Digital Cameras Info...

There are literally hundreds of different opinions offered in reviews around the internet.But there are a few on which the experts all agree.

The Canon PowerShot S95 has been consistently ranked as the best compact digital under four hundred dollars.It’s noted for its high quality pictures and its impressive low light performance.That makes it great for social occasions when you can quietly click away without the distraction of an annoying flash.  It’s got an advanced Smart Auto focus system and can be used in a fully manual mode.This is one that has consistently had the critics smiling.

Also a regular winner in the under four hundred dollar range is the very popular Sony Cybershot DSC-H55.  Reviewers praise this for its big 14.1 megapixel sensor and Sony’s renowned BIONZ image processor which makes this camera lighting fast.  It’s also got a full range of Sony’s advanced features which make shooting easy.  It’s also got a 10x optical zoom and a wide angle lens.  This camera is regularly rated as one of the best buys around.

Still in the under four hundred dollar category, Nikon’s Coolpix P7000 is frequently cited as one of the best point and shoot cameras on the market.  Nikon has designed it to be compact and portable but built in plenty of features to ensure that you can get really excellent results in a variety of conditions.  And if you want to do more than just point and shoot, there’s a full manual override function which lets you shoot exactly the picture you want.  And one other great feature here is the ability to use an external flash to get the lighting just right.

Samsung has one of the best reviewed cameras around with its TL500.  The specifications here look fairly ordinary, 10 megapixels, a 24mm lens and 3x optical zoom.  But what makes this Samsung gem stand out from the crowd is its amazing low light capability.  That 24mm lens is matched with a f1.8 aperture which really comes into its own when you don’t want to use a flash.  Reviewers have constantly praised the TL500 as the best camera for photographers who want to be able to shoot discreetly in intimate situations with little light.

Another compact which has won consistently good reviews is the Olympus 720SW.  This is a great go-anywhere camera.  It’s waterproof and shockproof, pocket sized and easy to use.  This is an excellent pocket camera for the serious photographer who wants a second camera.  It regularly wins points for simple operation and the ease with which you can go from playback to shutter mode.  It’s also extremely rugged.
Last but not least among reviewers’ current favourites is the tiny Panasonic DMC TZ20.  This little gem has a 16x zoom and can record HD video with stereo sound.

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These accessories are very essential for Digital camera

If you want to make the most of your new digital camera, it’s worth considering what accessories you are going to need.  There’s nothing more frustrating than seeing a great photograph you can take and discovering that you’re missing an essential tool.  Some of the accessories available are basic common sense things that everyone will need, while others are items which you can use to enhance the photographs you take or extend the range of conditions in which you can use your camera.

There’s one very important point to consider from the start when you set out buying digital camera accessories. That, after all, is the point of digital cameras, especially compacts, for the amateur photographer.  You want something that you can slip in a pocket or tuck into the corner of a bag or briefcase.  Loading yourself down with a lot of bulky accessories can soon mean you are toting the equivalent of a full photographer’s kit around with you.

There are, however, a few accessories which are essential.  First is a carrying case.You may have one supplied with your camera or you may not, but if not you should buy one as soon as possible.Many modern cameras are so small that you can carry them anywhere and rugged enough to take the occasional knock, but that doesn’t mean they’re not vulnerable to being dropped or scratched or getting wet.So protect your investment, however small it may be, with a case or carry bag that will offer some protection and also make it easier to carry.With smaller models a case with a loop that can hang on a belt is a good idea.  Most of these also come with a detachable strap so that you can carry it around your neck or on your shoulder when that’s more convenient.

You should also immediately buy a spare battery and a second memory card.The two most common frustrations for the casual photographer are running out of power and running out of storage.Be prepared!
The final essential accessory for any digital camera is a tripod.Not a classic tall tripod, but a small and flexible one just a few centimetres high which will also fit easily into your pocket or camera bag.This will screw into the bottom of your camera and allow it to stand on any stable surface. And while you’re at it, a remote trigger is a good idea to go with it, so you don’t jar the camera when releasing the shutter.

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High Rated Digital Cameras

When it comes to camera manufacturers, it seems that experience counts. Canon and Nikon dominated the field in 35mm SLR cameras for decades and, not that the digital dust is settling, they continue to make the top-rated digital cameras.whether you’re talking about top professional gear or compact digital’s for the weekend photographer.

Canon leads the pack with its EOS 5D Mark II.  This is serious camera for the serious photographer.  It gives excellent picture quality when teamed with the right lens and a comfortable and hassle-free shooting experience.  It’s a worthy successor to Canon’s venerable 5D.

Nikon’s D7000 is also pretty close to the top drawer of digital cameras.  It’s an excellent DSLR for experienced photographers who will find that it delivers perfect shots and extremely ergonomic operation.  The viewfinder here is particularly excellent.  The Canon 5D Mark II probably has a slight edge on it, but it is also considerably more expensive.
For the professional or serious amateur, it’s hard to go past both of these cameras.But what about the other end of the market?  What are the top rated digital cameras for lesser mortals?  Once again, Canon and Nikon have pretty much got it sewn up.
Canon’s PowerShot S95 is a real gem among compact cameras.  It’s well designed and relatively compact and takes great photographs.  Despite its compact profile, this is a serious camera which is capable of great results, particularly when the shooter takes advantage of the full set of manual controls.  That’s the reason it won the hearts of a lot of professional photographers when it was released.  It’s a great second camera for the professional and a real step-up in quality for amateurs who have used less advanced compacts.

Nikon’s Coolpix S8100 is the company’s best entry in the compact field.  It’s around a hundred bucks cheaper than the PowerShot but packs enough features to make it good value for money.  Nikon learnt the lesson of the earlier S8000, which was a little on the mediocre side, to produce this new model which takes great shots and is easy and comfortable to use.  It’s only drawback is a lack of manual control, but most people buying at this price range are not going to be concerned about that.

Olympus is another manufacturer with a long tradition and just slips into this list with its E-PL2.  This is a little pricier than either the Nikon Coolpix or the Canon PowerShot, but it’s high performance and advanced features justify the price in most areas.  Flexibility is the name of the game here, with its customisable interface and interchangeable lens system.

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The reason why your kids need a digital camera

Kids learn by imitating, which is fine when it comes to tying their shoelaces or sweeping the floor but, if you have a budding photographer in your brood, you probably don’t want to hand over your expensive DSLR and let them learn to take pictures by trial and error on it.  And kids love to take pictures, so they’re going to be you’re going to have to resist a lot of pestering to keep their hands off it.  The perfect solution is to buy a camera designed for kids and let them click away happily while they learn what works and what doesn’t without putting your own precious camera at risk.

This is absolutely the best way to learn some photography skills and the sooner kids picks up a camera and starts shooting, the sooner they’re going to be taking good pictures.  There are plenty of inexpensive cameras designed especially for kids on the market today and it’s easy to find a suitable one.  If your child is a little older or seems to have a serious interest in photography, then it may be worth buying one of the sturdier models of digital camera around and sparing them the limitation of these cameras made especially for kids because most of them are pretty poor in quality.

One of the most important things about a camera for kids is that it encourages creativity.  The camera is something that a kid can carry with them everywhere they go and gives them a way to interpret the world around them.  The more kids can be encouraged to make their own pictures of the world and communicate their own attitude to the things they see every day, the more they learn that life is not just about imitation.  Once they develop some confidence in their own ability to present their own images of the things and people and around them, they will quickly develop the skills to talk about and describe the world in their own personal terms.

If a child is showing a serious interest in the visual aspects of life and is always curious and giving ideas when you’re using your own camera, then it’s important to develop that interest by giving them the chance to choose their own photographic subjects and the way they shoot them.  And that’s not something they’re going to learn by you occasionally letting them take a shot with your camera and showing them exactly how to do it.

But there’s one even more practical reason for your kid to have a camera.  There’s nothing more frustrating than being the only photographer in a family, especially if you’re away on a family holiday.Except you.  Because you’ve been stuck behind the camera the whole time.  Buy your kid a camera and pretty soon you’ll be appearing in all those family holiday shots yourself.

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What is the best Digital Camera?

The digital camera market has been fiercely competitive over the past few years.  Manufacturers have been adding features to attract customers and dropping features to keep prices low.  The range of cameras now available is huge and bewildering and the choice for consumers is more difficult than ever.Digital cameras are
all about compromise

.Buying one is a matter of making the best choice between the features available and the money you want to spend.  Sony have long led the pack with their Cybershot cameras which provide a huge range of features at a pretty broad range of prices.  Sony do well in positioning digital cameras in the market right at the point where features and price add up to a good buy and they’ve done this again with the Cybershot DSC-W350.
The DSC-W350 packs a pretty good range of features in an attractive and compact package at the magical price of $200.
This camera is lightweight and small enough to carry in most pockets, but feels robust and solidly built.  Despite its size, it is textured enough to feel secure in the hand without the feeling most cameras this size that you’ll drop them if you’re not careful.  It uses SD and SDHC cards for memory and these fit into the same hinged compartment which houses the battery.  The controls are simple and easy to use.  The power and shutter release buttons are on the top.  On the back, to the right of the display are a zoom rocker and a circular control pad as well as the playback, menu and delete buttons and these work together to navigate the on-screen.  The menu system is logical and easy to navigate.
It’s this simplicity that puts the W350 ahead of the pack. This aimed at ordinary people who want a camera which can be used anywhere and everywhere and this Sony Cybershot certainly qualifies for that.  It’s not meant for the serious photographer but does offer an unusual range of manual control for this price range.  It’s simple to adjust ISO, light metering and exposure as well as white balance, autofocus targets and the Dynamic Range Optimisation system which lifts detail in shadows.

The DSC-W350 takes surprisingly good photographs for a camera in this price range.  This is partly thanks to the very good Zeiss wide angle lens.  It has a 4x zoom which works well, with no distortion.  It also features optical and digital image stabilisation which functions very well for shake-free photographs.
This is an excellent camera for the ninety per cent of photographers who simply want to record events and share them with friends or family.  If you’re looking for a serious camera for art or professional work, you’ll want to look elsewhere, but as far as value for money goes it’s very hard to go past the Sony Cybershot DSC-W350.

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The worlds bestgital Cameras

The past year has seen a flood of new digital cameras on the market, each promising the best pictures, the simplest operation and the best value.  So what are the best ten of these?

Samsung has a serious entry in this list with the brand new TL500.  It boasts an advanced CCD sensor, is RAW capable and has an excellent lens.  This is slightly bigger than pocket size, but is excellent for low light photography.
Also excellent for low light situations is Canon’s very reliable PowerShot SX230.  This produces vivid, sharp images and has brilliant colour reproduction.  It also features
Samsung’s older NX-10 shouldn’t be overlooked among the current top ten.  With 14.6 megapixels and most of the features usually only found on an SLR camera, this is a very good buy.
Panasonic has an entry in this list too, with the Lumix ZR3.  This is an amazingly compact camera which packs a lot of punch with its 14.1 megapixel sensor and brilliant 25mm Leica lens.  It’s also worth noting that, despite its size, this nifty little Panasonic also has excellent video recording.
The new Nikon Coolpix P500 is also great value with a 36x wide-angle optical zoom.  However this otherwise excellent camera lacks image rotation and does not export in RAW format.
Canon’s also got you covered if you’re thinking of moving up to an SLR.  Best value in their digital SLR range is the Rebel XS 10.  This is not a high megapixel camera but is excellent value.  For most amateur photographers this is more than adequate.
If you’ve already cut your teeth on an SLR and want to tackle something more serious, there’s also Canon’s excellent EOS 60D.  This has an 18 megapixel sensor and will be a perfect solution for anyone but the most demanding professional.

Olympus is a brand which should never be overlooked and there’s certainly room on this list for the PEN E-PL1 Micro.  This is a tiny DSLR camera with a 12.3 megapixel sensor and an amazing range of features.
The Olympus SP 800UZ is also a contender with its 30x wide-angle optical zoom and a three inch display that’s very easy to see under all lighting conditions.

But when it comes to flexible and cameras which have a wide range of features and are simple to use, it’s Sony that has been leading the field in digital cameras for the past few years and.  For quality, value and features, it’s hard to go past their new Cybershot DSC-W370, which comes with a range of innovations not the least is the Sweep Panorama feature for assembling panoramic shots.  This 14 megapixel compact has a huge 14 megapixel sensor.  For sheer versatility and good value, it’s hard to beat.

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The cheapest and best digital camera

It’s generally agreed that two hundred dollars is the optimum price for compact digital cameras.  Reviewers and buyers alike see that price as being the point where features reach an acceptable minimum and price reaches and affordable maximum.  But as with anything else in life, there are always a few bargains to be had if you hunt around and in fact there is a fair range of cameras to be bought for under a hundred dollars.  We look at some of the best of them here.

The GE A1250 isn’t the most compact of compacts, but it will fit in a largish pocket.  And there’s plenty of compensation for the chubby body in this camera.  First of all, it produces really sharp images from its 12.2 megapixel sensor, one of the biggest at this price range.  It’s also fast and responsive to use.  This one’s hard to beat at the price, although shooters used to modern LCD displays might find the one on the GE A1250 a bit small.
Fuji’s FinePix Z20fd is another compact that’s good value for under a hundred dollars, although the garish colours may be off-putting for some, unless you can find it in black.  Fuji has always performed well at the bottom end of the camera market and this model shows it knows its business.  The camera offers a decent range of features which include a 2.5 inch LCD, a 10 megapixel senso and a 3x optical zoom.
HP has produced a cheapie that’s unique in this price range: the CW450t’s LCD is only 2.7 inches, but it’s a touch screen which makes all the difference.  That’s an indicator of the quality in this brilliant little camera which boasts 12.2 megapixels and a 4x optical zoom.  This is a beginner’s camera that really outperforms its promise with good colours and sharp images.  The camera is also designed for one-hand operation which is a definite bonus in any compact.

Kodak has finally got the hang of making low-end digital compacts with its excellent EasyShare C195.  This point and shoot has a 14.1 megapixel sensor, a 5x optical zoom and a 3 inch LCD display.  For under a hundred dollars that’s a pretty good feature set.  It’s also has the ability to tag photos and upload them automatically to email or social networking sites.  Battery time isn’t a problem here either, as the EasyShare runs on two AA batteries which are easily replaced.  Like a lot of cameras in this price range, it comes in a number bright colours.

The Casio Exilim EX-Z16 is a camera for the most basic or beginner photographer.  It has a 12.1 megapixel sensor, a 3x optical zoom and a 2.7 inch display.  It’s cheap and cheerful and easy to use, but it does have one thing going for it: it takes excellent pictures.  Not bad at this price.

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Which one is the best digital camera

Sony’s new Cybershot DSC-TX100V is a stunning camera and I don’t believe there’s anything to touch it in the high-end compact class.

The camera starts with a Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens which gives high speed, high resolutions and excellent low light response.  Combined with the Exmor R CMOS 16.2 megapixel sensor, this gives brilliant clarity and much less graininess.  In combination with Sony’s excellent BIONZ image processor, the Exmor R sensor is able to process image stability, an excellent Twilight mode and high quality video.  Full 16.2 megapixel resolution pictures can be captured at up to ten frames per second to ensure catching the crucial shot in a fast action sequence.  The mechanical shutter system ensures that distortion is minimised with continuous capture.
This brilliant little compact also has a huge 3.5 inch Organic LED touch screen which is vivid and clear even in any lighting conditions which takes the guesswork out of photography by ensuring that you always see exactly what the camera is capturing.  This is particularly useful for manual focusing, although with the brilliant autofocus, which works down to one centimetre distance in wide angle mode or fifty centimetres in telephoto, you’re hardly ever going to need that.  The touch screen allows easy autofocus point selection.  The nine-spot autofocus system includes face detection which can identify up to eight individual faces and distinguish between adults and children.  This also drives smile shutter and blink detection features.
The DSC-TX100V has brilliant video capability, capturing 1080p HD video at up to 60 frames per second.  This is the first compact digital which can shoot full HD to produce video which can be played back virtually distortion-free on a high definition television.
Sony has greatly improved on its Sweep Panorama function.  This camera can capture a series of photographs then composite them automatically when the lens is swept across the scene.  This produces panoramas up to an angle of 238 degrees.  It also has a single-lens 3D system which
The excellent flash has red-eye reduction and a range of up to 5.1 metres.  Other features include an adjustable delay time and a backlight correction system to control lighting contrast problems and a manual override for the nine-setting white balance system.

The new Sony Cybershot DSC-TX100V is sturdily built and rugged without sacrificing its cosmetic good looks.  This camera is smaller than a cigarette case, light enough to carry comfortably in a shirt pocket and comes in a range of stylish colours, but don’t be fooled into thinking it’s a trendy compact more for display than displaying.  The sleek good looks hide a thoroughly powerful camera which takes excellent photographs, is easy to operate, while providing adequate manual control when needed, and breaks considerable new ground in its high speed, high definition video capability.

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Where to buy goodigital cameras

Anyone who’s ever bought a digital camera from a store knows the frustration of seeing the same model a week later at a cheaper price.  Not because there’s a new model out or because there’s been a change in the exchange rate for the yen, but because they simply didn’t shop around.  And even worse, because they didn’t shop around on the Internet.

In 2011, there’s no excuse for people shopping locally.  Unless you live in one of the ten biggest cities on the planet, the chances are that your local electronics store has prices that can be very easily beaten.  In fact, if manufacturers and the market allowed it, they’d probably be selling goods above the recommended retail price in the effort to make ends meet when faced with competition from global internet marketing.
It always makes sense to shop first on the internet.  There are a couple of reasons for this.  First, internet retailers don’t have to carry huge amounts of physical inventory.And if it happens repeatedly, you’re going to stop shopping there.  But the internet retailer probably doesn’t carry any stock at all.  When you order from him, he simply takes your money and arranges for the item to be shipped to you from the distributor’s nearest warehouse, all without laying out any investment beyond the cost of his web site and office.  So he doesn’t have all those overheads of the local store.
The second reason to buy on the internet is because of the nature of global competition.  The cyber shopper doesn’t get tired tramping from shop to shop comparing prices, he can do it in minutes from the comfort of his home and because of this will make many more price comparisons than the mall shopper.  He’ll actually find the lowest price in the country, or even the world.  This is a strong incentive for internet retailers to keep their
prices low, and they’re constantly checking the competition to ensure that they’re either the lowest, or very close to it.  Because of this, it really doesn’t matter where on the internet you buy, because the prices are likely to be all pretty much the same.  Where you can save is by checking very carefully what delivery costs and how long the waiting time is.

But if you’re after a serious bargain, if you want a digital camera, especially a more advanced model, at a very good price, spare a thought for the second hand dealers.  You don’t have to leave the internet, there are plenty of them around offering reconditioned cameras, often with a warranty and often at bargain price.  You’re not going to get the latest models, but unless you’re a gadget fashionista, that’s not going to bother you too much.

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Canon PowerShot G1 X Review

The Canon G1 X goes boldly where no PowerShot has gone before. It delivers top-notch images with a big 1.5-inch sensor, but the viewfinder and AF acquisition leave something to be desired.
 
Announced at CES 2012 as the new flagship of Canon's Powershot lineup, the G1 X was "scheduled" to be available in February, but that timeframe has now slipped a bit. For folks anxiously awaiting its arrival, the first week of March now looks like the best possible scenario.
A major cause of the anticipation generated for this new camera is sensor-based - the G1 X carries the largest physically-sized sensor to date in any Powershot digital, a 1.5-inch model sized much closer to a Canon DSLR than its G-series relative, the G12. The 1/1.7-inch sensor in the G12 is one of the largest in all of the compact digital ranks and measures 7.6 x 5.7mm; the G1 X sensor measures 18.7 x 14mm and the APS-C sensor of the Canon 60D 22.3 x 14.9mm.

To put things in perspective, the G1 X sensor has approximately 6.3 times the surface area as that of the G12. In addition, Canon's UK press release notes that the pixel size and structure of the G1 X sensor is the same as the 60D. Resolution is 14.3 megapixels and the sensor design is CMOS, which suggests that high ISO noise performance should reach new levels, at least for a Powershot digital. The native ISO range for the camera is 100 to 12800 ISO.
The camera features a 4x stabilized zoom lens covering the 28 to 112mm focal range in 35mm equivalents and the standard compact digital automatic and scene shooting modes are accompanied by full manual controls. Here's a look at that focal range.

Telephoto
Video capability is 1080 HD with stereo sound and there is a built-in pop-up flash with an electronic viewfinder that accompanies the 3.0-inch LCD monitor, which is articulable. Canon's latest generation DIGIC 5 processor is on board and the camera can record still images in JPEG, RAW, or RAW - JPEG combinations. SD/SDHC/SDXC memory media is compatible; the camera will also accept Eye-Fi memory cards, but Canon will not guarantee the camera will support Eye-Fi functions including wireless transfer.
While Canon's UK press release describes the camera as "Created for professional and serious photographers..." the company has clearly hedged its bets by including a host of point-and-shoot features targeting a more novice-based audience: face detection autofocus, face select autofocus, automatic smile detection shooting, a wink self-timer, a face self-timer and blink detection. Canon includes a battery pack and charger, USB interface cable, lens cap, neck strap, CD-ROM software and basic printed user's manual with each camera (a CD-ROM with the complete manual is also included). MSRP on the camera is $800 - higher than two Rebel DSLRs in Canon's own fleet.
The G1 X measures about 4.6 x 3.17 x 2.55-inches and weighs in at a little over 17 ounces without a battery or memory card, so it won't be doing much traveling on shooting assignments in a shirt pocket. On the other hand, there's that big sensor to consider along with the fact the G1 X comes in smaller and lighter than the tiniest Canon DSLR. Mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras have gotten their share of attention lately and with the exception of Canon,

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Canon EOS 5D Mark III Debut: 22.3MP, $3499

It's here! The hotly anticipated Canon 5D Mark III will introduce a new 22.3 megapixel CMOS sensor with a host of updates to the imaging pipeline thanks to a DIGIC 5+ processor and improvements to the AF system trickled down from the 1D X.

5D Mark III: Hardware
The 5D III gets a 3.2-inch 1,040,000-dot LCD and a locking mode dial like the 60D's. Some of the controls have been shifted around the camera's back panel, and an image rating button has been added. Photos can be rated from 0 to 5 stars, and the information will be carried through to post-processing in Photoshop. The 5D III will have a 100% coverage viewfinder with 0.71x magnification and a 22mm eyepoint. A dual-axis electronic level is available for viewing using the LCD or OVF. It's also equipped with a 150,000 cycle shutter and dual SD/CF card slots.
Significant Updates to Sensor, Metering, Processor
A Canon-engineered full frame 22.3 megapixel CMOS sensor graces the 5D Mark III, complete with 8-channel readout, a native ISO range of 100-25,600 (expandable up to 102,400) and a new chip architecture using gapless microlenses at each photosite. Canon claims new transistors within the chip itself will provide better noise reduction to both JPEG and RAW shooters, and also promises reduction in moiré.

The Canon 1D X's powerful 61-point auto focus system and AI Servo III algorithm are carried down to the 5D III, a major jump from the 5D II's 9 point system. Of those 61 points, 21 are cross-type effective to an f/5.6 aperture and 5 are diagonal cross-type points. AF functions are now available via a designated AF menu tab. The 5D Mark II's 35-zone metering system has been upgraded to a 63-zone sensor that utilizes color and focus information to determine proper exposure. Many features have been added to the 5D III that were not available to 5D II shooters. Most of those are thanks to a new, faster DIGIC 5+ processor, including up to 6 fps burst shooting.
A comparative playback function that will display two images side-by-side on the LCDReduced resolution RAW modes (10.5 and 5.5 megapixels), geared toward high-volume shooters like those photographing weddingsIn-camera RAW processingIn-camera HDR (covering a range of 3 stops in either direction) and multiple exposure modes
Not surprisingly, great care has been taken in developing the 5D Mark III's movie capabilities. Full 1080 video is available at 24p, 25p and 30p. This time, 720p video is available at 60 and 50p; VGA is available at 30p and 25p. Two flavors of H.264 compression are available: ALL-I intraframe compression and IPB interframe. Timecode embedding is available, and both headphone and microphone jacks are available for monitoring and recording audio.

Bonus Round: Accessories
Introduced with the 5D III is a new WFT-E7A wireless transmitter with 802.11 a/b/g/n support. A new GP-E2 GPS receiver able to log latitude, longitude, elevation and Universal Time Code. A built-in compass will keep tabs on which direction you're shooting, even when the camera is used an the vertical position. A new BG-E11 battery grip is offered, powered by either six AA's or two LP-E6 rechargeable batteries.
A new Speedlite 600EX-RT is introduced alongside the 5D Mark III. It has an integrated wireless transmitter with two-way Master-Slave communication. Also offered is a new ST-E3-RT Wireless Speedlite Transmitter. It will control up to five groups of flash units from a distance of up to 98.4 feet from the camera.

Pricing and Availability The Canon EOS 5D Mark III will be sold, body-only, for $3499 and is expected to ship at the end of March. Bundled with an EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens for $4299. On the accessory side, the WFT-E7A wireless transmitter and GP-E2 GPS receiver will ship in April for $849.99 and $390, respectively. The Speedlite 600EX-RT and Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT will be available in late March for $629.99 and $470 respectively. Look for the BG-E11 battery grip at the end of April for $470.


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Sony Cyber-shot HX30V, HX20V, HX20V and H90 Compact Ultrazooms Debut

 
In addition to the HX200V and several T- and W-series models, Sony unveils four new H-series high zoom point-and-shoots for 2012. At the high end, these compact ultrazooms boast WiFi capability and up to a 20x optical zoom range.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V, HX20V and HX10V
Both the HX30 and HX20 offer an impressive 20x zoom lens, but only the HX30 will offer WiFi connectivity. This iteration of Sony WiFi enabled cameras will allow users to push files to a tablet, smartphone or other connected device for easy sharing to Facebook, YouTube and other applications. The HX30, HX20 and HX10 are equipped with GPS tracking capability, and a new logging function will make it possible to re-create a shooter's route once the images are exported from the camera.

The Cyber-Shot HX10V doesn't offer the WiFi capabilities of its siblings, but it does have a 16x optical zoom lens and full 1080 HD video. All three models will feature a 3.0-inch 921k-dot LCD and an 18.2 megapixel EXMOR R CMOS sensor. A new dual-record mode will capture 13 megapixel stills as video clips are captured, and an updated AF system offers focus speeds up to 0.10 seconds in good lighting conditions, Sony reps claim.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H90
Bringing in the entry-level rear is the H90, with a modest 16x optical zoom lens, 16.1 megapixel CCD sensor, 3.0-inch 460k-dot display and 720p HD video. It's not part of the elite EXMOR class, but it does retain Optical SteadyShot and Sony's popular Sweep Panorama mode.
Pricing and availability
The tricked-out, WiFi capable Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-HX30V will ship in May for an estimated $419.99. Also available in May, the HX20V will be offered at $399.99. The Cyber-shot HX10V and H90 will ship in March for $329.99 and $249.99, respectively.
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Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 HS First Look Review

Spring is definitely here (at least in the Ohio River Valley) and there is no better time to test a new camera than during the

prettiest of the four seasons. The new Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 HS replaces last year's very popular 300 HS compact. On the surface, the two cameras don't appear to be much different, but Canon has made a few interesting and useful changes under the hood. The most significant difference between the two cameras is the dramatic leap in resolution - from 12 megapixels (300 HS) to 16 megapixels (110 HS) otherwise the 110 HS is a relatively straightforward, mostly cosmetic, update of one of Canon's most popular shirt pocket digicams. The 110 HS has a decent assortment of the latest bells and whistles and features a full complement of consumer-tested hardware.
The 110 HS's 5x f/2.7-5.9 optical zoom provides a (35mm equivalent) range of 24-120mm and is the same wide-angle to a short telephoto optic that graced its predecessor. The 110 HS's large 3.0-inch LCD dominates the back of this tiny camera and boasts 461k-dot resolution, which is more than adequate for a camera in this class and twice the resolution of earlier generations of ELPH LCDs.
The 110 HS also includes a slightly improved version of the same Intelligent IS image stabilization system first seen on the 300 HS, which provides six distinct IS modes to cover different shooting scenarios like handheld macro shots, panning to follow the action as it unfolds, and shooting with the camera mounted on a tripod. Improvements seem to be limited mostly to the greater range of correction when shooting video. The 110 HS's sensitivity ranges from ISO 100 to a maximum of ISO 3200, unchanged from the 300 HS and the 110 HS's dependable and very accurate white balance system is identical to the one used in the 300 HS, as well.

Changes include a new face recognition mode called "face ID" which permits the camera to remember up to twelve specific people with up to five different facial shots saved in-camera for each selected subject. Once the function is programmed the shooter can enter the name and birth date of his or her friend/loved one and the 110 HS will automatically lock focus on that individual in a group shot. The face ID function can also be programmed to prioritize focus on one of three age groups - baby/infant, child, or adult.
If all that isn't enough the 110 HS's Smart Auto mode (which is actually an automatic scene recognition mode) now features 58 distinct scene types. Here's an example (from Canon) although I didn't get an opportunity to try it - if you want to shoot cute pictures of your sleeping baby, the 110 HS will automatically determine that the baby is sleeping, optimize facial focus, disable the flash and the AF assist lamp, optimize exposure, sensitivity, and WB for the ambient lighting, and turn off all camera sounds to avoid waking the slumbering infant. Absolutely perfect for capturing those "brag" shots to post on Facebook or send to the doting grandparents.
Digital cameras today must not only be competent still picture takers, they must also be competent video cameras.

Canon didn't drop the ball on this one - the 110 HS may be small in stature, but it doesn't skimp on large scale usability. Like its predecessor, the 110 HS can record at up to Full HD (1920 x 1080p at 24fps) resolution with stereo audio and the capability to use the 5x optical zoom during video capture.
In addition, for those who want to document their photographic adventures, the 110 HS features an upgraded version of Canon's nifty Movie Digest function, which automatically saves a short video clip (up to four seconds) from just before the shooter snaps each picture. The 110 HS automatically combines those short clips to create a sequential video record of the days shooting. Movie digest files are limited to 720p, but that is a substantial improvement over the VGA movie digest clips captured by the 300 HS.
Initial impressions (and about 200 images so far) indicate that the 110 HS is a first-rate general use camera with the additional benefit of being small enough to slip in a shirt pocket. The 110 HS is an attractive compact that should nicely meet the needs of anyone who wants to take good pictures, but isn't interested in becoming a photographer.
The 110 HS retails for about $250 and is available in traditional black, upscale silver, and neonish shades of red, blue, green, and pink. The Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 HS will provide casual shooters, family photographers, and travel junkies with all the camera they are likely to need, but falls short in terms of the creative flexibility more serious photographers want.
Potential 110 HS purchasers should also be aware that the 310 HS is available for only $10 more and features an almost identical design, very similar features, and an 8x zoom. Image quality seems to be about average for cameras in this class, but I'll discuss that in more detail in my full review.
Sample Images

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Sony Alpha SLT-A57 Replaces A55

Joining the translucent mirror club is the Alpha SLT-A57, updating the A55 with a faster burst rate mode, higher ISO sensitivity and new automatic shooting features like Auto Portrait Framing.
The A57 is a Frankenstein's monster of updated (but not brand new) alpha parts. It uses the same APS-C 16.1 megapixel CMOS sensor offered in the NEX-5N and a BIONZ image processor introduced in 2011 Alphas. This boosts the camera's native ISO range up to 16000 and adds a second-generation 1080 AVCHD video with 60 and 24p framerate options. A 3.0-inch vari-angle LCD is offered with 921k-dot resolution, as is a 1.44 million-dot EVF.

There's a 15-point AF system at work with 3 cross-type sensors, updated to maintain focus on the subject even if it's obscured momentarily. All of the comforts of a Sony DSLR are included, from in-body SteadyShot stabilization to a total of 11 picture effect modes. Shutter speeds top out at 1/4000 second and a built-in anti-dust system strives to keep the sensor clear of foreign particles.

The A55 offers a couple of new options for shooters, including some choices in continuous shooting. With exposure locked in, the A57 will offer a burst shooting rate of 10 fps. In a new Tele-Zoom Continuous mode, the camera will crop to zoom in on a subject and produce a maximum framerate of 12 fps at reduced resolutions. A new Clear Image Zoom feature offers a 2x digital zoom at full resolution.

Another quirky new addition is an Auto Portrait Framing mode that will crop photos identified as portraits to follow the Rule of Thirds. The idea is to give beginning photographers a hand with composition, many of which are likely to frame faces in portraits directly in the center. Superior Auto, a mode able to engage continuous shooting multiple frame modes like Auto HDR, is available as well.
Pricing and Availability
Priced evenly with the A55 it replaces, the Sony Alpha SLT-A57 will arrive in April for $799.99 with an 18-55mm kit lens or $699.99 body-only. A new HVL-LE1 battery-powered LED video light is introduced as well.

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