eK-gadgets info

Nikon introduced their new D3100 entry-level digital SLR. As you might have guessed, the D3100 replaces the popular D3000, offering a higher resolution sensor, faster processing, live view support, a full HD video recording (with continuous AF), and more. So yeah, it’s a pretty big upgrade. Here are its specs:Nikon D3100

• 14.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor
• Supports all Nikkor F-mount lenses with a 1.5X focal length conversion ratio; do note that autofocus is only supported on AF-S lenses
• Expeed 2 image processor
• Compact body (by D-SLR standards) with dust reduction and 100k cycle shutter life
• 3-inch LCD display with live view (and face detection)
• Auto Scene Selector + full manual controls
• ISO range of 100 - 3200, expandable to 12,800
• 11-point AF system
• Quick Shutter Release mode reduces mirror noise
• Guide Mode gives you step-by-side assistance taking photos
• Tons of special effects in “retouch” menu
• Records video at 1920 x 1080 (24 or 30 fps) with sound and full-time autofocus
  • Videos can be trimmed right on the camera
  • H.264 codec is used
• SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card slot
• Uses EN-EL14 li-ion battery; 550 shots per charge
• HDMI output
• Ships in mid-September with the F3.5-5.6, 18 - 55 mm VR lens for $699

The interchangeable lens camera market just got a lot more crowded! Sony has introduced their new “NEX” series of ultra-compact ILCs that use an all new lens mount (Sony E-mount), yet retain compatibility with classic Alpha mount lenses via an optional adapter. The NEX-3 and NEX-5 are almost identical, save for the build quality and movie recording capabilities. Both are very small cameras, though the lenses are a bit bulky, due to the camera’s APS-C sensor (which is 60% larger than a Micro Four Thirds sensor). I had a chance to use both cameras last week, and all I can say is: look out Panasonic and Olympus (and Samsung, I guess) — the NEX twins are very impressive. They have the manual controls of an D-SLR, with quite a few features borrowed from Sony’s compact cameras (Sweep Panorama and Smile Shutter, to name two). And did I mention that it will be able to take 3D panoramas?

NEX-3

• 14.2 Megapixel Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor
• Ultra-compact polycarbonate body comes in silver, black, and red
• Uses new Sony E-mount lenses, with a 1.5x crop factor
  • Three lenses available initially, all of which are made of brushed aluminum, with stainless steel mounts:
    • F2.8, 16 mm pancake lens — supports 12 mm wide-angle and fisheye conversion lenses!
    • F3.5-5.6, 18 - 55 mm zoom lens w/optical image stabilization
    • F3.5-6.3, 18 - 200 mm zoom lens w/optical image stabilization (includes an “active” mode for enhanced shake reduction)
  • Lenses support quiet continuous autofocus and auto exposure for movie recording
  • Backward compatible with classic Alpha-mount lenses via optional LA-EA1 adapter (manual focus only)
• 3-inch articulating LCD display with 921,000 pixels and “TruBlack” technology for better outdoor visibility
• Full time live view with face and smile detection, 25-point contrast detect AF
• Full manual controls, with support for RAW image format; ISO range of 200 - 12,800
• Proprietary shoe on top of camera supports an external flash (GN 7) and optical viewfinder (designed to work with the pancake lens)
• Can take 8 RAW or an unlimited number of JPEGs at 7 frames/second
• Sweep panorama mode can produce 15 or 23 Megapixel panoramas simply by panning the camera from side-to-side; 3D support coming this July via firmware update (requires 3D TV)
• Auto HDR mode combines three exposures into one for better dynamic range; Handheld twilight and anti-motion blur feature combines six exposures into one for blur-free photos
• Records movies at 1280 x 720 (30 fps) with stereo sound using H.264 codec
  • Supports continuous AF, auto exposure, and image stabilization
  • Dedicated movie recording button
• Built-in help guide has 80 context-specific tips and tricks
• Dual memory card slots support Memory Stick Duo and SD/SDHC/SDXC media
• Uses NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery; 330 shots per charge
• HDMI output
• Ships in July for $550 with the 16 mm pancake lens and $600 with the 18 - 55 zoom
  • Lenses will be available separately for $250 (16 mm), $300 (18 - 55), and $800 (18 - 200, ships this fall)

NEX-5  - changes:

• Even sleeker, magnesium alloy body; comes in silver and black
• Records Full HD movies (1920 x 1080 @ 60 interlaced frames/sec) using AVCHD codec
  • Also supports 720p recording using H.264
• Priced at $650 with the pancake lens and $700 with the 18 - 55 zoom

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

The new year starts off with a big announcement from Samsung. They’ve finally announced their new interchangeable lens camera, the NX10, which was first shown in concept form at last year’s PMA. While details are still pretty sparse, here’s what I can tell you about it:Samsung NX10 

• 14.6 Megapixel CMOS sensor
• Mirrorless design (like the Panasonic Lumix G series and the Olympus E-P1) and new NX lens mount allows for a body roughly the size of the Panasonic DMC-G1
• “Ultra-fast” contrast-detect AF performance
• Supersonic Dust Reduction system
• 3-inch AMOLED display (with 614k pixels) offers improved contrast ratio and viewing angle over conventional LCDs
• Electronic viewfinder has 921k pixels and a magnification of 0.86X
• Smart Auto mode plus full manual controls
• “Smart Range” feature promises improved dynamic range
• Built-in flash plus a hot shoe
• Records movies at 1280 x 720 using the H.264 codec
• HDMI output
• Ships this Spring; pricing to be announced

There will initially be three NX lenses available: you’ve got your standard F3.5-5.6, 18 - 55 mm IS and F4.0-5.6, 50 - 200 mm IS kit lenses. An F2.0, 30 mm pancake lens will also be available.

Canon has introduced the new EOS-1D Mark IV professional digital SLR. The Mk IV doesn’t just take photos — it takes HD videos too, at a variety of resolutions and frame rates. Here are the highlights:EOS-1D Mark IV

• 16.1 Megapixel APS-H CMOS sensor
• Supports all Canon EF-mount lenses with a 1.3X crop factor
• Sealed, weather resistant magnesium alloy body ; shutter rated to 300,000 cycles
• Dual DIGIC 4 image processors with 14-bit A/D conversion
• 3-inch LCD display with 920,000 pixels and live view support (with both contrast detect and phase difference AF)
• Optical viewfinder has 0.76X magnification and 100% coverage
• New 45-point AF system, with 39 cross-type focus points; new AI Servo II AF mode improves focusing performance when your subject is moving
• Continuous shooting at up to 10 frames/second (28 RAW, 121 JPEGs when using a UDMA-enabled CF card)
• Full manual controls (obviously)
  • Shutter speed range of 30 - 1/8000 sec, plus bulb mode
  • Standard ISO range of 100 - 12,800, expandable to 50 - 102,400 (!)
  • Three RAW sizes to choose from
• Hot shoe and flash sync port for using an external flash; X-sync speed is 1/300 sec
• Auto Lighting Optimizer improves contrast, Peripheral Illumination Correction reduces vignetting, Highlight Tone Priority protects highlight detail
• Records Full HD video (1920 x 1080) at 24p, 25p, or 30p
  • Can also record 720p or VGA movies at 50p or 60p
  • Full manual control available
  • Records monaural sound, with support for an optional external mic
• Dust reduction system
• Dual memory card slots: CompactFlash Type I/II and SD/SDHC
• HDMI output
• New Wireless File Transmitter (price TBA) supports numerous Wi-Fi protocols, Ethernet, and can be connected to a GPS; User can control up to ten other cameras, access the camera remotely, and more
• Uses LP-E4 lithium-ion battery; 1500 shots per charge using viewfinder
• Ships in late December for $4999 body only