Canon 5DIII Review

Photo courtesy CANON

The Canon 5DIII is a worthy successor to a legend

Rediscover the joy of photography with this eagerly anticipated DSLR

by June Yang 

 

Updated 06:55 PM Apr 24, 2012

 

The Canon 5DII was a revolutionary DSLR for photography and filmmaking, so good at capturing images that multi-million dollar Hollywood productions were using footage shot on it. Can the eagerly-awaited Canon 5DIII step out of its predecessor's shadow? I think it will.

The basic specs: A full-frame 22.3 megapixel CMOS sensor, ISO range between 100 and 25600, Canon's latest, seventeen-times-faster DIGIC 5+ processor, continuous shooting up to 6 frames-per-second (fps), and a 61-point AF (autofocus) system - the same AF system found in Canon's high-end flagship 1DX.

The 5DIII improves on filmmaking capabilities with better image processing, additional recording formats and space to shoot continuously for up to 30 minutes.

In my trial of the 5DIII I found it quick and flexible. The sensor handles low light well, with good dynamic range - even without the inbuilt HDR function turned on. I even put it through its paces in trying conditions - portrait shooting in a darkened restaurant, with birthday candles. The camera performed beautifully: Sharp, good colours with barely noticeable grain. I was shooting with an f/4 lens but getting performance similar to much faster lenses. The 5DIII is rumoured to be plagued by light leak issues, but I saw no evidence of that.

The magnesium-alloy construction lets the 5DIII's body get away with weighing 860 grams. I'm used to more compact Micro Four-Third cameras, but this full-frame shooter wasn't much of a drag, even with the 24-105mm kit lens on.

In the end, cameras are about the overall user experience, and I'll let the testimony of my semi-pro photographer friend stand. After spending 20 minutes with the 5DIII at the party where I tested it, he turned to his exasperated wife and said, "We're saving up for one of these." I would, too. June Yang

Source:  www.todayonline.com

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Nikon D4 Review

Nikon D4 stays sharp

The next iteration of Nikon's flagship DSLR is a step up for professionals

by Alvin Chong 

 

Updated 11:30 AM Apr 25, 2012

 

AFTER a slightly longer than two-year wait, Nikon has unveiled the next iteration of their flagship DSLR, the Nikon D4.

Aimed directly at professionals, the Nikon D4 is the successor to the D3S. And, on paper, the Nikon D4 is a huge improvement.

The megapixel count has been bumped from 12.1 to 16.2 with a smaller sensor pixel size, the shooting speed has improved from nine frames per second (fps) to up to 11 fps with an even larger buffer, the maximum ISO sensitivity has doubled to 204,800 and there is a larger preview screen (3.2 versus 3.0 inches).

All this is powered with the new Nikon Expeed 3, promising better image quality with faster speed. Video enthusiasts will be happy to know that the Nikon D4 shoots at full-HD (1080p) and also comes with a headphone jack for monitoring audio.

However, for all its improvements, the estimated shots per battery charge has dropped from 4,200 for the D3S to 2,600 for the D4, a drop of almost 40 per cent. This might be too large a drop for those who are on long trips and don't have access to power at all times.

Using the Nikon D4 proved to be a challenge at first - many of the buttons and settings were not obvious at first. However, once you've gotten familiar with the basics it is very easy to use, and soon enough you'll be shooting with it like a pro in no time.

The Nikon D4 is said to be the lightest full-frame camera available on the market at just 1.18kg. If you've never used a camera with such high specs before, its bulk will start to weigh on you, especially with a zoom lens attached. Photography vets (and their backs) will appreciate any weight reduction.

The increased buffer size is amazing too, and even when I shot at the highest speed and quality options, I could shoot for a long time continuously; in fact it was the speed of the XQD card that limited the number of shots instead.

The XQD card is a new feature introduced with the D4. The new format allows for even faster shooting than current options, such as compact flash (CF) cards, and Nikon is hoping that it will be the standard of the future. CF card users will still have a single slot to use their older CF cards. However, this means that you might have to use both formats for backups when you're on a long shoot.

The Nikon D4 is extremely sturdy and responsive, and the low light sensitivity allows you the option to take photos with little light - as long as you don't mind the grainy shots.

Whether you're a videographer shooting for better video quality, a sports photographer where every bit of light matters or just thinking of getting a top-of-the-range DSLR, the Nikon D4 is the camera for you. Just don't forget to pack an extra battery. ALVIN CHONG

Source: www.todayonline.com

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GE's G100 compact camera

Getting up close with GE's G100 compact camera

This entry-level camera is built for close ups and portraitures

by Nicholas Yeo 

 

Updated 07:17 PM Apr 25, 2012

 

PHOTO COURTESY GE

The brand General Electric is synonymous with, well, just about everything. Not a surprise really, seeing as they have a 120-year history with its roots linked to American inventor Thomas Edison.

You can see the GE logo monogrammed on trains and appliances and the company even owned NBC Universal at one time, a fact made known in its award-winning sitcom 30 Rock.

Since 2007, GE has also entered the digital camera market under its General Imaging banner. Its latest offering here is the G100 under its Power Pro series.

For all of GE's tradition and culture of excellence, the G100 is, at best, a basic compact camera.

In a test conducted in the office, the consensus was that the G100 would resonate with beginner shutterbugs.

A set of pre-determined scene modes take the brainwork out of the picture and lets you focus on capturing the moment.

Its fast 10-frames-per-second burst mode is great for shooting fast moving events, such as sports, and a fantastic close focus macro feature worked very well even for subjects that were close to touching the lens.

However, more seasoned photographers would be disappointed by the low-resolution screen and the lack of custom settings in Manual mode. With only two aperture settings, f/3.9 and f/9.3, depth-of-field control is very limited. The camera's shutter speed ranges from eight seconds to 1/2000 of a second in Manual mode, which would not be nearly enough in low light conditions. But at those low speeds, camera shake would be a more immediate concern.

A relatively weak flash - up to 1.5 metres on ISO100 - means this camera is not great at night but, on the flipside, means you won't get washed out pictures too.

At a retail price of S$239 {updated April 25, 10.47am], the GE G100 camera is an affordable first camera and its great macro function would make it a hit with entomologists and amateur jewellers. Nicholas Yeo

Source: www.todayonline.com

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Panasonic's Lumix GF5 Review

The Panasonic Lumix GF5

A sneak peek at Panasonic's Lumix GF5

 

by Hiranand Sunny Naresh 

 

Updated 07:09 PM Apr 24, 2012

 

Forget leaked photos, speculations on specifications and countless rumours, we have a first hand peek at the upcoming Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5.


For starters, the GF5 looks identical to its predecessor, the GF3 (It skipped a number due to Japanese superstition). Both cameras come equipped with 12.1-megapixel Live MOS sensors, though the newer model adds a "High Picture Quality" distinction. So, expect some incredible pictures.

Panasonic has also added an upgraded ISO 12800 "extended" mode - the GF3 topped out at ISO 6400.

There has also been a jump in the video department - with 1080p MP4 recording joining the 720p mix. Audio quality has also been boosted with the addition of a stereo microphone on the GF5.

Burst mode capabilities have been enhanced as well, from 3.8 frames-per-second to 4. Finally, the GF5 is slightly larger than its predecessor, due to a more substantial grip. However, battery life is likely to drop due to a new processing technique aimed at further reducing noise in low-light captures.

The GF5 will also be the first Panasonic camera to come with a much-improved, 3-inch LCD screen with 921k-dot resolution. The GF3 in comparison only had a 460k-dot resolution panel.

Amateurs making the switch to a GF5 will appreciate the new user interface, which includes a highlight window for selection options; 14 filters with a real-time preview option; a background image that appears on the main menu and a filter recommendation while in Intelligent Auto.

The Intelligent Auto feature works by suggesting to the user what effects to use based on the type of shot they are attempting. For example, if the user is attempting a macro shot, the camera will automatically suggest applying the Expressive or Toy Effect to improve picture quality.

Like its predecessor, the GF5 is clearly designed with beginners in mind - and if it's priced decently - is sure to be a hit. Hiranand Sunny

Source: www.todayonline.com

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Canon imageFORMULA P-215 portable scanner

Copy-on-the-run with the Canon's portable scanner

by Peter Yeo

 

Updated 09:07 AM May 02, 2012

 

To be honest, I was stumped to think of a reason why anyone would need a portable scanner.

But, according to Canon, its imageFORMULA P-215 portable scanner is designed for professionals in the healthcare, financial, insurance and property sectors who would need to scan on the run. But I can also imagine a lot of uses for this portable scanner for industries outside of the above mentioned. If your business require you to meet clients/vendors then chances are you may find that it comes in handy.

Full presentations can be copied quickly via a 20-sheet automatic document feeder at a speedy 15 pages-per-minute (a duplex capability captures both sides of the paper), up to A4 size. Images of up to 600dpi in black and white, grayscale and full colour can be saved in a variety of formats such as PDF, JPEG and even TIFF.

A front-facing card slot lets users insert plastic or paper-based cards for convenient scanning. Even embossed details such as those found on credit cards can be easily read by the intelligent card scanner. The bundled Presto! BizCard software can even convert and organise scanned business cards into a searchable database.

The device's CaptureOnTouch Full Auto mode automatically detects document size and corresponding scanning resolution, skips blank pages, straightens images scanned at an angle, decides if you should save images in colour and rotates images to the correct text orientation, so you can focus on your business meeting while this gadget copies in the background.

The CaptureOnTouch software suite also offers users the choice of scanning to printers, email and to bundled application software such as Presto! Pagemanager and PaperPort, Mac OS and Windows file management solutions.

At only 28.5cm by 9.5cm by 4cm height, weighing in at a mere 1kg, and powered by its own USB cable, the Canon imageFORMULA P-215 portable scanner is as portable as they get - it even comes with a padded carry case to protect the device as well as for portability.

However, at a hefty price of S$499, this nifty device may be a luxury item for new, or small businesses.

Source:  www.todayonline.com

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Sony's ICD-TX50 digital voice recorder

Take a note of Sony's ICD-TX50 digital voice recorder

by Peter Yeo

 

Updated 09:07 AM May 02, 2012

 

If you need help organising your thoughts, you might want to invest in this device.

The Sony ICD-TX50 digital voice recorder is a sleek - at a wafer thin 6.4mm and weighing only 50g - voice recorder that you can clip into your shirt/suit pocket to pick up your thoughts, conversations and meetings.

At full charge, this very stylish device can record up to 24 hours and a quick recharge of three minutes will breathe an hour of recording time into it. The built-in 4GB memory is said to be able to record up to 178 hours on 48kbps mono or six hours on LPCM 44.1KHz. But if you need more room, it does have a microSD slot that you can expand with.

However, the recorder does not have a wind screen - probably to keep its svelte figure - which means you will catch a lot of ambient noise especially the wind (which can howl like a hurricane in breezy situations).

Nonetheless, you will be able to better organise your thoughts (and never forget what your boss said) with this lithe little helper.

The Sony ICD-TX50 digital voice recorder retails for S$199.

Source:  www.todayonline.com

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Fuji Xerox S-LED printers

Save the planet with Fuji Xerox S-LED printers

 

by Peter Yeo

 

Updated 09:07 AM May 02, 2012

 

Every home should have a printer. Even if it is only to print pictures of the new baby (or pet). However, as we increasingly bring work home, the home printer can save many a facepalm moment when you realise you've left the office without printing a document that you need for a morning meeting.

The Fuji Xerox range of 4-in-1 S-LED printers not only print those documents at a speed of 24 pages per minute for the monochrome models and 12 pages per minute for the colour versions, it will save you money while it is doing it too.

The four models, Fuji Xerox DocuPrint CM205 f (A4 network colour multifunction printer), Fuji Xerox DocuPrint CM205 fw (A4 wireless colour multifunction printer), Fuji Xerox DocuPrint M205 f (A4 network monochrome multifunction printer), Fuji Xerox DocuPrint M205 fw (A4 wireless monochrome multifunction printer), have met stringent Energy Star requirements for its reduced power consumption and energy usage which can help users reduce their carbon footprint and help you save money.

The wireless models - with the fw in their names - use the new S-LED printhead technology, which operates with less energy.

Fuji Xerox has also incorporated the EA-Eco toner into the new wireless models to reduce power consumption by up to 20 per cent and carbon monoxide emissions by 35 per cent when compared to conventional toners.

The toner save mode saves up to 30 per cent of your toner per cartridge which would reduce running costs.

With these initiatives all you need to be a regular Captain Planet is to be careful that you don't print unnecessarily and to check thoroughly lest you print with errors and have to reprint.

Other features include its wireless capability so you can link your mobile devices with your PC without cable clutter. And iOS device owners will be glad to learn Fuji Xerox has a Print and Scan utility for the operating system which allows documents, photos, contact addresses, Web pages, etc to be wirelessly scanned into and saved onto the printer before being printed out.

The Fuji Xerox DocuPrint CM205 f/ fw and DocuPrint M205 f/ fw are retailing through Fuji Xerox authorised resellers now from S$299 for the monochrome and S$599 for the colour printers.

Source:  www.todayonline.com

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