LetsGoDigital English Edition

Nikon Media Port UP300x

2008-10-11T16:45:00+01:00

Nikon Media Port UP300x : An article at a Dutch PhotoBlog of Elja Trum got our attention. Nikon Corporation announce the successful development of the Media Port UP, a multimedia playback headset device that also supports Internet connection. This innovative Nikon Media Port product, which incorporates display, headphones, mobile A/V player, Wi-Fi capability, high-capacity memory, and power source in a single compact unit is the first of its type. The UP allows users to easily enjoy high-quality images, videos, and music anywhere. Two UP models will be available - the high-performance Nikon UP300x and the basic UP300. The Media Port UP will be available only in Japan through the Nikon Imaging Japan Inc. online UP Store (upstore.jp/).

Pentax K20D review

2008-10-11T09:20:00+01:00

Pentax K20D digital SLR review : In many aspects the Pentax K20D is similar to its predecessor, yet offers considerably more. In the first place, there are more pixels, of course; the trend continues. With a resolution of 14 million pixels the K20D is ahead of its close competitors, the Canon EOS 40D and its allies. The image sensor is now a CMOS and has been developed in close cooperation with Samsung. The latter also manufactures the CMOS sensor and integrates it into the GX20, which is the twin brother of the Pentax K20D. The quality should remain the same thanks to minimizing the circuitry around each photo site, thus keeping the light-sensitive area of each pixel to the same size as other companies manage on 12 MP sensors.

• Read our full Pentax K20D review.

Digital Imaging Trends at Photokina

2008-10-10T10:30:00+01:00

Photokina 2008 epilogue : The huge imaging event of this year has come to an end. After an entire Photokina week, we look back on an interesting show. Not so much because of all the 'news', since most of the introductions take place before the Photokina show kicked off, but more so because of the feeling that the event gave us. We have a hunch that some interesting developments will take place in the period that is about to arrive, in which a shifting of categorized photographers and the segment they belong to is not entirely impossible. To us, Panasonic’s convincing introduction of its new Micro FourThirds camera to the public was the highlight of the Photokina 2008. And we got our second surprise when Leica suddenly conjured a Leica S2 37 megapixels DSLR system out of a hat.

Olympus E-420 Komachi kit

2008-10-10T00:30:00+01:00

Olympus E-420 Komachi kit : Named after famous Japanese poet Ono no Komachi, who was renowned for her beauty, the Olympus E-420 Komachi Kit certainly lives up to its namesake. Olympus brings together the E-420 body with the ZUIKO DIGITAL 25mm 1:2.8 pancake lens to present a combination that cuts a decidedly elegant figure. The size and weight advantages inherent with the Four Thirds System are clearly demonstrated in this kit. The camera body and lens pairing measures in at a total length of just 76.5mm - which makes it the most compact D-SLR set-up in the world, and together they weigh merely 475g. As such, high quality miniaturised optics that deliver maximum D-SLR brilliance can be taken along and enjoyed anywhere with ease.

Olympus Mju 1050 SW Gold

2008-10-09T22:45:00+01:00

Olympus Mju 1050 SW Gold : Who ever said that toughness and elegance are mutually exclusive? With the release of the Champagne Gold version of the Olympus Mju 1050 SW, Olympus lays all such doubts to rest. This stylishly designed camera not only looks a treat, its shockproof, waterproof and freeze proof body means the Mju 1050 SW digital camera can keep up, no matter where life takes you. With its miniaturised optics returning maximum brilliance, users enjoy top quality results in an extremely compact form. In addition, a unique TAP Control interface lets a variety of functions to be accessed just by tapping the camera body. The Olympus 1050SW camera in Champagne Gold will be available from early October.

LG KC780 Portrait phone

2008-10-09T15:45:00+01:00

LG KC780 Portrait phone : LG Electronics announced the launch of its LG KC780, a slim 8 megapixel camera phone with special features that make it ideal for shooting portraits. The LG-KC780 is a slim slider phone at just 13.9 mm thick, but manages to include a large 2.4-inch widescreen LCD. The KC780 camera phone is designed to ensure that its myriad camera features are convenient and easy to use. A Schneider-Kreuznach certified lens ensures that the LG-KC780’s camera takes high quality photos that are sharp and clear. “We found that most of the time people use the cameras on their mobile phones to take pictures of themselves, their families, friends and significant others,” said Dr. Skott Ahn, President and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company.

BenQ DC C1060

2008-10-09T14:00:00+01:00

BenQ DC C1060 : BenQ expands its popular C series digital camera lineup with the launch of the 10 Megapixel BenQ DC C1060. The BenQ C1060 digital compact camera features an elegant front to back leather handle, 3X optical zoom, Super-Shake-Free mode with high ISO supported, Smile Catch mode and video recording with optical zoom. By using diverse textures, lines and materials, BenQ’s DC C1060 conveys a spectrum of emotions and characteristics that bring this digital camera to life. The leather texture of the handle provides a comfortable, secure grip while simultaneously imparting a durable assurance. A price or date of delivery is unknown, you probable need to contact your local dealer.

Ricoh R10 photo gallery

2008-10-06T18:00:00+01:00

Ricoh sample photo gallery : Recently Ricoh introduced a stylish compact camera; the Ricoh R10. This compact camera was one of the showpieces at the Ricoh booth during the Photokina show. The Ricoh R10 features a 10 Megapixel CCD and a 7.1x wide angle zoom lens. The new Rioch camera is beautifully finished and has a solid feel to it. The test sample we received has a unique color setting in a brown, dark grey and metallic look. In the very near future a sample will be welcomed in our DIWA lab too and will be tested rigorously according to DIWA's standardized test procedure. DIWA Lab test results will be combined with the test in practice and subsequently a full Ricoh R10 review will be published.

Canon IXUS 980 IS photo gallery

2008-10-06T15:00:00+01:00

Canon IXUS Gallery : Just before leaving for the Photokina 2008, I received a test model of the Canon Digital IXUS 980 IS. A new sibling of the IXUS series that is gradually consisting of a huge amount of models. The Canon IXUS 980 IS however, is no longer true to tradition that used to evolve around design and a convenient (full auto) operation. The Canon 980 IS camera offers the possibility of manual aperture or shutter setting, just like the main part of the PowerShot models. This is a setting that I myself have been waiting for impatiently. And it is exactly that combination of a stylishly designed camera, at which you don't only have to depend on an auto camera setting, that is appealing to the photographer.

Canon PowerShot E1 photo gallery

2008-10-04T20:40:00+01:00

Canon PowerShot photo gallery : Surprising; that is how the design of Canon's latest digital compact camera can be called. It aims at the female consumer, although I can see a much broader target group than just the female half of our population, to be honest. With its availability in many different colours, the design reminds me of the retro refrigerators. You know, the ones with the nicely curved edges and the shiny material used. In any case; I have received a PowerShot E1 sample model from Canon right before my departure to the Photokina show. Upon my return from a hectic week at the Photokina, where a lot of interesting news will be revealed this year, I will review the Canon PowerShot E1 with priority.

Canon IXUS 870 IS photo gallery

2008-10-04T14:00:00+01:00

Canon IXUS gallery : Just before my departure to the Photokina show, various test cameras arrived at my door. That means making product shots, charging batteries and cramming them into my already overfull suitcase with all the things I need for the Photokina show. For me as press member, Photokina means more than just visiting the many booths; I am also there to maintain contact with relations we have within the digital imaging industry. For me the day does not end when the Photokina closes its doors at the end of the day, that bit may be clear. In between, I will test the new Canon IXUS 870IS and make some sample pictures with it. The 4x wide angle zoom lens with 3 inch display is the most striking detail on the Canon IXUS 870 IS.

Sony SLR cameras at Photokina

2008-10-03T10:30:00+01:00

Sony digital SLR cameras at Photokina 2008 : If we speak of a manufacturer that is growing fast and conquering a large market share with a lot of marketing force, it has to be Sony playing the main role. In 2006 Sony launched its first DSLR under the own brand name; the Sony Alpha 100. One year later, the Sony Alpha 700 arrived, a camera for the middle segment. 2008 was a great break-through with no less than three new DSLR models, notably the A200, A300 and A350. During the PMA, at the beginning of 2008, Sony stirred up the fire by unveiling some information about the CMOS image sensor that was going to be used. The message was clear; with 24.6 Megapixels on a full frame sensor, 2008 should also be the year for Sony to launch a DSLR in the high end segment. And thus, the Sony DSLR-A900 was born.

Tamron lenses at Photokina

2008-10-03T10:20:00+01:00

Tamron lens assortment at Photokina 2008 : Tamron, presented in quite a large booth, showcased several new lenses. Tamron will undoubtedly stay close to the continuously growing DSLR market, and will be able to reap the fruits of their efforts. It won't be the lens assortment that is to blame, because we spotted many interesting consumer lenses among the heap. However, Tamron is not the only player in the field; competing brands such as Sigma are still very much in the game and it is a matter of continuous innovation and making sure to act according to the demand of an unpredictable DSLR market. Whether Tamron will also produce lenses for the new Micro FourThirds segment is yet to be revealed. Tamron have not yet answered the question. This might just be a question of supply and demand, and if there is sufficient market share, the Micro Four Thirds system will also become an interesting segment for Tamron.

HP printers at Photokina

2008-10-03T10:10:00+01:00

HP photo printers at Photokina 2008 : HP doesn't seem to have anything left to offer when it comes to cameras. The company seems to have bid these farewell and instead focuses on image editing for cameras and printing solutions in any which way you can imagine. HP offers many printer solutions, from compact trendy photo printers portable in an equally trendy bag, to large format printers that print ultra big poster sized prints. HP no longer manufacturing digital cameras is a loss for the digital imaging industry, since the company used to develop and manufacture interesting models. Sadly, HP lacked the strategy to actually claim a market share. Perhaps their choice is not a permanent one, since the imaging industry is subject to ongoing changes.

Leica digital system camera at Photokina

2008-10-03T10:00:00+01:00

Leica system camera at Photokina 2008 : Besides Panasonic’s surprising news for the visitors of the Photokina show, Leica also made itself heard. Leica is a company with an excellent reputation, although you would not actually expect surprises of them. However, at the Photokina 2008, Leica presented the company as a brand with actual world fame. Who would expect Leica to present an entirely new digital camera system in addition to a twosome compact cameras (C-Lux 3 and D-Lux 4) and a somewhat dull Leica M8.2? A genuine surprise, to say the very least, and an interesting new development for the professional photography market. The Leica S2 is a much larger format system camera than the usual Leica assortment, and the camera features a gigantic sensor sized 30 x 45mm.