CameraRec » Top of the Line Point & Shoot

Digital Camera Buying Guide

toby — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 01:16:57 +0000

Let’s keep this short and sweet – If I had $____ to spend on a camera what would I buy. . . (see below for lens ideas)

	If I had $200 to spend I would buy the Canon HS300 This little P&S is little! but offers excellent quality, 1080p with stereo audio and the neat feature of slow mo video. I would spend the extra $50 on an 8GB SD Card (it comes w/ a 4GB and HDMI cable) an Ultra Compact Camera Case and a Joby Flexible Tripod. NOTE: This Camera at $149 is already blackfriday discounted – Amazon’s price matches the expected door buster price being offered by BestBuy.
	If I had $400 I would buy the Canon PowerShot S100 & that would require me to scrounge a bit for an extra $30 but it wold be worth it. The new DIGIC 5 Image Processor means fast performance and excellent low light images. Additional features similar to the HS300 above but with a very cool control ring for manual control over a range of settings and GPS for automatic location tagging of your photos.
	If I had $600 I would buy the Panasonic LUMIX G3 Four-Thirds Camera with 14-42mm Lens And just like that we are now in the territory of cameras with removeable lenses – DSLR like – this is not a true DSLR because it doesn’t have a mirror that directs the image that comes through the lens to an optical viewfinder. What it does have and offers is an electronic viewfinder and a flip out LCD screen with touch to focus (and lots of other touch to do something options) Fast and silent autofocus, 360 motion panorama and loads of video options. Downside- battery life isn’t great and additional lenses aren’t cheap. There are other really close competitors for my heart at this price range.
	If I had $800 I would buy the Canon EOS Rebel T3i with EF-S 18-55m IS Lens You get a whole lot of DSLR for this price- a gorgeous flipity out LCD screen, 1080P recording – in fact the T3i shares same image/video quality with the much more expensive 7D and even offers a few features like video zoom that you don’t get in the 7D. And for those that dream of going big as a photographer wireless flash control is a cherry on the T3i pie.
	If I had $1000 I would buy the Canon EOS Rebel T3i with EF-S 18-55m IS Lens (yep same as above) and add an external flash like Speedlite 320EX Flash – This is going to do loads for your indoor & outdoor photos and has a video light AND has a remote for triggering the shutter on the camera.
	If I had $1200 I would buy the Fujifilm X100 – this is a DSLR sensor in a small range finder like body with a fixed lens. Sure you are giving up the versatility of a DSLR with removable lenses and no zoom but what you get is a fantastically peppy camera, superb quality and it is all packaged in a stylish body.

New Superzoom Leica Announced – Don’t buy!

toby — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 23:50:08 +0000

Leica announced a new 24x zoom today- The V Lux 3 – Available in January, sporting a 12.1MP CMOS sensor. The camera has a 4.5 – 108mm F2.8-5.2 image stabilized lens, equivalent to 25-600mm in 35mm film terms. The camera can do 1080p60 video capture with stereo audio and 12fps. Sound good? You could save yourself a whole bunch of waiting and save a few hundred dollars by buying the Panasonic FZ150. Seriously it is the same camera minus the Leica red dot. The FZ150, released this past August is quickly becoming one of my favorite superzooms. All the features of the above – which includes RAW shooting, serious FPS and loads of optical zoom make this an excellent choice for photographers wanting DSLR like performance in a smaller more affordable package. You still aren’t going to get the virtual zero shutter lag of using a DSLR but for just a tad over $400 this is a good deal.

DSLR-like camera that won’t break the bank

toby — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 03:39:13 +0000

Received the following from Rachelle- I am looking for a camera. Not quite the price of a DSLR but the same type of look. I want a viewfinder as well as a LCD screen and manual focus as well as auto, and I like the forced flash too. Not too fussy huh? I bought the Fujifilm Finepix S2950 the other day but am not 100% happy with it. It has most of what I want/need but like I said, not 100% happy…..but I don’t want to spend a fortune, you know?? If there is something you can recommend that is not too heavy on price, but that can fill my wants, that would be great! Thank you for your time! So my charge is to find something DSLR-like with viewfinder, LCD, pop-up flash – further discussion revealed that the Rachelle is not happy with the sometimes grainyness of the Fuji and a disappointing Macro mode. The Fuji is a budget minded DSLR look alike with a serious 18x zoom. A budget camera with that zoom and something has to give, in this case it is image quality and in low light with higher ISOs you are going to get grainy photos, you are also more likely to get grainy(noisy) photos at the far end of the zoom when the aperture gets smaller and the camera compensates by increasing the ISO. SO lets look at some options #1 – Canon G12 10 MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.8 Inch Vari-Angle LCD - Recent price drop = $379 Not cheap, you lose a bit of zoom(a good bit actually) but it is going to give you fantastic results for a P&S, especially at the higher ISOs and it has an optical viewfinder plus the flippity-swively LCD screen. Loads of manual controls and physical dials make controlling this camera a breeze. Bonus feature – shoots RAW file format for greatest detail,also includes hotshoe for attaching an external flash. Macro mode is excellent #2 – Canon SX40 HS 12.1MP Digital Camera with 35x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-inch Vari-Angle Wide LCD. - Hard to find, sitting around $399 You get a load of zoom, pop up flash controlled via button, HS sensor that will give you very good low light image quality – similar to G12. Has LCD and viewfinder – viewfinder is electronic. Macro mode is OK. #3 – Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47K 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 24xOptical Zoom -$280 Zoom, popup flash(but no button to make it popup) but it does have an array of manual modes including manual focus. This viewfinder is also electronic. In general an impressive array of features at this price point but again sacrifices are made the cheaper we go and these photos are going to be noisier at the higher ISOs. Macro mode is very good. Consider these listed in order of my preference. If you are not Rachelle send me an email or find me on Facebook to get your own personalized camera recommendation. Find this post helpful? Use the links above to shop amazon or pass along a little tip using the PayPal button. Thanks!

Holiday Shopping: Camera Guide – If I had. . .

toby — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 23:24:57 +0000

Cape Neddick ("Nubble") Light - Copyright Tobias Gelston

Let’s keep this short and sweet – If I had $____ to spend on a camera what would I buy. . . (see below for lens ideas)

Black Friday Updates 7am

HS300 at $149 -See description below, Excellent buy for a tiny but high quality camera

SX230 at $199 – Very similar in quality and features to HS300 (which is to say excellent) AND adds 3″ LCD screen, 14x zoom GPS for tagging photos – this is a stellar buy – View on Amazon Price includes a 4GB SD card and Mini HDMI Cable

Sony Cyber-ShotTX10 16.2 MP Waterproof Camera is Amazon’s Gold Box Deal of the day and at $169 for a waterproof rugged camera that shoots 16MP and 1080i video is very tempting. Be warned that this camera is sloooooow, slow to start up and slow to take photo/video. Also the touch screen that lets you control most of the operations is no fun to use especially once the screen gets wet. . like underwater!! Amazon’s return policy is good so if you are dying to try out a waterproof camera you could give it a shot. The next waterproof camera I feel comfortable recommending is $100 more, the excellent Panasonic LumixTS3 12.1 MP Rugged/Waterproof Camera Simple controls and truly feels like it can take some abuse and spend some time underwater.

More Amazon Black Friday Deals & BF Electronic Deals

	If I had $200 to spend I would buy the Canon HS300 This little P&S is little! but offers excellent quality, 1080p with stereo audio and the neat feature of slow mo video. I would spend the extra $50 on an 8GB SD Card (it comes w/ a 4GB and HDMI cable) an Ultra Compact Camera Case and a Joby Flexible Tripod. NOTE: This Camera at $149 is already blackfriday discounted – Amazon’s price matches the expected door buster price being offered by BestBuy.
	If I had $400 I would buy the Canon PowerShot S100 & that would require me to scrounge a bit for an extra $30 but it wold be worth it. The new DIGIC 5 Image Processor means fast performance and excellent low light images. Additional features similar to the HS300 above but with a very cool control ring for manual control over a range of settings and GPS for automatic location tagging of your photos.
	If I had $600 I would buy the Panasonic LUMIX G3 Four-Thirds Camera with 14-42mm Lens And just like that we are now in the territory of cameras with removeable lenses – DSLR like – this is not a true DSLR because it doesn’t have a mirror that directs the image that comes through the lens to an optical viewfinder. What it does have and offers is an electronic viewfinder and a flip out LCD screen with touch to focus (and lots of other touch to do something options) Fast and silent autofocus, 360 motion panorama and loads of video options. Downside- battery life isn’t great and additional lenses aren’t cheap. There are other really close competitors for my heart at this price range.
	If I had $800 I would buy the Canon EOS Rebel T3i with EF-S 18-55m IS Lens You get a whole lot of DSLR for this price- a gorgeous flipity out LCD screen, 1080P recording – in fact the T3i shares same image/video quality with the much more expensive 7D and even offers a few features like video zoom that you don’t get in the 7D. And for those that dream of going big as a photographer wireless flash control is a cherry on the T3i pie.
	If I had $1000 I would buy the Canon EOS Rebel T3i with EF-S 18-55m IS Lens (yep same as above) and add an external flash like Speedlite 320EX Flash – This is going to do loads for your indoor & outdoor photos and has a video light AND has a remote for triggering the shutter on the camera.
	If I had $1200 I would buy the Fujifilm X100 – this is a DSLR sensor in a small range finder like body with a fixed lens. Sure you are giving up the versatility of a DSLR with removable lenses and no zoom but what you get is a fantastically peppy camera, superb quality and it is all packaged in a stylish body.

Lumix 101P – A Serious Camera Phone

toby — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 18:34:43 +0000

We have seen the camera and picture taking abilities of smart phones increasingly with each release – The iPhone that is rumored to be announced next week will probably have an 8MP sensor on top of their excellent software but the latest announcement from Panasonic blows that away – The Lumix Phone 101P is going to be a camera that happens to have a phone attached.

13.2MP CMOS Lumix sensor. Image sensors in Lumix cameras are often very good.
4-inch QHD LCD screen with 960×540 resolution
1Ghz TI OMAP4430 dual-core processor.
It’s waterproof (though we don’t know how waterproof yet)
Runs Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) w/ some camera software on top

Available in Japan in Mid-November. Do you think we will see this in the States anytime soon? And are you interested?

New Canon S100

toby — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 13:32:13 +0000

Preorder – Canon PowerShot S100 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 5x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom Canon’s S90 was released in August 2009 and people, especially advanced amateurs, fell in love. The quality from the little camera was excellent if not stunning for a camera so small and the controls were smart, customizable and allowed for easy manual control if desired. The S95 followed adding a small refresh to the line with HD video and not much else. Two years later and we have arrived at the S100 – Which looks to be a serious upgrade – new lens with 5x zoom, new sensor and Canon is now using the Digic 5 Processor, new IS. . Full bulleted list of differences below S100 – New/Seriously upgraded feature list

24-120mm (equivalent) lens range (5x zoom), F2.0-5.9, built-in neutral density filter
12.1 MP 1/1.7″ Canon CMOS sensor
DIGIC 5 image processor
ISO 80-6400
2.3 fps continuous shooting (9.6 fps for 8 frames in High-Speed burst mode)
Full HD (1080p 24fps) movie recording; H.264 compression, MOV format
Optical zoom in movie mode
Super slow-mo movie recording (640 x 480 @ 120fps, 320 x 340 @ 240 fps)
Direct movie record button
Built-in GPS unit with image tagging and logger functions

This camera looks to be spectacular- I loved the S90 and S95 and now with the S100 using the same control scheme but adding in the excellent sensor similar to what is used in the HS line and full HD video – weeeeeeeee (that is my official review My only worry is battery life, I don’t see any mention of a larger battery and GPS can chew through power quickly. Available in early November. Canon also announced the SX40HS - I will have more to say about that soon – but for now, ridiculous zoom Want to talk about this camera or any others? Use the chat link on the right to ask questions or share your thoughts or find me on twitter @camerarec or visit my page on facebook. Full Press Release LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., Sep 15, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, today announces the addition of two feature-packed digital cameras, the PowerShot S100 and PowerShot SX40 HS, to its award-winning lineup of point-and-shoot models. In addition to superb low-light performance and increased overall speed, these two cameras include a new DIGIC 5 image processor, HS SYSTEM, Full HD video capture, High-speed Burst HQ and Intelligent IS providing clearer, smoother looking images. “Photo enthusiasts are always on the search for that next great camera to help them achieve the best results,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies and Communications Group, Canon U.S.A. “The inclusion of the new DIGIC 5 image processor and Full HD recording capabilities on both new models will provide users with the tools needed to capture brilliant images and videos as they continue their photographic journey.” A challenging task for the photographer on assignment or appointed family photographer is working under low-light conditions. Helping improve the quality of images from those situations is Canon’s HS SYSTEM, where the camera’s image processor and high-sensitivity image sensor work in tandem to enhance low-light image quality. With the PowerShot S100 and PowerShot SX40 HS, Canon has introduced a new DIGIC 5 image processor, maintaining the cameras’ superb low-light image quality while improving overall camera operation and color accuracy. The new image processor has improved noise reduction and advanced Multi-area White Balance optimizing color tones of both subject and background under multiple light sources. High-speed, High-quality, High-performance An added benefit of the DIGIC 5 image processor is the incorporation of the new High-speed Burst HQ(1) providing users with the ability to continuously capture a maximum of eight frames. This new feature will allow the story of a child scoring the winning goal on the soccer field or a marathon runner crossing the finish line to be told frame-by-frame through the eye of the photographer. Intelligent IS One of the most important innovations for a point-and-shoot camera has been Image Stabilization (IS) since it helps improve image quality by reducing camera blur for both images and videos. Canon has taken this technology one step further with the new Intelligent IS which automatically chooses from six different modes (Normal, Macro, Panning, Dynamic, Powered, Tripod) to optimize image stabilization and help achieve crisp, blur-free images for various shooting conditions. It’s an HD World When the time comes to share one of those “can’t miss” moments from a family day at the park or of a pride of lions on a safari expedition, the use of HD video is becoming more popular than ever. As a leader in HD video capture, Canon has incorporated Full HD recording (1920 x 1080) capabilities for both new models. Providing exceptional resolution for crystal clear HD video, both cameras have a dedicated movie record button in addition to having the ability to zoom while recording, further enhancing the overall user experience. An HDMI terminal output has also been included for easy sharing of videos with stereo sound on HD ready televisions PowerShot S100 Digital Camera When the PowerShot S95 Digital camera was announced in 2010, it received critical praise for having an impressive feature set and superb low-light capabilities. Building upon the success of this model is the PowerShot S100, featuring a host of upgrades making it a must-have for any photo enthusiast. Featuring a 12.1-megapixel CMOS image sensor — part of the HS SYSTEM — this versatile camera has a 24-120mm wide angle lens with 5x optical zoom, GPS functionality and is capable of achieving improved low-light performance of up to ISO 6400. Additionally, the camera utilizes an f/2.0 lens increasing the camera’s low-light performance by allowing additional light to reach the sensor while creating a shallow depth-of-field for portraits with dynamic, soft backgrounds. The PowerShot S100 will also now be available in either black or silver. Other features of this camera include: – A large 3.0-inch wide LCD screen for easy viewing of those images and menu options. – GPS capabilities(2) where satellites collect data of the latitude, longitude and altitude of an image’s location, which is then stored to the image’s EXIF data (3). A map utility software is included with the camera to view the locations where images were captured. There’s also an internal GPS logger to track the day’s photographic route. – A full range of shooting and recording modes similar to those found in DSLR cameras including RAW + JPEG and a control ring on the front of the camera for quick, manual adjustment of key functions such as ISO, zoom and focus. – Compatibility with the HF-DC2 High-Power Flash, which is an optional flash accessory that operates wirelessly and increases the effective flash range up to approximately 30 feet. The estimated selling price of the PowerShot S100 Digital camera is $429.99 and is scheduled to be available in early November.* PowerShot SX40 HS When visiting the local zoo or sitting in the stands of a youth football game, having a camera that has the flexibility to capture images at close-up and far-off distances is a necessity. Canon’s PowerShot SX40 HS is just the camera one would need to ensure those images are of high-quality. Other features include: – An incredible 35x optical zoom range (24mm-840mm) with image stabilizer and a 12.1-megapixel CMOS image sensor — part of the HS SYSTEM — the camera can capture low-light images of enhanced image quality up to ISO 3200. – A 2.7-inch wide vari-angle LCD has been included for easy viewing of images and menus from almost any angle. – Improved Smart AUTO settings to ensure the settings are intelligently selected based upon the cameras 32 predefined shooting situations. . – The Zoom Framing Assist button, which helps the user steady the camera when tracking a moving subject at extreme telephoto settings keeping it in focus. The estimated selling price of the PowerShot SX40 HS Digital camera is $429.99 and is scheduled to be available in late September.* About Canon U.S.A., Inc. Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions. Its parent company, Canon Inc./quotes/zigman/192225/quotes/nls/caj CAJ -1.80% , a top patent holder of technology, ranked fourth overall in the U.S. in 2010+, with global revenues of more than US $45 billion and is listed as number five in the computer industry on Fortune Magazine’s World’s Most Admired Companies 2011 list. Canon U.S.A. is committed to the highest levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent U.S.-based consumer service and support for all of the products it distributes. At Canon, we care because caring is essential to living together in harmony. Founded upon a corporate philosophy of Kyosei — “all people, regardless of race, religion or culture, harmoniously living and working together into the future” — Canon U.S.A. supports a number of social, youth, educational and other programs, including environmental and recycling initiatives. Additional information about these programs can be found at www.usa.canon.com/kyosei . To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company’s RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/rss . +Based on weekly patent counts issued by United States Patent and Trademark Office. All referenced product names, and other marks, are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Availability, prices, and specifications of all products are subject to change without notice. Actual prices are set by individual dealers and may vary. (1)The continuous shooting speed is approximately 9.6 fps for the PowerShot S100 and approximately 10.3 fps for the PowerShot SX40 HS. (2)In certain countries and regions, the use of GPS may be restricted. Therefore, be sure to use GPS in accordance with the laws and regulations of your country or region. Be particularly careful when traveling outside your home country. (3)As a signal is received from GPS satellites, take sufficient measures when using in locations where the use of electronics is regulated. SOURCE: Canon U.S.A., Inc.

New Fuji X10 and Olympus Pen Mini

toby — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 15:05:41 +0000

Let’s take a quick look- on several levels these cameras are not in the same class, and may appeal to different photographers. A few key specs followed by my thoughts -

	Fujifilm X10	Olympus PEN Mini
Interchangeable Lenses	NO 4x zoom (28-112mm)	YES
Sensor Size	2/3″ EXR-CMOS	4/3″ Hi-Speed Live MOS Sensor
MP	12 MP	12.1 MP
Movie Mode	• 1920 x 1080 Full HD, 30fps • Stereo sound	• 1920 x 1080 Full HD, 30fps • Stereo sound
Optical Viewfinder	Yes	No
LCD	2.8″ 460K Resolution	3″ 460K Resolution
High ISO	12,800	12,800
-

These two newly announced cameras, one from Fuji and one from Olympus, are blurring the traditional lines of your pokcetable cameras. The X10 is the little brother to the very popular and seriously expensive X100 – Loved by just about all those that can afford it. Why are folks buying $1200 P&S that does NOT have interchangeable lenses? The sensor inside is the same size as used in your consumer level DSLRS, the interface is smart and shutter lag is non-existent. Not to mention it has that stylish retro look. The X10, price unknown but expected in the $500-$700 range, carries over most of the features from the X100 except the sensor. The X10 will have a 2/3″ sensor size, much closer to your standard P&S sensor. The Pen Mini, Olympus’ newest camera in the PEN line aims to bring the 4/3″ sensor size (much larger than the X10) to the masses with a very friendly and slightly dumbed down version of the earlier Pen models. I use Dumbed down in the sense of ease of operation for your mom and pop photographer. Those that want more manual control may want to consider the Fuji with its variety of mechanical controls that allow easy switching of settings and optical viewfinder. Bottom Line Thoughts - Olympus PEN Mini (E-PM1) – Buy it if you want a P&S that will give you excellent quality images, especially in low light. Operations may feel limiting to some photographers desiring more manual control but you have options to add other lenses, less pocketability with a large zoom but certainly more versatility, I am thinking soccer moms here! Fuji X10 – Buy it if you don’t mind the fixed lens and limited zoom but a true pocketable camera that will give you excellent quality images, easy manual control for those that desire it and a stylish look that is sure to grab some attention. This category of cameras is growing and includes the NEX I wrote about last week My thoughts are based on current reviews and a few hands-on reports – they may change as we see sample images from both the cameras. Which camera appeals to you?

Sony and Nikon Announcements

toby — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 18:28:21 +0000

Just a quick run down of SOME of the announced cameras Sony’s new A77 (Amazon video) (pre-order) $1400 Body Only

This is their flagship APS-C sized sensor, not full frame. Loads of technology crammed into this body of which the most significant is their translucent mirror technology which allows full time AutoFocus during video. This is the fast Autofocus, not that slow crap that is in the current Nikon DSLRs and Canon doesn’t have anything approaching. No flippy-uppy mirror means blazing fast FPS is also possible – 12fps.
OLED Viewfinder with 2 million dots resolution. 2x times the resolution of the gorgeous screens on the back of the newer Canon Rebels.
The world’s shortest release time lag at only 0.05 seconds. (How long it takes from having focus to taking the photo)
Face Recognition and face prioritizing – it will recognize family and friends and prioritize exposure of their faces
GPS
Tilt-able LCD

If I was an enthusiast just taking photos for fun, especially sports or fast action I would seriously consider this camera. Sony still lacks in the lenses department but this is improving. Sony NEX-7 (Wired Article) (pre-order) $1200 Body Only

This is most of the A77 tech crammed into Sony’s “pocketable” camera
APS-C sensor in a smaller body (larger sensor than the Micro 4/3 line)
10FPS
Offers a hot shoe, customizable dials, and tiltable LCD
Electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage
HDvideo with full manual control

Ths is being billed as professional camera that will fit in your pocket. Sure, with no lens it will easily slip into most pockets but the lens quickly adds bulk and the camera becomes a bit more awkward to hold. That said this camera is, size-wise, on par with the 4/3 line like the GF3 but offers a good bit more technology and not only better low light performance but better image quality all around. It is almost 2x the cost of the GF3 and other similar cameras and certainly more expensive than the entry level DSLRS. NEX – 7 Hands on video They also announced the NEX-5N (pre-order) $699 - 16MP APS-C sensor and touchscreen. This is designed to compete with the 4/3 line, price is similar but missing the hot shoe of the NEX-7 and the nice controls. Touch screens can be useful but not an excellent way to really get into the manual control of a camera. High FPS gives parents of sport/dance active children a really nice tool for capturing those shots. Nikon Announced the P7100 (Order) (Promo Video)- the successor to the P7000 that was billed as a Canon G12 competitor. The problem with the P7000 was the sluggishness of the camera. This looks to be addressed in the P7100 and it now offers a control dial on the front(love that) and the tilt-sivel LCD that has become so common on the larger P&S and entry level DSLRS

7.1x and 10.1MP
Ability to shoot RAW files
HD movie (720p) with stereo sound recording zoom and autofocus are available during recording
3″ 921K LCD
Optical Viewfinder – you be surprised how often I get asked which cameras still offer an optical viewfinder. This is one of the few that still does.

There is are a few more P&S from Nikon – nothing that looks to exciting except the AW100(rugged/waterproof) I wrote about yesterday I hope I have helped you make a bit more sense of these new releases. I will be expanding my thoughts on these over the next few days and I am always happy to answer questions or help you decide which is best for you. Find me on twitter @camerarec, use the chat link above or come post on the wall!

3 New Powershots from Canon

toby — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 11:17:09 +0000

UPDATE: 11/28/11 – POST Detailing the differences – HS300, HS310, HS500 & HS510 Canon has announced a few new cameras, a flash and several printers today. All of the newly announced cameras share a few features – New Smart IS – IS is image stabilization and the system now built into these and probably all Canon P&S for the foreseeable futures picks from several potential modes to provide the best stabilization based on the use – and the stabilization does work during video. The 310 and 510 models also offer Movie Digest mode. In this mode the camera will automatically record a short video clip (up to approximately 4 seconds) every time you shoot a still image. That entire day’s worth of clips will then be automatically combined into a single video (30fps VGA resolution). Canon PowerShot SX150 IS 14.1 MP Digital Camera with 12x Wide-Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom with 3.0-Inch LCD (pre-order from Amazon) This is their budget-minded super zoom that uses AA batteries. It does offer HD video(720p) with stereo recording, optical zoom while filming and wind filters for the mics. This is the most enthusiast friendly of the bunch and offers aperture and shutter priority modes. Actually the older SX140is did all this too as far as I can tell beyond the two new megapixels it also supports the Apple Iframe movie format which should allow for quicker and easier movie editing. This does NOT mean you need a mac – PC movie editing programs support iFrame format too and you can still shoot in other formats. Available early September. Key Differences SX130 vs SX150

	SX130	SX150
MegaPixels	12.0	14.1

Yep – as far as stats go it really is only the MPs that are different between these two models. There is the much touted improved image stabilization. Canon PowerShot ELPH 310 HS 12.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with Full 1080p HD Video (pre-order from Amazon) This is the update to the much loved 300HS. the big change here is 8x zoom is now crammed into that amazingly small body. Does my love show?? To get all that zoom in they start at 28mm as opposed to 24 in the 300HS. Does it matter to you? Really depends on the type of shooting you do. Lots of inside and group shots and you may find yourself missing that 4mm on the other hand if you use this to capture your kids on the soccer field you might really appreciate the extra zoom, almost twice as much as the 300HS. The LCD on the back has been bumped up to the now fairly standard 3″. Available in October. Key Differences 300 HS vs 310 HS

	300HS	310HS
Focal Length	5x (24 – 120mm)	8x (28-224mm)
LCD Screen	2.7″ 230K dots	3.0″ 461K dots
Movie Digest Mode	No	Yes

Basically more zoom and better resolution LCD screen. Though movie digest mode is neat, really depends if it fits your style. Canon PowerShot ELPH 510 HS 12.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with Full HD Video and Ultra Wide Angle Lens (Pre-order from Amazon) Billing this as the world’s slimmest 12x zoom the 510 offers a ginormous 3.2″ touch screen on the back and basically all the features of the SX150IS crammed into the body of a small Elph, and it shoots 1080p. Additionally it offers HDMI out so you can watch those 1080p movies directly on your TV. Available in October.

	500HS	510HS
Focal Length	4.4x (24 – 105mm)	12x (28-336mm)
Autofocus	Contrast Detect (sensor), Multi-area, Center, Touch, Face Detection, Live View	Contrast Detect (sensor), Multi-area, Center, Tracking, Single, Continuous, Touch, Face Detection, Live View
Maximum Shutter Speed	1/1600	1/4000
Movie Digest Mode	No	Yes
Macro Focus Range	3 cm	1 cm

Not much information on the flash yet, looks to be compatible with most of the new P&S and fired wirelessly, or more accurately optically by the on board flash. Cost should be ~$150 and available shortly before the holidays. A slew of new printers announced too – will have thoughts on those in a separate post soon. What are your thoughts? Any of these interest you? Worth noting that we will probably see an updated S95/G12 line sometime before the holiday season. Full Canon Press Release————————

Canon’s Latest Powershot Cameras Set New Standards For Image Capture

New PowerShot SX150 IS and ELPH Cameras Showcase Extraordinary Image Quality with Every Shot LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., August 23, 2011 – Today’s tech-savvy consumers expect to have a photo-capturing device always at hand that is adept at producing exquisite images and video without sacrificing quality. Delivering these users’ must-haves, Canon U.S.A., a leader in digital imaging, announced three new PowerShot Digital cameras that capture beautiful still images and great high-definition video: the PowerShot SX150 IS, the PowerShot ELPH 510 HS (the world’s thinnest digital camera with 12x optical zoom and a 28mm wide-angle lens¹) and the PowerShot ELPH 310 HS. Built to handle a wide range of shooting situations with ease and accuracy, each camera is equipped with features such as impressive zoom, a new Intelligent Image Stabilization (IS) system, Smart AUTO with 32 shooting scenes, High-Speed Burst mode and HD video capture. The ELPH 510 HS and ELPH 310 HS Digital cameras also include Canon’s renowned HS SYSTEM to handle shooting in low light. “With a strong reputation of imaging excellence, Canon incorporates acclaimed quality, design innovation and intuitive engineering into each product,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies and Communications Group, Canon U.S.A. “With the inclusion of advanced features, such as the HS SYSTEM and HD video in these new PowerShot cameras, we continue to reach new levels of performance and design to satisfy our users.”

Key Features:

Small Cameras, Big Zoom

The impressive zoom with optical image stabilization found in all three new PowerShot models allows users to snap a memorable, highly detailed shot from a variety of distances. The PowerShot SX150 IS Digital camera is equipped with a 12x wide-angle optical zoom and 28mm lens. In the compact ELPH series, the PowerShot ELPH 510 HS is the thinnest camera to date, with a 12x optical zoom and 28mm wide-angle lens, while the PowerShot ELPH 310 HS has an 8x optical zoom with 28mm wide-angle lens.

Increase Camera Intelligence

Helping to capture blur-free images and video, Canon introduces the new Intelligent IS system in these PowerShot models. To deliver crisp, undistorted images in various shooting conditions, Intelligent IS automatically chooses from six different modes (Normal, Macro, Panning Dynamic, Powered and Tripod) to optimize image stabilization. Many novice photographers are intimidated when adjusting camera settings. Canon eliminates this issue with its Smart AUTO feature, which analyzes faces, brightness, colors, distance and movement and selects the appropriate setting based on 32 predefined shooting scenes for stills and 21 scenes for video.

Shoot Better in Low Light

Low light photography is a challenge even for a seasoned photographer. To assist the user, the PowerShot ELPH 510 HS and ELPH 310 HS utilizes Canon’s HS SYSTEM that combines a 12.1-megapixel, high-sensitivity CMOS sensor and DIGIC 4 Image Processor to enhance image quality in low-light settings. The HS SYSTEM also reduces noise at high ISO speeds and expands the camera’s dynamic range to allow for greater detail and color when shooting in darker settings. The HS SYSTEM can also help compensate in situations where a flash can’t be used, such as a wedding or dance recital.

Never Miss the Action

Determining the right moment to “freeze” what you are shooting can be difficult in action scenes. The High-Speed Burst mode in the PowerShot ELPH models ensures that you never miss out on the fast-moving or unpredictable moments. With the simple hold of the shutter button, the High-Speed Burst mode shoots continuously, capturing up to 7.8 frames per second (fps) in the PowerShot ELPH 510 HS and 8.7 fps in the PowerShot ELPH 310 HS.

Elevate Video to High Definition

Today, the ability to switch between shooting still images and high-definition video is a key consideration when customers shop for a new camera. Providing stellar video-shooting capability in a compact frame, Canon has incorporated 1080p Full HD video recording into the PowerShot ELPH 510 HS and ELPH 310 HS, while the PowerShot SX150 IS camera features 720p HD video recording. Each camera can optically zoom while filming and has a dedicated movie button for quick access to the video-recording mode. The PowerShot ELPH 510 HS and ELPH310 HS cameras also include Movie Digest mode that shoots a four-second video before capturing a still image and then automatically combine a full day’s worth of videos into one clip. All three PowerShot cameras are also iFrame capable, allowing for quick and easy sharing and editing across multiple platforms and devices.

PowerShot Products:

The Canon PowerShot SX150 IS Digital camera

The PowerShot SX150 IS Digital camera is equipped with a 12x optical zoom with 28mm wide-angle lens, 720p HD video recording, Intelligent IS and Smart AUTO. The PowerShot SX150 IS Digital camera also features a 14.1-megapixel CCD sensor and Canon’s DIGIC 4 Image Processor. This new camera includes manual-shooting capabilities, such as aperture priority and shutter priority for optimal artistic control that any photography aficionado will appreciate. The PowerShot SX150 IS Digital camera includes a discreet-shooting mode to help ensure a low disturbance when capturing photos, and a 3-inch LCD screen for easy viewing and scrolling through menus. Available in black and red, the PowerShot SX150 IS Digital camera is scheduled to be available at the beginning of September for an estimated retail price of $249.99.

The Canon PowerShot ELPH 510 HS and ELPH 310 HS Digital cameras

The PowerShot ELPH 510 HS Digital camera features a 12.1-megapixel CMOS sensor with a 12x optical zoom and 28mm wide-angle lens, Canon’s HS SYSTEM and 1080p Full HD video recording. The ELPH 510 HS Digital camera also includes a High-Speed Burst mode, Intelligent IS and Smart AUTO. Available in red, black, and silver, this camera has a 3.2-inch wide, touch-panel LCD screen, offering fast and easy menu navigation. The ELPH 510 HS Digital camera also has Touch Shutter, simply touch the screen where you want to focus and release your finger to take a photo. The ELPH 510 HS Digital camera is scheduled to be available at the beginning of October for the estimated retail price of $349.99. The PowerShot ELPH 310 HS Digital camera has a 12.1-megapixel CMOS sensor with an 8x optical zoom and 28mm wide-angle lens, Canon’s HS SYSTEM and 1080p Full HD video recording. The ELPH 310 HS Digital camera features a High-Speed Burst mode, Intelligent IS and improved Smart AUTO. The ELPH 310 HS Digital camera includes a 3-inch LCD screen and comes in five vibrant colors: purple, blue, pink, green and silver. The ELPH 310 HS Digital camera is scheduled to be available at the beginning of October for an estimated retail price of $259.99.

The Canon HF-DC2 High-Power Flash

To further enhance the built-in flash of the PowerShot lineup, Canon has developed the HF-DC2 High-Power Flash , which increases the effective flash range up to approximately 30 feet and supports 24mm wide-angle shooting with the wide-panel attachment. The HF-DC2 automatically fires in-sync with the camera’s built-in flash and operates wirelessly to capture subjects at twice the range of the camera’s built-in flash. The HF-DC2 includes a mounting bracket that attaches to the camera, but it can also be hand-held or mounted on a tripod. The HF-DC2 High-Power Flash is scheduled to be available in December for an estimated retail price of $149.99.

Olympus XZ-1, King of Point and Shoot Cameras?

toby — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 16:06:24 +0000

Canon’s S90 and more recently the S95 have held the title of king of P&S cameras in my book for the last 18 months – they are excellent cameras w/ larger than average sensors, a fast lens and excellent control scheme that includes a lens ring that controls several different features. The XZ-1 offers all of that with a faster lens, hot shoe/accessory port in a slightly larger package, still smaller than Canon’s G12. Image quality is excellent and looks to be slightly better than the S95 in the lower ISO numbers and just slightly worse in the higher ISOs but I want to stress that these differences are very slight and both cameras take excellent images that you are hard pressed to tell any difference in your average day to day use. Additionally the XZ-1 has a faster lens, f/1.8 at the widest and f/2.5 at full zoom. This means two things – you can actually control depth of field some, something that previously was really only an option in more expensive DSLRs and you can shoot at lower ISOs and still get bright images. These benefits come at a cost, the XZ-1 is about $100 more than the S95 currently and is a slightly larger camera.

	Canon S95	Olympus XZ-1

MP	10MP	10MP
Sensor Size	1/1.7″	1/1.63″
LCD	3″ 461,000 dots	3″ OLED 614,000 dots
Max Aperture	f2.0 – f4.9	f1.8 – f2.5
Lens Focal Length	28-105mm	28-122mm
Hot shoe/External Flash	No	Yes
Built-in Flash	6.5m range	8.6m range
Continuous drive	0.9 fps	2fps
Weight (inc batteries)	195g	275g
Dimensions	3.94 x 2.28 x 1.18″	4.37 x 2.56 x 1.65″
Buy

Bottom line: Both cameras are excellent, the S95 offers a pocket fitting form factor. The Olympus gives you a faster lens, very bright OLED screen and the option to add an external flash. At $599 though you are approaching the cost of the increasingly popular 4/3 cameras like Olympus’ own PEN E-PL2 – even better quality, very friendly manual controls and the ability to switch lenses. This puts the XZ-1 in an awkard position, it certainly is an excellent camera but until the price drops I continue to give the S95 my nod, though it is a slight nod. As always find me on twitter @camerarec for my latest thoughts. Canon PowerShot S95 10 MP Digital Camera with 3.8x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3.0-Inch inch LCD Olympus XZ-1 10 MP Digital Camera with f1.8 Lens and 3-Inch OLED Monitor (Black)