Just posted! Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 Review

Tue, 4 Nov

Just posted! The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 is that most unusual thing, a compact digital camera that has really caught the imagination of photographers. Moving away from the quirky 16:9 sensor of its predecessors, (the LX1 and LX2), this latest offering matches a bright 24-60mm equivalent zoom to a conventionally-proportioned 11 megapixel sensor. Just to keep things interesting, the sensor is then cropped in three different ways to provide a consistent diagonal angle-of-view in three different aspect ratios. So what did we make of the LX3, competitor or curio?
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Today Pentax have announced the SMC Pentax DA 18-250mm F3.5-6.3ED AL Lens.
SMC Pentax DA 18-250mm F3.5-6.3ED AL LensMain Specifications
Lens mount: PENTAX KAF mount
Lens construction: 16 elements in 13 groups
Angle of view: 76° ~6.5° (when mounted on a PENTAX digital SLR camera body)
Number of diaphragm blades: 7
Minimum aperture: F22 ~ F45
Minimum focusing distance: 0.45m (1.48ft)
Filter size: 62mm
Maximum magnification: 0.28X
Dimensions & weight:
75mm (maximum diameter) x 85.5mm (length)
(3.0 inch x 3.4 inch);
16.0 oz (455g) (without lens hood)
SMC Pentax DA 18-250mm F3.5-6.3ED AL Lens News Release
Pentax Announces smc Pentax DA 18-250mm F3.5-6.3ED AL [IF] High-performance Zoom Lens

PENTAX Imaging Company is pleased to announce the smc PENTAX DA 18-250mm F3.5-6.3ED AL [IF] interchangeable zoom lens designed for exclusive use with PENTAX digital SLR cameras. With an approximate 14X zoom ratio covering from wide-angle to super-telephoto ranges, this versatile lens handles a great variety of applications from wide-angle landscapes to close-up sporting events and wildlife photography.

The lens will ship in October for US $499.95.

PENTAX Imaging Company is an innovative leader in the production of digital SLR and compact cameras, lenses, flash units, binoculars, scopes, eyepieces and mobile printers and scanners. For more than 80 years, PENTAX technology has developed durable, reliable products that meet the needs of consumers and businesses. With headquarters in Golden, Colorado, PENTAX Imaging Company is a division of PENTAX of America, Inc.

SMC PENTAX DA 18-250mm F3.5-6.3ED AL [IF] ZOOM LENS FACT SHEET

High zoom ratio
Mounted on a PENTAX digital SLR camera body, this zoom lens offers approximate 14X zoom ratio that covers the range from 27.5mm wide angle to 383mm super-telephoto in the 35mm format. Without the need for lens changes, it can be used for a wide variety of applications — ranging from such standard applications as landscape photography, snapshots and portrait at frequently used focal lengths, to specialized applications like sports and wildlife photography at the super-telephoto range.

Superb image description assured by extra-low dispersion (ED) and aspherical optical (AL) elements
Incorporating two extra-low dispersion (ED) elements and two aspherical (AL) elements, this lens effectively compensates for the adverse effects of various aberrations, assuring outstanding image description.

Digital SLR exclusive design
This lens is exclusively designed for use with PENTAX digital SLR cameras, with its image circle perfectly proportioned to their image sensor size (23.5mm x 15.7mm). Since the coating, curvature and position of all optical elements are optimized for the characteristics of digital images, the lens effectively minimizes annoying flare and ghost images in the resulting images.

Minimum focusing distance
An extra-short minimum focusing distance of 0.45 meters over the entire zoom range
Inner-focus (IF) mechanism to avoid lens extension during focusing.

Posted by Darren in our Lenses category on October 02, 2007

Vivitar has released the Vivicam T25, a 12 megapixel compact digital camera, featuring. a 3 x optical zoom lens, both a 2.5 inch LCD screen and a viewfinder, 32MB of internal memory and an SD card slot for external storage. The new model T25 is a re-branded version of the Foxconn DS-C350. Foxconn Electronics is the largest manufacturer of OEM products and their digital cameras are widely used. From this same model range, Minox had already released the 10 Megapixel DC-1011, based on the DS-A350 camera…

-Model Name Foxconn DS-C350
-Number of Effective Pixels 12MP
-Sensor Type 1/1.8″ CCD
-Image resolution Still (4:3):3968*2976, 3040*2280, 2016*1512, 1280*960, 640*480, Still (16:9):3968*2240, 3040*1712
-LCD Display 2.5 ” LTPS TFT LCD Approx. 150k Pixels
-Lens Optical zoom 3X
-Digital zoom for preview 1X ~ 6X
-Digital zoom for playback 2X, 4X, 8X
-Focal length 7.5mm (W) ~ 22.5mm (T)
-35mm film equivalent 35 ~ 105 mm
-Focus distance (Normal) 0.3m(W) / 0.5m(T) ~ ?
-Focus distance (Macro) 0.05m(W) / 0.3m(T) ~ ?
-Aperture range 2.8 (W) ~ 4.8 (T)
-Optical Viewfinder N.A.
-Shutter speed 1/2 ~ 1/1,500 sec
-Metering mode Multi, Average , Spot
-Exposure compensation +/- 2.0EV at 1/3 EV step
-Exposure sensitivity Auto, 50, 100, 200, 400
-White balance Auto, Pre-set (Incandescent, Bluish Fluorescent, Reddish Fluorescent, Daylight, Cloudy), Manual
-Shooting modes Auto, Anti-shake, Panorama, Movie, User setting, Manual, Av, Tv, Program, Scene mode (Sport / Portrait / Night Scene Portrait / Night / Candle Light / Firework / Landscape / Green mode / Sunrise / Sunset / Text / Black & White / Sepia / Splash water / Flow water / Animals)
-Flash Auto, Red-eye reduction, Forced flash, Suppressed flash
-Self-timer 2,10,10+2 sec delay
-File format Still image JPEG (DCF, EXIF 2.2, DPOF)
-Movie M_JPEG
-Movie resolution 640 x 480, 25 fps
-Movie length Storage base
-Storage Media External : SD card up to SDHC ; SDHC up to 4 GB
-Internal : 32MB (26MB for storage)
-Video output NTSC/ PAL selectable
-Digital interface USB 2.0 high speed
-Terminal Multiple Connector (for included USB & A/V cable) , Power input socket
-Power source Lithium ion rechargeable battery
-Dimensions ( W x H x D ) 91mm x 57mm x 27mm
-Weight (without battery / SD card) 152g

Popular Photography review the Canon PowerShot G9 and writes - ‘After the disappointing lab results of its predecessor, the Canon PowerShot G7, we were a bit skeptical of the Canon PowerShot G9. Not anymore! In general we like what we see. We like Adaptive Noise RAW conversion. We like a compact camera that syncs with external strobes. We like full manual controls. And we like Scene Assist modes to help beginners get better with their compositions before venturing into the uncharted waters of full manual control. We love the Focus Confirm and face recognition instant playback. We like the high-quality half-camera, half-computer Panoramic capture mode. Overall, we like this camera a lot. However, we’re not so impressed with ISO 1600 image quality, nor the mostly useless low-resolution ISO 3200 mode.’

Read more about the Canon Powershot G9

The Ricoh Caplio R7 is a 8.15 (CCD) megapixel digital camera with a 7.1x Optical Zoom lens (28-200mm equivalent).

It features image stabilization, upgraded image processing system and a 2.7 inch LCD.

The Ricoh Caplio R7 comes in black, orange and silver. It will have a retail price of £230 when it hits stores in September.

Ricoh Caplio R7 News Release
7.1x Wide-Angle Digital Camera Features Low Noise in High-Sensitivity Photography

Ricoh Co., Ltd. (president and CEO: Shiro Kondo) has developed and introduced the new Caplio R7 digital camera. With a new image processing engine and a 7.1x optical wide zoom lens (28–200 mm in 35 mm camera format) mounted on a slim body only 20.6 mm at its thinnest point, the Caplio R7 takes digital photography to an even higher level of image quality.

The new Caplio R7 is the successor to the award winning Caplio R6 (launched March 23, 2007), which earned high recognition for its slim body, wide-angle zoom lens, vibration correction, and face recognition mode.

With a new image processing engine and a 7.1x optical wide zoom lens (28–200 mm in 35 mm camera format) mounted on a slim body only 20.6 mm at its thinnest point, the Caplio R7 takes digital photography to an even higher level of image quality.

Retaining the best features of earlier models, the Caplio R7 further enhances the line’s established reputation for high image quality with the introduction of:

1. Smooth Imaging Engine III, a new image processing engine capable of even more sophisticated image processing, and
2. An effective 8.15 megapixel CCD for outstanding results.

In addition, the Caplio R7 achieves a variety of other evolutionary advances in fun and easy photography with enhanced usability for its unique ADJ. (Adjust) button function, which makes it easy to set exposure compensation and white balance. The introduction of brightness and colour-tone functions allows still image brightness and colour-tone to be adjusted in the camera after the picture is taken.

Available colours: Silver, Black and Orange

More detils…..