Digital Photography Review Newsletter: Monday, 26 September 2011

	Digital Photography Review Newsletter Monday, 26 September 2011 The most popular weekly photography newsletter, with over 300,000 subscribers
Welcome to the 459th Digital Photography Review newsletter. Nikon: beyond the looking-glass The biggest news this week was, of course, the launch of Nikon's mirrorless, interchangeable-lens camera system. The Nikon 1 system uses what the company is calling a 'CX' sized sensor, making it about half the size of the sensors in the Four Thirds cameras but still four times the size of the sensor in most consumer compacts. And it's this latter consideration that is significant since, (eye-watering) price aside, the J1 and V1 appear to be aimed at the kinds of the kind of buyers who want more capability than their compacts can offer but don't want a DSLR. The launch has prompted a vicious backlash on both the forums and comments sections of the site. The high price, surprisingly large bodies and relatively small sensor being the main targets. We have to presume that Nikon has made this choice because the small sensor should mean very high-speed data transfers and lenses with small, light elements that make it easier to provide really fast contrast-detection autofocus. At least in the short-term it looks like Nikon believes keen photographers are better-served by DSLRs. In addition to the news reports, we published images live from the camera's launch in New York, wrote an opinion piece suggesting why the move might make sense for Nikon and prepared our first impressions of the cameras and what they represent. Olympus E-PL3 reviewed and 45mm F1.8 lens samples published In amongst all the excitement, we also published our review of the Olympus E-PL3. It's the third iteration of the PEN Lite concept - a lighter, less expensive PEN model that offers less direct control but much of the capability of the flagship E-P3. It's built around the familiar 12MP sensor used in all the existing PEN models but has gained a tilt-flip rear LCD and received an extensive re-style. The result is a small, good-looking camera that can use an increasingly extensive range of Panasonic and Olympus Micro Four Thirds lenses. Click here to find out what we thought. That range includes, for instance, the new Olympus 45mm F1.8 'family portrait' lens. We've long hoped a manufacturer would make such a lens so rushed straight out with it and assembled a preview samples gallery. A full lens review will follow in the coming weeks but, for now, we've written a 'first impressions' article describing the experience. Sony SLT -A35 review It seems a long time since Sony's SLT cameras were centre of attention (despite it only being a week or so) but we've been working away on a review of the simplest model in the lineup - the A35. It offers much of the capability of the original A55, loses the tilt-flip screen but gains a revised, lower-power version of the sensor, promising better battery life and greater video recording longevity. Is this easy-to-overlook update the camera to upset the entry-level DSLR market? Click here to read our review. All this activity hasn't stopped us continuing to add to the new articles section, with book reviews, technique guides and informative pieces to peruse. We hope you enjoy them. Richard
News updates Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm F1.8 first impressions and samples Published on 19 September 2011 09:00:22 GMT Olympus 45mm F1.8 first impressions and preview samples. The recent spate of camera and lens announcements has given us the chance to use the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm F1.8. Given how long we've been asking manufacturers for a portrait lens in the 100mm-equivalent region, we pounced on this when it came into the office. As well as a preview samples gallery, we've also prepared some first impressions of shooting with the Micro Four Thirds 'Family Portrait' lens. Read full story → Just posted: Our in-depth Olympus E-PL3 review Published on 20 September 2011 01:46:09 GMT We've published our Olympus PEN Lite/E-PL3 review along with studio comparison shots fron the Sony NEX-5N. The E-PL3 squeezes much of the capability of its big brother, the E-P3, into a smaller, simplified body. It gains the faster autofocus and Full HD (60i) video of the third-generation PEN models, while it also adds a tilting LCD and 5fps burst shooting mode. These all represent significant improvements over the larger, heavier E-PL2 it replaces. Could this be the mirrorless model that would-be compact camera upgraders should be looking to? Read full story → Adobe announces Photoshop Elements 10 Published on 20 September 2011 09:30:28 GMT Adobe has released version 10 of its Photoshop Elements image-editing software. New features include Guided Edits, which guide users step-by-step through the process of achieving certain image looks, and a range of image organization options. Several tools have been updated too, including the text and crop tools. There's also an option to upload videos directly to sharing sites such as Facebook and YouTube. The software will be available shortly for $99.99, alternatively users of any previous version can upgrade for $79.99. The company has simultaneously released version 10 of its Premiere Elements video-editing software at the same price; a bundle containing both programs will also be available for $149.99. Read full story → Instagram v2.0 offers faster processing, larger images and more options Published on 20 September 2011 20:09:38 GMT Instagram has updated its popular free image processing and sharing app to version 2.0, adding an revised interface and more features. Instagram v2.0 includes an improved user interface, faster image processing and the ability to save its processed images at higher resolution. The app still only shares low-res versions of files but allows you to save full resolution versions to your 'phone (10x larger in the case of the iPhone 4). The latest version also adds four more processing filters and the option to add or remove borders from the existing ones. Read full story → Canon adds AirPrint wireless capability to PIXMA WiFi printers Published on 20 September 2011 21:03:03 GMT Canon has announced that three of its recently released wireless all-in-one PIXMA printers can now support 'AirPrint' wireless printing from Apple iOS devices. The PIXMA MG8220, MG6220 and MG5320 all gain the ability to print wirelessly from the iPad, iPad 2, iPhone 4 and iPod touches (3rd generation or newer), running iOS 4.2 or later. Canon also says it will offer AirPrint support on the majortiy of future models. Read full story → Sony SLT-A35 review published Published on 20 September 2011 21:27:26 GMT We've published our review of the Sony SLT-A35. This latest model in Sony's series of 'translucent mirror' cameras incorporates almost all the features of the original A33 and A55 but includes what Sony promises is an improved 16MP sensor, and handful of extra processing options. The only real losses compared to the A33 are the articulated rear screen and $50 from the MSRP of the 18-55mm lens kit, taking it down to $699. Is this enough to compete in the crowded entry-level segment? Read our review to find out. Read full story → Nikon announces Nikon 1 system with V1 small sensor mirrorless camera Published on 21 September 2011 04:02:36 GMT Nikon has announced the V1 enthusiast small sensor mirrorless camera. Built around what the company is calling a 'CX' format 10MP CMOS sensors, the cameras is part of the company's new Nikon 1 line. The V1 is intended as the higher-end model in the lineup and features magnesium alloy construction and a 1.4M dot electronic viewfinder. It also has an accessory port allowing the connection of the SB-N5 mini speedlight or GP-N100 GPS unit. Unlike the J1, it can switch between mechanical and electronic shutter. In common with the J1, in can shoot 1080i60 or 1080p30 video and combines phase detection and contrast detection autofocus, in movie shooting or 10fps continuous bursts. The 1" type sensor (13.2mm x 8.8mm) gives a 2.7x crop. The V1 kit with 10-30mm (27-81mm equiv.) lens will be $899.95 and will be available around October 20th. An adapter allowing the use of Nikon F-mount lenses will follow. Read full story → Nikon releases four '1 Nikkor lenses' for Nikon 1 system Published on 21 September 2011 04:21:20 GMT Alongside the J1 and V1, Nikon has launched four lenses for its Nikon 1 system. The lenses, designed for the 1"-type CX sensors, start with the 1 Nikkor VR 10-30mm F3.5-5.6, 27-81mm equivalent kit zoom. In additon there will be a 1 Nikkor VR 30-110mm F3.8-5.6 lens, which gives a 81-297mm equiv range. Finally there will be the 27mm equiv. 1 Nikkor 10mm F2.8 pancake lens. There will also be a 1 Nikkor VR 10-100mm f/4.5-5.6 (27-270mm equivalent) power zoom lens for video capture. Read full story → Nikon unveils J1 small sensor mirrorless camera as part of Nikon 1 system Published on 21 September 2011 05:19:01 GMT Nikon has announced the J1 small sensor mirrorless camera. The J1 is the more compact, less expensive model in the line up and, like the V1, features Hybrid autofocus (combining phase detection and contrast detection AF) that allows the camera to shoot at up to 10 frames-per-second with autofocus. The J1 has only an electronic shutter, limiting sync speed to 1/60th of a second but allowing shutter speeds of up to 1/16000th of a second. It's built around a 1" type (13.2mm x 8.8mm) 10MP CMOS sensor, giving a 2.7x crop, which Nikon is calling 'CX' format. Like the V1, it can shoot 1080i60 video. The J1 kit with 10-30mm (27-81mm equiv.) lens will be $649.95. Again, the J1 is expected to arrive in the US around October 20th. Read full story → Hands-on images from the Nikon 1 launch, including mock-up lenses Published on 21 September 2011 05:42:21 GMT Live report from the New York launch of the Nikon 1 system. Dpreview.com attended the unveiling of Nikon's new mirrorless camera system, which included the launch of the J1 and V1 cameras. We had a chance to handle the cameras and their associated accessories. Here are our images from the event, including mock-ups of possible future lenses. Read full story → Nikon V1 and J1 - hands-on first impressions Published on 21 September 2011 20:12:10 GMT We've had a little more time with the Nikon J1 and V1, and have prepared a first impressions article about the Nikon 1 system. We also spoke to Masahiro Suzuki, General Manager, R&D Department at Nikon's development HQ, to better understand the company's reasoning. The article includes an explanation of their high-speed shooting modes and addresses why the mode dial doesn't say P,A,S or M. Read full story → Nikon J1 real-world samples gallery Published on 22 September 2011 07:36:20 GMT We've published a gallery of 23 images shot with the Nikon J1. We've shot a selection of images using the Nikon J1 - the simpler of the company's two 'Nikon 1' cameras. Combined with the 1 Nikkor VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens, we've taken a variety of real-world images in a variety of light conditions. Given all the controversy the J1 and V1 have generated, we thought it made sense to look at some of its images. We've also included 5 raw files for you to examine. Read full story → Article: How to take great pictures of seascapes Published on 22 September 2011 19:12:28 GMT Josie Reavely writes about how to capture something interesting and different from the coast. Beautiful seascapes shot in stunning locations can really enhance your image collection. Read the tips in this article to increase your chances of success and get your images of the coastline to the next level. Read full story → Book review: Saul Leiter- Early Color Published on 23 September 2011 18:18:13 GMT Barnaby Britton takes a look at the work of New York photographer Saul Leiter. Although not as well-known as some of his contemporaries, Leiter is considered one of the most interesting photographers of his generation. This collection, 'Early Color' showcases some of his early experiments with color film and reveals a unique eye. Read full story → Photographers and publishers discuss making money from apps Published on 23 September 2011 18:48:13 GMT The British Journal of Photography has published two articles about photographers using the iPad and Apple's App Store to make money from their work. In one, publisher Michael Mack explains the logic and challenges of producing photography books for tablets. Meanwhile National Geographic photographer Michael Nichols explains why an attempt to update his website ended up with him selling an app through Apple's store. (BJoP via PetaPixel) Read full story → Sony offers NEX-5N adjustment for users experiencing video clicking Published on 24 September 2011 01:52:30 GMT Sony has posted a note on its support site saying it will modify NEX-5N cameras of users troubled by clicking noises during video recording. The company points out that the phenomenon only occurs: 'if the camera undergoes sudden motion while recording; motion generally inconsistent with smooth video recording.' But has said it will make an 'adjustment' to the cameras (during the warranty period) of users who feel they're likely to encounter the issue. The company doesn't say that only people combining jogging with their videography need apply, but... Read full story → Article: 3D Video Primer: Part 2 Published on 24 September 2011 13:00:14 GMT In this second part of our 2-part primer, we look at who's who in the consumer 3D video market, and how they see the market evolving. What is driving the current upsurge of 3D? Improvements in the technology, pressure from manufacturers desperate to create and monitize the next 'big thing' in consumer electronics, or consumers themselves? Read our article to find out. Read full story →

Digital Photography Review Newsletter: Saturday, 17 September 2011

	Digital Photography Review Newsletter Saturday, 17 September 2011 The most popular weekly photography newsletter, with over 250,000 subscribers
Welcome to the 458th Digital Photography Review newsletter. Canon CMOS compact comeback Having used 10MP CCD sensors in its previous two 'S' series models, Canon had turned to its own sensor division for the 12MP CMOS chip in its latest model, the PowerShot S100. Although it resembles the S95 at first glance, the latest model has a number of changes, not least a wider lens and the addition of GPS. We've given it a close look and assessed what those changes will mean for photographers. Click here to read our hands-on preview. Ricoh refreshes GR Digital Ricoh has also updated its flagship compact - the GR Digital. Unlike the Canon, it sticks with the well-respected 10MP CCD and its design changes are even more subtle. Under the skin there have been changes, however, with the GR Digital IV becoming the first in the series to feature sensor-shift image stabilization. It also receives the company's latest processing engine and marks the first use we've seen of the high brightness/low power consumption 'WhiteMagic' LCD. We've also prepared a hands-on preview of the GRD 4 - click here to find out about the changes. Samples galleries and articles As well as these previews, we've also published a series of articles, including book reviews, interviews and technique guides. We were also invited to the press launch of the recent Sony SLTs and NEX cameras, from which we've published pre-production samples from the NEX-7 and another gallery from the forthcoming E-mount Sony/Zeiss 24mm F1.8 lens. There'll be more coming over the next few days, including an introduction to mountain bike photography by top shooter Seb Rogers, some more sample galleries and a review we're just putting finishing touches to. Please stay tuned, or whatever it is one does in the ever-expanding digital environment. Richard
News updates Just posted: 3D Video Primer, Part 1 Published on 12 September 2011 21:33:13 GMT These days it seems like every other movie in theatres is 3D, and retailers' shelves are groaning with 3D televisions and home cinema systems. In this first part of our two-part 3D video primer, we look at the history of 3D, the present state of the technology, and take a glimpse at the future. Read full story → Pentax unveils Optio RZ18 compact superzoom Published on 12 September 2011 22:05:46 GMT Pentax has announced the Optio RZ18 - a compact superzoom camera with 18x zoom lens. The RZ18 combines a very flexible zoom range (25-450mm equivalent) with a 16MP image stabilized CCD sensor. It also features a 460,000 dot LCD and can shoot 720p HD video at 30 frames per second. The RZ18 will be available from October at a recommended price of $299. Read full story → Just Posted: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX100V preview gallery and video sample Published on 12 September 2011 23:40:06 GMT Just posted: Our Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX100V preview samples gallery. The HX100V is the latest offering in Sony's H series of superzooms. It combines a 30x zoom lens (26-810mm equiv.) with Sony's latest 16MP back-illuminated CMOS sensor. We've put together a sample gallery that uses the camera in a variety of shooting conditions and including several sweep panorama examples. Read full story → Just posted: Book review - Linda McCartney, a Life in Photographs Published on 13 September 2011 00:45:15 GMT Linda McCartney's marriage to Paul sometimes risks overshadowing her photographic work. An established photographer when they met, Linda spent the rest of her life documenting her family's private and professional lives. A career retrospective and memorial to a life cut short, 'Life in Photographs' showcases a rare talent. Read full story → Olympus offers firmware v1.2 for E-5 Four Thirds DSLR Published on 13 September 2011 16:30:33 GMT Olympus has announced a firmware update for its flagship E-5 DSLR. Firmware version 1.2 ensures the movement of the dial on the optional HLD-4 battery grip matches the movement of the selected AF point. The update can be installed either via the Olympus imaging software or by downloading a stand-alone installer. Read full story → Panasonic brings seven Micro Four Thirds lenses to HD standard Published on 13 September 2011 16:42:23 GMT Panasonic has reclassified seven of its existing Micro Four Thirds lenses as 'HD' lenses, four of them following a firmware update. Firmware v1.1 aims to improve the image stabilization performance and reduce the focusing noise during video capture. An apparent reassessment of its 'HD' standard sees these four, plus three other existing lenses, reclassified. The firmware can be downloaded immediately from the Panasonic website. Read full story → Just posted: Book review - The dawn of the color photograph Published on 13 September 2011 18:42:25 GMT 'The Dawn of the Color Photograph: Albert Kahn's Archives of the Planet' by David Okeofuna presents the early color photographs collected from all over the world by French banker Albert Kahn. The book was published in conjunction with the BBC television series The Wonderful World of Albert Kahn and brings together over 300 of these early 'autochromes.' Read full story → Just posted: The story of a picture - Sydney Harbor Bridge Published on 13 September 2011 23:09:23 GMT Industrial photographer Geoff Helliwell tells us how a business assignment at Sydney Harbor Bridge led to the creation of one of his favorite images. Read full story → Panasonic DMC-LX5 firmware v2 studio shots posted Published on 13 September 2011 23:12:40 GMT Just posted: Panasonic LX5 studio shots updated with firmware v2.0. The latest firmware for the DMC-LX5 is now available, so we've taken the enthusiast compact back into the studio to see what differences it makes. As well as improvements to the already impressive AF speed, Panasonic has also added an extra 'Noise Reduction' option in the menu. This applies additional noise reduction at ISO 1600 and 3200 (the highest full-resolution settings). We've included both NR on and Off in our comparisons at these settings. Read full story → Richard Franiec says E-PL3 accessory grip also suitable for PEN Mini Published on 14 September 2011 00:12:23 GMT Richard Franiec has announced that his accessory grip for the Olympus E-PL3 will start shipping on September 15th and has confirmed it will fit the PEN Mini (E-PM1). The aluminium grips are available at a cost of $34.95 plus shipping. Read full story → SanDisk launches 90MB/s SDXC cards and Eye-Fi cards in Europe Published on 14 September 2011 17:42:22 GMT Sandisk has announced a series of cards including SDXC UHS-I cards capable of 95MB/s transfer speeds and Eye-Fi wireless cards for the European market. The SanDisk Extreme Pro SDXC UHS-I cards are based on the SD 3.0 standards and can write at 90MB/s to allow bursts of large Raw files or 1080p60 video. They will be available in sizes from 8 to 64Gb. Meanwhile there will be 4 and 8Gb SanDisk/Eye-Fi co-branded cards available in Europe. It's not clear if these differ from the existing Eye-Fi products. (via Megapixel) Read full story → Just Posted: Sony NEX-7 pre-production samples gallery Published on 14 September 2011 18:04:09 GMT Just Posted: Sony NEX-7 pre-production samples gallery. We've been shooting at the press launch of Sony's latest cameras, affording us a chance to shoot with a pre-production NEX-7. We've put together a samples gallery in a variety of lighting conditions, giving an idea of what the camera will be capable of. We've also tried its sweep-panorama mode in circumstances where conventional panorama shooting would have been challenging. We'll be adding to the gallery over the coming days. Read full story → Just posted: Studio in the Wild Published on 14 September 2011 18:18:27 GMT Strobe lights, reflectors and translucent backdrops are not limited to the pristine confines of a studio. Learn how nature photographers are bringing the 'studio' to their subjects for unique interpretations of the nature around us. Read full story → Kodak announces Easyshare M5370 touch-screen 5x compact Published on 14 September 2011 21:33:14 GMT Kodak has released three cameras, including the Easyshare Touch M5370; a 16MP, 5x zoom touch-screen compact. It features a 28-140mm equivalent lens and follows Samsung's trend of using MicroSD cards. The company has also created the Z5010 14MP 21x (25-525mm equiv.) superzoom and the M5350, which appears to offer a similar spec to the M5370 but without touch-screen and taking full-size SD cards. Read full story → Just Posted: Ricoh GR Digital IV hands-on preview Published on 15 September 2011 06:00:55 GMT Just Posted: Ricoh GR Digital IV hands-on preview. We've been loaned a pre-production GRD 4, which we've closely examined to see what this latest model offers. Although the core specification (28mm equiv. lens and 10MP CCD sensor) appear unchanged, there have been plenty of updates. These include the addition of image stabilization, 'Hybrid AF' and the first application we've seen of Sony's 'WhiteMagic' RGBW high-res LCD. Click here to find out how Ricoh has refreshed its high-end enthusiast compact. Read full story → Ricoh unveils GR Digital IV 10MP enthusiast compact with 'Hybrid AF' Published on 15 September 2011 06:00:55 GMT Ricoh has unveiled the Ricoh GR Digital IV - the latest in its series of high-end, fixed focal-length compacts. The GRD IV is still built around a 10MP 1/1.7" CCD sensor but gains sensor-shift image stabilization. It also adds 'Hybrid AF' that uses twin CMOS AF sensors allowing the camera to assess focus distance and bring focus times down to 0.2 sec (twice the speed of the GRD III). This, combined with the camera's distinctly photographer-focused interface and compact size, prompts the company to tout the GR Digital IV as a street-shooting tool. The camera also gains a high-resolution RGBW 1.23M dot LCD. There will also be a limited-edition white version for the first time. Read full story → Just Posted: Canon PowerShot S100 hands-on preview Published on 15 September 2011 12:01:36 GMT Just Posted: Canon PowerShot S100 hands-on preview. We've had a chance to use the S100 and find just what's changed from the much-liked S95. The example we had was too early for us to be allowed to shoot with but we've studied the details (such as the maximum available aperture through its zoom range), to give you an idea of what Canon's latest enthusiast compact brings. Read full story → Canon announces PowerShot S100 12MP CMOS enthusiast compact Published on 15 September 2011 12:01:36 GMT Canon has announced the PowerShot S100 - the latest in its line of small enthusiast compacts. The S100 features a broader, 5x lens range (24-120mm equiv.), the company's latest image stabilization and built-in GPS. The interesting specification, from our perspective, is the 12MP CMOS sensor. It's the company's second compact camera sensor, following the slightly disappointing example in 2008's PowerShot SX1. As with the S95, the sensor remains of the larger 1/1.7" type used in high-end compacts. Read full story → Canon launches PowerShot SX40 HS 35x CMOS superzoom Published on 15 September 2011 12:01:36 GMT Canon has launched the PowerShot SX40 HS - a 12MP CMOS-based superzoom with 35x zoom. The SX40 steps into the place of the SX30 and offers a 24-840mm equivalent zoom range. It can shoot at up to 10.3 frames per second for 8 shots and can capture 1080p24 HD video. An 'Intelligent IS' system attempts to assess the shooting conditions and use the most appropriate stabilization mode, to make the camera's huge lens range usable. Read full story → Just posted: Book Review - Subway by Bruce Davidson Published on 15 September 2011 17:21:21 GMT Adam Koplan reviews the third edition of Magnum photographer Bruce Davidson’s classic series of images of New York City subway riders from all walks of life - including 25 never-before-published photos. Read full story → Just posted: Photographer profile - Jody Kingzett Published on 15 September 2011 23:24:20 GMT Jody Kingzett is a London based commercial and PR photographer. Read our profile and interview to find out how he started his career, what inspires him and what equipment he prefers to shoot with. Read full story → Just Posted: Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* E 24mm F1.8 ZA / NEX-7 samples Published on 16 September 2011 09:00:22 GMT Just Posted: Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* E 24mm F1.8 ZA preview samples gallery. At the press launch we've had a chance to shoot with Sony's latest E-mount prime lens: the Zeiss-branded 36mm equivalent 24mm F1.8 ZA. We've been shooting the lens on a pre-production NEX-7 to show its performance in front of a 24MP sensor. As usual we've tried to shoot the lens in a variety of conditions and at a variety of apertures to give an idea about how it behaves. Read full story → Just posted: What we want in a macro shot - part 2 Published on 16 September 2011 18:27:30 GMT In this latest part of his series on macro photography Erez Marom demonstrates the important role the background plays in creating a successful macro photograph. Learn how to take control of this image-defining element. Read full story → Ricoh adds features with final GR Digital II firmware update Published on 16 September 2011 19:21:35 GMT Ricoh has announced it will update the firmware of its GRD III enthusiast compact camera. The update, due in mid October, is the fifth feature-adding revision for the high-end model and includes several additional features that have come from its GXR and GRD IV cameras. These include the ability to assign an additional option to the 'Adj.' lever and the locking of the power button if the optional new GL-1 metal lens cap is fitted. The company says this will be the final update for the GRD III. Read full story →

How I Met Your Mother Season 7 Promo Video

Those of you who are not eating almonds nowadays and cannot recall as to how exactly the last episode ended - it showed Barney getting ready for his marriage and Ted as his best man!

The promo of How I Met Your Mother Season 7 was released yesterday and though it does not reveal much, the promo serves its purpose - generating curiosity! The promo begins with Robin and Barney counting 1, 2, 3, and jigging crazily! It also shows Barney asking Ted if he is gonna cry during the toast, to which Ted replies “I am totally gonna cry!” Now this brings up the question - Are they talking about the toast Ted will raise during Barney’s wedding?

Anyhow, the promo also shows Lily uttering: “Hakuna Matata.” Now this raises two questions, too - Firstly, why is Lily this excited? And secondly, has she lately been watching too much of Disney Channel? Wink.

Have a look at the promo and think; think: will Barney marry Nora? If he does not, will Robin and Barney patch up? Will Ted finally meet his kid’s Mother (we could have written ‘wife’ here, but then the name of the sitcom itself is How Met Your Motherand not How I Met My Wife!) And more importantly, think how you’ll control your excitement till the 19th of September, the date when two back-to-back episodes will be aired! Meanwhile, have a look at the promo of How I Met Your Mother Season 7 here: 

Digital Photography Review Newsletter: Wed, 7 Sep 2011

	Digital Photography Review Newsletter Wed, 7 Sep 2011 The most popular weekly photography newsletter, with over 250,000 subscribers
Welcome to the 457th Digital Photography Review newsletter. Sony plays its hand Just in case you somehow missed the recent announcements, Sony has put down its marker by radically refreshing its consumer- and enthusiast-level lineup. The company has released four cameras, each of them worthy of attention in their own right. Probably the biggest news was the long-awaited SLT-A77, the company's replacement for its A700 semi-pro DSLR. And, while we think the A77, with its 24MP sensor and impressively high-resolution electronic viewfinder is impressive, we're just as intrigued by the A65 - its sister model that it likely to put this technology in a lot of photographers' hands. As well as the SLTs, Sony has updated its NEX range of mirrorless cameras - with the launch of the NEX-5N and NEX-7. The 5N is a completely reworked replacement for the original NEX-5, featuring a touch screen, higher-resolution sensor and option for adding an electronic viewfinder. Meanwhile the NEX-7 is a true enthusiast-targeted model with much of the A77's technology squeezed into a body little larger than the 5N but featuring the most direct control yet seen in the NEX family. Samsung's NX200 steps up Samsung has also been re-engineering its mirrorless offerings, with the launch of the NX200, the range's biggest update since its inception. The NX200 is built around a totally new 20.3MP sensor with redesigned filters and microlenses in an attempt to maximise light capture. We've prepared a hands-on preview, discussing the latest model's features and including a pre-production samples gallery. We've also published a brief hands-on video about the camera - something we'll be doing more of in future. Panasonic folds the Micro back into Micro Four Thirds Panasonic did its best to grab some attention back from Sony's big releases by going small - with the release of a collapsible standard zoom for the Micro Four Thirds system. We've seen collapsible zooms before (from both Olympus and Samsung) but the Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 14-42mm PZ F3.5-5.6 OIS is something very different. By replacing the zoom and focus rings with two small levers and making both zoom and focus motor-driven, the lens can be collapsed into a body the size of the company's 20mm F1.7 pancake prime. We've prepared a hands-on preview of this movie-optimized collapsible zoom, demonstrating just how small it is. Articles section launched In amongst all the product releases, we've had announcements of our own: the launch of the 'Articles' section of the site. This is part of the site's expansion to cover more than just the technology of photography, but also its creative aspects. We've written and commissioned a series of articles on a broad range of photographic topics, with explanations of photo techniques, accessory reviews, book reviews, photographer interviews and profiles, and more. We'll be regularly publishing these articles alongside our reviews and news content and you can expect to see new articles appearing daily from now on. Moreover, the article creation and management system we've built will soon be made available to everyone. Click here to read more. Richard
Just posted: Our in-depth review of the Olympus E-P3 Wed, 17 Aug Just Posted: Although it retains its predecessor's styling, the Olympus PEN E-P3 shares very little else with its forebears. There's still a 12MP Four Thirds-sized sensor at its heart, but its autofocus, rear screen and movie capabilities have all been radically overhauled. Crucially, Olympus has also managed to squeeze a flash into the body. Now sitting at the top of a three-model range, the E-P3 is clearly positioned as a camera for enthusiasts. So, do its third-generation refinements and promises of world-beating AF performance make the E-P3 into the camera that the PEN series always promised to be? (more)
Lytro's Ren Ng sheds some light on the company's ambitions Thu, 18 Aug Lytro's announcement that it will be launching a plenoptic 'light field' camera that allows images to be re-focused after they've been taken, was met with equal amounts of interest and skepticism. Interested to find out more, we spoke to the company's founder and CEO, Ren Ng, to hear just what he has planned and how far towards a product the company has got. (more)
Sony launches pair of Full HD and 3D digital binoculars Fri, 19 Aug Sony has launched two pairs of digital binoculars capable of recording Full HD and 3D video. The DEV-3 and DEV-5 binoculars feature 10x optical zoom lenses, pairs of EVFs and compact-camera-sized 7MP CMOS sensors. They take advantage of the recent extension of the AVCHD standard, enabling them to record 1080p video. The autofocus, image-stabilized binoculars can record up to two-hours of 2D footage on a single battery charge, recording to Memory Stick cards and allowing output via an HDMI connector. The DEV-5 model allows digital zoom, includes GPS and comes with a host of accessories and, at $2000, a $700 higher price-tag. (more)
Just posted: Our review of the Sony NEX-C3 Mon, 22 Aug Just Posted: Our review of the Sony NEX-C3. The third model in Sony's innovative NEX line, the entry-level C3 brings a host of improvements, headlined by a new 16.2MP sensor - an adapted version of the one used in the SLT-A55. An addition, the C3 also boasts expanded customization and a revised 'Creative Control' user interface, designed to appeal to compact camera upgraders. So does its higher-resolution sensor and tweaked interface make the NEX-C3 the ultimate beginner-friendly interchangeable lens camera? (more)
Canon announces Pixma MG3150 & MG2150 budget all-in-one printers Tue, 23 Aug Canon has unveiled the PIXMA MG3150 and MG2150 budget-orientated all-in-one printers. The MG2150 is the most basic model, offering 4800x1200dpi 4-ink printing at rates of up to 4.8ipm color (8.4ipm mono). The MG3150 improves on this by adding Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing its use with the Easy-PhotoPrint App that allows simple printing from and scanning to iOS or Android smartphones. It also offers duplex (double-sided) printing and increased printing speeds of 5.0ipm color (9.2ipm mono). Both feature the latest version of Canon's Easy-PhotoPrint EX software that now includes the ability to add 'Fun Filter Effects' such as Toy Camera to your images before printing. (more)
Canon announces Pixma MG5350 wireless all-in-printer Tue, 23 Aug Canon has announced the PIXMA MG5350, a mid-range all-in-one printer/scanner. Unlike the models below it, the MG5350 gains 9600x2400dpi 5-ink printing, along with a 7.5cm (3") LCD panel. The printing rate is increased to 9.3ipm in color (12.5ipm in mono), and the scanning resolution also increased to 2400x4800dpi. There is also the option to print directly on BluRay Discs, DVDs and CDs. It also gains the PIXMA Cloud Link that allows you to directly print images from Canon's Image Gateway or Google's Picasa image hosting service. (more)
Canon introduces Pixma MG8250 & MG6250 all-in-one printers Tue, 23 Aug Canon has introduced the PIXMA MG8250 and MG6250 all-in-one printers for photographic printing. The MG6250 builds on the specifications of the co-released MG5350 by offering 6-ink printing with a 9.3ipm color printing (12.5ipm mono). Scanning resolution jumps to 4800x4800dpi and an Ethernet connection is added. Over and above this, the MG8250 gains a 4800x9600dpi film-scanning option and an 8.8cm (3.5") touch-panel LCD screen. Both include an Easy-PhotoPrint plug-in for controlling printing from Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, Elements or Canon Digital Photo Professional software. They also share the PIXMA Cloud Link and Easy-PhotoPrint App compatibility of the less expensive models. (more)
Canon launches PowerShot SX150 IS superzoom Tue, 23 Aug Canon has updated its budget SX compact superzoom with the launch of the PowerShot SX150 IS. The SX150 IS adds a 14.1MP CCD in the place of the SX130's 12MP chip. Beyond that the specs are familiar - a 12x 28-336mm equivalent image stabilized lens, 720p30 HD video recording and a comparatively low-resolution 230k dot 3.0" LCD screen. Canon brings its latest 'Intelligent' image stabilization technology to bear on the SX150, with the camera automatically selecting from seven different modes, based on its understanding of the type of shooting being conducted. (more)
Canon introduces ELPH 310 HS/IXUS 230 HS compact camera Tue, 23 Aug Canon has launched the ELPH 310 HS (IXUS 230 HS in Europe), a surprisingly long zoom style compact. The squeezes an 8x zoom into the sort of tiny, colorful body we expect of the ELPH/IXUS series. The extra zoom (out to an impressive 224mm equiv), comes at the expense of the wide-angle capability, with the 230 HS's lens starting at a still fairly handy 28mm equiv, rather than the 24mm equivalent featured on recent comparable models. The lens also features the company's latest 'Intelligent' image stabilization. Beyond that there's a 12.1 back-illuminated CMOS sensor and 3.0" 460k dot LCD. It can also shoot 1080p24 HD video. (more)
Canon announces ELPH 510 HS / IXUS 1100 HS compact superzoom Tue, 23 Aug Canon has unveiled the ELPH 510 HS (IXUS 1100 HS) - a super-slim compact superzoom in the ELPH/IXUS family. Despite its small size, it manages to fit a 28-336mm equivalent, image stabilized lens in front of its 12.1MP back-illuminated CMOS sensor. It also has a 460k dot 3.2" (8.8cm) touchscreen LCD on its reverse. Unlike most previous Canon ELPHs, it includes the ability to shoot in 16:9, 3:2 and 1:1 image ratios. Beyond that there are the usual Digic 4-powered creative effects such as Miniature and Toy Camera, the ability to shoot high-speed bursts, slow-motion movies and 1080p24 HD capture. The 510 HS is also compatible with a new optional external flash. (more)
Adobe issues Lightroom 3.5 and ACR 6.5 release candidates Tue, 23 Aug Adobe has released 'Release Candidates' of its Camera RAW 6.5 and Lightroom 3.5 raw processing software. The updates cover 12 additional cameras including the Olympus E-P3, E-PL3 and E-PM1, Panasonic's G3 and GF3, Sony's NEX-C3 and SLT-A35 and Fujifilm's F600 EXR. Also included are 26 additional lens profiles. Both are available from the company's Adobe Labs site and also address a number of issues reported via customer feedback. The company uses the term 'Release Candidate' to denote software that is well tested but not yet the final version. (more)
Nikon introduces CoolPix AW100 rugged compact camera Wed, 24 Aug The Nikon AW100 rugged waterproof camera has surfaced. It features a 5x image stabilized zoom lens (28-140mm equivalent in 35mm terms) and a 16MP CMOS sensor. It is waterproof to 10m (33ft) and drop-proof from 1.5m (5ft) and features built-in GPS. It's the first time Nikon has dipped its toe in the waterproof sector since its famous Nikonos series was discontinued in 2001. (more)
Nikon releases CoolPix S1200pj, S8200, S6200 and S100 compacts Wed, 24 Aug Nikon has extensively refreshed its CoolPix 'S' series with the launch of the S8200, S6200, S1200pj and S100 compact cameras. The S8200 is a an updated version of the S8100, now featuring a 16MP CMOS sensor but retaining the impressive 25-350mm equiv lens. Meanwhile the S6200 has a 16MP CCD sensor with 25-250mm lens. The S1200pj is the latest in Nikon's line of projector cameras and features a brighter, higher-contrast projector. This too is built around a CCD (albeit only a 14MP example), offering the same 720p24 video as the S6200. Finally, the S100 is a card-style camera built around the same 16MP CMOS chip as the S8200 and consequently also capable of 1080p24 video capture. It features an 810k dot OLED touch screen. (more)
Nikon CoolPix P7100 announced and previewed Wed, 24 Aug Nikon has announced the CoolPix P7100 - an updated version of its P7000 enthusiasts' compact. The P7100 addresses many of the faults that held back its predecessor in our round-up late last year. So, while the specifications improve by gaining an extra control dial and a flip-out LCD, the biggest improvement is to the camera's responsiveness (the image quality never really being in question). We had a chance to use the P7100 and have prepared a brief hands-on preview. (more)
Sony launches NEX-VG20 Handycam Camcorder Wed, 24 Aug Sony has announced the NEX-VG20, an updated version of its VG-10 Handycam Camcorder capable of 1080p60 recording. The camera captures its AVCHD 2.0 footage on the same 16.1 MP Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor that is also in use in the NEX-5N and C3 consumer still cameras. Upgrades include improved manual controls and grips that have been modified for better low-angle shooting. The camera's a Quad Capsule Spatial Array Microphone that now supports stereo and 5.1 channel surround. VG20 users will be able to choose from seven E-mount lenses or use the optional LA-EA2 lens mount adaptor to attach Sony's A-mount optics to the camera. The VG20 will be available at retailers in November for $2,199 with the 18-200 F3.5-6.3 E-mount lens or $1,599 as a body-only version. (more)
Sony unveils four lenses for A and E mounts Wed, 24 Aug Sony has announced four lenses, one Alpha mount and three E mount for its NEX system. The first is the DT 16-50mm F2.8 SSM (SAL1650), a dust- and water-resistant fast standard zoom with a range equivalent to 24-75mm on full frame. NEX users get a premium fast prime, the Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* E 24mm F1.8 ZA (SEL24F18Z), plus the E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS telephoto zoom (SEL55210), and last but not least the E 50mm F1.8 OSS (SEL50F18) - the fastest optically-stabilized lens available for interchangeable-lens cameras. Click through for more details on availability and specifications. (more)
Sony launches NEX-5N APS-C mid-range mirrorless compact Wed, 24 Aug Sony has announced the Alpha NEX-5N a successor to the popular NEX-5. Although the NEX-5N looks nearly identical to the NEX-5, it shares very few components. It features a 16MP APS-C CMOS sensor and a touch-screen interface. It also takes advantage of the newly-published AVCHD 2.0 standard to offer 1080p60 HD video. We've had our hands on a pre-production NEX-5N and have prepared a preview looking at the features it's gained. We've also shot a real-world samples gallery to give a taste of what it can do. (more)
Sony NEX-7 press release and specifications Wed, 24 Aug Sony has made public the much rumored NEX-7 high-end, enthusiast mirrorless compact camera. It manages to squeeze vast amounts of the A77's capabilities into a body barely bigger than the existing NEX models. It packs a 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor and 2.4M dot OLED electronic viewfinder into its magnesium alloy body and yet still finds room for a pop-up flash and Alpha hot shoe. It may be one of the most expensive mirrorless models we've yet seen but it's also currently unmatched, in specification terms, by any of its peers. This is clearly Sony's response to its discovery that it's not just upgraders from point-and-shoot compacts that are interested in this type of camera. (more)
Sony announces Alpha SLT-A65 consumer-level DSLR-competitor Wed, 24 Aug Sony has also launched the Sony Alpha SLT-A65, a consumer-level DSLR-competitor. Making use of the company's translucent mirror technology, the A65 offers many of the features of SLT-A77 at a considerably lower price. It includes the same 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor and 2.4M dot OLED viewfinder. It can shoot at up to 10 frames-per-second and includes all the lens correction capabilities of its big brother. We've been using the A65 for the last week and have prepared a hands-on preview, detailing its features. (more)
Sony NEX-7 high-end APS-C mirrorless camera first look Wed, 24 Aug Sony has announced the much leaked NEX-7 enthusiast-targeted mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. Working samples of the NEX-7 have not been made available to the press anywhere in the world, so we have not been able to prepare a hands-on preview. However, we have seen and handled an early pre-production unit and have interrogated Sony about its operation. We have used this to prepare an overview of the camera, which we will expand to a preview when cameras with functioning firmware are available. (more)
Sony unveils SLT-A77 flagship APS-C DSLR-rival Wed, 24 Aug Sony has released the SLT-A77, a successor to its A700 semi-pro DSLR. The long-promised A77 makes use of Sony's translucent mirror technology to offer an impressive 12 frame-per-second shooting rate, despite its 24MP APS CMOS sensor. In addition has the highest-resolution electronic viewfinder we've ever encountered, with a 2.4M dot OLED viewfinder that rivals the company's full-frame A900 for size. We've been using a pre-production A77 for just over a week and have prepared a hands-on preview including real-world sample gallery. Has it been worth the wait for the Alpha faithful? (more)
Sony announcements: content updated Wed, 24 Aug Sony content updated. In the light of the level of interest in Sony's latest launches, we've gone back and added more information to much of our content. Now our servers have cooled down a bit, we've gone back and, in response to the questions you've been asking, we've updated our coverage. Most noticeably, we've added some 1080p60 movie samples to the A77 preview. We've also added improved illustrations to our NEX-7 first look to make it easier to see how the control system is going to work. (more)
Olympus US announces PEN Mini (E-PM1) pricing Thu, 25 Aug Olympus has announced pricing and availability for its forthcoming PEN E-PM1 entry-level mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. The camera with the latest MSC II R version of the company's collapsable 14-42mm kit lens will cost $499.95. The smallest of the PEN familiy of Micro Four Thirds cameras, the PEN Mini includes many of the features of the more expensive E-PL3 but with a simplified user-interface. It will be available in the US from September 2011. (more)
Just Posted: Nikon CoolPix P7100 preview samples gallery Thu, 25 Aug Updated: Nikon CoolPix P7100 hands-preview with image samples. Following the launch of the Nikon CoolPix P7100 yesterday, we've updated our hands-on preview with a small gallery of image samples. These pictures were taken in the brief time that we spent with a late pre-production P7100, prior to its announcement. We're expecting a production sample soon, and we will update this gallery with more images at the earliest possible opportunity. (more)
Lumix FX90 Wi-Fi-enabled touchscreen compact camera Fri, 26 Aug Panasonic has announced the Wi-Fi-compatible Lumix DMC-FX90 touchscreen compact camera. The FX90 is based around a 12MP high-speed CCD that uses dual readout channels to allow 1080i60 video from its 30p output. It also features a 24-120mm equiv, F2.5-5.9 stabilized lens. The camera can connect to Apple and Android smartphones running a 'Lumix Link' app and use their 'phone to upload images, via Panasonic's 'Lumix Club' internet portal, to sites such as Facebook and Flickr. The camera can also connect to Lumix Club via any Wi-Fi connection that doesn't require a web browser to connect. (more)
Panasonic DMC-LX5 firmware 2.0 brings image and handling improvements Fri, 26 Aug Panasonic has updated the firmware for its LX5 high-end enthusiast compact. The update promises faster AF times and improved noise reduction for images shot at ISO 1600 or 3200. White balance under artificial light has also been tweaked, as well as a series of operational and handling improvements being made. There are revisions too for image stabilization in movie mode, the addition of a 'Miniature mode' processing mode. Coming 13 months after the camera's launch, the move continues Panasonic's habit of continuing to invest in its enthusiast models well into their lifecycle. The firmware will be available from September 13th. (more)
Panasonic launches Lumix G X Vario PZ 45-175mm F4.0-5.6 ASPH OIS Fri, 26 Aug Panasonic has revealed the Lumix G X Vario PZ 45-175mm F4.0-5.6 ASPH Power OIS power zoom. The telephoto zoom carries the company's 'Lumix X' branding that it will be using to denote premium quality lenses. Along with the PZ 14-42mm, it features a quiet variable-speed power zoom for smooth zooming during movie recording but, unlike the collapsible standard zoom, the 45-175mm also features 'by-wire' dials for direct control of zoom and focus. The lens features a compact, lightweight design and uses an internal zoom mechanism, meaning it stays the same length at all times. (more)
Just Posted: Panasonic DMX-FZ150 preview stills and HD videos samples Fri, 26 Aug We've been using a pre-production Panasonic DMC-FZ150 superzoom for a couple of days and have put together a previews samples gallery from the camera. We've selected a 39-image samples gallery shot in a variety of situations and at variety of ISO settings, to give a taste of how this latest 12MP MOS sensor performs. We've also uploaded three videos shot in the camera's 1080p60 Full HD mode. As always, as well as being able to view the images and videos, you can download the full-size originals. (more)
Panasonic reveals Lumix DMC-FZ150 12MP 24x 1080p60 MOS superzoom Fri, 26 Aug Panasonic has announced the DMC-FZ150 CMOS-powered 24X superzoom. The FZ150 is a replacement for the slightly unloved FZ100 and incorporates a lower-resolution 12MP sensor thatthe company says will outperform its predecessor's 14MP chip. The camera retains a 25-600mm equivalent lens but now incorporating 'Nano Surface Coating' to mitigate the effects of internal reflections. And, just like its predecessor, the FX150 retains the ability to record Raw images. The FZ150 also shoots 1080p60 HD movies in the recently-created AVCHD Progressive standard. (more)
Panasonic launches Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 OIS pancake Fri, 26 Aug Panasonic has announced the Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 OIS collapsible power-zoom lens. The pancake zoom represents a series of firsts for Panasonic and the Micro Four Thirds system - it incorporates a lever-operated powered zoom and similarly controlled manual focus system. It is also the first lens to gain the company's 'Lumix X' branding that it will use to denotes high-end performance. The power zoom design with quiet focus and zoom motors joins the stepless aperture design to help optimize the lens for HD video shooting. The company will be pairing the lens with its diminutive DMC-GF3 camera body, or selling it separately for around $399. We've been using one of the first pre-production examples of the lens and have prepared a preview that demonstrates its behavior. (more)
Richard Franiec grip coming soon for Olympus PEN E-PL3 Mon, 29 Aug Accessory grip maker Richard Franiec has announced he is developing a grip for the Olympus PEN Lite (E-PL3). The grip closely mimics the designs he already makes for the Canon S90/S95, Olympus XZ-1, Leica D-Lux 4 and 5, and the Sigma DP series. The anodized aluminium grip attaches to the front of the camera using industrial-grade adhesive tape and provides a hand hold very similar to the one offered by the Panasonic GF2 and GF3. The first batch of grips will be available from mid-September at a cost of $34.95 plus shipping. (more)
Panasonic gives details of power zoom-enabling firmware v1.1 for GH2, G3, GF3 and GF2 Mon, 29 Aug Panasonic has provided details of a firmware update for its recent G-system cameras to provide full compatibility with the newly-announced Lumix X power zoom lenses. The firmware, which will be available at 'the beginning of October' will work with the DMC-GH2, G3, GF3 and GF2, and will provide several additional options for how the powered zoom is controlled. By a process of elimination, it seems reasonable to assume these are the functions that won't be available to older G-series users (G1, GF1, GH1, G2, G10), and possibly Olympus PEN users. (more)
JPEGMini promises smaller files - PetaPixel shows Photoshop quality quirk Mon, 29 Aug Technology company ICVT has developed an method to optimize JPEG compression. The company's JPEGMini system analyses each image to assess the maximum compression that can be applied to an image without loss of perceptible quality. The company says you can expect a 50-80% reduction in filesize over a JPEG that hasn't been intelligently optimized. At present the system can only be used via the company's online service. Meanwhile, the news has prompted blog PetaPixel to reiterate the little-known quirk of Photoshop's JPEG quality slider that means your images may be better saved at quality 6 than 7. (via PetaPixel) (more)
Sony DSC HX100V 16.2MP superzoom samples added to studio comparison tool Tue, 30 Aug Just Posted: Studio comparison shots from the Sony DSC-HX100V. We've just got hold of Sony's latest superzoom, the 16.2MP HX100 and shot our standard test scene with it. It's built around the latest 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55mm) back illuminated CMOS sensor and offers a vast 27-810mm equivalent 30x zoom. Being Sony's top-of-the-range superzoom, it features a manual control ring that can be switched between controlling zoom and or manual focus. We also have one of its main rivals - the Panasonic DMC-FZ150 in the studio and will add that to the comparison tool as soon as we can. (more)
Panasonic shows prototype of twin-lens 3D HD compact camera Wed, 31 Aug Panasonic has said it will develop a twin-lens 3D digital camera and has unveiled a prototype at the IFA consumer electronics trade show in Germany. The camera uses twin image-stabilized 4x folded-optics zoom lenses (much like the examples in the company's FP series cameras, we suspect). As well as allowing 3D HD videos to be shot, you can also choose to use one lens for shooting 2D still images while the other lens simultaneously shoots video. Image stabilization will be available whether shooting stills or video and regardless of the number of dimensions being captured. (more)
Panasonic creates HDC-Z10000 AVCHD 2.0 compatible 3D HD camcorder Wed, 31 Aug Panasonic has announced the HDC-Z10000 an integrated twin-lens 2D/3D camcorder that can shoot in the AVCHD 3D/Progressive standard. The camera features a parallax-barrier LCD that allows the 3D footage to be reviewed on-camera without the need for special glasses. Its adoption of the latest AVCHD standard allows it to shoot 1080p60 footage in 2D and up to 1080i60 in 3D, as well as offering 30p and 24p options. The camera essentially combines two of the company's 3MOS camcorders in a single body, offering 30-369 equivalent F1.5-2.8 zooms (32-320mm in 3D mode), stabilized for both 2D and 3D shooting. (more)
Ricoh updates features of GXR camera modules Wed, 31 Aug Ricoh has announced a firmware update for its GXR camera units, increasing the available range of features and functions. The updates bring many of the advances made in the recently-announced M-mount module, including improved manual focus magnification. There are also a number of small additions and corrections to other features, including the ability to specify both the ISO limits and minimum shutter speed limit for Auto ISO. The A12 units also gain Bulb and Time exposure modes. The updates can be downloaded from the company's website. (more)
The Art of HDR photography, part 4 Wed, 31 Aug We've just published the fourth in our series of articles by Uwe Steinmueller of Digital Outback Photo on the art of HDR photography. The fourth chapter (of what will eventually become Uwe's next E-book) covers HDR workflow tools. (more)
Introducing a new section: Articles Wed, 31 Aug We're really excited that we can take the wraps off what we hope will become a valuable addition to dpreview.com: a dedicated Articles section. This will be home to all the content we produce that doesn't fit under the reviews and news headings. We've also brought in dozens of new writers to fill this section with explanations of photo techniques, accessory reviews, book reviews, photographer interviews and profiles, and much, much more. Today we've added a handful of articles to get things started, as well as porting some of our existing content, but you can expect to see new articles appearing daily from now on. The really exciting news is that the article creation and management system we've built will soon be made available to everyone - check out the story after the link for more detail. (more)
Fujifilm announces X10 high-end enthusiast compact Thu, 1 Sep Fujifilm has unveiled the X10 - an enthusiast compact with a F2.0-2.8, 28-112mm-equivalent lens. It's built around a 2/3" (6.6 x 8.8mm) CMOS sensor that uses Fujifilm's EXR pixel arrangement. The 12MP sensor can produce either 12MP images in high resolution mode, under-expose half its pixels to provide 6MP images with greater dynamic range, or combine neighboring pixels for a 6MP high sensitivity mode. The X10 borrows extensively from the styling of the X100 (though its zooming viewfinder means you lose the X100's hybrid viewfinder), to give a camera that sits conceptually between the Olympus XZ-1 and the Canon Powershot G12. (more)
Samsung releases WB750 18x compact superzoom Thu, 1 Sep Samsung has launched the WB750, a compact superzoom with an 18x zoom lens. The camera is built around what the company says is a proprietary 12.5MP back-illuminated CMOS sensor. Despite its slim dimensions, the camera offers a 24-432mm equivalent zoom range with its F3.2-5.8 image stabilized lens. As well as being able to shoot 10 full-resolution frames per second, it can also capture 1080p30 HD video. (more)
Samsung launches MV800 multiview compact camera Thu, 1 Sep Samsung has released the MV800 'MultiView' camera, featuring an LCD panel that flips up to allow more flexible photography. Building on the company's two-LCD 'dualview' idea, the MV800 has a screen that flips all the way up, to allow you to see the 3.0" rear LCD while taking a self-portrait. The 16.2MP CCD-based camera has a 26-130mm equiv. lens to maximise its flexibility. (more)
Samsung MV800 hands-on first look Thu, 1 Sep Samsung has announced the MV800, a 16MP compact camera with an innovative hinged LCD screen that allows you to take self-portraits with ease, as well as prop the camera up at angles which allow easy tabletop photography. We've had an MV800 in the office for a few days now - just long enough to prepare a brief hands-on first look. (more)
Featured article: Five of the best tripods for under $450 Thu, 1 Sep Tripods are a must-have for long exposures, low light, macro, landscapes, product photography and more. We've taken a close look at five of the best models for under $450. Check out our tripod-roundup to find out what we discovered. (more)
Featured article: Mobile imaging apps - an overview Thu, 1 Sep With the Apple iPhone recently becoming the most popular device for uploading photos to Flickr and new photo and imaging apps appearing in app-stores every day, we decided it was time for our first overview of the coolest photography apps for iPhone and Android powered smart phones. (more)
Samsung announces NX200 mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera Thu, 1 Sep Samsung has announced the NX200 rangefinder-style 20.3MP mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera. The latest in the NX series features a sleek new metal body wrapped around the latest APS-C CMOS sensor from the Korean manufacturer. It can shoot at 7 frames per second and capture 1080p30 HD video. (more)
Just Posted: Samsung NX200 hands-on preview Thu, 1 Sep Just Posted: Our Samsung NX200 hands-on preview. We've been using a pre-production NX200 with a series of NX lenses over the past few days and have put together a hands-on preview with image samples gallery. This provides an opportunity to see some of the output from the camera's new 20.3MP sensor and also gives an insight into how Samsung's latest NX body behaves. (more)
PocketWizards firmware brings additional features Thu, 1 Sep Wireless flash control company PocketWizard has updated the firmware of its ControlTL system for both Canon and Nikon products. The update works in the MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 radios for both systems. The upgrade adds features such as Hypersync Automation, which attempts to adjust the timing of flash firing in response to shutter speed changes to maximise the sync speed. There is also a Speedcycler mode that, when used with an AC3 Zonecontroller, fires groups of flashes sequentially so that one group is always ready when shooting bursts of images. (more)
Toshiba announces its first WiFi SDHC card Fri, 2 Sep Toshiba has announced a WiFi SDHC card that can both transmit and receive data. It's the first card to fully comply with the SD standard, the company says. It also claims lower power consumption than 'other cards with similar functions,' by which you have to assume it means Eye-Fi. The card will be able to share data with compatible cameras, smartphones and WiFi-enabled computers. All cameras with SD slots will be able to broadcast data from the card, and Toshiba says a number of camera makers are considering launching compatible products that will allow data to be received, too. (more)
Just posted: Survival of the fittest - weatherproof, splashproof, etc. Fri, 2 Sep Weatherproof, splashproof, waterproof - these are popular terms in the camera manufacturers' marketing material but what do they actually mean? Rob Spray takes a closer look at environmental protection standards and explains them in this article. We've also included the IP (Ingress Protection) ratings for the cameras in our recent 'Compact Waterproof' group test. (more)
Just posted: IFA 2011 DSLR video show report from EOSHD Fri, 2 Sep Just posted: EOSHD's show report on the latest developments in DSLR video from IFA. The IFA (Internationale Funkausstellung) trade show, currently going on in Berlin, is the world's largest for consumer electronics and home appliances. EOSHD's Andrew Reid went along to hunt down the big news in DSLR HD video. (more)
Just posted: Hands-on video of the Samsung NX200 Fri, 2 Sep Just Posted: Samsung NX200 hands-on video. We've written a full preview of the NX200 but there are times when it's easier to show than tell. With that in mind, here's our first hands-on video, which we hope will add a new dimension to our coverage. These won't replace our written content but will, we hope, add something extra. Let us know what you think. (more)
Samyang 7.5mm F3.5 fish-eye for Micro Four Thirds coming soon Mon, 5 Sep The European distributor of Korean lens maker Samyang has announced the price and availability of its 7.5mm fish-eye lens for Micro Four Thirds. The Samyang 7.5mm 1:3.5 UMC Fish-eye MFT will be available from the middle of September at a recommended selling price of €299. The lens offers a 180° diagonal field-of-view and will be available in black and silver. The company says it will be the first in a range of lenses designed specifically for the Micro Four Thirds system. (more)
DxO Labs releases FilmPack3 film simulation software Tue, 6 Sep DxO has released FilmPack 3, the third version of its sliver halide simulation processing software. The latest version, announced in June, now includes the ability to mimic up to 60 famous black and white, and color films, based on calibration from professional prints, giving what the company claims is the most precise film simulation on the market. Version 3 adds new film looks and color filters. It also brings a greater degree of control, including HSL sliders, a channel mixer for optimizing Black and White conversions and, at customer request, the ability to add vignetting. The software is available in two versions, 'Essentials' and 'Expert,' which offer different levels of function, with introductory pricing starting at $49/€49/£49 for the Essentials version. (more)
Epson releases NX430 'Small-in-One' combined printer, scanner and copier Tue, 6 Sep Epson has announced the Stylus NX430 Small-in-One, a compact, wireless printer, scanner and copier. Without the print tray extended, the unit has a footprint of 39 x 30 cm (15.4 x 11.8"). It is able to scan at 2400 dpi and print at 5760 x 1440 dpi. It can print at a rate of 6.2 ppm for mono prints and 3.2 ppm in color (ISO standard ppm). (more)
Just Posted: Sigma SD1 preview Raw and JPEG samples Tue, 6 Sep Just posted: JPEG and Raw samples from the Sigma SD1. We've been using a production Sigma SD1 for a little while now, and although we have only just started our studio testing, we want to share some of our early 'real world' samples with you. In this gallery you will find images of a broad variety of subjects, shot at different ISO settings, in both raw and JPEG mode (albeit using, for now, a very limited range of lenses). We have converted the raw files using Sigma's Photo Pro 5.0 software 'to taste', and performed some minor tweaking of the resultant TIFF files in Adobe Camera Raw. (more)
Featured article: The what and why of wildlife macro photography Tue, 6 Sep In this first part of a series on macro photography, nature photographer Erez Marom explains what macro photography means to him and what rules he follows when out shooting in the wild. (more)
Panasonic DMC-FZ150 samples added to studio comparison tool Tue, 6 Sep Just Posted: Studio comparison shots from the Panasonic DMC-FZ150 superzoom. We've had a DMC-FZ150 in our studio for a few days now and, as promised, have shot our standard test scene with it. The FZ150 replaces the FZ100 and incorporates a lower-resolution 12MP CMOS sensor that the company says will outperform its predecessor's 14MP chip. Like the FZ100 the FZ150 records Raw images, which we've also included in our studio comparison tool. (more)
Featured article: Composition - Left of center Wed, 7 Sep In this first installment of the Photo Tip series, Amadou Diallo explains how to create more dynamic compositions by placing your subject away from the center of the frame. (more)
Just Posted: Panasonic DMC-FH7 compact camera review Wed, 7 Sep Just posted: Our review of the Panasonic DMC-FH7. It's the first of a new style of short review, that we'll use to allow us to review more compact cameras, between the big large-sensor-camera reviews. The Panasonic FH7 is a 4x (28-112mm equiv.) zoom compact with a 16MP CCD sensor. Impressively for the price, it includes a customizable touch-screen and optical image stabilization. (more)
Adobe announces Carousel - cloud-based image service Wed, 7 Sep Adobe has announced a cloud-based storage, editing and browsing service based around a series of apps called Carousel. Initially available for iPad, iPhone, iPod touch and Mac OS, the apps allow users to import their photo libraries, which are then available from any other device running Carousel. Any edits or deletions will also automatically be reflected on the other devices, avoiding storage limitations of the device being used. A series of image enhancement tools and pre-defined 'looks' can be applied. Access to the apps will initially cost $59.99/year or $5.99/month, rising to $99.99/year after an introductory period. Support for Windows and other devices, including Android, will follow in early 2012. (more)