Hot on the heels of Michael Reichmann’s First Impressions of the Kodak DCS Pro 14n, Imaging Resource have posted their Review of a pre-production camera. They’ve also compared it directly with the Canon 1Ds, complete with extensive sample images.

“Just as many industry observers (myself included) were wondering whether Kodak could continue to compete in the professional SLR market, the company dropped a figurative bombshell on the photographic world at Photokina 2002 in the form of the DSC Pro 14n. The new camera is built upon a body built by Nikon, but incorporates an astounding 13.7-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor. Most amazing was the $4,995 US list price, undercutting Canon’s recently announced EOS-1Ds full-frame SLR by fully $3,000.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Kodak DCS 14n Review

Michael Reichmann of Luminous Landscape fame has posted his first impressions of Kodak’s $5000 digital SLR, the DCS 14n, comparing it with the Canon 1Ds. As Michael succintly puts it, “To my knowledge it is the first in independant review of a production Kodak DCS 14n to appear on line or in print, anywhere.”

Website: Luminous Landscape - Kodak DCS 14n

CNET have reviewed Canon’s flagship digital SLR, the ?7,000 EOS-1Ds, awarding it a rating of 9.1 out of 10.

Website: CNET - Canon EOS-1Ds Review

“Canon’s latest foray into the high-end photography market, the EOS 1Ds, may be the most capable digital SLR sold today. With an eye-popping 11.1-megapixel effective resolution, this model trounces its 3- and 6-megapixel EOS ancestors. Based on Canon’s 1V 35mm-film-camera body, the 1Ds should appeal to pros and other serious shooters who have been eagerly anticipating this level of quality and flexibility in a digital camera. The downside: This Canon is priced according to its feature set.”

Hot on the heels of the announcment of the Olympus E System DSLR at PMA 2003, the Four Thirds website has been opened. The website gives a brief insight into the the thinking behind the system which “establishes a new common standard for digital cameras”.

“In addition, the 4/3-type image sensor has 4 to 5 times the area of a 2/3 or 1/1.8-type image sensor, giving the Four Thirds System the potential to equal or even far surpass the resolution of 35 mm film cameras.”

I guess we’ll have to wait and see if this potential is realised…

Website: Four Thirds System

Now I realise that this is out of reach for most mere mortals, but Imaging Resource have posted some 14 megapixel images from Kodak’s much-delayed, top-of-the range Pro 14n digital SLR. Apart from digital camera backs for medium-format cameras, this DSLR has the highest resolution available at the moment. Dave at Imaging Resource managed to get hold of the Kodak Pro 14n and take some real-world pictures with it. So if you’ve ever wondered what 14 megapixels looks like, now’s your chance to find out…

Website: Imaging Resource - Kodak Pro 14n Images

LetsGoDigital and Imaging Resource have both published photos of Pentax’s new DSLR, the *ist D, which give a good impression of how small the camera actually is. “after 20 minutes we were able to get the Pentax in our own hands behind closed doors and indeed the camera is light weight, it immediately has a good grip despite the fact of its very slim design.”

Website: LetsGoDigital

Website: Imaging Resource

On a light-hearted note, the Pentax *ist D has already won its first ever award; “the 1st Annual Luminous Landscape Stupid Product Name Award”!
Luminous Landscape PMA Report

UPDATE 17:00 GMT: DPReview have also joined in and posted their own photos of the Pentax *ist D, live from the PMA show floor.

Website: DPReview

Ian Burley over at DP-Now.com has some exclusive photographs from PMA of the Olympus E System DSLR, announced yesterday. “We were allowed to handle the items, though only after donning cotton gloves! Even Japanese journalists haven?t been shown them yet. Below are possibly the first independent photos to be published of some of these system components.”

Website: DP-Now

Olympus have finally unveiled their long-rumoured Four Thirds system DSLR, the Olympus E System, at PMA 2003. They will be demonstrating a prototype of the new camera along with 4 lenses at the show. You can see images of the camera and lenses on DPReview. Here’s Olympus’ explanation of why the Four Thirds system is so important:

“The Four Thirds system is a new open standard for digital SLR cameras with interchangeable lenses that utilise a 4/3 inch image sensor. In addition to facilitating the development of camera lens systems specifically designed to maximise digital image sensor performance - without being bound by the design conventions imposed by 35mm film camera SLR systems - the Four Thirds system establishes a common standard for lens mounts, ensuring compatibility between lenses and bodies even if they are produced by different manufacturers. Furthermore, the Four Thirds system interchangeable lenses are much smaller and lighter than 35mm and APS SLR lens systems.”

The new Olympus lenses announced are:

300mm, f2.8 (600mm)
14 - 54mm, f2.8 - f3.5 zoom (28 - 108mm)
50mm, f2.0 macro (100mm)
50 - 200mm, f2.8 - f3.5 zoom (100 - 400mm)

The camera, lenses and the whole system certainly looks the part, but I think you have to bear in mind that this is a prototype, with no date given for a production camera, except for “the Olympus Digital SLR System will then be introduced to the market at competitive prices in the late third or early fourth quarter of 2003.” That could mean Christmas 2003…

Olympus have also announced 4 new digital compact cameras.

The C-750 UZ is a 10x optical zoom, 4 megapixel update to the C-730 UZ. At an RRP of ?499.99 and available from April, this camera offers the longest zoom in its class. “The C-750 Ultra Zoom features a bright, high performance f2.8 - f3.7 lens, comprising of 11 elements arranged in seven groups and including two aspherical lenses plus ED elements, which are only found in top-end SLR cameras and significantly help reduce chromatic aberration.” Olympus are also releasing a 3 megapixel version, the C-740 UZ.

Website: DPReview

Imaging Resource have already managed to post First Looks at both the C-750 and C-740; how do they do it?!

Website: Imaging Resource

Perhaps less interesting are the compact digital cameras, the 3 megapixel C-350 Zoom (?249) and the C-150 Zoom (?139.99), which are firmly at the budget end of the market.

No sooner have Pentax announced their new DSLR, the curiously named *ist D, than Canon announce their new DSLR, the EOS 10D.

“Canon, leader in photographic and imaging technology, is pleased to announce the launch of the EOS 10D, a 6.3 million pixel Canon digital SLR with a seven point wide area autofocus system, fast three frames per second burst rate and an ergonomic super-tough magnesium alloy body shell. Launched as the successor to the award winning EOS D60, the EOS 10D builds on the strengths of this highly popular model with a range of improvements to both the camera’s design and its specification.”

Read the full press release

The 10D boasts a lot of noteable improvements over the D60, including a magnesium alloy body, extended ISO range (100-3200), 7-point autofocus and 35 zone evaluative metering system system.

Initial reaction to the new camera on the Web seems to be very positive and at a suggested RRP of ?1499 / $1999, the EOS 10D is definitely going to turn the heat up on the likes of Nikon, Fuji, Pentax and even Sigma. Why would you buy a Sigma SD9 now, or Pentax’s *ist D (even if you could pronounce it)?! The 10D may also threaten advanced digital compact cameras like the Minolta 7Hi and the Nikon 5700. Maybe there will be a big price ripple throughout the industry? Even better, the 10D will be available from March, hopefully in sufficient numbers, so we may see some price decreases very soon.

DPReview and Steve’s Digicams both have extensive first looks at the camera, whilst Imaging Resource wins the prize for the first full Review and some excellent sample pictures.

Website: Imaging Resource - Canon 10D Review

Website: Steves Digicams - Canon 10D First Look

Website: DPReview - Canon 10D Preview

Canon themselves have a Flash-based presentation and 2 sample images on their website. You can also read the Canon Press Release which contains all of today’s product announcements.

Well, I take a day off from everything to celebrate my birthday, and look what happens! Pentax have announced a new digital SLR camera, the Pentax *ist D, and a new wide angle lens, the smc PENTAX-FA J Zoom 18-35mm F4-5.6 AL. Pentax has also been developing lenses compatible with the new digital SLR camera. Pentax aims to launch these in Fall 2003.

See all 6 views of the Pentax *ist D and read the Press Release

“The lens-interchangeable *ist D digital SLR camera.  With the clarity of 6.1 effective megapixels, a pentaprism viewfinder, and a 1.8 inch LCD monitor,  the *ist D will feature one of the world?s smallest, lightest camera bodies in the digital SLR category. The *ist D will officially launch in July 2003.”

Other notable features include a 16-segment metering system which achieves more accurate exposure, 11-point AF sensor, fast 1/4000 sec. shutter speed and high-speed flash sync at 1/150 sec and continuous shooting at approx. 2.7 fps.

More completely unofficial information about Canon’s new digital DSLR are emerging. Nicholas J on the DPReview forums managed to prise the following information out of the Canon representative at Focus-on-Imaging, a UK imaging trade show.

1. The 10D has the same 6mp CMOS chip as the D60.
2. It has 7 focus points.
3. AF considerably faster than D60.
4. Low light focus performance much better than D60.
5. Write speeds to disk much faster than D60.
6. Response time when switching camera on is almost instant as well as response time when using “play” menu button.

“The 10D will be the ONLY new DSLR by Canon this year. There are no plans for a EOS 3 based DSLR or anything else. He also said the 1D (not 1Ds) will be around for about another year before they replace it with something new.”

Yes, it seems that the new Canon DSLR that nearly everyone has been waiting for has appeared in Athens, Greece. “geonahta”, a member of the DPReview forums, took the photos of the new Canon 10D at the Expo Photo 2003 photography trade show and posted them on pBase. There are 17 photos of the new camera here:

Website: Photos of the Canon 10D

And if you want to read the reactions to the new 10D, then the DPReview Canon SLR forum is the best place to start.

Perhaps even more interestingly (certainly from my own point of view), Chasseurs d’Images also has a page dedicated to rumours about the new Digital SLRs that may be announced at PMA 2003.

Here’s a translated excerpt that really caught my eye:

Website: Chasseurs d’Images - PMA 2003

“In the best of the cases, the substitute of D60 will not be available in quantity before April! And its characteristics for the moment are held secret until that the end of the month.
The rumour speaks about D40, D4, D80, D300… it announces especially two apparatuses, a kind EOS-300v transformed into numerical reflex camera, the other Eos-3 way with sensor large size. It is not exactly that!
Except surprised of last minute, Canon will present Only one numerical reflex camera… but it will be a d?coiffant product, as well by its very aggressive price as by its characteristics.
Canon, indeed, is decided not to more communicate only on the number of pixels, but also on the functions.
Its new reflex camera will thus be associated a photo printer and Canon will propose the function “direct print” making it possible to the user to actually have a kind of photo laboratory high level and simple to use.”

Following on from yesterday’s Luminous Landscape comparison of the Canon 1Ds and medium format film, Michael Reichmann has published a selection of the comments that he received regarding the article.

Website: Luminous Landscape

“My article comparing high-end 35mm digital to medium format, titled The Ultimate Shootout, generated considerable discussion. I’d have been surprised if it hadn’t. Based on some comments I’ve read online I’ve managed to gore several people’s sacred cows.”

There’s also an interesting and extensive thread about Michael’s comparison over at DPReview.

Michael Reichmann over at Luminous Landscape has posted a fascinating comparison between the high-end digital Canon 1Ds and medium format film. He’s recently sold almost all of his medium-format kit and now solely uses the Canon. As all keen amateur photographers know, medium format is commonly held up as the format to move to when you want greater picture quality than 35mm film offers. The fact that Michael is comparing a digital camera against medium format would have been unthinkable just a few years ago.

Now the ?7000 Canon may be slightly out of reach for the average photographer, but Michael’s in-depth and refreshingly personal article acts as a taste of what will become a lot more affordable in the near future. You can read that article and probably buy a similar camera to the Canon 1Ds within the next 2 years. I hope so anyway!

Website: Luminous Landscape

“And now for something controversial. I have just published a comparison between high-end 35mm digital (the Canon 1Ds) and medium format film. Since I have recently sold almost all of my medium format equipment you may find the results of interest. The article is entitled “The Ultimate Shootout.”

With the recently announced demise of the Canon D60, photographers looking for an affordable digital SLR currently have the choice of the Nikon D100, Fuji S2 and the Sigma SD9. The latter camera has been receiving a lot of attention recently due to it’s innovative use of the Foveon X3 CMOS sensor, which promises to deliver ‘twice the sharpness, better colour detail and greater resistance to unpredictable colour artifacts’.

The UK-based website ePhotoZine has reviewed Sigma’s first digital camera, which currently retails for ?1299 at Jessops.

Website: ePhotoZine

“Despite the negative issues we found with the SD9, Sigma have done a great job with their first Digital SLR. In some ways, this is a groundbreaking camera that puts many cameras to shame. Yet at the same time it can be embarrassed by its inadequacies in other important areas.

Taking into account the competitive price of the SD9, its good handling and specification and the generally very high standard of image quality, we’d certainly recommend it. However, do bear in mind the limitations with the ISO and shutter speed ranges. Also consider the workflow the SD9 forces you into by only using RAW files and whether you are prepared to add that extra amount of work into your photographic experience.”

From a personal point of view, I’ve probably discounted the Sigma as a potential DSLR (despite it’s very competive price), mainly because all of my current Canon kit and lenses would be incompatible with the Sigma. I’d rather wait to see what Canon announce as the replacement(s) for the D60. But if you don’t currently have a large investment in a film SLR then I think the Sigma is well worth a good, long look at.

Further news of the Canon D60’s demise, taken from the 25th January edition of the UK’s Amateur Photographer magazine (on sale today):

“Less than a year after the UK launch of Canon’s D60 digital SLR the company has confirmed that the camera is to be discontinued. Responding to rumours on the internet Canon UK’s public relations manager Angela Mason confirmed that the 6.3 megapixel model will be discountinued once current stocks have been distributed ... Canon UK were not able to confirm details of when a new model would become available.”

It seems that Canon have ceased production of the Digital SLR that I’ve been aspiring to for the last few months (but can’t really afford to buy as it’s ?1,900 body only).

Website: DP Review

“We have received several emails from concerned readers who were interested in buying an EOS-D60 have been told by their dealer that the D60 has been discontinued. This information is coming out of Canada and has apparently been (accidentally) confirmed by Canon Canada. This is indeed interesting news especially with PMA 2003 just around the corner. That said you would think that Canon could sell plenty more D60’s even in the time between now and any future model hitting the streets. UPDATE: As of yet this has NOT been confirmed to us directly by Canon USA or UK. More news, this time from Australia. Also apparently confirmed by Canon France.”

The D60 is, or was, the logical upgrade path for me to take if I ever decided to buy a DSLR, as I already have a Canon film body and several lenses. Until Canon announce and make widely available the D60’s successor, there is no logical path, only the Nikon D100, Fuji S2 or the Sigma SD-9. All good cameras but all requiring me to start from scratch.

Why Canon have decided to cease production before announcing the D60’s successor is currently unknown. Nikon must be rubbing their hands in glee at the thought of at least a 3 month period without their main competitor.

It will be very interesting to see what they replace it with. Will it be cheaper with a similar feature list? Or more expensive with enhanced features? Will it still utilise the current CMOS chip? Only time and maybe a visit to the PMA 2003 show will tell…