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Pentax launches K-r to take on the Canon T2i

The Pentax K-x was in many ways a breakout product for the company; it delivered exceptionally fast performance, low-noise images, and a robust feature set in a rainbow of colors, all for such a low price that it couldn't help but make waves in a market heretofore locked up by Canon and Nikon. In some ways it's easy to beat them, since they don't release new models at the bottom of the food chain--they just tend to let older models sink in price.

So what's an underdog to do for an encore in the murky step-up market? There you have to compete with Canon and Nikon's current-generation products, plus you have to offer obvious advantages over your cheaper product, but without incurring significant cost increases. Pentax seems to play it safe with its new K-r, basically preserving what's good about the K-x with just enough improvements to attract the more price-elastic buyer.

That amounts to using the same body and sensor, but incorporating an enhanced version of its autofocus system, a larger and higher-resolution LCD, and support for a dual lithium ion/AA battery design. In addition, Pentax has updated the viewfinder to display the focus points (yay), implemented the now-popular multishot Night Scene HDR mode, bumped the maximum shutter speed to 1/6,000 second, and will provide SDXC support via a firmware update later in the year. And, naturally, it still comes in colors, albeit a smaller selection of black; black and white; and red and black.

But the real key will be how the K-r stacks up against the competition. Here's how it fares compared with some current models:… Read more

Canon recrafting supertelephoto lens lineup

Just after Canon announced second-generation 300mm and 400mm telephoto lenses for its SLRs, the Japanese camera maker also said Friday that it will show prototypes of revamped supertelephoto lenses with 500mm and 600mm focal lengths.

The two prototypes, officially called the EF500mm f/4L IS II USM and EF600mm f/4L IS II USM, are second-generation successors to the current products introduced in July and September 1999, respectively. They'll be on display at the Photokina show in Cologne, Germany, later in September, at which the spotlight shines brightly on high-end gear.

Canon was characteristically reserved about the prototypes, saying release dates and specifications haven't been decided, but the company appears to be applying the similar revisions that it brought to the 300mm and 400mm lenses: better image stabilization, better image quality, and lighter weight.

"The EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM and EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM are being developed as L (Luxury)-series lenses equipped with a high-performance image stabilization system," Canon said. "Employing fluorite and other special optical materials to correct for a variety of aberrations, the lenses aim to realize high-resolution, high-contrast imaging performance in a lighter-weight body design." … Read more

Nikon updates entry dSLRs, lenses

Nikon updates its entry-level dSLR with the addition of video capture, new processing algorithms, and the de rigeur bump in resolution. The D3100 adds HD video capture with continuous autofocus. Continuous AF is unusual in dSLRs, but for good reason; the focusing mechanisms in the lenses are generally too noisy and an unwelcome addition to your soundtrack. This remains true for Nikon's solution, and without a mic input, you really have no way around it. Consider it a tradeoff. The camera does have a direct-access button for movie mode rather than shunting it off to the mode dial.

Here are some basic comparisons with Nikon's other current entry-level models (tables updated with more specs):

  Nikon D3000 Nikon D3100 Nikon D5000 Sensor (effective resolution) 10.2-megapixel CCD 14.2-megapixel CMOS 12.3-megapixel CMOS 23.6 x 15.8.mm 23.6 x 15.8mm23.1 x 15.4mm 23.6 mm x 15.8mm Sensitivity range ISO 100 - ISO 3200 ISO 100 (expanded)/200 - ISO 3200/12,800 (expanded) ISO 100 (expanded)/200 - ISO 1600/3200 (expanded Continuous shooting 3fps n/a raw/n/a JPEG 3fps n/a 4 fps 9 raw/100 JPEG (medium/fine) Viewfinder magnification/effective magnification 95% coverage 0.80x/0.53x 95% coverage 0.80x/0.53x 95% coverage 0.78x/0.52x Autofocus 11-pt AF center cross-type 11-pt AF center cross-type 11-pt AF center cross-type to f5.6 Shutter speed 1/4000 to 30 secs; bulb; 1/200 sec x-sync 1/4000 to 30 secs; bulb; 1/200 sec x-sync 1/4000 to 30 secs; bulb; 1/200 sec x-sync Metering 420-pixel 3D color matrix 420-pixel 3D color matrix 420-pixel 3D color matrix Live View Yes No Yes Yes Video No 1080/24p; 720/30p AVCHD MOV 720/24p LCD size 3 inches fixed 230,000 dots 3 inches fixed 230,000 dots 2.7 inches articulated 230,000 dots Wireless flash Yes Yes No Battery life (CIPA rating) 500 shots n/a shots 510 shots Dimensions (inches, WHD) 5.0 x 3.8 x 2.5 4.9 x 3.8 x 2.9 5.0 x 4.1 x 3.1 Body operating weight (ounces) 18.8 17 (est) 21.6 Mfr. Price n/a n/a $629.95 (body only) $549.95 (with 18-55mm lens) $699.95 (with 18-55mm lens) $699.99 (est, with 18-55mm lens) n/a n/a n/a Ship date July 2009 September 2010 April 2009

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A curvaceous dSLR designed for the future

Inspired by the twin-lens reflex cameras of old, where photographers look down into the shooter to frame their shots, designer Yaniv Berg has conceptualized a dSLR that follows a similar principle. Instead of holding the snapper up to their faces, shutterbugs just need to look down at the LCD.

Berg's design is fairly simple. The camera body is housed in a tube that curves toward one end where the LCD is housed. On the other side is the lens mount. Hence, when shooting, you'll probably be cradling the camera with your palm and bracing it against your stomach. … Read more

DxO tests dig deep into camera lens performance

For photography gearheads who want detailed tests of lens performance, a significant new option is joining the likes of SLRgear.com, Photozone.de, and Digital Photography Review.

The new kid in town is from an established player in camera measurements: DxO Labs. The company, which performs detailed tests of cameras and sells software for editing raw photos, is revamping its DxOMark site to offer lens tests as well as the earlier image sensor tests.

It's got some significant differences over established reviews sites. First, it adds a parameter the others lack, transmission, which measures how much light actually makes it through the lens. For example, Canon's EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens actually has an effective maximum aperture more like f2.1, DxO's tests show.

Second--and this is the bigger difference--the tests show how each lens works on a wide range of camera bodies; existing lens sites typically run tests just on one or two bodies. Seeing how a lens works differently on different bodies can help inform prospective buyers whether a high-end lens is worth its premium on a lower-end camera, or how well an existing lens collection will work on a new camera body. … Read more

DIY wooden dSLR shoulder rig twists for focus

Ever since dSLRs with video-recording functions were introduced two years ago, many third-party manufacturers have developed stabilizing rigs for filmmakers who want to shoot movies with such cameras. However, most of these contraptions are very expensive and probably out of reach for the average consumer.

Swedish shutterbug Jonathan Clifford Berqvist wanted to shoot videos with his Canon EOS 7D, but like most users, found the specialized rigs too pricey. Lucky for him, his dad is well-versed with woodwork. After looking at some of the stabilizing devices, Berqvist's father took a large tree branch and fashioned a shoulder rig out … Read more

'Top Gear' tests for best drifting cars

While it has been fun watching Jeremy Clarkson of BBC's "Top Gear" fame test out fantastic rides for a thrill, I figured why not keep the fun going and bring on all the guys from "Top Gear"--Anthony Davidson and The Stig in this instance--as they try to figure out what the best car is for drifting.

In case you didn't know, drifting is "a driving technique and to a motor sport where the driver intentionally oversteers, causing loss of traction in the rear wheels through turns, while maintaining vehicle control and a … Read more

Jeremy Clarkson's Thriller: Maserati Gran Turismo

In Tuesday's blog post, we got a closer look at the supposed ultimate lady thriller automobile, the Maserati Quattroporte, and I figured since we're on the subject, why not go for a thrill ride in a Maserati Gran Turismo? Climb in and let's go for a spin with Jeremy Clarkson of BBC's "Top Gear" fame--and away we go!

This clip comes courtesy of an excerpt from Jeremy Clarkson's Thriller series where he pushes all kinds of fine automobiles such as the Alfa Romeo 8C, the Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 GT, and in this … Read more