Archive for Gear

Canon announces Powershot S95 compact digital camera

Canon announced the release of the Powershot S95 today. This is an updated version of the excellent Powershot S90 compact digital camera released last year. Read my S90 mini review here.

Here is a short list of new features of the S95 compared to the S90:

- 720p HD video (1280 x 720 pixels @ 24 frames per second) .
- Mini HDMI connector to connect directly to High Definition TV Monitor.
- Hybrid IS (Improved Image Stabilization technology).
- Multiple new shooting modes including a High Dynamic Range mode.

Visit the Canon website for full details: click here

Canon PowerShot S90 mini review

I had the chance to spend a few days in PEI last weekend and took the opportunity to take a few photos. I was traveling light so I only brought my Canon PowerShot S90 point and shoot camera.

Canon PowerShot S90

Canon PowerShot S90

A few words on the PowerShot S90; I really like this little camera. While many photographers rave about the Canon Gxx series of cameras, I find that they are compact but not truly pocket cameras as the S90 is.

Here are some of the nice features of the Canon PowerShot S90:

  • Same over-sized low light sensitivity 10.0 Megapixel sensor coupled with Digic 4 image processor as the Canon G11!
  • Raw file support which is rare for such a small compact camera.
  • f/2.0-4.9 28-105mm equivalent Image Stabilized lens
  • Programmable Control ring which allows quick control of programmed feature which can allow you to control one of Aperture, ISO, Exposure Compensation, White Balance, Manual Focus, Lens zoom step
  • Advanced features such as: AEB (Auto Exposure Bracketing), FEB (Flash Exposure Bracketing), Exposure Compensation, Flash Exposure Compensation,P + Tv + Av + M modes,
  • 3.94 x 2.30 x 1.22 inches (100.0 x 58.4 x 30.9mm), Approx. 6.17 oz (175g) camera body only
  • Being a small compact camera it is expectedly not fast enough to shoot action, flash is not powerful, etc.

    The only feature that I am disappointed with is the macro focusing abilities which keeps hunting for focus.

    Overall I would highly recommend this camera for someone wanting a true pocket camera with advanced features. It won’t give you the photo quality of a DSLR, but because you can carry it in your pocket at all times, it will allow you to get some shots you would otherwise miss! This is the ideal bring everywhere pocket camera for times you are not bringing along your camera bag with DSLR and lenses with you.

    Here are a few sample pictures taken with the PowerShot S90 and some Photoshop/ACR processing descriptions. Unless indicated otherwise all photos captured at ISO 80:
    Read more

    Canon EOS 7D Links

    Canon EOS 7D

    Canon EOS 7D

    On September 1st 2009, Canon announced it’s latest APS-C (1.6x Crop Factor) digital SLR camera. This camera delivers more powerful features than the latest in the X0D series (Canon 50D), thus the reason for a new name and a higher price tag (MSRP 1699$US Body Only). This model will be the direct competition for the Nikon D300S. The 7D will be available at the end of September. Read more

    Canon Announces two new Tilt-Shift Lenses – TS-E 17mm and 24mm

    Canon TS-E 17mm Tilt Shift lens

    Today Canon announced the introduction of new Tilt-Shift lenses to it’s lineup. The TS-E 17mm f/4L and the TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II.
    These lenses will be available in April 2009, the TS-E 17mm will sell for $2499 and the TS-E 24mm for US$2199. Read more

    PocketWizard FlexTT5 and Mini TT1 expands flexibility of Canon flash system

    Pocket Wizard FlexTT5

    Two very exiting new controllers were released today by PocketWizard. The FlexTT5 and MiniTT1 support the full functionality of Canon’s E-TTLII flash system including Master/Slave and ratio control (with some restrictions). The controllers will be available in March 2009 for Canon system. Nikon system support to be made available in the second quarter of 2009. Price around US$199 for the MiniTT1 and US$219 for the FlexTT5.
    Read more

    Canon releases the EOS 5D MarkII

    The long awaited Canon EOS 5D replacement was announced prior to Photokina 2008 on September 17th. Three years after the 5D, we have the 5D MarkII.

    Here’s a short feature comparison chart between the two cameras.


    Feature
    5D MarkII
    5D
    Sensor (full size)
    21.1 MP
    12.7MP
    Image Processor
    Digic 4
    Digic 2
    A/D Conversion
    14 bit
    12 bit
    LCD Monitor
    3.0 in 920000 pix
    2.5 in 230000 pix
    Drive
    3.9 fps
    3.0
    ISO Range
    50-25600
    50-3200

    Among the new features on the 5D MarkII are (Quoted from Canon USA website):

    Highest ISO Range to Date.
    21.1 Megapixel Full-frame CMOS sensor, 14-bit A/D conversion (16,384 colors/each of 3 primary color), wide range ISO setting of 100-6400 (expandable L: 50, H1: 12800 and H2: 25600).
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    State-of-the-Art Image Processing with Power and Speed.
    Next generation DIGIC 4 Image Processor for faster processing of fine detail and color reproduction as well as reduced image noise.
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    The EOS 5D Mark II’s sensor is backed up by Canon’s DIGIC 4 Image Processor, which speeds up all operations making a number of new features possible. Processor intensive operations like Face Detection Live mode, HD video recording and lighting and lens peripheral optimization are all possible thanks to the DIGIC 4 Image Processor. The EOS 5D Mark II also offers full 14-bit A/D conversion. The analog output from the image sensor is converted into a digital signal via 14-bit conversion instead of the previously used 12-bit conversion, resulting in significantly finer tonal gradation for better prints.

    HD Video Shooting with Live View Function.
    Full HD Video capture at 1920 x 1080 resolution for up to 4GB per clip with HDMI output for HD viewing of stills and video.

    Lens Peripheral Illumination Correction
    Canon’s exclusive Lens Peripheral Illumination Correction takes into account any light falloff in the corners of the frame and corrects it, making for a perfectly exposed image. Correction data are detected automatically on a number of Canon lenses and can be entered manually through included Canon EOS Utility software.

    You can get more information at:
    Canon USA
    DPReview release announcement
    DPReview hands on preview
    Dpreview sample gallery
    Sample ‘Reverie’ video clips from Vincent Laforet

    Resource for Canon camera eqipment lineup

    I came across this site today which I think is a great resource for Canon Digital SLR equipment. You can find reviews on Canon Digital SLR, Canon, Tamron, Sigma Canon compatible lenses, Canon flashes and more. The site is a great reference for anyone looking for information on Canon Digital SLR systems, check it out at The-Digital-Picture.com

    Canon 40D review from dpreview.com

    The Canon 40D is one of many advanced amateur Digital SLRs to be announced/released in the past few months. The 10MP Canon 40D will be competing with the Sony Alpha A700 and the Nikon D300, both 12MP cameras. You can read a full review for the Canon 40D at dpreview.com.