Canon Will Deliver a Miniature D-SLR

PC Mag

 

In the past year, a handful of manufacturers have introduced compact cameras that offer speed and image quality comparable to traditional D-SLRs. So far these cameras are made by Sony, Olympus, and Panasonic and cost as little as $550 dollars.

Officially, Canon has been completely silent about this emerging genre of products, but Masaya Maeda, head of Canon's image communication products division, told Reuters this week that the company is working to bring its own competitor to the market.

"There is a consumer need for good-quality cameras to be made smaller," Maeda told Reuters. "We will meet this need."

A Canon spokesman said the company could not confirm the Reuters report at this time, and had no additional details to offer.

Maeda also did not give specifics on how Canon will offer a small camera with D-SLR experience, but I'd suspect its product would likely follow the same formula as the competition: no mirror box.

Traditional D-SLRs require two image sensors: a large one for capturing images (larger equals better image quality) and a smaller one for executing auto-focus. Two sensors require a mirror box in order to mirror the image to both sensors, as well as a large body to house this system. D-SLRs rely on just the large image sensor to execute autofocus (and other tasks like simultaneously display an image on the LCD), but small and cost-effective processors are not powerful enough to keep up with the large amounts of data being delivered from the large image sensor, until recently.

The new miniature D-SLRs from Olympus, Panasonic, and Sony get rid of the mirror box and second image sensor. In their place are a faster processor, which works in conjunction with the large image sensor to simultaneously deliver images, autofocus, and a live view on the LCD.

Though this is how Canon's competition delivers a miniature D-SLR experience, comments from Maeda suggest that Canon will do things differently. Maeda told Reuters that "it's not a question of whether or not you have a mirror" but whether you can deliver cameras that are smaller and maintain image quality and speed.

Gigapan Robotic Camera Rig Goes Pro

Wired

 

Gigapan’s robotic camera mounts are a favorite among hobbyists who want to create large panoramic pictures. Now the company is going after professionals whose powerful cameras need a sturdier rig.

Gigapan has released the Epic Pro, a mount that can handle DSLR camera and lens combination of up to 10 lbs. Earlier versions of the mount were created for lightweight and compact cameras. The Pro, designed with a magnesium chassis and aluminum arm, weighs about 8 lbs including the battery pack. It’s features include the ability to adjust time between exposure, motor speed, aspect ratio and picture overlap.

A year ago, Gigapan launched its first robotic camera mount called Epic that automates the process of taking different images to compose the ultimate shot. The mount allows photographers with almost any point-and-shoot digital camera to click photos without worrying about missing details that might ruin a picture when it is eventually stitched together. A software program called Stitch that comes with the device allows the photos to be blended together and uploaded to GigaPan.com where users can zoom into the detail, explore and share.

The Epic Pro mount will be available in April, says the company, and it will cost $895. The hobbyist focused Epic 100, which runs on 6 AA batteries costs $450 and the smallest rig Epic designed for compact digital cameras is $350. The Pro functions on a rechargable digital camera battery pack.

What Canon Sells you for $150

cNet

Like most compact-camera manufacturers, Canon offers point-and-shoots at a range of prices; its PowerShots start at $109.99 and edge up every $20 to $30. The A3000 IS sits right at $149.99. It's a good, if basic, snapshot camera designed for people who really don't want much beyond taking a nice picture.

Optical image stabilization is probably the biggest feature highlight since it's a rarity in a new camera at its price point. It also has a couple of new creative shooting modes--Super Vivid and Poster Effect--but its shooting options are otherwise bland.

I'm not in love with the look and feel, though it's easy to use and certainly better-looking than older A-series models. Speaking of, those of you hoping for an A series with an optical viewfinder and manual controls should probably give up. Not only are those features gone from all the newest models, but the A3000 IS along with its linemate, the A3100 IS, use rechargeable lithium-ion digital camera battery packs instead of AA-size batteries. This doesn't bother me, but I know a lot of people love having double As.

One last thing. If you have $150, and want a Canon PowerShot, but not this one, check out 2009's SD1200 IS. It's readily available at that price, much smaller, more attractive, and with similar core features--plus an optical viewfinder.

Canon Launches New Rebel DSLR, Point-and-Shoots

PC World

On Monday, Canon introduced a few updates to its compact point-and-shoot camera line, as well as one new D-SLR, the EOS Rebel T2i. Though the new cameras span different price ranges, all of the new models will share one feature: they will all support the new SDXC memory card format, capable of storing up to 2 terabytes of data.

The new camera in Canon's entry-level DSLR line is the Canon EOS Rebel T2i. While the T2i looks nearly identical to the $799 (with lens) Canon EOS Rebel T1i, it incorporates many of the features found in the mid-range, $1,699 (body only)Canon EOS 7D DSLR.

Like the 7D, it will offer 18-megapixel captures via an APS-C sized CMOS sensor and will perform the same plethora of HD-video capture options as the more expensive model: 1080p at 30 and 24 frames per second, and 720p at 60 frames per second. The still-image capture speed will be closer to that of the T1i's 3.4 fps, however; the T2i will do 3.7 fps. Another interesting feature is that the HDMI port on the T2i will support HDMI-CEC; when connected to an HDTV that also supports HDMI-CEC, the HDTV's remote will be able to control the T2i; neither the Canon EOS 7D or Canon EOS Rebel T2i support this feature.

The Canon Rebel T2i will be available later this month for $799.99 (list, body only) or with an EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS zoom lens for $899.99.

Canon also launched a number of more budget-minded point-and-shoots. Of those, the PowerShot SD1300 will be the only camera of the new bunch to not capture HD video. The shooter offers 12.1-megapixel captures, a wide angle 28mm lens, 4X optical zoom, a 2.7-inch LCD and will list for $199.99.

Next up is the PowerShot SD1400 IS, whose specifications are basically identical to the SD1300 but with HD video capture (at 720p30) and a mini-HDMI out for connectivity to HDTVs. The SD1400 specifications are also nearly identical to its predecessor, the PowerShot SD940 whose price has now been reduced from $299.99 to $249.99. Curiously, the new SD1400 IS is also priced at $249.99.

The PowerShot SD3500 IS is an update to Canon's first point-and-shoot with a touchscreen LCD, the Canon PowerShot SD980 IS, which was $329.99 but now lists for $299.99. The new SD3500 also is virtually identical from a specification standpoint as its predecessor, with a 4X optical zoom, a 24-mm wide-angle lens, HD video (at 720p30) and a mini-HDMI out. Aside from support for the SDXC format, the new SD3500 will sport a larger and higher resolution touch screen LCD—it boosts the 3.0-inch 230,000-dot LCD to a 3.5-inch 461,000-dot LCD. The Canon PowerShot SD3500 IS will list for $329.99.

A new super-zoom model was also announced: the $349.99 PowerShot SX210. It's an update to last year's PowerShot SX200, which now lists for $329.99. The new 14.1-megapixel shooter will boost optical zoom from 12x to 14x, and use a larger and higher-resolution 3.5-inch, 461,000-dot screen.

All of the compact cameras will be available later this month.

Cameras: Drop the Digital SLR and Get EVIL

Wired

There’s a new camera category in town. It’s EVIL, and it’s going to kick your DSLR’s ass. EVIL stands for Electronic Viewfinder Interchangeable Lens, and is our favorite acronym for cameras like the Olympus Pen, the Lumix GF1 and the Samsung NX10. These small, mirrorless, finderless cameras can fit in a pocket and outperform bulky DSLRs. Here’s why your next camera will probably be EVIL.

They’re Small

DSLRs are bulky. Their design comes from the film days when the only way to see the exact image that would hit the film was to divert the light coming through the lens with a mirror and send it to a viewfinder. This mirror meant the body needed to be deep, and the lenses — further away from the film than those in a mirrorless rangefinder — were also bigger.

Now we can see what the sensor sees either on a screen, or through an electronic finder. With the mirror gone, the body can be a lot smaller, just like a compact digicam. This means you can carry it with you everywhere, fit it in a jacket pocket and be ready for *that* picture, wherever you are.

They Take Great Pictures

The trick with the new EVIL cams is that they have large sensors. In the case of the Samsung NX10, this sensor is the same size as you’d find in a DSLR, and the others use the Micro Four Thirds format, a sensor which is half the size of a 35mm frame, but a lot bigger than the pinkie-nail-sized sensor in a typical compact. This gives the high image quality and low-light sensitivity of a DSLR. And because they have large sensors, the depth of field is shallower, and you can throw a distracting background out of focus.

For most people, that is more than good enough.

You Can Change Lenses

Let’s be honest. If you’re not a pro, you probably bought your fancy DSLR, fixed on the kit zoom  camera lens, and that was it. You probably spend 90 percent, if not all of your time, shooting with this on your camera.

With an EVIL camera, you can do this too. It’s more likely though, given the tiny pocket-sized lenses for these cameras, that you will actually carry them with you. Better still, with an adapter you can use all your current DSLR lenses on the newer, smaller body.

They’re Fast

Compacts have lost out to DSLRs by being slow. Slow to power up, slow to zoom and slow to actually respond to your trigger finger. EVIL cameras have fixed this, and are as responsive as any entry-level DSLR. Watch out which model you go for, though. The current generation still has some trouble focusing as fast as a bigger camera, although some models, like the Panasonic GF1, have this nailed.

They Don’t Scream “Look at Me”

With a smaller camera, you can blend in. With an EVIL camera, you can blend in and still get great shots. This combination of size and quality was the reason the Leica M series was the camera of choice for both street shooters and war reporters, from Henri Cartier Bresson to Sebastião Salgado. And because there is no mirror to flip, they’re quiet, too.

The Con

As a new category, the EVIL is still relatively expensive, and you’ll pay as much for a body and lens as you would for a prosumer level DSLR. For many, even pros, the size difference alone is enough to justify this. For everyone else, you could wait until the likes of Canon and Nikon inevitably enter this sector. Then prices will start to fall, and things will get really interesting.

Unless you have a specific use that these cameras can’t meet, or you need the very highest level of performance only a Canon 1D or Nikon D3 can bring, you have no reason to buy a DSLR. Instead, consider being EVIL. You might like it.