Announced: The New PANASONIC LUMIX G3

Panasonic UK has announced that the NEW Panasonic Lumix G3 will be the newest member to the 'G-series' family. Possibly a replacement for the Lumix G2, it is likely to be in the shops by mid-late June 2011.

Not only will new Lumix G3 come in the familiar Black & Red, but will also come in a new White finish (probably following the success for the new ipad & iphone4 in white).

The Lumix G3 will be approx..25% smaller than the Lumix G2, but will still retain a 3" Vari-angle Touchscreen LCD screen (approx. 460,000 dot), 1,440,000 dot equivalent LVF viewfinder and SLR style grip for comfortable holding. Upgrades include:

• New 16 Megapixel LIVE MOS sensor (which produces less than 1/3 noise than conventional sensors)
• New Light-Speed Autofocus (claimed to be the World's fastest pinpoint AF speed at approx..0.1secs)
• 4 Frames-per-second at 16MP or 20 Frames-per-second at 4MP
• Full HD AVCHD at 1920x1080, 50i Movie with full-time AF & AF tracking - for ease of use, cinematic quality movies

The Panasonic Lumix G3 will also be 3D compatible when used in conjunction with Panasonic's 3D 12.5mm/f12 Lens.
   


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REVIEW: THE CANON POWERSHOT SX220 HS

I often get asked the question: "If you were buying a camera, which one would you have?" Honestly, if i was looking for small digital compact- the Canon Powershot SX220 HS would be my choice! For them occasion's where the bulky DSLR is too much, i feel that the incredibly versatile compact Canon Powershot SX220 HS would satisfy my demands from it. Just outlining its key specifications you can understand why:

• 12.1 Megapixel high sensitivity CMOS
• 14x Optical Zoom (28-392mm) with dynamic IS
• Canon DIGIC 4 processor
• Smart Auto Mode (intelligent 32 scenes detection) with advanced subject detection
• Manual Exposure Modes (P,S,A,M)
• Full HD movie
• Super Slow Motion Movie (240fps @ 320pixels or 120fps @ 640pixels)
• Creative auto scenes (Fish eye, Miniature, Toy Camera, Super Vivid & Poster effects)

Pros:


For me the Canon Powershot SX220 HS size and housing such a versatile 14x zoom is what impresses me most, covering such a large range from wide-angle to telephoto with a good image stabilizer is invaluable. Also, i find the image quality very good in detail and very accurate in colour rendition. It's ability to record in low light conditions & general response is improved due to its new CMOS sensor & DIGIC 4 processor. The Menu's are very easy to navigate and the Mode Wheel makes it quick & easy to operate. Canon have also improved the zoom operation from a rocker switch on the Canon Powershot SX210 IS to a toggle switch on the SX220 HS. The movie function is very easy to use with its instant record button, and i also enjoyed using the super slow motion movie (at 120fps@640 pixels). I also like the fact that Canon have not incorporated a GPS system into the SX220 HS (haven't found a vital application where GPS is necessary in photography). 


Cons:


Two very minor things actually, it would be nice if the in-built flash had a button to open it instead of popping up each time you turn the camera on, something like what the Panasonic Lumix LX5 has. It would also greatly improve the cameras demand amongst enthusiasts/ professionals looking for a small digital compact, if it had the ability to take pictures in RAW file format.


Our Verdict:

4.8 out of 5 


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Rumour: THE NEW SONY NEX-3C

Rumours are just filtering through on the latest member of the Sony NEX family, the SONY NEX-3C. Possibly, the replacement for the current Sony NEX-3. The new model is rumoured to have:

• New 16.2 Mega pixel Sensor
• More Sleek & Rounded body design
• Different arrangement of keys

The new model is still rumoured to incorporate Sony's Vari-Angle LCD screen & HD movie capability. Early images of the NEW SONY NEX-3C also show a new flash unit (at this time, unsure whether this is will be provided with the camera or be an additional accessory).

The award winning range of Sony NEX series cameras has proven ever so popular with consumers against there mirror-less system rivals, and a new addition will certainly see there success increase. Rumoured to be formerly announced for Sony's Autumn Launch, means this new model could be in the shops by September 2011.  
  
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THE CANON EOS 600D

The Canon EOS 600D or as we have so eloquently named it "The Fisherman's Friend", has to be the hottest consumer DSLR on the market at the moment.

I have been informed by a proffessional Angler that the EOS 600D's side articulating Live-View screen combined with its Custom Self-Timer (which allows the camera to take between 2-10 shots from a single shutter depression) or by using an Infra-red Remote Release via the Canon RC-6 Remote or a Seculine Twin R3-UT universal Remote (optional accessories), make it the ideal candidate for photographing your prized catch more easily. Even when that moment is at dusk or the crack of dawn where the light is poor, the EOS 600D's:

• DIGIC 4 Processing Engine
• ISO 100-6400 (expandable to 12800)
• 63 Zone Dual-Layer Metering
• 18 Megapixel CMOS

All come together to give the user incredible results under difficult lighting conditions. But this camera is not just ideal for fisherman, as we live in a world of social networking sites there is an increasing interest in taking Self-Portraits and the Canon EOS 600D is the ultimate High Quality tool for doing so.

The Canon EOS 600D is not just a camera for photographing yourself, the Live-View Articulating LCD Screen can also offer an opportunity for the user to be incredibly creative with composition whether taking photographs or Full HD Movies.

Our Verdict:

4.8 out of 5

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Announced: The NEW Nikon D5100

Exciting news for all you Nikon fans out there or someone interested in getting a new/starting DSLR, as Nikon has just announced the Nikon D5100 & could be in the shops as early as the end of the month.

It appears Nikon have addressed the fundamental flaw which i believed the Nikon D5000 suffered with, and that was its articulated screen. Articulated screens can be incredibly helpful in creating interesting compositions, but the Nikon D5000's Vari-angle screen had limitations when attached to a tripod as the screen would hang downwards below the camera.

Not only has the Nikon D5100 Vari-angle screen been addressed so that it articulates from the side of the camera, but now boasts Approx.. 921k-dots for high resolution viewing.

other updates include:

• 16.2 megapixel CMOS sensor
• Side articulating Vari-angle 3" LCD monitor (Approx...921k-dots)
• 7 Special Effects Mode for pictures and full HD movies (accessible from the top mode dial) 
• ISO range 100-6400 (can be expanded to 25600) 

With this cameras ease of use, it will be an ideal candidate for a beginner to DSLR and would also satisfy the demands of those who want to be more creative with their Pictures and Movies.

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The 'NEW' Fujifilm Finepix F550 EXR - Review

Just in & Quick initial thoughts on the 'NEW' Fujifilm Finepix F550 EXR!!!

For those of you fans of Fuji's award winning range of 'F-series' digital compacts, the F550 EXR will not dissapoint. There are alot of initial similarities with the Fujifilm Finepix F300 EXR- for example,

• 15x Optical Zoom (24-360mm)
• 3" High Contrast LCD screen (460,000-dot LCD)
• Mode wheel & quick Movie recording button
• Body Casing & Size are identical (apart from the new GPS system on the top of the F550 EXR)

But they are very different, the F550 EXR looks are far more elegant with its black shell complimented with a subtle red ring around the lens & the EXR badge is also finished in red text. But it is infact the heart & brain of the new F550 EXR which seperates it from the F300 EXR- for example,

• 16MP EXR CMOS sensor
• EXR Processor
• 11 frames- High speed shooting
• GPS
• Improved Motion Panorama
• 320fps High Speed Movie
• Stereo Mic

pros:

• The F550 EXR CMOS sensor & EXR Processor really makes this camera quick and responsive & truely a great low-light performer.

cons:

• The in-built pop-up flash on the F550 EXR now has what seems to be a magnet which holds it down & feels delicate to pop back up.

4.5 out of 5

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Sony NEX Lens Rumour

Could it be true????

Rumour has it that there are 7 new lenses for the Sony NEX range of cameras.

If your a Sony NEX 3, NEX 5 or NEX 10 owner then this is exciting news. From this corporate looking image, it looks like there are going to be much needed range of longer focal lengths.

• Portrait?
• Macro?
• Telephoto?
• Sony G?
• Carl Zeiss?

If the current NEX lenses are anything to go by, these are more than likely to be extremely high quality. Why we are on the subject of high quality, it appears a Sony G lens and a Carl Zeiss will be joining the NEX range of lenses.

What Lenses would you hope Sony will launch for the NEX range?

Rumour Rating: 

4.9 out of 5

Want to know more about current NEX? Click here