UK Digital Cameras Blog

Olympus has released new software that is now compatible with Windows Vista, it has been reported.

According to photography website Digital Photography Review, a RAW codec has been newly released by the firm.

The RAW codec is the program used to import and display RAW data files into Windows Vista.

Designed for use with a range of the firm’s cameras, including the E-1, E300 and SP-350, among many others, the software allows RAW data images to be transferred from cameras to home computers.

The new program works with a range of different Vista operating systems, ranging from Vista Home Basic through to Vista Ultimate. It also works with business oriented systems.

A range of the latest models from Olympus are all capable of RAW image storage, while some older models also have the facility, including the E-10, which was released in 2000.

Canon’s PowerShot G9 has been noted as a “great” compact digital camera in a new review.

In an article for Photography Review, it was noted that the model was similar to a digital SLR in a number of ways.

Although not capable of matching SLRs in terms of capabilities when shooting at speed or in terms of zoom range, the camera works well in a lot of other settings, the review states.

“The G9 really is very impressive. It has near digital SLR image quality if you keep the sensitivity down at ISO 80 and 100, with a tonal subtlety that I’m not used to seeing in a compact camera,” the reviewer states.

It was also noted that the model has a more professional feel than many other digital compacts, while still managing to remain small. However, it is slightly too big to be comfortably carried in a pocket, the reviewer notes.

Sony has announced a new entry-model into its compact camera range, the Sony Cyber-shot S730.

The new camera offers a range of features for the beginner in the world of digital photography, while the firm claims it is “remarkably affordable”.

But the model does not compromise on image quality, Sony claims. It offers a three times optical zoom lens and has a 7.2-megapixel sensor to help ensure that images look crystal clear even if they are blown up to a large size.

A range of different features on the camera, including a high-sensitivity mode, allow pictures to be taken in a range of different settings, while the camera is also capable of taking images in low light without a flash.

Besides this, the camera features a 2.4-inch screen so that images can be viewed instantly and a multi-point autofocus system helps to ensure images remain as sharp as possible.

The camera also features the ability to shoot short video clips, at up to 30 frames per second.

Nikon has announced the winner of this year’s Young Fashion Photographer of the Year award, following a competition held at the Clothes Show Live.

More than 200 young photographers submitted entries to the competition, with the best 11 being selected for the final display at the show’s Image Catwalk.

After a panel of judges examined the works, Gabriella May, a student at Falmouth College of Arts was crowned as the winner and took away a prize which included £1,000 of Nikon equipment, among other things.

Commenting on the awards, group marketing manager at Nikon, Jeremy Gilbert, said: “I was extremely impressed with the level of entries. Each interpretation of the brief was very individual.”

He added that the prizes “should really help” Ms May progress in her own work.

Ms May said she felt “privileged” that her work had been recognised and could not wait to upgrade her photography equipment.

Nikon next year celebrates its 90th anniversary and has published a new booklet detailing the history of the firm and all the camera models it has produced.

Buyers looking for a new digital camera that offers a rapid response at a reasonable price could consider Olympus’ E-510, a new review has suggested.

According to anandtech.com, the ten-megapixel digital SLR unit is an “impressive entry” into the manufacturer’s ranges and comes with a number of features that make it stand out from the crowd.

The website states that the E-510 has some flaws, but adds that pioneering technology such as Olympus’ own Live View body-integral image stabilisation make the unit one worth consideration.

It goes on to state that recent reviews have confirmed that the E-510 offers one of the “best kit lenses of any camera maker” and that “Olympus’ claim that lenses designed for digital produce better quality images is proving to be true”.

Earlier this month, Photography Review suggested that those who had waited for the release of Olympus’ E-3 model could have their patience rewarded as the camera should easily please any serious photographer.

Canon recently identified the first new model in its SX series of budget superzoom compact cameras, the Canon Powershot SX100 IS.

The camera features an 8.0 megapixel sensor allowing for high quality resolutions, while it comes with an impressive ten times optical zoom with optical Image Stabiliser and a clear 2.5 inch LCD screen offering 100 per cent coverage.

The long-lens camera also comes with an array of useful extras, such as Digic III image processing, face detection, a digital tele-converter, safety zoom and 19 different shooting modes, all encased in a compact silver or black body.

A solid feature-set ensures that the Canon Powershot SX100 IS offers clean and detailed images at all zoom settings and a fast and dependable focus, as well as good exposure and white balance.

Recently, Canon announced that it had reached a new milestone as it completed production on its 30 millionth EOS-series single-lens reflex (SLR) camera, noting that 10-million EOS digital-series SLRs had already been sold. The first EOS line SLR was released by the company 20 years ago.

The Olympus SP-560UZ, which replaces the SP-550, has a “phenomenal” zoom range, as well as a large range of features, a new review has stated.

It also has a vast range of features which many users may never even discover, let alone use, Digital Photography Review has claimed.

But the new ultrazoom model from the manufacturer, which has seen a number of new upgrades over the older version, does offer a range of facilities not found on its competitors.

The ergonomics of the model, as well as the level of detail attainable in the images, are noted as the some of the positive points of the model.

Features such as image stabilisation and a shadow adjust features can help in the production of portraits, the review states.

Also, the flash is noted for its simplicity and ease of use.

But the limited battery life and the fact that the camera has more features than is strictly necessary are seen as weaker points of the model.

The company claims the camera is capable of shooting up to 15 frames per second.

A new review of the Sony A700 DSLR has highlighted the KonicaMinolta heritage of the model.

Among the new features the camera has are a 12.2-megapixel image sensor, which has been designed to offer low noise and high speed facilities. Such technological developments mean the camera can directly compete with the new Nikon D300, Digital Photography Review claims.

Beside this, there is also a new autofocus sensor with an 11-point focusing system and a new image processor which has been designed specifically for use with the new image sensor.

The camera is aimed at the crossover market between serious amateurs and semi-professionals, and its main competitors include the aforementioned model from Nikon as well as the new Olympus E-3 and the Canon EOS-40D.

Other features the model boasts include dual-storage format capability as well as HD connectivity. It is also capable of shooting five frames per second when in continuous mode.

Indeed the review states that the new camera from Sony “certainly has what it takes to play with the big boys”.

Canon has today announced it has reached a new milestone in terms of camera manufacture.

The firm has now produced more than 30 million EOS series film and digital SLR cameras. More than ten million EOS digital cameras have also been produced.

Coinciding with the firm’s 70th anniversary and the 20th anniversary of the EOS range, the manufacturer confirmed the production has reached the milestone level.

A number of innovations have been made by the firm in the development of the EOS series. Indeed the first model to be produced, the Canon EOS 650, was the world’s first camera with a fully electronic mount system, which led to a new generation of autofocus SLR cameras.

The firm notes that ease of use and high speed have been central to the development of the range, while technologies such as eye-controlled focusing systems have also been created to aid the user.

Recently, the latest model in the series, the Canon EOS-1D Mark III, has just been released. It features, among other things, a 20-megapixel image sensor.

The newly-released 12 megapixel Kodak EasyShare Z1275 has received praise for its lens.

Technology website Cnet praised the budget compact digital camera for its five times optical zoom Schneider-Kreuznach Variogon lens, which it said produces no discernible distortion even in the absence of optical image stabilisation.

Other standard Kodak features such as 20 separate scene modes, a panorama stitch function and a video mode with resolution of 30 frames per second all strengthened the appeal of the camera further.

But the website said that the Kodak EasyShare Z1275 is not without its flaws, with the “rich and vivid” colour reproduction that photographers will enjoy in well-lit situations failing to be attained in harsher conditions.

“When the light fades, the [Kodak EasyShare] Z1275’s flaws become glaringly apparent,” Cnet asserted. “Noise is a problem even as fast as ISO 100. The high ISO mode, ostensibly for low-light shooting, is as useless as on most compacts [and] the severely limited manual options don’t give anywhere near enough scope to manage noise and exposure issues.”

The Kodak EasyShare Z1275 comes with Kodak Easyshare image authoring software.