Nikon D7000 DSLR Camera Gets Firmware Update Version 1.01

Here’s the latest firmware update ‘version 1.01′ for Nikon D7000 DSLR camera. The update provides the following improvements:

• Bright spots were sometimes noticeable with live view mode or movie recording of especially dark scenes or subjects.  Occurrence of this issue has been reduced.

Get your update here! [Nikon]

Source: Best Digital Camera | TechFresh.net

Canon EF 1.4x And 2x Teleconverters

The new Canon EF 1.4x and 2x teleconverters are now available for pre-order via B&H Photo. Both teleconverters feature the Spectra Coating that reduces ghosting/ flare, a protective fluorine coating and dust/water resistant. The Canon EF 1.4x and 2x teleconverters provide a 1.4x and 2.0x magnification factor, respectively. [Product Page]

Source: Best Digital Camera | TechFresh.net

Mirror Effect On GoPro Hero HD Camera

Here is a video that was captured using the GoPro Hero HD camera. In case your didn’t know, the GoPro Hero HD camera is able to capture both 1080p/960p/720p true HD video at 30 and 60 frames per second (60fps in 720p) as well as 5-megapixel digital still images at 2, 5, 10, 30 and 60 second intervals. The camera comes bundled with a mount for attaching it to a helmet or other curved surface, and a removable polycarbonate housing to protect it from bumps and keep it waterproof up to 180 feet (60 meters). Watch the video after the jump.

[Youtube]

Source: Best Digital Camera | TechFresh.net

Sanyo Xacti PD2 Pocket Camcorder Review

EverythingUSB has reviewed the Sanyo Xacti PD2 pocket camcorder. The gadget features a 1/2.33-inch (1.1cm) CMOS (10.7MP approx.) with a 3x optical zoom, a 60fps video recording capability, a f3.9 – f5.1 (6.3mm to 18.9mm) lens and an 80MB of internal storage, which is expandable via an SDXC card slot. Here is the verdict:

While it does have many limitations, if you understand these limitations and work within them, you will be happy with the Sanyo Xacti PD2 pocket camcorder. With such a low asking price its hard to not like it! Just don’t forget to buy a SD card as one is not included!

Measuring 63.1mm x 22mm x 110.8mm and weighing 122 grams (with battery), the Sanyo Xacti PD2 pocket camcorder is available for $142 via Amazon. Watch the video after the jump to get more details.

[EverythingUSB]

Source: Best Digital Camera | TechFresh.net

Canon 7D At 2000 Frames-per-second

This slow motion video was captured using the Canon 7D at 2000 fps. This Canon 7D video has been slowed down using the Twixtor plug-in in Adobe After Effects. In addition, the slow rain drop was made with Trapcode Particular 2 in After Effects. Watch the video after the jump.

[Vimeo]

Source: Best Digital Camera | TechFresh.net

Sigma Makes 85 mm F1.4 EX DG HSM Lens Available

Sigma has announced that the 85 mm F1.4 EX DG HSM lens is now available at a retail price of $1400. Announced at the PMA 2010, the large-aperture short telephoto lens has a Hypersonic focus engine with full time manual focus override. It contains a hood Extender for APS-C/DX users and is available in Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sigma and Sony DSLR mounts.

Press release:

Excellent lens can be used on full-frame or APS-C cameras for portrait and low light photography

Ronkonkoma, NY, Oct. 14, 2010 – Sigma Corporation of America (www.sigmaphoto.com), a leading researcher, developer, manufacturer and service provider of some of the world's most impressive lines of lenses, cameras and flashes, is pleased to announce that the company’s 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM lens is now available for purchase in the United States for the MSRP of $1,400 and the estimated street price of $899.

This large aperture, medium telephoto lens is optimized for use with full-frame, DSLR cameras and is especially ideal for portrait and low light photography. When used on digital cameras with an APS-C size image sensor, it effectively becomes a 127.5mm F1.4 lens.

“This lens is an excellent addition to our prime lens line-up and is a great performer for a variety of photographers. For the sports or photojournalist photographer, the Hyper Sonic Motor will keep up with fast-paced action sequences; the 1.4 maximum aperture provides the ability to work at high shutter speeds under low existing light conditions,” said Mark Amir-Hamzeh, general manager of Sigma Corporation of America. “That same high-speed aperture is great for a portrait photographer who is looking to isolate details in their subject, with a pleasant, out-of-focus background.

One-touch, full-time manual focus is perfect for the critical, professional photographer.”
The 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM also contains one Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass element and a glass mold element to offer excellent correction for all types of aberrations and to ensure superior optical performance. This lens is equipped with a rear focus system that minimizes fluctuation of aberration caused by focusing.

The Super Multi-Layer Coating reduces flare and ghost, even in backlight photography. The lens has a round, nine-blade diaphragm, which creates an attractive blur to the out-of-focus images, and comes with a petal-type hood to block out extraneous light. For digital cameras with an APS-C size image sensor, Sigma provides a dedicated hood adapter to expand the length of the lens hood and to block out extraneous light more effectively.

To locate an authorized Sigma dealer near you, visit http://www.sigmaphoto.com/where-to-buy-sigma. To use Sigma’s Lens Finder Tool to find the best lens to suit your needs, visit http://www.sigmaphoto.com/sigma-lens-finder. For information about Sigma Corporation of America, visit www.sigmaphoto.com.
 
View the original article here

Nikon Coolpix L22 12.0 MP Digital Camera with 3.6x Optical Zoom (Red)

Nikon Coolpix L22 12MP Digital Camera (Red)
Price:

Click here to buy from Amazon

Olympus e-3 Digital SLR - 29th October

Olympus has announced that its E-5 digital SLR will start shipping from 29 October at a suggested retail price of $1700. Announced at Photokina 2010, the weather sealed camera offers a 12MP Live MOS sensor, 920k dot 3.0" articulating LCD screen, live view with contrast AF, HD video recording and shutter speeds of up to 1/8000th second. In addition, the company will, on the same day, also start to ship the 40-150 mm 1:4.0 M. Zuiko Digital ED Micro Four Thirds-5.6 zoom lens at a suggested retail price of ¥47500 (~ $580).

View the original article here

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 14.1 MP Digital Camera with 8x Optical Image Zoom

The 28mm wide-angle lens lets you easily capture large groups of people indoors or expansive architectural structures and scenes with dynamic width and rich perspective, even from short distances. The DMC-FH20 sports a powerful 8x optical zoom lens (35mm camera equivalent: 28-224mm). This gives you highly natural expressions from people and animals that you can't get close to. And its slim, compact, pocket-sized body can easily go wherever you do for both everyday snapshots and traveling. When you don't know which mode will give you the best shooting results, or when a sudden photo opportunity pops up and you don't have time to make any settings, simply choose iA (Intelligent Auto) mode by simply pressing the dedicated button and let the camera do it all for you. You just choose iA mode, aim at your subject, and shoot. 4 detection and correction functions are simultaneously activated to optimize the settings, so you get stunning photos every time.

The DMC-FH20 can record motion images in high-definition (1,280 x 720 pixels at 30 fps in motion JPEG format). The pixel mixed readout method enables bright motion-image recording even in low-light settings. The DMC-FH20 can also record full-size motion images in WVGA (848 x 480 pixels at 30 fps) or standard motion images in VGA (640 x 480 pixels at 30 fps) and QVGA (320 x 240 pixels at 30 fps).The energy-saving Venus Engine IV image-processing engine and the efficient, rechargeable lithium-ion battery which has been slimmed down to fit into thinner camera bodies work together to extend the shooting time of the DMC-FH20. This lets users take approx. 300 shots on a single battery charge.

FEATURES:

• 28mm Wide-angle Lens - The 28mm wide-angle lens lets you easily capture large groups of people indoors or expansive architectural structures and scenes with dynamic width and rich perspective, even from short distaPrice: $179.00
  
  Click here to buy from Amazon

Panasonic posts firmware update for the Lumix DMC-FZ 100 super zoom

Panasonic has released a firmware update for the Lumix DMC-FZ 100 super zoom compact. Version 1.1 is meant to address occasional strips or shadows that occur in specific lighting conditions. The firmware is available for immediate download from Panasonic's website.

Click here for more information and to download firmware v1.1
 
View the original article here

Pentax K-5 Preview

Example based on a pre-production
Pentax K-5 in terms of operation and design the new K5 is all but identical to the K-7. For this reason, in this example, we have focused on the differences between the two cameras. For a more complete picture of the K-5, it's body design and operation, which is why we recommend that you not only read this short hands-on, but also the relevant sections in our full review of the Pentax K-7. When the K10D was launched in September 2006, Pentax's first foray into the DSLR market, was competing at the time with rivals such as the Canon EOS 30, 30d and the Nikon D200. Four years later, in 2010 this sector of the market is so competitive and as always the Pentax K-5, the latest offering to the "serious amateur photographer", will have to fight for the attention of the consumer with the likes of the Canon D7, D7000, with the Nikon d300s and the Olympus E-5. At a launch at an RRP of $1600 (body only) the K-5 is currently at a similar price level as its main competitors, but we would expect the street price to come down sooner rather than later. At first sight the K-5 is virtually indistinguishable from its predecessor the K-7. There's more to be found under the hood than on the outside but nevertheless the K-5 is a relatively modest upgrade instead of a great leap forward. Perhaps the most striking new feature is a  16.3 megapixel CMOS sensor. It brings a higher maximum sensitivity (ISO 51200, the highest on a APS-C camera so far), faster continuous shooting (5.7.0 fps vs the K-7's 2) and a 1080p full HD video mode (the K-7 offered a previously non-default maximum video resolution of 1536 x 1024 pixels). Other, more minor enhancements include an updated SAFOX AF system and a few new digital filters and custom image modes. Existing users of the K-7 will no doubt, however, need very little adjustment time if they decide to upgrade to the new model. In our Pentax K-7 review the camera had high ISO output, one of our very few points of criticism. We'll have to wait for our full review of the K-5 to verify that the new sensor is suitable for clearing that point from our cons list but until then, read through our short hands-on preview to get an idea of what's new on the k-5 and how it differs from the K-7.




The K-5 has exactly the same dimensions as its predecessor, the K-7. It is chunkier than Pentax's new top entry-level DSLR the K-R (pictured to the left here) but is still relatively compact for a camera in its class.

Conclusion/recommendation/ratings are based on the views of the author, it is recommended that you read the full review before taking a decision.

View the original article here

Sony DSC-W330 14.1MP Digital Camera

The DSC-W330 captures amazingly detailed images with a Carl Zeiss 26mm equivalent wide angle 4x zoom lens. Taking and reviewing images is made easy with a large 3.0” LCD and advanced features including Easy mode, iAuto and SteadyShot™ make it easy to capture great images in various conditions.
Price: $149.99

Click here to buy from Amazon

Sony Announces NEX-3 pink

Sony has announced a pink color variant of his NEX-3 interchangeable lens camera that are only available on the Japanese market. It joins the existing color choices of black, red and silver. The pink version is available from November 2010 with a variety of optional pink accessories.

Click here and read the press release (in Japanese)

View the original article here

Samsung firmware updates for NX100

Samsung has released a firmware update for its NX100 interchangeable lens camera. Firmware v1.01 promises better off accuracy in night mode and improves the stability of the system. The firmware is available for immediate download from the website of the company.

Click here to download the latest update


View the original article here

Tokina 11-16 mm f2. 8 in Sony mount now available in the United Kingdom

Tokina's UK distributor Kenro has announced that the AT-X 116 Pro DX 11-16 mm f/2. 8 lens is now available for Sony Alpha mount at a recommended retail price of £740.25. Tokina's first lens for Sony Alpha mount provides a similar focal distance from 17-25 mm and features a "One-touch focus clutch mechanism" which allows users to switch between AF and MF by pulling the focus ring towards the camera.

Press release: Kenro has announced the popular Tokina AT-X 116 PRO DX lens is now available with a Sony fit

Previously, this ultra-wide angle lens was only an option for Canon or Nikon owners, but now Sony users will be able to take advantage of the AT-X 116's fast f/2.8 aperture which is designed to give better results in low-light situations.

The AT-X 116 PRO features Tokina’s exclusive 'One-touch Focus Clutch Mechanism' that allows the photographer to switch between AF and MF simply by snapping the focus ring forward for AF and back toward the camera to focus manually. This allows for a fast and easy manual over-ride in difficult lighting situations.

This lens is based on the award-winning AT-X 124 PRO DX (12-24mm f/4) lens, the new AT-X 116 PRO DX has a slightly shorter zoom range to maintain optical quality at wide apertures. The optical system of the lens features a new multi-coating system that helps to reduce reflections that can cause flare and ghosting.

View the original article here