Canon premieres SD 980 IS and SD 940IS

London, UK 19th August 2009: Today Canon announces two new Digital IXUS cameras, bringing even higher levels of style, sophistication and high-tech features to the Digital IXUS range.

Introducing firsts for Canon, the Digital IXUS 200 IS combines an impressive 24mm ultra wide-angle 5x zoom lens with a 3 inch PureColor II Touch display. The new Digital IXUS 120 IS has the distinction of being the slimmest wide-angle Digital IXUS ever – packing in a 28mm wide-angle 4x zoom lens into a stylish body.

Digital IXUS 200 IS: Ultra wide technology you can touch
The Digital IXUS 200 IS makes it easier than ever to take breathtaking images. Featuring a 24mm ultra wide-angle 5x zoom lens with an optical Image Stabiliser (IS) the potential to capture sweeping landscapes or large groups up close is now at your fingertips. Picture quality is assured thanks to a 12.1 Megapixel sensor and DIGIC 4 – Canon’s fast, intelligent image processor, delivering superb image quality and natural colour reproduction.

The Digital IXUS 200 IS features an impressive wide 3.0 inch PureColor II Touch display. With a firm focus on ease-of-use, the touch screen technology works together with traditional button control to create a highly-intuitive user experience, giving you fingertip control over a variety of camera functions. Touch AF, for example, enables users to select objects or faces on the touch screen - which the camera tracks and automatically keeps in focus - capturing the perfect image every time.

Large, high visibility on-screen icons allow for quick and easy selection of shooting and flash modes, while a vertical orientation shutter release function means users can shoot by simply touching the screen. Touch Actions allow users to match gestures made on-screen to commonly used functions, such as tagging images as favourites or erasing, rotating, or protecting images in their collection. Browsing images has never been easier – simply drag your finger across the screen and the camera will adjust the speed of review with the speed of the gesture on-screen.

Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 Review, August 2009 Lars Rehm (Lens test section by Andy Westlake)

Review based on a production Alpha DSLR-A380 with firmware version 1.0

In January last year Sony was one of the first manufacturers to 'diversify' its entry level DSLR offerings when it replaced the DSLR-A100 with not one but three new cameras - the DSLR-A200, A300 and A350. Now, one and a half years later, the product hierarchy in Sony's entry-level segment remains unchanged and the current models are being replaced by the DSLR-A230, A330 and A380 respectively.

On the spec sheet the upgrades are of a fairly minor nature and as before the three models are extremely close in terms of price and features. At the bottom of the line the A230 offers a 10.2 megapixels sensor in a fairly basic body, the A330 adds live view to the mix and the A380 tops it up with a more pixel-dense sensor (14.2 megapixels). All three models are aimed at the first-time DSLR user.

Along with the new cameras Sony has launched a number of new lenses. The DT 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6 standard zoom lens and the DT 55-200mm F/4-5.6 tele zoom come in the one- and two-lens kits that each camera can be ordered in, but are also available separately. Additionally there is a new DT 50mm F/1.8 prime lens and a DT 30mm F/2.8 macro.

While the headline specs of the new camera models have hardly changed Sony says it has put substantial work into the cameras' image processing engines. To find out how the A380 performed in our tests and what impact this work has made on the A380's image output read our full review.

Nikon D90

First and foremost there's a new CMOS sensor, which Nikon claim produces D300 quality output at up to ISO 6400 and - one of several features to 'trickle down' from higher models - the same highly acclaimed 3.0-inch VGA screen as the D3/D300. Naturally it has Live View with contrast-detect AF and it would have been surprising had it not sported some form of dust removal system. More surprising is the inclusion of the world's first DSLR movie mode (720p HDTV quality, no less) and HDMI output, though as we'll see later it does come with some limitations. A lot of the core photographic spec is the same as or very similar to the D80, though there is a new shutter and an implementation of the 3D tracking AF seen on the D3/D300.

And it's not just the high end models that have lent features and technology to the D90; the user interface has been given the same user-friendly treatment as the D60, as have the retouching options. As it was explained to us the D90 is intended to appeal to the broadest audience of any Nikon SLR, from first-time 'step up' customers moving from a compact to serious amateurs wanting comprehensive photographic control without the cost and weight of a D300. Whether the D90 is as capable as its feature set suggests, we'll see as the review unfolds.

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi

Entering an increasingly crowded market for consumer digital SLRs comes the entry-level Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi, which premieres at PMA 2008 in Las Vegas, Nev. The XSi is the third in Canon’s budget DSLR series. Like previous Rebels, this camera is marketed toward the photo enthusiast who might turn in his or her point-and-shoot for a consumer DSLR. Canon promises the XSi is its best Rebel yet, borrowing features from its flagship professional line, including faster processing, improved autofocus, Live View, and an expanded spot metering, in addition to higher resolution, larger LCD screen, and updated menu system. The Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi has a MSRP of $899.99 for the kit with EF-S18-55mm f/3.5 – f/5.6 IS zoom lens, or $799.99 for the body alone when it ships in April 2008.

Kodak Easyshare Z1085

News is coming in about a number of new Kodak point and shoots including the 10 megapixel Kodak Easyshare Z1085.

Here's what Kodak's press release had to say about the Kodak Easyshare Z1085.

"The new KODAK EASYSHARE Z1085 IS Zoom Digital Camera is a high performance, 10-megapixel, 5X optical zoom camera with optical image stabilization. The Z1085 IS allows consumers to get more creative with their photography by taking advantage of the camera’s manual features or easily capture pictures and videos with automatic controls. The Z1085 IS also captures HD still pictures and videos, enhancing the overall picture-sharing experience. Kodak is also introducing the KODAK EASYSHARE Z1285 Zoom Digital Camera and KODAK EASYSHARE Z8612 is Digital Camera."

Panasonic DMC-LS80

The Panasonic DMC-LS80 is an 8.1 megapixel point and shoot camera with a 3x optical zoom lens.

It features a Lumix DC Vario branded 3x optical zoom lens with maximum aperture range of f/2.8 - f/5.1 as well as a 2.5 inch LCD with 230,000 pixel resolution.

The Panasonic DMC-LS80 has 24 megabytes of internal memory, will take up to 270 shots with oxyride batteries
and includes a similar array of features as other cameras announced by Panasonic today with their 'intelligent' technologies (image stabilization, intelligent ISO, intelligent scene selection etc).

THe Panasonic DMC-LS80 will have a retail price of $149.95 when it hits stores in February and will come in pink, black and silver.

Continue reading "Panasonic DMC-LS80"

Leica to offer M8 shutter upgrade

Leica has announced plans to offer a major upgrade to its M8 digital rangefinder camera. Consisting of a new shutter - promising lower noise and vibration during exposure - and a protective sapphire glass LCD cover, the service may be pre-booked from March 2008 with the program due to commence as of August on a first-come-first-served basis. An additional two years of warranty cover is included and Leica has said it is investigating future upgrades including changes to the digital capture system - not least a possible sensor swap. Get the full details after the jump. Updated with press release and images

Click here to visit The Leica M8 homepage for details of the upgraded components