http://www.dpreview.com/previews/canoneos5dmarkII/page15.asp

Oh yeah .... it's Full HD ... way way way cooler than my current videocam. But too bad, it costs an arm and a leg ..... :P.

Canon's EOS 50D is basically a 40D body. With a newly-developed 15 megapixel sensor, a 3.0" VGA screen and the newly developed imaging processor, DIGIC 4, Canon EOS 50D seems like a good choice for an upgrade.

Canon claims that the new sensor's design (using the new manufacturing processes, redesigned photo diodes and micro lenses) means that despite the higher resolution image, the noise on the captured image has improved quite a bit.

Here is the link to DPReview.

Hopefully, we will have SMART in all our removable medias in future ... nowadays, the flash drive is not as good as the older ones.  I have data failure occasionally on my new TwinMOS SD that I bought a couple of months back.  I also have bad experience of failure with my Pendrive flash drive after the warranty expires ... :(.

Press release: 

RIDATA SMART Compact Flash Card

Featuring Self-Monitoring Analysis and Real Time Reporting Technology to Monitor CF Card Status.

1/2/2008 – Diamond Bar, Calif. – Advanced Media, Inc., is a manufacturer and marketer of the popular RIDATA brand of recordable CD and DVD media, electronic storage products, and digital media accessories. The company is introducing the first Smart Compact Flash™ Cards at CES 2008. Featuring high-speed access to reading and writing and up to 16GB of storage capacity, the self-monitoring CF card is ideal for virtually any flash media storage application.

“We are pleased to introduce the RIDATA SMART CompactFlash Card, which is the first of its kind in the industry,” stated Harvey Liu, Advanced Media president. “The flash memory market is growing quickly due to the number of new applications that use flash media for storage. As capacity continues to increase, RIDATA saw the need for an internal data monitoring system to ensure the safety of your data.”

The new rugged, reliable, RIDATA memory cards are available in two series of "Supreme 150X (up to 8GB capacity-SLC format)" and "Lightning (up to 16GB MLC format)". It features innovative functionalities such as Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology so users can easily monitor the CF card’s status. The card is capable of providing notification to users in real time to protect vital information and data.

Reliability and Endurance
The new Smart Card offers long-term reliability and endurance with a Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) of 5,000,000 powered-on hours. It also offers maximum endurance of 100,000 times of program/erase cycles. Its embedded Error Correction Code (ECC) supports two random bits of a sector on-the-fly ECC corrections.

Compatibilities
Ridata’s Smart Card conforms to the CompactFlash Association Standard, the PC Card standard and is PC Card ATA and true IDE Mode compatible. It is also host ATA disk I/O BIOS DOS/Windows file system, utilities and application software compatible. The controller supports Ultra DMA Mode to Mode 4. Also supported is CIS implemented with 256 bytes of attributed memory. Lastly it supports 8 or 16 bit host transfers with any host speed using Input/Output channel ReaDY (IORDY).

Power Savings
Another feature of the RIDATA Smart CompactFlash™ Card is its low power consumption. In standby mode with an automatic power management function, users acquire longer battery life from a digital camera or other device. The non-volatile card requires no power to store data, but requires a 3.3V/5V single power supply to read and write data.

File Systems
Regarding the 4GB, 8GB and 16GB CF cards, users should use the cards on devices that support a FAT32 file system. Some older devices only support FAT16 file system and these systems have a maximum capacity of a 2GB CF card. Please refer to the owner’s manual for the device’s file system compatibility.

• http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonydslra700/
• http://www.dphotojournal.com/sony-alpha-a700-dslr-reviews-sample-photos
• http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/Sony%20-A700.shtml
• http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/AA700/AA700A.HTM
  

Some interesting comments:

"Interestingly the one thing the A700 doesn't have is any form of live view; when we spoke to Sony about this the answer was simple; they believe that the compromises involved in current systems are satisfactory, and they won't implement live view until they can 'get it right'. Whether the lack of live view has any real relevance in a camera at this level remains to be seen; we doubt it."

"Although the styling has been given a modern twist and the D7D's button / switch overkill has been toned down a little, it's not hard to see where Sony's designers started from, and there are many features from the D7D that made it almost unchanged into the A700. These include the basic control layout (the second dial has been lost and replaced by a simpler on-screen 'Quick Navi' system), the magnesium alloy construction, the eye-start focus, CCD-shift IS and high level of customization and the optional vertical shooting grip. For potential upgraders looking for a reason to trade up from a D7D to Sony's new 'Advanced Amateur' model here's just a brief taste of what three years difference makes:

• Twice as many pixels: 12MP CMOS sensor (vs 6MP CCD)
• New shutter with higher maximum speed and higher sync speed
• Bigger screen with three times the resolution
• Improvements to focus speed and accuracy
• Faster (5 fps) continuous shooting capabilities and better buffering
• New 40 segment honeycomb metering
• Better GUI and huge range of new features
• HDTV output
• Creative Styles and lots of new parameters to play with
• HDTV output"

"Sony Alpha 700: New Features

• 12.2MP CMOS sensor, Sony says sensor is "all-new for this camera"
• More rugged body, magnesium alloy and polycarbonate construction
• Environmental seals
• Continuous 5 fps shooting, no buffer limit in JPEG Fine/Normal mode with sufficiently fast memory card
• All-new shutter, vertical traverse, 1/8,000 max speed, 1/250 or 1/200 x-sync (slower when Super SteadyShot is turned on)
• Viewfinder is glass pentaprism, 95% coverage, 0.9x magnification.
• DRO (Dynamic Range Optimization) has been revised to include five user-selectable levels in D-R+ mode
• 922K-pixel LCD, 267 ppi vs 160 ppi for typical 230K-pixel 2.5" monitors
• Dual CompactFlash (type I/II) and Memory Stick Pro Duo card slots
• Lithium-ion battery good for 650 shots
• New lens for high-end kits: 16-105mm f/3.5-5.6
  • Goes wider than any other kit lens, is equivalent of 24mm at wide end, vs 27mm equivalent for others. Doesn't sound like much, but the difference is 83 degree coverage for 16mm vs 76 degrees for 18mm.
• Super Steady-Shot image stabilization enhanced
• Both Eye Start and Grip Start sensors for AF
• Predictive autofocus has been enhanced
• Direct HDMI output built-in
  • New Sony Bravia televisions will have special PhotoTV setting, optimized for still pictures. Higher resolution, more gradation, richer color. More natural contrast, not as pumped as standard TV mode
• New vertical grip with full controls, holds one or two batteries for extended runtime
• Sony's goal: "Number One total picture quality among mid-class DLSRs"
  • New sensor with on-chip A/D converters
  • New image processor (entirely new BIONZ design)
  • RAW noise reduction, fast & low-noise processing optimized for CMOS"

NikonPro is published three times a year and distributed to Nikon Professional Services (NPS) members across Europe.

Now, NikonPro is available (Spring and Summer) at only RM 20 per copy (while stocks last).

Limited one copy per person (Limited copies available)

You may purchase a copy in our Nikon Service Center at the following address:

Nikon (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
11th Floor, Block A,
Menara PKNS,
No. 17, Jalan Yong Shook Lin,
46050 Petaling Jaya,
Selangor Darul Ehsan.
Tel: +603-7809 3688

For enquiries, kindly contact our Customer Service at +603-78093688 ext. 621, 627 or 628 from 8.30am to 5.30pm (Mon-Fri) or email to Consumer.Products@nikonoa.net

Mr. Morio Ono, President of Tamron Co., Ltd., has announced the successful development of the AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Aspherical (IF) MACRO zoom lens, a high power zoom lens designed for SLR cameras with full-size format(Model A20), now equipped with a Vibration Compensation (VC) mechanism. The AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC is the ultimate high power zoom lens that covers everything from wide-angle to telephoto and macro. Tamron has incorporated a Vibration Compensator, an anti-shake mechanism developed by Tamron, into the highly versatile zoom lens. The new AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Aspherical (IF) MACRO zoom lens offers the convenience, comfort and versatility of a high power zoom lens and the capability to reduce hand-shake blur on SLR cameras using either APS-C size or full size format imagers.

When the AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC is used with a full size format SLR camera, it covers the tremendous focal length range from 28mm in wide angle to 300mm ultra telephoto. When mounted on a DSLR with an APS-C sized imager, the lens covers a 43mm wide angle to 465mm equivalent ultra telephoto* (full size format equivalent, in a diagonal angle of view of 5°20')

MAIN FEATURES

1. VC (Vibration Compensation) Mechanism Reduces Hand-shake
The proprietary VC (Vibration Compensation) mechanism developed by Tamron features a triaxial configuration using three pairs of driving coils and slide balls around the compensator group of the lens' optical system. Since the compensator lenses are supported with rolling friction of the balls, the response performance is enhanced and the construction is simple, which results in the compactness of the lens. The lens incorporate a highly accurate gyro sensor for detecting hand-shake, which, combined with a 32-bit RISC CPU, offers comfortable anti-vibration effects.

2. Outstanding Design Realizing High Zoom Power, VC Mechanism and Compactness
The AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.5 XR Di VC integrates optical technologies that Tamron has accumulated as the pioneer and leader of high power zoom lenses in order to realize the desired compactness even while incorporating the VC mechanism. The optical system uses a number of lens elements made from special optical glass materials including XR (high refraction index) glass elements, GM (glass-molded aspherical lens) elements, hybrid aspherical elements, LD (low dispersion) glass elements to compensate for on-axis and lateral chromatic aberrations and AD (anomalous dispersion) glass element. The lens offers high contrast, high resolution performance and flatness of the image field as a one-does-it-all zoom lens designed to match the characteristics of DSLR cameras.

3. Revolutionary MFD of 0.49m (19.3") throughout the Zoom Range Provides 1:3 Macro Magnification Ratio
The AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD MACRO boasts an MFD (minimum focusing distance) of 0.49m (19.3") over the entire zoom range, a top-class closing focusing capability among high power zoom lenses for full-size format SLR cameras, which provides the remarkable maximum macro magnification ratio of 1:3 at the 300mm telephoto end.

4. Internal Surface Coatings Minimize Ghosting and Flare
Through the use of "Internal Surface Coatings" (i.e., multiple-layer coatings on cemented surfaces of plural elements) and multiple-layer coatings to prevent reflections from lens surfaces, ghosting and flare due to reflections that occur when light enters through the front element as well as reflections caused by the imager itself in the mirror box are reduced to the absolute minimum.

5. Ultra-high Zoom Power, yet Lightweight and Compact Design Thanks to New Mechanical Devices
Tamron has reviewed the roles that respective barrel parts play in order to achieve the high power, compactness and light weight. As a result, dimensional increases are confined to a mere 17.8mm (0.7") in overall length and about 5mm(0.2") in diameter, when compared with the existing AF28-300mm (Model A061), despite the incorporation of the VC mechanism.

6. Zoom Lock Mechanism for Enhanced Portability
The zoom lock prevents unwanted barrel extension when carrying the lens/camera combination over the shoulder.

7. Flower-shaped Lens Hood
A flower-shaped lens hood is included as a standard accessory. The special hood provides optimum shading of superfluous light rays that enter from the rectangular frame outside the image field.

(*) The ratio Tamron uses to convert from full size format to APS-C focal length is 1.55X.

* values given are for Nikon AF-D cameras.
* The cosmetic design and specs are subject to change without notice.

Tamron AF 28-300mm F3.5-6.3 Di VC is the first lens that comes with stabilizer mechanism for Tamron. This new lens can be used on either a full-frame or APS-C size sensor dSLR. This lens was supposed to be launched last August originally, but it was postphoned till recently.

However, Tamron has only released the Canon mount at this moment. According to Tamron press release, Nikon mount will only be available early spring 2008.

Click the link below to go to the Tamron website show-casing this latest VC lens:

Tamron AF 28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di VC

I think this lens definitely looks good to go into my camera bag as a walk-around lens. The non-VC version Tamron AF F/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD
Aspherical [IF] MACRO has been a popular walk-around lens for quite a few amateur photographers. With the addition of VC to this focal range lens, I think it is going to be as popular as the XR lens used to be.

Well, it looks like we will need to wait a while more before it is available in Malaysia for me to get a hands-on on it ... :).

However, for Canon users, please note that there is some compatibility issue with EOS-1D and some of the older EOS film camera. Please check out the compatibility notes from Tamron website below.

http://www.tamron.co.jp/en/news/release_2007/1018_vc.html

For Nikon users, just keep a lookout in early spring 2008 for the Nikon mount release.

I am truly impressed with this Interesting video that show its operation of live view mode. Click on the link below to see the live view mode in use.

http://a.img-dpreview.com/previews/NikonD300/Samples/Videos/d300liveview_2.swf

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/E40D/E40DA.HTM

Have fun reading !!!

Checkout the press release here ... Canon 40D was released last week.

40D Key features

• 10.1 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
• 6.5 fps continuous shooting, max. burst 75 JPEGs
• New AF system with 9 cross-type sensors
• DIGIC III processor
• 3.0” LCD with Live View mode
• EOS Integrated Cleaning System (similar to 400D)
  
• Clear and bright viewfinder
• Customisable Picture Style processing parameters

Basically, it is just a higher-end version of 400D.

Check out the photo samples at DPReview here. Slurrrpp ... they really looks very good and the noise level is almost not visible at all.

ISO1600 sample

Source: DPReview 

Well, technically under the hood, Nikon has swapped out the D40's six megapixel CCD for a ten megapixel CCD.  Nikon has also added a lower base sensitivity of ISO 100.  Continuous shooting frame rate has gone up from 2.5 fps to 3.0 fps.

Based on the specs and features, this camera is clearly aiming to knock the EOS 400D (Digital Rebel XTi) off its pedestal.

For Phil Askey full review, go to the following link: 

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond40x

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/compactcamerahighiso

Looks like Fuji Finepix F30 is still usable for high ISO, but for other brands, they are just marketing gimmick.  So, if you need something slim, not bulky like dSLR and that are capable of doing high ISO,  Fuji FinePix F30 may be your answer.

The specification looks almost similar to Canon EOS 400D, except for faster fps in continuous shooting (3 fps in 400D) and slightly larger buffer (27 JPEG/10 RAW in 400D) ... basically, there is no "ummph" to it compared to 400D.  It may be a slight improvement over 30D, but for me there is nothing to jump about.  It is a marketing gimmick by Canon to bring some of the new features in 400D into 30D and call it 40D.

Anyway, here’s the Canon EOS 40D specifications that has been circulated on photography forum around the net. 

* 10.1 MP CMOS sensor
* 5fps, 30 JPEG or 11 RAW image burst
* Integrated Cleaning System
* 2.5in LCD with 230K pixels and 160º viewing angle
* Picture Style image processing
* Spot metering & 9-point AF
* DIGIC II processor with 0.2 sec start up
* Digital Photo Professional software
* Magnesium alloy body
* Compatible with all EF/EF-S lenses and EX Speedlite flashes
* Including powerpack and accessories

Designed to inspire. Built to last.

CMOS sensor
A 10.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor provides the sensitivity needed for clean, detailed images with fine colour gradation. Large sensor pixels allow for wide dynamic range and reduced noise at higher ISO speeds. The 22.5 x 15mm sensor size adds an effective 1.6x increase to the focal length of EF lenses, extending reach at the telephoto end.

5 fps shooting
The camera delivers fast 5 fps shooting for continuous bursts of up to 30 large JPEG images (11 in RAW). A new 3 fps shooting mode provides greater control for variable-speed sequences.

Large LCD
Illuminated by 6 LEDs, the bright 2.5 Inch 230K pixel LCD is viewable from 85° in almost all directions.

Picture Style
Picture Style pre-sets provide easy control over image processing parameters. Each style offers a different colour response - similar to the way film types are changed to achieve different effects. Sharpness, contrast, colour tone and saturation are adjustable within each pre-set.

Spot metering
Spot metering allows you to base the optimal exposure value on a concentrated spot (3.5%) in the scene - useful in high-contrast scenes where precise metering control is required.

High precision 9-point wide-area AF
Select from one of nine fixed focusing points across the scene for fast, accurate focusing even with off-centre subjects and ‘rule-of-thirds’ compositions.

DIGIC II
DIGIC II renders colours with precision and accuracy. Fast and efficient, DIGIC II prolongs battery life* and delivers instant 0.15 second start up time.

Digital Photo Professional software
The Digital Photo Professional software permits high-speed processing of lossless RAW images.

Magnesium alloy body
A compact magnesium alloy body provides durability while keeping the camera’s weight down to 700 grams.

EF lenses and accessories
The EOS 40D is compatible with over 60 EF lenses (including the EF-S Series) and all EX Series Speedlite flash units. The E-TTL II flash algorithm passes key shooting data from compatible EF lenses - such as focal length, point of focus and distance information - to the Speedlites for consistently accurate flash exposures. Untethered shooting is possible with the optional Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E1.

Connectivity
Video Out allows reviewing on a TV screen. Connect with USB 2.0 Hi-speed for fast data transfers

Pre-Photokina 2006: Pentax has announced its new ten megapixel K10D digital SLR. A long list of features include a '22 bit' analog to digital converter, CCD-shift type Shake Reduction, dust reduction, environment sealing, eleven point auto focus, sixteen segment metering, selectable program lines and some unique exposure modes including Sensitivity and combined Shutter/Aperture priority. The K10D also provides both Pentax PEF and DNG RAW format options. We have had our hands on a pre-production K10D and have produced a detailed hands-on preview of this interesting new camera.

PENTAX K10D
A High-Performance Lens-Interchangeable Digital SLR Camera

Combining 10.2 Effective Megapixels with the Latest Technologies for Superior-Quality Image Reproduction

PENTAX will be unveiling their new flagship product, the K10D lens-interchangeable digital SLR camera on September 14th 2006. This new digital SLR camera combines 10.2 effective megapixels with a host of advanced technologies - including the PENTAX-original Shake Reduction (SR) system.

The K10D combines 10.2 effective megapixels with an array of new advanced technology to make this camera a true class leader. These include the PENTAX-developed Shake Reduction (SR) system to minimise the adverse effects of camera shake, a newly developed A/D converter designed to convert a large volume of data more accurately and swiftly, and a new high-performance imaging engine designed exclusively for the K10D.

The K10D also comes equipped with a host of features and functions designed to assist the photographer in all aspects of high-quality digital SLR photography. They include a new Dust Removal (DR) system to keep dust off the CCD surface, a PENTAX-original exposure system for accurate reproduction of the photographer's creative intentions, and a dependable dust-proof, water-resistant body construction meaning photographers don't have to stop taking pictures when the rain starts. All combined, the K10D delivers exceptionally high image quality and responds brilliantly to the exacting demands of advanced photographers and keen amateurs alike.

Major Features

1. High-quality image reproduction

• 10.2 effective megapixels for true-to-life, rich-gradation images:
  The K10D features a large, high-performance 23.5mm x 15.7mm CCD with 10.2 effective megapixels as its image sensor, assuring the reproduction of true-to-life, rich-gradation images.
• PENTAX-original Shake Reduction mechanism for blur-free images:
  The K10D is equipped with the PENTAX-developed Shake Reduction (SR) system, which effectively reduces camera shake for sharp, blur-free images. Even in demanding shooting conditions, such using a telephoto lens, shooting in the dark or at night without supplementary flash illumination, or shooting at extended exposures for sunset scenes. This innovative mechanism shifts the position of the CCD image sensor vertically and horizontally at high speed using magnetic force, while adjusting the shifting speed in proportion to the amount of camera shake detected by a built-in sensor. It offers an outstanding compensation effect equivalent to two to four shutter-speed steps. As a result, it does not require special anti-shake lenses, and can be used with almost all existing PENTAX interchangeable lenses.*
• * Lenses compatible with this mechanism are the PENTAX K-, KA-, KAF- and KAF2-mount lenses; screw-mount lenses (with an adapter); and 645 and 67system lenses (with an adapter). Some functions may not be applicable with certain lenses.
• Newly developed A/D converter for truthful image data conversion:
  The K10D incorporates a high-performance A/D converter, which faithfully converts the analog data collected by the CCD image sensor into digital data. With the highest resolving power (22 bits, or 4.2 million gradations) among all existing digital cameras, it offers a digital-conversion capacity 1,024 times greater than conventional 12-bit, 4,096-gradation A/D converters.
• Newly designed PRIME imaging engine:
  The K10D incorporates the new PRIME (PENTAX Real Image Engine) as its imaging engine. Designed exclusively for PENTAX digital SLR cameras, this new imaging engine produces well-balanced, true-to-life images through efficient control of CCD signals, saturation, brightness, white balance, sharpness and contrast. Its new memory (DDR2: Double Data Rate 2) also serves to enhance speedy image processing and high-speed data transfer.

2. Dust Removal system to keep dust off the CCD surface

• The K10D features the new Dust Removal (DR) system to prevent dust from sticking to the surface of the CCD image sensor (or low-pass filter). Applied to the CCD surface through a vapour deposition process of a fluorine compound, the PENTAX-original Special Protect (SP) coating effectively removes dust and stains from the surface. In the next step, dust that still remains on the surface will be shaken off when the SR system shifts the CCD at high speed. The dust that is shaken off the CCD will fall onto an adhesive sheet positioned at the bottom of the SR unit, eliminating any possibility of its returning to the CCD surface.

3. Original exposure system for flexibility and creativity

• Hyper Program function:
  The K10D's Hyper Program function allows the user to instantly switch to the Shutter-Priority AE (Tv) mode or Aperture-Priority AE (Av) mode from the Program AE mode, with a simple turn of the electronic dials on the grip (one on the front for index finger control, and the other on the back for thumb control). To return to the Program AE mode, simply press the green button positioned next to the shutter release button.
• Hyper Manual function:
  When shooting in the Metered Manual mode, a single push of the green button allows the user to instantly set the proper exposure for the subject.
• Sensitivity-Priority mode:
  The K10D features a new Sensitivity-Priority AE (Sv) mode, which is designed to automatically select the optimum combination of aperture and shutter speed for a user-selected sensitivity. The sensitivity can be shifted instantly (in 1/2 or 1/3 steps) by turning the electronic dial. Since this mode eliminates the need to recall a menu screen for sensitivity changes, the photographer can react more quickly to changing photographic conditions.
• Shutter & Aperture-Priority mode:
  Another exposure mode offered by the K10D is Shutter & Aperture-Priority AE (TAv) mode, which is designed to automatically select the most appropriate sensitivity for a user-selected shutter-speed & aperture combination.

4. Dust-proof, water-resistant construction

• The K10D boasts a reliable dust-proof, water-resistant construction, with special seals applied to 72 different parts of the camera body, including the shutter release button and switches/levers/dials. This dependable body makes it possible to use the K10D in the rain or in dusty locations without any worry

5. Bright, clear viewfinder

• Featuring a glass pentaprism, the K10D's viewfinder offers a 96-percent field of view and a 0.95-times magnification for easy viewing of the subject and effortless confirmation of focus and composition. Coupled with the acclaimed Natural-Bright-Matte II focusing screen, it delivers a large, bright subject image.

6. Compatibility with supersonic motor-driven lenses

• The K10D is designed to be compatible with supersonic motor-driven autofocus lenses (currently under development), which are expected to provide smoother, quieter autofocus operation than conventional lenses.

7. Auto sensitivity control up to ISO 1600

• The K10D's auto sensitivity control function automatically sets the optimum sensitivity up to ISO 1600, based on such data as the subject's brightness level and the lens' focal length. Since this function allows the use of higher shutter speeds in poor lighting situations (such as indoor sports events and night scenes), it helps the photographer to effectively reduce camera shake and prevent blurred images. For specialized applications, the sensitivity can be set manually from ISO 100 to ISO 1600.

8. Continuous shooting at approximately three images per second

• To trace the movement of an active subject or capture a sequence of the subject's expressions, the K10D offers a continuous shooting mode that allows the photographer to capture a series of images at a maximum speed of approximately three images per second. In the JPEG recording format, the user can take unlimited images in succession until the capacity of the SD memory card runs out.

9. Reliable shutter unit

• The K10D's shutter unit is designed to withstand nearly 100,000 releases, whlst assuring high-precision operation over the entire shutter-speed range - up to a top speed of 1/4000 second. It also features a flash synchronisation speed of 1/180 second for more versatile flash photography.

10. 11-point wide-frame AF

• The K10D's sophisticated SAFOX VIII autofocus system features 11 sensor points (with nine cross-type sensors positioned in the middle) to automatically focus on the subject with utmost precision, even when it is positioned off centre. The in-focus sensor point is automatically super-imposed in red in the viewfinder for at-a-glance confirmation.

11. Extra-large, wide-view LCD monitor

• The K10D incorporates an extra-large 2.5-inch colour LCD monitor on its rear panel. Its wide-view design allows the photographer to check the monitor image from 140 degrees both vertically and horizontally, ensuring effortless image viewing even from a diagonal position. With approximately 210,000 pixels, it also offers digital zooming of playback images up to 20 times for easy confirmation of the image's focusing status and details.

12. Powerful rechargeable batteries for extended shooting

• The K10D features new, large-capacity lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, which can capture approximately 730 images** when fully recharged.
• ** Under testing conditions prescribed by the CIPA standards (flash illumination used in 50% of images).

13. Other features

• Choice of 16-segment multi-pattern metering, centre-weighted metering and spot metering to accommodate various photographic applications
• High-rigidity stainless-steel chassis
• 32 custom functions to personalise camera operations
• Extended bracket function to capture three images of the same subject at different contrast, saturation, sharpness or white-balance levels
• Compatibility with conventional SD memory cards and newly introduced SDHC memory cards
• Choice of two preview functions (digital/optical)
• Simultaneous recording of RAW and JPEG images
• Manual fine adjustment of white balance
• Day-by-day folders to simplify the arrangement and search of recorded images
• Six built-in digital filters (Black-and-white, Sepia, Slim, Soft, Brightness and Colour) for easy editing of recorded images
• Remote shutter release from the front and back sides of the camera using optional remote controller
• PENTAX PHOTO Laboratory 3 RAW data processing software and PENTAX PHOTO Browser 3 browser software, included on the accompanying CD-ROM
• Compatibility with PictBridge, DPOF, Exif Print and PRINT Image Matching III systems

Exclusive Optional Accessory

D-BG2 Battery Grip

• Developed for exclusive use with the PENTAX K10D, this battery grip can be used in combination with the camera's rechargeable lithium-ion batteries to greatly extend the battery life. With an extra shutter-release button, preview lever, electronic dial, AE-lock button and green button, it makes vertical-position shooting simple and effortless. It also features the same dust-proof, water-resistant construction as the K10D camera body.

Launch date (tentative): Mid October, 2006
Power source: Exclusive lithium-ion battery (D-LI50 type)
Dimensions: 140 (W) x 43 (H) x 73.5 (D) mm (excluding protrusions)
Weight: 235g (without battery)

For full hands-on preview on Pentax K10D, go to:
DPReview - Pentax K10D

Here is the leak about the new Canon dSLR EOS400D ... checkout some of the pictures of the camera. And 2 new lenses 50mm f/1.2 L and 70-200mm f/4 L IS.

So, what is so new about EOS400D?

10.1MP (but still 1.6X sensor)
9 point autofocus system
Still no spot metering ... :(
3 fps
Same battery pack, BG-E3 battery grip and DIGIC II as the older EOS350D.

The leak was on this website earlier ... but it has been taken down.

http://www.canon.com.cn/front/canon/news/backend_news_detail.jsp?id=2322

PS: I will post any update in the comment section ... :).

Nikon teaser

Is this going to be the successor of D70 and D70s? Well, looks like we need to wait a few more days to find out.

And the rumours say it is Nikon D80 .... check out the posted pix.

And this also means the end-of-life for RawShooter Premium has started and no more support for it. Here is the letter to the existing RawShootoer Premium users:

Dear RawShooter!

As you may have noticed, Adobe Systems Inc. recently acquired the technology assets of Pixmantec. Pixmantec’s technology and expertise will be incorporated into Adobe’s products. Specifically, some of Pixmantec’s raw processing technology will be incorporated into Adobe’s raw processing engine which is shared by Adobe Camera Raw and Lightroom. We, the founders of Pixmantec, will join the Adobe team, integrating our expertise into their products, and continuing to be able to serve the photographic community.

As the founders of Pixmantec, we’d like to express how gratifying it has been to see the level of support and praise we have managed to gain through the introduction of the RawShooter product line to the market. We had a vision of making top-notch raw processing capabilities truly accessible to a wide audience of photographers, and the number of devoted users that developed tells us that we made significant progress towards that goal.

Nevertheless, we also saw that we were not the only company recognizing the need for specialized photography workflow software. Specifically, Adobe a company we have always admired had for some time been working on their own workflow solution, which was announced as the Lightroom public beta program in January of this year. When we met with the folks from Adobe, we found that the admiration was mutual, and that our visions for the customer were very well aligned. Ultimately, we saw the opportunity to make a bigger impact by joining Adobe, and lending our own best ideas and expertise to the ongoing Camera Raw and Lightroom efforts.

As we work to integrate Pixmantec technology and expertise into Adobe’s raw processing pipeline, we will no longer be working on new versions of the RawShooter | premium product, and have stopped selling this product. Of course, your RawShooter | premium product will continue to work and serve you well, but we also know that many of you will eventually want a software solution that you know will continue to evolve, remaining up-to-date as raw workflows and processing continues to improve. Adobe Lightroom is a product targeted at solving these evolving workflows and up to the minute raw processing. Currently in public beta format for the Macintosh platform Adobe Lightroom will be released as public beta for Windows this summer.

Lightroom is being built from the ground up to address the unique challenges of a photography-centric workflow. Not only will it offer what we believe will be second-to-none raw processing, but it is designed to provide a start-to-finish workflow solution for photographers. We encourage you to learn about Adobe Lightroom: http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/lightroom

For those concerned about the transition to Lightroom or the acquisition in general please visit this FAQ that addresses many of the topics discussed in the Pixmantec forums recently. Please continue to let us know how we can ease this product transition for you.

Now that we’ve joined the Adobe family, we must emphasize that RawShooter users also are now Adobe customers, regardless of whether you ever purchase another Adobe product. Your satisfaction matters to us. Specifically, Adobe will do the following:

Offer a free download version of Lightroom 1.0 for customers who bought RawShooter | premium prior to July 12th 2006, 12 noon European Standard Time. Given that Lightroom 1.0 will serve a much broader range of functionality and will be priced at a higher price point than RawShooter | premium, we believe this represents a great value for our customers.

Adobe will investigate to what extent your image corrections made within RawShooter can be transferred to Lightroom.

We will deliver support for Canon EOS 30D In RawShooter | essentials this summer.

We are deeply thankful for the support you have offered Pixmantec and we thank you in advance for your understanding and continued support.

The best is yet to come!

Sincerely yours,

Kenneth Laerke and Michael Jonsson