dslrs

Olympus E-30 Art Filters surprisingly addictive

During and after the rollout of the E-30 dSLR, Olympus really pushed the Art Filters feature--a handful of preset special effects--which seemed a bit out of place on a $1,300 dSLR (especially a dSLR that has quite a bit going for it, including very good photo quality and speedy performance).

But in the course of testing the camera I discovered that the Art Filters, or at least some of them, are pretty useful and interesting. Which is another way of saying that they're kind of fun and addictive and completely derailed my completing the review.

More expensive than … Read more

Spandex-like camera harness looks uber-nerdy

I wouldn't be caught dead with this camera harness to protect my dSLR, not even if it means I have to carry a heavy bag to store my equipment in. Honestly, the first word that came to mind when I saw the Optech Stabilizer Strap was: geek.

But I have to give credit to the U.S. company for coming up with a product for those who aren't ashamed to be laughed at for looking silly. The Stabilizer Strap is made of neoprene and stretches across your torso. Just stretch the harness and slip your camera between the … Read more

Nikon hits 24.5 megapixels with D3X

Though almost everything you need to know about the new Nikon D3X leaked Friday, the 24.5-megapixel dSLR Nikon dubs its "extreme professional" model formally debuts today, November 30. What didn't leak was the price: $7,999.95. Start saving your pennies now.

There's quite a bit of speculation as to how similar the sensor in the D3X is to that in the Sony Alpha DSLR-A900; Nikon says it's "a Nikon designed sensor" that may (or may not) be manufactured by Sony, which usually means they're pretty similar. However, the A900's … Read more

Olympus announces midrange E-30 dSLR

With a price gap of about $900 between the Olympus E-520 and the E-3, Olympus has long had a pretty big hole in its dSLR lineup--a hole populated by extremely popular competitors like the Nikon D90, the Canon EOS 40D, and the Canon EOS 50D. But with the announcement of the E-30, it looks like Olympus is entering the ring swinging.

First, some key specs:

  Canon EOS 50D Nikon D90 Olympus E-30 Olympus E-3 Sensor 14.7-megapixel CMOS 12.3-megapixel CMOS 12.3-megapixel Live MOS 10.1-megapixel Live MOS Color depth 14 bits 12 bits 12 bits 12 bits Sensitivity range ISO 100 - ISO 3,200/12,800 (expanded) ISO 100 - ISO 3,200/6,400 (expanded) ISO 100 - ISO 3,200 ISO 100 - ISO 3,200 Focal-length multiplier 1.6x 1.5x 2x 2x Continuous shooting 6.3 fps 90 JPEG/16 raw 4.5 fps 100 JPEG/n/a raw 5 fps n/a JPEG/12 raw 5fps n/a JPEG/12 raw Viewfinder 95% coverage 0.95x magnification User interchangeable focusing screens 96% coverage 0.94x magnification fixed focusing screen 98% coverage 1.02x magnification fixed focusing screen 100% coverage 1.15x magnification Mfr. interchangeable focusing screens Autofocus 9-pt AF all cross-type 11-pt AF center cross-type 11-pt AF all cross-type 11-pt AF all cross-type Live View Yes Yes Yes Yes LCD size 3 inches 3 inches 2.7 inches 2.5 inches Approximate street price (body only) $1,399 $999 $1,299 $1,499

… Read more

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark IV: the rumors begin

After just about a year on the market, the rumors have started about a replacement for Canon's flagship EOS-1Ds dSLR. The blog trail, which seems to have started in a forum at photofans.cn but which I read on Photography Bay, speculates that the specifications will include the current sensor, but two Digic 4 processors which will enable a bump to ISO 12,800 and a burst rate of 6.8fps, HD video capture, and a jump to a 69-point AF system.

Though Canon Rumors gives this scuttlebutt its second-lowest credibility rating--"From a 4-legged animal"--as … Read more

Make a Canon dSLR out of wood

Can't afford a high-end Canon dSLR? Well, if you're handy, you can pretend to own one by making this wood model. Found on Canon's Camera Museum site are instructions on how to paste, cut, and shape pieces of balsa wood to make a dSLR model.

Looking at the instructions, it's not an easy task, so don't expect to be able to make one yourself just because you're capable of assembling some papercraft models. If you do make one successfully, this will make a great home decorative piece for showing off how crafty you are. … Read more

Indecent Exposure 24: Incessant excuses?

Conquering the cheap (dSLR) camera conundrum and flash card mysteries demystified. Sort of.

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Episode 24

Nikon D300's time about up?

The first rumor has surfaced--this time from Stock Photo market and Creative Digital Photography guide--about the successor to the still successful Nikon D300.

Normally, I don't pass on unattributed, nonspecific product rumors. But in this case, I decided it was worth mentioning to all of you considering your next dSLR purchase, because it's a reminder that the D300 will be a year old next month, so the site's claim that a new model will be out in the first quarter of 2009 is probably true. I'm guessing an announcement just before PMA (which starts March … Read more

Pentax debuts entry-level dSLR, lenses

Pentax has introduced a new entry-level model that perplexes me a bit. The K2000, which will be known as the K-m everywhere but here, is priced the same as its slightly older sibling, the K200D--that competitive $700 mark occupied by the Canon EOS Rebel XS and the Nikon D60, among others--but makes a few tradeoffs. Here are some basics:

  Pentax K2000 Pentax K200D Canon Rebel XS Nikon D60 Sensor 10.2-megapixel CCD 10.2-megapixel CCD 10.1-megapixel CMOS 10.2-megapixel CCD AF system 5 points 11 points 7 points 3 points Maximum ISO sensitivity 3200 1600 1600 1600 LCD … Read more