Digital Camera News and Reviews

Updates from the camera world



Month: May, 2008

Fujifilm launches FinePix A850 digital compact camera with 3x optical zoom

24 May, 2008 (10:28) | Compact Camera, Fujifilm | By: Camera News

Fujifilm FinePix A850 camera
Fujifilm FinePix A850

Fujifilm has announced a new camera in their “A-series”, the FinePix A850. The camera sports an 1/2.5″ sensor with 8.1 megapixels and 3x optical zoom.

Some key features for the Fujifilm FinePix A850:
-8.1 megapixel sensor
-3x optical zoom
-2.5″ LCD screen
-Image stabilization
-ISO sensitivity up to ISO 800
The Fujifilm FinePix A850 camera will be available from July 2008.


Press release:
The FinePix A850 is the new addition to Fujifilm’s A-Team

Fujifilm is pleased to announce the launch of the new Fujifilm FinePix A850. The stylish new camera joins the existing FinePix A920 and A900 in offering high-end technology to every-day users who want point-and-shot simplicity at an affordable price point, but are not prepared to compromise on image quality. The FinePix A850 features a sharp Fujinon 3x optical zoom lens, an 8 Megapixel CCD sensor and ISO 800 sensitivity at full resolution.

The FinePix A850 features Image Intelligence processing combined with a 3x Fujinon lens to deliver images of unrivalled quality. Fujifilm has employed decades of imaging know-how to ensure that each image, no matter how challenging the shooting conditions, is optimised for colour, tone, exposure and colour balance. This makes the FinePix A850 the perfect camera for beginners, because the combination of a sharp lens and cutting-edge image processing means that quality images, without overdue effort, will be produced time after time. Despite its modest credentials, Fujifilm employs its Picture Stabilisation (usually found on higher-priced models) to ensure that image blurring, caused by subject movement or camera shake, is kept to an absolute minimum.

In addition to this, the FinePix A850 offers handy features such as selectable scene modes and movie recording with sound, for versatility and ease of use.

An intuitive, icon-based Graphical User Interface (GUI) and simple button layout make it easy for users to navigate through menus and switch between shooting modes and scene positions.

The 14 selectable scene modes simplify shooting even further. With options including Beach, Snow, Sports and even Museum mode, users can be creative with their picture taking, regardless of the situation or their experience behind the lens.

The FinePix A850 features 24MB of internal memory, which is a great fallback storage option, so users can continue to shoot and save pictures even when the media card is full. What’s more, the camera’s low power consumption (operating on two standard AA batteries) means users will never miss out on capturing the action.

Lastly, looks are everything for modern electronic products. Consumers demand elegant styling, beautiful curves, and simple ergonomics. They demand a product to be proud of. The FinePix A850 does not disappoint in any respect. It has the feel of a high-end camera, with a sculpted grip and metallic finish, and mimics models sold for more than twice the price.

Fujifilm has designed three key features into this model: excellent image quality, simple operation and amazingly good looks. The FinePix A850 is likely to be the hit camera for this summer’s key selling season.
FinePix A850 features at a glance:

* 8.1 Megapixels
* 3x optical zoom
* 2.5-inch LCD monitor
* Selectable sensitivity up to ISO 800
* 24MB internal memory permits shooting without a media card
* Power source 2x AA-size alkaline (included),2x AA-size Ni-MH (optional) and AC Power Adapter AC-3V (optional)
* Movie mode, 30 frames/ second with monaural sound
* Picture stabilization
* 14 selectable scene positions

Availability & pricing

The FinePix A850 will be available from retailers from July. Pricing will be announced nearer to the date of the launch.

DIWA Labs tests Olympus Zuiko 14-35mm f/2.0 Digital ED SWD lens with Olympus E-3 DSLR

23 May, 2008 (23:32) | DSLR, Lens, Olympus, Review | By: Camera News

Olympus Zuiko 14-35mm lens
Olympus Zuiko 14-35mm f/2.0

DIWA Labs has tested the Olympus Zuiko 14-35mm (equivalent to 28mm to 70mm) f/2.0 Digital ED SWD lens on an Olympus E-3 DSLR body. This is the first standard zoom lens that features a constant f/2.0 aperture.
It doesn’t come as a big surprise that DIWA Labs says that this lens delivers excellent results as it is a part of the top range from Olympus
They even had to turn down the “normal” sharpening done by the E-3 camera as the pictures become over sharpened with the Olympus Zuiko 14-35mm lens. Seems like a really great lens if you can afford the hefty price tag.

Check out the tests of the Olympus Zuiko 14-35mm f/2.0 Digital ED SWD lens with Olympus E-3 DSLR here.
The tests done by DIWA Labs are very technical so you need to read their test guide to understand the test results.


Add-on lens for Sigma DP1 digital camera coming in June 2008 – AML-1 Close-up Lens

23 May, 2008 (12:14) | Compact Camera, Lens, Sigma | By: Camera News

Sigma AML-1 Close-up Lens
AML-1 Close-up Lens

Sigma has announced that a new lens, the AML-1 close-up lens, dedicated to their DP1 camera. The lens make the camera able to focus closer and it attached to the optional hood adapter (HA-11).
The lens will be available in June 2008 at £44.99 (suggested retail price).


Press release:
AML-1 Close-up Lens

Close-up Lens dedicated to the Sigma DP1 camera

The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new AML-1 Close-up Lens dedicated for the Sigma DP1 camera.

* Enables focusing between 20cm and 33cm
* Exclusive design provides advanced optical performance
* Super multi-layer coating reduces flare and ghosting
* Construction of 2 elements provides correction for color aberration and distortion

When this lens is attached to the optional Hood Adapter HA-11, it enables close-up photography with a focusing distance between 20cm and 33cm. The exclusive design creates high image quality and the super multi-layer coating reduces flare and ghosting.

The lens construction of 2 elements in 1 group provides correction for colour aberration and distortion and delivers a high level of optical performance.

Specifications:
Lens name – AML-1 Close-up Lens
Filter size – 46 mm
Lens construction – 1 groups 2 elements
Focus distance – 20 cm – 33 cm
Maximum magnification ratio – 1:8.2 – 1:14.9
Suggested retail price – £44.99
Available June 2008

DIWA Labs tests Casio Exilim Pro EX-F1 digital camera

22 May, 2008 (19:58) | Casio, Compact Camera, Review | By: Camera News

Casio EXILIM Pro EX-F1 camera
Casio Exilim Pro EX-F1

DIWA Labs has tested the new superzoom camera from Casio, the Exilim Pro EX-F1, that is capable of taking 60 frames per second.

DIWA Labs says that the Casio camera is capable of taking pictures with good sharpness, except some blurry at full telephoto. The lens produces about zero vignetting, but got some chromatic aberration at both wide angle and telephoto. Due to that the camera only have 6 megapixels it is able to produce very good pictures without much noise.
Seems like a very interesting camera!

Some key features for the Casio Exilim Pro EX-F1:
-12X optical zoom (36-432mm equivalent)
-60 frames per second at full resolution
-6 megapixel sensor
-Image stabilization

Check out the tests of the Casio Exilim Pro EX-F1 camera here.
The tests done by DIWA Labs are very technical so you need to read their test guide to understand the test results.


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