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May 2009 News Archive

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Last Update: 01 October 2009

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Thursday, 28 May 2009 - Sony announce the Cyber-Shot W180 and W190 compact cameras
Sony announce the family and travel friendly Cyber-Shot W180 and W190 digital compact cameras. These models are slim and are available in three colours. There key features are:

• 10 / 12 megapixels (W180 / W190)
• 3x Optical zoom lens
• Face Detection
• Steady Shot Image Stabiliser
• Scene Selection Mode

For further information on the Cyber-Shot W180 and W190 cameras read here.

Wednesday, 27 May 2009 - Canon Enables Manual Exposure in Video on EOS 5D Mark II
United Kingdom / Republic of Ireland , 27th May 2009: Canon announced today it will release a firmware update for the EOS 5D Mark II allowing users to manually control exposure when shooting video. The new firmware will be available for download from 2 June 2009 on Canon Europe’s support web site.

Following the launch of the EOS 5D Mark II in September 2008, Canon’s Research and Development team has listened closely to customer feedback to develop additions to the camera’s movie recording functionality.

Allowing EOS 5D Mark II owners to achieve even more stunning video results with the camera, the firmware update will include the following manual controls when shooting video:

• Full aperture selection
• ISO speed: Auto, 100 – 6400 and H1
• Shutter speed: 1/30th – 1/4000th second

The EOS 5D Mark II integrates full HD movie capability into a high-end 21.1 Megapixel camera; opening a multitude of new possibilities for photo-journalists and news photographers. Since its launch the camera has proved its appeal to professionals working in diverse fields, from studio and wedding to nature and travel. Now, following customer feedback, Canon has improved functionality for professional video users, further unleashing the potential of the EOS 5D Mark II for cinematographers and photographers alike.

Tuesday, 26 May 2009 - Panasonic updates firmware for Lumix G Vario 14-45mm lens
A new firmware is released for the Lumix G interchangeable lens LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S.(H-FS014045). Users will be able to download the latest firmware ver.1.1. The firmware includes improvement of auto focus performance in AFC mode for taking photos. It also enhances performance of auto focusing and stability of O.I.S.(Optical Image Stabilizer) while reducing noise of aperture control for taking movies when mounted on DMC-GH1(Except for FHD mode).

The new firmware will be available worldwide at GMT: 6:00 25th of May, 2009 at http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/.

Sunday, 24 May 2009 - Photography Tip of the Day
If your camera can store photos in the RAW format then make use of it. With an image saved in RAW it allows getter flexibility over the JPEG format when it comes to image editing or enhancing and it ensures you get the best quality possible out of your camera. Image editor applications are improving with time and you may very well find that a RAW image that you captured some years ago looks better reprocessed through a modern package and no doubt images captured now may gain from image processing improvements in the future.

Thursday, 21 May 2009 - Panasonic announces the new Class 10 SDHC Memory Cards
Panasonic is pleased to announce that it will launch new SDHC Memory Cards with Class 10 speed specification in Europe and other markets from the end of May, 2009. Class 10 is a new speed specification standardized by SD Card Association as part of SD Card Specification Ver.3.0 to meet the requirement for higher resolution consecutive shooting and large-sized high definition video shooting.

As an example of sequential writing of 3 frame/sec.(1 frame=3MB), the class10 card enables to write out large amounts of data continuously up until the card is fully written without missing any shots or writing stops. The Panasonic GOLD line series will be the world’s first memory cards[1] to adopt this new speed class. The new series will be available in the following four models: RP-SDW04G(4GB) / RP-SDW08G(8GB) / RP-SDW16G(16GB) / RP-SDW32G(32GB).

Wednesday, 20 May 2009 - Pentax announces the K-7 DSLR camera
The Pentax K-9 is a high specification K series digital SLR. The K-7 introduces several improvements over the previous high end DSLR, the K20D. The key features of this camera are as follows:

• Durable body
• Compact size
• Near 100% optical viewfinder
• High speed continuous shooting of 5.2fps
• New DRII dust reduction mechanism
• New Prime II image processing engine
• New 77 segment multi pattern metering
• Improved SR mechanism
• HD movie recording at 1280 x 720 pixels at 30fps
• Live View with Face Recognition
• New 11 point wide frame AF sensor array
• AF Focus aid light

For more information on the Pentax K-7 read here.

EA Comments: The K-7 comes with an impressive specification that is sure to grab the attention of many. It looks to be a significant upgrade compared to the K20D and like many of the more recent DSLRs it features movie recording capability. One advantage over the competition is its relatively compact size in which its dimensions are approaching those of the entry level cameras. This looks to be a serious photographic tool that can be used in a variety of environments with its weather sealed body.

Wednesday, 20 May 2009 - Pentax announces new weather resistant lenses
Pentax introduces two compact weather and light weight resistant lenses; the smc Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL WR and the smc Pentax DA 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED WR. Both lenses have been treated with Pentax's SP (Super Protect) coating which is designed to repel dust, water, and grease. The weather resistant constructed body is designed to minimise the intrusion of water and moisture into the lens barrel.

Read more  about these weather resistant Pentax DA lenses here.

Tuesday, 19 May 2009 - Panasonic announces the world's lightest full HD camcorders
The HDC-SD10 and the HDC-TM10 fit into the palm of your hand and weigh only 230g. The SD10 records on to SD/SDHC memory cards and the TM10 has an internal 8GB memory and added provision for SD/SDHC memory storage. The key features are:

• Light weight and compact size

• HD 1920 x 1080 movie recording

• AF/AE Tracking

• Twin Memory Recording (TM10)

• Advanced O.I.S (Optical Image Stabiliser)

• 16x Optical Zoom Lens

• Intelligent Auto (iA) feature

For more information on the HDC-SD10 and HDC-TM10 read here.

Monday, 18 May 2009 - Sony announces four new DT lens and a compact Flashgun
The four new lens are designed to complement the Sony Alpha DSLRs and are aimed at the keen photographer or those news to DSLRs. The lenses are:

• DT 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 SAM lens
• DT 55-200mm f/4-5.6 SAM lens
• DT 50mm f/1.8 SAM lens
• DT 30mm f/2.8 1:1 Macro SAM lens

These lenses feature a built in autofocus motor termed Smooth Autofocus Motor (SAM).

The HVL-F20AM is an ultra compact flashgun designed to complement the new Alpha DSLRs  with its light and pocketable dimensions but can also be used as a wireless controller for the A900.

Key Features:

• Bounce Flash
• Guide number 20
• Wireless Controller
• Compact size

For more information on the DT lens and Flashgun read here.

EA Comments: It is good to see that Sony has finally introduced lower range lenses with built in autofocus motors. The performance of the SAM ( Smooth Autofocus Motor) technology is not yet known but I would hope it out performs the existing in body AF system and is not far off the performance of the SSM technology used on the premium lenses.

Monday, 18 May 2009 - Sony announces three new Alpha DSLRs
The A230, A330 and the A380 are direct replacements for the old A200, A300, and A350 models but maintain their base specification with enhancements. Both the A230 and A330 feature a 10MP sensor where as the A380 features the 14MP sensor.

Key Features:

• Re-styled bodies with more compact dimensions
• Dual MS Pro Duo and SDHC memory card slots
• New user interface
• HDMI output terminal

Read more details on the new entry level Alpha DSLRs here.

EA Comments: Sony seem to indicate a change in focus with their product line with these new DSLRs. Unlike there previous generation they are very much aimed at those new to DSLRs with controls designed to be as user friendly as possible. The fact that they are smaller and lighter than their predecessors will be welcome by many. There are a number of enhancements but it is worth noting that they now use a smaller lower power battery and have done away with compact flash memory storage in favour of MS Pro Duo and SDHC cards. This is no bad thing for someone moving up from a compact camera but for those looking for a low cost backup camera will find they will have to carry two sets of batteries and two sets of memory cards.

Thursday, 14 May 2009 - Sigma DP2 Compact Digital Camera now available in the UK
Sigma Imaging (UK) Ltd is pleased to announce that the DP2 compact digital camera is now available from retailers in the UK with an SRP of £599.99.

The Sigma DP2 Compact Digital Camera with 14mp APS-C imaging sensor features:

• 14 megapixel Foveon X3 Direct Image Sensor
• TRUE II Image Processing Engine
• 24.2mm f/2.8 lens designed exclusively for the DP2
• Exclusive Sigma Photo Pro Software
• RAW and JPEG format recording

The DP2 will be selling alongside the Sigma DP1 and offers new features such as a 41mm (35mm equivalent) f/2.8 lens and a faster, TRUE II, processing engine.

Since the DP2’s announcement at Photokina 2008, several new features have been added to the camera including 3200 ISO and a Quick Set button allowing users to quickly access the eight most commonly used options in the camera. A new, improved version of Sigma PhotoPro software is bundled with the camera which will also open Foveon’s RAW images from previous Sigma digital cameras.

Two new dedicated accessories for the DP2 are also available. These are the VF-21 Viewfinder what carries a suggested retail price of £114.99, and the HA-21 Hood adapter with a SRP of £19.99.

The DP1 and DP2 are still the only compact digital cameras to feature an APS-C sized Foveon image sensor allowing SLR quality images from a pocket size camera. Read more about the Sigma DP2 here.

EA Comments: This looks to be an interesting product especially for those who do not demand the need for a zoom lens. The 24.2mm lens produces the equivalent of 41mm lens (on the 35mm format) which makes it suitable for tackling a variety of subject matters and should be more practical than the 28mm lens on the Sigma DP1. No doubt the big advantage over the standard digital compact cameras is the Sigma DP2's use of an APS-C sized sensor which should mean lower image noise and improved detail among other improvements. The movie mode has limited resolution by modern standards. Where most manufacturers are moving toward HD resolution the DP2 is limited to QVGA (320 x 240). The movie mode should be regarded as an added bonus rather than a must have feature on a camera designed with the photographer in mind. I look forward to reviews.

Thursday, 14 May 2009 - Panasonic DMC-TZ7 Limited Edition
Panasonic is pleased to announce the addition of a new colour option to the highly regarded DMC-TZ7 camera. Heading up the Lumix range of compact cameras, the TZ7 is already available in black, silver or brown and this stunning model will be available in a limited edition striking red – for those looking for the ultimate in colour co-ordination.

Offering all of the features that Panasonic’s multiple award winning TZ range of cameras is renowned for – including a remarkable 12x optical zoom in a compact, stylish body and 25mm ultra wide angle lens – the TZ7 goes one step further to offer AVCHD Lite motion picture recording, making the TZ7 a truly versatile proposition.

Red was a favoured choice for a compact camera according to Panasonic’s recent international research. In line with this, the limited edition TZ7 boasts a vivid, vibrant red – a real show stopper! Available now for a limited period, Panasonic’s new DMC-TZ7 red is the perfect accompaniment this summer!

Sunday, 10 May 2009 - Photography Tip of the Day
Before adjusting the focal length on a zoom lens consider the required perspective rather than just the field of view in order to get the shot you want.

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