Digital Camera Reviews

Pandigital debuts the Pandigital Photo Mail Digital Photo Frame for Europe, through the KPN M2M network and is expected to be available in Q4 for €169.99. The new Pandigital Photo Mail Digital Photo Frame is simple to use. Each frame has its own dedicated email address. You can share that address with family and friends and send photos to the frame from your own email account. The frame comes with 300 photos emailed at no charge. Additional photo allotments: 100 for €11.99, 400 for €39.99 and 700 for €69.99...

Olympus pimps the PEN E-P2 by complementing its retro black metal body with a black M.Zuiko Digital ED 17mm lens and a black FL-14 flash in a limited availability kit. The kit including USB Cable, Video Cable, Li-Ion Battery Pack, Li-Ion Battery Charger and Shoulder Strap will be available beginning in October for $999.99. At the same time Olympus announces two new lenses to its Micro Four Thirds lens family: the MM.Zuiko Digital ED 75-300 MM F4.8-6.7 and the 40-150MM F4.0-5.6. Available later this year for $899.99 and $299.99 resp....

Kodak announced the ESP 9250 All-in-One (AiO) inkjet printer. The ESP 9250 features an intelligent bar code system that optimizes settings for printing, Wi-Fi and networking capability, a 2.4 in. color display, SD, MS, Duo, and CF card compatibility, Kodak’s intelligent paper tray that holds three sizes of paper, Kodak’s proprietary pigmented inks, and instant dry prints that don’t smear or smudge and are water resistant. The ESP 9250 can handle double-sided, duplex printing and can actively monitor and display how much ink and paper are available both on the printer LCD screen and remotely on the computer screen.

The Kodak ESP 9250 All-in-One (AiO) printer will be available in August 2010 for $249.99.

Kodak ESP 9250 All-in-One (AiO) Printer Press Release

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M-ROCK has announced their newest line of camera bags that include SLR, camera, camcorder, and lens bags, as well as sling style backpacks.

The SLR Camera Bags feature two shoulder straps for customization as a shoulder bag, backpack, or across the front, a deep front pocket with more interior pockets for storing keys and accessories, a mesh pocket which includes a lens cloth, non-abrasive interiors with customizable dividers and bungee straps underneath for attaching jackets, water bottles, or tripods. The camera, camcorder, and lens bags also function as modular attachments to add more space to a pre-existing bag. All M-ROCK camera bags are made with water resistant nylon fabric and zippers and built with a dense closed cell foam and a thin layer of plastic that absorbs much of the shock if dropped.

M-ROCK’s Newest Line of Camera Bags Press Release

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There’s a sexy new color-coordinated Olympus E-P2 in town! I think the two new Micro Four Thirds lenses are a bigger deal, but the new all black Olympus E-P2 Pen camera kit is getting a lot of buzz. The E-P2 is a compact, 12-megapixel Micro Four Thirds camera with interchangeable lenses, 720p HD video and stereo sound. It’s a member of the Olympus Pen Digital camera family, which also includes the E-P1 and E-PL1. The new E-P2 ” black-on-black kit” compliments the E-P2’s black body with a black 17mm lens and black FL-14 flash.

The E-P2 and other Olympus Micro Four Thirds cameras offer performance close to a digital SLR in a camera the size of a high-end point-and-shoot. The Olympus E-P2 makes a great digital SLR alternative and an awesome travel camera. Besides the new, black E-P2 kit, Olympus also announced two new Micro Four Thirds zoom lenses, a 70-300mm and 40-150mm (Micro Four Thirds lens announcement article). Those two lenses are Micro Four Thirds versions of existing Four Thirds (the Olympus digital SLR format) lenses and really expand the versatility of the E-P2 and other Olympus Pen cameras. I’m especially excited about the new 70-300mm lens. The Four Thirds 70-300 is one of my favorite things about the Olympus digital SLRs and an even smaller, lighter version made for the Pen Digital cameras is a big deal.

Here are some useful links if you want to know more about the Olympus Pen Cameras, the E-P2 and the Micro Four Thirds System:

Micro Four Thirds Standard Announcement >>
Olympus E-P2 Video Intro >>
Olympus E-PL1 Pro Review >>
EVIL & Micro Four Thirds Cameras Forum >>

The press release says the new E-P2 package is an, “exclusive, limited availability kit.” One important detail to note is the new kit *does not* include the EVF electronic viewfinder that comes with the standard E-P2 kit. I almost always use the EVF when I’m shooting with the Olympus Pen cameras and I think I could survive the shame of a silver lens and flash on my black camera in return for the benefits of the EVF. I’ve never seen cameras as fashion accessories, though. I have no doubt there will be plenty of people who are very interested in the new extra-retro all black E-P2 kit.

For the fashion-conscious photographers who need to keep their camera gear all matched and color coordinated, the new Olympus E-P2 black kit will sell for $999.99, “at select photo specialty stores beginning in October, 2010.”

OLYMPUS PEN E-P2: BACK IN BLACK Press Release >>

 

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Today, Canon announced two new professional camcorders, the Canon XF105 and Canon XF100, perfect for documentary and independent filmmaking and event videography.

The Canon XF105 and XF100 camcorders feature Canon XF Codec MPEG-2 4:2:2 50Mbps for high-definition image quality and full non-linear editing (NLE) systems compatibility, high-definition 3-D video capture when two XF105 or XF100 camcorders are paired, Canon 10x HD Zoom lens (35mm equivalent zoom range of 30.4mm-304mm) with SuperRange Optical Image Stabilizer (OIS) system featuring Dynamic and Powered IS modes, Full HD 1920 x 1080 CMOS image sensor, a freely rotating 3.5-inch LCD monitor, .24-inch 260,000 electronic viewfinder, dual XLR inputs for external audio sources and a built-in stereo microphone, hot-swappable Compact Flash card slots for maximum performance, and Canon’s built-in infrared low-light feature for the capture of HD video in complete darkness. The Canon XF105 also features industry-standard HD-SDI output and genlock in/SMPTE time code (in/out) terminals.

The Canon XF105 and Canon XF100 will be available in the first quarter of 2011.

Canon XF105 and XF100 Professional Camcorders Press Release

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Canon XF105 Professional CamcorderCanon XF100 Professional Camcorder

Canon has developed the world's largest CMOS image sensor, with a chip size measuring 202 x 205 mm. The newly developed CMOS sensor is among the largest chips that can be produced from a 12-inch (300 mm) wafer, and it is approx. 40x the size of Canon's largest commercial CMOS sensor. Because its size, the new sensor allows more light to be gathered, enabling shooting in low-light environments. Potential applications for the new high-sensitivity sensor include the video recording of stars in the night sky and nocturnal animal behavior...

 
Olympus is introducing Micro Four Thirds versions of two of my favorite Olympus digital SLR lenses – the Zuiko Digital 70-300mm and Zuiko Digital 40-150mm. The new M.Zuiko Digital ED 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7 and M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f/4.0-5.6 zoom lenses are designed to work with the Olympus E-P1, E-P2 and E-PL1 Pen Digital cameras. The Pen cameras’ 2x digital crop factor gives the new lenses equivalent focal lengths of 150-600mm and 80-300mm – and the 75-300mm is smaller than a standard 12-ounce (355 ml) can of Coke! Both lenses also feature “high-speed, silent” auto focus to compliment the Pen cameras’ HD movie mode.

So why am I excited about these two lenses, you ask? I’m a big fan of the Olympus digital SLRs and lenses because they’re so small and light compared to the competition. And the Micro Four Thirds system takes that compact performance even further. The 70-300mm and 40-150mm Four Thirds lenses compliment the Olympus E-System DSLR cameras with big zoom range in a small a light package. The 70-300mm in particular, packs monster reach into a very compact lens – a 600mm equivalent that’s small and light enough to comfortably carry on the mountain bike and skis. It’s one of my favorite things about the Olympus DSLR system. Ever since the Olympus E-P1 Pen Camera was introduced I’ve been dreaming of a Micro Four Thirds version of the 70-300mm lens so I can have an even smaller 600mm backcountry camera rig.

I don’t love the Four Thirds 40-150mm lens quite like I love the 70-300. But its small size and negligible weight make it a great travel lens. In fact, the Four Thirds 40-150mm was one of just two lenses I took on my Mazatlan vacation this spring. I chose it specifically because it’s so small but still provides a lot of reach. Combined with the Olympus E-PL1 Pen camera and 14-42mm Micro Four Thirds kit lens, the 40-150 gave me a 28-300mm zoom range that I easily packed in my carryon bag (Read my Olympus E-PL1 Pro Review). Like the 70-300mm, less of a good thing is even better. The official press release doesn’t give the dimensions of the Micro Four Thirds 40-150mm lens, but it’s guaranteed to be smaller and it weighs less than half a pound!

I’m a little disappointed that the new M.Zuiko Digital ED 70-300mm has an f/4.8-6.7 aperture. That’s more than a stop slower than the Four Thirds lens’s f/3.5-5.6 aperture. But at just under a pound, the Micro Four Thirds 70-300mm lens is nearly half a pound lighter than the Four Thirds version. It’s also about half an inch shorter and a third of an inch smaller in diameter, making it even more packable and backcountry-friendly. And since the Olympus Pen Digital cameras have built-in image stabilization, there’s a little room for slower shutter speeds.

Auto focus performance with the new lenses should be better, too. While it’s possible to use the Four Thirds lenses with the Micro Four Thirds cameras via the Four Thirds adapter, the auto focus performance is pretty shabby – especially with the 40-150mm lens. The biggest problem I had with the E-PL1 in Mexico was hunting AF in low light with the 40-150mm. Those lenses weren’t designed for the Pen cameras, though. Using them on the E-PL1, E-P2, etc. was just a workaround until better options were available. And now they are. I’m looking forward to smaller, lighter, longer and faster!

The Olympus E-PL1 is one of my favorite cameras for making video. The light weight, built-in image stabilization and optional electronic viewfinder mean I get great handheld mountain bike and ski videos. And once again, the Pen cameras and lenses are no-penalty in my ski or bike pack because they’re so small and light. The new lenses have a special silent focusing motor so they you won’t here them focusing in your videos. Unfortunately, silent AF motors won’t help cover up my desperate gasps for air when I jump off the bike to film a quick video clip.

The new Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7 and M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f/4.0-5.6 zoom lenses make a total of six dedicated Olympus Micro Four Thirds lenses. The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f/4.0-5.6 lens will be available in November for $299.99 and the M.Zuiko Digital ED 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7 will be in stores in December for $899.99.

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 75-300mm & 40-150mm Lens Press Release >>

 
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next page – Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 75-300mm & 40-150mm Lens Press Release

 
 
 
 
 

Kodak introduces the ESP 9250 All-in-One printer, an advanced printing system for professional-quality photos and documents. The printer features Kodak's proprietary pigmented inks for brilliant colors and permanence to last a lifetime. The prints dry instantly, don't smear or smudge and are water resistant, even when using a highlighter on documents. With the latest Wi-Fi and networking capability, you can print from anywhere in your home or even from an iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad. The 9250 is available in August for $249.99...

JVC introduces two new PICSIO pocket cameras, the GC-WP10 and GC-FM2. Both feature an image sensor that captures stills at up to five-megapixel resolution and record 1920 x 1080p, 30 fps Full HD video to be viewed at its 3-inch touchscreen. The FM2 includes a slide-out USB connector, so no connecting cable is needed. The WP10 is waterproof to a depth of 10 feet / 3 meters and comes with a MP3 audio recorder. The FM2 will be available in early September for $179.95, the WP10 in late September for $199.95...

 
Canon has announced a new mid-range digital SLR, positioned between the entry-level T2i / 550D and the EOS 7D. As a step-up, enthusiast digital SLR, The new Canon EOS 60D follows mostly in the footsteps of the 20D, 30D and 50D, which it is replacing. It shares the same 18-megapixel resolution, 9-point auto focus, sensitivity range and basic video specs as the T2i; but the build and design are closer to the 50D and 7D – i.e., main dial control by the shutter release and the Quick Control Dial on the rear for aperture or exposure compensation control. However, there’s one design change that makes the new 60D stand out – it’s the first digital SLR from Canon with a “vari-angle” tilt-swivel LCD. This is an important feature for videographers, landscape photographers and studio photographers who work on a tripod – even if they don’t know it yet. I’ve been using digital SLRs with tilt-swivel LCDs for a few years now and I’ve found them very useful in the field and even more valuable in the studio.

Key Canon EOS 60D Specs And Features:

• 18-megapixel CMOS sensor
• DIGIC 4 processing
• ISO 100-6400, extended to ISO 12,800
• 1080p video at 24, 25 and 30 frames per second; 60 frames per second at 720p
• New 3-inch vari-angle LCD with 3:2 ratio and 1-million dot resolution
• 5.3 frames per second burst rate (68 high quality JPEG / 16 RAW)
• Auto focus system – 9 points, all cross-type
• Dedicated Live View start/stop button (movie mode accessed via Command Dial)
• External microphone input
• New video sound levels control and wind filter
• Artificial horizon display
• Exposure compensation + /- 5 stops
• Integrated Speedlite Transmitter wireless flash control via pop-up flash
• 96% viewfinder

The tilt-swivel LCD isn’t the only new feature on the EOS 60D. Canon also combined the joystick control that was on the back of the 50D with the Command Dial and they’ve added new consumer-friendly in-camera processing tools. The 60D can process RAW files and save a JPEG in the camera. It also has new creative filters and can do in-camera resizing.

The new EOS 60D looks like a solid upgrade for T1i, 40D, 50D and other older DSLR owners. The 18-megapixel sensor in the 7D and the T2i is pretty good and a real improvement over the 50D. I’m not sure the 60D uses the exact same sensor but I think we can expect it to produce comparable image quality (Canon EOS 7D studio sample photos). It should appeal to photographers who want or need a better build than the T2i offers – the body has an aluminum chassis and polycarbonate shell with weather sealing comparable to the EOS 50D. It also has a more robust buffer, hence the 5.3 frames-per-second vs. the T2i’s 3.7 FPS burst rate. I think 5 FPS is the minimum, for serious action photography so the 60D will make a good lightweight, inexpensive body for beginning sports photographers or a backup for working pros. More serious action sports photographers should still look to the 8-FPS 19-point AF EOS 7D or the 10-FPS 45-point AF EOS-1D Mark IV. But photographers who want a relatively inexpensive, lightweight pro-level body should take a close look at the new 60D. Yes – you can get more if you spend more. But the EOS 60D and even the T2i will get the job done for most photographers, most of the time. If I didn’t already own an EOS 7D, I’d be first in line to replace my old 50D with the new 60D. And I sure wish my 7D had that tilt-swivel LCD!

The Canon EOS 60D is scheduled to be in stores in late September. The suggested retail price for the body alone is $1099. The 60D will also be available in a kit with the Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS zoom lens for $1399. Canon is also introducing new 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS, 300mm f/2.8L II, 400mm f/2.8L II and 8-15mm f/4L zoom fisheye lenses along with 2 updated tele-extenders this fall. There will also be a new battery grip for the EOS 60D for $270.

Official Canon EOS 60D Press Release >>

 
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Canon has updated two of their most important pro-level super-telephoto lenses, the 300mm f/2.8L IS and the 400mm f/2.8L IS. Actually, it looks like more of a complete overhaul. Those lenses date back to about 2000 so they’re definitely due for an update. The new Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II and Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lenses are lighter with a new finish, improved optics, better optical image stabilization and they’re supposed to be even better built than the previous versions. They also both cost as much as a good used car.

The Canon 300mm f/2.8L and 400mm f/2.8L are standard equipment for many pro motorsports and wildlife photographers. They pull you in close to the action and allow you to completely eliminate background detail with ridiculously shallow depth-of-field. But you pay through the teeth for this kind of performance – both literally and figuratively. Big telephoto prime lenses cost a fortune, they’re huge and they weigh a ton – 5.6 lbs. for the 300 and 11.7 lbs. for the 400. Canon hasn’t lowered the price but they have lightened the load. At 5.2 lbs., the new 300mm f/2.8L IS II lens is approximately 8%* lighter than the previous model; and the new 400mm f/2.8L IS II weighs about 8.5 lbs., almost 28% lighter than the old version.

Besides making them lighter, Canon also improved the optics and image stabilization on the new 300mm and 400mm lenses. Both lenses have added a second flourite element, “for improved image quality and reduced chromatic aberration.” They’re also using a new “flourine” coating that’s supposed to minimize fingerprints and help keep the outer lens element clean. The image stabilization system uses a new, “rolling-ball-friction system in place of sliding parts,” for improved efficiency and up to four stops of shutter speed compensation. Canon says they’ve even beefed up the build – in spite of making the lenses lighter. Finally, that white L lens finish – it’s changing. I can’t see a difference in the product photos, but Canon told me that the white color is being warmed up a bit. I’m not sure why and I don’t know if it will be obvious but apparently it is changing. Hello pink lenses?

The two new super-telephoto lenses should be available in December. The suggested retail price on the Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II is $7000. And the price for the Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II is – maybe you’d better have a seat – it’s $11,000. Yup – eleven grand – [insert pricing wisecrack here]…

Canon 300mm f/2.8L IS II & 400mm f/2.8L IS II Press Release >>

 
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Canon announced a batch of new DSLR gear on Wednesday, including the new EOS 60D digital SLR and a new L-grade compact super zoom, the EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM. There are lots of 70-300mm zoom lenses on the market but most are consumer zooms with an emphasis on price over quality. A compact, packable, pro-quality Canon 70-300mm superzoom lens should appeal to professional travel photographers, outdoor photographers and photojournalists.

Of the four new lenses Canon just announced, I think the new 70-300mm L zoom offers the most for me, an outdoor photographer. Size is one of the key factors as the 70-300mm focal length exists for portability and versatility – otherwise we’d all be shooting with huge prime lenses. At 5.6 inches (14.2 cm) long and 3 inches (7.6 cm) wide, the new Canon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6L IS zoom is about half the length and approximately the same girth as the 70-200 f/2.8L. That’s bigger than consumer 70-300mm lenses, but remember – this is an L lens so it has a better build, better optics and it’s weather sealed. It also has Canon’s latest image stabilization so you can shoot up to four stops slower without blur from camera shake. It would be nice if the aperture were f/3.5 instead of f/4.5 but I’m sure Canon made that decision to keep the lens smaller. That is more than one stop, though.

Working pros who need a (relatively) compact, lightweight pro-quality super-telephoto should be excited about this lens. As an action sports photographer who routinely carries serious camera gear into the backcountry, I’d love to try the new 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6L IS lens. Any way I can lighten the load without compromising quality too much is a big deal for me. And the 300mm focal length is great for all kinds of outdoor photography, including wildlife, landscape and ski photos – one of my addictions.

Projected price on the new Canon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6L IS zoom lens is $1500 and it should be in stores around the end of October – just in time for the beginning of ski season!

Official Canon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6L IS Lens Press Release >>

 
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Canon is developing two new telephoto lenses for use with its EOS digital SLR cameras, the EF500mm f/4L IS II USM and EF600mm f/4L IS II USM. These tough lenses are the successors to the EF500mm f/4L IS USM (introduced in July 1999) and EF600mm f/4L IS USM (introduced in September 1999. The new lenses target improved dust-proof and moisture-proof performance in the face of harsh shooting conditions to satisfy the demands of sports, news and nature photographers. The new lenses will be on display at Photokina...

 
Last night Canon announced four new lenses and a new digital SLR, the EOS 60D. Of the new lenses, the most exciting and unique is the new Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM lens, “the world’s widest fisheye zoom lens.” It’s Canon’s first L-class fisheye lens and it replaces the venerable 15mm f/2.8 Fisheye. The new fisheye zoom works with all three Canon DSLR sensor formats – full frame, APS-C (T2i, EOS 7D, EOS 60D) and APS-H (EOS 1D Mk IV) to deliver, “180º diagonal angle of view images for all EOS SLR cameras … and … 180º circular fisheye images for full-frame EOS models.”

Since it’s a member of Canon’s premiere L lens line, the new 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye has proper weather sealing, the best glass and the best coatings Canon has to offer. It’s important to keep in mind that fisheye lenses are all about goofy, bulbous distortion. Photographers who want straight lines in their photos should be looking at the rectilinear Canon 14mm f/2.8L II or the Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM zoom lens (APS-C cameras only), both of which provide corrected wide-angle photos with minimal distortion. But if you want some fun, crazy distortion in your photos and you wanna go as wide as possible, then you should definitely put the new Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM lens on your wish list.

List price for the Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM lens is $1400 and it should be available in January of 2011.

Official Canon 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye Press Release >>

 
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Canon has announced an upgrade on two of its popular extenders with the new Canon Extender EF 1.4x III and Extender EF 2x III.

These direct replacements feature faster autofocusing, improved autofocus precision with compatible EF lenses, an anomalous dispersion lens element for reduced chromatic aberration, enhanced optical image quality, a newly developed microcomputer that increases AF precision when the extenders are used with a IS Series II EF super-telephoto lens, rubber gaskets and seals to enhance weather resistance, and a new fluorine anti-smear coating on the front and rear elements that is highly oil and water-repellent. The Canon extenders give photographers additional telephoto reach with amazing clarity.

The new Canon Extender EF 1.4x III and Canon Extender EF 2x III will be available in December for $500 each.

Canon Extender EF 1.4x III and Extender EF 2x III Press Release

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Kodak expands its C-Series Point-and-Shoot digital camera line with two new entry level models. The 14 Megapixel EasyShare C195 features 5x optical zoom, a 3.0-inch 230K dots color display and with Kodak's Smart Capture feature, you'll be shooting top-notch pictures with ease. The 12 Megapixel EasyShare C143 comes with 3x optical zoom, a 2.7-inch 230K dots color display and Smart Capture mode too. Both cameras are available now for resp. $99.95 and $79.95, the cheapest of the Kodak pack todate....

Canon introduces four new EF lenses and two new accessory extenders. The new EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM lens is the world's widest fisheye zoom lens, providing you with a unique optical tool for capturing 180? angle-of-view shots. The EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens delivers outstanding sharpness, contrast and color fidelity in a compact, lightweight body. The EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM and EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM super-telephoto lenses are aimed at the pro photojournalists, sports and wildlife photographers...

Canon announces the new 18 Mp EOS 60D, replacing the 50D. The 60D is offering high performance, a series of creative features and enhanced ergonomics. The new 3.0-inch (7.7cm) Vari-angle wide 3-inch Clear View LCD screen with 1,040,000 dot/VGA resolution. The Canon EOS 60D will be available toward the end of September, and will sell in a body-only configuration at an estimated retail price of $1,099.00. It will also be offered in a kit version with Canon's EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM zoom lens for $1,399.00...

 
There’s a new twist on the “EVIL” (Electronic Viewfinder Interchangeable Lens) camera strategy. Yesterday, Sony announced two “SLT” (Single Lens Transparent) cameras, the 16.2-megapixel Alpha SLT-A55 and 14.2-megapixel Alpha SLT-A33. Both cameras use “Translucent Mirror Technology,” which I think is what we used to call a pellicle mirror. Like Sony’s recent NEX cameras and the Olympus and Panasonic Micro Four Thirds cameras, the new Sony Alpha SLT-A55 and SLT-A33 have an electronic viewfinder instead of the traditional SLR TTL optical viewfinder. Where they differ from the NEX and Micro Four Thirds cameras is the transparent mirror between the lens and sensor. The mirror allows Sony to use phase-detect auto focus in the SLT cameras instead of the less accurate contrast-detect auto focus used in video DSLRs and other EVIL cameras. That means the new Sony SLT cameras should have much better continuous auto focus in movie mode than any current digital SLR or EVIL camera. Sony also included a new 15-point auto focus system and the A55 is capable of 10-frames-per-second, making it the fastest camera for under $1000 as well as the fastest camera with an APS-C sensor.

Back in the olden days, when digital cameras were the size of a brick and had VGA sensors, Canon had a 35mm SLR called the EOS-1N RS (Canon EOS-1N RS 35mm SLR reviews). I wanted one. Bad. That’s because the Canon EOS-1 RS had a transparent pellicle mirror that allowed it to shoot 10 frames-per-second. Traditionally, the mirror that allows you to see through the lens of an SLR has to move out of the way to allow light to reach the film or sensor. If you have a transparent mirror, all you have to do is open the shutter – no need to swing that big, heavy mirror up and out of the way. The mirror is also important because that’s where the auto focus sensor array is located. A transparent mirror allows the auto focus to remain active even while pictures are being taken – or while the camera is in Live View / movie mode. SLRs with regular mirrors and mirrorless cameras like the Olympus Pen Digitals can’t use phase-detect auto focus in Live View or movie mode. They’re limited to the slower, less accurate contrast-detect auto focus. “Translucent Mirror Technology” allows the Sony SLT A55 and A33 cameras to use phase-detect auto focus for both stills and video and it also makes the super fast 10 FPS frame rate possible in the A55.

The two new SLT cameras are quite a coup for Sony – especially following on the heels of Nikon’s D3100 digital SLR announcement, “the world’s first D-SLR to introduce full time auto focus (AF) in Live View and D-Movie mode…” Since the D3100 is still limited to contrast-detect auto focus, the Sony announcement really steals Nikon’s D3100 thunder.

The new Sony Alpha SLT-A55 and the A33 capture full 1920 x 1080 60i AVCHD video and have built-in, sensor-level Super SteadyShot image stabilization. Both cameras also have a built-in pop-up flash and fully articulated, 3-inch tilt-swivel LCD display. The A55, as mentioned, has a faster 10 FPS burst rate. But the A33 also has a very respectable 7 FPS burst rate. The A55 and A33 cameras have a sensitivity range of ISO 100 to 12,800 and a full range of exposure controls. They also include some more consumer-friendly fun features like built-in HDR, Hand-held Twilight, Sweep Panorama, 3D capture, HDMI output, and the A55 has built-in GPS for tagging photos.

The Sony Alpha SLT-A33 will be available in September and the A55 will be available in October for $650 and $750, respectively. For $100 more you can buy each camera in a kit with the Sony 18-55mm zoom lens.

Official Sony Alpha SLT-A55 and SLT-A33 Press Release >>

 
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