Digtal Camera Reviews - The Imagery Resource! » $800 – $1000

Samsung S1050

admin — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 08:44:18 +0000

Samsung has announced 7 new models today. Perhaps the most interesting is the S1050, which has the same styling as the NV10/NV7 launched earlier in the year, though without the innovative Smart Touch user interface. The S1050 is a 10MP model with a 5x optical zoom, lots of exposure modes (including A,S and M) and what Samsung describes as an ‘Advanced Shake Reduction’ system (but we know as an ISO boosting mode).

Samsung S1050 digital camera specifications:

Format	Compact
Price (street)	$999.00
Also known as
Release Status
Max resolution	3648 x 2736
Low resolution	3476 x 2604, 3264 x 2448, 3072 x 2304, 2816 x 2112, 2592 x 1944, 2272 x 1704, 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, 1024 x 768, 640 x 480
Image ratio w:h	4:3
Effective pixels	10.0 million
Sensor photo detectors	10.3 million
Sensor size	1/1.8 ” (7.18 x 5.32 mm, 0.38 cm²)
Pixel density	26 MP/cm²
Sensor type	CCD
Sensor manufacturer	Unknown
ISO rating	Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600
Zoom wide (W)	38 mm
Zoom tele (T)	190 mm (5 x)
Digital zoom	Yes
Image stabilization	No
Auto Focus	TTL
Manual Focus	Yes
Normal focus range	80 cm
Macro focus range	1 cm
White balance override	5 positions plus manual
Aperture range	F2.8 – F4.4
Min shutter	15 sec
Max shutter	1/2000 sec
Built-in Flash	Yes
Flash range	3 m
External flash	No
Flash modes	Auto, On, Off, Auto red-eye, Slow Sync
Exposure compensation	-2 to +2 EV in 1/2 EV steps
Metering	Multi, Spot
Aperture priority	Yes
Shutter priority	Yes
Focal length multiplier
Lens thread	No
Continuous Drive	Yes
Movie Clips	Yes, 800 x 600 @ 20 fps, 640 x 480, 320 x 240 @ 30/15 fps MPEG-4
Remote control	Unknown
Self-timer	Yes, 2 or 10 sec
Timelapse recording	No
Orientation sensor	No
Storage types	SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage included	45 MB Internal
Uncompressed format	No
Quality Levels	Super fine, Fine, Normal
Viewfinder	None
LCD	3 “
LCD Dots	230,000
Live View	No
USB	USB 2.0 (480Mbit/sec)
HDMI	No
Wireless	No
Environmentally sealed	No
Battery	AA (2) batteries (NiMH recommended)
Weight (inc. batteries)	254 g (9 oz)
Dimensions	105 x 64 x 25 mm (4.1 x 2.5 x 1 in)
Notes
Resolution Chart
Colour Patches

[dpreview]

Sony Alpha DSLR-A700

admin — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 08:37:55 +0000

Nearly two years after Konica Minolta transferred its camera division over to Sony, and over a year after Sony’s first DSLR (the A100), today is the day that the curtain is finally lifted on the long-awaited ‘high end’ Alpha digital SLR (in principle the replacement for the Konica Minolta 7D). The new model sports an impressive specification including magnesium alloy construction, 12MP CMOS sensor (with on-chip A/D conversion), 5fps shooting and a wealth of features and customization options, though interestingly (given the recent spate of announcements) no live view option. There’s also a couple of new lenses and a new vertical shooting grip.

Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 digital camera specifications:

Format	SLR
Price (street)	$863.78
Also known as
Release Status
Max resolution	4272 x 2848
Low resolution	3104 x 2064, 2128 x 1424
Image ratio w:h	3:2, 16:9
Effective pixels	12.2 million
Sensor photo detectors	13.0 million
Sensor size	23.5 x 15.6 mm (3.66 cm²)
Pixel density	3.3 MP/cm²
Sensor type	CMOS
Sensor manufacturer	Sony
ISO rating	Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, (up to 6400)
Zoom wide (W)
Zoom tele (T)
Digital zoom	No
Image stabilization	Yes, Sensor shift
Auto Focus	Yes, 11 area
Manual Focus	Yes
Normal focus range
Macro focus range
White balance override	7 positions, plus manual
Aperture range
Min shutter	30 sec
Max shutter	1/8000 sec
Built-in Flash	Yes, pop-up
Flash range	12 m
External flash	Yes, hot-shoe
Flash modes	Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off
Exposure compensation	-3 to +3 EV in 1/3, 1/2 or 2/3 EV steps
Metering	40 segment, Center weighted average, Spot
Aperture priority	Yes
Shutter priority	Yes
Focal length multiplier	1.5
Lens thread	Sony Alpha mount, Minolta A-type mount
Continuous Drive	Yes, 5 / 3 fps
Movie Clips	No
Remote control	Yes, Wire (Optional)
Self-timer	Yes, 2 or 10 sec
Timelapse recording	No
Orientation sensor	Yes
Storage types	Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Storage included	None
Uncompressed format	Yes, RAW
Quality Levels	Extra Fine, Fine, Standard
Viewfinder	Optical (Pentaprism, 95% coverage, 0.9x magnification)
LCD	3 “
LCD Dots	920,000
Live View	No
USB	USB 2.0 (480Mbit/sec)
HDMI	Yes
Wireless	No
Environmentally sealed	No
Battery	Lithium-Ion (NP-FM500H) & charger
Weight (inc. batteries)	768 g (27.1 oz)
Dimensions	142 x 105 x 80 mm (5.6 x 4.1 x 3.2 in)
Notes
Resolution Chart
Colour Patches

[dpreview]

Samsung S850

admin — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 08:33:39 +0000

The second new S series camera from Samsung announced today is the S850, which – as the name implies – is an 8MP / 5x zoom model. As well as lots of exposure modes (including A, S and M) and a 2.5-inch screen the S850 sports face recognition technology and, once again, ‘Advanced Shake Reduction’ that features neither a moving lens element nor a shifting CCD…

Samsung S850 digital camera specifications:

Format	Compact
Price (street)	$999.00
Also known as
Release Status
Max resolution	3264 x 2448
Low resolution	2592 x 1944, 2048 x 1536, 1024 x 768
Image ratio w:h	4:3, 3:2
Effective pixels	8.0 million
Sensor photo detectors	8.3 million
Sensor size	1/1.8 ” (7.18 x 5.32 mm, 0.38 cm²)
Pixel density	21 MP/cm²
Sensor type	CCD
Sensor manufacturer	Unknown
ISO rating	Auto, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600
Zoom wide (W)	38 mm
Zoom tele (T)	190 mm (5 x)
Digital zoom	Yes
Image stabilization	No
Auto Focus	TTL
Manual Focus	Yes
Normal focus range	80 cm
Macro focus range	1 cm
White balance override	5 positions plus manual
Aperture range	F2.8 – F4.4
Min shutter	15 sec
Max shutter	1/2000 sec
Built-in Flash	Yes
Flash range	3 m
External flash	No
Flash modes	Auto, On, Off, Auto red-eye, Slow Sync
Exposure compensation	-2 to +2 EV in 1/2 EV steps
Metering	Multi, Spot
Aperture priority	Yes
Shutter priority	Yes
Focal length multiplier
Lens thread	No
Continuous Drive	Yes
Movie Clips	Yes, 800 x 592, 720 x 480, @ 20/15 fps, 640 x 480, 320 x 240 @ 30/20/15 fps MPEG-4
Remote control	Unknown
Self-timer	Yes, 2 or 10 sec
Timelapse recording	No
Orientation sensor	No
Storage types	SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage included	20 MB Internal
Uncompressed format	No
Quality Levels	Super fine, Fine, Normal
Viewfinder	None
LCD	2.5 “
LCD Dots	230,000
Live View	No
USB	USB 2.0 (480Mbit/sec)
HDMI	No
Wireless	No
Environmentally sealed	No
Battery	AA (2) batteries (NiMH recommended)
Weight (inc. batteries)	222 g (7.8 oz)
Dimensions	104 x 64 x 25 mm (4.1 x 2.5 x 1 in)
Notes
Resolution Chart
Colour Patches

[dpreview]

Sony Alpha DSLR-A300

admin — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 05:31:30 +0000

Sony has announced another two DSLRs to join its Alpha range. In between the recently announced A200 and flagship A700 come the A300 and A350 live view-enabled DLSRs. Here are the specifications of the cameras that show just how seriously Sony is taking the camera market.

Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 digital camera specifications:

Format	SLR
Price (street)	$799.99
Also known as
Release Status
Max resolution	3872 x 2592
Low resolution	3872 x 2176, 2896 x 1936, 2896 x 1632, 1920 x 1280, 1920 x 1088
Image ratio w:h	3:2, 16:9
Effective pixels	10.2 million
Sensor photo detectors	10.8 million
Sensor size	23.6 x 15.8 mm (3.72 cm²)
Pixel density	2.7 MP/cm²
Sensor type	CCD
Sensor manufacturer	Sony
ISO rating	Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200
Zoom wide (W)
Zoom tele (T)
Digital zoom	No
Image stabilization	Yes
Auto Focus	9-point AF with center cross
Manual Focus	Yes
Normal focus range
Macro focus range
White balance override	Six positions plus manual and kelvin
Aperture range
Min shutter	30 sec
Max shutter	1/4000 sec
Built-in Flash	Yes, pop-up
Flash range	12 m (at ISO 100)
External flash	Yes, hot-shoe
Flash modes	Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
Exposure compensation	-2 to +2 EV in 1/3 EV steps
Metering	40-segment Multi, Center weighted, Spot
Aperture priority	Yes
Shutter priority	Yes
Focal length multiplier	1.5
Lens thread	Sony Alpha
Continuous Drive	Yes, 3.0 fps, unlimited JPEG, 6 RAW, 3 RAW+JPEG images
Movie Clips	No
Remote control	Yes, Wired or wirelss (optional)
Self-timer	Yes, 2 or 10 sec
Timelapse recording	No
Orientation sensor	Yes
Storage types	Compact Flash
Storage included	None
Uncompressed format	Yes, RAW (ARW)
Quality Levels	Fine, Standard
Viewfinder	Optical (Pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.74x magnification)
LCD	2.7 “
LCD Dots	230,000
Live View	Yes
USB	USB 2.0 (480Mbit/sec)
HDMI	No
Wireless	No
Environmentally sealed	No
Battery	Lithium Ion (NP-FM500H) & charger
Weight (inc. batteries)	632 g (22.3 oz)
Dimensions	131 x 99 x 75 mm (5.2 x 3.9 x 3 in)
Notes	Live view available
Resolution Chart
Colour Patches

[dpreview]

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50

admin — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 09:51:18 +0000

Panasonic has announced the latest in the FZ ‘double digit’ series of prosumer digital cameras (a replacement for the FZ30). The Lumix DMC-FZ50 features a twelve times optical zoom lens, optical image stabilization, a ten megapixel sensor, up to ISO 1600 sensitivity and something Panasonic call IIC (Intelligent ISO control). This new feature monitors the amount of movement in the frame and adjusts the ISO sensitivity automatically at the time of exposure (higher for more movement).

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50 digital camera specifications:

Format	SLR-like
Price (street)	$904.17
Also known as
Release Status
Max resolution	3648 x 2736
Low resolution	3264 x 2448, 2560 x 1920, 2048 x 1536, 1600 x1200
Image ratio w:h	4:3, 3:2, 16:9
Effective pixels	10.0 million
Sensor photo detectors	10.4 million
Sensor size	1/1.8 ” (7.18 x 5.32 mm, 0.38 cm²)
Pixel density	26 MP/cm²
Sensor type	CCD
Sensor manufacturer	Matsushita
ISO rating	Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, (3200 boost)
Zoom wide (W)	35 mm
Zoom tele (T)	420 mm (12 x)
Digital zoom	Yes, 4 x
Image stabilization	Yes, Lens
Auto Focus	TTL
Manual Focus	Yes
Normal focus range	30 cm
Macro focus range	5 cm
White balance override	4 positions, plus 2 manual
Aperture range	F2.8 – F3.7
Min shutter	60 sec
Max shutter	1/2000 sec
Built-in Flash	Yes, pop-up
Flash range	7 m
External flash	Yes, hot-shoe
Flash modes	Auto, Red-Eye Auto, On, Red-Eye On, Red-Eye Slow Sync, Off, Slow Sync (1&2)
Exposure compensation	-2 to +2 EV in 0.3 EV steps
Metering	Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot
Aperture priority	Yes
Shutter priority	Yes
Focal length multiplier
Lens thread	Yes, 55 mm
Continuous Drive	Yes, 2 or 1 fps, max 3/5 images
Movie Clips	Yes, 848 x 480, 640 x 480, 320 x 240, 30 or 10 fps, audio, unlimited
Remote control	No
Self-timer	Yes, 2 or 10 sec
Timelapse recording	No
Orientation sensor	Yes
Storage types	SD/MMC/SDHC card
Storage included	32 MB SD card
Uncompressed format	Yes, RAW
Quality Levels	Fine, Standard
Viewfinder	Electronic
LCD	2 “
LCD Dots	207,000
Live View	No
USB	USB 1.0 (1.5Mbit/sec)
HDMI	No
Wireless	No
Environmentally sealed	No
Battery	Lithium-Ion rechargeable
Weight (inc. batteries)	734 g (25.9 oz)
Dimensions	141 x 86 x 142 mm (5.6 x 3.4 x 5.6 in)
Notes
Resolution Chart
Colour Patches

[dpreview]