Balko Photo

• 9.1 Megapixels on a larger sensor than the 7.1 megapixel Lumix DMC-TZ3 it replaces as the flagship of the TZ lineup.
• New Venus IV processing engine.
• 720p HD video capture in 16:9 aspect ratio, with optical zoom plus audio during capture.
• Mega Optical Image Stabilization in both still and video modes.
• No RAW, no Manual controls — not even an either/or Aperture or Shutter Option.
• Dedicated playback/capture switch on rear of camera, instead of having playback on mode dial.
• Intelligent ISO setting analyzes 3000 quadrants in the image and can tweak ISOs in different cells to optimize exposure and image quality, so explains Panasonic.
• 460,000-dot high-resolution 3 inch LCD.
• Macro to normal focus is automatic and doesn’t require changing any settings.
• HDMI output via optional component cable.
• 2 frames per second unlimited burst at full resolution or 6 frames per second 100-frame burst at up to 2.5 megapixels.
• Dedicated one-touch wide-tele zoom button behind the shutter button.

PopPhoto Tests:

Image Quality: Excellent: ISO 100-800

Resolution: Excellent at ISO 100 (1930) through 800 (1780), Extremely High at ISO 1600 (1575)

Color Accuracy: Excellent at ISO 100 (average Delta E: 7.9 Auto White Balance.) Extremely High at ISO 1600 (Average Delta E 8.9 Auto White Balance)

Noise: Low at ISO 100 (1.7) Very Low at ISO 200 (1.45), Low at ISO 400 (1.75) Moderately Low at ISO 800 (2.0), Moderate at ISO 1600 (2.6)

Distortion: Slight Barrel Distortion at 28mm equivalent (.15%), Slight Pincushion Distortion at 140mm equivalent (.14%) and 280mm (.16%)

Contrast: Low

Shadow/Highlight Detail: Very High

.

Canon PowerShot SD850-IS Digital Elph Camera, 8.0 Megapixels, 4x Optical Zoom, 4x Digital Zoom, 2.5″ PureColor LCD Display
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Canon Powershot SD1000 Digital Elph Camera, 7.1 Megapixels, 3x Optical Zoom, 4x Digital Zoom, 2.5″ LCD Display, Silver
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Samsung LN-T2353H 23″ LCD HDTV Flat Panel Television with Integrated ATSC Tuner
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Nikon Coolpix S700 Digital Camera, 12.1 Megapixel, 3x Optical Zoom, 4x Digital Zoom, 2.7″ LCD Display, Brushed Aluminum
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Domke Pro.Com 20, Rigid Shell Case with Foam Interior for Digital Point-&-Shoot Cameras, Black.
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Hewlett Packard - HP LaserJet P1005 Monchrome Printer with 600 x 600 dpi, 14ppm Print Speed & 5000 Pages Printing Capability
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Celestron 10 - 30 x 50 Upclose Zoom, Weather Resistant Porro Prism Binocular with 4.1 Degree Angle of View at 10x, U.S.A.
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Fellowes Powershred SB-87CS Confetti-Cut Shredder, 15 Sheets at Once / 10 Ft/Min - 7 Gallon Basket
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Lomo FishEye Point-n-Shoot 35mm Camera, Black
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Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50S Digital SLR Camera, 10.4 MP, 12x Optical, 4x Digital Zoom, MEGA Optical Image Stabilizer, Silver
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Kata DR-465 Digital Rucksack for 2 Digital SLR’s with Mounted Lens, 3-4 Lenses, Flash, Accessories & Personal Gear
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Kata DR-467 Digital Rucksack for 2 Digital SLR’s with Mounted Lens, 3-4 Lenses, Flash, Laptop (to 17″), Accessories & Personal Gear
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Brother MFC-885CW Color Inkjet Flatbed, Wireless Network-Ready 7-in-1 Multi-Function Center with Print, Fax, Copy, Scan, PC Fax, PhotoCapture Center & Message Center.
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Celestron VistaPix IS70Imaging Spotting Scope with 3 Megapixel Digital Camera
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ZigView-R Digital Viewfinder, 360° Rotating Angled TFT 2.0″ Color Display, with TLL Motion Sensor Shutter Release, Interval & Exposure Timer.
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Stroboframe Quick Flip 350 - 35mm Flash Bracket
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Norcent XIAS DCS-860 8.0MP Point & Shoot Digital Camera, 3x Optical Zoom, 4x Digital Zoom & 2.5″ LCD
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Smith Victor KT900 3-Light 1250-Watt Thrifty Mini-Boom Kit with Light Cart on Wheels Carrying Case.
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Xshot Stainless Shield Shaft for Easy Self Portraits with All Compact Cameras
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Kodak Professional 9810, 8″ x 12″ Dye Sublimation Digital Photo Printer with USB Interface, for Windows.
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Kodak Professional EKTATHERM 9810L Digital Photo Print Kit / Glossy (Ribbon and receiver make 250 8×12 prints)
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Kodak Professional EKTATHERM 9810S Digital Photo Print Kit / Glossy (Ribbon and receiver make 300 8×10 prints)
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Bushnell 7 x 50 Marine, Tactical Water Proof & Fog Proof Porro Prism Binocular with 6.7 Degree Angle of View, U.S.A.
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Minox DCC Leica M3 Plus Classic Digital Camera, 5 Megapixel, 4x Digital Zoom, 1.5″ LCD Monitor and SD Memory Card with the Minox Flash for the Classic Series Minature Cameras, Guide Number 21, ISO 100.
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General Electric A830 Digital Camera - Black
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General Electric A830 Digital Camera - Silver
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Canon Pixma iP90v Photo Color Inkjet Printer with USB Interface , 4800 x 1200 dpi, for Windows & Macintosh
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Pharos Drive GPS 150, Portable Pocket Sized GPS Navigation System with Built in Maps and a 3.5″ Color LCD Screen
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Fujifilm 2 GB Type M xD Picture Memory Card.
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Epson Premiere Art Scrapbook Photo Matte Inkjet Paper, 12 mil, 12″ x 12″, 10 Sheets.
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Canon 8.5″ x 11″ Photo Album Kit with Album & 10 Sheets of Double Sided Inkjet Paper.
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Davis & Sanford ProVista Air 18 Tripod with FM-18 Fluid Head. (Head Supports up to 18 lbs., Tripods 12 lbs., extends 31″ - 68″)
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ColorVision Spyder 2 Pro Colorimeter suite
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LaCie Single Drive Hard Disk, 320 GB Disk Drive with USB 2.0 Interface, for Mac & Windows, 7200rpm, Ora-Ito Design.
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A Canon rep was overheard: The EOS-1Ds line (the full-frame pro DSLRs) is on a three-year upgrade cycle. The 1Ds Mark II came out in 2004, and the Mark III 3 years later in 2007. The EOS 5D came out in 2005 and it is now…? So, are we due for a new version? Message boards are humming but that is as far as the rumors go.

Someone on DP Review forums posted specs for a second generation 5D with the following changes: MP boost to 15.3MP up from 12.8MP, and a massive 2 stop bump in light sensitivity to 25600 ISO.

The cam will supposedly shoot at 6fps instead of 3, and will have dual Digic III processors instead of a single Digic II cpu. The AF system will use 29 points instead of 9, and it’ll have the same weather sealing as the topline 1Ds Mark III, as well as live view. The announcement is supposed to come on April 22nd, at $3500. More speculated specs:

- 15.3 MP full frame CMOS sensor (vastly improved light-gathering capacity per pixel: improved micro lenses; miniaturized micro circuitry; enhanced signal/noise ratio)
- Weather sealing same as 1Ds Mark III

- Dual Digic III with all-new “CXR” NR system reported to best 3rd party NR software. Available as a C.F with 4 levels of customizable parameters.
14 bit A/D conversion

- ISO 12800 (C.F. up to 25600)

- Reported 1 2/3 stop sensitivity improvement

- All-new 29-point TTL CMOS sensor
with 12 cross-type for F/2.8 or faster lens
(35% faster than 40D)

- Micro lens fine adjustment for up to 14 lenses

- 300,000 exposure shutter durability

- 6.0 / 3.0 fps

- 3.0″ LCD 922,000 pixels

- EOS Integrated Cleaning System

- Live View (improved from 450D; latest generation)

- 6/3 fps continuous shooting for up to 68 frames

- MSRP $3499, available June 2

The CMOS in the new camera will be an entirely new generation, not based on the current flagship or the current camera it is replacing. The CXR NR system will detail retention at 12800 similar to 3200 on current model, though a 1 2/3 stop improvement is the conservative, stated estimate. Canon hopes to create a “wow” factor with a conservative estimate that surpasses itself in studio/ pro review tests.

Canon 5D

More MP
The first DSLR sensor made by Samsung is the 14.6MP CMOS chip. This gives the GX-20 and the Pentax K20D the highest-resolution imaging in this class. The Pentax K200D gets the Sony-made 10.2MP CCD from the now-discontinued K10D. The Sony uses its own 14.2MP CCD in the Alpha 350, and Canon its own 12.2MP CMOS chip in the Rebel XSi. (Canon once again makes a Rebel that leapfrogs its enthusiast model in resolution — the EOS 40D is 10.1MP.) Nikon coasts along with the same 10.2MP chip from the D40x. All five cameras maintain the APS-C sensor size for a 1.6X 35mm lens factor for the Canon and 1.5X for all the others.

Live Preview
Like it or not, DSLR makers continue to use it and refine it. The Rebel allows two methods of autofocusing in live view: a quick method using a momentary flip down of the mirror (with face detection used to engage appropriate AF points), and a live method that can be enabled at any spot in the frame. This actually improves on the Reb’s pricey stablemates such the EOS-1Ds Mark III (see camera test), which focus only manually in live view. The Samsung GX-20 can also autofocus with a mirror flip.

But the best live view system so far comes on the Sony, which uses a separate imaging sensor in the pentamirror housing to allow autofocusing with live view — and nearly zero lag when you press the shutter to take the shot. You can even do burst shooting in live mode at a creditable 2 fps. Combined with the LCD that tilts up or down, it gives you a perfect setup for low-angle or over-the-crowd shots.

Image stabilization
Everyone wants it and why not? It gives you a bit more versatility, but which system is better - the one in-camera or in specific lenses? Canon and Nikon don’t have stabilization built into their cameras, but require individual stabilized lenses. And now manufacturers have priced camera/lens kits low enough that there is no short-term price advantage for the other three cameras that have sensor-based image stabilization built into the camera bodies.

But those three cameras — the Pentax K200D, Samsung GX-20, and Sony Alpha 350 — can stabilize any lenses you already have in your bag or may obtain down the line, which can save a fair stack of cash compared with putting together an outfit of Canon or Nikon image-stabilized lenses. In response, their rivals have been developing lower-cost stabilized lenses, such as the 55-250mm f/4-5.6 Canon EF IS ($300, street) and the 55-200mm f/4-5.6G AF-S DX Nikkor VR ($170, street).

Too Many
Canon EOS 40D, Nikon D300, and Sony Alpha 700 — and camera makers are not stopping with those. Nearly every DSLR maker has recently added one or more models to this year’s lineup, all of them aimed at the mid-level. For street prices of $630 to $1,400, they provide a nice boost in megapixels, with two models coming in at more than 14MP. But they aren’t about sheer firepower — don’t look for the fastest burst rates or stratospheric ISOs. Instead, you’ll find such conveniences as bigger LCD screens, live view, more battery power, extended in-camera image controls, and improved image stabilization.

No sooner do you have your setup complete (at least for the moment) and another model beckons so strongly that you cannot resist!

Improvements

Sony began the trend with its Dynamic Range Optimizer (DRO), which can calm down highlights and bring up shadows on the fly. Nikon’s Active D-Lighting, Pentax’s Expanded Dynamic Range, and Samsung’s High Dynamic Range do similar duty. The Canon Rebel XSi has Highlight Tone Priority, which will maintain detail in an exposure level selected by the user.

The Nikon D60 can convert RAW files to JPEGs with image corrections, remove redeye, add a cross filter, and even assemble stop-action movies from individual frames. The Pentax and Samsung have an assortment of digital filters and extensive picture adjustments. The Sony A350 inherits the menu of eight scene selection modes, each one of which can be individually tweaked.

And the Canon Rebel debuts a new tool, Auto Optimization, which can improve brightness and contrast on the fly (something like Auto Levels in Adobe Photoshop) and which gives priority to faces in the frame — to bring up detail in backlit portraits, for example.

Sensor dust has become Enemy #1 and DSLR manufacturers are recognizing that with more megapixels, shooters will view or print pictures at larger sizes — and will be all the more aware of dust spots on the sensor. All five of these cameras provide a momentary ultrasonic shake of the sensor to remove dust, but the precautions hardly stop there.

The Nikon simultaneously provides a momentary puff of air — something like a built-in bulb blower — and can map dust particles for removal later in software. The Canon also has software dust mapping. The Pentax and Samsung models highlight dust particles on the LCD — and display the map as a mirror image to facilitate manual cleaning of the sensor.

Should You Buy?

Fierce competition once again proves a good thing, with four of these five models coming in well under $1,000 with a kit lens. Stay tuned for more info on the latest and greatest offerings.
[PopPhoto]

Canon 5D

Olympus is expanding its rugged outdoor camera line with two new additions: the 8-megapixel Stylus 850 SW and the 10.1-megapixel Olympus Stylus 1030 SW.

Along with increased resolution, the new Olympus Stylus 1030 SW has a wider lens, a larger and improved HyperCrystal II LCD display, is still waterproof to 33 feet, and can take a fall of 6 feet.

For those who love to capture the unforgettable scuba diving moments, this camera includes 4 underwater scene modes. In fact this camera seems to be quite a catch for the outdoorsy person - from snorkeling to mountain biking to skiing. Its rugged design can take what you dish out in the desert or mountains or oceans.

The new wide 3.6x optical zoom lens is equivalent to a 28-102mm zoom in the 35mm format. The wide angle lens is just what the outdoor person wants too.

The 850 SW

Just like its big brother (1030 SW) the Stylus 850 SW performs in all types of terrain and weather. It still performs when the temperature dips well below freezing (14 degrees Fahrenheit; -10 degrees Celsius) — is dustproof and comes in a rainbow of colors:  blue, yellow, pink, black and silver.

Canon 5D

Canon 5D

Canon 5D, 15mm Fisheye

Canon 5D, 100mm Macro

Canon 40D, 17-40L

For $5000, one would expect top performance on all levels and according to PopPhoto, one is not disappointed. They made it their Top Camera for 2007.

By going to full-frame, the discussion of megapixels hardly applies. Image quality is top-notch and enough to make high-quality enlargements of up to 14×21 inches (at 200 ppi).

At the PopPhoto labs, at ISO 200, its 2320 lines of tested resolution for JPEGs (an Excellent rating) are almost identical to the much cheaper D300 ($1,800, street, body only), tested in their February 2008 issue.

Color accuracy is high for both JPEG and RAW files. Using noise control at high ISOs, the D3 earns an Excellent image quality rating from ISO 200 to ISO 3200.

Where it shines and earns its high selling price is in low-light situations. “Even at ISO 200, the added light-gathering capability of the larger pixels on the D3’s full-frame sensor beats the D300. Shooting RAW takes advantage of its lower noise and 14-bits-per-color capture. And it gives you much more flexibility, especially when using the supplied Capture NX 1.3 software to convert NEF RAW to 16-bit TIFF files.” from PopPhoto

Canon 40D, 100-400L

A Tree in a Kansas Sky

from my One Object for 365 Days Project at Flickr
Wichita KS
Canon 40D, 17-40L

The 10-megapixel Olympus E-3 digital SLR features Four-Thirds System compatibility, a dual-axis swivel 2.5-inch, 230,000-pixel Live View LCD, and in-body mechanical image stabilization, which provides optical image stabilization regardless of the lens used. Image stabilization modes include all-around stabilization and vertical-only stabilization for panning. The camera also features an optical viewfinder with a 100 percent field of view. According to Olympus, the E-3 offers the best autofocus performance of any digital SLR when paired with their new Zuiko Digital 12-60mm f/2.8-4 Supersonic Wave Drive lens.

The E-3 includes an 11-point AF system, a 5 fps continuous shooting mode for a maximum of 16 RAW frames or a variable number of JPEG frames, and a shutter speed range of 60-1/8000 sec. The camera’s Live View LCD offers an angle of view of 170 degrees and a magnification factor of 5, 7 or 10 times, allowing the photographer to check focus and exposure before capturing an image. The screen’s dual-axis swivel mechanism provides 360-degree flexibility. The camera is compatible with several accessories including the Olympus HLD-4 battery holder, BLM-1 Lithium Ion batteries, and new FL-50R and FL-36R wireless electronic flashes. Flash output settings can be controlled through the camera’s menus when using the FL-50R wireless flash. The Olympus E-3 digital SLR is available with a MSRP of $1699. PopPhoto

Olympus has finally announced their long-awaited flagship DSLR camera, the E-3. Billed as a pure pro camera, the Olympus E-3 is really more comparable to the cameras by Olympus’s competitors that we’ve been categorizing as semi-pro, such as the Pentax K10D, Canon 40D, and Nikon D200. Whatever you call it though, there’s no question that the new E-3 represents a sizable leap forward in technology and sophistication for the Olympus SLR line.

Built on a magnesium alloy frame the Olympus E-3 feels solid, and is sealed against dust and splashes. Connections include a USB 2.0 high-speed jack, an AC power jack, video out, remote control, and an x-sync terminal. The introduction also includes five new optics and two new flashes that can be remote controlled from the Olympus E-3’s onboard flash in three groups. A new battery grip works with the E-3 to double capacity, and duplicate key controls for vertical shooting.

The E-3 is exactly the camera Olympus needs to break into this prosumer SLR market, which is already dominated by Canon and Nikon, with Pentax, Sony, and Panasonic starting to fill in the gaps. Expected to retail for about $1,700, the Olympus E-3 is slated to ship in November 2007. Imaging Resource

Get it at Amazon! Olympus Evolt E-3 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with Mechanical Image Stabilization (Body Only)

Rumors abound about this new camera and it flip-out LCD screen. I must emphasize that this is still rumor, but in the world of digital photography, we live on rumors. It provides hope for the future; that ray of sunshine in our otherwise dismal lives.

Feed yourself at Dyxum.

* Check it at Amazon Sony Alpha A200K 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with Super SteadyShot Image Stabilization with 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens

In the meantime, here’s what we know…

The new model is designed to be faster, lighter and easier to use. Upgraded features include a wider, 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCDTM screen for easy playback viewing; a more compact body and an easily-accessible mode dial; an easy-to-use function menu (camera function display); improved noise control for higher quality images … With its 10.2-megapixel (effective) APS CCD image sensor, the DSLR-A200 camera continues to offer high-quality images by allowing more light to pass through to each pixel – increasing sensitivity, reducing noise, and providing greater detail … The DSLR-A200K kit includes the camera body and a DT 18-70mm f3.5-5.6 3.9x zoom lens for about $700. The DSLR-A200W kit includes the camera body, the DT 18-70mm lens and a 75–300mm f4.5-5.6 lens for about $900. Both will ship in February and will be available at sonystyle.com, Sony Style® retail stores (www.sonystyle.com/retail), military base exchanges, and authorized dealers nationwide. Pre-orders begin online on Jan. 7 at www.sonystyle.com/dslr.
from Digital Photog Review

Most noticeable external changes are a modestly bigger LCD monitor and the elimination of the Function dial on top, which gave access to settings for ISO, white balance, Dynamic Range Optimizer (DRO), color profiles, flash modes, focus modes, and meter pattern. Instead, the A200 has an A700-style Function (Fn) button within easy reach of the thumb on the back of the camera. This provides quick access to camera controls via the rear LCD panel, whose interface more closely resembles that of the A700. The new camera can also accept a vertical grip, VG-B30AM ($250, street) that can use one or two rechargeable batteries.

In spite of the bigger screen and a few tweaks, isn’t this camera a little less than the old A100? Well, yes. Sony is clearly positioning the A200 as the entry-level DSLR in its lineup, and its projected street price ($699 with 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 Sony DT lens) reflects that. Moreover, the A200 will be available only with the kit lens, not body-only.

It’s still quite a deal. You get a camera capable of Excellent image quality (with resolution right around 2,000 lines), useful image controls such as DRO, a fine-performing lens, and image stabilization that will work with virtually any lens that fits on the camera.
from PopPhoto

I am beginning a Photo-A-Week series for 2008.

Cardinal and Her Corn

Wichita KS
Canon 40D, 100-400L

Canon Pixma MP810

[top left] (PopPhoto Review) An All-In-One (AIO) with two paper paths, using five inks, great scanner functions including the ability to scan negatives and slides - and can print directly from them too without a computer. Its built-in card reader handles everything except xD Picture Cards.
Street Price: $275 - Info at Canon / Canon Inks + Paper

Epson Stylus Photo RX580

[top right] (PopPhoto Review) This one uses six Claria Ultra Hi-Definition dye-based inks, has excellent color accuracy, and speed to boot. It also prints directly onto coated CDs and DVDs, direct printing from memory cards (SD, CF, and Memory Stick types, xD Picture Cards) as well as USB flash drives. Also prints banner photos from a computer with a maximum size of 8×44 inches.

The Canon and HP were better at scanning, but it does have a “Color Restoration” feature that improves faded photos. If you’re looking for a great 8.5×11 or 4×6 inch borderless photo printer with an occasional need for scanning prints or flat art, this Epson is a great choice for its Excellent print quality and display life, fast and accurate scans, and affordable price.
Street Price: $150 - Info at Epson / Epson Inks + Epson Paper

HP Photosmart C7180

[lower left] (PopPhoto Review) Has a lot of features with excellent print quality according to PopPhoto.  It uses six Vivera ink cartridges that HP claims wastes less ink because of the sealed ink system. With a nice separate 4×6 photo tray, large and bright 3.6-inch LCD monitor, and support for nearly all types of memory cards, it seems perfect. But in actual photo printing, there was slightly less detail in magnified views of skin tones and shadow areas than in prints from the Canon or Epson (invisible difference to the naked eye).

Scans did have some visible scanning artifacts and lower color accuracy when compared to Canon or Epson, but way better than the Kodak. Scans showed very high shadow detail, and the device can be set to batch scan film negatives or slides or make prints directly from film scans without using a computer.

Built-in Bluetooth makes it possible to print directly from camera phones, PDAs, and Bluetooth-equipped cameras — a feature also supported by the Canon MP810 and Kodak after you buy an adapter.
Street Price: $379 - Info at HP / HP Inks + Paper

Kodak EasyShare 5300

[lower right] (PopPhoto Review) Kodak claims to save you money on “everything you print compared to other consumer inkjet printers.” The 5300 sports a fast flatbed scanner, card reader slots, and separate paper cartridges for 4×6 and up to 8.5×14 inch documents. It uses only two ink cartridges instead of separate inks as the others do - one black one for text, and a 5-ink color cartridge for color photos and color document printing.

Using Kodak’s 4-star Premium Photo Paper or 5-star Ultra Premium Paper, it produced good prints, but not with 3 star paper. It also produced numerous paper jams in PopPhoto tests. The low cost printing was achieved only by using the inferior paper.

Scanning was not good either, limited to just 1200 dpi according to Kodak, but even if it were higher scan artifacts and noise would interfere.

Overall, the 5300 came in at the bottom of the four.
Street Price: $199 - Info at Kodak / Kodak Inks / Paper