Casio intros new ELIXIM EX-FH20 digital camera

Casio has announced the latest digital camera in its burgeoning EXILIM range. The EX-FH20 boasts some pretty impressive credentials, including 9.1 megapixel sensor, 26mm equivalent wide-angle lens with 20x optical zoom, CMOS shift anti-shake function, and some nifty burst shooting modes.

If you're feeling the need to practice your paparazzi skills, the EX-FH20 could be for you. It can take seven megapixel still images at up to 40 frames per second, and can even capture the action before the shutter button is pressed. That means if you're not completely on the ball, you can still capture that candid moment.

f slow-motion is more your thing, the EX-FH20 can capture video at 1,000fps, 420fps, or 210fps, meaning ultra smooth playback. It also records at 30fps at up to 1,280 x 720 (HD) resolution.

Available from October priced £399.

Review: Panasonic Lumix FZ28

Panasonic believes in evolution rather than revolution and the latest iteration of its superzoom shows how patient improvement pays off. Gone are the bad old days of infuriating shutter lag - the FZ28 is as responsive as any compact.

The other scourge of superzooms, imprecise and slow auto focus at long focal lengths, has also been eliminated. In fact the Leica-branded 27-486mm (film equivalent) is superb in every way - focus, resolution and contrast. Even hand-held at full extension the image stabilisation works brilliantly. The camera has face detection and quite effective tracking of moving objects.

The 10-megapixel sensor produces very good images with noise well controlled, at least up to ISO 200. At 400 and above noise becomes a problem. And if you leave the camera set in the Intelligent Auto mode, you won't have any idea until after the event what ISO you are using.

Fortunately the camera caters for point-and-shooters who neither know nor care and also for serious photographers who want control over the important camera settings.

Electronic viewfinders, as fitted here, are a poor substitute for a true optical finder but at least it works as a back-up in bright sunlight when the LCD screen turns blank. Also on the downside, auto white balance is not always accurate.

The price of the FZ28 puts it up against the entry-level DSLRs that produce noticeably better image quality. However, to fit a DSLR with a set of lenses covering the Leica's focal range would be expensive and bulky. The 27mm-wide end of the Leica focal range is ideal for the traveller to Venice and the 486mm end will come in handy on the way home, via the Serengeti, for a close-up of the lion's eyes.

The New Canon 5D Mark II

As a Nikon shooter myself, I have only one thing to say when Canon launched their latest camera on Tuesday, the Canon 5d Mark II, and the one thing I can say is, “Wow!”.

• 21 megapixel CMOS sensor (very similar to the sensor in the EOS-1Ds Mark III)
• Sensor dust reduction by vibration of filter
• ISO 100 – 6400 calibrated range, ISO 50 – 25600 expansion (1Ds Mark III & 5D max ISO 3200)
• Auto ISO (100 – 3200) in all modes except manual
• 3.9 frames per second continuous shooting
• DIGIC 4 processor, new menus / interface as per the EOS 50D
• Image processing features:
  • Highlight tone priority
  • Auto lighting optimizer (4 levels)
  • High ISO noise reduction (4 levels)
  • Lens peripheral illumination correction (vignetting correction)
• RAW and SRAW1 (10 MP) / SRAW2 (5 MP)
• RAW / JPEG selection made separately
• Permanent display of ISO on both top plate and viewfinder displays
• AF microadjustment (up to 20 lenses individually)
• Three custom modes on command dial, Creative Auto mode
• Image copyright metadata support
• 98% coverage viewfinder (0.71x magnification)
• 3.0″ 920,000 dot LCD monitor with ‘Clear View’ cover / coatings, 170° viewing angle
• Automatic LCD brightness adjustment (ambient light sensor)
• Live view with three mode auto-focus (including face detection)
• No mirror-flip for exposures in Live View if contrast detect AF selected
• Movie recording in live view (1080p H.264 up to 12 minutes, VGA H.264 up to 24 mins per clip)
• Two mode silent shooting (in live view)
• New jump options in play mode
• HDMI and standard composite (AV) video out
• Full audio support: built-in mic and speaker, mic-in socket, audio-out over AV (although not HDMI)
• IrPort (supports IR remote shutter release using optional RC1 / RC5 controllers)
• UDMA CompactFlash support
• New 1800 mAh battery with improved battery information / logging
• New optional WFT-E4 WiFi / LAN / USB vertical grip
• Water resistance: 10 mm rain in 3 minutes

Fujifilm Medium Format camera

Fujifilm U.S.A., Inc. is showcasing a broad spectrum of imaging solutions at the PMA 2008 Annual Convention and Trade Show under its banner, "Fujifilm. Expand the World of Imaging." The theme reinforces Fujifilm's continuing commitment to create innovative imaging products and solutions for businesses and professionals by introducing new high-value products and services to the changing imaging marketplace. "Fujifilm is a company that has demonstrated, through its history and its actions, that it is committed to the success of our retail customers, to the culture of photography, and advancing the imaging space through continuous innovation and new product offerings."

Medium Format Film camera - PMA 2008
"The solutions we introduce at PMA this year - from very exciting new digital cameras, to a wide range of printing solutions for retailers and Professional labs - demonstrate that we remain focused on helping our customers generate more revenue through photography," said Hiro Sakai, president and chief executive officer, FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc. At PMA 2008, Fujifilm unveils new FinePix consumer digital cameras, a new One-Time-Use Camera, new photo paper, and the latest advances to expand Fujifilm's Frontier Solutions.


Fujifilm Medium Format Camera
In a special exhibit, Fujifilm will feature a prototype of a new portable medium-format film camera. Even as the company innovates in digital imaging technology, Fujifilm remains true to its heritage and to the acknowledged superior image quality delivered by professional photographic film products. Fujifilm is committed to further expanding the world of imaging whether in digital or analog technologies.

Olympus E-450 Announced

Olympus have announced their latest camera which is to be named the Olympus E-450. The E-450 is an upgrade from it’s previous model the E-420.

The camera is fairly compact for a DSLR. It has 3 Art Filters built in as well as a new processor and a better LCD display. The problem here is that the E-420 was a great camera and the E-450 just struggles to add much to it.

The Three Art Filters allow images to be created as Pop Art, Soft Focus and the final one is a Pin Hole effect. The new processor is the TruePic III+ and the buffer for image storage has been increased so that the E-450 can take 8 shots rather then the 8 of the older version.

The camera will cost £450 when launched and at that price you also get the standard lens kit. Shipping will start in May.

Via: LikeCool and DPReview

Panasonic Debuts New Lumix DMC-L10 DSLR with Face Detection

Panasonic's face detection technology has made it into its tinier point-and-shoots, and now it appears in the company's latest digital SLR camera too, the 10-megapixel Lumix DMC-L10. Like other Panasonic DSLRs, this one has Live View shot previewing, now with a 270-degree rotating 2.5" LCD.

Other key elements in this Panasonic—modeled off of the same technology found in Olympus Evolt DSLRs—include a Supersonic Wave Filter system to keep the image sensor from getting dusty, and optical image stabilization, a hallmark of Panasonic cameras. The body will be on sale in October with a LEICA D VARIO-ELMAR 14-50mm/F3.8-5.6/MEGA O.I.S. lens for $1,300.

Canon EOS 450D Digital SLR camera - latest 2008 release!

• It's here - the big fat container with Canon's latest DSLR has now hit Blighty having just been launched in January.
  
  And, it appears, it was worth waiting for...
  
  
• Meet the Canon EOS 450D Digital SLR camera (known across the pond as the Digital Rebel XSi... clearly the folks at Canon think you can cope with the whole number thing!)
  
  
• The EOS 450D has been sent to us as the replacement for the 400D, which we've had such a great time promoting in the Auction room and selling to loads of very lucky bidders.
  
  
• This new model isn't going to disappoint either, especially as it comes with a shedload of features - including a fair few new ones - that are bound to please....
  
  
  • 12.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor
  • 3.5 frames per second and speedier response times so you'll never miss the moment.
  • A whopping 3.0-inch LCD that is 50% brighter than its predecessor.
  • An ergonomically designed, lightweight body weighing in at just 475 grams
  • A new long-life battery
  • Live View shooting - a first on one of Canon's consumer models.
  • Canon's EOS Integrated Cleaning System - to keep the dust out
  • A brand new 9-point wide-area Auto Focus system
  • 13 different functions to customise the way you shoot
  • DIGIC III image processor - technology usually the preserve of the professional level range
  • Digital Photo Professional processing software