Digital Camera News and Reviews

Pentax Optio M85

Pentax has announced a new compact digital camera called Pentax Optio M85. The M85 is a stylish compact with a metal body (but is still light weight) and 12 megapixels.

Some key features for the Pentax Optio M85:
-12 megapixel sensor
-3x optical zoom (32-96mm)
-3″ LCD screen
-ISO sensitivity 80-3200
-HD movie mode 1280×720 at 15 fps

The Pentax Optio M85 will be launched in October 2009.

Press release:
PENTAX Optio M85: Simple and stylish

PENTAX launches simple and stylish digital compact camera, Optio M85 in October 2009.

This camera, dressed in a metal body, is equipped with 12.0M pixel high resolution CCD and 32-96mm 3 x optical zoom lens. Also it has 3.0 inch 230.000 dots large LCD to offer absolute convenience not only to view captured image but to make camera settings. Having all these fabulous features, the body is only 19mm slim size and 128g light weight, making it easy to carry everywhere, put it in a pocket

• 12,0-Megapixel-CCD
• 3x optical zoom lens (32 – 96 mm) f 2,9-5,2
• 3.0’’ inch large LCD-Display, 230.000 dots
• Sophisticated metal body
• Auto scene available
• 1280×720 @15fps HD movie
• ISO range 80-3200
• Face recognition (Max 10 faces at a time)
• 90x58x19mm Slim and compact body
• Approx 215 shots (CIPA standard) with bundled rechargeable Li-ion battery
• 105g light body
• Launched in October 2009

Fujifilm FinePix F70EXR

CNET UK has reviewed the Fujifilm FinePix F70EXR digital compact camera. This

Some key features for the Fujifilm FinePix F70EXR:
-10x optical zoom lens (27-270mm)
-10 megapixel image sensor
-Optical image stabilization
-2.7″ LCD screen
-Face detection

CNET UK ends up giving the Fujifilm FinePix F70EXR an “Excellent” 8 out of 10 rating as the camera takes good pictures, has good build quality and has a very useful zoom range. On the downside there is a bit of colour-fringing that can produce pictures of lower quality in some situations.
Read the full review of the Fujifilm FinePix F70EXR camera here.

Olympus Zuiko Digital 12-60mm

The German testing website Photozone has tested the Olympus Zuiko Digital 12-60mm f/2.8-4 ED SWD lens. This Olympus lens is a part of the “pro” class which means environment sealing, higher build quality and good optical abilities.

Photozone gives the Olympus Zuiko Digital 12-60mm f/2.8-4 ED SWD a “Highly Recommended” rating as the lens produces very sharp and contrasty images. For a standard zoom lens there are little vignetting, chromatic aberrations and distortions. The build quality is very good and so is the autofocus.
Seems like a fine lens for Olympus photographers.
Read the full review of the Olympus Zuiko Digital 12-60mm f/2.8-4 ED SWD lens here.

Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM

SLR Gear has reviewed the super wide Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM lens. With its constant f/3.5 this Sigma lens seems to be interesting for people who like to do wide angle photography. It remains to be seen what the reviewer thinks about the lens.

SLR Gear ends up giving the Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM a very good review as the lens is able to take very sharp pictures especially at the wide end (where it counts). There is a bit of chromatic aberration, but there is less vignetting and corner shading than in the previous version of this Sigma lens.
Read the full review of the Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM lens here.