Digital Camera Reviews

Leica R-9 Series SLR Line

2009-03-19T09:26:00.000-07:00

More about Leica R-Series..
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0903/09030501leciarsystemdiscont.asp
http://www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/index-frameset.html?LeicaR.html~mainFrame

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

2009-02-15T23:33:00.000-08:00

The 5D Mark II, which punches high in terms of both resolution and features, headlining: 21 megapixels, 1080p video, 3.0" VGA LCD, Live view, higher capacity battery. In other words, a camera that aims to leapfrog both its direct rivals, either in terms of resolution (in the case of the D700) or features (in the case of the DSLR-A900). Full detail below.

Key features / improvements

21 megapixel CMOS sensor (very similar to the sensor in the EOS-1Ds Mark III)
Sensor dust reduction by vibration of filter
ISO 100 - 6400 calibrated range, ISO 50 - 25600 expansion (1Ds Mark III & 5D max ISO 3200)
Auto ISO (100 - 3200) in all modes except manual
3.9 frames per second continuous shooting
DIGIC 4 processor, new menus / interface as per the EOS 50D
Image processing features:
- Highlight tone priority
- Auto lighting optimizer (4 levels)
- High ISO noise reduction (4 levels)
- Lens peripheral illumination correction (vignetting correction)
RAW and SRAW1 (10 MP) / SRAW2 (5 MP)
RAW / JPEG selection made separately
Permanent display of ISO on both top plate and viewfinder displays
AF micro adjustment (up to 20 lenses individually)
Three custom modes on command dial, Creative Auto mode
Image copyright metadata support
98% coverage viewfinder (0.71x magnification)
3.0" 920,000 dot LCD monitor with 'Clear View' cover / coatings, 170° viewing angle
Automatic LCD brightness adjustment (ambient light sensor)
Live view with three mode auto-focus (including face detection)
No mirror-flip for exposures in Live View if contrast detect AF selected
Movie recording in live view (1080p H.264 up to 12 minutes, VGA H.264 up to 24 mins per clip)
Two mode silent shooting (in live view)
New jump options in play mode
HDMI and standard composite (AV) video out
Full audio support: built-in mic and speaker, mic-in socket, audio-out over AV (although not HDMI)
IrPort (supports IR remote shutter release using optional RC1 / RC5 controllers)
UDMA CompactFlash support
New 1800 mAh battery with improved battery information / logging
New optional WFT-E4 WiFi / LAN / USB vertical grip
Water resistance: 10 mm rain in 3 minutes

Via. Dpreview.com
Via. Letsgodigital.com

Firmware updates for Panasonic DMC-G1

2009-02-10T09:43:00.000-08:00

Joint update service for Four Thirds lenses for Panasonic DMC-G1 camera body users, and provides a link to the page explains the same for Olympus camera body users.

The following services are available for improvements on performance, operability, and compatibility in the digital interchangeable lens system camera and lens.

Click here for download the firmware of DMC-G1

Panasonic Lumix G1 review

2009-02-09T10:14:00.001-08:00

Panasonic Lumix G1 digital system camera review : Right before the Photokina 2008 kicked off, Panasonic surprised the whole world, and most certainly Olympus as co-believer in the Micro FourThirds System, with the introduction of the world's first digital camera based on the new Micro FourThirds System.

Surprising, since the system was only announced worldwide a few weeks ago, and no one was expecting a new model this fast. An astonishing achievement by Panasonic, and the LUMIX DMC-G1 soon became a hot topic of the Photokina 2008.

Shop Lumix G1

Via. Letsgodigital.com
Via. Dpreview.com

Pentax K2000 first look

2009-02-09T09:48:00.001-08:00

The K2000's 10.2MP CCD sensor offers enough resolution to allow for decentsized prints, even after cropping. Its pixel count is in line with the competition, such as the Canon EOS Rebel XS, Nikon D60, Olympus E-420, and Sony Alpha 200.

The K2000's ISO range of 100-3200 offers 1 stop more than Pentax's K200D ($600, body only; $635 with the same kit lens). And while the 2.7-inch 230,000-dot LCD isn't extravagant, it's big enough to check your framing and change settings.

Specifications:
10.2 effective megapixels
10.2 megapixel CCD sensor offers superior image resolution with maximum control over noise.

Ultra-compact, lightweight design
One of the smallest and lightest available designs makes the K2000 perfect for spontaneity. Easy one-handed operation with a comfortable carrying weight makes transitioning from a point and shoot trouble-free.

PENTAX Auto Picture
Expect the right exposures with the settings you want. Auto Picture mode automatically calculates photographic factors to pick the best picture mode, optimizing the camera settings for any situation.

Scene modes
Ten intuitive Scene modes offer point-and-shoot ease by further optimizing the camera for common situations and subjects.

2.7 inch LCD monitor
A 2.7 inch high-resolution, wide-view LCD monitor beautifully displays your pictures, and provides intuitive, easy-to-read menus.

PENTAX-developed body-based Shake Reduction
With body-based Shake Reduction, the PENTAX SLR system will stabilize your shots, providing maximum flexibility with no compromise in optical quality. It increases your handheld shooting shutter speed range by 2.5 to 4 stops for blur-free pictures, and is compatible with every PENTAX lens ever produced.

Help Button
Leave the manual at home. The dedicated and reprogrammable Help Button on the K2000 is like having a built-in user’s guide. It clearly explains camera settings to ease the transition from compact photography to DSLR mastery.

Dust Alert function
Dust Reduction and Dust Alert features eliminate the need for time-consuming retouching by minimizing dust and determining if and where any dust remains after the system is activated.

Pentax Real IMage Engine (PRIME)
PRIME image processing engine maximizes image properties and allows custom adjustment of image parameters, such as truer color tones, a wider dynamic range, and natural-looking high ISO images.

Full backward lens compatibility
PENTAX has manufactured over 25 million lenses in the last six decades; all DSLR bodies offer backward compatibility with every one.* Whichever lens is used, whether a most recent lens or a classic screwmount, it will faithfully capture the image desired.
*With adapter for screwmount and 645/67 lenses.

Custom IMage modes
Custom IMage modes, with six preset options, offer superior control of how the PRIME processor develops images, and can be further modified to meet your needs. Get beautifully processed images in any shooting condition.

AA battery compatibility
Approximately 1,650 images can be taken when using AA size lithium batteries due to their energy-saving design. (Four Energizer lithium batteries are included with each camera.) Plus, AA power can be found anywhere in the world.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28 10.1 megapixel

2009-02-09T09:05:00.001-08:00

Specifications
Sensor • 1/2.33" sensor
• 10.7 million total pixels CCD
• 10.1 million effective pixels
• Primary Color Filter
Image stabilization • Lens-shift
• MEGA O.I.S. (Auto/Mode1/ Mode2)
Image sizes

4:3 Aspect Ratio:
• 3648x 2736 pixels
• 3072 x 2304 pixels
• 2560 x 1920 pixels
• 2048 x 1536 pixels
• 1600 x 1200 pixels
• 640 x 480 pixels

3:2 Aspect Ratio:
• 3648x 2432 pixels
• 3072 x 2048 pixels
• 2560 x 1712 pixels
• 2048 x 1360 pixels

16:9 Aspect Ratio:
• 3648 x 2056 pixels
• 3072 x 1728 pixels
• 2560 x 1440 pixels
• 1920 x 1080 pixels
Movie mode • QuickTime Motion JPEG
• 4:3 Aspect Ratio: 640 x 480 pixels 30 fps or
• 320 x 240 pixels 30 fps/10 fps
• 16:9 Aspect Ratio: 848 x 480 pixels 30 fps
• HD（16:9 Aspect Ratio）: 1280x720 pixels 30fps
Output formats • JPEG ( Exif 2.21 standard)
• RAW
Image processor Venus Engine IV
Lens • 18x zoom
• f=4.8-86.4mm (35mm Equiv.: 27-486mm)
• LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT
• 11 elements in 8 groups
• 3 Aspherical Lenses / 4 Aspherical surfaces
• 2 ED lenses
• Wide: F2.8 - F8.0 Tele: F4.4 - F8
Focus modes • Normal
• Macro
• Quick AF
• Continuous AF
• Manual Focus (Joystick)
• One Shot AF
• AF Area Select
• AF Tracking
AF assist lamp Yes
Shooting modes • Intelligent AUTO
• P(Program) mode
• A(AperturePriority) mode
• S(Shutter Priority) mode
• M(Manual) mode
• Custom1
• Custom2
• Portrait mode
• Scenery mode
• Sports mode
• Night Portrait mode
• Close-up mode
• Motion Picture
• Scene mode
Scene modes

• Party
• Candle Light
• Baby1
• Baby2
• Pet
• Sunset
• High sensitivity
• Hi-Speed Burst
• Flash Burst
• Panning
• Starry Sky
• Fireworks
• Beach
• Snow
• Aerial photo
• Pin Hole
• Film Grain

Advanced Scene Mode:
• Portrait mode: Normal, Soft Skin, Outdoor, Indoor, Creative
• Scenery mode: Normal, Nature, Architecture, Creative
• Sports mode: Normal, Outdoor, Indoor, Creative
• Night Portrait: Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Illuminations, Creative
• Close-up: Flower
Metering • Intelligent Multiple
• Center Weighted
• Spot
AE Bracketing +/- 1/3 EV ~1EV step, 3 frames
Exposure compen.

• +/-2 EV
• 0.3 EV increments
Sensitivity

• Auto
• 100
• 200
• 400
• 800
• 1600
• High Sensitivity Mode : Auto(1600 - 6400)
Shutter speed

• P: 1-1/2000sec (Selectable minimum shutter speed)
• A/S: 8-1/2000sec
• M: 60-1/2000sec
• Starry Sky Mode : 15, 30, 60sec.
Aperture values • Wide: F2.8 - F8.0 Tele: F4.4 - F8
White balance • Auto
• Daylight
• Cloudy
• Shade
• Flash
• Halogen
• Color Temperature
• White Set 1
• White Set 2
• White Balance Adjustment
Drive modes

• Single
• Continuous
Burst speed

• 2.5 frames/sec Max. 5 images (Standard), Max 3 images (Fine)

High-speed Burst Mode:
• approx.11 frames/sec (recorded in 3M for 4:3)
• 12 frames/sec (2.5M for 3:2)
• 13 frames/sec (2M for 16:9) (Speed Priority)
• 7 frames/sec (recorded in 3M for 4:3, 2.5M for 3:2, 2M for 16:9) (Image Priority)
Self-timer 10 sec. / 2 sec.
LCD monitor • 2.7"
• 230K dots
• Field of View : approx. 100%
• AUTO Power LCD mode
Viewfinder EVF
Flash • Auto
• Auto/Red-eye Reduction
• Forced On
• Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction
• Forced Off
• Flash Synchro 1st / 2nd
• Flash output Adjustment (1/3EV step, -2 - +2 EV)
FLash coverage 0.3 - 8.5m (Wide/Macro/ISO Auto), 1.0 - 5.4m (Tele/ISO Auto)
Connectivity

• DC Input
• AV Output (NTSC/PAL)
• HD AV Output (Component)
• USB2.0 High speed
Storage • SD Memory Card
• SDHC Memory Card
• MultiMediaCard (Still image only)
• Internal Memory (approx. 50 MB)
Power • Li-ion Battery Pack (7.2V, 750mAh)
• Battery life: 460 pictures (CIPA standard)
• AC Adaptor (Input: 110-240V AC) (Optional)
Dimensions 117.6 x 75.3 x 88.9 mm
Weight (with battery) Approx. 417 g

Images of Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28

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