Digital Camera News and Reviews

Updates from the camera world



Category: DSLR

DxOMark releases Raw data analyzes of Panasonic Lumix G1, Olympus E-420 and E-510

28 January, 2009 (00:00) | DSLR, Olympus, Panasonic | By: Camera News

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 DSLR camera
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1

DxOMark has released their test data of Raw files from the first micro Four Thirds camera, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1. They have also released test data of the performance on Raw files from the entry level DSLR camera from Olympus, the E-420 and E-510.

All the test data can be read on the DxOMark website.

Press release:
DxOMark Releases Analyses of Panasonic Lumix G1, Olympus E-420 and E-510

dxomark.com publishes Raw performance data on the first-ever Micro Four Thirds camera, along with data on two Four Thirds system cameras

PARIS, France — Jan. 27 — DxO Labs has announced the publication of detailed Raw-based image quality data and DxOMark Sensor rankings on its popular http://www.dxomark.com Web site for two additional Four Thirds format cameras, the Olympus E-420 and E-510, as well as for the first commercially-released Micro Four Thirds format camera, the Panasonic Lumix G1.

With the addition of the data on the new Olympus cameras, the Four Thirds category is now well represented on dxomark.com, with a total of five models (including previously-released data on the Olympus E-3 and E-520 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC L10).

The Panasonic Lumix G1 is the first commercially-available camera using the new Micro Four Thirds technology unveiled this past August. Other models using this format are expected to become available this year.

As the name suggests, Micro Four Thirds camera bodies are smaller than conventional Four Thirds cameras because the lens mount is smaller and the traditional mirror and pentaprism have been replaced by an electronic viewfinder. Despite the difference in overall size, however, both conventional Four Thirds cameras and Micro Four Thirds cameras have the same image sensor size and specifications. This means that photographers can easily compare both kinds of cameras’ Raw-based performance on the DxOMark Sensor scale, regardless of other differences (optics, ease of handling, etc.).

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

Digitalcamerareview tests budget DSLRs Nikon D60 and Pentax K2000 against each other

22 January, 2009 (11:15) | DSLR, Nikon, Pentax, Review | By: Camera News

Nikon D60 DSLR
Nikon D60

Digitalcamerareview.com has a monthly section on their website where they they compare cameras against each other. This month they have compared the entry-level DSLR cameras Nikon D60 and Pentax K2000.

Digitalcamerareview.com come to the conclusion that both cameras are very good performers (you do not find any poor DSLR cameras on the marked today anyway). The K2000 seems to be a very strong camera, but if you are coming straight from the world of Point & Shoot cameras the Nikon D60 might be the right camera for you.
Read the full comparison of the Nikon D60 and Pentax K2000 cameras here.

Nikon updates firmware for D3 to version 2.01 – Fixes focus issues

21 January, 2009 (11:23) | DSLR, Nikon | By: Camera News

Nikon D3 DSLR camera
Nikon D3 DSLR

Nikon has updated the firmware for their Nikon D3 Full Frame DSLR to version 2.01. The new firmware includes a lot of different fixes including focus issues, black dots in some rare cases and issues with connection to some lenses.

You can download the firmware version 2.01 for the Nikon D3 DSLR camera here.

Information from Nikon:
About this firmware update
This service provides software for upgrading D3 firmware to v2.01. When performing this firmware upgrade, be sure to upgrade both A and B firmware. Be aware that operation of your D3 is not guaranteed if either A or B firmware is upgraded while the other firmware is not upgraded.

The following improvements have been made in version 2.01

– Geodetic information is now displayed in ViewNX Ver. 1.2.0 or later and Capture NX 2 Ver. 2.1.0 or later for images captured with the GPS Unit GP-1 mounted on the camera.
– Autofocus-response performance in focus mode C (Continuous-servo AF mode) with relatively dark subjects has been increased.
– When the AF-ON button is pressed, the monitor turns off and a focus point can now be selected using the multi selector.

– Photo information displayed in full-frame playback has been modified as follows:
HI-, LO- has been changed to Hi, Lo
WARM TONE has been changed to WARM FILTER
COLOR CUSTOM has been changed to COLOR BALANCE

– Manamah, displayed in the Time zone options for the World time item in the setup menu, has been changed to Manama.
– An issue that, in extremely rare cases, resulted in noticeable black dots in images captured with Long exp. NR in the shooting menu set to On has been resolved.
– When the Speedlight SB-800 was mounted on the camera with flash mode set to Distance-priority manual (GN) mode, and then the exposure meters were reactivated or the camera was turned on, the distance information displayed on the SB-800 changed. This issue has been resolved.
– An issue that, in some rare cases, caused images captured with the following lenses to be under-exposed, has been resolved.
AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED
AF VR Zoom-Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED (5.0x)


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