Camera

Sony DSC-QX100 ‘Smart Lens’: Product in search of a purpose

Sony DSC-QX100 Digital Camera Module for SmartphonesFeaturing an excellent 1” sensor and Zeiss f/1.8 zoom lens packed into a solidly-made black metal cylinder, the is a nice piece of hardware. Unfortunately awkward ergonomics and seriously deficient software leave it adrift as more of a curiosity or a niche product than any type of segment-defining breakthrough. Let’s look at what it does right, and wrong, and whether it still might be in your future…

Sony a7R: World-class image quality in a small package rivals Nikon D800

For the last year, the (and especially the ) have reigned as the highest-scoring camera in DxO’s extensive and widely-cited tests. For those willing to carry the moderately large 2.2 pound camera, and shell out $3K to buy one, you get massively sharp, colorful 36MP images. However, the is threatening to knock the off its pedestal…

Nikon Df: Retro design DSLR packed with performance

Nikon’s poorly kept secret of its classicly-lined Df photo-only DSLR is finally out in the open. The , harkening back to Nikon’s flagship “F"-Series” pro SLRs is now available for pre-order, and the specs are head-turning. It isn’t for everyone, but serious street photographers, classic photojournalists, collectors, and hobbyists should take a look.

. If you decide to buy, you can pre-order in either or for $2750, or in or for $3000 from B&H. 

Nikon 5300: Bringing pro-quality images to the consumer DSLR

Nikon has continued to push the envelope of what’s possible with DSLRs, by relentlessly taking technologies – especially sensors – from its more expensive models and using them in less expensive versions. The is a perfect example. Using the excellent, very sharp, 24MP sensor from the and an updated EXPEED 4 processing chip, the is likely to make those looking for amazing images in a small package very happy.

Nikon D600 crushes competition in DxOMark tests: Amazingly in stock for $2099

I am really excited about the as a new, less-expensive, way to get high-performance full-frame images. Mine is arriving tomorrow, and I'll be writing more hands-on when I get it. But in the meantime, I was blown away by the amazing test results achieved by the D600 by the folks over at DxOMark. In their bested not only the Canon 5D Mark III, but Nikon's own D4 for low-light performance and overall image quality...

Nikon D600: Finally a full-frame camera for the rest of us!

Remember when I wrote that I wished Nikon would make a camera with specs similar to the , but at a lower price? well now they have and it sounds awesome. the is a 24mp 5.5t fps monster tucked into a package not much bigger than a . Somehow it also manages to have a 100 percent viewfinder and a pop up flash.

Making Sense out of Sensor Sizes

--by David Cardinal

It has become almost impossible to actually figure out how big a sensor is, or how long a lens is, just by glancing at the specs. For most of the photography industry, for many decades, 35mm was more or less the norm. By definition that meant a standard size film negative, about 35mm by 24mm – corresponding to today’s “full frame” sensors – and a simple measurement of focal length for lenses could be read right of the lens as a result.

Panasonic Lumix 3D1: Two cameras in one – How cool is that?!

There is a lot of hype this month about Lytro and the potential for 3D photography, but for some real excitement, check out the Lumix 3D1. Featuring two fully functional cameras built into one point and shoot the 3D1 allows the simultaneous capture of video and stills, or wide-angle and telephoto images, or of course 2 images separated by enough distance to allow the automatic creation of 3D images from them. Expected to ship in December for $499, this camera will definitely break open a new world of possibilities for traditional point and shooters.

Canon’s New S100: A shirt-pocket camera to drool over!

If you want the ultimate shirt pocket camera, and can stand one in a little bit larger form factor than the ultra-tiny Elph series, Canon has kicked its “S” family up another notch by replacing the excellent S95 with the brand new S100. , it is almost impossible to believe the combination of quality and features in a camera this easy to have with you all the time…

Nikon 1 J1 and Nikon 1 V1 Now Available

The most talked about new Nikons this year, the mirrorless “Nikon 1” family, have finally started to ship. . Or you can get it with . So if you’re a Nikon shooter and have been jealous of the amazing mirrorless cameras from Olympus and Sony, now is your chance to get one that’ll be familiar to you! Mine shipped yesterday, so I’ll be writing more about it over the coming weeks, but if you want to be the first on your block to have this exciting new camera, now is the time.

UPDATE: As of this morning, the J1’s big brother, . (The V1 adds an Electronic Viewfinder and supports an external flash, as well as an upgraded chassis, and a stereo microphone input)

Nikon D3 vs. Nikon D300 -- A comparison for bird photography

Black-necked Stilt, Palo Alto Baylands Nikon D3, 600f/4 + TC1.7, ISO 800I had the pleasure of spending this morning photographing shorebirds with a loaner D3 (courtesy of Nikon) and a D300 (courtesy of my piggybank and Roberts Imaging prompt delivery).

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