Category: Digital SLR Cameras
Olympus have released some of their own sample photographs for the E-1, including macros, portraits and landscapes (thanks to Luminous Landscape for pointing this out…).
Website: Olympus E1 Pro Gallery
Olympus have released some of their own sample photographs for the E-1, including macros, portraits and landscapes (thanks to Luminous Landscape for pointing this out…). Website: Olympus E1 Pro Gallery
Well, that was quick! It seems that the French photography website Chasseur d’Images is the first to review the Olympus E-1. No mean feat considering that the E-1 was only announced this morning!
Well, that was quick! It seems that the French photography website Chasseur d’Images is the first to review the Olympus E-1. No mean feat considering that the E-1 was only announced this morning! Website: Chasseur d’Images - Olympus E-1 Review
Olympus have announced what they have billed as the “World’s First 100% Digital Interchangeable Lens SLR System”, the new Olympus E-1, which is based on the Four Thirds open standard.
Specifications
The E-1 will have a 5 megapixel sensor with a 4:3 aspect ratio, magnesium-alloy body, 1.8” LCD, ISO range of 100-3200, and interestingly a “Supersonic Wave Filter” which cleans the CCD when the camera is switched on.
A range of Zuiko digital lenses, a flash unit, battery grip and other accessories will also be launched at around the same time as the E-1.
Pricing
DCRP have a handy table of prices for the camera and lenses here; in short, the E-1 will retail for $2199, body only. Digital Photography Now are reporting body-only prices at around ?2,000, or GBP?1,384 (US$2,312).
Availabilty
The Olympus E-1 will be available for sale in September 2003.
Press Release
Here are some snippets from the Press Release that particularly caught my eye:
“Unlike most digital cameras, the Olympus E-1 utilises a Full Frame Transfer CCD sensor, a type specifically developed for the capture of still images. In comparison to Interline Transfer counterparts found in the majority of digital models, the FFT-CCD is distinguished by a larger pixel area, with bigger photodiodes and transfer channels. This means more electrons can be captured. A high signal/noise ratio can therefore be achieved together with a wider dynamic range. Final images benefit from more exposure latitude, greater detail and less noise.”
“For many photographers, speed is the key. That’s why the Olympus E-1 is equipped with three powerful ASICs. This ensures extremely fast image processing and playback. No matter which quality mode or resolution is chosen, thanks to an impressive 128MB buffer and high-capacity working SDRAM memory, up to 12 frames of sequential shooting can be captured at 3fps in every format (JPEG/TIFF/RAW).”
News Websites:
Here’s a list of websites that are all reporting the Olympus news:
A lot of these sites are due to post detailed full-looks of the E-1 at 9am eastern time (they are all under embargo until then), so check back later for more info.
Olympus have announced what they have billed as the “World’s First 100% Digital Interchangeable Lens SLR System”, the new Olympus E-1, which is based on the Four Thirds open standard. Specifications The E-1 will have a 5 megapixel sensor with a 4:3 aspect ratio, magnesium-alloy body, 1.8” LCD, ISO range…
Olympus are due to announce further details of their Four Thirds digital SLR camera and lenses tomorrow. As well as the official Four Thirds website, there’s also http://www.olympus-esystem.com which intriguingly requires a username and passowrd at the moment. Will this go live tomorrow?
It will be very interesting to see exactly how much the new camera body and lenses will cost in light of Canon’s recent success with the 10D and the subsequent price-cutting by the likes of Nikon, Fuji and Sigma. Not to mention the Pentax D *ist which is due to ship in August.
Here’s a reminder of what the Four Thirds system is aiming to be (from the Four Thirds website):
“The Four Thirds system establishes a new common standard for digital cameras. Using a 4/3-type CCD or other image sensor, it will facilitate the development of dedicated digital camera lens systems for outstanding quality while also being smaller than their counterparts for 35 mm film SLRs. Furthermore, by creating a standard for camera body lens mounts, it lets photographers combine bodies and lenses from different manufacturers for a wider choice.”
Olympus are due to announce further details of their Four Thirds digital SLR camera and lenses tomorrow. As well as the official Four Thirds website, there’s also http://www.olympus-esystem.com which intriguingly requires a username and passowrd at the moment. Will this go live tomorrow? It will be very interesting to see…
Imaging Resource are reporting some news that could drastically change the DSLR market-place. The latest Contaxinfo.com newsletter has spilled the beans on a new lens mount system from Nikon which will accomodate full-frame CCDs. This is obviously still unconfirmed rumour which will apparently happen “later this year”, so we’ll just have to wait and see…
Website: Imaging Resource - Nikon Lens Mount
Imaging Resource are reporting some news that could drastically change the DSLR market-place. The latest Contaxinfo.com newsletter has spilled the beans on a new lens mount system from Nikon which will accomodate full-frame CCDs. This is obviously still unconfirmed rumour which will apparently happen “later this year”, so we’ll just…
Rob Galbraith has reported that the Contax N Digital SLR has been discontinued and is no longer being manufactured by parent company Kyocera. The 6-megapixel Contax N Digital SLR is one of the few DSLRs with a sensor that is the same size as a 35mm film frame, but with an RRP of $7000 that hasn’t dropped since launch a year ago, it now competes with the 11-megapixel Canon EOS 1Ds and the cheaper 14-megapixel Kodak DSC-14N. It’s no surprise then that Kyocera are halting production.
Rob Galbraith has reported that the Contax N Digital SLR has been discontinued and is no longer being manufactured by parent company Kyocera. The 6-megapixel Contax N Digital SLR is one of the few DSLRs with a sensor that is the same size as a 35mm film frame, but with…
Some more Canon news for you…Canon are running a number of special promotions in the UK at the moment, including this one on the Canon EOS 1D digital SLR:
“Canon, leader in photographic and imaging technology, is pleased to announce a new promotion which will enable customers to get ?300 cash back when they purchase the Canon Digital EOS 1D with any EF lens in the Canon range. The promotion begins on 15 June 2003, and will run until 31 December 2003*. Customers will be able to claim their ?300 cash back by completing a voucher in-store, and sending it, together with recent* proof of purchase to the Canon FREEPOST address detailed on the reverse of the voucher. Canon will then credit ?300 directly to the customer’s bank account.”
They are also offering ?30 off a Canon scanner when you buy a Canon EOS 300 kit, or ?60 when you buy a Canon EOS 30 kit, with full-page adds in the 7 June edition of Amateur Photographer magazine.
I’m not sure if this kind of promotion is just in the UK or not, so if you know of a similar deal in your part of the world, for any manufacturer, then let me know and I’ll spread the word.
Some more Canon news for you…Canon are running a number of special promotions in the UK at the moment, including this one on the Canon EOS 1D digital SLR: “Canon, leader in photographic and imaging technology, is pleased to announce a new promotion which will enable customers to get ?30…
Phil Askey at DPReview has posted an exhaustive 24-page review of the Kodak DCS Pro 14n.
“The DCS-14n is a camera which one moment can fill you with amazement and awe at its ability to capture such fine detail, and the next be frustrating you with its slow startup times, long write time or high ISO noise. It’s also a camera of limits, you can’t go above ISO 400 at full resolution, you can’t shoot faster than 1.7 frames per second, you have to live with 1/2 EV stops and you should expect some occasional image artifacts (moir?, noise reduction etc.).”
Website: DPReview - Kodak DCS Pro 14n Review
Phil Askey at DPReview has posted an exhaustive 24-page review of the Kodak DCS Pro 14n. “The DCS-14n is a camera which one moment can fill you with amazement and awe at its ability to capture such fine detail, and the next be frustrating you with its slow startup times…
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The release of Pentax’s new DSLR, the *ist D, has been delayed until the end of August due to “a delay in the procurement of material required”. The release of Fuji’s F700 has also recently been put on hold for a similar reason. It seems that the demand for digital may be outstripping the supply at a manufacturing level, at least temporarily anyway. A 2 month delay for the Pentax *ist D surely gives Canon even more time to increase its lead in the DSLR market with the EOS 10D.
Website: DPReview - Pentax *ist D Delay
The release of Pentax’s new DSLR, the *ist D, has been delayed until the end of August due to “a delay in the procurement of material required”. The release of Fuji’s F700 has also recently been put on hold for a similar reason. It seems that the demand for digital…
It seems that the competitively-priced Canon EOS 10D is driving down the prices of it’s main competitors. ePhotoZine are reporting that the list price of the FujiFilm S2 Pro has been reduced to ?1700, with the actual retail price expected to be lower. The Sigma SD9 was being sold in Jacobs, Oxford Street, Central London for only ?1000 when I walked past on Saturday. And the Nikon D100 is currently retailing at ?1500. With the imminent introduction of the Pentax D*ist, rumoured to be around the ?1000 mark, will those prices drop even further? It seems that there’s never been a better time to at least consider buying a DSLR.
Website: ePhotoZine - Fuji S2 Price Drop
It seems that the competitively-priced Canon EOS 10D is driving down the prices of it’s main competitors. ePhotoZine are reporting that the list price of the FujiFilm S2 Pro has been reduced to ?1700, with the actual retail price expected to be lower. The Sigma SD9 was being sold in…
Luminous Landscape have posted a field report on the Fuji S2 Pro, a DSLR that competes with the Nikon D100 and the Canon 10D.
“There’s a lot to like about the Fuji S2 Pro. Image quality is at the top of the list. It takes a back seat to no other DSLR in its price range. I also liked the fact that the camera takes AA batteries, and appears to get a lot of life from them. The ability to do multiple exposures is unique to the S2 and much appreciated. The relatively light weight of the camera is also a plus. Firewire connectivity in a camera in this price range is also not seen anywhere else. Fuji is to be commended for this.”
Luminous Landscape have posted a field report on the Fuji S2 Pro, a DSLR that competes with the Nikon D100 and the Canon 10D. “There’s a lot to like about the Fuji S2 Pro. Image quality is at the top of the list. It takes a back seat to no…
Uwe Steinmueller over at Digital Outback Photo has started his diary-like review of the Kodak DCS Pro 14n.
“This is probably the most difficult review we have done so far as never before (except the Contax digital) a digital SLR got so negative reviews as the Kodak 14n. These reviews by Michael Reichmann, Rob Galbraith and Steve Sanders were all from people we respect a lot. First we did not want to review this camera as it could end up in yet an other bashing. On the other side our readers want to hear our opinion and we want to use all digital SLRs on the market.”
Uwe Steinmueller over at Digital Outback Photo has started his diary-like review of the Kodak DCS Pro 14n. “This is probably the most difficult review we have done so far as never before (except the Contax digital) a digital SLR got so negative reviews as the Kodak 14n. These reviews…
Bob Atkins continues his Canon 10D series of articles over at Photo.net with a look at whether you need to use quality lenses with DSLR’s.
“I often see comments that run along the lines of “Since digital cameras don’t have the resolution of film, you don’t get any benefit from premium lenses since the digital sensor limits image quality”. I also see statements to the effect that digital sensors need the very best lenses to give good results. True? Well from a theoretical viewpoint I can make a convincing argument based on convolution of MTF curves that better lenses should give better images even on small sensor, limited pixel count DSLRs. But what do real tests show?”
Website: “DSLRs, Lenses and Film”
Bob Atkins continues his Canon 10D series of articles over at Photo.net with a look at whether you need to use quality lenses with DSLR’s. “I often see comments that run along the lines of “Since digital cameras don’t have the resolution of film, you don’t get any benefit from…
Rob Galbraith has reviewed the Kodak DCS Pro 14n; once again the camera gets a lukewarm reception…
“This is a camera we would like to work with again in 6 months, to see what Kodak has been able to achieve. But until the 14n can produce vibrant, pleasing, printable colour in a variety of shooting situations, and until noise processing is less harmful to detail in low contrast areas, this is not a camera we would be prepared to shoot with to get our work done. Even at the low ISO settings this camera will be best used at.”
Rob Galbraith has reviewed the Kodak DCS Pro 14n; once again the camera gets a lukewarm reception… “This is a camera we would like to work with again in 6 months, to see what Kodak has been able to achieve. But until the 14n can produce vibrant, pleasing, printable colour…
CNET Electronics have belatedly reviewed the Sigma SD9 DSLR:
“The Sigma SD9 works far better as a proof of concept for the Foveon X3 sensor it uses than as a practical digital SLR. The first camera to take advantage of Foveon’s 3.42-megapixel, 10.3-million photodetector imager, the SD9 manages to capture extremely sharp images of stationary or slow-moving subjects in good light. But action and low-light scenes produce mixed results, and when combined with the rest of this camera’s characteristics, it all adds up to a mediocre digital SLR that displays flashes of greatness only occasionally.”
Website: CNET - Sigma SD9 Review
CNET Electronics have belatedly reviewed the Sigma SD9 DSLR: “The Sigma SD9 works far better as a proof of concept for the Foveon X3 sensor it uses than as a practical digital SLR. The first camera to take advantage of Foveon’s 3.42-megapixel, 10.3-million photodetector imager, the SD9 manages to capture…
Luminous Landscape have published an interesting article by Scott L. Robertson about going on Safari with a digital camera. Scott highlights the kinds of issues that every traveller with a DSLR may face, and outlines how he overcame them.
“Traveling to Africa with a digital camera kit is not without problems, but there are simply too many benefits to ignore. The ability to instantly review shots and adjust or correct exposure problems in the field cannot be underestimated. Considering the number of frames I shot on our trip, had I shot them all on my favorite transparency films, Fuji Velvia and Provia 100F, I would have spent enough on film and processing to buy a Nikon D100 or Canon D60. And I also have to consider all the time saved by not having to scan all those slides for web publication and printing - I have a digital product straight from the camera. Frankly, I wouldn’t consider anything other than a digital camera for my next African adventure.”
Website: Luminous Landscape - “Digital in the Desert” Article
Luminous Landscape have published an interesting article by Scott L. Robertson about going on Safari with a digital camera. Scott highlights the kinds of issues that every traveller with a DSLR may face, and outlines how he overcame them. “Traveling to Africa with a digital camera kit is not without…
Charlotte K. Lowrie, managing editor of MSN Photos, has published the most positive review of the Kodak DCS Pro 14n so far.
“Buy this camera if you routinely shoot at ISO 80 to ISO 200, or if you work under studio lighting, or if you rarely need exposures that are longer than a quarter-second. If you shoot within those parameters, you may need to fiddle with the “noise reduction versus maximum detail” settings, but you won’t need to do this very often based on my experience. And if your photography falls into this category, buy this camera if you want beautiful, rich images with a level of detail that you’ve forgotten that pictures could have.”
Charlotte K. Lowrie, managing editor of MSN Photos, has published the most positive review of the Kodak DCS Pro 14n so far. “Buy this camera if you routinely shoot at ISO 80 to ISO 200, or if you work under studio lighting, or if you rarely need exposures that are…
Digital Camera Resource Page have reviewed the Canon EOS 10D 6-megapixel DSLR.
“The Canon EOS-10D is the best deal out there for a digital SLR camera. It’s hard to believe, but the 10D sells for $500 less than the Olympus E-10 I bought just a few years ago. It’s a heck of a lot more capable, too. The 10D offers all the benefits of a D-SLR, namely interchangeable lenses, support for external flashes, full manual controls, and robust performance. The 10D improves upon the already excellent EOS-D60 with its faster processing, more solid metal body, higher resolution LCD, improved playback mode, and all the other items that I’ve mentioned above. “
Website: DCRP - Canon 10D Review
Digital Camera Resource Page have reviewed the Canon EOS 10D 6-megapixel DSLR. “The Canon EOS-10D is the best deal out there for a digital SLR camera. It’s hard to believe, but the 10D sells for $500 less than the Olympus E-10 I bought just a few years ago. It’s a…
Steve’s Digicams have posted their review of the $5,000 Kodak Pro 14n (based on the Pro 14n with late beta firmware).
“If you’re a studio portrait or product photographer, work in the ISO 80-100 range and lighting is not a problem—the Pro 14n will probably suit you well. The lack of high-ISO support, a rather anemic and slow buffer and less than robust AF performance does not make this a camera for sports or action photography.”
Steve’s Digicams have posted their review of the $5,000 Kodak Pro 14n (based on the Pro 14n with late beta firmware). “If you’re a studio portrait or product photographer, work in the ISO 80-100 range and lighting is not a problem—the Pro 14n will probably suit you well. The lack…
Michael Reichmann of Luminous Landscape has posted Part 2 of his first impressions of Kodak’s $5000 digital SLR, the DCS 14n. It’s not good news for anyone who was interested in this new flagship camera…
“In its current state, and using the latest software Revision 4.1.2, the Kodak 14n produces stunning images in bright light at ISO 80. These are every bit as good as, and in some ways possibly better than those from the market leading and more expensive Canon 1Ds. But, that’s where the good news ends. At higher ISO ratings image quality decreases and noise increases quickly. Image quality also deteriorates at even moderately low shutter speeds. The strange chromatic aberation that I’ve seen also needs to be better understood.
Looked at just as a camera, putting aside its digital capabilities for the moment, the 14n is not much more than a $350 Nikon in terms of its capabilities as a picture taking machine. Its ergonomic design deficiencies and limitations (such as the lack of mirror lock up) will cause some potential owners concern.”
Website: Luminous Landscape - Kodak DCS 14n
Michael Reichmann of Luminous Landscape has posted Part 2 of his first impressions of Kodak’s $5000 digital SLR, the DCS 14n. It’s not good news for anyone who was interested in this new flagship camera… “In its current state, and using the latest software Revision 4.1.2, the Kodak 14n produces…