Digital Camera Technology

A Japanese company that specializes in all sorts of optical products, Canon has also established its reputation in photocopiers and computer printers.  It’s no surprise that they also sell specialized printers for some of their cameras.  But in professional photography, the Canon is well respected for the Canon Digital Rebel products: DSLR juggernauts that sell for a price that is shockingly fair.

DSLR

A DSLR camera (or Digital Single-lens Reflex Camera) works much in the same way in optical and mechanical standards as a modern SLR.  The difference, of course, is that this kind of camera does not use film.  It is replaced with a CCD or an image sensor (a measure in mega pixels).  This dismisses the need for any chemical developing and yet you can get the same quality as you would from a camera using film, which is said to be much better than a digital camera reproduction.  The Canon Digital Rebel products have stood against the notion that only film can produce great pictures.  Truly, the product stands for the word it is named after.

The Canon Digital Rebel 400D

The Canon Digital Rebel is only fondly called that by most North American manufacturers and resellers but its real name is the Canon EOS.  The latest offering from Canon comes in the form of the Canon EOS 400D.  In North America it is referred to as the Digital Rebel XTi and in Japan the EOS Kiss Digital X.  But beyond all the names, the EOS 400D stands to be one of the most powerful DSLR’s in the market; and easily the most popular with a price tag of only approximately $800.  A successor to the ever-popular 350D, the 400D packs a 10.1 mega pixel sensor, a larger buffer for continuous shooting, an image sensor vibrating cleaning system, a 9-point auto focus system that is much more improved in this model, and a larger viewing angle screen.  The cameras also has a bigger grip for better handling.  About the only problem that can be fixed with simple solutions (like covering or exposing the viewfinder to light) is that the 400D will tend to underexpose depending on light availability.  The 350D, on the other hand, had the tendency to overexpose.

Upgrading

The Canon Digital Rebel 400D is not a camera that can be messed around with.  It isn’t the typical point and shoot camera and there are different settings that you have to adhere to so that you can get the best possible results from the pictures you take.  Put simply, if you are ready to go professional, then this is the camera that you can drop your point and shoot camera for.  The 400D is compatible with many of the lenses that Canon also manufacturers and sells.

You will most probably end up buying the body only so you may have to save more money for all sorts of lenses.  This, of course, is the drawback that any professional photographer has to experience.  But the results are worth every penny and you can make all the money back if you choose photography to be a profession.

Digital cameras are changing the way we look at the world.  Anybody can take a picture, transfer it, delete it, and then take another picture with these new gadgets that hit the market every day.  But what separates the normal digital cameras from the ones that really do a great job in all aspects is the amount of zoom that’s possible.  Mind you, we’re talking about optical zoom; not digital zoom that loses quality the farther it goes.  So let’s take a look at these extended zoom cameras that seem to be taking the spotlight in every outdoor person’s photography experience.

Sony DSC-H7

Extended zoom cameras are known for their one feature; their zoom barrel.  The DSC-H7 (Sony CyberShot H7) is one of the most popular extended zoom cameras out in the market since the H5, its predecessor.  Boasting a 15x optical zoom, it has the second longest zoom range in the digital camera market.  It also features an 8.1 mega pixel sensor so quality is not sacrificed much halfway through the digital zoom of which it has 30x.  Beyond that, and you can expect pixilation and all sorts of artifacts.  Of course, these can all be taken care of with a little editing on the computer.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50

The extended zoom cameras that Panasonic develops are some of the well-respected.  Fairly priced, you will want to get your hands on the Lumix DMC-FZ50, which not only looks gorgeous in black, but also sports a gorgeous zoom barrel that promises 12x optical zoom.  The Lumix also plays it safe in the extended zoom cameras category, as it only provides 4x digital zoom, unlike the Sony H7.  This is just as well since digital zoom will only stand to ruin an image further.  With the much lauded OIS technology that Panasonic has built into the Lumix to reduce shake, this makes for one outdoor camera that stands firmly against its competitors.

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon is never to be one to be outdone by its competition.  Their extended zoom cameras are beautifully designed and yet built for the outdoors.  The PowerShot S3 IS is their latest extended zoom offering; sleek and built with a black metal and grey paintjob, this camera is definitely one that you can literally throw in the bag.  With a 6 mega pixel sensor and a 12x optical zoom, the PowerShot S3 IS is a camera that is practical in form and function; and it doesn’t sacrifice any detail.  With a strong video mode, the camera seems to even be built to go against any standard video recorder.  Now this is a camera that is meant to be experienced.

Olympus Stylus 550UZ

The most wanted adventure camera comes in the form of an 18x optical zoom, super-telephoto lens, 7.1 mega pixel monster; and this is exactly what Olympus has built for the outdoors consumer.  With sensor-shift and digital image stabilization, the Olympus is in a class of its own.  The most powerful of present extended zoom cameras, the Stylus 550UZ means business and pushes the limits of photography pleasure.

Some of the most popular cameras are not as popular as you may think.  Perhaps you’ve seen people walking by with DSLR’s in tow, some of them flashing brands like Sony or Nikon.  But it’s not the kind of camera or the brand that makes the camera.  Take Canon, for example; they are a known camera brand but it’s not always their high-end cameras that take the limelight.  In fact, it’s their simpler and more functional products that take center stage.  In this case: the Canon A640.

Features

The Canon A640 is the one of the latest offerings from Canon’s PowerShot series and is one that is likely to stay for about a year longer.  Sales of the product have determined its popularity.  Maybe the answer lies in some of the features that the Canon A640 has.  The Canon A640 sports a high resolution, 10.0 mega pixel CCD.  It has a high quality 4x Optical Zoom lens, an optical viewfinder and a 2.5 inch various-angle (Vari Angle) LCD screen.

Inside

The Canon A640 is equipped with a 9-point AiAF Smart auto focus system that includes 21 shooting modes.  For those who aren’t sure what this means, standard shooting modes include Full Auto, Program, Shutter-priority, Manual, Custom, etc.  And then there are the additional modes like Portrait, Night Scene, Landscape, etc.  The Canon A640 is also capable of recording in movie mode with sound that is capture by a built in microphone.  If you use a 4GB SD memory card (sold separately), you can record up to 36 minutes of high quality movies.  In terms of zoom technology, the camera also boasts a Safety zoom feature that allows you to explore zoom levels even on digital zoom without losing quality of the image that you capture.  Canon has also made sure to install a DIGIC II (Digital Imaging Integrated Circuit) image processor.  Consumers who buy the Canon A640 are assured longer battery life, smooth operation, accurate reproduction, and high image quality because of the presence of the DIGIC chip.

Vari Angle

The LCD display is one of the best features of the Canon A640.  The Vari Angle (or various angle) feature allows you to see what you are capturing on the screen whether you are raising the camera high above your head or taking shots from below your knee.  The color 2.5 inch LCD screen is designed in such a way that you will still see images very clearly even at these extreme angles.  With the LCD screen on when taking shots, a consumer will probably be able to take about 500 shots before the batteries die out.  Of course, this is all thanks again to the DIGIC chip that allows for less power consumption.

The Canon A640 is sold with a USB cable, audio and video cable (which you probably won’t use much since it also has a built in speaker so you can review videos on the spot), a wrist strap, 16MB MMC card, AA size batteries (it’s recommended that you buy NiMH rechargeable batteries for longer usage), and Canon’s own software that you can use for transferring and editing your pictures with on your computer.

Once known as the Asahi Optical Company, Pentax Corporation is known for its lens products and they used to supply optical products for camera companies like Konica and Minolta.  Today, Pentax Corporation is keen on regaining a market that they seemed to have lost to competitors like Nikon and Canon.  One of their major products right now is the production of DSLR lenses and consumers are starting to take notice.  In 2007, Pentax aims to release more lenses that will be compatible with their own brand of DSLR cameras.

The Exhibition

Pentax Corporation just recently held an exhibition in the United States and Japan in March.  The company showcased their photographic merchandise and an overview of some of the upcoming Pentax products that consumers can expect to be released later this year.  Included are a couple of lens options and a couple of DSLR cameras that the company is excited to release very soon.

Lenses

Pentax is scheduled to release three interchangeable lenses in September of 2007.  These upcoming Pentx products are for exclusive use with Pentax DSLR cameras.  The lenses are to be developed as Star-series lenses, providing superior performance and an advanced system that will provide smooth and quiet auto focusing.  The lenses have a built in motor in the body making this possible.  Two of the uni-focal lenses (one with an angle view of 306mm, the other 460mm) are due out in September.  The third lens is a 92mm to 384mm zoom lens that is scheduled for release in December of 2007.  A compact macro, high quality lens is also scheduled for release but there has been no date announced yet; there are hints of its release in 2008.  It will also be ideal for use as a standard lens.  Lastly, one lens that will probably steal the spotlight by SLR and DSLR users us the tentative Pentax-D FA645 55mm F2.8, which can be used with existing Pentax-645 SLR film cameras as well as their digital equivalents.  There is no clue as to when this will be released but its expected to be marketed simultaneously with the new Pentax camera.

Cameras

Pentax Corporation will also be releasing a new camera and have teamed up with Kodak to improve on their DSLR units.  A tentative name the camera is the PENTAX 645 Digital.  As one of the upcoming Pentax products, it will feature a large Kodak CCD image sensor with a tentative total of a whopping 31.6 mega pixels.  It will still be compatible with existing Pentax lenses and will have two storage slots: one for SD memory cards and one for Compact Flash cards.  No date has been set for this monster of a DSLR but it is expected to hit the market by 2008.

There may be some specifications that will change with the coming release of these products but one thing is clear: Pentax is back in the marker and is willing to compete with any brand of camera out there.  If you are looking for something new and powerful for your DSLR or if you are waiting for the right DSLR unit to appear in the market, chances are that some of the upcoming Pentax products will end up on your shopping list.

Digital cameras were meant for all consumers.  And this means everybody who wishes to protect their valuable digital cameras to those who want to buy one but can’t help throwing it around once in a while.  The folks over at Olympus anticipated that there would be a market that would want a camera to go through all sorts of torture.  And so they went on to develop some of the best Olympus all weather cameras that the world never expected.

What It Is

The Olympus all weather cameras are not at all special in that they behave differently from other digital cameras.  In fact, they pack just about the same features as any regular digital camera has.  Take, for example, the Olympus Stylus 770 SW; this camera packs 7.1 mega pixels, has a 3x optical and digital zoom, records movie with sound, and has a special LCD that works extremely well in direct sunlight.

Why It’s Special

Now, think of the same camera mentioned above and add these features that will probably have your jaws dropped if you don’t expect situations where they might come in handy:  The Olympus Stylus 770SW is one of the toughest Olympus All Weather Cameras because it has a durable body that can stand up to all sorts of weathering and erosion.  This camera (like most in the Olympus all weather cameras series) can survive 5 foot drops, be dipped in 5 fathoms of water, and can be frozen to up to 10 degrees Celcius.  We bet that you can’t say the same for your current camera!  The Olympus all weather cameras are so durable that not even 220 pounds of weight can damage them.  Well, at least up to 220 pounds of weight; we’re not sure what kind of damage will be done if weight is added to that.  We imagine you’d end up with a pretty expensive paperweight.

What It Can’t Do

Aside from the obvious features that this camera does not have compared with other regular digital cameras, this camera was built to last and built to survive.  However this does not mean that it can just be thrown about, smashed on the ground or forcefully drowned whenever you feel like it.  We would also advise against leaving it in the freezer overnight as some kind of torture test.  The only thing you will succeed in doing that would be breaching your warranty.

The Olympus all weather cameras are not for everybody; and for a price tag of anywhere between $300 and $350, it really isn’t for the average user at all.  However, it is the perfect choice for the outdoors person, the one who goes out camping, hiking, and maybe even mountain climbing.  Not exactly for the fashion conscious person, these cameras are also designed to fit in the smallest of spaces and you won’t have to worry about scratching any of its glass parts either.  Whatever reason there is for a consumer to go through rough and natural conditions, the Olympus all weather cameras were specifically designed to go through them as well.