Posted 09/14/09 at 12:40:19 PM by Paul Lilly

SanDisk today announced a new line of Extreme Pro CompactFlash memory cards the company says is designed for professional photographers.

To that end, SanDisk says it has outfitted its new cards with an advanced memory controller capable of boosting read and write speeds up to 90MB/s, or double the performance from previous SanDisk high-end memory cards.

"The new SanDisk Extreme Pro CompactFlash line is the direct result of SanDisk's passion, commitment, and break-through engineering innovation to provide best-in-class flash memory cards for professional photography," said Eric Bone, vice president, retail product marketing.

In addition to raw performance, SanDisk says its Power Core Controller's firmware algorithms and 42-bit ECC engine also ensure data integrity and a longer life through optimized wear leveling.

The new Pro series will be available in capacities of 8GB to 32GB with an MSRP ranging from about $130 to $375.

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Posted 09/02/09 at 09:46:42 AM by Mark Edward Soper

Canon fired the latest salvo in the hotter-than-ever digital SLR wars this week, introducing its new EOS 7D. The $1699 (body-only) EOS 7D includes some now-familiar features, such as APS-C image sensor size (1.6x crop factor), 3-inch LCD with Live View, and Full HD Video.

The 7D boasts an 18MP image sensor and ISO expandable to 12,800, but that's just the beginning of what makes it bigger, faster, smarter, and stronger than previous mid-range Canon DSLRs. For the rest of the story, join us after the jump.

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Posted 04/24/09 at 01:40:04 PM by Paul Lilly

We've known for some time that Nikon planned on releasing the D5000, a new entry-level DSLR, but it was only ten days ago that the company formerly introduced the newest model. Skip ahead and we now have a concrete release date, as Amazon lists the camera as shipping on Monday, April 27th.

Nikon's new DSLR comes with a 12.3-megapixel DX-format CMOS image sensor and articulating 2.7-inch vari-angle LCD display. Photographers can still view photos with the little LCD in its normal position, or it can be swung out to be rotated or tilted, opening the door to all kinds of contorted body positions when shooting images.

The D5000 also comes capable of recording HD movie clips in 720p. Recording video is somewhat new to DSLRs, starting with the D90 Nikon released back in August 2008. Other features include:

• 19 auto-exposure scene modes
• One-button Live View
• Continuous shooting up to 4fps
• ISO sensitive from 200 to 3200
• Built-in image sensor cleaning 
• In-camera Retouch image editing
• Optional GPS geo-tagging

You can pre-order the D5000 with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR kit lens now for $850 through Amazon.com.

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Posted 09/26/08 at 01:00:10 AM by Paul Lilly

Hasselblad can already boast bringing the first digital camera to market outfitted with Kodak's wicked 50 megapixel sensor, but the flagship H3DII-50 won't have much time to sail the high MP seas by its lonesome. Hasselblad CEO Christian Poulsen promises a 60MP version will debut in April 2009.

Of course, digital photographers know that it isn't necessarily the size of the megapixel that counts, but how you use it. Even still, 60MP sounds pretty damn awesome. That will give the H3DII-60 a 94 percent full frame coverage, and Poulsen wants to make clear that "although we hear the phrase 'full frame' being used quite frequently, no manufacturer has yet achieved true medium full frame."

Not that it needs any reaffirming, but the new 60MP DSLR won't come cheap. Expect to pay a smidge over $27,000 for the bragging rights.

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Posted 08/27/08 at 03:18:07 PM by Paul Lilly

Point-n-shoot digital cameras have had the ability to shoot video for quite some time, but the same feature has been noticeably absent among digital SLR (DSLR) cameras. Adding insult to injury, even low end DSLRs typically cost more than high end digital cameras, yet if owners of the latter want to take videos, it meant spending even more money on a camcorder.

Nikon looks to change that trend with the release of its latest digital single-lens reflex camera, the D90, which is the company is billing as the first SLR with video capability. Nikon made it possible to record video by using a faster frame rate and a different way of processing the images.

"The big plus is that you can now shoot video with a great lens," says Steve Heiner, Nikon's senior technical manager.

The D90 will be capable of recording both high definition and standard video clips, but the new functionality won't come cheap. Expect to pay around $1,300 for the D90 with lens when it becomes available in stores next month.

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Posted 04/10/08 at 05:05:28 PM by Paul "One4yu2c" Lilly

Canon's updated entry-level DSLR gets a release date, Amazon takes pity on HD-DVD adopters, USB keys with malware, pills for gamers, and more!

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