eK-gadgets info

The entry-level model is the DMC-G10, while the fancier model is known as the DMC-G2. Both bring notable improvements to the G1 (which was the first Micro Four Thirds camera), including a new image processor, enhancements in image sharpening, easier access to the Intelligent Auto Mode, 720p video recording, and — in the case of the DMC-G2 — a touchscreen LCD display. Both cameras will be bundled with a new, lighter 14 - 42 mm kit lens.I’ll start with the entry-level DMC-G10, and then tell you about what makes the G2 different (and thus more expensive). Here we go:

Lumix DMC-G10

• 12.1 effective Megapixel Live MOS sensor
• New Venus Engine HD II processor brings Intelligent Resolution (sharpening) feature
• Uses Micro Four Thirds lens mount, with 2X focal length conversion ratio
  • Backward compatible with classic Four Thirds lenses via optional adapter; adapters for nearly every other lens format also available
• 3-inch LCD display with 460,000 pixels and 100% coverage
• Electronic viewfinder with 202,000 pixels, 100% coverage, and a magnification of 1.04X
• Live view with super-fast contrast detect AF
• Full manual controls, with ISO range of 100 - 6400; RAW image format supported
• Intelligent Auto mode (now easier to access with a backlit button on the top of the camera) selects a scene mode, detects and recognizes faces, reduces blur, tracks movement, brightens shadows, and more
• Twenty-six scene modes to choose from
• Continuous shooting at up to 3.2 frames/second
• Dust reduction system
• Hot shoe for external flash
• Records movies at 1280 x 720 (30 fps) using M-JPEG codec
  • Camera can focus continuously with most Micro Four Thirds lenses
• SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot
• HDMI output
• Uses DMW-BLB13 lithium-ion battery; 380 shots per charge with kit lens
• Ship date and price to be announced

Lumix DMC-G2 - changes:

• Flip-out, rotating 3-inch touchscreen LCD display with 460,000 pixels
  • Touchscreen features include customizable on-screen menus, touch focus and shutter, and iPhone-style image playback; I had the chance to try it out at CES and while it’s well-implemented, it seems like more of a novelty than anything (thankfully, everything can still be operated with the four-way controller and command dial)
• Electronic viewfinder has 1.44 million pixels and magnification of 1.4X (same as on the original G1); eye sensor detects when EVF is in use
• Records movies at 1280 x 720 (files play at 60 fps, sensor outputs 30 fps) using AVCHD Lite codec
  • Unlimited recording time when using AVCHD Lite, except in Europe
  • Dedicated movie recording button
  • Records monaural sound, though an optional stereo mic is available
• 360 shots per charge
• Available in black, blue, and red
• Ship date, price TBA

As I mentioned, there’s a new kit lens that goes with both of these cameras. The new F3.5-5.6, 14 - 42 mm Lumix G Vario lens is lightweight, and is equivalent to 28 - 84 mm when attached to either of the cameras above. It also supports Panasonic’s MEGA OIS (optical image stabilization) to reduce the risk of blurry photos. No word on if this lens will be available separately.

Cyber-shot DSC-H55 €

• 14.1 Megapixel CCD
• F3.5-5.5, 10X optical zoom Sony G lens, equivalent to 25 - 250 mm
• Optical image stabilization, with “active mode” for situations with lots of camera shake
• 3-inch LCD with 230,400 pixels
• Limited manual controls, plus iAuto mode
• Sweep panorama mode (not quite as sophisticated as the one on the HX5V)
• Face, smile, and blink detection, with self-portrait timer
• Records movies at 1280 x 720 (30 fps) using MPEG-4 codec
• 45MB onboard memory + MS Duo / SD / SDHC card slot
• Uses NP-BG1/FG1 li-ion batteries, 310 shots per charge
• Comes in silver and black
• Ships in April for $250

EOS Rebel T2i / X4
Known as the EOS-550D in some countries

• 18.0 Megapixel CMOS sensor (adapted from the 7D)
• Same basic design as Rebel T1i, with a few new buttons
• Supports both EF and EF-S lenses with a 1.6X focal length conversion ratio
• DIGIC 4 processor
• 3-inch LCD display with 1.04 million pixels (!) and a 3:2 aspect ratio
  • Live view with contrast detect AF and face detection
• Full manual controls, with an ISO range of 100 - 6400, expandable to 12,800
• 9-point autofocus and 63-zone metering
• Exposure compensation range expanded to ±5 EV
• Can take 6 RAW or 34 JPEGs at 3.7 frames/second
• Records movies at Full HD (1920 x 1080) with sound
  • Available resolutions include 1080p24/25/30, 720p50/60, and 480p50/60; max recording time per clip of 12, 18, and 24 minutes, respectively
  • Full manual control available
  • External microphone input
  • New “movie crop” feature (only available at VGA resolution) gives you an 7X boost in zoom with no loss in video quality
• Optional battery grip, wireless remote (both are new models)
• SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card slot
• HDMI output; now supports HDMI control from a compatible HDTV
• Uses new LP-E8 lithium-ion battery, 470 shots per charge
• Available in early March for t $799 body only, or $899 with an 18 - 55 mm EF-S lens

Nikon has introduced a number of compact cameras, and I’ll begin with the Coolpix P100 super zoom. This camera sports a 26X optical zoom, a 10 Megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor, Full HD movie recording, and a high resolution LCD display. Here’s more:

Coolpix P100 

• 10.3 Megapixel, back-illuminated CMOS sensor, which promises better low light photos than traditional CCDs
• F2.8-5.0, 26X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 26 - 678 mm
• Sensor-shift image stabilization
• 3-inch tilting LCD display with 460,000 pixels (nice) + electronic viewfinder
• Full manual controls
• Continuous shooting at 10 frames/second at full resolution; can shoot even faster at lower resolutions
• Smart Portrait system combines face detection, auto redeye removal, skin softening, smile detection, and blink warning
• In-camera HDR feature combines several exposures into a single photo with high dynamic range; Night Landscape feature works in a similar way, combining several photos into a single one, to reduce noise levels
• Records Full HD movies — that’s 1920 x 1080, presumably at 30 frames/second — with stereo sound; while optical zoom can be used during recording, image stabilization is electronic only
• 43MB onboard memory + SD/SDHC card slot
• HDMI output
• Uses EN-EL5 lithium-ion battery; 250 shots per charge
• Ships in March for $399

Coolpix S3000 

• 12.0 Megapixel CCD
• F3.2-5.9, 4X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 27 - 108 mm
• 2.7″ LCD display with 230,000 pixels
• Ultra-compact body comes in silver, black, orange, green, plum, and blue
• Point-and-shoot operation, with Scene Auto Selector mode
• Same Smart Portrait system as P100 above
• VGA movie mode with sound
• 47MB onboard memory + SD/SDHC card slot
• Uses EN-EL10 li-ion battery, 220 shots per charge; supports charging over USB connection
• Ships in March for $149

Coolpix S4000 

• 3-inch touchscreen LCD with 460,000 pixels
• Touch controls include “touch shutter”, white balance adjustment, touch focus with subject tracking, and iPhone-like image playback
• Records movies at 1280 x 720 (30 fps) with sound using H.264 codec (I think)
• 45MB onboard memory
• 190 shots per charge using EN-EL10 battery
• Comes in plum, champagne silver, pink, red, and black
• Priced at $199

Coolpix S6000 

• 14.2 Megapixel CCD
• F3.7-5.6, 7X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 28 - 196 mm
• Optical image stabilization
• 2.7″ conventional LCD with 230,000 pixels
• Starts up in just 0.75 seconds
• Records sound in stereo in movie mode (still 720p)
• HDMI output
• 32MB onboard memory
• Uses EN-EL12 li-ion battery, 210 shots per charge
• Comes in champagne silver, black, red, and bronze
• Priced at $249

Coolpix S8000 

• F3.5-5.6, 10X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 30 - 300 mm
• 3-inch LCD display with 921,000 pixels
• “Creative Slider” lets user easily adjust brightness, saturation, and color tone using the control wheel
• Comes in black, red, bronze, and champagne silver
• Ships this month for $299