Hasta La Gadget!

Nikon’s D3000 launched under the long, dark shadow of the D300S, but for entry-level DSLR buyers, it has certainly remained a viable option. For those who passed on the D5000 and tossed their six bills towards this, we’re curious to see just how great / terrible it is at Nikon’s bottom rung. Are you still enjoying your cam? Do you wish you would’ve selected a higher-end model? Is the kit lens worth a darn? Feel free to spill your rant in comments below, and make it good — you never know when the D3000S or D4000 will hit the market.

Filed under: Digital Cameras

How would you change Nikon’s D3000? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 23:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

We’ve always heard that life was full of compromises, and evidently Pentax made a few when it decided to build its toughest, most rugged point-and-shoot camera of all time. On paper, the Optio W80 looked mighty promising, but in practice, the all-important image quality was found to fall short. Over at PhotographyBLOG, critics found that the camera could withstand “virtually anything” within reason, and while the 5x optical zoom and HD movie mode were both appreciated, most everything else was at least somewhat disappointing. The anti-shake system was found to simply slow the camera down, and the image quality was hamstrung by excessive noise at all ISO levels — even 100. Feel free to peek the full review down in the read link, but make sure to keep your expectations in check.

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Pentax’s waterproof Optio W80 reviewed: tough as nails, ‘so-so’ image quality originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 10:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

No surprises here (at all), but Leica’s 09/09/09 event has just led to the formal unveiling of the full-frame, 18 megapixel M9 rangefinder and the compact X1. The former (which is shipping now) supports all Leica M lenses and ships with a “newly developed glass sensor cover designed to guarantee the suppression of the infrared portion of the light spectrum.” There’s also a quick-access ISO adjustment button alongside a few other hotkeys, a full metal housing, Kodak-sourced CCD, a fresh microprocessor-controlled shutter (which is supposedly “near silent”) and a staggering £4,850 ($8,004) price tag. As for the X1, you’ll find a 12.1 megapixel CMOS sensor (APS-C), a fixed-mount Leica Elmarit 1:2.8/24mm lens, numerous “auto” modes for the newbies in attendance, a maximum ISO of 3200, 2.7-inch rear LCD and a Live View function that replaces the optical viewfinder. Expect to hear more regarding price when the January 2010 ship date nears, but for now, feel free to peruse the hands-on galleries linked below.

Read – Leica M9 announcement and hands-on
Read – Leica X1 announcement and hands-on

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Leica gets official with M9 and X1 cameras, hands-on ensue originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Sep 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Nikon’s D300s has been filtering out to select retail locations for a few days now, and judging by the box that just arrived on our doorstep, we’d say Nikon (just barely) kept its promise of having these things out by the end of August. The semi-pro body is significantly more sturdy and somewhat heavier than our in-house D90, though the rear LCD sure looks awfully similar. We’re planning on giving the 12.3 megapixel CMOS sensor and 720p movie mode a go, but for now, feel free to peruse the gallery below to see exactly what a penny under $1,800 gets you in the DSLR world these days.

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Nikon D300s unboxing and hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

The dudes and dudettes at Photography Blog are nothing if not thorough, and their latest review is no exception. The GR Digital III and its peculiar 28mm wide-angle fixed focal length lens (i.e. no optical zoom) have been subjected to an inspection and the verdict is an exuberant thumbs up. The aluminum alloy body impressed them right from the off, and the reviewers also liked the customizable menus, improved shutter speed, Dynamic Range double shot, and Adobe DNG RAW output. Those were all mere cherries, however, to the cake of “excellent” image quality and “stand-out” Macro performance. The sole blemishes found were the price (£529 / $699) and noise issues beyond ISO 800, but then the latter is a well known weakness of compact cameras. Check out the read link for sample images and the (very) full review.

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Ricoh GR Digital III hits the review bench, collects plaudits originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Aug 2009 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments