Digital Camera News and Reviews

Panasonic 12.5mm f/12 Lumix G 3D

SLR Gear has reviewed a 3D lens from Panasonic that is designed for the Micro Four Thirds system. The lens is called Panasonic 12.5mm f/12 Lumix G 3D and gives you the opportunity to take 3D-photos. It has two optical systems installed within the diameter of the lens mount that will create a stereo image. Let us hear what the website thinks about this Panasonic lens.

SLR Gear ends up giving the Panasonic 12.5mm f/12 Lumix G 3D a good review, but there are some shortcoming. Since the lens is f/12 you need a lot of light to take 3D pictures. You also need a big 3D TV and 3D glasses to really enjoy the photos that this lens produces. If you are into 3D-photography and are a Micro Four Thirds photographer this should be the lens for you, especially if you look at the reasonable price tag.
Read the full review of the Panasonic 12.5mm f/12 Lumix G 3D lens here.

Brother HL-4570cdwt

Printer Comparison is a reputable testing site on the net. They have now reviewed a color laser printer from Brother HL-4570cdwt that has wireless printing and is able to print up to 30 pages per minute, or so Brother claims.

Some key features for the Brother HL-4570cdwt:
-Print speeds up to 30 pages per minute in both black and color
-Print resolution up to 2400 x 600 dpi
-Automatic duplex printing
-800-sheet paper capacity
-Wireless, ethernet and USB 2 connecitivty
-Monthly duty cycle up to 60,000 pages

Printer Comparison ends up giving the HL-4570cdwt an overall score of 4 out of 5 possible stars. There are several good sides with this Brother printer including good print quality, large print capacity and the “Secure Print” feature. On the negative side we occasional print pauses and the display on the printer could have been made better. If you run a smaller business and need a fast color laser printer this Brother printer might be your choice.
Read the full review of the Brother HL-4570cdwt wireless color laser printer here.

Leica V-Lux 2

CNET UK has tested a superzoom camera from Leica called Leica V-Lux 2. When I think about Leica a superzoom compact camera is not the first thing that comes to my mind, but Leica have a good relationship Panasonic and the V-Lux 2 is almost the same camera as the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100.

Some key features for the Leica V-Lux 2:
-14.1 megapixel image sensor
-24x optical zoom lens (25-600mm)
-Able to record high-definition 1080i video
-3″ fold out LCD screen
-Supports RAW file format

CNET UK ends up giving the Leica camera an overall rating of 3.5 stars out of 5. It does not get a top score because of the very high price tag compared to the Panasonic FZ100. There are several good points with the camera including useful zoom range, the video mode is good, stereo microphone and the fold out screen is nifty. On the negative side the reviewer finds aspects such as high price tag, the design is not Leica-looking and there is quite a bit of noise at higher ISO levels.
Read the full review of the Leica V-Lux 2 superzoom digital camera here.

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.