Technology – Snapped

The Power of 3

douw — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 09:37:16 +0000

The Power of 3

The number three is a lucky one for camera enthusiasts, as these new high-end models from Nikon and Olympus show, writes Toby Shapshak.
Olympus E-3

Olympus E-3

With a legend like David Bailey proclaiming its new E-3 camera, Olympus can certainly feel satisfied it has done enough to be compared with Nikon and Canon. Its sturdier and larger build has prompted some reviewers to put it up against Canon and Nikon – certainly in terms of looks. But inside it appears to have muscle. Olympus claims it has the world’s fastest autofocus for quick and precise image capturing, using its fully-biaxial high-speed 11-point AF system. The 10 megapixel sensor is enhanced by the 1/8000th second high-speed and high-precision shutter control; while it can run 5fps sequential shooting with a 16 image RAW buffer. The E-3 has borrowed from Olympus’ success with easy-to-use compact mick-en-druks, the 2.5in (6.4cm) Live View LCD allows you to frame a shot via the screen at the back, instead of the viewfinder if that takes your fancy. It also has a superb built-in image stabilizer. “A professional all-rounder,” is how Olympus describes its new E-3; or as David Bailey reportedly told fellow photographic legend Barry Lategan at Olympus’ E-3 press preview in London: “Seen the new camera, Barry? It’s good, innit?”.

Price TBA.
Web: olympus.co.za

Nikon D3

Nikon’s reliability and build quality are legendary, as the new D3 demonstrates. The D3 is a thing of wonder, with Nikon’s first full-frame sensor. Its FX-format CMOS is 36 x 23.9mm, about the same size as a 35mm negative, with 12.1 megapixels. Of course, it can also capture the 5:4 (30 x 24mm) FX format and DX format (24 x 16mm). With a sensitivity range of ISO 200 to 6400, it’ll grab exceptionally low-light images. With 51-point autofocus and 9fps burst shooting, it also provides superb speed, but its autofocus system features 15 cross-type sensors that maximise the potential of lenses with apertures as small as f/5.6. Indeed, it has greatly improves autofocus, auto exposure and auto white balance. A large and bight 3in (7.6cm) LCD screen lets you see your images immediately, while you can transmit the images with its HDMI output or an optional wireless transmitter.

Nikon D3 R60 800 body only.
Web: nikon.co.za

Canon EOS 1000D & Nikon D300

douw — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 09:25:03 +0000

Canon EOS 1000D & Nikon D300

The lion’s share of the market for professional DSLRs in South Africa is split between Canon and Nikon. A recent market category introduced by both companies packs high-end technology into a more affordable price range well below that of flagship products. Most pros base buying decisions on the compatible lenses they already own. Here’s a quick tour of Canon’s EOS 1000D and Nikon’s D300. By Greg Gordon.

Canon EOS 1000D

This compact, lightweight model features a 10.1 megapixel sensor – useful in low-light conditions – and can shoot up to three frames per second. Image storage is either via SD card or newer SDHC high capacity versions – great for long assignments. There’s a seven-point AF system and images are displayed on a generous 2,5-inch (6,3cm) LCD. Unlike earlier digicams, you can use the screen in Live View mode instead of the optical viewfinder to frame shots. Picture Style presets are a quick way to optimize exposure settings for different conditions. The body weighs just 450g and is compatible with the entire range of EF/EF-S lenses, Speedlite EX flash units and other EOS system accessories.

Nikon D300

With 12.3 megapixel resolution and a fast six frames per second (up to 8fps with an optional battery pack), the D300 is impressive. Add to that a 3-inch (7,6cm) LCD on-board display, an HDMI out port for high-definition displays and 51-point autofocus system and you have a highly capable camera. One of the best features is an optional wireless networking system which you can use to transmit images to a server whether for browsing, printing or publishing on the web – while you continue shooting. Five networked D300 cameras. At 795g it’s heavier than other models but it sits comfortable. It’s compatible with Nikkor lenses.

Big vs Small

douw — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 09:03:48 +0000

Big vs Small

The hottest new Nikon and Canon dSLRs have bigger and better capacities while smaller and more compact cameras and computers show where consumer tech is going, writes Toby Shapshak.

Sony T300

Sony’s T series virtually invented the ultraslim compact market they now lead, and the latest T300 is ample demonstration of why they deserve their top-dog status.

At first glance what sets it apart might be the skinny frame, or the 10 megapixel Super HAD CCD sensor, or even the Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens with 5x optical zoom. All of these are market leading features in their own right. It might even be the 3.5 inch (8.8cm) screen at the back, which has no buttons because it’s a touchscreen and is in the 16:9 widescreen format of the computer or TV screen you’ll view the final image on.

But what truly sets it apart is the clever face and smile recognition software that focuses the lens and sensor on these aspects and makes sure they are sharp. Especially handy for parents with kids who want to catch that smiling moment, this face detection technology makes it easier to capture that happy moments.

HP 2133 Mini-Note

Not since the PowerBook has there been a powerful enough small laptop for photographers to schlep with them on shoots. Sure, we’re great fans of the 12-inch Lenovo ThinkPad X61 (but it’s a touch pricey and runs Windows) and the seven-inch Asus Eee PC (which is a bargain at R3 000 but has only 2GB of storage and runs Linux) but the new HP 2133 Mini-Note combines the strengths of both these two compact computers. Although most professional photographers use Macs, there isn’t a small enough nor compact enough laptop to replace what the PowerBook did.

This dinky HP combines an 8.9-inch (22.6cm) screen with the usual specs of a laptop (1.2Ghz processor, 1GB or RAM and 120GB hard drive) and still manages to run Windows without hiccups. At R5 000 its just above the Eee PC price range and is still compact enough to take on shoots to run Photoshop, check email and run a mobile office.

R5 000.
Web: hp.co.za