many typical DSLRs, but smaller. The shallow handgrip is significantly responsible for the small appearance. The E-400 is mostly plastic, but Olympus uses heavy, thick material. Like other models, the E-400 feels solid. Though we examined a prototype, the fit and finish were excellent.
Size / Portability
The E-400 is 5.1 x 3.5 x 2 inches, and 13 oz., which is very small for a DSLR. It’s still a DSLR, though, and we expect most users will need a separate camera bag, particularly if they add an additional lens and flash into their kit. The E-400 will be comfortable on a neck strap.
The E-400 should have better environmental seals than it does. Though its sturdy construction should prevent dust from entering though joints between structural elements, the ports and doors are not well-sealed, and the camera needs the typical level of care for a DSLR.
Handling Ability
The E-400 is small enough that a fair portion of users will find it cramped. The handgrip particularly feels tiny. We didn’t get the firm grip we wanted with our right hand, and found a need to rely on our left hand to maintain our grip on the E-400. That’s unusual – we find it typical to hold a camera with our right hand, and simply brace it, for steadiness, with our left.
Control Button / Dial Positioning / Size
Olympus tends to be careful with their control buttons – they’re well-made, they feel good to use, and they seem durable. The buttons on the E-400 fit in this laudable tradition.
A symptom of the E-400’s small size is that the buttons are close together. The E-400 has only one control dial, so it is necessary to turn it while pressing a button to access various functions, and that’s hard when everything is so close together. We prefer 4-way controls that are built as a single dish which rocks in two directions, but the E-400’s 5-button configuration works well. The buttons are large enough but close enough together to be easy to operate quickly, without making it likely to hit two buttons at once.
Menu
Olympus burdens its DSLRs with very long menus. On the E-400, there are fewer than on some other models, but they are split into 5 tabs: 2 for shooting parameters, one for playback and two for setup. Still, the tabs for setup scroll down to reveal their long lists of content.
In shooting mode, a large set of parameters appear on the LCD, and can be adjusted directly. The include exposure, exposure mode, ISO, white balance, which balance fine-tune, color mode, exposure compensation, flash exposure compensation, autofocus mode and pattern, color space, filename, memory type, file format and quality, and the number of frames left.
The first remarkably affordable high-magnification zoom lens, which has been designed specifically for use with Nikon digital SLR sensors, offers exceptionally high-quality optical performance. This compact and lightweight 7.5x zoom lens has a focal length of 18-135mm, which makes it suitable for a wide variety of situations ranging from tight sports, action and portraits to wideangle landscapes. ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass and two hybrid aspherical lens elements ensure superb optical performance and high-resolution high-contrast images. Nikon\’s exclusive compact SWM (Silent Wave Motor), which is built into the lens, offers smooth and exceptionally quiet and fast autofocus performance.
Features
* Specially designed and optimized for Nikon digital SLRs
* Dust and Waterproof rubber sealing mount
* High optical performance by aspherical lenses and ED glass elements
* Built-in SWM for ultra-fast, ultra-quiet operation
* M/A mode for quick switching between autofocus and manual operation
* Lightweight and compact design
Includes:
* AF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED Zoom-Nikkor Autofocus Lens
* AF-S 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED Zoom-Nikkor Autofocus Lens
* EN-EL3a Rechargeable Li-ion Battery
* Quick Charger (MH-18a)
* USB Cable
* Video Cable
* Carry Strap
* Body Cap
* Eyepiece Cap
* Accessory Shoe Cover
* Rubber Eyecup
* CD-ROM
* Nikon Limited 1 Year Warranty
The new HP Designjet Z Photo Printer Series expands HP’s professional printing portfolio for creative professionals with an automated, intuitive experience in image reproduction. Leveraging HP Vivera pigment ink technology (introduced with the HP Photosmart Pro B9180), together with new built-in color management technologies and an intelligent ink delivery system, the HP Designjet Z Series produces exquisite, museum-quality photographs – print after print.
The industry’s first-ever embedded spectrophotometer greatly simplifies accurate colormatching for the HP Designjet Z2100 8-ink and HP Designjet Z3100 12-ink printers – bringing to life true, vivid colors with the touch of a button. Professionals ultimately save time and effort as they can easily and consistently produce the colors they envision, time and time again.
Using HP Vivera pigment inks, the HP Designjet Z Photo Printer Series ensures unparalleled photo permanence – 200-plus years lightfastness(1) – on a wide variety of HP media. There are also 11 new HP media offerings to round out the total portfolio to more than 30 choices, further expanding flexibility and creative opportunities. As the first large-format printers (24″ and 44″) to employ HP’s Scalable Printing Technology, the HP Designjet Z Photo Printer Series provides superior reliability and optimized ink consumption. Even switching between matte and glossy printing is now
possible without swapping ink cartridges and wasting time and ink to reconfigure the printer.
HP Designjet Z Z2100 features :
• The HP Designjet Z Photo Printer Series delivers a streamlined, automated color experience with museum-quality output.
• The HP Designjet Z2100 8-ink photo printer is an ideal solution for photographers, graphic designers, architects and commercial printers in need of high-quality, largeformat prints and proofs. The HP Designjet Z2100 features HP Vivera pigment inks that include Three-Black inks.
• The HP Designjet Z3100 12-ink photo printer, ideal for creative professionals in photography, digital fine arts and pre-press, offers extended capabilities for museumquality color and black-and-white prints on a wide variety of media, including fine art and glossy media. The HP Designjet Z3100 features additional HP Gloss Enhancer, and HP Vivera pigment inks including HP Quad Black inks.
Panasonic introduced the new Panasonic Lumix 6 Megapixel, f/2.8 3x optical zoom (equivalent to 35 mm to 105 mm on a 35 mm film camera) Leica DC lens Panasonic DMC-FX3 featuring MEGA O.I.S.(Optical Image Stabilizer) and max. ISO 1600 high sensitivity mode (Not including Macro Mode). Panasonic has long led the industry with its incorporation of an optical image stabilization system, MEGA O.I.S., into even its compact range of cameras. This system produces no deterioration of picture quality and has now become a standard feature for all digital cameras in the market. Now the new Panasonic FX3 also benefits from a High Sensitivity mode which allows shooting at a maximum sensitivity setting of ISO 1600.
The 6 Megapixel Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FX3 features 3x optical zoom (equivalent to 35 mm to 105 mm on a 35 mm film camera) f/2.8 Leica DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens housed in a compact body. The lens part comprises of seven elements in six groups, incorporating three aspherical lenses to generate high resolution images with richer gradation. The zoom ratio can be extended up to 4.1x in 3 Megapixel resolution mode thanks to the Extra Optical Zoom function which gives extra magnification (and minimal image deterioration) by intentionally using the centre part of the CCD.
With its multi-task image processing capabilities, the Venus Engine Plus boasts excellent response time with a shutter release time lag of only 0.006 sec. and a shutter interval of 0.7 sec. In the burst shooting mode, it is possible to shoot at three frames per second in full resolution. The Panasonic DMC-FX3 enables easy capture of those spur-of-the-moment shots. The Panasonic FX3 also allows unlimited consecutive shooting up to the capacity of your SD/SDHC Memory card. Despite the high performance mentioned above, the Panasonic DMC-FX3 achieves long battery life to shoot approx. 320 pictures (CIPA) on a single charge.
The new 7.1-megapixel Kodak EasyShare Z710 is another camera appreciated for its 10X optical zoom lens which didn’t produce much distortion. However the Z710 fails to impress overall as it lacks image stabilization, has a top ISO of just 400, LCD is small too and it also suffered from slow performance.
The Kodak EasyShare Z710 has some decent specs on it and one will come across a 10X optical zoom, 7.1 Megapixels image sensor and a SCHNEIDER KREUZNACH VARIOGON lens. One also comes across a 2 inch indoor/outdoor color display and this new feature, which lets one, stored their preferred images on the camera by using the Favorites feature. Via the on-camera Share button one can print, e-mail, and organize pictures by a single click of a button.Some other nifty features found on the camera include cropping, a live histogram, and a capture grid line display.
Kodak EasyShare Z710 Features
*10X SCHNEIDER-KREUZNACH VARIOGON Optical Zoom Lens
*7.1 MP camera for prints up to 30 × 40 in. (76 × 102 cm)
*KODAK Color Science Chip
*Picture enhancing features
*18 scene and 3 color modes
*PASM
The Nikon Coolpix S7c improves upon the already slick line of wireless digital cameras with some startling new features. The S7c allows for wireless image transfer like previous models, but the Coolpix Connect service takes things a step further. With Coolpix Connect, a free service, users can instantly e-mail photos to friends via an in-camera address list, provided they are in range of an open Wi-Fi access point. Truly remarkable. The S7c also has Face-Priority AF, ensuring crisp portraits of your friends and family.
Specifications:
* 7.1 megapixels
* Wi-Fi capable (instant printing, instant e-mailing using Coolpix Connect service)
* Vibration reduction
* 3x optical zoom / 4x digital zoom
* Auto focus, auto exposure
* ISO 50-1600
* 3.0-inch LCD display
* JPEG file format
* Secure Digital card storage (14MB internal)
* Movie mode with sound
* Lithium-ion battery