Camera Reviews

Samsung announced SL502 digital compact

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 16:01:58 GMT

Samsung has announced the SL502 digital compact camera. It has a 5x zoom but starting at 35mm equivalent, so no wide-angle capability. With a 12.2MP sensor and 2.7 inch LCD, it includes features such as Smart Auto mode, Smart Album, Face, Smile and Blink detection. Priced at �149, it will start shipping in August.

Sony DSC-HX1 Review

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 19:26:22 GMT

This year is already shaping up to be another bumper year for the superzoom 'bridge' camera. Since the publication of our super zoom test at the start of this year there have been a number of new models released with new features such as bigger zooms, better video and fast burst modes. Sony's entry in this category, the HX1, features a 20x lens (that extends from 28mm at the wide end all the way to 560mm at the telephoto end), HD video recording, a large 3' tilting LCD screen, up to 10 frames per second continuous shooting speeds, and special shooting modes that help you get better pictures.

Until recently, almost all compact (small sensored) cameras were built around CCD sensors. This is because CMOS sensors have more circuitry built into the chip than CCD sensors and, with less room for actually capturing light, noise and noise reduction issues will have a detrimental effect on image quality.

Manufacturers have been working on these problems with CMOS sensors for a number of years in DSLR cameras, where all but the cheapest models feature CMOS sensors. Canon, which has been at the forefront of this CMOS sensor development, released the CMOS-sensored SX1 IS.

While the Canon PowerShot SX1 IS utilizes its CMOS sensor to record 1080p (30fps) HD video, a fast 4fps continuous shooting speed, and offers RAW file recording, the HX1 uses its CMOS technology in some less conventional ways. The first of these is a super fast (as fast as the top end professional sports cameras) 10 fps continuous shooting. This relies not only on the sensor's speedy processing but also on a fast physical shutter, which in turn enables three unique shooting modes: Sweeping panorama, Anti Motion Blur (which takes 6 images, and combines them to try and minimise the amount of blur in an image) and Twilight mode (which uses 6 stacked images to reduce the noise produced in images shot in low light situations).

While the HX1 may not feature RAW file recording, there are many manual settings such as three noise reduction settings, many white balance settings, a full range of manual modes, and many others for the photographer who wants ultimate control.

Sony DSC-HX1 vs DSC-H50- key changes

A revised menu system (Home menu is gone)
HDMI port
New 28 - 560 mm equiv 'G' lens
Intelligent Auto mode
Unique sweeping panorama, twilight, and anti-shake modes
Ultra fast 10 fps continuous shooting speed
HD movie recording at up to 1440x1080 at 30 fps

The Sony HX1 is very SLR-like in appearance with its deep handgrip, protruding lens barrel, popup flash, and nicely offset EVF eye piece. Cosmetically there are very few changes from the H50, and from a distance it is quite easy to mistake one for the other. The controls are logically laid out, with dedicated buttons for most of the shooting settings, and anybody who has used a superzoom, especially a Sony one, will be right at home on the HX1.

In a move that was welcomed by some in the dpreview office, the rear scroll wheel which was set around the multi controller on the H50 (a layout I personally preferred) has been moved to the top back of the camera where the zoom rocker used to be. The wheel has a 'push click' to cycle between the various settings it controls (such as aperture, shutter speed, exposure compensation and ISO, depending on what shooting mode you are in) and it's easy to use - though we'd still prefer dual dials for the ultimate 'SLR like' operation.

The tilting rear LCD moves 90 degrees up or down, meaning you can shoot over your head or down low with ease. The design of the rear LCD is not quite as flexible a fully articulated unit such as that on the Canon SX1 IS, but it's still better than having a fixed one. Unfortunately though, its benefits disappear almost completely the moment you turn the camera to portrait orientation.

On the HX1 there is no button to manually raise the built in flash. Instead you must set the flash to Auto or On; when you press the shutter release the flash will then pop up automatically. Not quite as intuitive as having a dedicated button and automatically activating the flash whenever it is flipped up.

The mini-SLR design of the HX1 means that you will not be fitting it in the average coat or jacket pocket, and when shooting it is more comfortable hanging around your neck than dangling from a wrist. Fortunately the decision by Sony to use a Li-ion battery instead of AAs means that the camera feels pretty light, and should not give you a sore neck after a long outing. The only real design flaw we found with the HX1 is that the lens cap is quite loose and prone to falling off as you take it out of your bag, and we can envision a brisk trade in lens caps as owners lose the original.

Sony CyberShot LCS TWF Red Leather Carrying Case NP BG1 Battery Accessory Kit for DSC W120 DSC W130 DSC W200 DSC W220 DSC W230 DSC W290 DSC W300 Digital Cameras

Mon, 25 May 2009 21:31:52 GMT

The Kit includes:

Compact 50-inch Digital Travel Tripod
Precision Design Memory Card Storage Wallet
Precision Design 5-Piece Lens Cleaning Kit and USB 2.0 High Speed Memory Stick (MS) Card Reader
Precision Design Flexible Tabletop Mini Tripod
Image Recall Digital Image Recovery Software
Sony Cyber-Shot LCS-TWF (Red) Carrying Case
Spare NP-BG1 High-Capacity Lithium-Ion Battery Pack
Digital Camera LCD Monitor Screen Protectors

Sony Cyber-Shot LCS-TWF Case is fashioned of half canvas and half leather, this tone-on-tone carrying case prevents scratches to the surface of your Cyber-shot digital camera and protects it from light impacts. For added convenience, this fashionable case features a handy belt loop for hands-free transportation.

Increase your shooting capacity with this powerful NP-BG1 Lithium-ion rechargeable battery.

Reduce glare, enhance your view, and prevent scratching with this set of LCD screen protectors.

Avoid camera shake and achieve maximum image quality by setting your camera on this sturdy, lightweight 50-inch tripod.

This 5-piece cleaning kit contains everything you�ll ever need to properly clean your lenses, including Lens Cleaning Tissues, Lens Cloth, Lens Cleaning Liquid, Blower Brush and Cotton Swabs.

Transfer files quickly and easily, and conserve your camera�s battery life, with this convenient USB 2.0 Memory Stick (MS) Card Reader.

Take sharp, blur-free photos and great macro shots with a flexible tabletop mini tripod.

Updated firmware for Canon EOS 50D, 450D and 1000D

Sat, 23 May 2009 22:27:13 GMT

Canon released firmware updates for its 1000D, 450D and 50D digital SLRs. Firmware versions 1.0.6, 1.1.0 and 1.0.5 for EOS 50D, Rebel XSi (450D) and Rebel XS (1000D), support the AF assist beam feature of Canon's latest Speedlight 270 EX flashgun. The 50D update also rectifies other issues like vertical banding noise.