Hasta La Gadget!

Sure, we all like reading reviews of high-end compact shooters, like the Olympus E-PL1 and Ricoh’s transforming GXR, but, when it comes to actually putting down the credit card most folks go with something a bit more… frugal. So, Digital Camera Resource Page has created the 2010 Budget Camera Shootout, which includes eight cameras in the $150 to $180 range with tiny cases and 4 or 5x zoom lenses. Contenders include the Olympus FE-4030, Samsung SL600, and Canon SD1300. It’s perhaps no surprise that the PowerShot, long king of the budget roost, comes out on top, but we won’t spoil the rest of the rankings, which do include some unexpected performances, and should enable your buying with confidence for this summer’s shooting season — without blowing your budget.

Budget compact shootout finds the best little digicams for your buck originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 Jun 2010 07:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nikon’s D3S didn’t exactly emerge out of nowhere, but the DSLR’s boosted ISO ceiling of over 100,000 (102,400, if we’re being precise) has certainly shaken up the industry. Nikon claims that it’s set a new bar for low-light performance and raw speed in the crowded DSLR arena, and we were tickled pink when given the chance to see if this thing was worth its weight in gold. Now, the master photogs over at DP Review have already broken down the nitty-gritty details in an exhaustive 34 page critique, but for those just looking for a little insight — and perhaps a short answer to “should I buy this?” — we’ve got exactly what you’re looking for. Head on past the break for two distinct takes on Nikon’s most capable shooter yet — and some thoughts on how Nikon’s latest monster professional cam will radically change the consumer camera as well.

Continue reading Shooting around with the Nikon D3S: the field review

Shooting around with the Nikon D3S: the field review originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 Jun 2010 16:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In every geek’s life, the time must come when he or she steps away from the pocket-friendly compact point-and-shooter and straps up with a hefty DSLR to do real photography with. Or such was the received wisdom until not too long ago. It’s still the case that lenses, bound by the laws of physics, will protrude more than most of us want them to, but mirrorless Micro Four Thirds shooters from Olympus and Panasonic, along with Samsung’s NX series, have shown that prosumer camera bodies don’t always have to be that bulky. This is the stage upon which the NEX-5 enters, with Sony predictably aiming to outdo everyone using an ultraslim magnesium alloy body that delivers 1080p video and 14 megapixel stills. Join us after the break to see what we thought of the Japanese giant’s latest product.

Continue reading Sony NEX-5 preview

Sony NEX-5 preview originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Jun 2010 19:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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So you like Samsung’s NX10 pseudo-DSLR camera, but can’t quite reach up to its price point? Good old uncle Sammy is looking out for you with this here budget-friendly model — the NX5 replaces the AMOLED display with a standard 3-inch LCD, but looks to be keeping all the other important features. That means you’re still getting an electronic viewfinder and that 14.6 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor — which collected plenty of review approbation — inside a compact body, plus the same selection of NX-mount lenses to choose from. A €699 ($855) launch price might not seem like a great deal, but we’ve found its elder brother retailing for $619 on Amazon.de together with a kit lens, so expect prices to tumble downwards shortly after this shooter’s release in late June.

Continue reading Samsung NX5 becomes official little brother to NX10 hybrid DSLR

Samsung NX5 becomes official little brother to NX10 hybrid DSLR originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Jun 2010 08:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s kinda hard trying to keep up with the litany of models in Panasonic’s Lumix family, though placing this one near the top of the point-and-shoot pile shouldn’t be so difficult. It’s equipped with a 14.1 megapixel sensor, a wide-angle F2.2 lens with 5x optical zoom, and the now obligatory HD video (we presume 720p) recording and intelligent picture processing options. A 3-inch touchscreen hogs the majority of controls on the back, including a neat touch-to-focus function that we think all these little shooters should have, which is augmented by the camera’s AF tracking a subject once selected. Slick. We’re still no big fans of the AVCHD Lite format used here, but Motion JPEG recording is on offer as well, which is kind of nice. No price or availability just yet, but we know it’ll be at least a month before you can slather the FX75 with loving fingerprints.

Continue reading Panasonic Lumix FX75 takes evolutionary step forward

Panasonic Lumix FX75 takes evolutionary step forward originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Jun 2010 06:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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