Digital Camera Reviews

This camera has a lot going for it; it’s incredibly thin dimensions, for one. With a 13-mm girth, it looks more like a mobile phone than a camera. However, that does nothing to stop it from being a fully loaded clicker. It has most of the usual modes but for a super compact, it also, amazingly, boasts 3D imaging. It has an OLED display panel, which while providing excellent viewing capacity, is a little sticky to work with. While it is reluctant to respond to touch at times, at others it exasperates by doing more than it should. For instance, you tap it to view a picture and it suo motu takes you two pictures back in the album. Also, its battery does not last as much as others do. But the TX55 creates good, clean images. It does live up to its claim to special low-light capabilities. With Full HD video, it is a conveniently tiny gadget to carry around in your pocket.

The Lensbaby Tilt Transformer allows Nikon lenses to be tilted on Micro Four Thirds and Sony NEX cameras. The Tilt Transformer allows photographers to mount any Nikon mount lens onto their Micro Four Thirds or Sony NEX camera and tilt up to twice the amount of standard tilt-shift lenses, delivering photos that have a slice of focus through the image, bordered by a soft. The Composer with Tilt Transformer allows the Lensbaby Optic Swap system to be used. The Tilt Transformer retails for $250 and the Composer with Tilt Transformer retails for $350.

Ricoh has introduced an updated version of its G700 rugged digital camera called the G700SE. Unlike its predecessor, this new version of G700 comes with wireless LAN support, Bluetooth connectivity, as well as a connection for external GPS and laser barcode reader accessories. The camera itself is scheduled to go on sale in the first half of 2011 for 799 Euro (about $1,070).

Hasselblad today unveiled a limited-edition Hasselblad H4D produced in cooperation with Ferrari. Finished in a new Ferrari colour called rosso fuoco, or fire red, the Hasselblad H4D Ferrari Edition has been created in celebration of two of the most iconic European brands, both of which started their career in the 1950s. Limited to just 499 cameras worldwide, this special edition camera was unveiled this morning at the Photokina trade show, and we were there to snap a few pictures of it for you.

No price has been mentioned of course – a Hasselblad Ferrari Edition is destined to be a case of “if you have to ask, it’s not for you…”

Leica has introduced another one of its upcoming superzoom digital camera namely the V-Lux 2. This sleek and compact camera boasts a 14.1-megapixel CMOS image sensor, a 24x optical super-zoom lens, a 3-inch rotating LCD display, a 40MB of internal memory, an SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot, a USB 2.0 port, a mini-HDMI port and 1080p Full HD video recording capabilities. The Leica V-Lux 2 will go on sale in the UK starting next month for 675 GBP (about $1,057).

Leica comes back with their latest product in the form of the M9 Titanium, which was featured at a special event in Cologne. The camera is actually an upgraded version of the semi-professional M9. Constructed from titanium and designed in collaboration with Volkswagen, the camera features a Leather trim, LED-illuminated frame lines, and fingerprint resistant overlays. The company packages the camera with a titanium lens hood, a new handstrap, and a customized holster. A 35mm Summilux F/1.4 prime lens has also been designed specifically for the special edition, using titanium components to match the body. The Leica M9 Titanium edition retails for a hefty €22,000 ($28,730). The company has limited production to only 500 units.

Olympus announce the successor of E3 digital camera. It’s Olympus E5 professional DSLR camera with weather sealed body (splashproof and dustproof magnesium alloy), 12M pixel Live MOS sensor, 3 inch VGA Swivel LCD and TruePic V+ processor to capture more detailed and sharper images.

The E5 camera captures all the action in crisp 720p HD video at 30 frames per second, Zuiko Digital Extra-low Dispersion (ED) lens system, 5fps sequential shooting, ISO 6400 and can shoot 720p HD movies.

The Olympus E-5 DSLR camera is compatible with a range of optional external flashes, including the Olympus FL-36R and FL-50R. It accept both compactflash type I UDMA and SD cards (SDHC/SDXC) and will be availabe on October 2010 with price 1,699 Euro.

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The Fujifilm X100 is a surprise range-finder style camera slated for release in early 2011. Based around a 12.3 megapixel APS-C sensor and 23mm F2 Fujinon lens, the Fuji X100 is just a development announcement at the moment, but one that isn’t too far away from reality. Other key features of the X100 include a Hybrid Viewfinder which toggles between optical and electronic viewfinders, 2.8-inch rear LCD, 5fps continuous shooting and a beautiful retro design and attention to detail. No word yet on availability in the UK, US or indeed anywhere – we’ll hopefully have some hands-on, or maybe behind-glass, shots of the Fujifilm X100 when it makes its public debut at Photokina.

Sigma’s new DP1x will go on sale on September 30th, 2010. As a revised version of its DP1 large-sensor compact camera, the new DP1x features the faster True II processor from the DP2 and a new AF algorithm for faster auto focus. It also shares the revised rear design of the DP2s, with a dedicated ‘QS’ (Quick Set) button and more visible labeling of controls.

The Nikon D7000 is a dust- and moisture-sealed 16.2-megapixel DX-format DSLR camera with a 39-point AF system, 14-bit analogue-to-digital conversion, 6fps continuous shooting, dual memory card slots and Full HD video with full-time autofocus and manual exposure control. The new AF module includes 9 cross-type sensors in the central part of the frame. Photographers can also activate 3D tracking, which continuously follows moving subjects within the 39 AF points, highlighting the activated AF point in the viewfinder – which in turn has 100% frame coverage and 0.94x magnification. Also new is the 2,016-pixel 3D Colour Matrix meter, which Nikon calls “groundbreaking”. The Nikon D7000 has a native ISO range of 100-6400 that can be expanded to ISO 25,600; another first in a Nikon DX camera. The video mode of the D7000 offers variable frame rates of 20, 24 or 30fps at 720p, and cinema-standard 24fps at the 1080p setting. In the US, the Nikon D7000 will be available from mid-October priced at $1199.95 for body only and $1499.95 for body and lens outfit that includes the AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens. In the UK, the body-only price will be £1099.99, while the kit will cost £1299.99.

The Olympus E-5 is actually the successor to the previously released E-3. Designed for extreme photography, this DSLR camera is dustproof and splashproof. The Olympus E5 features a 12.3-megapixel High Speed Live MOS sensor, TruePic V+ engine, a 3-inch VGA Swivel LCD, a 5fps sequential shooting, an IS0 6400, a 720p HD video recording capability and 1/8000th second high-speed shutter speed. The Olympus E-5 will be released in October 2010 for €1,699 ($2,203).

Speedo hits back by launching their newest waterproof digital camera, the Aquashot. This compact camera is able to withstand depths of up to 3 meters deep underwater. Not only that, it also sports a 5-megapixel image sensor, a 4x digital zoom, a 2.4-inch LCD display, a 32MB of internal memory, an SD/SDHC card slot, a rechargeable Lithium Ion battery and 320 x 240p video recording capabilities. The Speedo Aquashot is now available for purchase via Amazon UK for 89 GBP (about $137).

The Sony NEX-3 is Sony’s first mirrorless interchangeable-lens system camera, along with the better-specced NEX-5 model that was launched alongside it. Featuring a 14.2 megapixel Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor, 25-point contrast-detect autofocus system, 49-segment exposure meter and 3-inch tilting LCD panel with 921,000-dot resolution, the NEX-3 certainly seems to have what it takes to compete with the already well-established Micro Four Thirds cameras from Panasonic and Olympus, and the newer Samsung NX series. The plastic bodied NEX-3 can also capture fast-moving action at 7fps, shoot 720p HD (1280 x720) video as MPEG4 files and is supplied with a compact clip-on flash that attaches via an accessory terminal. Lenses can be fitted via the new E mount system, but the NEX cameras can also use regular Sony Alpha lenses via the optional LA-EA1 adapter. In the UK the Sony NEX-3 costs £449 body only, £499 with the 18-55mm f/3.5-6.3 kit lens or £579 with the 18-55mm f/3.5-6.3 and 16mm f/2.8 lenses. In the US the NEX-3 ships with the 18-55mm f/3.5-6.3 kit lens for $599 or the 16mm f/2.8 lens for $549.

The Pentax K-r is a mid-range DSLR camera targeted at digital SLR novices and family users. Featuring a 12.4 megapixel sensor and 6fps continuous shooting, the Pentax Kr has a compact, lightweight body with a stainless-steel chassis, 11-point AF system, ISO 25600, 720p movies, high-resolution 3.0-inch LCD monitor, Shake Reduction mechanism and support for the supplied lithium-ion battery and AA-size batteries. The PENTAX K-r will be available from October 2010 in two kits – the K-r and the 18-55mm DAL lens for £599.99, and the K-r and the 18-55mm DAL and 50-200mm DAL lenses for £699.99.

Check out the newest touchscreen digital camera from Nikon, the Coolpix S80. This ultra-slim camera sports a 14.1-megapixel CCD image sensor, a 5x optical zoom lens, a 3.5-inch touchscreen OLED display, a 79MB of internal memory, an SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot, an HDMI port and 720p HD video recording (30fps) capabilities. The Nikon Coolpix S80 will start shipping this fall for $329.