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Posted by Amin
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Sigma DP2
Posted by Amin
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featured,
Hugo Poon
Our friends at 1001 Noisy Cameras are asking a question that has long been on my mind. Why are there no compact, professional quality DSLRs?
Read on and weigh in at 1001 Noisy Cameras.
Posted by Amin
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As promised, Canon has released a firmware update to allow current SX1 IS owners to enable RAW mode on their cameras. Unlike smaller companies like Ricoh and Sigma, Canon doesn't have much of a track record when it comes to using firmware updates to add new features, but this is a great step in the right direction.
I'm not aware of any other manufacturers enabling RAW with a firmware update. It would be amazing if Canon would do the same for some or all of the many cameras which have RAW enabled via the CHDK hack. The Canon G7 certainly comes to mind.
I wish Fuji would take the cue from Canon and consider enabling RAW in a firmware update for the F200EXR.
More information at DCViews via 1001 Noisy Cameras
Posted by Amin
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There are now several reviews of the new Fuji F200EXR. No RAW, slowish lens, and limited aperture control are the major problems from my standpoint. However, the promise of wide dynamic range in a subcompact is in itself a major draw.
The PhotographyBLOG review contains excellent examples of the expanded dynamic range capability of the F200EXR, pretty much what I needed to see in order to make the decision to plunk down my $388. With $3.99 overnight shipping through Amazon Prime, I'm looking forward to receiving it tomorrow.
Links:
F200EXR Review at PhotographyBLOG
F200EXR Review at PhotoReview (Australia)
Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR at Amazon
Posted by Amin
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Fuji F200EXR
Posted by Amin
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Some of us have been disappointed in relatively SLR-like form of the initial Micro 4/3 offerings from Panasonic. Amateur Photographer has shared an interesting conversation with Ichiro Kitao, general manager at Panasonic's Products Planning Group, regarding the possibility of Panasonic introducing more compact Micro 4/3 models. There's no new, specific information, but I found it an interesting read nevertheless.
Link: Amateur Photographer via 1001 Noisy Cameras
Posted by Amin
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Micro Four Thirds,
Panasonic
Back in August, we reported on Samsung's intention to challenge the Micro 4/3 market with a "hybrid" system combining interchangeable lenses with a mirrorless APS-C body featuring an electronic viewfinder. Yesterday at PMA, Samsung officially introduced their hybrid system, named the NX series, stating that the first model would be available in the second half of 2009.
Details remain sparse regarding the NX system. However, using the hot shoe to estimate size, the prototype model being shown at PMA seems to be quite compact. In fact, disregarding lens size, it looks to be smaller than the current Micro Four Thirds models from Panasonic. I've resized the Samsung prototype photo below to demonstrate this.
As impressed as I have been with the Panasonic G1, it seems to me that Panasonic could have had even more success with that model by further exploiting the ability to go as compact as possible. The Sigma DP line shows just how small an APS-C sensor camera can be, and a Micro Four Thirds camera should be able to be made even smaller. With Samsung bringing competition to Panasonic and Olympus in the EVIL/hybrid market, I expect that 2010 will be the year that we see large sensor, interchangeable lens compact cameras come to the forefront.
Posted by Amin
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The new Micro Four Thirds Panasonic GH1, announced today, offers HD video. The new Lumix G Vario HD 14-140mm kit lens supports continuous contrast detection autofocus in an optically stabilized lens, nicely suited to the the video capabilities of the GH1. A 7-14mm Micro 4/3 lens was also announced, while the 20mm f/1.7 pancake, awaited by many, has not surfaced in the announcements.
Buried in the massive amount of GH1 coverage is the fact that unlike the first Micro 4/3 camera, the Panasonic G1,the GH1 makes good on one of the original specifications of the m4/3, the multi-aspect ratio sensor. Like the sensor in the Panasonic LX3, the 12MP sensor in the GH1 allows users to take photos in 4:3, 3:2 or 16:9 aspect ratios with the same angle of view as depicted below.
For full coverage of the GH1 announcement, see 1001 Noisy Cameras.
Posted by Amin
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multi-aspect ratio,
Panasonic GH1
The Sigma DP2 is now officially announced and the Sigma website know has more information and samples. The most noticable improvements and new features are:
Posted by Wouter Brandsma
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announcement,
Sigma DP2
Some of you who have been following Serious Compacts for a while now have noticed the recent lack of frequent updates on this blog. I appreciate the emails I've received from a few members of this community. As a primary contributor to the blog, my life has been pretty hectic of late. I'm happy to say that, after a series of interviews in the past two weeks, I have a new job beginning this summer and as a result will be relocating with my wife and two kids to Boston. With those aspects of our lives now assured, I can start to again give more to this blog and related interests including CameraRumors and the Zeiss User Forums.
I believe that Serious Compacts is rather unique amongst photography-related blogs. We share a common interest in the use of compact cameras for the purpose of high quality photography. Our community is inclusive without a particular brand affection. The Flickr group is going strong, and despite a period of relative inactivity, this blog isn't going anywhere.
Thanks to those of you who continue to subscribe and check in. Content contributors are always welcome, so if you have an idea for an article or would like to recommend a photographer to feature, by all means contact us.
Posted by Amin
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