UK Digital Cameras Blog

Further developments to the Olympus E3 digital SLR camera were unveiled during the Focus On Imaging 2008 photographic show at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre, Think Camera has reported.

The manufacturer “made a big push” with the E3, including debuting a semi-working prototype of its new 35-100 f/2 lens at the pro-oriented trade show.

According to Olympus, the camera features the “world’s fastest autofocus”, as well as sequential shooting of up to five frames per second.

The ten-megapixel Olympus E3 also features a 2.5-inch LCD monitor, as well as a live view with real-time effect monitoring and pre-control over the camera’s exposure compensation and white balance settings.

Non-camera items were also displayed at the Focus On Imaging exhibition, including photo printing solutions on offer from Canon, HP and Epson. According to the news source, the Epson R1900 was a standout printing option with the addition of orange to create better skin tones.

A number of photography accessories were on display alongside the latest photography offerings from Fujifilm, Nikon and Olympus at the 2008 Focus On Imaging exhibition in Birmingham this month.

Hailed by Think Camera as “the most important show in the UK”, the exhibit was held at the National Exhibition Centre between February 24th and 27th.

Among the items on display at the show were “tripods a-plenty”, including Giottos models in both alloy and carbon fibres.

In addition, a new carbon fibre of the Manfrotto 190 tripod was on display, as well as a new series of products from the firm’s sister brand, Gitzo, which are meant to appeal to “the hardcore photojournalist” - including an overjacket with pockets in which to conceal a professional DSLR camera.

Meanwhile, backpacks from LowePro - Fastpack and Flipside - were on show, bringing “style and security to small to medium camera systems”, the publication reported.

The Focus On Imaging conference is the largest annual imaging show in Europe and is geared towards industry pros. More than 200 exhibitors took part in this year’s event.

The 14.2-megapixel Sony Alpha DSLR-A350 “pushes the envelope” in setting a new standard for digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) photography, a recent review has suggested.

According to Cameratown. com, the camera - along with the similarly-titled Sonly Alpha DSLR-A300 - is a “more significant upgrade” to the firm’s line of consumer products than the Sony DSLR-A200.

Setting “a new standard of excellence for step-up digital photographers”, the camera has previously received a score of 7.82 out of ten from Imaging-Resource and has received praise for its special features, which include a “super-quick” autofocus response and continuous shooting at two frames per second.

In addition, the camera’s 2.7-inch LCD screen boasts a live preview option, while custom settings can be quickly recalled using the camera’s creative style mode.

According to the manufacturer, the camera is also equipped with a dual anti-dust system that can protect its sensor during a lens exchange, while its InfoLithium battery allows up to 730 shots to be taken before the camera needs to be recharged.

Nikon’s 16th digital SLR offering, the D60, is a new entry-level camera designed to appeal to “newcomers to digital SLRs”, a recent review has stated.

Although unlike similar models from Olympus, Sony and Pentax, it does not offer in-camera stabilisation, it has a number of new technology features that improve upon the previous model - the Nikon 40x.

The Nikon D60 features a new dust reduction system - including an image sensor cleaning system and an airflow control system - as well as Active D-Lighting, which is a more advanced version of the D-Lighting function observed on older Nikon models.

Images can be recorded in either Raw or JPEG files, as well as dually recorded in both options.

The camera has a 2.5-inch LCD screen, which has an interface the user can customise through a selection of Nikon-branded wallpapers or by setting one of their own images as a screen background.

According to the manufacturer, the 10.2-megapixel camera is a “perfect way to explore the magic of digital SLR photography”.

A new flashgun from Nissin that is compatible with Canon and Nikon digital SLR cameras has been released in the UK, it has emerged.

The Nissin Di446 comes in two models - type C, which is designed for Canon cameras using E-TTL and E-TTL11 technology and type N, which has been developed for Nikon digital SLRs featuring iTTL.

It can be used wirelessly when the flash is set to manual power and its motorised zoom head diffuser is motorised and can cover a lens range of 16 to 70mm on digital SLR cameras.

The flash is compatible with a number of cameras, including the Canon EOS 1Ds, EOS 1D, EOS 40 D and others in the Canon EOS range, as well as the Nikon D3, D2Xs, D2X, D200 and others in this range of digital SLRs.

Available now in the UK, the flash has a recommended retail price of £129.99 and is distributed by Kenro.

Other Nissin flashguns available in the UK include the Di622 and the Di28 models.

The new Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W300 has been called a “megapixel powerhouse”, it has emerged.

With a 13.6 megapixel sensor, the manufacturer claims the camera “is expected to be among the industry’s most pocketable high-resolution point-and-shoot digital cameras”.

Announced earlier this week, the camera features a 3x optical zoom lens, as well as a 2.7-inch LCD screen.

In addition, the camera’s titanium coating is “highly resistant to scratches and messy fingerprints”.

In terms of shooting features, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W300 features optical image stabilisation, as well as an extra high-speed “burst” mode which is able to shoot three-megapixel photos at a rate of five frames per second.

The camera has also made the noise reduction function a user-selectable option that features low, high and standard settings, which the manufacturer claims will offer “greater control over the final look of images”.

It also features enhanced face detection technology, as well as intelligent scene recognition and a smile shutter, which has an adjustable smile threshold setting.

The new Nikon D300 has been described as “a new class of compact professional SLR” by its makers, it has emerged.

According to one reviewer the Nikon D300 is “built like a tank” with two LCD screens and features 51 autofocus points, which the manufacturer claims offers additional sensitivity in low-light conditions.

Along with the usual red-eye reduction and white balance features, the camera has a 12.3-megapixel CMOS sensor “with self-cleaning dust removal unit” and a scene recognition system ensuring professional-quality photos every time.

The camera is described user-friendly too with one reviewer commenting on the “less cluttered” feel of the Nikon D300 due to small changes, such as the incorporation of the mode button into the command wheel.

Nikon has described this camera as “responsive and rugged” as it powers up within 0.13 seconds from switching on, with 45ms shutter delay and the ability to shoot up to six frames per second.

Sony has announced that a number of new digital cameras in its Cyber-shot series are set to make their UK debut.

Among the new cameras on offer are the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T300, which is described as containing “a powerhouse of advanced Sony technology”, as well as a 3.5-inch touchscreen.

Another item, the Sony Cyber-shot W300 features a 13.6 effective megapixel resolution, while the high-zoom H series has been expanded with the “responsive” H10 camera, which contains a 15x zoom range.

Meanwhile, the S series, designed for amateur photographers, has been expanded by the S730 and S750, as well as the 8.1-megapixel S780.

A review of the camera last month at ePhotozine stated that the camera will “put amazing images within everyone’s reach” and claimed that photos taken with the camera can be blown up to A3-sized prints.

In addition, the camera is one of two new S series cameras that feature face detection technology for the first time, as well as a lithium-ion battery.

The ten-megapixel Ricoh R50 digital camera will make its UK debut in March at a recommended retail price of £149.99, it has emerged.

Amateur Photographer reported that the camera delivers a “cosmetic makeover” with its new skin tone enhancement function, which is one of 15 optional scene modes.

The silver-coloured camera has a 5x zoom lens, as well as a 2.5-inch display monitor and three metering modes.

It is compatible with both SD and SDHC memory card storage and powers up using rechargeable batteries, the publication claimed.

Meanwhile, ePhotozine announced last week that the camera is set to pay “particular attention to portability”, as its user-friendly, compact body makes it “easy to carry”.

The publication also reported that the new digital compact will include a still image with audio function - in which the user can record a voice memo to correspond with individual still shots - as well as a best shot function, which allows for four successive still images to be taken in immediate succession.

The Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III has been applauded for its high-quality, low-noise images in a recent review.

CNet awarded the camera a rating of Spectacular, calling the “groundbreaking” EOS-1Ds Mark III “another high-end success for Canon.

With a mexapixel count of 21.1, the camera is described as a “precision instrument” by the reviewer, who claims it offers a high level of image control.

It features an upgraded three-inch LCD screen, as well as a joystick controller, which can be used to navigate between a number of feature menus.

The camera body weighs around three pounds before a lens is attached, but the reviewer states that this additional weight could make for steadier shots.

According to the manufacturer, the Canon EOS-1Ds features dual Digic III processors, which allow for “near-instant start-up and response times”.

Canon also claimed that the camera’s sensor exceeds the standard quality demanded from leading photo agencies and that its highlight tone priority function can be set to preserve detail in the brightest shots.