Samsung Ups Its Game

At a recent event in Singapore, Samsung announced its first serious foray into the camera market when it unveiled the NX10. Heading the second wave of cameras to forgo traditional optical viewfinders and mirror systems found in dSLRs, the NX10 looks to challenge the format’s dominance.

Although it’s the size of a compact camera, the NX10 integrates a 14.1 megapixel APS-C sensor, the same size as those commonly used in dSLRs. The sensor, developed in a joint venture with Pentax, sets the NX10 apart from competitors such as Panasonic and Olympus using the Micro Four Thirds system. Although it facilitates higher pixel counts and supposedly better ISO performance, its lenses will need to be slightly larger.

An entirely new lens mount was designed for the NX10, with around eight individual lenses to be made available within the system’s first year. It also shoots 720p movies in the H.264 codec at 30fps.

Removing the optical viewfinder commonly found in dSLRs also contributes to the camera’s smaller proportions. Instead of the complex prism system, the NX10 uses an electronic viewfinder, which still offers 100 per cent coverage.

Like any enthusiast-level camera worth its salt, the NX10 outputs in both RAW and JPEG, and features a relatively modest ISO sensitivity up to 3200. It will shoot continuously at 3fps, but can take a ‘burst’ of 30 shots in a single second. Its buffer isn’t huge, but will allow the photographer to take three RAW images in a row or 10 JPEGs.

Full manual controls are also included, but so are a number of features more frequently found in compacts: face detection, picture filter presets, smart auto and face retouching.

Samsung claims that consumers are specifically concerned about ease of use, wanting portable cameras and lenses. “We know from our detailed research that what consumers want from their cameras is evolving – they’re looking for compact and stylish products of a high performance, while retaining a focus on value,” said SJ Park, CEO of Samsung Digital Imaging. “We were inspired to create new lines of cameras and lenses that would change the way people think and feel about photography.”

Pentax Actually Releases 645D

Pentax has been talking about it for five years, but it’s finally revealed its medium format digital, the 645D, to be released in May.

Utilising a Kodak-built 44×33mm 40-megapixel sensor, about 1.7 times larger than a dSLR’s, the 645D manages to produce particularly high-resolution images.

Creating a medium format camera at an affordable price was reportedly high on Pentax’s list. Going on sale for around $US9,400, the 654D is actually relatively affordable for a medium format model, at least  when compared to its competitors.

The camera features a new Real Image Engine and a SAFOX IX+ autofocus system with 11 sensor points, all built in-house at Pentax, which might explain the wait.

Curiously, Pentax has decided to include dual SD/SDHC cards rather than CF, which can be used to backup one to the other. The 654D ships with a Pentax D-FA 645 55mm f/2.8 AL [IF] SDM AW lens, equivalent to 43.5mm in the 35mm format, with assurances that new lenses will be made available. In the meantime, it’s compatible with 645 Pentax system lenses.

The company told the British Journal of Photographer that its plans for release outside of Japan are as yet unclear, so until further notice. it’s a good excuse to head to Tokyo (if you need one).

Panasonic Sneaks in Two Micro Four Thirds!

Panasonic has cheekily snuck out another two mirrorless micro four-thirds cameras with interchangeable lenses, the Lumix G2 and the G10, both featuring a 12.1 megapixel Live MOS sensor and a redesigned ‘Venus Engine HD II,’ which reportedly provides top-quality signal processing.

The G2 is an update on the G1 and GH1 models released last year, the first examples of a new breed of camera, challenging the assumption that bigger means better. By abandoning the mirror and physical viewfinder, Panasonic (in a joint venture with Olympus) were able to develop a compact camera with a sizeable sensor and the ability to change lenses.

The G2 uses a swivelling 3-inch LCD touch-screen interface that allows users to press on a subject to focus. Once a subject is selected, the camera locks onto its target and automatically tracks it movements. There’s also a high-res electronic viewfinder built in for those who prefer the traditional method.

The G10 abandons the tilting touchscreen and the high-res viewfinder for the sake of size, which keeps it neat.

Both cameras also record 720p video footage in AVCHD lite format designed to rival the quality of dSLRs while maintaining a compact size.

Redesigned processing separates chromatic noise from luminance noise to improve image quality, while utilising ‘intelligent resolution’ to enhance outlines, edges, detailed textures and soft gradation.

Both cameras ship with a 14-42mm F/3.5-56 kit lens, and while there’s no word on a local release date, we’ll keep you posted when this baby drops.

Stylish Pentax Range Released

Retro-styling is all the rage, particularly at Pentax, who’ve just released two new ranges borrowing from the schmick designs of days gone by.

The H90 series features a simple design in a two-tone trim, but despite the antique look, sports a 12.1-megapixel sensor and 720p video capabilities. It’s also got a 28-140mm equivalent lens, ISO up to 6400 and all the face-detection gadgets we’ve come to expect in the modern compact.

Also due for release is the rather sharp Optio I-10, a 12.1-megapixel compact in the mould of a little SLR. Available in pearl white and classic black, the I-10 features a focal range of between 28-140mm. There’s built-in ‘triple anti-shake’ and wireless remote shooting capabilities. Apparently, its face detection technology will recognise grinning cats and dogs, too.

Kiwi Photographer Makes Sony Shortlist

Like Kiwi sportspeople, Kiwi sports photographers can mix it with the best of them, with local shooter Scott Barbour being named on the shortlist for the 2010 Sony World Photography Awards in the Professional Sport category.

Barbour has previously shot for Getty , and the photographer joins 189 other photographers from 48 different countries  competing for the L’Iris D’Or, all in the running to win $25,000 and professional Sony equipment.

Simply making it to the shortlist is an achievement in itself, as the 190 lucky (and talented) photographers were chosen from a pool of 37, 617 professional and 43, 745 amateur photography submissions.

“As in past years, the sheer number of entries from across the globe overwhelms us and reminds us of how universal photography is as a creative expression,” said Astrid Merget, Creative Director of the World Photography Organisation.  “We are thrilled to see the quality of entries once again heighten and even more pleased to see many returning photographers on the shortlist.”

Entries Close for Canon D-Photo Amateur Photography Comp

Image by Rommel Dela Cruz

Entries for the Canon D-Photo Amateur Photographer of the Year Competition are now closed, with literally thousands of submissions vying for the title.

An enormous kit bag full of gear is up for grabs, with more than $5000 worth of prizes there for the taking, including four Canon MP990 printers for category winners, and the grand prize of a Canon EOS 50D dSLR with a 17-85mm IS lens.

Along with the four category winners, an overall winner selected from all submissions will be awarded the title of D-Photo/Canon Amateur Photographer of the Year.

The winners will be announced in the next issue of D-Photo, which is only two weeks away! Until then, you can always Click here to view the galleries.

Thousands of Entries in Amateur Photography Comp’s Final Week

Mark Ewington’s entry in the People category

Time’s running out fast for the Canon D-Photo Amateur Photographer of the Year Competition, with entries closing midnight on Sunday! We’ve had literally thousands of entries in the last couple of weeks, with almost 1500 images submitted in the last week alone!

For those of you who’ve already entered be sure to vote for your favourite pictures. We’ve got a panel of pros ready to pick the winners next week.

An enormous kit bag full of gear is up for grabs, with more than $5000 worth of prizes there for the taking, including four Canon MP990 printers for category winners, and the grand prize of a Canon EOS 50D dSLR with a 17-85mm IS lens.

Along with the four category winners, an overall winner selected from all submissions will be awarded the title of D-Photo/Canon Amateur Photographer of the Year.

Besides a host of great prizes, amateur photographers will also get the chance to see their images in an exclusive exhibition, displaying the best entries from the competition.

Click here to view the galleries and find out how to submit your photo.

Iconic Polaroid Collection On Sale

More than 1200 prints by iconic 20^th Century artists are to go on sale following the collapse of Polaroid last year.

According to the British Journal of Photography, auction house Sotheby’s is progressing with its sale of part of the Polaroid Collection, which includes photographs by Ansel Adams, Andy Warhol, Chuck Close, David Levinthal and Robert Frank.

In its entirety, the collection housed over 22,000 items, more than 16,000 of which were instant images. After Polaroid’s parent became the subject of a fraud case, a bankruptcy court allowed the collection to be broken up and sold.

400 images by Ansel Adams are to go on sale in the first round of auctions, and are expected to fetch up to $US500,000.

While the first part of the catalogue goes on sale June 21 and 22, there’s still another 10,000 images yet to be auctioned.

Four EXFILMs from Casio

Casio recently added to its compact camera range, releasing four new EXFILM products, the EX-FH100, EX-H15, EXZ2000 and the EX-Z550.

The EX-FH100 uses a 10.1 megapixel sensor and a 24mm 10x zoom lens. Speeds of up to 40 shots per second and 1,000fps video recordingcapabilities are also a boon. 1280×720 HD video capabilities are included in the EX-FH100, as is a HDMI terminal and stereo microphone.

The EX-H15, EX-Z200 and EX-Z550 all use 14.1 megapixel sensors and a newly developed processor, the EXFILM Engine 5.0, which not only increases processing speed and colour and noise performance, but allows users to cut and paste parts of one photograph to another in camera.

All three cameras concentrate on being easy-to-use for the amateur photographer, featuring premium auto modes and simple processes to upload images and movies to social networking sites such as YouTube.

Camera Attachment for iPad

Surprisingly, Apple’s iPad might not be completely useless for photographers after all.

Apple itself is releasing a camera accessory kit for the much-hyped tablet device that allows users either stick an SD card right into your iPad, or connect a digital camera directly.

While it’s still unclear as to exactly what users will be able to do with images once they’re on the iPad, it’s likely that photo-editing apps are already in development. Photoshop already has a photo-editing app available on the iPhone.

Two adapters come with the $US30 accessory, one for SD, and another for mini-USB.