Digital Camera News and Reviews

Updates from the camera world



Month: February, 2011

Canon announces Canon Speedlite 320EX and Speedlite 270EX II flash units

8 February, 2011 (15:23) | Canon, Flash | By: Camera News

Canon Speedlite 320EX
Canon Speedlite 320EX

Canon has announced two new flash units called Canon Speedlite 320EX and Speedlite 270EX II. The Speedlite 270EX II is replacing the Canon Speedlite 270EX, which is their entry level flash. The Canon Speedlite 320EX is a mid level flash that is compact and have more control options.

The Speedlite 320EX will be available in March 2011 and cost about £249.99, while the 270EX II will cost about £179.99 and released in March 2011.

Press release:
Canon enhances EX Speedlite range with the new Speedlite 320EX and Speedlite 270EX II 270EX II

United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, 7th February 2011 – Canon today announces the launch of the new Speedlite 320EX and Speedlite 270EX II – a duo of new additions to its leading EX Speedlite range. Designed for EOS Digital SLR (DSLR) owners who want to use creative lighting techniques to make their photography more engaging, each new model is ideal for experimenting with different lighting set-ups with off-camera support, allowing users to alter subject lighting and add ambiance to a scene.

Ideal for users of the newly-launched EOS 600D and EOS 1100D DSLRs, the Speedlite 270EX II replaces the Speedlite 270EX at the entry level of Canon’s Speedlite range, whilst the Speedlite 320EX is a compact, powerful and versatile flash for users of mid-level cameras who want to take more control over lighting. Both new models are compatible with Canon’s distance-linked E-TTL II system, and can be used on-camera or as slave units controlled by a separate master unit or the Integrated Speedlite Transmitter of the EOS 600D, EOS 60D and EOS 7D. Ideal for more creative home studio shooting or general use, each model adds a new dimension to portraits or still life shots.

The Speedlite 270EX II – Compact, pocketable light
Perfect for users who want a small, pocketable flash unit, the Speedlite 270EX II is a compact, high-power flash with a guide number of 27 (m/ISO 100) and fast, silent recycling between shots. Flash settings can be manually controlled through the camera menu system, and photographers can experiment with the manual bounce flash head for different effects, as well as the zoom head to ensure efficient light distribution across the scene.

Providing the freedom for photographers to light a scene in a range of different ways, the Speedlite 270EX II launches with additional slave capability, allowing for creative, off-camera use. A new Remote Release function also wirelessly triggers the shutter release on a compatible EOS DSLR, allowing users to set up lighting without having to make repeat trips to the camera. Photographers can frame their shot, wirelessly trigger the two-second shutter release timer on the camera body, and then reposition the flash anywhere in the scene – capturing the image as the camera then fires both the flash and shutter release.

The Speedlite 320EX – versatile and powerful performance
Offering additional functionality, the new Speedlite 320EX is the ideal flash unit for amateurs and professionals looking for a secondary flash, featuring the ability to light a scene when recording movies. An LED flash offers a guide number of 32 (m/ISO 100), as well as the ability to change the flash coverage from 24mm to 50mm by manually extending or retracting the flash head. The flash head can also be rotated for more flexible bounce flash shooting, creating a wider variety of lighting effects.

The Speedlite 320EX’s slave utility allows it to be controlled by a master unit via one of four selectable channels. Flash group A, B or C can also be selected, controlling the relative power of the flash and the resulting lighting effect. The Speedlite 320EX also features the Remote Release functionality allowing users to trigger their camera from the flash.

In a first for Canon Speedlite, the Speedlite 320EX features a Video Light function, complementing bodies with EOS Movie by enabling users to illuminate low light scenes continuously when capturing HD video. When using the Speedlite 320EX in combination with the new EOS 1100D or EOS 600D, Auto Light mode ensures that the LED light automatically turns on or off according to the ambient light of the scene when in Movie mode.

Key features of the Speedlite 270EX II
• Lightweight compact design
• Guide Number 27 (m, ISO100)
• Bounce flash head
• Wireless slave function for off-camera flash
• Trigger your EOS camera with Remote Release button
• Variable angle of coverage
• Fast, silent recycling

Key features of the Speedlite 320EX
• Guide Number 32 (m, ISO100)
• Compact lightweight design
• Bounce-and-swivel flash head, with 24mm and 50mm zoom settings
• Integrated LED video light
• Wireless slave for off-camera TTL flash
• Remote Release button
• Fast, silent recycling

Pricing and Availability
The Speedlite 320EX is available from late March 2011, priced at £249.99/€299.00 RRP incl. VAT.
The Speedlite 270EX II is available from late March 2011, priced at £179.99/€219.00 RRP incl. VAT.

Casio Exilim EX-ZR10 with 1080p high-definition video capture – test / review by CNET UK

8 February, 2011 (14:36) | Casio, Compact Camera, Review | By: Camera News

Casio Exilim EX-ZR10
Casio Exilim EX-ZR10

CNET UK has reviewed a compact camera from Casio called Casio Exilim EX-ZR10. The digital camera is able to record movies in 1080p high-definition video and has a pretty long zoom range starting at 28mm.

Some key features for the Casio Exilim EX-ZR10:
-12.1 megapixel image sensor
-7x optical zoom lens (28-196mm)
-3″ LCD screen
-1080p high-definition video capture
-HDR function
-HDMI connection
-Available in black, silver and pink

CNET UK ends up giving the Exilim EX-ZR10 an overall score of 4 out of 5 possible stars. On the positive side the reviewer finds the zoom range to be useful, the HD movie capture and the camera is easy to use. There are a few negative points including boring design, high price tag and skin tones can look a bit weird. If you need this kind of zoom range and high end video, this might be your camera of choice if you have the money to spare.
Read the full review of the Casio Exilim EX-ZR10 digital camera here.

Lexmark Genesis S815 All-in-One printer with Flash Scan test / review by Trusted Reviews

8 February, 2011 (13:09) | Lexmark, Printer, Review | By: Camera News

Lexmark Genesis S815
Lexmark Genesis S815

Lexmark Genesis S815 is an All-in-One printer that features something called Flash Scan technology that lets you scan a document in about 3 seconds, or so Lexmark claims. Let us hear what the tester over at at Trusted Reviews has to say about the S815 printer.

Some key features for the Lexmark Genesis S815:
-Flash Scan technology
-Able to print 4X6″ photos in 26 seconds
-4.3-Inch LCD touch screen
-USB and wireless connectivity
-Automatic duplexing

Trusted Reviews ends up giving the Genesis S815 an overall score of 8 out of 10 possible points. The Lexmark printer scores highest on print speeds, print quality and features while it scores a little lower on value for your money. If you are looking for a vertical scanner the Lexmark Genesis S815 might be your choice, especially if you are looking to scan a large number of printed photos.
Read the full review of the Lexmark Genesis S815 All-in-One printer here.

Olympus XZ-1 high end compact camera test / review by Photography Blog

8 February, 2011 (10:05) | Compact Camera, Olympus, Review | By: Camera News

Olympus XZ-1
Olympus XZ-1

Photography Blog has tested an exciting new camera from Olympus called Olympus XZ-1. It has a high sensitivity 1/1.63″ CCD sensor with 10 megapixels and the brightest lens that you will find among compact digital cameras on the market right now.

Some key features for the Olympus XZ-1:
-10 megapixel high sensitivity 1/1.63″ CCD sensor
-4x optical zoom lens, 28-112mm equivalent, f/1.8-2.5
-3″ OLED screen
-Sensor-shift image stabilization
-Twin control dials
-ISO sensitivity 100-6400
-RAW file support
-720p movie mode
-Uses SD, SDHC and SDXC memory cards

Photography Blog ends up giving the XZ-1 a very good review with a “Highly Recommended” rating and an overall score of 4.5 out of 5 possible stars. The Olympus camera scores highest on features, design and image quality, a little lower on ease of use while it scores lowest on value for your money. If you are looking for a high end compact camera with compact design and great image quality that also have many manual controls, this camera is one of the top choices. There are not many downsides to the Olympus XZ-1, but the reviewer wants an ISO button and better video mode when Olympus releases the next camera in this line.
Read the full review of the Olympus XZ-1 high end compact camera here.


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