Olympus Introduces the New Entry-level E-450 DSLR

Olympus us unveiling yet another addition to its consumer series of interchangeable-lens cameras with the launch of the E-450.

The Olympus E-450 shares a lot of the same technology on board the E-420 including a 10.1 megapixel Live MOS sensor and a 2.7 inch LCD. Both E-420 and E-450 offer live view and conform to the standards of the four thirds lens mount system.

The E-450 offers full manual control; however, users stepping up for the first time from point-and-shoots can still opt for one of 18 scene-select modes. Physically, the E-450 is almost identical to the E-420. Both cameras weigh in around 13.6 ounces, featherweights in the SLR class, and share similar dimensions.



New features

The E-450 will feature Olympus's creative art filters. They've been previously available only on the E-30 and E-620, so the E-450 will be the first entry-level SLR in Olympus's arsenal to sport them. Shooters looking to add that extra dimension to their photos can choose between pop art, pin hole, and soft focus filters, accessed as before via an "Art Filters" position on the mode dial.

However, some of our favorites from the original list of art filters that graced the E-30 – most notably, the grainy film preset – have been excluded this time around.

What hasn't been left out, though, is advanced flash control: in addition to its built-in flash unit, the E-450 supports wireless flash control for up to three groups of compatible Olympus flashguns.

Other minor changes to the E-450 include a lightly updated TruePic III+ image processor and improved auto white balance performance with a new algorithm.



Regular features remain

Keeping in step with the E-420, the E-450 will sport continuous shooting at 3.5 fps, a Supersonic Wave Filter to keep dust off the sensor, and face detection technology capable of tracking up to eight faces at a time. It will also feature Olympus's Perfect Shot Preview function, allowing users to compare the effects of different settings before snapping a photo.

Like previous Olympus DSLRs, live view is a staple technoloy for the E-450. As before, Olympus's latest also provides contrast-detection auto focus, allowing the camera to focus when live view is enabled without disrupting the on-screen preview – helping those transitioning up from point-and-shoots feel right at home.

While Olympus certainly isn't breaking the mold with the E-450, it marks an effort to bring more features to their entry-level DSLRs. With full manual and RAW shooting options, it should offer a beginning photographer flexibility and room to grow.

Pricing and availability

The E-450 will debut first on QVC beginning May 9th. It will reach wider availability this July in a two-lens kit (featuring the 14-42mm and 40-150mm Zuiko lenses) starting at $699.99.

Red-Hot HD-Shooting Panasonic DMC-GH1 Out on April 24

According to Impress, the stunningly red-hot GH1 will be available in Japan on April 24 at an estimated cost of ¥150,000 ($1,500). It's useless to get disappointed with the price since we won't be getting it cheaper anyway outside of Japan.



The other thing to keep in mind, though, is that the GH1's video capture mode (which is basically the only differentiation from its $800 predecessor, the G1) does things the its competitors can't: that is, the cinema-friendly 24fps framerate at 1080p (60fps at 720p), as well as continuous contrast-based autofocus with an especially silent-focusing lens.

A comparison table between G1 and GH1 is presented below.

Pentax to Release 30 Megapixel DSLR Next Year

Pentax Japan recently announced the development of a 30 megapixel digital SLR to be released sometime next year. This was part of the announcement for the upcoming photo expo in Japan. We've been hearing about the 645 Digital a couple of times over the last three years, and now it may finally see the light of day.

The Pentax 645 Digital medium format camera has an upgraded 30 megapixel Kodak CCD sensor, up from a previous 18-megapixel sensor announced back in 2006, and both the rear LCD and OVF look to have increased substantially in size. The new design looks to be the same as product shots released in 2007. Although details are still limited, the manufacturer states the Pentax 645 will accept both CF and SD memory cards. It will be compatible with smc Pentax 645 interchangeable lenses.

No price hint yet for the new camera, though Pentax did mention the corresponding 55mm lens as in years past. The smc Pentax-D FA645 55mm F2.8 lens is currently planned for simultaneous release with the 645 Digital. So let's see come 2010.

Nikon D3X: A Nikon Masterpiece

This top-of-the-range SLR has the X factor, by which we don't mean that it breaks down in tears every five bloody minutes. The Nikon D3X packs 24.5 megapixels. That's double its predecessor, the D3, and means you'll be able to zoom in for miles, or print full-sized snaps on billboards. The ISO has been cranked up to encompass 100-1,600, so it can cope with any light condition from dark cellars to nuclear holocaust, and its star-up time is just 12 milliseconds. If you can't take decent photos with this, there truly is no hope for you.

The only let down I have for this camera is the price. The $8,000 price of the D3X I think is too much considering it's the same camera as the D3, with a slightly different sensor doubling the number of photosites and merely divides the light into a few more buckets more slowly than the D3. It's the same thing, and since the D3X is only worth about $5,200, it's hard to let go of $8,000 for the D3X. Not just that, I was told that D3X price could reach $10,000 or more in other countries like Canada, not to mention taxes and all that. But still a great and awesome camera to own. If you have the cash, by all means go get a D3X.



Features:

Nikon FX-format CMOS sensor with 24.5 megapixels
The D3X employs a new Nikon FX-format CMOS sensor with 24.5 effective megapixels covering an area of 35.9 x 24.0 mm to achieve truly amazing resolution. What’s more, we’ve optimized the pixel characteristics to provide a higher S/N ratio and wider dynamic range by securing a greater amount of light received by each pixel, thereby reducing lost highlights and shadows, and ensuring smoother tone reproduction with minimized noise.

Wide sensitivity range starting at ISO 100
At normal setting, the D3X offers a wide range of sensitivity — from ISO 100, suitable for stroboscopic setting in studio shoots, to ISO 1600. It realizes superior image quality with less noise at ISO 1600 as well as at low sensitivity settings. What’s more, the sensitivity range can be increased by two stops (up to ISO 6400 equivalent) and decreased by one stop (down to ISO 50 equivalent), offering an even greater diversity of shooting possibilities. Auto sensitivity control is also available.

New EXPEED-based image processing
A new image processing system, based on Nikon’s comprehensive EXPEED digital image processing and specially optimized for the D3X, provides superior image quality, faster processing speeds and lower power consumption. This advanced system achieves precise color reproduction for the broadest spectrum of hues, plus vivid saturation and smooth gradation, conveying colors as you see them, even with the slight changes in color tones you perceive. Furthermore, Nikon’s advanced noise processing function, which was designed to minimize noise occurrence, achieves this without interfering with other factors, including hue.

High-speed performance meets the most rigorous professional demands
Just like the D3, the D3X achieves a start-up time of 0.12 second and a shutter release time lag of 0.04 second*1*2. It delivers a continuous shooting speed of approx. 5 frames per second in FX format (36 x 24) or 5:4 (30 x 24), and 7 frames per second in DX format (24 x 16)*2*3. Also, the D3X is fully compatible with UDMA, the new-generation high-speed card that enables 35-Mbyte recording equivalent to the D3. The D3X is capable of recording approx. 7.1 MB (JPEG, image size L, NORMAL) of data captured in FX format at speeds of approx. 5 frames per second.

Realizing reliable auto control: Scene Recognition System
As with the D3, the D3X recognizes subjects and shooting scenes using a 1,005-pixel RGB sensor that precisely controls exposure by detecting not only the brightness but the colors of the subjects as well. The results are applied to control Autofocus, Auto Exposure, i-TTL Balanced Fill-flash and Auto White Balance, thereby achieving control of the highest.

AF system employing high-density 51-point AF
The Multi-CAM 3500FX autofocus sensor module, originally incorporated in the D3, offers proven outstanding performance. All 51 focus points, including the 15 cross-type sensors located at the center, are effective in all AF NIKKOR lenses with a maximum aperture of f/5.6 or larger. Three AF-area modes — Single point, Dynamic-area AF and Auto-area AF — are available to maximize the use of the 51 focus points by selecting the most suitable one to match subject conditions. Moreover, in Scene Recognition System, subject identification and tracking information is applied to improve subject acquisition performance in Dynamic-area AF mode and focusing accuracy for human subjects in Auto-area AF mode.

Superior durability
Magnesium alloy is used for the exterior cover, chassis and mirror box to ensure light weight and rugged reliability. Strict O-ring sealing at critical connected parts effectively restricts dust and moisture.
The shutter unit, developed and manufactured by Nikon, employs a new material (carbon fiber/Kevlar® hybrid) for the shutter blades, guaranteeing excellent durability through 300,000-cycle release tests with the shutter actually loaded. Precision is also maintained with a shutter monitor.

High-resolution 3-inch LCD monitor with approx. 920k­-dots (VGA), 170° wide-viewing angle and reinforced glass
The D3X incorporates a large, 3-inch LCD monitor with ultra-high resolution of approx. 920k-dots (VGA). Enlarged playback images also appear in extremely high resolution for easy focus confirmation. The wide viewing angle of 170° makes it easy to check composition in Live View shooting for both high and low angles.

Two Live View modes available
In Handheld mode, which allows the frame to be recomposed prior to actual shooting, ordinary TTL phase-difference AF using all 51 AF points is activated. Tripod mode is designed for precise focus with still subjects and tripod stabilization; It allows focal-plane contrast AF on a desired point within a specific area. Optional software Camera Control Pro 2 enables monitor focus and control shutter release from a computer. And optical Wireless Transmitter WT-4 enables wireless remote camera control and image transfer.

Picture Control System
Picture Control System offers four kinds of Picture Controls: Standard, Neutral, Vivid, and Monochrome. Choose one and use as is, or adjust image creation factors (Sharpening, Contrast, Brightness, Saturation, and Hue). Optional Picture Controls (Portrait, Landscape, D2XMODE I, D2XMODE II and D2XMODE III) are available at the Nikon website for downloading and installation to your camera.

Active D-Lighting — reproducing brightness as you see it
In settings with strong contrast, Active D-Lighting, used in combination with 3D Matrix Metering II, determines an exposure by utilizing a gradation of highlights, detects lost shadows, then reproduces them after digital processing. Rather than simply expanding the dynamic range, Active D-Lighting prevents images from looking flat through localized tone control technology, and creates realistic contrast while compensating lost shadows and highlights. Choose from Auto, Extra High, High, Normal, Low or Off setting prior to shooting.

Electronic virtual horizon
An accelerator sensor incorporated in the body of the camera detects inclination and displays it in the LCD monitor. In Live View shooting, virtual horizon is displayed in the LCD above the monitor image. It can also be displayed in the top control panel and in the exposure indicator of the viewfinder.

UDMA-compatible memory card double slot
The CompactFlash (CF) card slots are UDMA-compatible for high-speed data transfer. With the double slot, you can choose from Continuous recording, Backup recording, and RAW + JPEG Separation recording (records the same image in RAW and JPEG on different cards). You can also copy the data from one card to another.

GPS Unit GP-1 (optional)
GPS records shooting information such as latitude, longitude, altitude and date of shooting. Coordinated with map information, you can create an original map using images.

Other features
* Lateral chromatic aberration reduction creates images with a clear periphery using original image processing technology to significantly reduce color aberrations
* Vignette Control effectively prevents reduction of light at the periphery
* Optical viewfinder achieves approx. 100%*4 frame coverage and 0.7x*5 magnification in FX format
* Three sensing areas: FX format (36 x 24), DX format (24 x 16), and 5:4 (30 x 24)
* Customizable function button
* Choice of black or white letters for shooting information display
* AF fine adjustment with professional standard of accuracy
* Compliant with HDMITM for high-definition image playback
* Lets you shoot up to approx. 4,400 frames on a single battery charge*6

*1: Based on CIPA Guidelines
*2: In 12-bit A/D conversion mode
*3: The maximum frame rate can be chosen using Custom setting d2 [Shooting speed]. The rate is tested under the following conditions: focus mode set to C, exposure mode set to S or M, shutter speed set to 1/250 sec. or faster, with other settings set to default. If VR is on when a VR lens is used, the indicated speed may not be attained. The maximum number of shots at the maximum frame rate is determined by the selected image size and quality. The frame rate slows when the memory buffer fills.
*4 Approx. 100% (vertical/horizontal) in FX format, approx. 97% (vertical/horizontal) in DX format, approx. 100% (vertical) and approx. 97% (horizontal) in 5:4
*5 With 50mm f/1.4 lens set at infinity, -1.0m-1
*6 Using EN-EL4a lithium-ion battery at Single-frame [S] mode; based on CIPA Standards



Nikon D3X Specifications:

Sensor	• 35.9 x 24 mm CMOS sensor • FX format • RGB Color Filter Array • Built-in fixed low-pass filter • 25.72 million total pixels • 24.5 million effective pixels • 3:2 aspect ratio
Image processor	Nikon EXPEED
Price	• $7999 • €7728 • £5499
Image sizes (FX format)	• 6048 x 4032 [L] • 4544 x 3024 [M] • 3024 x 2016 [S]
Image sizes (DX format)	• 3968 x 2640 [L] • 2976 x 1976 [M] • 1984 x 1320 [S]
Image sizes (5:4 format)	• 5056 x 4032 [L] • 3792 x 3024 [M] • 2528 x 2016 [S]
File formats	• NEF (12-bit or 14-bit, compressed or lossless compressed RAW) • NEF + JPEG • TIFF • JPEG (EXIF 2.21)
Lens mount	• Nikon F mount with AF coupling and AF contacts • No field of view crop (full-frame) • When using DX lenses / DX mode 1.5x FOV crop
Usable lenses	• Type G or D AF NIKKOR: All functions supported • DX AF NIKKOR: All functions supported except FX-format (36x24)/5:4 (30x24) image size • AF NIKKOR other than type G or D: All functions supported except 3D Color Matrix Metering II • AI-P NIKKOR: All functions supported except autofocus and 3D Color Matrix Metering II • Non-CPU AI NIKKOR: Can be used in exposure modes A and M; electronic rangefinder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster; Color Matrix Metering and aperture value display supported if user provides lens data * IX NIKKOR lenses cannot be used * Excluding lenses for F3AF
Auto Focus	• 51 focus points (15 cross-type sensors) • Multi-CAM 3500FX • AF working range: -1 to +19 EV (ISO 100, normal temperature) • Contrast Detect in Live View (Tripod) mode
AF Area Mode	• Single point AF • Dynamic Area AF [9 points, 21 points, 51 points, 51 points (3D-tracking)] • Automatic-area AF
Focus Lock	Focus can be locked by pressing shutter-release button halfway (single-servo AF) or by pressing AE-L/AF-L button
AF assist	External Speedlite only
Exposure modes	• Program Auto [P] with flexible program • Shutter-Priority Auto [S] • Aperture-Priority Auto [A] • Manual [M]
Metering	TTL full-aperture exposure metering using 1005-pixel RGB sensor • 3D Color Matrix Metering II (type G and D lenses); color matrix metering II (other CPU lenses); color matrix metering (non-CPU lenses if user provides lens data; metering performed) • Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 8, 15, or 20 mm dia. circle in center of frame or weighting based on average of entire frame (default 12 mm) • Spot: Meters approx. 4 mm dia. circle (about 1.5% of frame) centered on selected focus point (on center focus point when non-CPU lens is used)
Metering range	• 3D Color Matrix Metering: 0 to 20 EV • Center-Weighted Metering: 0 to 20 EV • Spot Metering: 2 to 20 EV • At normal temperature (20°C/68°F), ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens
Meter coupling	CPU and AI
Exposure lock	Locked using AE-L/AF-L button
Exposure bracketing	• 2 to 9 frames • 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1 EV steps
Exposure compen.	• +/-5.0 EV • 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV steps
Sensitivity	• Default: ISO 100 - 1600 in 1/3, 1/2 or 1.0 EV steps • Boost: 50 - 6400 in 1/3, 1/2 or 1.0 EV steps, HI2 = ISO 6400
Shutter	• Electronically-controlled vertical-travel focal plane shutter • 30 to 1/8000 sec (1/3, 1/2 or 1.0 EV steps) • Flash X-Sync: 1/250 sec • Bulb
DOF Preview	• Stop-down lens aperture by pressing button • Activates modeling flash
White balance	• Auto (1005-pixel CCD, image sensor) • Presets (seven) with fine tuning • Manual presets (four) • Color temperature in Kelvin (2500 - 10000 K, 31 steps) • White balance bracketing (2 to 9 frames, 10,20,30 MIRED steps)
Picture Control	• Standard • Neutral • Vivid • Monochrome
Image parameters	• Sharpening: Auto, 7 levels • Contrast: Auto, 5 levels, Custom tone curve • Brightness: 3 levels • Saturation: Auto, 5 levels • Hue: 5 levels
Color space	• sRGB (Standard and Vivid modes) • Adobe RGB (Neutral mode)
Viewfinder	• Optical-type fixed eye-level pentaprism • Built-in diopter adjustment (-3 to +1m-1) • Eyepoint: 18 mm (at -1.0m-1) • Focusing screen: Type B BriteView Clear Matte VI screen • Frame coverage 100% • Viewfinder magnification approx 0.7x with 50 mm f/1.4 lens
Focusing screen	• B-type BrightView Clear Matte Screen II • Superimposed focus brackets • On-demand grid lines
LCD monitor	• 3.0 " TFT LCD • 922,000 pixels (VGA; 640 x 480 x 3 colors) • 170° viewing angle • Brightness adjustment
LCD Liveview	• Handheld mode: TLL phase-difference AF with 51 focus areas (15 cross-type sensors) • Tripod mode: focal-plane contrast AF on a desired point within a specific area
Shooting modes	• Single frame • Continuous Low [CL]: 1 - 5 fps • Continuous High [CH]: 5 fps (5-7 fps with DX format) • Liveview [LV] • Self-Timer (programmable) • Mirror-up mode
Continuous buffer	• JPEG Large/Normal: no data yet • RAW: no data yet
Self-timer	• 2 to 20 sec custom
Flash control	•TTL flash control with 1,005-pixel RGB sensor; i-TTL balanced fill-flash and standard i-TTL fill-flash available with SB-800, 600 or 400 • AA (Auto Aperture-type) flash: Available with SB-800 used with CPU lens • Non-TTL Auto: Available with Speedlights such as SB-800, 28, 27, and 22S • Range-priority manual flash; available with SB-800
Flash Sync Mode	• Front-curtain Sync (normal) • Red-Eye Reduction • Red-Eye Reduction with Slow Sync • Slow Sync • Rear-curtain Sync
Flash compensation	• -3 to +1 EV • 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV steps
Orientation sensor	Tags images with camera orientation
Playback mode	• Full frame • Thumbnail (4 or 9 images) • One-touch zoom • Slideshow • RGB histogram • Shooting data • Highlight point • Auto image rotation
Languages	• Chinese (Simplified and Traditional) • Dutch • English • Finnish • French • German • Italian • Japanese • Korean • Polish • Portuguese • Russian • Spanish • Swedish
Custom functions	48 custom functions
Connectivity	• USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed) Mini-B connector • HDMI video out (version 1.3a, Type A connector) • Remote control 10-pin terminal • PC Sync flash terminal
10-pin terminal	• GPS: NMEA 0183 (Ver. 2.01 and 3.01) interface standard supported with 9-pin D-sub cable and GPS Cable MC-35 (optional) • Remote control: via 10-pin terminal
Communications	FTP and PTP/IP file transfer with optional Wireless Transmitter WT-3 (IEEE 802.11 b/g)
Storage	• Dual Compact Flash Type I or II • UDMA, Microdrive and FAT32 supported • 36 characters of text can be input and stored in EXIF header
Power	• Lithium-Ion EN-EL4a/EL4 • Included dual battery charger MH-22 • Optional AC adapter EH-6
Dimensions	160 x 157 x 88 mm (6.3 x 6.2 x 3.4 in)
Weight (no batt)	1220 g (2.11 lb)