slr

Nikon's 10.2-megapixel D40x

Just in case the D40's 6-megapixel sensor was keeping you from making the plunge into the world of digital SLRs, Nikon has just announced the D40x, which sports a 10.2-megapixel sensor. Despite the larger pixel count, Nikon still manages to bump the new camera's continuous shooting speed up to three frames per second for up to 100 shots, compared to the D40's 2.5fps. If you often shoot in very bright conditions, you'll appreciate the D40x's wider range of ISOs, which stretches from ISO 100 to ISO 3200 (Nikon calls it H-1). The D40 … Read more

Olympus ups the Evoltage

Though Live Preview--LCD previewing on dSLRs--hasn't gained widespread popularity, this spring Olympus is betting two cameras that snapshooters trading up to dSLRs are unwilling to part with the ability to frame scenes using the LCD. The nearly identical and closely priced Evolt E-410 and Evolt E-510 come in an array of configurations ranging from $699 to $999, with body only, single lens, and two lens kits. (Click here for photos.)

The 10-megapixel cameras differ by one feature, sensor-shift image stabilization, which is incorporated into the higher-end E-510. Olympus claims up to a 4-stop latitude for its image stabilization, and … Read more

Olympus hints at new digital SLRs

Taking a page from Nikon's playbook, Olympus is offering glimpses of new digital SLRs it appears likely to announce in conjunction with the Photo Marketing Association (PMA) trade show next week.

An image at Olympus' European Web site shows two dimly lit SLRs labeled March 5, 2007--three days before the PMA show begins--and a larger hulking silhouette with no date.

Olympus trails Nikon and Canon in the digital SLR market. The company has allied with newcomer Panasonic, though, and the same "four-thirds" system lenses can be used on either company's digital SLR cameras. Olympus also uses … Read more

Canon 1D Mark III brings new sensor, processor to SLRs

Canon has countered Nikon's competitive new SLR cameras, revamping its high-performance line with the EOS-1D Mark III. The camera introduces a bevy of new features: a higher shooting rate, a new image processing chip, a live display, a more sensitive image sensor and a self-cleaning sensor.

The 10.1-megapixel camera, announced late Wednesday, can shoot 10 frames per second. That's a notch up from the 8.5 per second of the preceding model, the 8.2-megapixel 1D Mark II N. It can shoot a burst of as many as 30 raw images--those pulled directly off the sensor without … Read more

Why that Canon lens costs $5,500

Newcomers to the digital SLR camera realm have no shortage of opportunities for sticker shock. Take, for example, Canon's EF 500mm F/4L IS USM lens, a 15-inch, 8.5-pound telephoto.

It costs about $5,500.

That's more than five times what I got when I sold my not-too-shabby car a while back.

But there's a reason that sticker is so high besides Canon's desire to transfer my salary to its coffers. Those suckers are expensive to make. Or at least that's the impression I got from watching an artful online propaganda video from Canon: … Read more

Fuji to release two fives in early '07

Fujifilm decided to stop being coy and tell us when, and for how much, we'll be able to buy its recently announced S5 Pro dSLR and Z5fd ultracompact cameras. We first told you about the 6.3-megapixel FinePix Z5fd in November, but at the time we didn't know whether it would be sold in the U.S. at all. Now we can say with confidence that Fuji intends to ship the FinePix Z5fd in March 2007, and it will set you back about $230.

First deets on the FinePix S5 Pro hit the blogs back in September, and … Read more

Let your peers pick your next camera

Are you one of those people who needs a new digital camera but who's a little insecure about where to plonk down a few hundred bucks? Perhaps you should let the wisdom of crowds chart your course.

Flickr, Yahoo's popular photo-sharing site, provides a Camera Finder site that details what cameras are most popular among its users and which produce the most photos on the site. The company bases its figures on camera data that's embedded in about two-thirds of photos.

The answer, if you're curious: The Canon Rebel XT, a digital SLR, wins hands down, … Read more

18k camera salutes bad taste

What is it about anniversaries that makes companies lose all sense of good taste? (If they had any to begin with, that is.) Throw in the term "limited edition" and things are certain to get ugly in a hurry.

Case in point: Pentax's "Asahi LX Gold," to celebrate its 60th year in business. But it didn't stop at the camera's 18k casing--Pentax had to add crocodile-print leather as well, presumably because it needed that extra something to finish it off. Luxist says the camera isn't just all about show and features the &… Read more

Stepping up to SLR

I am considering upgrading from the Canon Powershot SD400 point-and-shoot digital camera to a digital SLR. Fortunately, Nikon just introduced the Nikon D40, and at $599.99, it is reasonable enough for me to consider making it my first SLR camera. Canon even dropped the price on its EOS Rebel XT kit by about 20 percent just to keep up with the D40's fierce competition. Based on the success of the Nikon D50, I'm betting the D40 could make me fall in love with SLR cameras. Don't get me wrong, I still love my PowerShot because it … Read more

Nikon's new everyman dSLR

Confirming what the blogosphere so graciously leaked over a week ago, Nikon has officially announced its new entry level digital SLR, the 6.1 megapixel D40. A followup to the company's D50, the D40 includes the same processing engine as the D200 and the same 420-pixel sensor 3D Color Matrix Metering II metering system found in the D80, while sporting a body that makes it the smallest Nikon dSLR to date.

One of the most interesting things about this camera is its new graphical user interface. Rather than the usual text-centric interface, Nikon has developed a cute and intuitive … Read more