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Canon PowerShot G9 Review

Posted Wednesday, April 30th, 2008 by Alex Ion

Canon PowerShot G9 is the upgraded version of the digital compact G7. It’s a traditional looking camera, but very solid, that just got RAW, a few more pixels and some other improvements.

Canon Powershot G9 Review
picture courtesy of khedara

As usual we’ll have to start the review with the brief specs and then go in deeper and deeper to find what’s great and what could have been changed.

  • Compact digital still camera with built-in flash, 6x Optical / 4x Digital / 24x Combined Zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer System
  • 12.1 Megapixel, a 1/1.7 inch type Charge Coupled Device (CCD)
  • LCD display : 3.0 inch low-temperature polycrystalline silicon TFT color LCD with wide viewing angle with a real image optical zoom viewfinder
  • RAW recording
  • DIGIC III and iSAPS
  • 7.4-44.4mm f/2.8-4.8 focal length (35mm film equivalent: 35-210mm)
  • Focusing range. Normal: 1.6 ft./50cm-infinity Macro: 0.39 in.-1.6 ft./1-50cm (WIDE)
  • Face Detection AF/AE/FE
  • 9-point AiAF and FlexiZone AF/AE
  • TTL Autofocus
  • ISO 1600 and Auto ISO Shift
  • SD/SDHC Memory Card, MultiMediaCard, MMC Plus Card, HC MMC Plus Card

Here is what I liked and disliked about it.

Canon PowerShot G9 PROs

- Has a great optical performance
- Allows RAW shooting which is great if you want better image quality
- Allows off-camera flash
- Solid and professional impression (feels great in the hand)

Canon PowerShot G9 CONs

- Image quality is less then expected because it has more pixels than the G7
- Very noise reduced high ISO settings in-camera (don’t use higher than ISO 400 or you’ll regret it)
- No Wireless operation
- It could use a larger wide angle

The price, the features and the specs are really recommending it for a wannabe professional photographer. An unexperienced fella` wouldn’t be able to use the Canon Powershot G9 at its full potential.

More pictures of the camera, below:

Canon PowerShot G9 Canon PowerShot G9 Canon PowerShot G9

Canon PowerShot G9 Canon PowerShot G9

Pictures courtesy of khedara

Canon HV20 a great HD camcorder

Posted Friday, March 28th, 2008 by Mihnea Boiangiu

Canon HV20

Canon HV20 has received great reviews and admirable scores from its users. If you don’t have a HD camcorder yet, you should consider switching for this one. Canon HV20 captures true 1080 high definition resolution video in 16:9 format using MiniDV cassette tapes. It also can record video in standard definition and capture photos on a SD card. Offering 10X optical zoom and 200X digital zoom, the camcorder features a super spectra coating technology that gives images with minimal flare and ghosting.

The camcorder sports a 2.7-inch swiveling widescreen LCD with controls on the bottom. Canon HV20 has a HDMI port for direct connection with a HDTV. Furthermore, it can also be connected directly to a printer, without the need of a PC.

And there is a great news for you, Dell sells the Canon HV20 for $699. It’s not a bargain, but it is a good deal as this camcorder retails with prices over $800.

via Crave

SurveillanceSaver - Screensaver With Live Images

Posted Friday, February 29th, 2008 by Alex Ion

I’m not a fan of screensavers but this one got my attention. SurveillanceSaver is a screensaver that will broadcast live images from over 400 surveillance cameras worldwide every time your computer goes idle. The images are not high quality, picture malls, churches, traffic stops, playgrounds, pools, backyards and more. A nice addition is the fact that city, location and other coordinates are visible at the bottom of each picture.

SurveillanceSaver - screensaver

The software is available for bot MAC OS X and for Windows (sorry Linux guys) and Slorker says it’s virus/malware free. The reason I like it is because any time I can see something new. How about two beautiful girls in that pool?

The SurveillanceSaver screensaver reminds me of EarthTV which I always watch with so much interest to see new places, cities, buildings. They have much more cameras, though.

Here are some pictures you could see.

SurveillanceSaver - screensaver SurveillanceSaver - screensaver SurveillanceSaver - screensaver images

Sony Cyber-Shot W300

Posted Thursday, February 28th, 2008 by Alex Ion

Sony Cyber-Shot W300

After seeing Sony H50 released a few days ago there is a new Cyber-Shot on the market, Sony W300, a compact point-and-shoot camera that features a stunning 13.6 megapixel resolution and 3x optical zoom from those Carl Zeiss 2.8 - 5.5 / 7.6 - 22.8 lens.

Other goodies of the new Sony Cyber-Shot W300 include up to ISO 6400, hardware image stabilization, smile detection and automatic scene detection that adjusts the color balance. The price is going to be $300 and the release date is May. I think the specs are very good if you need to keep your camera in your jeans’ pocket and shoot fast as soon as you find something nice.

I’ll try to get my hands on it when it’s going to be available and do a proper review.

via NewLaunches

Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-H50, a new super-zoom

Posted Monday, February 25th, 2008 by Alex Ion

 Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-H50, a super-zoom

Sony just announced their newest addition to their digital camera portfolio, Cyber-Shot DSC-H50.It’s a new super-zoom with a 9.1 megapixel sensor, that upgrades the Cyber-Shot DSC H9, and works with Carl Zeiss 15x optical zoom lens.  It also features a 3-inch tilted LCD display, up to ISO 3,200 and an improved flash that works up to 55-feet.

Another great feature is the “advanced sports” shooting mode that can provide uber-fast shutter speeds of up to 1/4000 seconds. We’re expecting the camera to go on sale in May and the retail price is going to be around $400. I think I may have a reason to change my compact camera now and review it for you guys.

Press release

Ricoh R8 and R50, two new compacts

Posted Tuesday, February 19th, 2008 by Alex Ion

Ricoh just announced two new compact digital cameras today, R8 and R50.

Ricoh R8

Ricoh R8 is an upgraded version of the R7 released last year, that has a 2.7-inch hi-res LCD display with Smoothing Imaging Engine version III, features a 10 megapixel sensor with CCD-shift image stabilization, 7x optical zoom and up to 1600 ISO. It can capture video in VGA mode at 30 fps (avi format), has SD and SDHC cards, weighs 0.4 pounds and from March it should sell for $460, in black and silver.

Ricoh R50Ricoh R50 on the other hand, only features a 5x optical zoom though it has the same sensor with shift image stabilization like the R8 above while the LCD is not offering the same hi-res display. Ricoh R50 is slimmer than the R8 and the price is $280. It’s going to be available in March as well.

Source: R8, R50 (translations)

Car Camera Recording for Your Own Safety

Posted Thursday, February 7th, 2008 by Mihnea Boiangiu

You might think you already have too many gadgets in the car: GPS, Bluetooth, radar detector, backup camera or even a HUD. Oh well, a camera that records everything could be a great addition. Let’s face it, a lot of stupid accidents happen and the camera could record them.

The Car Camera Recorder Pro features a 2.5″ LCD screen and  attaches very easy on the rear view mirror. It starts automatically when you turn on the engine only if you plug it into the DC outlet. The camera records video footage as long as the engine is running, and of course until the memory card is full.

Car Camera Pro

As I said above the video footage is a strong piece of evidence in car accidents or inappropriate behavior. Furthermore installing it will reduce your insurance fee.

Camera’s specifications:

  • CCD: 1/3″ Sony color CCD
  • Video Resolution: Effective CCD Pixels: NTSC 510X 492; PAL 500X 582
  • Resolution: 420 TV Lines
  • Minimum Luminosity: 0.1 LUX @ F 2.0 - Works in low light
  • S/N Ratio: > 48 dB
  • Electronic Shutter Speed: 1/60 to 1/100,000 s
  • Gamma Correction: 0.45
  • Gain Control: Automatic
  • White Balance Control: Automatic (2500-9500K)
  • Video Output: 1 Vp-p Coaxial / 75 Ohm
  • Power Supply: DV 12 V / 400mA
  • Operation Temperature: (-10 to 50C)

The Car Camera Recorder Pro retails for $449.95 right now. It’s a promotion! Don’t miss it or you will pay $600.

Product page via Crave

SanDisk to Release the 32GB Ultra II SDHC Card

Posted Monday, February 4th, 2008 by Mihnea Boiangiu

32GB Ultra II SDHC CardSanDisk announced Thursday at the PMA 2008 trade show a new 32GB Ultra II SDHC card. The card comes as a savior for high quality digital cameras and camcorders which consume a lot of memory. The 32GB Ultra II SDHC card will go on sale in April for $350.

A 16GB version will be available in March for $180. Both products will come with the MicroMate USB card reader. The high speed cards offer 15MB/sec read/write speeds.

SanDisk Video HD cardBesides those products, SanDisk has released a Video HD SDHC memory card. It comes with capacities of 4GB($80) or 8GB($140) and it is perfect for recording high-definition video. The card can capture all type qualities of video, including full High-Definition 1080 format so you can be sure it will suit your needs.

SanDisk rivals have announced 32GB SDHC cards too in January.

SanDisk via Crave

Sony Alpha A200 Debuts at CES

Posted Tuesday, January 8th, 2008 by Alex Ion

Sony Alpha A200 Debuts at CES

With the success of their Alpha A100 until now, Sony decided to upgrade and bring their latest DSLR on the market. Sony Alpha A200 is not very different from its predecessor and the big difference is the 10.2 megapixel sensor. You operate it thanks to a 2.7-inch LCD display, has the same Carl Zeiss lens, optical stabilization technology (Super SteadyShot) and a Li-ion battery with about 750 pictures autonomy.

Two models will be available from February. First one is a 18-70 mm F3.5-F5.6 and should sell for $700 while the other one is a 75-300 mm F4.5-F5.6 and will hit the shelves for $900. Preorder them starting from tomorrow if you can’t wait for a Sony Alpha A200 review before having your hands on.

via Engadget

Olympus Unveiled Its New DSLR E-3

Posted Thursday, October 18th, 2007 by Mihnea Boiangiu

Olympus unveiled its new DSLR camera - called E-3. The professional camera features a high-performance 10.1-megapixel Live MOS Sensor, World’s fastest Auto Focus with 11 biaxial points, 2.5-inch dual-axis, free-angle swivel Live View monitor, Zuiko digital lenses and some top technologies. Its users will definitely enjoy the photographic experience with the high-performance E-3 camera. Olympus claims it is 30% faster than its competitors. The camera offers continuous shooting, up to five frames per second.

Olympus DSLR E-3

Here is the full list of specs in case you would like to analyze this camera:

Type      
    Body material Magnesium alloy body
    Lens mount Four Thirds mount
Image Sensor      
    Type 4/3 ” Hi-Speed Live MOS sensor
    Effective pixels 10.1 Megapixels
    Filter array Primary colour filter (RGB)
    Aspect ratio & area 4:3 / 17.3 x 13.0 mm
    Full resolution 11.8 Megapixels
Engine      
    Type TruePic III
Filter      
    Dust reduction filter Supersonic Wave Filter
    IR cut filter Hybrid type
    LPF filter Fixed type
LCD      
    LCD type Multi-angle HyperCrystal LCD (semi-transmissive TFT colour LCD)
    Monitor size 6.4 cm / 2.5 ”
    Pixel number 230,000 pixels
    BrightCapture Yes
    Brightness adjustment 15 steps
Viewfinder      
    Viewfinder type Eye-level single lens reflex viewfinder
    Field of view Approx. 100 %
    Magnification Approx. 1.15 x with a 50mm lens set to infinity at -1 dioptres
    Depth of field preview Yes Preview button
    Eye point 20 mm
    Diopter adjustment Yes -3.0 - +1.0 diopter / built-in type
    Focusing screen Interchangeable type
    Mirror Quick return mirror
    Viewfinder Information Yes
    Eye piece shutter built-in type
Top Display      
    Displayed information  
    Activated AF points  
    BKT notification  
    B/W mode notification  
    Drive mode  
    Exposure compensation indication  
    Exposure mode  
    Flash mode  
    Focus mode  
    ISO  
    Metering mode  
    Number of storable frames  
    Record mode  
    White balance  
    White balance compensation value  
    Back light timer 8 s
Super Control Panel      
    Displayed information  
    Metering mode Yes
    Exposure mode Yes
    Aperture value Yes
    Shutter speed Yes
    Exposure level view Yes
    Flash compensation value Yes
    Exposure compensation indication Yes
    AE bracketing Yes
    ISO Yes
    Colour space Yes
    Picture mode Yes
    Gradation Yes
    Colour saturation compensation value Yes
    Sharpness compensation value Yes
    Contrast compensation value Yes
    White balance Yes
    White balance compensation value Yes
    Noise reduction Yes
    AEL notification Yes
    Flash mode Yes
    Focus mode Yes
    AF frame Yes
    Drive mode Yes
    Record mode Yes
    Number of storable frames Yes
    Memory card Yes
    Battery indicator Yes
Super Control Panel (Flash)      
    Displayed information  
    AF illuminator disactivated notification  
    AEL notification  
    Aperture value  
    Bracketing  
    Built-in flash intensity  
    Colour space  
    Exposure compensation indication  
    Exposure mode  
    Flash compensation value  
    Group settings  
    Noise reduction  
    Shutter speed  
    Wireless channel setting  
Live View      
    Information 100% field of view, exposure adjustment preview, white balance adjustment preview, gradation auto preview, gridline displayable, 5x/7x/10x magnification possible, MF/S-AF, AF frame display, AF point display, shooting information, histogramme
Image Stabiliser      
    Type Sensor shift
    Modes Two-dimensional or one-dimensional activation
    Effective Compensation Range Up to 5 EV steps
Focusing System      
    Method TTL phase difference detection system
    Focus areas 11 points / fully biaxial, automatic and manual selection
    AF illuminator Yes Built-in flash (external flash available)
    AF lock Yes Locked by first position of shutter release button in single AF mode, AE/AF lock button (customised)
    Focus tracking Yes Available in continuous AF mode
    Manual focus Yes Available by rotating focus ring, available for setting manual focus operation in AF mode (customised)
    Single AF Yes
    Single AF + MF Yes
    Continuous AF Yes
    Continuous AF + MF Yes
    Detection range -2 - 19 EV (ISO 100)
Light Metering      
    Method TTL open aperture light metering
    Zones 49 zones Multi-pattern Sensing System
    Detection range 1 - 20 (50mm, 1:2, ISO 100)
    ESP light metering Yes
    Spot metering Yes
    Centre weighted metering Yes
    Highlight Yes
    Shadow Yes
Exposure Modes      
    Auto Yes
    Programme automatic Yes
    Aperture priority Yes
    Shutter priority Yes
    Manual Yes
Exposure System      
    Exposure compensation +/- 5 EV / 1, 1/2, 1/3 steps
    Exposure bracketing 3 / 5 frames / +/- 1/3, 2/3, 1 EV steps
    ISO bracketing 3 frames / 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV steps
Sensitivity      
    Auto in 1/3 and 1 EV ISO steps
    Manual ISO 100 - 3200 in 1/3 and 1 EV ISO steps
Shutter      
    Shutter type Computerised focal-plane shutter
    Shutter release Soft Touch Electromagnetic
    Self timer 12 s / 2 s
    Anti Shock Yes Release delay: 1 - 30 s
Shutter Speeds      
    Shutter speed range 1/8000-60 s (in 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV steps)
    Bulb mode Up to 30 minutes (selectable longest time in the menu, default: 8 minutes
    Shutter speed P, Ps 1/8000-60 s
    Shutter speed A priority 1/8000-60 s
    Shutter speed S priority 1/8000-60 s
    Shutter speed scene mode 1/8000-60 s
White Balance      
    AUTO WB system Hybrid detection system with High-speed Live MOS sensor and dedicated external sensor
    Manual White balance (One-Touch) Yes
    Selectable steps in Kelvin 7 steps (3000 - 7500 K)
    Overcast Yes
    Shade Yes
    Tungsten Yes
    Sunlight Yes
    Flourescent 1 Yes
    Flourescent 2 Yes
    Flourescent 3 Yes
    White balance adjustment Yes +/- 7 in each R-B / G-M axis (in Auto WB and preset WB mode)
    Custom WB 1 setting can be registered at Kelvin temperature (2000K - 14000K)
    One-touch white balance 4 custom settings can be registered
    White balance bracketing 3 frames / +/- 2, 4, 6 mired steps
Internal Flash      
    Guide number 13
    Flash compensation +/- 3 EV / 1/3 EV steps
    AUTO Yes
    Red-eye reduction Yes
    Slow synchronisation Yes
    Slow synchronisation 2nd curtain Yes
    Fill-in Yes
    Slow synchronisation with red-eye reduction Yes
    Off Yes
    Bracketing 3 frames / 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV steps
External Flash Control      
    X-sync speed 1/250 s / 1/8000 s
    Type TTL AUTO, AUTO, MANUAL, FP TTL AUTO, FP MANUAL
    Synchronisation modes Auto, Manual, Red-eye reduction, Slow syncro with red-eye reduction, Slow syncro, 2nd curtain and slow syncro, Fill-in for exclusive flash
    Intensity +/- 2 EV / 1, 1/2, 1/3 steps
Built-in flash and wireless flash control from the camera body      
    Compatible external flash FL-50R, FL-36R
    Control method Triggered and controlled by built-in flash light
    Modes TTL Auto (TTL pre-flash mode), Auto, Manual, FP TTL Auto, FP Manual
    Number of channels 4 channels
    Group setting 3 groups
Sequence Shooting      
    Sequential shooting mode (high speed) 5 fps / 16 frames RAW buffer
    Sequential shooting mode 5 fps / Up to card capacity in normal mode with SanDisk Extreme III
Image Processing      
    Colour space sRGB / AdobeRGB
    TruePic III Yes
    Sharpness + Contrast 5 levels
    Saturation 5 levels
    Contrast 5 levels
    Black & White filter Yellow, Orange, Red, Green
    Black & White toning Yellow, Orange, Red, Green in Black & White and Sepia mode.
    Picture mode Vivid, Natural, Portrait, Muted, Monotone, Custom (default setting: Natural)
    Gradation 4
Image Editing      
    RAW data edit Yes
    Red-eye reduction Yes
    Sepia Yes
    Black & White Yes
    Resize Yes
    Correction of saturation Yes
    Shadow Adjustment Technology Yes
Erase / Protect / Copy Function      
    Erase modes Single, All, Selected
    Image protect mode Single, Selected
    Copy mode Single, All, Selected
View Images      
    Index 4, 9, 16, 25 frames
    Calendar Yes
    Zoom Yes 2 - 14 x
    Slide show Yes
    Rotation Yes
    Light box Yes
    Histogram in playback mode Yes
    Shooting information Histogram ( independent luminance / RGB available), Highlight / Shadow point warning, AF frame, Shooting information
Still Image Recording      
    EXIF Yes
    PIM Yes
    DPOF Yes
    DCF Yes
Recording Formats      
    RAW 12 bit
    RAW & JPEG Yes
    JPEG Yes
    JPEG compression 1/2.7, 1/4, 1/8, 1/12 SHQ 1/2.7, 1/4, 1/8, 1/12 HQ 1/2.7, 1/4, 1/8, 1/12 SQ
Image Size      
    RAW 3648 x 2736 compressed / 11 MB / frame
    Large 3648 x 2736 Super Fine (compression: 1/2.7) / 6.8 MB / frame
      3648 x 2736 Fine (compression: 1/4) / 4.7 MB / frame
      3648 x 2736 Normal (compression: 1/8) / 2.2 MB / frame
      3648 x 2736 Basic (compression: 1/12) / 1.5 MB / frame
    Middle 3200 x 2400 Super Fine (compression: 1/2.7) / 5.3 MB / frame
      3200 x 2400 Fine (compression: 1/4) / 3.7 MB / frame
      3200 x 2400 Normal (compression: 1/8) / 1.7 MB / frame
      3200 x 2400 Basic (compression: 1/12) / 1.1 MB / frame
      2560 x 1920 Super Fine (compression: 1/2.7) / 3.6 MB / frame
      2560 x 1920 Fine (compression: 1/4) / 2.2 MB / frame
      2560 x 1920 Normal (compression: 1/8) / 1.1 MB / frame
      2560 x 1920 Basic (compression: 1/12) / 0.7 MB / frame
    Small 1600 x 1200 Super Fine (compression: 1/2.7) / 1.3 MB / frame
      1600 x 1200 Fine (compression: 1/4) / 0.8 MB / frame
      1600 x 1200 Normal (compression: 1/8) / 0.5 MB / frame
      1600 x 1200 Basic (compression: 1/12) / 0.3 MB / frame
      1280 x 960 Super Fine (compression: 1/2.7) / 0.8 MB / frame
      1280 x 960 Fine (compression: 1/4) / 0.5 MB / frame
      1280 x 960 Normal (compression: 1/8) / 0.3 MB / frame
      1280 x 960 Basic (compression: 1/12) / 0.2 MB / frame
      1024 x 768 Super Fine (compression: 1/2.7) / 0.5 MB / frame
      1024 x 768 Fine (compression: 1/4) / 0.4 MB / frame
      1024 x 768 Normal (compression: 1/8) / 0.2 MB / frame
      1024 x 768 Basic (compression: 1/12) / 0.1 MB / frame
      640 x 480 Super Fine (compression: 1/2.7) / 0.2 MB / frame
      640 x 480 Fine (compression: 1/4) / 0.2 MB / frame
      640 x 480 Normal (compression: 1/8) / 0.1 MB / frame
      640 x 480 Basic (compression: 1/12) / 0.1 MB / frame
Interface      
    Media Dual slot for CompactFlash card (Type I and II), Microdrive and xD picture card
    USB 2.0 High Speed Yes
    Video out Yes NTSC or PAL selectable
    Infrared Yes
    DC input Yes
    Synchro socket Yes
Menu      
    Menu languages in camera English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Czech, Dutch, Danish, Polish
    Menu languages by download Additional one language from 15 further languages by download via the internet.
Customisation Options      
    Fn Button Off, one-touch WB, test picture, preview, Live View, AF home setting, MF, record format, exposure mode, My Mode, underwater modes
    Custom preset options 2
    My Mode 2 settings storable
Power Supply      
    Battery BLM-1 Li-Ion battery (included)
    Battery life Approx. 610 shots with BLM-1 under CIPA testing standard (optical viewfinder).
    Sleep mode Available ( 1, 3, 5, 10 min., off)
Environment      
    Temperature 0 - 40 °C operating temperature -20 - 60 °C storage temperature
    Humidity 30 - 90 % operation humidity 10 - 90 % storage humidity
Size      
    Dimensions (WxHxD) 142.5 x 116.5 x 74.5 mm (without protrusions)
    Weight 810 g (body only)

The estimated retail price is $1,699. It seems Olympus DSLR E-3 would be good addition for professional and not only.

Product page

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