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March 2009 News Archive

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Last Update: 01 October 2009

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Tuesday, 31 March 2009 - Olympus announces the E-450 DSLR
Olympus has today announced the E-450 DSLR. The E-450 builds on the success of the E-420 with an improved image processor, 3 Art Filters, and larger continuous shooting buffer for RAW files.The E-450 has a 10MP sensor with a light sensitivity range from ISO 100 to 1600. Read the press release and specification.

Feature List

10 megapixel Live MOS 4/3 sensor
TruePic III+ Image Processor
Live View with Face Detection
49-segment digital ESP meter
ISO Sensitivity from 100 to 1600
3.5fps with up to 8 frames in the RAW buffer
Supersonic Wave Filter for dust protection

EA Comments: The E-450 is one of the most compact of DSLRs and at a body weight of only 380g (body only) it is going to be comfortable for many to carry around at leisure. The 10MP imaging sensor is not large by modern standards but in practice it is gives more resolution than many will require but is still sufficient for doing A3 prints.

Wednesday, 25 March 2009 - Canon announces the EOS 500D DSLR
Canon has today announced the EOS 500D which features a 15.1MP CMOS sensor and the capability to record full HD 1080p video. The ISO sensitivity ranges from ISO 100 to 3200 with 14 bit image processing. The EOS 500D can shoot a burst of up to 170 jpegs. The same high resolution 3" screen as used on the EOS 5D II is employed for high quality image playback. As with the EOS 450D the 9 point AF sensor array is again employed but the central sensor has added sensitivity for f/2.8 lenses.

Feature List

15.1 megapixel CMOS APS-C sensor
DIGIC 4 Processor
14bit A/D Converter
Full HD 1080p video recording at 20fps
ISO 100 - 3200 (expandable to 12800)
Automatic Lighting Optimizer
35 zone evaluative metering system
3 inch LCD screen with 920,000 dot resolution
Live View mode and Face Detection
3.4 fps continuous shooting

EA Comments: The Canon EOS 500D continues the recent trend of adding video recording capability to a DSLR. Like the other DSLRs with video recording only manual focus can be used during video recording. Only the Panasonic GH1 is the exception to this at this time. The 15.1MP CMOS sensor matches that provided on the EOS 50D and I would expect similar image quality at the very least. At full HD recording the frames per second is limited to just 20 fps and I suspect most users will use the lower 720p setting at 30fps for a smoother video recording. No doubt the EOS 500D will compete against the Nikon D90 which provides a slightly lower image capture resolution (12MP) but possibly a better built body. I expect the EOS 500D to be a very capable camera.

Tuesday, 24 March 2009 - Tamron announces the 60mm f/2 macro lens
Tamron has announced the development of a 60mm f/2 macro lens designed specifically for DSLRs with the APS-C sized sensor. The SP AF60mm f/2.0 Di II LD (IF) Macro 1:1 covers an equivalent viewing angle of 93mm lens (on the 35mm format). The maximum aperture of f/2.0 is a stop faster the more typical f/2.8 macro lenses. The lens features a working distance of 100mm to keep a reasonable distance from a subject and help avoid the lens casting a shadow.

Specification

EA Comments: I expect that this lens will come in very handy for those who wish to travel light and have limited space in their camera bag. Not only will it be used as a macro lens but with its fast optics and focal length it may also see use as a portrait lens.

Sunday, 15 March 2009 - Photography Tip of the Day
For an important shoot check that there are no dust spots on the sensor of your DSLR by stepping down the aperture to f/16 (or smaller) and taking a shot against a plain background.

Saturday, 7 March 2009 - Sony announce the Cyber-Shot DSC-HX1 digital camera
Sony has announced the Cyber-Shot DSC-HX1. Featuring technology from it's Alpha range of cameras, the HX1 has an Exmor imaging sensor (9 megapixels) for improved sensitivity and reduced noise at high ISO. The zoom lens is derived from the G lens technology (as used in the high specification premium Alpha lens) for optimum image quality and covers the equivalent focal range from 28mm to 560mm (x20). Optical image stabilisation is provided.

The HX1 features Sweep Panorama Technology to make construction panoramics simple, Face Recognition as well as Face Detection, a 3" articulating LCD monitor and Intelligent Scene Recognition. The HX1 captures movies in 1080p HD at 30fps with audio in stereo. For more information read the press release and specification.

EA Comments: This looks to be a very promising camera. It has a surprising high continuous shooting mode of 10fps which will be useful for sports assuming the autofocus is up to the task. The 9MP resolution looks limited compared to some of the competition but in practice many will find it more than enough for most purposes. The HD movie mode may give less reason not to carry a separate camcorder. It is yet to be seen how much control is offered during actual movie recording. The only thing I'd see missing from this camera is that there is no raw mode for saving photos. This would of ensure the very best image quality is derived from the Exmor sensor. However, I must concede that the omission is understandable as the camera is not (intentionally) aimed at the semi pro market but I would like to think a higher spec' model is in the works. The G classified 28-560mm (35mm equivalent) zoom lens is optically fairly fast at f/2.8 to f/5.2 and should benefit the autofocus as well as delaying the need to boost the ISO in declining lighting conditions.

Photography Tip of the Day
Be the intelligence behind the camera. As good and sophisticated as modern day cameras are the technology can't tell you what makes a great photo.

Tuesday, 3 March 2009 - Panasonic announces the Lumix DMC GH1 digital camera
Panasonic announce the Lumix DMC GH1 digital camera. This camera is an upgrade of the earlier G1 model and features a 12.1MP 4/3 CMOS sensor with the provision for a video recording mode that records in high resolution full HD 1920x1080 at 24fps movies or smooth HD 1280x720 at 60fps movies in the AVCHD format.

The GH1 has the now standard features of Intelligent Auto (iA), Intelligent Scene Selector, and Intelligent ISO Control (EA: That's a lot of intelligence). The camera features the Venus Engine HD Image Processor with dual CPUs for faster data processing. As well as Face Detection there is also Face Recognition technology.

Two new lens have been designed for the GH1: The kit lens: LUMIX G VARIO HD 14-140mm/F4.0-5.8 ASPH./MEGA O.I.S. kit lens boasts a focal length of 28-280mm (35mm camera equivalent) and supports the continuous AF function of the contrast AF system for both photos and movies.

Monday, 2 March 2009
Following on from the 4/3 micro format Samsung have announced its NX series technology for digital cameras which employs an APS-C sensor but with no mirror box in front. Image viewing would be via an electronic viewfinder.
EA Comments: This surely must mark the start of similar camera technology from the likes of Sony, Canon and Nikon.  

From the 3rd to the 5th March the Photo Marketing Association (PMA) show will held at the Las Vegas Convention Centre. EA Comments: Lets hope for some significant advancements in digital camera technology.

Start of another month - 1 March 2009
March is here already and the weather is clearly showing signs that winter is not yet over. However, the days are getting lighter and that can only be a good thing.

One seasons and another begins - 26 February 2009
The winter is coming to an end and if you were hiding in doors avoiding the cold well now is the time to get out and about and capture the seasonal change.

Photography Tip of the Day
Take the time to know the main features of your camera and how they work. It will save you time and grief in the long run.

FOCUS - On - Imaging Expo
The Photography Expo at the Birmingham NEC has ended for another year but despite current economic problems the turnout seemed as good as the previous year. It was good to see Sony presenting its Alpha range of cameras and the a900 DSLR no doubt generated a lot of interest.

The Canon and Nikon stands as usual were busy but I could not help feeling Nikon was doing better with people crowding around to listen to the presentations from guest photographers.

The was a time when I considered the convergence printers (printer, scanner, copier, and fax machine) were too compromised to be of much use but the demo I had of the latest Epson PX range of printers.

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