Friday, August 21, 2009

Canon 7D Parts Photo Leaked?

Canon 7D

Is this an image of the Canon 7D’s top? I don’t know, but it looks like a real something…

What’s different from the 5D Mark II?

  • On/Off Switch in a different location (I think I like this better)
  • Pop-up flash
  • New M-Fn button near the front scroll wheel

Other than that, it looks a lot like the current Canon 5D Mark II.

Sony A380 Review at cameralabs.com

Finally a full review of the sony Alpha A380 is available at cameralabs.com

Click here to see what it's all about.

Hands-on: Canon G11, SX120 IS, SX20 IS, and S980

g11-front

While we were hoping to finally see the new Canon DSLR cameras, we were treated to a slew of new point-and-shoots that target specific camera users and that each show off uniqueness and individuality. The rundown includes the G11, SX20, SX110, S980 and S940. Though my hands-on time with each was very brief, here are my experiences.

Canon G11

The G11 is Canon’s new flagship point-and-shoot. It seems to share a lot in common with its highly raved about predecessor, the G10. The newer version has less megapixels than the predecessor to deliver cleaner images. New to the camera is a 2.8-inch vari-angle PureColor System LCD, new to the G-series, allowing for easier on-camera previewing and reviewing of images from nearly every angle, while still incorporating the optical viewfinder found on previous models. Because of this, the G10 may become a favorite of users who go to concerts often and want a camera that’s small with a decent zoom (5x Optical), can deliver cleaner images and will allow you to compose your shots easier. As with before, you can use a host of optional accessories, including Speedlite flashes, an underwater housing and a tele-converter lens to provide further photographic flexibility. Coupling all this with the option of RAW shooting will make this a very nice compliment to your 50D or 5D Mk II if you use flash often. Otherwise, you may want to go grab the S90.

g11-back

Scheduled to be available in October, the PowerShot G11 Digital Camera retails for an estimated price of $499.99.

SX120 IS

sx20is-front

The SX120 IS is the camera that students, travelers looking for a small camera that can zoom in (10x Optical), and enthusiasts looking for a camera with the option of manual controls may want to get their hands on. It seems almost identical to the SX110 IS, which I helped train someone on and that precedes this camera. People that aren’t tech savvy may enjoy this camera but may say that it’s still a bit too bulky for their liking. If you’re looking for something to throw around in your bag with a large zoom and can give you great manual control over your pictures, get this one.

Scheduled to be available in September, the PowerShot SX120 IS Digital Camera retails for an estimated price of $249.99. That’s not a terrible price at all for the camera.

Canon SX20 IS

sx120-is-front

The SX20 IS is the camera shown off today that looks like a DSLR and feels like one as well. As a shooter of an ancestor of this camera (the S5 IS) I can gladly say that this camera handles better as well as is much more feature packed than what we may expect only two years down the line. The SX20 IS has a 10.0MP sensor with a 20x Optical Zoom lens and Optical Image Stabilization helps to ensure images will be clear and how they were meant to be captured. Tourists and travelers may really enjoy the large 3.0-inch LCD that rotates for ease of composition. For the less tech savvy, there is an “Easy Mode” to make picture taking a snap! If you’re interested in this one, get your hands on some LiIon rechargeable AA batteries for easy power-up and replacement. However, like it’s predecessors it only shoots Standard Definition video–which shouldn’t be a problem for people that don’t care much about video at all.

Canon SD980

s980-front

The PowerShot SD980 and SD940 (the latter I didn’t get a chance to try) are both ELPH series cameras that are meant more for the fashionista types out there. The S980 has a nice touchscreen with gestures like the iPhone. Remember a little while back when we talked about the tap-to-focus feature that the Apple iPhone 3GS had? Well that feature is in this now. If you’re composing your shot, you can tap on the screen and the camera will be able to focus on that spot immediately. In playback mode, the camera allows for gestures.

s980-back

Slide your finger from right to left or left to right and you’ll be able to scroll through your images. Slide your finger down on the 3 inch touch panel and you’ll be able to erase the image. There are other gestures as well and the S980 is a much better take on other touchscreen cameras that I’ve seen out there. What would have been really nice would have been the addition of GPS, WiFi, etc. Either way, users will really enough the 720p HD video shooting capabilities plus HDMI output connector, a 5x Optical Zoom lens with an ultra-wide 24mm lens, plus Optical Image Stabilization, and the variety of colors it comes in.

Scheduled to be available in October, the PowerShot SD980 IS Digital ELPH Camera retails for an estimated price of $329.99.

Canon G11 Hands on review by whatdigitalcamera.com

Canon S-90 Hands on Review by Whatdigitalcamera.com

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

iPhone 3G S No. 1 Handset in Japan

Many analysts and industry watchers had thought Apple would struggle in Japan when it launched the iPhone there. Indeed the reactions have been somewhat mixed with some Japanese seeming a bit underwhelmed with the iPhone despite its popularity in the rest of the world. However, new figures show that far from being a flop the iPhone 3G S was the biggest selling handset in Japan in July. In the top ten list of best selling handsets the 16 GB 3G S also made an appearance at number 9. It's quite a coup for Apple to have done so well in what is arguably the most advanced mobile amrket in the world and where the competition brings a lot of advanced features and services to bear. The full top ten is below:



Apple iPhone 3GS 32GB (Softbank)
Sharp SH-06A (Docomo)
Panasonic 830P (Softbank)
Sharp SH-05A (Docomo)
NEC N-08A (Docomo)
Sony-Ericsson Premier3 (au)
Sharp SH-02A (Docomo)
Casio W63CA (au)
Apple iPhone 3GS 16 GB (Softbank)
Sharp SH001 (au)

Source Mobile-review.com

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Microsoft To Ditch 'Windows Mobile' Brandname

Windows Mobile is not long for this world it seems ... well the name isn't at any rate. Microsoft are reportedly set to ditch the brand name 'Windows Mobile' in favour of a new brand 'Windows Phone'. The change in naming convention will apply to iterations of Windows Mobile from 6.1 onwards. For their part Microsoft are saying that the change will help consumers because they think that customers are apparently confused by the different version numbers of Windows Mobile. Instead all customers will need to know is that their handset is running 'Windows Phone OS'. Some might think that Microsoft's reason for the name change is a bit flimsy, but it does have practical benefits in streamlining how the OS is viewed as well as perhaps drawing a little more attention to it in the short-term.


The Inquirer, the source of the name change speculation, is also rep orting that Microsoft are set to release a new video of their latest mobile OS this Friday i.e. tomorrow. Whilst there has been no official word on an updated video there is still time for such an announcement to be made if indeed one has to be made at all. A new video will be eagerly anticipated by industry watchers and customers alike to see how far Microsoft has progressed given the highly competitive nature of the mobile OS scene in recent times.

Istock

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