Digital Camera Lovers Feed

by Beverly Kane

Choosing which digital video camera to purchase can seem mind boggling with those hard to understand specifications. In most cases the specifications are not all vital but they can help you narrow your choices. More often than not, cost is the deciding factor when it comes to purchasing cameras. However, before allowing the cost to be your deciding factor, it is important to understand what some of the specifications mean and how important they are to your personal requirements.

The most essential factors for evaluating the best digital video camera are price, overall size and ease of use. The price of a digital video camera ranges from $300 upwards. It is important to determine if you are paying for extra features you may not need.In considering size, remember that the lightest camera will not be useful if controls are too small for your fingers. It is necessary to always try the digital video camera out prior to buying it. Its not a good idea to purchase your digital camera online unless you have seen and handled that particular camera previously.

The optical zoom and digital specifications are usually fairly similar in most cameras. Most digital video cameras come with at least a 10x optical zoom. The lens of a higher priced digital video camera will have higher quality optics than lower priced cameras, but the zoom factor remains the same. The digital zoom simply enlarges the image captured in the lens and is therefore, much less important. There are a number of specifications that are worth considering. However, the two most important are the LCD screen and weight.

The LCD screen can vary in size from 2 to 3.5 inches. A larger screen not only makes it easier to view what you are recording but a larger screen is also helpful when viewing the playback on the digital video camera.

The weight of a digital video camera can vary from 15 to 23 ounces and is also an important consideration. Cameras with lots of features will obviously be heavier but you need to consider how portable you want your digital video camera to be.

Beverly Kane is a staff writer at The Shoping Gazette and is an occasional contributor to several other websites, including Entertainment Digest.

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November 17, 2006 13:39 - New Pentax Digtal SLR Camera - K10D debuts

PENTAX ANNOUNCES K10D DIGITAL SLR WITH TEN MEGAPIXELS, SHAKE REDUCTION AND WEATHER-RESISTANT BODY

GOLDEN, CO. PENTAX Imaging Company announced today the PENTAX K10D digital SLR camera with 10.2 effective megapixels and a host of advanced technologies including a PENTAX-developed Shake Reduction (SR) system and a weather- resistant body.

Designed to deliver high-quality digital images and responsive operation for advanced photo enthusiasts, the K10D features an array of PENTAX innovations in image capture and camera functionality.

The most significant features in the K10D include:

· A PENTAX-developed Shake Reduction (SR) system that effectively offers a 2.5 to 4 stop advantage for sharp, blur-free images even under difficult shooting conditions, such as macro and telephoto photography or low light settings without a flash. The SR mechanism is designed to minimize camera shake by oscillating the CCD image sensor vertically and horizontally at high speed using magnetic force, while adjusting the speed of oscillation in proportion to the amount of camera shake detected by built-in sensors. As a result, the system does not require special anti-shake lenses and can be used with more than 24 million PENTAX lenses produced since 1964.*

· A newly-developed Pentax Real IMage Engine (PRIME) designed exclusively for PENTAX digital SLR cameras to produce well-balanced, true-to-life images. In order to meet the performance requirement in handling 10 megapixel data, PENTAX also incorporated a new high performance 22 bit A/D converter to quickly transfer images with accurate color tones and richer gradation from the CCD to the imaging engine.

· A new Dust Removal (DR) system incorporating PENTAX-original Special Protect (SP) coating to help keep the CCD surface dust-free, and a shift mechanism to shake dust off the CCD.

· A dependable dust-proof, weather-resistant body construction featuring 72 seals throughout the camera to allow photographers to continue shooting even in dusty or rainy environments.

*Lenses compatible with this mechanism are the PENTAX K-, KA-, KAF- and KAF2-mount lenses; screw-mount lenses (with an adapter); and 645- and 67-system lenses (with an adapter). Some functions may not be applicable with certain lenses.

“Advanced photographers will not find another 10 megapixel digital SLR that offers features such as a weather-resistant body, shake reduction, and great ergonomics, at any price, ” said Ned Bunnell, director of marketing, PENTAX Imaging Company. “With the K10D introduction, PENTAX is now able to offer digital SLRs for two important users - the first time SLR customer who can buy the K100D and now the K10D for the more advanced users.”

Along with the body, PENTAX announced a D-BG2 battery grip for exclusive use with the PENTAX K10D. This battery grip can be used in combination with the camera's rechargeable lithium-ion batteries to double the camera's battery life. With a vertical shutter-release button, preview lever, two control dials, AE-lock button and green button, the new battery grip makes vertical-position shooting simple and effortless. It also features the same dust-proof, weather-resistant construction as the K10D camera body.

PENTAX also announced the smc PENTAX-DA 70mm F2.4 Limited lens, designed for exclusive use with PENTAX digital SLR cameras and featuring an ultra-thin pancake design and uni-focal, medium-telephoto optics. With a medium-telephoto perspective, this new lens is ideal for many applications including portraiture and landscape. The high-performance optics ensure outstanding image quality, and provide distinctive visual expression. Materials used for this lens are selected for optimum holding comfort and operability, and the new lens is designed to be extremely thin and lightweight, for go-anywhere portability for casual, day-to-day snapshot photography.

The K10D body will ship by November 2006 for US $899.95, and as a kit with the DA 18-55mm lens for US $999.95. The D-BG2 Battery Grip will ship at the same time for less than US $190.00. The PENTAX DA 70mm lens will ship in October 2006 for less than US $600.00

Source: Pentax

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November 15, 2006 12:46 - Popular Photography & Imaging announces the best photography products in the Annual Buyer's Guide

The P.O.P. [Photography's Outstanding Product] Awards Highlight 25 Best
Photography Products in Time for the Holiday Season

In the annual Buyer's Guide issue of Popular Photography & Imaging, on newsstands November 21, 25 winners of the best photography products available are announced. All of the P.O.P. (Photography's Outstanding Product) award-winners have made a significant contribution to the advancement and enjoyment of photography in 2006. This group includes a variety of compact cameras, DSLRs (digital single-lens reflex camera), printers, software, scanners and lenses. All of the products will improve your chances of taking great pictures, make it easier
to share photos, or provide a service that solves a critical photo-related problem. This list will educate you on the top photography products prior to your holiday shopping.

Some of the 2006 P.O.P. award-winners include:

-- Popular Photography & Imaging's Camera of the Year: Sony Alpha 100 DSLR camera. This digital camera has excellent image quality,
built-in image stabilization, innovative dynamic range controls and
advanced features previously found in Konica Minolta cameras. ($850)

-- Wide-Screen Wonder: Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 digital camera. Any
photographer using a big-screen TV to enjoy digital photos will
appreciate the capabilities of the Lumix DMC-LX2. It captures images in
a wide screen (16:9) ratio similar to that of most HD TVs, and it's
actually capable of recording HD video in two resolutions. This camera
is just packed with top-end features including Mega OIS (Optical Image
Stabilization.) ($440)

-- Dual Dynamo: Kodak EasyShare V705 dual lens digital camera. This
innovative dual-lens (a23mm wide angle, plus a 39-117mm equivalent
zoom, for a total 5x range), compact digital camera includes a gorgeous
2.5-inch LCD monitor. The V705 boosts resolution, overall image quality
and video capture capability over previous models. ($350)

-- Dial and Shoot: Nokia N93 multimedia device. The Nokia N93 is
the ultimate multimedia device that is comprised of a 3.2MP camera,
stabilized VGA-resolution video capture, GSM cell phone, web browser,
programmable computer, PDA and MP3 audio player/converter all in one.
($700)

-- Software Synergy: Nikon Capture NX software. Although it's made
by Nikon, this software can be used by anyone who shoots digital images
with any brand of camera. Its new tools make adjusting everything from
color to contrast simple and fast, proving that image editing does not
have to be that difficult. ($130)

Visit http://www.popphoto.com to review the other twenty top picks this year.

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