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Photos: Slimmed-down digital SLRs

Point-and-shoot camera or digital SLR? That's been the long-standing dilemma for shoppers looking for a way to take pictures.

But now the great divide may be shrinking, at least a bit, as camera makers work to bring high-end features (smarter sensors, faster shooting, access to "raw" images, etc.) and low-end convenience (small size, primarily) into a single gadget.

The compact camera that probably comes closest in design to an SLR is Canon's PowerShot G7 (shown here), Stephen Shankland writes on CNET News.com today. Another option, he writes, is the Nikon Coolpix P5000.

Even as enthusiasts … Read more

Canon Rebel XTi firmware upgrade available

Canon has released a firmware update to its 10.1-megapixel EOS Digital Rebel XTi, also known as the EOS 400D in other parts of the world. This firmware update, v1.1.0, primarily enhances the camera's USB functionality by adding support for the new MTP USB protocol. The previous firmware update, v1.0.5, contains several other improvements, which are included in this update as well.

We generally recommend installing the latest firmware updates for your camera, so you can get the most out of your gear. For more information on firmware updates for a specific camera, visit the … Read more

Now available: Free-software-only Ubuntu version

Canonical has released its first test version of Gobuntu, a variant of the Ubuntu Linux software that's devoid of proprietary software.

Canonical Chief Executive Mark Shuttleworth announced the version's availability this week on his blog. The test version of Gobuntu, based on the upcoming "Gutsy Gibbon" version of Ubuntu due in October, can be downloaded from the Ubuntu Web site.

Regular Ubuntu includes proprietary software such as video drivers that enable accelerated 3D graphics. Shuttleworth called on programmers to lend a hand building Gobuntu into a version on its own right.

"This is a call … Read more

Canon to address 1D Mark III autofocus in August

Chuck Westfall, Canon's spokesman and all-knowing camera tech expert, has promised to address questions about how well his employer's new high-end EOS-1D Mark III digital SLR handles autofocus--but you'll have to wait until next month.

In June, photographer and consultant Rob Galbraith raised concerns about the new $4,500 camera's autofocus abilities on his blog, but Canon has remained mum about the issue.

Westfall could provide a response in August, though, in a monthly column he writes for a photojournalism publication, The Digital Journalist.

"I'll have more on EOS-1D Mark III autofocusing in the … Read more

Most popular dSLR lenses

Well, at least according to the Digital Photography School readership. These guys polled their readers and put together a list of the most popular Canon, Nikon, and third-party lenses. Scientific? Nah. But you could do worse than using their list as a guide for accessorizing your dSLR.

Oddly, the Nikon f/1.8 50mm lens tops the list. It's an inexpensive, predigital lens, but not exactly a general-purpose option that would attract large numbers of users. This probably says more about the site's readership than lens popularity overall.

But now I'm curious. Talk back and tell me … Read more

Sigma releases stabilized 18-200mm ultrazoom

Canon SLR (single-lens reflex) owners now have an answer to Nikon's 18-200mm ultrazoom--as long as they're willing to buy a non-Canon lens.

Japanese lensmaker Sigma this week announced it's begun selling its 18-200mm ultrazoom for Canon SLR cameras.

These lenses are flexible, but typically have lower image quality than zoom lenses with narrower ranges or "prime" lenses with a fixed focal length. They're convenient, though, and often are called "vacation lenses" because they're popular with people who don't want to carry a big, heavy bag of better lenses.

Sigma'… Read more

A blight on Canon 1D Mark III's record

So far, most of the reviews of Canon's high-end EOS-1D Mark III digital SLR have been highly favorable, as befits a $4,500 camera from the leader of the pack. But this week, Rob Galbraith, one of the privileged few to get an early look at the camera, issued a scathing review of its autofocus abilities.

In a Tuesday post, Galbraith said that under some circumstances, the 1D Mark III's autofocus can have trouble focusing initially on a subject, doesn't track moving subjects well and can lose focus. The problems cropped up when the weather was warm … Read more

Apple update boosts support for Canon 1D Mark III

Apple's update to its operating system Wednesday didn't just fix a security hole. Mac OS X 10.4.10 now also supports raw images from the latest digital cameras, including the Canon's vaunted EOS-1D Mark III.

The update also endows Macs with the ability to decode raw images from the Panasonic DMC-LX1 and LX2; the Leica M8, D-LUX 2 and D-LUX 3; the Fujifilm S5 Pro; and the Nikon D40x.

Raw images are taken directly from higher-end cameras' image sensors without any in-camera processing. They're roughly three times bigger than JPEGs, require processing by software to … Read more