Hasta La Gadget!

You don’t get to unbox anything or have that new-camera smell, so how much does the Canon 7D v2 firmware really transform the now three year-old model? The answer depends a bit on what you do with it, but for most users the Japanese maker deserves kudos from bringing new functionality to the model. Two changes stand out in particular, the first being a bump in the number of burst RAW images from 15 to 25, a boon for action shooters. The other biggie is manual audio level adjustment, saving videographers from the whims of automatic audio levels. Other tweaks include in-camera rating, resizing and editing of images; a max auto ISO setting; GPS compatibility; file name customization; time zone settings; and faster magnification scrolling and control screen adjustment during playback.

To test the burst and audio functions, we got our own mitts on the firmware. Prior to updating, we put the rapid-fire 8 fps camera it through the wringer and grabbed about 16-18 RAW frames in a burst. With the v2 firmware we caught exactly 25 frames before it halted, and did it again numerous times with only an occasional stutter. As for audio, the new manual setting is still a far cry from dedicated sound level dials — on the 7D you’ll need to preset the audio before filming, and are stuck with that level until you hit ‘stop’ again. Still, it beats the previous automatic way, which was so unusable that it forced many pros into buying external audio recorders to get anything decent. A quick test confirmed the new adjustment worked well, giving usable audio in most conditions with both internal and external mics while requiring just a little fiddling beforehand to set levels.

While hardly turning your 2009-era beast into an all-new DSLR, the new functionality brings the software in line with newer models, and still keeps the 7D near the top of the APS-C heap in many categories. Swapping out the sensor would be the only way to bump the one area where it now lags, low-light performance — but you can’t expect everything from a $1,500 shooter.

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Canon EOS 7D v2 firmware tested: increases burst capacity, gives manual audio control originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Aug 2012 15:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Canon’s financial results for Q2 2012 reveal an operating profit 18 percent greater than the results from the same quarter last year. However, net income has dropped from 61.5 billion yen to 51.7 billion yen since last quarter. The company saw demand grow for its DSLRs, both professional and entry-level, while sales of point-and-shoots continued to contract. The ever-increasing value of the yen — and weakened demand in Europe — has put a dent in its important overseas sales — and profits. Perhaps the promise of Canon’s first mirrorless ILC later this year will be enough get wallets out in the euro zone.

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Canon reports higher profits, lower net income in Q2, points finger at pricey yen originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Jul 2012 03:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you’d like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with “Insert Coin” as the subject line.

We’ve seen our fair share of time lapse tools at Insert Coin, ranging from last year’s Triggertrap to the more recent Timelapse+ and Genie rig. Now we’re throwing in another Kickstarter project into the mix, a motion time-lapse gadget called the Radian. Shaped like an oversized hockey puck, the Radian works with any camera that has a trigger-release input and can be used with or without a tripod. The device can be programmed through either an Android or iPhone app and lets you disconnect your smartphone once you’ve got your settings dialed in. Otherwise, you can use the Radian to take time-lapse photography with your iPhone or Android smartphone as well. A pledge of $150 gets you the standard Radian, while ponying up extra moolah nabs you a charcoal-colored variant as well as other goodies. If successful, delivery is slated for January. For more details, check out the video and source link after the break.

Continue reading Insert Coin: Radian lets you use your camera, iPhone and Android device for time lapse projects (video)

Filed under: Cellphones, Digital Cameras

Insert Coin: Radian lets you use your camera, iPhone and Android device for time lapse projects (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 22 Jul 2012 16:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Some important news for anyone who bought a Nikon D800 or D7000 DSLR earlier this year. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada announced today that the battery packs sold with the cameras are part of a voluntary recall due to a potential burn hazard. While there’s been no injuries reported, Nikon says it has received seven reports outside of North America of the battery packs overheating, which can cause them to melt and pose a risk to users. The recall encompasses 5,100 batteries in the US (sold in March and April) and 1,100 in Canada (sold in February and March), plus an additional 195,000 battery packs worldwide. Those with one of the battery packs in question are advised to remove it from their camera and contact Nikon directly for a free replacement. Complete details can be found at the source link below.

Update: As some have pointed out in comments, Nikon first initiated this recall itself in April, but it has just now risen to the level of the CPSC and Health Canada.

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Nikon recalls battery packs sold with D800 and D7000 DSLRs due to burn hazard originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Jul 2012 14:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In the world of DSLR shooting, you can certainly catch one’s attention by mentioning one of two things: a wireless display, or a remote trigger setup. Neither of these are exactly fresh concepts, but Nikon has chosen a curious beast to highlight one of its most promising accessories to date. The $60 WU-1a Wireless Mobile Adapter primarily allows two things to happen. First, it enables your Android phone or tablet (and soon, iOS device) to act as a wireless display. You shoot an image, and within seconds, that image is ready for your ogling on a far larger display than the 3-incher found on the D3200’s backside. For those looking for a far better way to review each shot without pulling out the laptop, this is it.

Nikon D3200 hands-on

Triggertrap: nine ways to activate your DSLR with an iOS device

Engadget Primed: Cameras

The other function — the one we at Engadget were most intrigued by — is the ability to use a mobile device to wirelessly trigger a shot. The adapter relies on WPS (WiFi Protected Setup) in order to converse with one’s Android device, enabling a connection even when you’re away from a cellular data signal or WiFi network. Frankly, we were overly bummed to see the entry-level D3200 gain compatibility before full-frame shooters like the D800, D3S and D4 — after all, it sure seems that professionals would be seeking these features more than novices. In the end, however, it’s probably best that more spendy clients be kept far, far away from the disappointment. Join us after the break as we explain.

Continue reading Nikon WU-1a wireless mobile adapter for D3200 review: using Android as a remote trigger / wireless display

Filed under: Cellphones, Digital Cameras, Software

Nikon WU-1a wireless mobile adapter for D3200 review: using Android as a remote trigger / wireless display originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 Jul 2012 13:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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