Digital SLR camera information
Find out the latest leaked information and developments on digital SLR camera. Checkout the reviews, side by side comparisons and next models such as the Nikon D90, Nikon D300, Canon 40D and the Canon 3000D on www.infodigitalcamera.com
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Olympus E-3
Looks like Olympus will be joining Canon and Nikon by releasing their new DSLR this year. This time it's the new professional 10 mega pixels Olympus E-3 due to be announced on the 17th October 2007. The new swivel LCD screen looks great. The E-3 replaces the ageing Olympus E-1 announced in 2003.
So far, the recent releases have been Canon with its Canon 40D, Nikon with the Nikon D3 and the D300 and now we are just waiting for the official announcement by Olympus and also Sony.
What a competitive market and I can’t wait to see who comes out with the highest market share towards the later part of the year.
Source
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Nikon D3 - ISO 5000 image
Here is a very interesting image taken with the Nikon D3 at ISO 5000 (Osaka games). As you can see, the high sensitivity images are quite usable which gives you an indication of the sensitivity of this new camera. It's good to see Nikon competing head on with one of the major strengths that Canon has in its DSLR - the silky smooth low noise CMOS sensor.
The gap is now closing for what use to be a major advantage and competitive edge for Canon DSLR. The constant patriotic salute to the high ISO sensor in almost every digital photography forum is slowly being eroded away. Horary for competition.
Source
Friday, August 24, 2007
Canon 40D - ISO3200 images
Although the Canon 40D has not been released yet, Japanese website (www.photo-cafe.jp) somehow has pictures of images taken at different ISO ratings. As expected the high ISO images taken at ISO 3200 from the Canon 40D seems pretty impressive. Images were taken with the Noise reduction turned on and off.
Noise Reduction - OFF ---------------------------- Noise Reduction - ON
For more pictures click here
Source
Nikon D3
Nikon is really taking the challenge to Canon with its first professional DSLR to have a full framed sensor. Although it only has 12 mega pixels sensor, it does make it up with high sensitivity and speed. With boost, it can go as high as ISO 25,600!
Here are the specifications:
- FX format (36 x 24) 4,256 x 2,832 3,184 x 2,120 2,128 x 1,416
- 5:4 (30 x 24) 3,552 x 2,832 2,656 x 2,120 1,776 x 1,416
- DX format (24 x 16) 2,784 x 1,848 2,080 x 1,384 1,392 x 920
- Compressed 12/14-bit NEF (RAW, Lossless compressed): approx. 60-80%
- Compressed 12/14-bit NEF (RAW, Compressed): approx. 45-60%
- PEG: JPEG-baseline-compliant; can be selected from Size priority and Optimal quality
*With Continuous-servo AF, S or M exposure mode, shutter speed 1/250 s or faster; other settings are set at "Default".
- Auto (TTL white balance with main image sensor and 1,005-pixel RGB sensor);
- Seven manual modes can be preset with fine-tuning; color temperature setting; white balance bracketing: 2 to 9 exposures in increments of 1, 2 or 3
- TLL phase-difference AF with 51 focus areas (15 cross-type sensors)
- Tripod mode: focal-plane contrast AF on a desired point within a specific area
- 3 inch with approximately 920,000 pixels (VGA), 170-degree wide-viewing-angle, 100% frame coverage, low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD with brightness adjustment
1) Full frame, 2) Thumbnail (4 or 9 segments), 3) Zoom, 4) Slideshow, 5) Histogram indication, 6) Shooting data, 7) Highlight point display, 8) Auto image rotation
NTSC or PAL; simultaneous playback from both the video output and on the LCD monitor available
HDMI Output Supports HDMI version 1.3a; Type A connector is provided as HDMI output terminal; simultaneous playback from both the HDMI output terminal and on the LCD monitor not available
1) Type G or D AF NIKKOR: All functions supported
2) DX AF NIKKOR: All functions supported except FX-format (36x24)/5:4 (30x24) image size
3) AF NIKKOR other than type G or D*2: All functions supported except 3D Color Matrix Metering II
4) AI-P NIKKOR: All functions supported except autofocus and 3D Color Matrix Metering II
5) Non-CPU AI NIKKOR: Can be used in exposure modes A and M; electronic rangefinder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster; Color Matrix Metering and aperture value display supported if user provides lens data
*1. IX NIKKOR lenses cannot be used
*2. Excluding lenses for F3AF
- TTL phase detection, 51 focus points (15 cross-type sensors) by Nikon Multi-CAM 3500FX autofocus module; Detection: -1 to +19 EV (ISO 100 at 20°C/68°F); AF fine adjustment possible
- Focal-plane contrast [in Liveview (Tripod) mode]
1) Autofocus: Single-servo AF (S); Continuous-servo AF (C); Focus tracking automatically activated according to subject status,
2) Manual focus (M) with electronic rangefinder
1) Single-point AF
2) Dynamic AF [number of AF areas: 9, 21, 51, 51 (3D-tracking)]
3) Automatic-area AF
- TTL full-aperture exposure metering using 1,005-pixel RGB sensor
1) 3D Color Matrix Metering II (type G and D lenses); Color Matrix Metering II (other CPU lenses); Color Matrix Metering (non-CPU lenses if user provides lens data)
2) Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 8-, 15- or 20-mm circle in center of frame, or weighting based on average of entire frame
3) Spot: Meters 4-mm circle (about 1.5% of frame) centered on selected focus area (on center focus area when non-CPU lens is used)
1) 0 to 20 EV (Matrix or center-weighted metering)
2) 2 to 20 EV (Spot metering) (ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens, at 20°C/68°F)
1) Programmed Auto (P) with flexible program,
2) Shutter-Priority Auto (S)
3) Aperture-Priority Auto (A), 4) Manual (M)
±5 EV in increments of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV
- Four setting options: Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome; each option can be adjusted
- Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter; 1/8,000 to 30 s in steps of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV; Bulb
1) TTL flash control with 1,005-pixel RGB sensor; i-TTL balanced fill-flash and standard i-TTL fill-flash available with SB-800, 600 or 400
2) Auto aperture (AA): Available with SB-800 and CPU lens
3) Non-TTL auto (A): Available with SB-800, 28, 27 or 22s
4) Range-priority manual (GN): Available with SB-800
1) Front-curtain sync (normal), 2) Slow sync, 3) Rear-curtain sync, 4) Red-eye reduction, 5) Red-eye reduction with slow sync
- With Speedlights such as SB-800, SB-600, SB-R200, supports Advanced Wireless Lighting, Auto FP High-Speed Sync, Flash Color Information Communication, modeling flash and FV lock
1) GPS: NMEA 0183 (Ver. 2.01 and 3.01) interface standard supported with 9-pin D-sub cable and GPS Cable MC-35 (optional)
2) Remote control: via 10-pin terminal
Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish
One Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL4a/EL4, Quick Charger MH-22, AC Adapter EH-6 (optional)
*Supplied accessories may differ depending on country or area
Click here for the D3 pdf file
Nikon D300
Just as soon as the Canon 40D was announced, Nikon has announced the release of the new Nikon D300 and from the specifications; the Nikon seems to come out on top.
Here are the specifications
-NEF 12-bit or 14-bit (uncompressed, lossless compressed or compressed RAW)
-TIFF (RGB)
-JPEG: JPEG baseline-compliant
*1. When using AC Adaptor EH-5a/EH-5 or Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10 with batteries other than Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e
*2. When using Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e
(When shooting in Continuous-servo AF (C), Shutter-Priority Auto [S] or Manual [M] exposure modes, at a shutter speed of 1/250 s or faster with other settings at default)
1) DX AF Nikkor: All functions possible
2) D-/G-type AF Nikkor (excluding IX Nikkor lenses): All functions possible (excluding PC Micro- Nikkor)
3) AF Nikkor other than D-/G-type (excluding lenses for F3AF): All functions except 3D-Color Matrix Metering II possible
4) AI-P Nikkor: All functions except Autofocus, 3D-Color Matrix Metering II possible
5) Non-CPU AI Nikkor: Can be used in exposure modes A and M; electronic range finder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster; Color Matrix Metering and aperture value display supported if user provides lens data
1) 3D Color Matrix Metering II (type G and D lenses); color matrix metering II (other CPU lenses); color matrix metering (non-CPU lenses if user provides lens data; metering performed)
2) Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 6, 8, 10, or 13 mm dia. circle in center of frame or weighting based on average of entire frame (8 mm circle when non-CPU lens is used)
3) Spot: Meters approx. 3 mm dia. circle (about 2.0% of frame) centered on selected focus point (on center focus point when non-CPU lens is used)
1) TTL: TTL flash control by 1,005-pixel RGB sensor, built-in Speedlight, SB-800, SB-600 or SB-400: i-TTL balanced fill-flash and standard i-TTL flash
2) AA (Auto Aperture-type) flash: Available with SB-800 used with CPU lens
3) Non-TTL Auto: Available with Speedlights such as SB-800, 28, 27, and 22S
4) Range-priority manual flash; available with SB-800
1) Front-curtain Sync (normal) 2) Red-eye Reduction 3) Red-eye Reduction with Slow Sync 4) Slow Sync 5) Rear-curtain Sync
(ISO 100 equivalent, m): approx. 12 (manual 13)
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Canon 40D released
After a long and exhausting wait, the Canon 40D has finally been released and here are the final specifications:
Specifications
- JPEG/Large: Approx. 3.5MB (3,888 x 2,592)
- JPEG/Medium: Approx. 2.1MB (2,816 x 1,880)
- JPEG/Small: Approx. 1.2MB (1,936 x 1,288)
- RAW: Approx. 12.4MB (3,888 x 2,592)
- sRAW: Approx. 7.1MB (1,936 x 1,288)
Coverage - Approx. 95% horizontally and vertically
- 35-zone TTL full aperture metering
- Evaluative metering (linked to all AF points)
- Partial metering (approx. 9% of viewfinder)
- Spot metering (approx. 3.8% of viewfinder)
- Center-weighted average metering
- Metering Range
EV 0-20 (ISO 100 at 73°F/23°C with EF 50mm f/1.4 USM lens, ISO 100)
- Exposure Control Systems
Program AE (shiftable), Shutter-priority AE, Aperture-priority AE, Auto Depth-of-field AE (non-shiftable), Full auto (non-shiftable), Programmed image control modes, Manual exposure, E-TTL II autoflash program AE
* Standard output sensitivity. Recommended exposure index.
Manual (user-set): By AE lock button in all metering modes
Live View: View image before shooting on LCD monitor; live histogram and live simulation of exposure level possible with C.Fn IV-7-1
- Shooting
-Playback
-Setup
-Custom function/My Menu
-No flash: approx. 1100 images
-50% flash use: approx. 800 images
at 32°F/0°C:
No flash: approx. 950 images
50% flash use: approx. 700 images
(tests comply with CIPA industry test standards)
The above figures apply when one fully-charged Battery Pack BP-511A is used
Battery Check - Automatic
Power Saving - Provided. Power turns off after 1, 2, 4, 8, 15, 30 min.
Back-up Battery - One CR2016 coin-type lithium battery. Battery life approx. 5 years
Dimensions and Weight
Dimensions (W x H x D) - 5.7 x 4.2 x 2.9 in./145.5 x 107.8 x 73.5mm
Weight - 26.1 oz./740g
Operating Environment - Operating Temperature Range
32-104°F/0-40°C
Operating Humidity Range - 85% or less
Source
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Nikon D3 Teaser
More and more material on the Nikon D3 have started to re-surface again and this time it's from Japan. It's a teaser showing the outline of the new Nikon D3 with some Japanese (Kanji) character saying the following:
So far the rumored teaser on the Nikon D3 sounds pretty impressive. The screen resolution is much higher than Canon's top of the range 10 mega pixel EOS 1D Mark III which has a total of 230,000 pixels in their 3 inch screen. The 51 point autofocus is also impressive compared to Canon with 19 cross-type auto focus plus 26 assist autofocus point.
The only comparable feature is the fps speed which is 9 fps for Nikon compared to 10 fps for Canon.
This is going to be a great year in DSLR with the impending release of the Canon 40D, Olympus E-P1, Sony Alphas and the Nikon D300 and D3.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
The new Canon 40D is being shipped
It seems the Canon 40D may have started to ship across the country judging by the photo of an apparent invoice or purchase order from a certain retailer. I’m sure the corporate watchdogs at Canon are conducting their own investigations into this leak. It lists the price as $1599.99, however I'm not sure if the lens is included.
Interestingly, if you enter the UPC code into the UPC database, you get the description as "Canon EOS 40D D-SLR W". Again, I have no idea what the W stands for in the Canon 40D D-SLR W, but it does make me wonder what it could be? Wireless ? Who knows?
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Nikon D300
There seems to be some speculation that the Nikon D200 successor could be called either the Nikon D200x or the Nikon D300.
After recently reviewing the leaked pdf file on the Olympus professional camera called the E-P1 (yet to be announced), I have to say, the Nikon D300 seems the most appropriate choice.
You see, Olympus have somehow named the Nikon D200 successor as the Nikon D300 which is clearly indicated in the pdf file. Olympus has also provided us with some interesting inside information on how they view their future competition; namely the Canon 40D and the Nikon D300.
As you can see in the attached diagram (page 10 of 27), it indirectly points out the Nikon D300 will have a larger LCD screen (?3 inch), faster start-up time and higher mega pixels than the E-P1. There’s also other information you can gather from this diagram such as the absence of dust reduction and live view.
I’m sure more will be revealed soon. Once again, the 18 month product cycle is due again in September this year and it'll be interesting to see how things develop.
Friday, August 03, 2007
More Canon 40D rumors
Here we go again. The date for the release 0f the Canon 40D is getting closer and closer as more rumors and materials are starting to pop up. Even digital camera websites selling cameras are anticipating a change - many are now preparing for the addition or the coming of the new model.
The run-out sales are appearing and stores are trying to empty their stocks of the Canon 30D with huge discounts. ? Should I buy the 30D at a great price or should I wait for the new 40D???? Many are torn between and unable to make the decision.
Well let me tell you, the new model is coming and it won't be long.Rumored specifications