Olympus E-5 Brief Hands-on Preview

          Taking what could most politely be described as a 'considered' approach to product upgrades, Olympus has lifted the curtain on the third generation of its professional SLR, in the form of the much anticipated E-5. Olympus introduced the world to the first Four Thirds camera, the E-1, back in June 2003, and finally got round to updating it with the E-3 four years later. We got a sneak preview of the E-3's successor a couple of weeks back - we'll update this short article to a full review as soon as we get a production E-5 in the office.

          It is perhaps indicative of where Olympus's priorities lie - or the way the market is headed - that whereas the E-3 took the E-1 back to the drawing board and introduced several new features, the E-5 is probably best described as a warm over of its predecessor. It's also interesting to note that it benefits from a 'trickle up' of technology from the latest developments in the company's Micro Four Thirds cameras - a situation unusual for what is, effectively, the hero product in the E-system range.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ8 review

           The TZ8 is a cut-down version of the Panasonic TZ10, and costs around £75 less. The two models are very similar and their photo-taking abilities are identical. What you don’t get here is the TZ10’s GPS tagging, its 3in, 460,000-dot screen and its ability to record video in AVCHD Lite format.

          GPS tagging is something we can happily live without, especially if it’s as flaky as the TZ10 was in our tests. The screen downgrade is more significant, but this one’s 2.7in diameter and 230,000-dot resolution are perfectly adequate.
         The TZ8 records its video in the capacity-hogging M-JPEG format, which means a 2GB card holds just eight and a half minutes of video. However, unlike the previous cut-price TZ model, this one can record videos in 720p HD.
           Noise reduction wasn’t as effective as it was on the TZ10 and the audio is mono rather than stereo, but the autofocus and zoom are fully operational and their motors didn’t spoil the soundtrack. Comparisons with the TZ10 aside, the TZ8’s videos are considerably better than from most stills cameras.
          With the same lens, sensor and image-processing engine, it’s no surprise that the TZ8’s photo quality and performance are identical to the TZ10’s. That’s good news for outdoor photography, with crisp details and exquisite colours in bright light. Low-light, high-ISO shots were spoiled by noise, but the highly effective stabilisation meant we could keep the ISO speed down as long as the subject wasn’t moving.

Nikon releases AF-S Nikkor 200mm f/2G ED VR II lens

           Nikon has released an updated version of its 200mm F2 VR professional lens. Retaining the same lens construction as its predecessor, the AF-S Nikkor 200mm F2G ED VR II features the company's latest, second generation Vibration Reduction technology (VR II) and adds adds a new mode onto the AF switch. It also includes nano-crystal coating to reduce ghosting and flare. Priced at £5299.99, it will be start shipping next month.

AF-S NIKKOR 200mm f/2G ED VR II: A Star Performer

          Nikon today announces a completely new professional telephoto lens AF-S NIKKOR 200mm f/2G ED VR II to replace AF-S VR NIKKOR 200mm f/2G IF-ED. The new lens features Nano Crystal Coat, the new generation of Vibration Reduction technology (VR II) and a new A/M focus mode, making it the ideal lens for serious photographers seeking uncompromised performance.

          The lens retains the optical construction of its predecessor and delivers outstanding image quality with excellent sharpness, contrast and definition as well as smooth bokeh making it the perfect choice for photographers shooting stage events and indoor sports.

Pentax K-r mid-level DSLR announced with brief hands-on

          Pre-Photokina 2010: Pentax has announced the K-r, its latest mid-level DSLR. Initially sitting above the K-x in the range it offers more angular, K-7-esque styling. It offers 6 fps continuous shooting and HD movie recording and regains AF-point illumination in the viewfinder. It also features a high-res 920k dot (VGA) LCD display and the ability to shoot at up to ISO 25600. Unusually for a Pentax at this level it uses an rechargeable Lithium Ion battery pack but can be used with AAs via an optional adapter. We've had a chance to get to grips with the K-r and have prepared a brief hands-on article discussing its features and additions.

Compact, lightweight, multi-features... It’s the mid-range digital SLR camera

          PENTAX Imaging Systems announces the launch of its latest digital SLR camera – the K-r. Encased in a compact, lightweight body, this new model combines simple, user-friendly functions with a wide array of advanced features, designed to enhance the fun and excitement of digital SLR photography.

Sigma 70-200mm 1:2.8 EX DG OS HSM Review

          It's now over a decade since Sigma's original 70-200mm F2.8 APO design first saw the light of day, and after three successive makeovers, the company clearly felt it was time to start again from scratch. The result is this: the 70-200mm 1:2.8 EX DG OS HSM, which despite its similar-sounding name is a completely new design. It was announced back in February alongside four other lenses, as Sigma stole the show at an otherwise-quiet PMA 2010. The 'OS' stands for 'Optical Stabilizer', this being is the first image-stabilized fast telephoto zoom to emerge from a third-party lens maker. Indeed the combination of in-lens stabilization and Sigma's ultrasonic-type 'HyperSonic Motor' (HSM) focusing is sure to make a compelling package for a wide range of users - it's considerably cheaper than Canon and Nikon's similar options, while offering the option of optical stabilization to Sony and Pentax users for the first time in this type of lens.

           The 70-200mm F2.8 OS sports a brand-new optical optical formula which incorporates a new weapon in the lens maker's armory, the latest type of glass which Sigma calls 'FLD' for 'F' Low Dispersion. This slightly opaque nomenclature indicates that it has similar optical properties to Fluorite, an expensive and difficult-to-work material that Canon has employed in the course of establishing its reputation as a maker of excellent telephotos. The 70-200mm F2.8 OS HSM uses two FLD elements within its 22 element / 17 group construction, alongside three elements made from the more conventional Super-Low Dispersion (SLD) glass. Sigma promises that this should give excellent correction for residual chromatic aberration.
         The lens's impressive specification is rounded off with a 9-blade circular aperture for the attractive rendition of out-of-focus regions of the image, plus an adapter that extends the length of the lens hood to provide more effective shading for users of APS-C format DSLRs. The minimum focus distance is 1.4m, with a maximum magnification of 0.13x, which is a step back from the 1m minimum focus and 0.28x magnification of the most recent 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG Macro HSM II. All this is topped-off by a price which, while substantially higher than the older lens, is still substantially lower than its Nikon and Canon equivalents. On paper at least, this all adds up to a mouthwatering package; so let's see how well the lens lives up to its promise.

Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 design history
          •70-200mm F2.8 EX APO - Original version, minimum focus distance 1.8m (1999)
          •70-200mm F2.8 EX DG - Addition of 'digitally optimized' lens coatings to reduce flare (2005)
          •70-200mm F2.8 EX DG Macro (HSM) - Minimum focus distance reduced to 1m (2006)
          •70-200mm F2.8 EX DG Macro HSM II - Improved optical performance (2007)
          •70-200mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM - All-new design with built-in Optical Stabilization (2010)


Headline features
          •70-200mm focal length range; fast F2.8 constant maximum aperture
          •Optical image stabilization – 4 stops claimed
          •Ring-type HSM focusing with full-time manual override
          •Available in Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sigma and Sony mounts

Angle of view
           The pictures below illustrate the focal length range from wide to telephoto, on 35mm full-frame and APS-C camera bodies:

  70mm (full frame)

 

70mm (APS-C; 112mm equivalent)

200mm (full frame)

 

200mm (APS-C; 320mm equivalent)

Nikon D7000 announced and previewed

          Nikon has released the D7000 mid-level digital SLR. Housed in a magnesium alloy body, the feature-rich camera incorporates a 16.2Mp CMOS sensor, faster 'Expeed 2'-branded processor, 921k dot 3.0" LCD and can record 1080p24 full HD movies. It features the company's latest 39-point AF system with 3D tracking and 2,016 pixel RGB metering sensor. It will start shipping with the 18-105mm VR kit lens from October 2010 at a retail price of $1499/£1299.99/€1399. We've had a pre-production D7000 in the office for long enough for us to prepare an full hands-on preview looking at the camera, its features and where it'll sit in the range.

THE NEW NIKON D7000: READY TO FULFIL YOUR PASSION

          Nikon launches the D7000, a D-SLR that offers exceptional image quality, reliability and performance packed into a durable and portable body.

          Jordi Brinkman, Product Manager for Nikon Europe, says: “The exciting new D7000 is the ideal next camera for D-SLR owners who want to further indulge their passion for photography with a camera that boasts more advanced features providing creative power. It has a new image sensor, EXPEED 2, AF system and metering sensor to ensure great performance in a highly durable body. In fact, it has everything you need in your next SLR but in a size you wouldn’t expect.”

Exceptional image quality
           The D7000 includes a range of new features to ensure superior image quality including 16.2 effective megapixels with the newly developed Nikon DX format CMOS image sensor. The camera boasts a new image-processing engine, EXPEED 2, which delivers higher image quality, higher speed processing and multiple functions with more power. And the D7000’s increased ISO sensitivity (100-6400, extendable up to 25600) ensures exceptional detail with minimal noise when capturing fast moving subjects or in poor light situations, even without the flash.

Outstanding reliability

          The D7000’s bright Glass Pentaprism Viewfinder with approximate 100% frame coverage and 0.94x magnification gives you the most precise view and focus of any scene, and it is always ready when you are with a shutter speed of 1/8000s, tested to 150,000 cycles. What is more, the camera is protected by magnesium alloy top and rear covers and has durable sealing against dust and moisture so it is prepared for even the most testing of situations.
          When it comes to storage, the D7000 again provides you with maximum reliability. The twin SD memory card slots allow for added storage capacity and give you the freedom to manage your images and video in the way you want to either by saving more of them, keeping different formats separate or always having backup space when you need it.

Enhanced performance
          The D7000’s newly developed AF system featuring 39 focus points, including 9 cross-type sensors in the centre, gives you the sharpest focus, no matter where your subject is in the frame. And with Nikon’s new 2,016 pixel RGB metering sensor to enhance the effectiveness of the Scene Recognition System, plus High Speed Continuous shooting capability at 6FPS, you can be sure to capture incredibly accurate, high-quality images every time.

Full-HD D-Movie with AF-F mode
          The D7000 has direct access to a movie record button so you can capture footage in full HD (1080p) with greater ease. The AF-F gives continuous focus during movie recording, which is captured using MPEG4 AVC/H.264 compression, and has a stereo microphone jack for quality sound recording. This means superior image quality and operability when using the D-Movie function.
           The D7000s built-in movie editing functions also give you the freedom to chose the start and end points of your footage and switch to selected frames for capturing still images without relying on a computer – letting you edit and share your films quickly and easily.

Optional accessories
          Nikon is also launching the new Speedlight SB-700, a feature-packed yet easy-to-use flash unit. The SB-700 offers lighting benefits that greatly surpass the camera onboard flash, allowing total control over scene or subject lighting to create beautiful, professional looking results.
           To guarantee great performance for longer, the D7000 also has a dedicated Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D11 (optional) that enables seamless switching of power supply with the in-camera battery, vertical shooting and further stabilizes the body when using a long telephoto lens.
           The D7000 is compatible with the GP-1 GPS (Global Positioning System) unit which records location information in the image file and of course, the camera supports a wide variety of NIKKOR lenses.

Key features:

          • Nikon DX-format, newly developed 16.2MP CMOS sensor: with expanded sensitivity range, this high-pixel sensor offers outstanding colour and detail for both pictures and movie
          • New EXPEED 2 image processing: achieves higher image quality, higher speed processing and multiple functions, with lower energy consumption
          • High ISO (100-6400, extendable up to 25600) sensitivity: offers low noise whilst still providing extremely sharp detail
          • New 2,016-pixel RGB metering sensor: the high-pixel RGB sensor will enhance the effectiveness of the Scene Recognition System for high-quality images every time
          • Newly developed AF system featuring 39 focus points including 9 cross-type sensors in the center: delivers superior subject acquisition and tracking performance, so you can achieve the right focus no matter where your subject is on the screen
          • Glass Pentaprism Viewfinder with approx 100% frame coverage and 0.94x magnification: for the most precise view and focus of any scene
          • High durability with magnesium alloy top and rear, sealing against dust and moisture: allowing you to shoot with confidence even in the toughest conditions
          • Full HD D-Movie with AF-F modes and in-camera editing functions to choose the start and end points of your movies and save individual frames as still images. It also supports an external microphone input for quality stereo sound recording
          • HDMI connectivity: so you can view your images or watch your HDTV movies on a full HD television
          • Easy access Live View with new Contrast-detect AF modes: face detection with contrast AF is faster and more powerful than ever. Up to 35 people can be detected within approx. 0.08 seconds, even if subjects are not directly looking at the camera. Subject Tracking keeps moving subjects in focus. Normal area AF is recommended for pinpoint focus and wide-area AF for handheld shooting
           • Durable shutter unit with shutter speed up to 1/8,000: proved by 150,000 cycles of shutter-release testing
           • Twin SD memory card slots: offer more capacity for saving images, more options for organising your images and videos or extra backup so you can manage your images exactly as you want them.
          • High Speed Continuous shooting at 6FPS: With approx. 0.05-second release time lag and 6 frames-per-second shooting, you won’t miss a moment
          • Extensive playback functions: including 72-thumbnail display, calendar display and image sorting by date
          • In-camera retouch functions (retouch menu) including movie editing function and new color sketch
          • Tone and colour control: Picture Controls lets you set the look and mood of your pictures and movies before you shoot
          • ViewNX 2 free bundled software, will be bundled with the D7000: It inherits the basic operations of ViewNX whilst providing much enhanced operability, including a refined GUI, and a range of easy-to-use features allowing you to edit photos as well as movies
          • 7.5 cm (3-in.) LCD Monitor:, the approximately 920k-dot TFT LCD monitor has a VGA wide-viewing angle (170°) with reinforced glass so you can immediately see your work in detail
          • Supports a wide variety of NIKKOR lenses
          • Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL15 : intelligent power management to give maximum performance with minimized power usage

Additional images