Digital Camera News and Reviews

Updates from the camera world



Month: January, 2009

Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM superzoom lens test / review by dpreview.com

23 January, 2009 (14:35) | Lens, Review, Sigma | By: Camera News

Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM
Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3

Dpreview.com has reviewed a superzoom lens from Sigma, the Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM. This seems like a nice travel lens with 11x zoom and image stabilization.

Dpreview ends up giving the Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM lens a “Recommended (with reservations)” rating. This is due to the fact that lens has little chromatic aberration and not much vignetting.
The downside is that the Sigma lens isn’t really all that sharp throughout the zoom range.
Read the full review of the Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM lens here.

Buy the Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM lens from BH Photo and get free shipping.

Sony Alpha 800 (A800) rumored – 15.2 megapixels, WiFi and 23 auto focus points

23 January, 2009 (01:33) | DSLR, Sony | By: Camera News

Sony Alpha 800
Sony Alpha 800

There has been some rumors going around the internet about a new Sony Alpha 800 DSLR camera. Nothing has been confirmed by Sony, but the rumors say that the camera will have a 15.2 megapixel sensor, design similar to the A700, ISO sensitivity from 100 to 12800, 23 auto focus points and built in WiFi.
The PMA 2009 is not far away so we will soon see if there is any truth in the rumors.

From the forums on dpreview.com there seem the be two sets of specifications for the Sony Alpha 800. You decide which are more likely.

Specs 1:
* body design similar to A700
* 100% OVF (pentaprism bigger than A700)
* 15.2Mp APS-C CMOS
* ISO 200-6400 expandable to 100 & 12800
* Quick LV
* flippable back LCD
* 6.5 frame per second
* New high speed flash sync
* 9 double cross f/2.8 AF sensor (23 total AF sensor)
* New metering and AF sensor with tracking and previous focus
* Dual AF Ultra-Speed motor ??
* Wi-Fi built-in
* Dual memory card slot CF & MS
* New battery
* A700 grip will be compatible
* micro AF adjustment
* full function eyestarter (pre-focus)

Specs 2:
* 15.2Mpx APS-C CMOS Exmor “R” sensor
* ISO 100-12.800
* 6.5 frame per second
* New high speed flash sync
* 9 double cross f/2.8 AF sensor (23 total AF sensor)
* New metering and AF sensor with tracking and previous focus
* Dual AF Ultr-Speed motor ??
* Wi-Fi built-in

Camera Armor updates their product line with redesigned ToughStrap and new Extreme weatherproof protective armor

22 January, 2009 (18:51) | Uncategorized | By: Camera News

Nikon D200 SLR Camera Armor
Nikon D200 SLR Camera Armor

Camera Armor has announced a product live of protective silicone skins that are designed for digital cameras.

The company has redesigned their ToughStrap system and have made “Extreme” weatherproof protective body armor for DSLR cameras.

You can buy a range of different products made by Camera Armor at the BH Photo shop.

Press release:
Camera Armor Announces Line of Protective Silicone Skins for Digital Cameras

Camera Armor will also showcase their redesigned ToughStrap system and offer a sneak peek of Extreme, weatherproof body armor for DSLR cameras

(LAS VEGAS – CES 2009, Hilton Hotel, Suite 2050) – Camera Armor, a leader in protective accessories for cameras and digital SLRs, announces their first line of compact protective skins for point and shoot digital cameras. The Compact Camera Armor skins are created with the same silicone material and standards as their line of protective skins for high-end DSLR cameras. This latest line in protective and functional camera skins will be showcased at CES in the Hilton Hotel, Suite 2050.

“As digital cameras become more advanced and mainstream, there has been an increased demand from consumers to keep the cameras protected from daily wear and tear,” said Graeme Esarey, creator of Camera Armor. “It was a natural next step for Camera Armor to provide our unmatched protection to digital camera users – you won’t find better protection on the market than our new Compact skins.”

Camera Armor is extending their expertise in protective body armor to the new line of Compact skins. The protective silicone skins are custom fit for each model and provide complete shock absorbing protection. Unlike competitors, the Compact skins allow full access to all buttons and controls, including a swing away door for battery and SD card access and a Polycarbonate LCD protective shield. The Compact skins are engineered with a special grip texture to prevent accidental drops and a clear design allows the original color of the camera to show through. Camera Armor standards ensure that the protective skin will not lose its shape or fit over time. The Compact Camera skins, retailing for $14.96, are available now for the Canon SD1100 and Sony DCS-W120.

Camera Armor will also showcase the newly redesigned ToughStrap and SafeGrip system at CES. The ToughStrap secures the camera comfortably around the neck or shoulder, while the adjustable SafeGrip straps around the hand – guaranteeing security during shooting.

The new ToughStrap features:

* Stainless steel infused nylon webbed strap
* sturdy metal ring connectors
* heavy duty neoprene pad, which can rest around the neck or shoulder that adds extra comfort and support
* an adjustable length of 30 to 50 inches

The ToughStrap and SafeGrip retail together for $34.95. The SafeGrip can also be purchased separately for $14.95.

Camera Armor will also be offering a sneak peek at the latest in their line of protective skins for DLSR cameras. The Extreme is a weatherproof DSLR camera and lens polycarbonate case that allows access to all buttons, wheels, zoom and flash while shielding the camera from rain, sleet, snow and dust. Available Spring 2009, the Extreme features:

* weather sealed case
* internal rubber padding that provides full mechanical shock protection
* lens protection with two sizes of customized weatherproof lens armor to accommodate a wide range of wide and long zoom lenses
* Lens Transport End Cap seals and locks the lenses for full protection in transport
* a filter sealing system with standard anti-UV coated glass non-polarizing filter
* customized to fit Nikon D40x, D40, D60, Canon XSi(450D) and XS(100D)

All Camera Armor protective accessories are available for purchase at www.cameraarmor.us, where you can also find a retailer near you.

DxO Optics Pro v5.3.2 adds support for Canon 5D Mark II and Canon G10

22 January, 2009 (17:55) | Software | By: Camera News

DxO Optics Pro
DxO Optics Pro

DxO has announced that their software DxO Optics Pro is updated to version 5.3.2. The new version adds support for the cameras Canon 5D Mark II and Canon G10. The new version also adds 32 Correction Modules to a wide variety of cameras.

Buy DxO Optics Pro from BH Photo.

Press release:
New DxO Optics Pro v5.3.2 supports the Canon 5D Mark II and the Canon G10

And adds 32 new DxO Optics Correction Modules

PARIS, France — Jan. 21 — DxO Labs announces today the immediate availability of DxO Optics Pro v5.3.2, now supporting the Canon EOS 5D Mark II (DxO Optics Pro Elite Edition) and Canon PowerShot G10 (DxO Optics Pro Standard or Elite Edition).

Thirty-two new DxO Optics Correction Modules are also now available for a variety of cameras including the Canon G10, 350D/Digital Rebel XT/Kiss Digital N, 400D/Digital Rebel XTi/Kiss Digital X, 450D/Digital Rebel XSi/Kiss X2, 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D, 1D Mark II N,1Ds Mark III, 5D Mark II, the Nikon D40, D40x, D60, D70, D70s, D80, D90, D200, D300 and the Fujifilm Finepix S5 Pro.

In addition, this new version includes various improvements, including installation of the plug-in version for Adobe Photoshop CS4.

Availability

DxO Optics Pro v5.3.2 and upgrades are available immediately for Mac and Windows platforms from the DxO Labs e‑store and from quality resellers.

All customers who purchased DxO Optics Pro since Aug. 1, 2007 are entitled to a free upgrade to version 5.3.2.


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