Hasta La Gadget!

When it comes to cameras, digital SLRs are a breed all their own. Many DSLR owners don’t upgrade their bodies often — if at all — and even fewer would consider a switch to a competing camera system, especially after investing in a handful of high-end lenses. Manufacturers need to push innovation even further to target this segment of the market — when some cameras cost thousands of dollars and already offer excellent performance, simply releasing a body with more megapixels and HD shooting options won’t prompt photographers to pull out their credit cards. With its massive 24.3 megapixel sensor and high-res OLED electronic viewfinder, however, Sony’s $1,399 Alpha A77 may just be the DSLR upgrade you’ve been waiting for. We spent a few days with a pre-production A77 paired with Sony’s brand new 16-50mm f/2.8 lens ($1,999 in an A77 kit), and were very impressed with what will undoubtedly be a worthy successor to the well-received A700. Jump past the break for our initial impressions, along with plenty of still photo and HD video samples.

Continue reading Sony Alpha A77 hands-on preview (video)

Sony Alpha A77 hands-on preview (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Aug 2011 01:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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After multiple spec and picture leaks, we seem to have finally hit the mother-lode with even more details of Sony’s soon-to-be-released A77 DSLR. With a reported Exmor HD CMOS sensor, the camera is said to work at ISO 100-16000 with an expandable ISO 50 option and 1/8000 shutter speed. Rumors are swirling that the camera has a 19 point AF sensor and 12fps burst, rather than the previously leaked specs citing an 11 point AF and 10fps burst. It reportedly runs on a Bionz processor and has built-in flash and GPS as well, and has enough juice to capture 500 shots on a single charge. Word on the street is that there’s a TrueBlack 921k swiveling display round back and a three million dot OLED viewfinder. Of course, we won’t be able to separate fact from fiction until the camera launches later this week. If you can’t hold your breath that long, check the source for more leaked pics of Sony’s slick new shooter.

Sony A77 24 megapixel camera teases with more specs and photos originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Aug 2011 22:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When the Lumix GF1 was released less than a year after Micro Four Thirds first made its debut, it made a huge splash for its size, image quality, and versatility. Problem is, Panasonic set the bar very high for future GF-series models, and has sadly come up short with its latest update, positioning the GF3 ($600 with 14-42mm kit lens) as an upgrade for compact camera owners while leaving enthusiasts longing for much more. DPReview took the GF3 to task, publishing a very comprehensive review while finding that while Panasonic’s latest ILC is a good fit for some photographers, more advanced users will likely be disappointed — especially if they’re expecting a rangefinder-like successor to the GF1. We spent a few hours with a pre-production GF3 earlier this summer, and weren’t blown away by its performance. When testing against the class-leading Sony NEX-C3, we found the Sony camera to offer faster focusing, better high-ISO performance, more accurate white balance, and better image quality overall. So unless you’re really gunning to save 50 bucks on an ILC with a kit zoom (or you already have a collection of Micro Four Thirds lenses), the $650 C3 is definitely the better bet.

Panasonic GF3 reviewed: aging 12 MP sensor, good upgrade for current compact users originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 00:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sure, you’ve seen cameras with interchangeable lenses — you might even own one or two — but a cam that lets you swap out the sensor with the lens? Now that’s pretty unique. Ricoh’s GXR has been around since 2009 and does exactly that, with four lens / sensor combos, including two zooms and a pair of fixed lenses. Now, the company has confirmed that its new Leica M-mount module will ship on September 9th, letting you use your existing Leica lenses with the GXR. The module includes a 12.3 megapixel APS-C sensor and has a 27.8mm Leica M bayonet mount, with support for RAW image capture and 720p video. It also has an “open” price, which means it’s still anyone’s guess as to how much you’ll be shelling over. But if you own a collection of Leica glass and are interested in experimenting with such a unique sensor-swapping camera system, you’re probably somewhat open to open pricing.

Ricoh GXR Leica M-mount module gets a September ship date, lets you swap lenses with one sensor originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 16:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Last month, Olympus lifted the veil on a trio of 12.3-megapixel Micro Four Thirds cameras, replacing both models in its PEN line and adding the small and light E-PM1. We already knew to expect an August ship date for the $900 E-P3, but now the company filled us in on its tilt-enabled E-PL3, which will be available in black, white, red, and silver when it ships in September. Priced at $700, the kit will include either a 14-42mm zoom or 17mm fixed lens, and will retail for a full c-note higher than its predecessor, the E-PL2. Olympus also announced the VF-3 Electronic Viewfinder (EVF), which will feature a 100-percent field-of-view, 90-degree rotation, and brightness and color temperature adjustments — though it sounds like that last feature could potentially leave you with off-color images if you mistake the EVF’s white balance for what the camera will capture. We’re still waiting on availability for the runt of the litter, but we imagine the E-PM1 will make its stateside debut soon — perhaps even with a price tag lower than its rather pricey, beefier siblings.

Continue reading Olympus PEN E-PL3 gets a price tag, release date

Olympus PEN E-PL3 gets a price tag, release date originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Jul 2011 01:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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