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.”

Sony Reveals 2010 Strategy

While most camera manufacturers like to play their cards close to their chest, Sony recently gave the game away, revealing its digital imaging strategy at PMA.

The company plans to take burgeoning ‘Micro Four Thirds’ market head on, with Sony’s own iteration of a compact camera with

interchangeable lenses already in production. Using a newly developed Exmor APS-C HD CMOS sensor, which at 24mm x 16mm is larger than the Micro Four Thirds format, Sony exhibited a mock-up model at the show. Along with a range of dedicated lenses, the new compact would shoot HD video using AVCHD format.

Less surprisingly, Sony plans to continue rolling out its range of Alpha dSLRs, integrating the new Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor and HD video. A follow-up to the mid-range a700 is also in the works.

New lenses are also on the cards, with a Distagon T* 24mm f/2 ZA SSM Carl Zeiss wide angle lens and a Super Telephoto 500mm f/4 G on show at PMA.

Sony’s Waterproof Cam Slimmest Ever

At a mere 17.7mm, Sony’s latest Cybershot release lays claim to being the slimmest waterproof camera made yet.

The new TX5 is capable of withstanding a 1.5 metre drop, freezing conditions down to -10◦C and waterproof to 3 metres.

It also sports a 10.2 megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensor and BIONZ processor, allowing for bursts of continuous shooting at 10 frames per second. Twighlight and Anti Motion Blur also help to improve low-light shooting.

The TX5 also features Sony’s ‘Intelligent Sweep Panorama’ technology, which enables photographers to take panorama shots by pressing the shutter and sweeping the camera across the scene.

HD Movie capabilities are also included, with the TX5 shooting 720p video. It also operates using a 3” touchscreen interface.

No word yet on local release dates, but stay tuned to D-Photo for details.

New Bloggie Camera

New Bloggie camera just announced at CES 2010

Sony SAL70400G 70-400mm f/4-5.6 Zoom Lens – Review – 32

Professional sports photographer Michael Bradley tries out Sony’s new zoom lens

This new Sony zoom might suit photographers in search of a 400mm lens to add to their kits, but who don’t have the budget to shell out the big-bucks for an f2.8 prime lens. There are, however, a few catches.

On the plus side, this long zoom has the added benefit of built-in image stabilisation, which really is a great feature. It allowed me to easily take hand-held shots at 1/60 of a second at 400mm with impressive results.

During field testing I used the 70-400mm on a family trip to the zoo. I decided to only pack one lens, and the Sony’s versatility was impressive. I was very happy with some images, especially at 400mm, without having to lug around a cumbersome f2.8 prime lens.

On first impression the 70-400mm’s silver finish might look a little on the cheap side. Personally, I’m not a fan, but there’s no doubt it sets the lens apart from the more common black or white chassis.

It doesn’t seem to feel as sturdy or water tight as competing lenses from the other leading brands, either. Nor does it easily zoom from wide to full zoom in one easy motion, and there is a need to readjust your grip to finish the zooming from 70mm right through to 400mm.

The aperture of the lens is only f4-5.6, which means it is a bit slow to shoot night or indoor sports. This keeps both the price and size of the lens down, but will limit its use to keen amateurs and not the professional sports photographer.

The lens was also a little slow to lock on to its focus, while tracking fast-moving subjects was not the best. In fairness, this can be the case for a lot of zoom lenses, even some high-end, professional-level models.

I was very impressed with the sharpness of the lens when shooting wide open, with images captured at 400mm of a very high standard. The bokeh (out-of-focus blur) was less pleasing when compared to prime lenses, but then the price difference between the zoom and prime lenses is also unpleasant.

Although I’m not a big fan of zoom lenses, I was fairly impressed with this model, particularly keeping in mind its market: the serious amateur. Undoubtedly it’d be a great lens to have in a two-lens kit along with a 24-80mm. It would also be ideal for the likes of wildlife or travel photographers who need to keep the bulk of their kit to a minimum but still want a long lens at their disposal.

Personally, I’d be happy to take it on an overseas trip where space was at a premium, knowing that in the end, the results would be of a very high quality. n

Sony SAL70400G 70-400mm f/4-5.6 Zoom Lens – Specs

Manufacturer: Sony
Model: SAL70400G 70-400mm f/4-5.6 Zoom Lens
Lens Construction: 18 elements in 12 groups (2 ED glass elements)
Focal Length: 105-600mm (35mm equivalent)
Zoom Ratio: 5.7x
Maximum Aperture: f22
Minimum Aperture: f32
Minimum Focus Distance: 1.5m
Magnification: x0.27
Filter Diameter: 77mm
Supplied Accessories: Front and rear lens cap, lens hood, carrying case
Dimensions: 94.5 x 196mm
Weight: 1500g

CONTACT
www.sony.co.nz

PROS

• Versatile
• Built-in image stabilisation

CONS

• Slow to lock on to a subject
• Build quality could be improved

Design                      16
Performance             14
Features                   18
Image Quality           15
Value for money       15

TOTAL 78/100

This article is from D-Photo 32.

Sony Cyber-Shots Updated

Four lines in Sony’s Cyber-shot range have gotten an overhaul, with the H, T, W and S series all receiving improved imaging and movie capabilities, while the TX7 and HX5V even include AVCHD video, a feature previously only found on Handycams.

The new range also marks the first time Sony has included SD/SDHC memory card compatibility, along with Sony’s own Memory Stick cards.

Sony says its proprietary ‘Exmor R’ CMOS sensors used in cameras across the range are twice as sensitive to light compared to cameras in the same class with CCD sensors. GPS and Compass gadgets have also been built-in to the new models, allowing photographers to pinpoint wherever they took their image. The TX-7, the world’s slimmest camera with Full HD video, features a 10.2 megapixel sensor and a 25mm wide lens, and also includes Sony’s innovative Intelligent Sweep Panorama mode.

The HX5V also uses a 10.2 megapixel sensor, and comes with a 25-250mm f/3.5-5.5 lens. The four W series point-and-shoots offer a larger resolution with 14.1-megapixel sensors and 5x optical zoom ‘G lens’ at f/2.4.

The two S-series, the S2100 and the S200 offer a simpler camera with a 12.1 megapixel sensor and a 3-inch LCD. The new range will be available in New Zealand between February and March 2010.

Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-T90 – Review – 31

Phil Hanson is seduced by the beauty of sony’s new compact

Sony’s T90 is such a cute and clever piece of design it’s almost irrelevant whether function follows its beguiling form. After a few minutes of handling and admiring this super-slim newcomer, its image quality could have been on a par with the Agfa Clack box camera from the mid-1950s for all I cared. Well, not quite, and more on that later.

The T90 is a member of the new Cyber-shot range introduced earlier this year. At only 15mm, it’s way thinner than the compact I often carry in my shirt pocket. Plus, the Zeiss zoom lens doesn’t telescope out when the ‘on’ button is pushed; it stays in place behind its glass cover in the top right corner. Or not — if the lens seems to be missing, that’s because the incredibly cool and sensible sliding-panel cover is in position. This slides down with finger pressure, turning on the camera at the same time. Slide it back and the power goes off.

A 3-inch screen dominates the back and the controls are… not there. This is another of the breed of touchscreen cameras, a technology that tends to polarise the marketplace.

The T90 records JPEGs and MPEG-4 video to Memory Stick PRO Duo cards and is largely automatic in operation.

HONEY, I SHRUNK THE CONTROLS …

Because the lens is out of the way in a corner, it’s easy to get a good grip on this baby body; it’s not only for the daintily handed. And a small hump on the left side gives something for the photographer’s second finger to rest against to help provide a firm, steady grip.

A tiny button on the camera’s top edge powers it up and down, if you’re not using the sliding cover. There’s also an equally wee joystick that zooms the lens, and sandwiched between these is a shutter button. Another little button on the bevelled edge immediately above the screen puts the camera in Play mode. Despite their Legoland size, the controls are surprisingly easy to use.

Everything else is worked by touching screen icons. Detractors of touch technology say it gets the screen filthy and that it’s too easy to push the wrong icon. I find I’m regularly wiping a screen anyway, and that with five minutes’ practice it’s easy to hit the icons with accuracy, even with my clumsy fingers.

IN THE PICTURE

The specs look pretty good: a 12.4 megapixel Super HAD CCD sensor and a Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar optical 4x zoom that covers the 35mm to 140mm full-frame equivalent range, and maximum apertures of f3.5 on the wide side and f4.6 at the telephoto end.

Using the camera is just so easy. For example, it focuses the scene before your finger even touches the button. Casual snappers will love this and other features such as intelligent scene recognition that make the T90 an excellent choice for those who just want the photo. More advanced photographers may become frustrated with the range of choices.

The Zeiss lens delivers a reasonable if not stellar picture, with a pleasing though slightly subdued colour palette. The camera is best used at 80 to 200 ISO speeds; by 400 there’s a lot of noise.

It’ll shoot reasonable widescreen and full-screen 720p movies at 30 frames per second.

CONCLUSION

The T90’s design is captivating and the camera has a feel of quality to it. Newcomers to photography will love how easy it is to take successful photos; but experienced photographers may find it’s a bit like a delicious-looking dessert — interesting and tasty, but why isn’t there more?

SONY 
CYBER-SHOT
DSC-T90 – SPECS

Manufacturer: Sony
Model: Cyber-shot DSC-T90
Effective Pixels: 12.1 million
Lens: 6.18-24.7mm (full-frame equivalent: 35-140mm)
Aperture: f3.5-f4.6
Monitor: 3-inch colour TFT LCD
ISO: Auto, 80 to 3200
Shooting Modes: Intelligent auto, easy shooting, program auto, movie (auto adjustment, high sensitivity, underwater), custom scenes (high sensitivity, twilight, twilight portrait, soft snap, landscape, beach, snow, fireworks, hi-speed shutter, underwater, gourmet)
Exposure Metering: Nine-point evaluative, centre-weighted average
Focus mode: Autofocus
Media: Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo, approx 11 MB built-in memory
File Format: JPEG, MPEG-4
Flash: Flash on/off, auto, slow synchro
Interface: USB, PictBridge
Battery: NP-BD1 lithium-ion rechargeable
Dimensions: 94 x 57 x 15mm
Weight: 151g including battery

CONTACT

www.sony.co.nz

PROS

• Great looks and styling
• Fits any pocket
• So easy to use

CONS

• Too much of a fashion statement?
• Pricey
• Few advanced features

Design                      19
Performance             16
Features                   16
Image Quality           15
Value for money       16

TOTAL     82/100

This article if from D-Photo issue 31.

Sony Cybershot DSC-T700 – features

A quick demo of the Sony Cybershot DSC-T700

Sony Cybershot DSC-T700

Sony’s design video showing the Cybershot T700

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T90 overview

Sony’s 12-1 megapixel digital camera with touch screen gets exposed