Eastmon Digital Photography Tips » Digital Camera Reviews

Sigma 150-500mm APO DG OS HSM Lens

Eastmon Admin — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 04:05:19 +0000

By contributor Tom Lacey.

I have always enjoyed the beauty of nature, so taking photos of birds and sea life is one of my favourite pastimes. I needed something to compliment my existing set-up and the answer came in the form of a Sigma zoom lens. Sigma’s APO 150-500mm telephoto lens boasts huge zoom at an affordable price. For what the lens lacks on paper in the way of aperture it more than compensates for with affordability and portability and all round ease of use.

Features and Design

This lens was designed for use on both APS-C and full frame type digital cameras. Sigma’s 150-500mm lens incorporates many features which help create that perfect photo. One such feature is Sigma’s HSM drive which delivers smooth and quick movements, especially when auto focusing. This is a similar technology to Canon’s UltraSonic.

The Sigma 150-500mm is made up of 21 lens elements in 15 groups. Sigma has incorporated a top notch optical stabiliser into this lens which is designed to give an increase in speed of approximately 4 f-stops. This stabiliser came in handy and you see a clear difference between stabilised and non-stabilised photography.

The lens is with Pentax, Nikon, Canon and Sony camera mounts. I coupled this camera up with the Nikon D90 and D70s to get thorough results. Overall the lens was a great match for the D90 but I felt the D70s was out-shined by the Sigma 150-500mm and did not pair up as nicely.

The build quality is exactly to the standard we have come to expect from Sigma. Its metal mounting plate and smart black finish ensure the lens feels solid but not heavy and clunky which can happen with large zoom lenses. The rubberised zoom and focus rings guarantee a sure grip for the user.

Using the lens.

As I enjoy taking photos of nature and sea life I took the lens for a run around Newcastle and the Hunter Valley. The lens was easy to get used to and performed well during day lit shots, even when hand held and at full zoom. At night I would recommend a tripod to ensure crystal clear photographs when the lens is extended fully. There is a tripod mount that comes with the lens which really does come in handy. Weighing in at just under 2kg, I can tell you that your shoulder will get sore if you hand hold this an extended period of time – as is expected with any large zoom lens.

Because of the use of coated elements inside the lens, blemishes such as flares and ghosting are kept to a minimum. Aberration was also well controlled and the edges were very sharp at full crop. Very impressive for a lens at this price point. Vignetting did show itself in a few frames and tended to be more prominent in photos of the sky at lower focal lengths.

The HSM helped with smooth and quick auto focusing. A very small amount of photographs showed a tendency to miss the mark as far as the auto-focus was concerned resulting with the subject of the image coming out-of-focus. This happened mostly when taking a photo of a finch amongst the reeds of a pond in poor light – not exactly an easy focusing situation. In the end I switched the camera to manual mode and got the photo I was after straight up.

Who would it suit

The sports enthusiast would love this lens. Getting right in close to the subject is what this lens was made for. Whether you want it for sports action, nature or even portrait photos the lens will be a welcome addition to your existing kit. I have used this lens in a church for holy communion photos and it performed beautifully. It would really suit a wedding photographer who is not quite ready to spend the big dollars on an F2.8 lens.

People who are into wildlife photography or bird watching will also love this lens. Set it on a monopod or tripod and you have the perfect kit to take clear, colourful images of everything nature has to offer. The Newcastle beaches were the perfect opportunity for me to test the lens out to try and get the fast moving gulls diving for my hot chips. The lens performed well with all the challenges I threw at it and the results were great. For $1399 you really cant go wrong with the Sigma 150-500mm lens.

Tom is the Store Manager of the Eastmon Glen Innes store and a photography enthusiast.

Digital Camera or Video Camera?

Eastmon Admin — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:05:12 +0000

Often the most asked question before plunging in and buying a new digital camera is what is important to me? Do I want to capture high quality stills or a lot of movie action? Following on from that is the question ” why can’t I get a camera that does both?”

This vexed question is tackled well in the article from DP Review, titled ‘Beginners Guide to HD video’. As the article states compact digital cameras have been capturing video for many years, albeit with mixed results. As technology moved along we started to see a blurring of the lines with cameras like the Panasonic TZ7 offering quick start HD video with zoom on a high end compact digital camera.

HD video recording is fast becoming a standard in many compact cameras, starting from the waterproof Pentax W60 and W80 series cameras, and many other compact cameras wanting to capitalise on the growing HD market.

The real interest though is in the DSLR market with its larger sensor, interchangeable lenses and manual controls. Cameras such as the Nikon D90 set the ball rolling capturing HD video, however the progression since then has been amazing with every manufacturer hopping on board.

Cameras such as the Nikon D5000 and D300s and Canon EOS 500D and the EOS 7D have really set the pace as everyone finds new ways to use these hybrid DSLR/Camcorder.

So the question has changed. Should you now consider one of the new breed digital compact cameras or Digital SLR with HD video and are they as good as they are made out to be?

Fujifilm Finepix S2000HD Digital Camera Review

Eastmon Admin — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 02:36:07 +0000

Fujifilm Finepix S2000HD Digital Camera Review

By guest contributor Geoff Porter
Earlier this year I was fortunate enough to see a couple of games of Tennis at the Australian Open in Melbourne with some work friends. Knowing that I’d need a pretty powerful zoom to get in close to the action I chose to take the Fuji S2000HD. This series of cameras have always given me good results in the past and the S2000 was no exception.

The zoom range of the S2000HD is 15x or the equivalent of 27.6mm to 414mm in the old 35mm terms. I remember having to carry around three lenses to give me less than this range when I was starting out in photography.

The seats we had were very good, about 15 to 20 rows back and as you can see from the images I took of Jelene Jankovic, Ai Sugiyama, Amer Delic and Novak Djokovic that the 15 times zoom was quite powerful enough for this type of event. I imagine that if you were on the sidelines of a football game or a polo field that you could get some great shots with this camera.

One of the great features that help’s you take better action photos with this camera is image stabilising shooting mode. The S2000 Fuji has a dual image stabilisation system, that is two different types of stabiliser working together. The first is CCD shift were the camera senses camera movement and moves the CCD sensor to minimize the effect. The second is a high sensitivity stabiliser that increases the sensitivity of the sensor in low light so the camera can shoot at higher shutter speeds. It’s a bit like loading high ISO film in your camera in the film days. So even when taking fast action with a powerful telephoto lens like the S2000s you can still get very sharp images.

Another one of the features that’s really great to use especially with sport photos is the continuous high speed shooting option. The Fuji S2000 can shoot at 6.8 frames a second at 5mp resolution and 13.5 frames a second at about 3mp resolution. Even the 3mp images look quite OK as a postcard size print.

The Fuji S2000HD will also shoot High Definition movies in 16:9 format so now not only can you capture some great action photos but you can also film the action and play it in HD when you get home.

I really enjoyed using the Fuji S2000HD and would highly recommend it.

Geoff Porter is the product manager for the Eastmon group and is an associate of the Tamworth store

If you are interested in taking better sports and action shots, you may like to view Sports & Action from our affiliate.
Sport and Action (World’s Top Photographers Workshops)

Olympus E620 Digital SLR Review

Eastmon Admin — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 08:36:30 +0000

By guest contributor Grace Cole

Grace is a casual team member of our Inverell store and a full time school student. Grace’s article demonstrates the ease with which a novice photographer can pick up a modern Digital SLR and take great photos. It is easy to forget that we all start somewhere and through this review by Grace you can see her hesitation at first turn into surprise and confidence to get great photos with ease. Happy reading, Warren Wilson – Editor!

I enjoy photography and I was asked if I would write a review for a Digital SLR camera.

To start with I was very nervous as I had never used a camera of this size or with these features before. My first impressions of a Digital SLR was that they were not very modern and that it would be complicated, But the Olympus E620 I chose was lighter and easier than I had expected.

Macro mode using 14-42mm Lens

Features

I started taking photos on the automatic settings, experimenting with Portrait, Landscape and Macro modes. I found them quite easy as the camera did everything for me all I had to do was zoom in.

I experimented with the manual settings and even though I did not fully understand what I was doing it was a lot easier than I expected. I could set the aperture ( this allowed me to decide what I wanted in focus and create depth of field ). The camera then set its own shutter speed. This also works the opposite way around if you want to set the shutter speed, for sports action shots0o, it will select the aperture for you. I had a lot of fun experimenting with these settings.

The Olympus 620 has an exciting range of filters for special effects, including pop art, soft focus, light tone, grainy film (my favourite) and pin hole.

Who is it Suitable For?

The Olympus 620 is suitable for anyone that has a keen interest in photography. Whether you would like learn more about photography and take more ‘professional’ photos, or just be more creative with your pictures, this is the camera for you. Because of its light weight, it is ideal for travelers who want to take postcard style photos or giant enlargements with ease.

Art Filter - Grainy Black & White

Conclusion

This camera is very easy to use and learn. Its guide makes it possible for first time users to follow step by step instructions to help you take fantastic photos and develop your skills as a photographer.
The features on this camera really make it possible to vary your own style of photography and creativity in your photos. I loved using this camera in the end and was reluctant to give it back.

Grace is a full time student and currently completing yr10 at Inverell High School. Grace works Saturday mornings and some school holidays at the Inverell Eastmon Store.

Pentax Optio M60 Digital Camera Review

Eastmon Admin — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 03:16:50 +0000

Pentax Optio M60 Digital Camera Review

By guest contributor Lisa Reece
As a mother with a young family I have learnt to always have a camera on hand to capture those memorable, unexpected moments. I have a Digital SLR0 but was looking for something small and light to carry in my handbag that was relatively inexpensive.

First Impressions

The Pentax M60 looks good and is really thin, only 21mm, has a 2.5″ large LCD screen, 10mp and a 5x optical zoom and is under $300.

Features

I was surprised that this little camera is packed with so many features. The extra zoom was very useful, I was able to take some good shots of my 2yr old son while he played in the backyard and did not have to be right in his face. This eliminated the fake smile that he pulls when I try and get him to smile for a picture.

Auto picture modes were great, the camera automatically selected the best mode for the situation, changing from portrait to macro in a fraction of a second. Face detection and smile capture is a must with a 2 year old.

Smile mode captures the instant a smile is detected

How many times have we taken a movie and got the perfect shot, wishing it could be turned into a photo. Well now you can using the movie edit mode. This camera also has a built in photo recovery for when little hands (or big ones) delete images by mistake. My creative side came to life when I discovered the Pentax M60 has a whole range of editing features, from the standard cropping and redeye removal to colour extraction, (My Favourite).
Colour extraction is where the camera will add a Black and White filter to your image, but extract either red, blue or green, so you end up having a black and white image with some parts left in colour. A lot of fun!

Auto Modes change between portrait - macro - landscape instantly

I had a play with the panorama mode and it was so easy, no more taking a series of pictures and having to stitch them together on your computer. This is fully automatic, you take your first image, the edge of the first frame will appear semi-transparent on the side of the screen. Move the camera so the semi-transparent image and the actual view line up and overlap. Continue this for the third frame and just like magic you have the perfect panoramic view!

Colour extraction mode retained the blue colour

I can’t wait to go on holidays again to try it out on a magnificent view.

Overall

This is a great, easy to use camera. Perfect size to take anywhere, and is packed with mountains of features if you feel like being creative. It is quick to focus and take the photo. I was surprised how well it coped with movement compared to the compact cameral I had a few years ago, because anyone who has kids will know they never stay still.

How do I rate it?

The M60 is great family camera but also good for those wanting to get creative with their images as they learn more. I would rate this camera 8/10, with a Pentax M60 now living in my handbag I will be able to capture every moment of my family’s life together.

Lisa is the manager of the Eastmon Inverell store and takes some beautiful photographs of her son as she documents his growth.

Auto macro mode

Canon IXUS 95is Digital Camera Review

Eastmon Admin — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 06:54:08 +0000

By guest contributor Thomas Lacey

After reviewing the Canon A480 I had really high hopes for the Canon IXUS 95is still camera, and after reviewing this beastie little unit I was not left disappointed. Its ease of use and high functionality made taking every photo a joy. This camera is a powerhouse amongst compact cameras but is still cost effective and fantastically easy.

First Impression.

Lets talk looks! This camera comes from a long line of very popular and very attractive cameras. The IXUS 95is really hasn’t changed all that much from the IXUS 85is but has added a couple of interesting colours and nice curves to the collection. I tested the grey-blue model and really liked it. It was different to all the black and silver models on the market but not as far out as some of the bright, pastel, or fluro colours we are seeing now. This camera comes in a selection of colours; pink to green and grey to blue. All colours can be seen in the picture above.

The front of the camera is true to the traditional IXUS format. The first thing I noticed about the IXUS 95is was the addition of the plastic front panel. The past models have all had metal front panels. I don’t think this is a disadvantage, the camera has lost a lot of chunk and weight, now tipping the scales at only 120grams. From this we then focus on the chrome lens that is topped off by the viewfinder and flash. The shining silver “Canon” logo sits vertically to the side. There is absolutely no doubting this cameras origin as a Canon IXUS as not a whole lot has changed from past models, but then again, why should it?

The back of the camera features the same-old set of Canon controls. We have the directional pad that doubles up as quick keys for the most used controls such as the function button, macro – landscape, flash and the self timer. Towards the top of the camera we notice a slider bar that changes the camera from auto to program to video and the review button sitting high and mighty next to the slider.

Shot using Sunset mode

The screen is not large at only 2.5” and many will see this as a drawback. I see the smaller screen size as an advantage as it has given Canon space to include a much-needed viewfinder, something necessary when photographing the rugby with that irritating sun glare shining on the screen.

Features.

The camera boasts many usable features for the amateur and enthusiast photographer. It has the ability to be a great throw-in-your-bag type camera but is still able to take photos that could make an SLR user green with envy. The sensor is a 10mega pixel CCD sensor that allows the user to print their photos up to an A3 size. The large sensor also allows the user to showcase their holiday snaps on their large family television without losing definition and clarity.

The lens is great but not much has changed from the previous models. With 3x optical zoom and an aperture range starting at F2.8 this camera is able to take brilliant photos with ease. Auto focus and image stabilization are also included in the lens, but that is to be expected with a Canon IXUS.

The IXUS 95is’ most notable change is the addition of the DiGIC IV processor to the camera, something that the IXUS 85is missed out on. The DiGIC IV processor produces better images faster according to the Canon paraphernalia; I found this to be very true when comparing the IXUS 95is camera to its competitors.

Canon cameras are traditionally feature packed for their price and the 95is is no exception to this. It has all sorts of modes and functions to make every picture perfect. We have a series of pre-programmed semi-automatic modes for specific shots, ISO adjustment, white balance controls, colour controls, light metering control and resolution change. The “My Colours” feature is great but why Canon decided to not include colour swap and colour accent I do not know. It is such a likable little feature, and yes, Photoshop will usually do a better job, but it makes the camera just that little bit more fun.

Auto mode with stunning colour

Intelligent Auto ensures shooting with the IXUS 95is is incredibly easy and is a fairly self-explanatory feature. While the intelligent auto is good it still has the same problems as the Panasonic iA settings. Occasionally the colours will blow out and the images over or under expose, but for the 9 out of 10 shots that come out great it is still a worthy feature. In saying that, at $399 the intelligent auto is an exciting and unexpected addition to the camera and definitely outperforms most of the competition.

Using The Camera

I first used the Canon IXUS 95 when doing a demo on the model. The camera performed so well in a very limited amount of time that I decided to explore it a little more. To say I was impressed is a massive understatement. Lets put it this way; I am now the proud owner of an IXUS 95is in the tested colour.

The camera delivers vibrant colours and sharp edges. Sometimes the edges appear too sharp but a quick fiddle with the settings will change that. In respect to the colour saturation, the IXUS 95is held its own against larger and more expensive cameras and excelled at reproducing rich greens and deep blues.

The DiGIC IV processor was quick and consistent, performing burst shots at about 1 frame per second. The processor was wonderfully effective at reducing noise, which is one thing I really hate creeping into my photos. At zoom, with ISO1600 it was noticeable, but not enough to concern this particularly fussy photographer.

Taken at widest angle - no zoom

12x zoom - 3x optical & 4x digital

Video mode was impressive but not as good as the IXUS 100is’ high definition mode. The IXUS 95is performed well delivering 30 frames per second at 640×480 resolution. Not quite DVD quality, but getting close.

The camera seemed to love taking portraits and photos of family and friends. Movement shots blurred a little at the tail end of the moving object but the overall performance was good. In door shots often over exposed in the foreground but a quick tweak of the controls fixed that. Blame the user on this occasion not the camera.

Portrait mode

Conclusion

The Canon IXUS 95is is a very powerful little camera. Built like a cat with the power of a tiger this camera is sure to impress every user. The features are full and there is not a lot about the camera I would change. The addition of colour swap and colour accent would have been nice, high definition video would have been nicer but at $399 I will certainly recommend this camera to anyone looking for a digital still in the sub $400 mark. After all, I liked it so much I now own it.

Thomas Lacey is the senior sales consultant at Eastmon Dubbo store.

Panasonic Lumix TZ-6 Digital Camera Review

Eastmon Admin — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 07:25:10 +0000

By guest contributor Geoff Porter

A few years ago I thought if someone would just bring out a digital camera with a lens that gives a 5x optical zoom range that starts at 28mm (in 35mm film terms) that it would be so popular you’d have to stand in line to get one. I realised as I looked at the options available now that not only have we seen a few cameras with these features but some of the newer models are offering lots, lots more than I had been hoping for.

Last Christmas My wife and I gave our daughter a Pentax Optio W60, we based our purchase on photos that our friends and family had taken with the older models of this camera, the W10 and W20 Pentax. The W60 has a 5 times optical zoom that starts at 28mm but even more than that it’s waterproof so it’s safe to take to the beach, the snow or just to take fun shots in the pool.

We are really happy with the Pentax Optio W60 but this story is about the Panasonic Lumix TZ6. I recently attended the photographic trade show PMA, in Sydney, I wanted to take a camera with me to record things at the show that I could use in my business but also to take photos of the city if I had any free time.

At only 33mm thick the TZ-6 is not much bigger than many of the compact digital still cameras on the market today and fitted in a normal compact camera case that attached to my belt. I didn’t have time to read the instructions before I went so all I can comment on is how it went in auto mode and how versatile the lens is.

The Panasonic Lumix TZ-6 has a 12x optical zoom starting at a very wide 25mm. The camera also features optical image stabilisation that made it possible to shoot in very low light and still get reasonably sharp images.

I did end up having a few hours to see the sights of Sydney and headed straight for the Opera House, the Panasonic TZ6 really was fun to use as I wandered around one of our great iconic structures. The versatility of the lens meant I could take some shots from just a few feet from the building and using the amazing structural lines to show individual faces of the structure and then get a completely different look as I used the telephoto end of the zoom as I sipped a cappuccino from a few hundred metres away at a coffee shop by the harbour.

I was also fortunate enough to see the State of Origin rugby league game at ANZ stadium. The 12x zoom is OK for sport if you have kids playing football or hockey and you can get really close to the action but for an event like State of Origin 12x is not really enough.

In summary, I think the Panasonic Lumix TZ-6 is almost the perfect travel camera and if you want great holiday images but only want to carry a small camera you should definitely consider the TZ-6.

Geoff Porter is the product manager for the Eastmon group and is an associate of the Tamworth store

Fujifilm Finepix J20 Digital Camera Review

Eastmon Admin — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 04:01:15 +0000

By guest contributor Geoff Porter

The Fujiflim J20 Digital Camera

I live in Tamworth (yes…the country music capital) but my work often takes me through the beautiful New England region, towns like Uralla, Armidale, Guyra, Inverell and Glen Innes, it’s a pretty area but for me Autum is the best. The area also has some beautiful old churches and the combination of the Autum color and the churches made for I think an interesting combination. On a trip in May I took the Fujifilm finepix J20 compact digital camera for a test run. I’d purchased the previous model the Fuji J10 for my son for Christmas, the main difference between the two models was the Fuji J20 is a bit slimmer (only 17.4mm thick) than the J10 and the J20 is 10megapixels rather than 8megapixels in the older model.

While I was taking one of the photos in Uralla I commented to an old bloke who was walking past how good the color was and his reply reminded me of the last time I went fishing, he said I should have been here last week!

As far as the megapixel race goes I’d be just as happy with an 8mp sensor as a 10mp in a compact camera like this, I’m not likely to enlarge my “happy snaps” up to bigger than 10”x8”. I really can’t see the difference between 8 and 10 Megapixels at that size print. The quality of the lens is more important now than the amount of pixels and the lens in this little Fuji is very good, especially for a camera that retails at a touch over $200.

Shot using face detection mode

I was quite happy with the performance of the Fuji J20 taking the Autum scenes in New England a few people shots and some shots taken in macro mode, the only time I wished I had a camera in my hands with more features was when an echidna visited my back yard and I didn’t have quit enough zoom to get in close enough to fill the frame with him.

Overall I was very impressed with the Fujifilm Finepix J20, it’s very good value for money in my opinion.

Geoff Porter is the product manager for the Eastmon group and is an associate of the Tamworth store

Canon Powershot A480 Digital Camera Review

Eastmon Admin — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:18:28 +0000

Review by guest contributor Thomas Lacey

If you are in the market for an easy-to-use point and shoot camera, or are an entrant to digital photography game, then the Canon Powershot A480 represents simplicity at its best. With its easy to use controls at your thumb-tip and the usual array of features found on sub $200 dollar cameras, this camera delivers good quality images at a well placed price.

First Impression.

Auto Mode

At least it’s an improvement on the A470! Upon my first look at the Canon PowerShot A480 I noticed the large, stocky design of the camera. Still, this stocky design does not take from fact that the Canon PowerShot A480 is an attractive camera, instead keeps it simple and easy to use. With its stocky design and easy to use, simple design this camera is certainly aimed at a certain group of people who like to know the camera they are holding is solid and don’t need excessive design to show off their latest toy.

On the front of the camera we see nice chrome accents on a simple design. The usual Canon signage is on the front of the camera but besides that, only the flash and the lens stand out. We reviewed the blue version of the camera, the colour looks nice enough against the chrome features, yet you could still tell it was made of plastic. There are definite benefits to having plastic as opposed to metal. While metal will never lose its timeless appeal, plastic allows the camera to keep the fingerprints repelled and the scratches and bumps hidden from view, perfect for a young child’s first camera.

The rear is somewhat toy-like with silver buttons to the right of the unit and a fair 2.5” sized screen taking up the majority of the space. Canon have simplified the controls of this camera by allowing buttons to have multiple functions. The main directional pad houses the majority of controls a user with this camera would need. This allows the amateur photographer to know exactly what is going on with their shooting settings and to be able to quickly and confidently browse through the gamut of camera features and settings.

Foliage mode, no zoom, macro

Features.

The features, familiar to this line of Canon cameras, are all available – Red eye reduction, face detection, motion detection and special scene modes; but what is new to the model is the inclusion of Canon’s Digic III processor. The Digic III allows the camera to start up quicker, take the shot faster and create a superior image quality than its predecessor, and the majority of its competitors.

The lens is quality for the price. With a lens of 3.3x optical zoom (37mm – 122mm SLR equivalent) and aperture range F3.0-5.8 this camera boasts nice picture quality with sharp colour and vibrant colours, befitting the most discerning of photographers. A small amount of distortion can occur but all in all this camera takes a close to class leading shot requiring little effort to make a brilliant, vibrant image to take pride of place on the wall in the living room.

Another fun feature is the addition of My Colour, allowing a quick change between colour to black and white, sepia and vivid. Canon’s My Colour feature also allows you to create your own custom colour setting adding more artistic control to the images.

My favourite features of the A480 are the 1cm macro capability, which allows clear, focused up-close images to be produced from a compact digital camera. And if you wanted to print the image, to show off your artistic creation, the Canon PowerShot A480 possesses a 10-mega-pixel sensor allowing photos to be printed clearly up to an A3 size.

Macro mode at approx 2cm from subject

The scene selection mode is surprisingly good. To be honest, I hadn’t expected the images to reproduce as clearly in scene mode as they did in program mode, were I was able to control the basic settings. A number of pre-programmed modes are available to choose from. Portrait, night snapshot, kids and pets, indoor, sunset, fireworks, long shutter, beach, aquarium, foliage, snow and super macro complete the gamut. The A480 delivers an exceptional standard at such a good price.

Using The Camera.

I found the camera to be quite easy to use. The scene mode allowed me to focus more on the subject of the photo rather than the settings of the camera. The buttons are well placed, the menus are simple to navigate and the camera can be flown virtually with your eyes shut.

The size of the camera allows ample grip and the placement of the lens allows you to grip the camera sturdily with your right hand and not interfere with the lens mechanism.

The macro mode is easy to use and produces an exceptionally high quality image. The auto-focus did take a short while to snap into focus at 1cm from the subject, but you can hardly criticise the camera for that; the results are worth the wait.

Auto mode, ISO 100 at full 3.3x zoom

When using the camera, the only thing that let it down was the screen. The highly pixilated screen, unfortunately, did not demonstrate the definition I expected to see from the images it produces. Although photographs aren’t designed for viewing on the camera, a sharp screen is still important to give you a true indication of the image whilst shooting.

Conclusion

The A480 brings simplicity and excellence to beginners and enthusiasts alike. The stocky design is more reminiscent of Mattel rather than Canon, however, the quality of the image is remarkable for a camera at this price.

For anyone in the market for their first digital still camera or for anyone who is looking for a new point-and-shoot option to compliment their existing collection, with 10-mega-pixels, 1cm macro and an easy to use interface, the Canon PowerShot A480 is a serious contender.

Thomas Lacey is the senior sales consultant at Eastmon Dubbo store.

Olympus Pen EP-1 Pre Release

Eastmon Admin — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 03:28:05 +0000

Olympus have just released the latest addition to their Digital SLR range. The new camera may take many by surprise as Olympus have chosen to ‘go back to the old to find something new’.

Why the look?

Once your surprise dies away your left looking at a camera that someone could well have pulled out of their dusty old drawer. In that respect you would be right because the look and design is based around the very popular Olympus Pen, 35mm half frame camera first launched in 1959. The Pen was designed to be a simple, high quality precision made camera to be taken with you everywhere, much the same as a writing pen in those days.

Major Changes

Trying to recreate history is a difficult task for anybody and Olympus have tried very hard to capture the essence of the old in this new camera. The major change in thought for this new DSLR is that, it is not really a DSLR. It is SLR like in many of it’s features, however the characteristics have changed. At the most basic level, gone is the viewfinder to be replaced by a LCD screen only, unless you purchase the optical viewfinder that sits on the accessory shoe. The LCD screen is quite impressive being a giant 3″ with a 176° viewing angle. The lack of a viewfinder means the physical size of the camera can be greatly reduced in size, a good thing if your travelling light, but it is not going to appeal to the purists.

Lens System

Interchangeable lens are still part of the deal with this new design although there will be a new range of M.Zuiko lenses made specifically for this camera. Coming standard with the camera will be the new M.Zuiko 14-42mm zoom (28-84 35mm equiv). You will also be able to purchase a MMF-1 Lens Adapter that enables you to use all the current Olympus E-System SLR lenses with full functionality.

New Sensor options

E-Series lens with MMF-1 adapter

The sensor is a 12.3 megapixel 4/3rds sensor similar to the sensor used in the Olympus E-620 and uses the new Trupic V image processing engine. Capable of shooting up to 6400 iso, you can also select the image format shape from 4:3 standard, 16:9 widescreen, to the unusual 6:6 square and 3:2 35mm shape.

The Olympus Pen EP-1 also comes with the usual array of Olympus DSLR features, such as creative ART filters, 14 scene modes, manual, aperture priority, shutter priority and program. Intelligent Auto (iAuto) makes its introduction into SLR photography and teamed with face detection and built in sensor image stabilisation, the Pen starts to become a formidable opponent to many big zoom compacts or introductory SLR’s.

Continuous Shooting & HD Movie

Continuous shooting at 3 frames per second as well as continuos AF for the action photographer makes it fast enough for most of us to capture those fleeting moments. HD Movie recording with stereo sound and autofocus is new to the Olympus range of SLR’s and is a welcome addition for those looking for a high quality hybrid camera you can take anywhere. Combine that with a built in HDMI interface and you can watch your movies or stills in high definition straight from the camera.

Summing up

E-Series lens range

While we all wait to get our hands on this new camera, it won’t be the professional reviewers that create the success or failure of this new camera. It will be the normal person trying to find a camera that adequately fill their needs and produce the results that let us remember those great moments and captures the expression of our talent in taking great photos.

The Olympus Pen F, introduced in 1959 went on to sell millions of cameras around the world and if you know anyone that owned one they will speak of it with great delight as it really was one of the great cameras. The new Pen EP-1 has big shoes to fill, it may just be pointing to the future of cameras, however I think it would speak louder if it looked a little more modern, after all the Olympus Pen F was very modern for its time.