Canon PowerShot G7
Canon has officially announced the PowerShot G7, the latest camera in the G-series which was last updated with the launch of the G6 way back in 2004. I thought that the G-series was going to die, as it was considered a strange bridge between a high end digital camera buyer, and an entry level digital SLR buyer, which was a quickly closing niche, but in all their wisdom, Canon has come out with what sounds like a pretty solid camera.
The new features of the G7 include a 10 megapixel CCD sensor, 6x optical zoom lens, and hardware optical image stabilization. Canon also decided to drop the G6’s 2-inch foldout LCD screen, instead providing a fixed 207,000 pixel 2.5-inch screen.
The G7 is different on the inside as well, with a Digic III image processor that is in every way better than the Digic II, and provides ISO 1600 picture taking. The PowerShot G7 also has an impressive 1024 x 768, 15fps video capture mode.
“In the PowerShot G7 we have created the ultimate prosumer compact digital camera for the discerning hobbyist, the photo enthusiast and for those who require uncompromising photo quality for business and industrial applications,” states Yukiaki Hashimoto, senior vice president and general manager of the consumer imaging group at Canon U.S.A., Inc. “Faster, more responsive, more efficient and easier to use, thanks to Canon’s proprietary new DIGIC III image processor and a newly enhanced and intuitive user interface, the PowerShot G7 digital camera also offers users a greater level of creative control and flexible shooting options than ever before.”
If you like the specs of the PowerShot G7, you will have to wait until next month to get it, and you can expect to pay around $599.99 USD.
Pentax Optio T20
Still a month away, the Optio T20 was announced recently, showing off a 3-inch touchscreen LCD. The Pentax Optio T20 is a 7 megapixel sensor, 3x optical zoom, a 640 x 480 pixel movie mode at 30 frames per second, and a small stylus that allows you to use the touch screen without touching the screen with your oily fingers. The stylus also allows you to play around with the “Drawing Function”.
You’ll also find a rechargeable Li-Ion battery, 12MB of internal storage, and an SD card slot as part of the feature set. Thats SD, not SDHC yet. All for a reasonable $350 USD. Check out the T20 at Digital Camera HQ.
Disney Digital Cameras for Kids
Many children have seen the change to digital, and want to join in the fun, but with the high cost of a decent digital camera, they don’t seem like good childhood playthings. Disney has stepped in to provide a solution: cheap digital cameras for kids.
The Disney Pix line of digital cameras, camcorders and peripherals made especially for kids and teens. The products have been designed by Disney in collaboration with the manufacturer, Digital Blue, maker of digital devices and software for the youth market.
Ranging in price from $20 to $80, each digital camera is colorful and the outer design is based on a particular theme – your child can choose among Disney Chrome, High School Musical, Pirates of the Caribbean, Cars, Little Mermaid, Disney Princess and Tinker Bell themes. Included in the package is Disney’s proprietary photo editing software, which they can use to customize their photos to include Disney characters, stamps, frames etc.
The specs range, but the “high-end” camera, the Disney Pix Max, will cost you $79.99 USD and has a 3 megapixel resolution, a 1.5” color LCD screen, a 4x digital zoom. It also has an expandable memory card slot, built-in auto flash and TV out.
The cameras should be out on the market now, but it has been said that it is still a little difficult to find.
Fujifilm Finepix A700
Featuring a 7.3 MegaPixel Super CCD sensor, a 2.4″ LCD and 3x optical zoom, the FinePix A700 is aimed at first-time digital camera buyers and consumers looking for an upgrade to their first digital camera. It has a simple design, which is something that digital camera makers should really try to move away from.
The FinePix A700 will be in stores early October and will sell at a price of $199.
Features of the FinePix A700:
- A 7.3 MegaPixel Super CCD HR sensor
- A 3x Fujinon optical zoom lens developed specifically for the FinePix A- series by Fujinon, a Fujifilm sister company
- A 2.4-inch LCD that enables easy viewing and playback. It features an anti-glare coating for improved viewing in direct light.
- Automatic ISO setting up to ISO 400 with low noise.
- Four scene modes — Portrait, Landscape, Sport and Night
- Internal memory: The camera has approximately 12MB of on-board storage
- xD-Picture Card slot
- Two AA batteries power the FinePix A700
Kodak EasyShare V610 Review
Den Guru has the latest review of the EasyShare V610 up from Kodak, a dual-lens design that includes a 10x optical zoom.
The V610 measures just 4.4 X 2.2 X 0.9 inches. The sleek black metal body has a chrome accent trim around the top, sides and bottom of the camera, as well as chromed-looking controls. On the front of the camera, there’s a 1/5/8″ lens cover, prominently marked 10X, that snaps open on power up to reveal the two lenses that comprise Kodak’s Retina Dual Lens system. Each of the lenses is a Schneider-Kreuznach C-Varigon all glass lens. By using dual lenses, each with a different focal length, Kodak is able to achieve 10X optical zoom (38-380mm 35mm equivalent) with a lens system that doesn’t protrude out of the case.
They were impressed with the size of the camera, and the lenses, but they found the V610 too expensive for a 6 megapixel digital camera. Check it out at the Digital Camera HQ.
Nikon D80 Digital SLR Review
HardwareZone has a review up on the Nikon D80, a digital SLR with a 10.2 megapixel image sensor. HardwareZone considers it good competition for the A100 from Sony, which is still trying to gain traction in the marketplace.
Sporting a new and improved 10.2-megapixel image sensor, the Nikon D80 immediately poses a concern and a challenge for Sony’s infant A100 DSLR. The competition from Nikon’s latest DSLR is all the more urgent considering some of its specifications such as the image processing engine, AF system, ISO sensitivity, noise reduction levels, metering system, viewfinder, and LCD monitor are all plucked from the company’s higher-tiered professional models. However, with barely a year gone since the D50 and D70s were unveiled, the arrival of the D80 seems to have come a little earlier than expected. Nevertheless, new is always a good thing, especially for budding photographers contemplating in taking their passion to a more serious level. On paper, the D80 is quite frankly as good as it gets for a mainstream DSLR
In the end they give the Nikon D80, a rating of 4.5 out of 5, and a most value for the money award. Better than the D70, not quite as good as the D200, the Nikon D80 fits in as a great budget digital SLR. An excellent camera all around for the beginner digital SLR user. Check out more user reports and buy the D80 from the Digital Camera HQ.
Sony Cybershot DSC-H2 Review
PhotographyBlog recently reviewed the Sony Cybershot DSC-H2, a big zoom digital camera from Sony. With the size of the camera, I don’t think you’ll ever be able to lose it.
With a massive 12x optical zoom lens equivalent to 36-432mm on a 35mm camera, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H2 is Sony’s current representative in the ultra-zoom class of compact digital cameras. The DSC-H2 has a 6 megapixel sensor and features Sony’s image stabilisation system, called Super Steady Shot, to ensure sharper results when hand-holding the camera at the longer focal lengths. Other highlights of the Sony DSC-H2 include a large 2 inch LCD screen for easier composition and playback, 7 different scene modes for the beginner, and creative shutter-priority, aperture-priority and manual exposure modes for the more experienced photographer.
In the end they give the Sony DSC-H2 a 4.5 out of 5, with some of the low points being its design, and image quality. Two places you don’t want as the low point, but considering they get a 4 out of 5, this camera is still very good.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T50
Sony’s Cyber-shot DSC-T50 has been announced, featuring a 7.2 megapixel sensor, three-inch touch-screen displays and built-in slide show capability.
“ With digital photography, the social interaction that happens when people share their pictures has become as important as making great photographs,” said Phil Lubell, director of marketing for digital still cameras and photo printers at Sony Electronics. “Large, durable, scratch-resistant touch screens with enhanced photo-viewing capabilities are a means to ensuring that photo buffs get the maximum enjoyment out of using their cameras.”
The T50 includes a 3x optical zoom and a 56 MB internal memory. It comes in red, black, or silver.
The Cyber-shot DSC-T50 camera ships in October for about $500. Optional accessories include the HVL-RLS ring light, used for close-up shots, for about $100, NP-FR1 InfoLithium battery, and LCJ-THA leather carrying case for about $40.
Fujifilm FinePix Z3 Review
ThinkCamera has a great review up on the Fujifilm FinePix Z3, a compact digital camera that was made for taking shots in average situations, the bar, a dim house, this little shooter should have you covered.
The Z3 does rather a good job at a range of “normal” pictures. The lens seems plenty sharp enough and doesn’t have any major faults. There’s a little distortion at its very widest setting, but nothing that would really trouble you in everyday shooting. By current standards, 5MP could be considered a little on the small side but the camera is capable of some very nice looking A4 prints.
Exposures are also pretty good with most general scenes returning a very pleasing picture. The dual exposure mode can work well if you’re not sure whether to use flash or not. However, on a number of shots with high contrast scenes the main area came back a little underexposed. This isn’t unusual (the camera has to balance a bright sky and dark foreground) and can usually be dealt with by exposure compensation. On most compacts this isn’t a big deal but on the Z3 exposure comp only works in “manual” mode. If you are shooting in “auto” mode (and the camera performs very well in this mode most of the time) you are 10 button presses from adding +1 exposure compensation.
In the end they give the FinePix Z3 a rating of 8 out of 10. Its lowest mark being 6 out of 10 for ease of use. The highest mark being given to its design. If you want to purchase its little brother the Z1, have a look at Digital Camera HQ.
Nikon Coolpix S10
Nikon has released details on a small camera with a big zoom, the S10. You can expect to see the Nikon Coolpix S10 in stores next month. It looks to be an interesting camera, not all that different from previous swivel designs I have seen. I guess we will have to wait for reviews to come out on it.
“Creativity is written all over this camera. This stylish camera with a 10x optical zoom, Vibration Reduction and Nikon’s expansive in-camera technology is a great camera to take to a sporting event, concerts, vacation and just about anywhere,” said Bill Giordano, General Manager of Marketing COOLPIX for Nikon, Inc. “The COOLPIX S10 makes it easy to take great-looking pictures from almost any angle.”
S10 Specs:
- 6.0 effective Megapixel CCD
- F3.5, 10X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 38 - 380 mm
- CCD-shift image stabilization system (Nikon calls it Vibration Reduction)
- 2.5″ LCD display (230k pixels)
- Unique swivel design puts a lot of zoom in a small package
- Point-and-shoot operation
- All the usual Nikon bells and whistles (D-Lighting, redeye reduction, Face Priority AF, Best Shot Selector, and more)
- Records movies at 640 x 480 (30 fps) with sound
- Pictmotion tool produces elaborate slideshows with music and transitions
- 16MB onboard memory + SD memory card slot
- Uses proprietary lithium-ion battery; 300 shots per charge
- Shipping next month for $400
Categories
- No categories
Recent Posts
- Kodak EasyShare C743
- HP Photosmart M437
- NIKON Coolpix S200 silver
- Canon Digital Ixus 70
- SONY Cyber-shot DSC-W35
Related Blogs
E-mail Subscription
