Daily news for Digital and Analog Photo Cameras

Although it shares the same 1/2.5-inch 8.1-megapixel CCD sensor, and does look superficially similar to the P50, the CoolPix P60 is a very different camera, and in many ways is much better for it. For a start, while the plastic body is still quite square and functional, it is 8mm thinner and slightly less tall and is generally much more attractively proportioned than the rather ungainly P50. It still has a large rubber-coated handgrip accommodating the pair of AA batteries that provide the camera with power, but it is less angular and even more comfortable to hold. It still has the same uncluttered control layout, with a large mode dial on the top and a rocker-switch zoom control on the back, and a simple arrangement of three buttons around a large D-pad. It is a very easy camera to operate and generally pleasant to handle. Read the whole review here. You can buy the camera here

Sony Alpha A350K compared to Nikon D80 with 18-135mm DX lens

At this year's annual Photo Marketing Association (PMA) trade show, held in Las Vegas, Nevada from Jan 31st to Feb 2nd, a number of new digital SLR cameras were introduced incorporating the latest advanced technologies for 2008.
Canon and Sony among others were busy at the event spreading the word that their new camera models feature today's "must have" digital SLR technologies, including; higher resolution sensors, larger LCD screens, advanced Live View modes, expanded dynamic range options, updated image stabilization technologies, in-camera sensor cleaning mechanisms and more.
One of the cameras to stand out from the crowd and getting a fair amount of attention is Sony's first mid range digital SLR, the 14.2MP Sony Alpha A350 with unique Quick AF Live View.
The Sony Alpha A350 features "new technologies that makes picture taking faster, easier, and more familiar for first-time DSLR users." according to the Sony press release. Read the whole article here. You can buy the Nikon D80 here and the Sony A350 here

BenQ C850 and C750

The BenQ C850 and C750 are new 8 and 7 megapixel compact cameras with 3x zoom lenses and Super Shake Free system. Both the C850 and C750 also feature an elegant front to back leather handle, Smile Catch mode and video recording with optical zoom. The C850 has a larger 2.7� LCD display than the C750�s 2.5 inch screen. The BenQ C750 and C850 will be available in select countries in Asia Pacific and Europe in April. Read the whole press release here

The Pentax Optio Z10 features a Pentax-branded 7x optical zoom lens, the highest magnification among current Pentax compact digital cameras. Designed with a refraction lens system, the lens never protrudes from the camera while zooming. The Pentax Z10's 7x optical zoom covers a broad range, from a rather tight wide-angle 38mm-equivalent to a moderate 266mm equivalent telephoto. The lens is coupled with an eight-megapixel sensor and a 2.5-inch LCD display that has 230,000 pixels. As is common on many digicams these days, this LCD is the sole method of framing images, as the Optio Z10 forgoes any form of optical viewfinder. Read the whole review here. You can buy the camera here

Pentax 75-300mm f/4.5-5.8 AL SMC P-FA J

The Pentax 75-300mm f/4.5-5.8 FA-J was released following the then-new *ist film SLR, in February of 2003. The lens is still widely available, in either an all-black finish or a silver/black color scheme.
The lens is designed to fit the a standard 35mm image circle, so it should work fine on a film body; however, being a FA-J series lens, there is no aperture ring, so your film body will have to be able to set the aperture on the lens. The lens is a variable aperture lens, in that as you increase the focal length, both the minimum and maximum aperture sizes increase. Read the whole test here. You can buy the lens here

Ricoh announced the G600, a 10-megapixel water- and dust-resistant point-and-shoot. With a tough, shock-resistant exterior, the G600 isn�t at all dainty. It features a wide-angle 28mm lens with 5x optical zoom and a 2.7-inch, 230,000-pixel LCD. Price and release date for the G600 in the US has not yet been announced, but it is priced at GBP350 (about $700) in the UK, and will be available in May.
The G600 follows the Caplio 500G Wide, released in May 2006. The G600 is smaller and lighter than its predecessor, but has the same tough specs: it can withstand a 1.5 meter (5 foot) fall, shoot underwater in shallow water of up to 1 meter (3.2 feet), and withstand temperatures as low as -10 degrees Celsius (14 degrees Fahrenheit). Read the whole article here

BenQ announces the 8 megapixel E800;

The new BenQ E800 digital camera will capture every smile perfectly. The 8-mega-pixel E800 features a 2.7 inch display, 3x optical zoom and ISO 1600 as well as smart features including �Smile Catch� mode, Auto Face Tracking and 13 optimized settings. Introduced as an affordable camera, the E800 nonetheless offers users convenience and performance features like the ingenious �Smile Catch� mode which enables users to effortlessly capture every elusive smile by automatically shooting in rapid succession ... Read the whole article here

The Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 II, announced in December 2007, is an update to its previous 50-150mm f/2.8. It's hard to tell exactly what has been updated: comparing the specifications of the two lenses, they appear almost exactly identical, except version II seems to have shaved off 8mm from the overall length.
The difference appears to be in the mount options, as Sigma has made HSM-style versions available for the previously unsupported Pentax and Sony lens mounts. This is good and bad news: while the lens will mount on those bodies, if the body only supports mechanical (screw-driven) style focusing, autofocus will be unavailable. Newer Pentax and Sony bodies will support the HSM standard. Read the whole review here. You can buy the lens here

Nikon confirms D3 firmware v1.10 problems

On April 15, 2008, an announcement was made on the Nikon website that the Ver. 1.10 firmware update for the D3 digital-SLR camera was available for download. However, it has been confirmed that when the following settings are applied with the updated firmware, image data may, in some rare cases, be corrupted. Therefore, we have terminated the firmware update download. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this issue may have caused. Read the whole article here. You can buy the camera here

The 12.3-megapixel Nikon D300 updates the older D200 with more resolution on a new CMOS sensor that promises improved noise control. The D300 is the first DSLR in Nikon�s line to include dust reduction, and sits between the $999 D80 and the $3,499 D2Hs. It has an awesome 3-inch live view LCD screen, as does the pro model D3, with some of the best resolution on the market - 921,000 pixels. Overall, the D300 is an excellent camera for the serious or semi-pro photographer who doesn't mind getting involved in the minutae of photography. Point and shoot users won't want to need the features it offers, but it's a excellent camera for the serious (and well-heeled) shooter. Read the whole review here. You can buy the camera here

Some entirely too ingenious hackers have found a reference to the rumored D3X deep within the bowels of Nikon's D3 firmware. The reference includes a list of resolutions available to the upcoming shooter, and it's apparently set to max out at a potentially Higgs Boson-inducing 24.4 megapixels. Word has it that this sensor is likely a variant of the megapixel monster behind Sony's upcoming A900, but since this is all being extrapolated from a few numbers hidden in some firmware, we're going to try not to get too ahead of ourselves at this point. via engadget.com

Kata�s New Compact Rain Cover Provides Worry-Free Shooting

At NAB 2008, Kata, one of the most trusted and well known brands of protective carrying and storage solutions for professional video gear, introduced the CRC-17 � a new compact rain cover designed to shield horizontally handheld camcorders from Mother Nature�s worst downpours.
Whether shooting in a slight mist or in an intense rainstorm, the CRC-17 provides the all around protection today�s sensitive camcorders require. Constructed completely from advanced waterproof materials, the CRC-17 features a crystal clear TPU panel which allows shooters full control, monitoring and viewing of the LCD screen at any angle. For use with a tripod, the CRC 17 features a bottom opening which allows the camcorder to effortlessly be mounted to or removed from a video head without sacrificing the protection provided from the elements. Read the whole article inside

CompactFlash Association Displaying New CFast Card & Connectors at ESC Silicon Valley

PALO ALTO, Calif. --(Business Wire)-- Apr. 15, 2008 The CompactFlash Association (CFA) announces that the new CFast card and connectors will be displayed at Embedded Systems Conference Silicon Valley in the CFA booth 3021.
The CFast work group was formed in July 2007 to develop the CFast specification for a CompactFlash card with a SATA (Serial ATA) interface. The CFast specification publish date is planned for May. CFA members interested in CFast should apply for inclusion in the CFA's CFast work group.
Mr. Shigeto Kanda of Canon and the CFA chairman of the board said, "The development of a CompactFlash card with a SATA interface will maintain the dominance of CompactFlash in the non-consumer (embedded systems, single board computers, data recorder, etc.) markets as well as promote its use in other applications such as digital SLR cameras and professional video cameras. Having the SATA interface will be a significant step for CompactFlash." Read the whole article inside

Manfrotto Launches New MPRO Carbon Fiber Tripod Family

Manfrotto, a world-leading manufacturer of photographic and video support products, is proud to introduce MPRO - a new family of carbon fiber tripods that joins its ever-expanding array of solutions for professional videographers. The new MPRO family comprises two models, the 535 and 536, which were specifically designed to meet the needs of professional shooters, especially those involved with ENG applications. Read the whole article inside

For the past eight years, since the launch of the first 2-megapixel model in the spring of 2000, Canon's Digital IXUS range has pretty much defined the genre for stylish digital compact cameras, with class-leading performance and cutting-edge design. However once in a while even the most prestigious brands can stumble, and when it comes to the design of the new Digital IXUS 970 IS (sold as the PowerShot SD890 IS in the USA) Canon has done just that. Read the whole review here. You can buy the camera here