Monday, 22 December 2008

Nikon D700


The introduction of Nikon's new D700 may have been one of the worst kept secrets in an industry with more leaks than the Titanic, but it was still something of a surprise coming so hot on the heels of the D3 and D300. Essentially a D3 shrunk down and squeezed into a body roughly the same size as a D300, the D700 is Nikon's first 'compact' professional SLR, and in its segment of the market will compete with the recently announced Canon EOS 5D Mark II and Sony DSLR-A900.

Canon PowerShot G10


The G10 is the third incarnation of Canon’s flagship ‘prosumer’ compact since the G series was reinvented with the G7 in 2006. Announced two years after the G6, the G7 caused quite a buzz; partly because everyone had presumed the budget SLR had killed off this sector of the market, partly because it lacked several of what had become G series trademarks (fast lens, tilting screen, raw mode, secondary LCD panel), and it would be fair to say the response was ‘mixed’. The G9 went some way towards placating the critics, reintroducing raw mode and improving handling, but it still suffered from the fundamental problem that the sensor inside couldn’t deliver on what the fantastic camera promised on the outside.

Sony Alpha DSLR-A900


the cut-throat digital camera market it's increasingly unusual for products to be shown in prototype form or announced more than a matter of weeks before they hit the stores. There's several reasons for the manufacturers' habit of playing their cards so close to their chests, not least that they can't afford to harm sales of the models they've already released. Sony, the newest 'new kid' on the DLSR block, has no such worries, this being its first proper 'high end' DSLR. In fact, if anything the pressure was on the company to show it was committed to becoming a major SLR system player and that it wasn't going to squander Minolta's long legacy in this market after picking up the assets Konica Minolta shed when it pulled out of the photography market. Thus we saw the first prototype of the Alpha 900 - Sony's flagship full frame digital SLR - back in early 2007 (it appeared behind glass at trade shows such as PMA in March 07), and information has been trickling out ever since; most significantly with the announcement in January of this year of a 35mm full frame CMOS sensor.

Olympus E-420 Review


The Olympus E-420 is the most 'junior' member in Olympus line of digital SLRs. It was
announced on the 5th March 2008, exactly one year after the launch of its predecessor, the E-410. Like the E-410 it comes with a 10 megapixel resolution, live-view and the SSWF dust reduction system; and like its predecessor at the time it is also the currently lightest and smallest digital SLR on the market, especially if you combine it with the Olympus Zuiko 25mm pancake lens that has been launched at the same time. All in all the E-420 is only a relatively minor update but it does also incorporate a number of new features.

Kodak bolsters camera range with six new models


Kodak has today announced six new digital cameras to be made available between now and September, four of them marking the debut of its new 'M-Series'. The M753 and M853 are 3x zoom models with 7 and 8 megapixels respectively. The M873 and M883 meanwhile both sport 8 megapixels, a large 3-inch LCD and all-metal construction with the M883 adding face-detection to the specs list. Also on the way are the Z1275 - a 12MP 5X zoom with 'photographically-advanced features' and the 7-megapixel ZD710 superzoom with 10X lens.

Kodak adds to EasyShare range


Pre-PMA 2007: In amongst a raft of PMA announcements Kodak has added four new models to its EasyShare range of digital cameras. The new cameras include the Z712, with 12x zoom, ISO 8000 (!) and optical image stabilization, the Z885 (also sporting an astonishing ISO 8000 setting) and two entry-level models (the C763 and C613).

New Kodak Inkjet printers promise cheaper prints



Kodak has today announced a range of new All-In-One Inkjet printers which promise to provide cheaper home printing with pigment based inks and special paper. Kodak is attempting to turn the current printer / ink model on its head with price controlled printers and cheaper inks, which with the cheapest paper can work out at $0.10 per 4x6 inch print. The printers range in price from $150 to $300 with the top of the range 5500 featuring a scanner, document feeder, fax and LCD display. Inks cost $15 for the color cartridge (for just over 100 4x6 prints) and $10 for the black cartridge (for over 300 pages).

Kodak's first CMOS compact



Kodak yesterday quietly announced the EASYSHARE C513 - its first digital camera based on CMOS sensor technology (well aside from 2001's mc3). Kodak say the CMOS sensor is capable of providing "excellent color reproduction and dynamic range with low electronic noise" but have - for this model at least - limited sensitivity to ISO160 (enabling the 'Digital IS' mode yields a dizzying ISO200!). The main specs are nothing to write home about with a 5MP resolution and the obligatory 36-108mm equivalent lens typical of low-end compacts backed up with the usual EASYSHARE bells and whistles. However as a glimpse at the future of sensor technology this humble little digicam may prove to be very important indeed. The C513 ships in August 2007 with an MSRP of $99.

Kodak V1273 and V1073 IS touch screen compacts


CES 2008: The V1273 and V1073 are the latest ultra compacts from Kodak. Both can record video at 720p30 HD resolution. They also feature optically stabilized lenses and the ability to output their stills in both 720p and 1080i HD formats.

Kodak EasyShare C875 Review


Just posted! Our concise review of the Kodak EasyShare C875 digital camera, a well-specified 8MP compact with 5x zoom lens, full photographic control and very aggressive pricing. We decided to find out if this budget-priced Kodak really is punching above its weight or if it's a lightweight through and through. :Read on after the click to find out what we thought...

Kodak EasyShare V705 & C875


Kodak has announced today a handful of new EasyShare cameras. The 7.0 megapixel EasyShare V705 Dual Lens and the 8 megapixel EasyShare C875 both feature a 5x all glass Schneider-Kreuznach optical zoom lens and a 2.5-inch LCD and the V705 also sports an additional ultra wide 23mm lens. Kodak has also announced two entry level cameras; the C743 and C433.

Kodak EasyShare G600 Printer Dock


Kodak also introduces today the EasyShare G600 Printer Dock, which features a built-in handle, smart paper tray storage and battery for easy portability. Available from this month the G600 is capable of producing a high quality photo in just 60 seconds. The G600 features automatic Kodak Perfect Touch technology providing red-eye reduction and is PictBridge and ImageLink compliant.

Kodak EasyShare P712


Kodak has announced a promising looking new EasyShare camera to replace the P850 at the top of its 'Pro' range. The P712 features a 7.1MP resolution, 12x stabilized Schneider lens, high resolution electronic viewfinder and 2.5-inch screen. It is also claimed to have 'best-in-class' shutter lag and a new high speed focus system.

Kodak EasyShare Z710 Zoom


Pre-Photokina 2006: Kodak has announced another big zoom camera, the budget-priced 7.1-megapixel EasyShare Z710 Zoom. It sports a non-stabilized 10x optical zoom, 2-inch LCD, 19 pre-programmed scene and color modes and full manual mode control.

Kodak Z1085 IS, Z1285 and Z8612 zoom compacts


CES 2008: The latest Z series digital cameras from Kodak, the Z1085 IS, Z1285 and Z8612 all feature the ability to output their stills in both 720p and 1080i HD formats. The Z1085 IS and Z1285 are also able to record 720p30 HD video. (This may not be as fast as 720p60 or as high res as 1080i, but it's still a big jump from the VGA that is standard issue on most compacts).

Kodak M1033, M763, M863 and M893 compacts


CES 2008: Kodak has used CES 2008 to launch a phalanx of compact digital cameras. All feature the ability to output their stills in both 720p and 1080i HD formats. Here we look at the M763, M863, M893 and M1033, the last of which is able to record 720p30 HD video. (This may not be as fast as 720p60 or as high res as 1080i, but it's still a big jump from the VGA that is standard issue on most compacts).

KODAK EASYSHARE HDTV Dock


The KODAK EASYSHARE HDTV Dock connects to your HDTV to process pictures from KODAK HD-enabled digital cameras, SD memory cards or USB drives to deliver an outstanding visual experience to share with family and friends. The launch of the HDTV Dock, not only makes viewing images in HD possible, but also makes it easy.

Using the remote control feature on the HDTV Dock enables consumers to manage their digital pictures while relaxing on the living room sofa. The HDTV Dock makes it effortless to enjoy a full HD-quality slideshow, edit individual images, transfer images to a USB drive, or even print images to a connected printer. Along with being backward compatible with many KODAK EASYSHARE digital cameras, the HDTV Dock automatically charges the rechargeable battery so the camera is ready whenever needed.

KODAK EASYSHARE Z812 IS Zoom Digital Camera


The high-zoom KODAK EASYSHARE Z812 IS Camera has an impressive feature set and intuitive controls, perfect for the aspiring photographer who wants an easy-to-use camera that delivers great pictures with every shot. With 8MP resolution and an incredible SCHNEIDER-KREUZNACH 12x optical zoom lens, the Z812 IS captures HD still images (16:9 aspect ratio) and video (720p at 30fps), as well as the ability to extract still images from videos. The camera’s click-to-capture (.23), auto-focus accuracy, Optical Image Stabilization and High ISO settings (up to 3200) allow consumers to capture brighter, clearer shots in low-light or fast-action situations.

The Z812 IS also features Face Detection Technology, and its Smart Scene Mode will automatically adjust the camera’s settings depending on the type of scene it detects. For consumers who wish to have more control over the composition of their shots, aperture and shutter speed can be manually selected and the electronic viewfinder can be activated instead of the 2.5-inch LCD screen. The KODAK EASYSHARE Z812 IS Camera features KODAK PERFECT TOUCH technology so every image can look its best.

KODAK EASYSHARE V1253 and V1233 Zoom Digital Cameras


The KODAK EASYSHARE V1253 and V1233 zoom digital cameras allow consumers to capture HD still images (16:9 aspect ratio) and video (720p at 30fps), while offering a sleek design and simple-to-use controls. Equipped with 12MP resolution, a 3X SCHNEIDER-KREUZNACH optical zoom lens and KODAK PERFECT TOUCH technology, these cameras provide exceptional image quality for every shot.

Both the V1253 and V1233 models boast Face Detection Technology, which automatically adjusts the camera’s settings for outstanding portrait shots, and Digital Image Stabilization to reduce blur caused by camera shake or subject movement. Images can be instantly viewed in 16:9 aspect ratio on the large 3.1-inch LCD screen of V1253 and the 2.5-inch LCD screen on the V1233.

Kodak Easyshare V803, V1003 and C653


CES 2007: Kodak has today announced three new digital cameras; the eight and ten megapixel V803 and V1003 and the entry-level six megapixel C653. The stylish rounded V803 and V1003 both feature a three itmes optical zoom lens, high sensitivity ISO 1600, 32 MB of internal storage, VGA (640 x 480) MPEG-4 video clips at 30 fps and Lithium-Ion batteries. We'll dock Kodak ten points for describing a high ISO mode as 'Digital Image Stabilization'.

KODAK EASYSHARE Z650


Just posted! Our concise review of the Kodak EasyShare Z650. the Z650 replaces the Z740 at the top of the Kodak's affordable super zoom range. The changes over the previous model are fairly modest; the pixel count increases from 5 to 6MP and the lens is now a Schneider Variogon (as opposed to the Z740's Kodak Retinar). The new model also gets a bigger (though lower resolution) LCD screen, a few new scene modes and a live histogram. Find out what we thought after the link...

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