About.com Digital Cameras

Canon EOS 7D DSLR Now Available

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:45:19 +0000

Those looking for a mid-range DSLR camera heading into the holiday season will want to consider an interesting candidate from Canon that's now available in stores: The EOS 7D.

This Canon model has an 18-megapixel CMOS sensor sporting the latest technologies, including a 19-point autofocus system, high-end ISO settings (100 to 6,400) for low-light photography, full HD video capture at up to 30 frames per second, and a built-in dual-axis electronic level.

The EOS 7D starts at about $1,700 for the body only. (Compare Prices) Several accessories are available for the EOS 7D, too, including a wireless file transmitter (the WFT-E5A for about $700), which allows for remote photography, controlled over a laptop or smart phone. (Compare Prices)

Photo courtesy Canon

Canon EOS 7D DSLR Now Available originally appeared on About.com Digital Cameras on Wednesday, November 25th, 2009 at 16:45:19.

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Find the Best Cameras for Under $400

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:20:20 +0000

My recently published list of the best intermediate cameras for under $400 contains a nice mixture of models.

You'll find the very cool DualView TL225 from Samsung (pictured here), which offers LCD screens on both the front and the back of the camera. The Olympus Stylus Tough 8000 made the list, because it operates well in tough environmental conditions.

In addition, a few fixed-lens cameras fit in this price range, including the Nikon Coolpix P90, which carries a 24X optical zoom lens.

If you're looking to give a camera as a gift this holiday season, take a few minutes to look through all of my recently updated lists of the best cameras as various price points. You're sure to find a camera that will meet your needs as well as your budget.

Photo courtesy Samsung

Find the Best Cameras for Under $400 originally appeared on About.com Digital Cameras on Sunday, November 22nd, 2009 at 18:20:20.

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Nikon D5000 Wins DIWA Award

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:47:21 +0000

The D5000 DSLR camera from Nikon has received rave reviews throughout 2009. I sure appreciated this model when I had a chance to post a D5000 review recently.

Add another favorable mark in the D5000's column.

The Digital Imaging Websites Association (DIWA) recently selected the D5000 as a winner of its DIWA Gold Award, thanks to what DIWA called "superior image quality, innovative functionality, and user friendliness." DIWA is a collaboration of product testing and review Web sites based in the United States and Europe, and it was established in 2003. Products that undergo testing and achieve the highest scores receive the Gold Award.

The D5000 made my 2009 camera holiday gift guide as a great DSLR gift option. Look for the D5000 to start at about $600 for the body only. Kits with interchangeable lenses start at about $750. (Compare Prices)

Photo courtesy Nikon

Nikon D5000 Wins DIWA Award originally appeared on About.com Digital Cameras on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 14:47:21.

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New Casio Camera Is Tough, Looks Good

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:40:22 +0000

Don't let the Casio Exilim EX-G1 point and shoot camera's sleek looks fool you: The EX-G1 can handle rough photography environments, no matter how good it looks.

In introducing the EX-G1 today, Casio is also announcing a new line of "G" brand digital cameras, which Casio says will fit into an "endurance category" of cameras. Casio has a history with developing tough pieces of consumer electronics, such as watches and mobile phones, with the "G" designation.

The EX-G1 measures only 0.78 inches in thickness and is available in red (shown here) and black. It includes a shock-resistant technology that has shown in Casio testing to protect the camera from falls up to 7 feet. The EX-G1 can be used under up to 10 feet of water for up to an hour as well.

Look for the EX-G1 in stores in December for a price of about $300. It should provide a unique mix of style and toughness.

Photo courtesy Casio

New Casio Camera Is Tough, Looks Good originally appeared on About.com Digital Cameras on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 14:40:22.

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Olympus Stylus 7010 Review Posted

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:25:32 +0000

A few years ago, the thought of finding a camera for less than $200 with a large resolution and zoom lens would've been a futile prospect.

It still isn't an everyday occurrence, but, as my review of the Olympus Stylus 7010 shows, sub-$200 cameras with high-end features are easier to find now. The Stylus 7010's 7X optical zoom lens is a very nice feature for a camera in this price range, as is the camera's 12 megapixels of resolution.

The Stylus 7010 has a few drawbacks, and a few of its features are a little confusing to use, but it's tough to argue with its sub-$200 price tag. (Compare Prices) It's a good-looking camera available in numerous colors that would make an affordable holiday gift.

Photo courtesy Olympus

Olympus Stylus 7010 Review Posted originally appeared on About.com Digital Cameras on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 11:25:32.

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Small Ricoh GXR DSLR Camera Features New System

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 12:08:53 +0000

Ricoh doesn't typically offer cameras in the United States, so it needs to make a splash when it does. The small Ricoh GXR DSLR camera should do exactly that.

Rather than make use of interchangeable lenses, as most DSLR cameras use, the GXR uses a modular lens/sensor combination that is interchangeable. As shown here, the front module (in the lower right of the photo) containing the lens and sensor slides away from the camera body. The GXR camera is small for a DSLR, measuring about 4.48 by 2.76 by 1.14 inches.

By combining the lens and image sensor, Ricoh ensures that they are optimized to work together, which should result in better image quality. A long, large lens is not needed for telephoto photography with the GXR because the sensor can be optimized to work with a telephoto lens of a smaller size. In addition, dust should not be a problem with this modular configuration, versus the traditional DSLR/interchangeable lens configuration.

Look for the GXR to appear in the U.S. in December. The camera body should cost around $550, while the modular units will cost around $450-$550 apiece.

Photo courtesy Ricoh

Small Ricoh GXR DSLR Camera Features New System originally appeared on About.com Digital Cameras on Saturday, November 14th, 2009 at 12:08:53.

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Samsung SL820 Review Posted

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:07:44 +0000

Samsung might not be among the first few companies that comes to mind when you start thinking about digital camera manufacturers.

However, if Samsung continues turning out point and shoot models as good as the ones they've released lately, it won't take long for the company to jump onto the short list of the top camera makers.

Samsung recently released another strong contender, as my Samsung SL820 digital camera review shows. There's a lot to like about the SL820, including its strong response times, outstanding image quality, and price tag (about $249-$299, Compare Prices). For beginning photographers, Samsung's latest cameras consistently are among the easiest to use, thanks to a sensible menu structure.

In addition to the strong SL820, Samsung's DualView TL225 is the best "wow" camera for the holiday season, and both cameras made my list of the top cameras under $300. The SL420 digital camera is a great low-priced option, too.

Photo courtesy Samsung

Samsung SL820 Review Posted originally appeared on About.com Digital Cameras on Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at 15:07:44.

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Camera Accessory Buying Guide Updated

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:39:17 +0000

If you have a photographer on your holiday gift list, but purchasing a digital camera as a gift seems like overkill, digital camera accessories are a great second option.

I recently updated my Digital Camera Accessory Buying Guide for the 2009 holiday season with a dozen gift ideas for camera and photo accessories. Hopefully you can find some good gift options!

Camera Accessory Buying Guide Updated originally appeared on About.com Digital Cameras on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 at 16:39:17.

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Olympus Announces New PEN DSLR Camera

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:40:32 +0000

If you like the cool, retro design of the PEN E-P1 DSLR camera from Olympus, you now have a second, more powerful retro-looking option: The PEN E-P2.

The PEN series of digital cameras borrows its design from the traditional PEN film cameras. The PEN E-P2 (pictured here) will include 12.3 megapixels of resolution, HD video options, stereo linear PCM audio recording, and eight in-camera art filters.

Look for the PEN E-P2 to be available in December with a price of about $1,100, which includes the camera body and a starter lens. With its advanced features, it is slightly more expensive than the PEN E-P1, which you probably can find for about $800-$900 with a starter lens. (Compare Prices)

Photo courtesy Olympus

Olympus Announces New PEN DSLR Camera originally appeared on About.com Digital Cameras on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 16:40:32.

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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T90 Review Posted

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:39:15 +0000

If stylish design and great looks are important in your next choice of a digital camera, you'll want to strongly consider Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-T90. It has a touch screen LCD, a small size, and a very interesting design.

However, before purchasing this camera, be sure to read through my Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T90 review, because some of this camera's photography features might not meet the needs of all beginning photographers.

Still, the DSC-T90 is more than good enough to be one of the best cameras for under $300. It's one of those cameras where the outstanding design features make up for the minor shortcomings in its photography features.

Photo courtesy Sony

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T90 Review Posted originally appeared on About.com Digital Cameras on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 00:39:15.

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