Photo Club

It doesn’t take much of a camera to capture a simple snapshot. But what if you spot a little girl in the park standing amid a flock of startled pigeons? Or you’re photographing the unpredictable twirls of dancers on a stage? Or you’re shooting travel scenes in bright, contrasty mid-day sun? For that you need a special camera. And to prove that the new 10.1-megapixel Olympus E-3 is a special camera that can handle just about anything a setting can dish out, Olympus invited me and other members of the photographic press to Puerto Rico in early November for several days of hands-on evaluation. A full test of the E-3 ($1,700, estimated street, body only) is now underway in the Pop Photo Lab, and we’ll give you the numbers as soon as the data is certified. But in the meantime, let me offer some thoughts on how the E-3 fares in the field. Fast Thinking That photo op with the little girl and the pigeons was exactly what I faced as I walked around Ponce, the quiet port city on Puerto Rico’s southern Caribbean coast. With the E-3 hanging on my shoulder, I literally had just enough time to swing it up and shoot before the girl, the birds, and the opportunity were gone. This is where the camera’s new autofocus system really proved itself. A far cry from the slow and fairly crude AF system on 2003’s E-1, the E-3’s AF system is as fast as it is unique. There are 11 AF points clustered around the center of the screen where Olympus engineers have determined that most subjects appear (surprise!). While the E-3 won’t win for sheer AF-point quantity (that distinction belongs to the Nikon D300, with 51 points), each of the E-3’s 11 points has a twin that is offset by half a pixel. The result: thorough coverage and super sensitivity. The little girl in my shot is tack sharp, with the focus right where I wanted it.

The Nikon D3 ($5,000, street, body only) may not be within reach of most photographers’ budgets, but that won’t stop them from dreaming about this amazing pro camera. We’ll find out precisely how amazing it is when we put a production version through the gauntlet of image-quality and performance tests in the Pop Photo Lab. But based on our extensive hands-on experience using a fully operational (but not fully testable) model, we believe this might be the greatest camera Nikon has ever built. The D3 has enough unique features and technology to fill a book — and no doubt several are already in progress. In the meantime, here are five reasons we are so high on it: 1. Rock-solid build and sophisticated design. Nikon clearly spared no expense in toughening the D3’s ergonomic body, comprising magnesium-alloy chassis components and a durable external surface with rubberized panels in all the right places. Water- and dust-resistant seals keep weather out. And a new shutter, made of a Kevlar/carbon-fiber composite, leads the DSLR pack with its 300,000-cycle rating.

HP Photosmart R937 digital camera review : During HP labs event in Lisbon every participant received a digital compact camera to play with for one week. Of course this is an ideal way to get acquainted with the latest top model of the American brand. Certainly an experience that asked for more, so right after this we requested a model to put to the test and to offer you an extensive HP Photosmart R937 review. HP Photosmart R937 - Huge touch screen One of the extraordinary features on the HP R937 camera is its touch screen. Of course HP are not the first to apply a touch screen but it being such a huge screen is a unique experience. It should not surprise anyone that HP is offering a touch screen. The brand is aiming at the consumer. And the consumer wants an easy to operate camera that has not too many buttons and settings. HP is getting better and better at it. The user’s needs are met; he or she can take pictures without having to think too much. This is excellent for the target group the camera is aiming at. HP R937 - 8.15 Megapixel camera resolution The resolution of 8.15 Megapixels is sufficient to offer good enlargements. Most pictures will not even be printed in a size that big. Naturally HP’s adaptive exposure is available. It is one of the most sensible functions HP has been integrating in cameras. Furthermore a 3x optical zoom, clear program settings, ISO 1600 and a large 3.6-inch screen enable photographing in most circumstances. The way of sharing a picture with friends or family is quite remarkable too. The R937 is a unique camera in its class so it is time to put the HP Photosmart R937 to the test.

As more and more consumers graduate to digital SLR cameras, it’s not surprising that some manufacturers are looking to ease the transition for the first-timers. Features normally found on compact cameras — scene modes, face detection autofocus, and live LCD preview – are now commonly found on DSLRs. Such is the case with Panasonic’s newest DSLR, the 10.1-megapixel Lumix DMC-L10, which brings with it several features and functions normally found on EVF-style cameras. The L10 is a good-looking, solidly built camera featuring a Live MOS sensor and a Leica D Vario-Elmarit 14-50mm f/3.8-5.6 Mega Optical Image Stabilized kit lens. The complete kit will cost you $1,300, estimated street, a price that may frighten off some consumers, particularly existing Four Thirds System photographers who may already have a similar lens in their arsenal, whether it’s an older Four Thirds Leica or an Olympus Zuiko lens in the Four Thirds mount. But for the first-time DSLR buyer, or for the photographer who has decided to switch to the Four Thirds system, the L10’s combination of features and functions, particularly EVF-style Live View mode, may be a real selling point of this package. We’ve spent the past couple of weeks with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10, traveling from New York City to Vermont and back, taking photos all along the way, and there’s a whole heck of a lot to like about this camera.

Sony A700 DSLR review : Finally Sony are making good their promise to bring a real Alpha system on the market that not only appeals to the amateur but the semi-pro and even the professional photographer alike with the introduction of the Sony Alpha 700. I do not wish to claim the Sony A700 to be the ultimate tool for professionals. These photographers most possibly use a DSLR of the same brand they already own as a second camera. However; a start has been made. And a third body, this time a professional one, is ready to be introduced in 2008, as Sony showed us during the PMA 2007 in Las Vegas. Sony A700 digital SLR camera Many people were eagerly awaiting the Sony DSLR-A700. Not only Alpha 100 owners felt ready to step over to a new semi-pro body, also consumers marking time looked forward to Sony’s next move. Personally I consider this new Sony Alpha 700 as Sony’s first real statement with its very own face. The Alpha 100 still showed clear signs of Konica Minolta but the Sony A700 is a D-SLR camera I would certainly expect to see from Sony. Sony DSLR-A700 - 12.2 Megapixel CMOS image sensor The Sony Alpha 700 is equipped with a newly developed 12.2 Megapixel CMOS image sensor and works with a focal length multiplier of 1.5x. The housing consists of a combination of aluminum alloy and polycarbonate and is mostly waterproof and dustproof thanks to extra attention that has been paid to the closure of covers etc. The weight of a tad less than 800 grams (778 grams without lens) is pleasant to work with and makes the camera lie stable in my hand. The beautiful large sized LCD screen on the back of the Sony A700 is definitely breathtaking. This 3-inch high resolution LCD screen surely adds a surplus value to this camera. Sony Alpha A700 - Competitors Nikon and Canon The Sony Alpha 700 can now prepare itself to conquer part of the heavenly competing segment in which brands like Nikon and Canon are ruling. Some weeks before Sony’s introduction of the Sony A700, Canon as well as Nikon have showed with what they will enter the digital battlefield and their weapons certainly cannot be ignored. Especially Nikon surprised me with a high quality DSLR camera with obvious professional features, but with the price tag of a semi-pro camera. One thing is for sure; the upcoming year will be an extremely interesting period for photography lovers. Sony Alpha SLR-A700 review During the presentation of the Sony Alpha A700 in Italy, I was able to work briefly with Sony’s new addition. Upon my return Sony contacted me to announce the availability of a full-production model to be used for our camera reviews. Thanks to Sony for a fast delivery, I was able to dive into the studio to make the necessary product photos and test images and to put the camera into practice thereafter. Read my experiences with the Sony Alpha 700 in the Alpha 700 review.

Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ3 digital camera review : The successor of the Lumix TZ1, the Panasonic Lumix TZ3, was introduced in January of the year 2007. Did the TZ1 impress us with its compact size and onboard 10x Leica zoom lens; the Panasonic TZ3 even exceeds its predecessor. Resolution went up to 7 Megapixels and even more important, the focal range, although staying the same with its 10x optical zoom, gained a wide angle. As a result, this compactcamera has a fine 28-280mm range, absolutely a good achievement. It means that Panasonic is one of few manufacturers to deliver a digital compactcamera with an optical zoom lens that is able to offer wide angle. Panasonic Lumix camera assortment The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 has been available for a while now and is one of the top cameras of the Lumix assortment. A few years ago Panasonic created a path for their Lumix line at which digital photography plays an important role within the total assortment they are offering. As a result a clear line of cameras is available, from simple entry-level cameras to Megazoom cameras and in between the so-called Travel Zoom cameras fitting in the Panasonic TZ3. Panasonic is even offering some two digital SLR cameras with a new model that will be available by the end of 2007. Panasonic Lumix TZ3 - MEGA O.I.S & Optical zoom And although the Panasonic Lumix TZ3 is not one of the smallest compact cameras, it certainly has no bulky design either. The camera however might be a tad too large to be carried around in your shirt pocket. More important features are the optical zoom that I mentioned before and the presence of Panasonic’s renowned MEGA O.I.S. image stabilisation system. The latter is undoubtedly of great importance in combination with a large optical range. A fact that Panasonic already acknowledged in an early stadium. Striking is the fact that an electronics company like Panasonic, almost already considered these features as extremely important and that they are equipping their assortment with them. Unlike other well-known manufactures in the photo industry who still shrug their shoulders and equip only some of the compact camera models with a wide angle and an optical image stabilisation system. Panasonic TZ3 camera review The Panasonic Lumix DMC - TZ3 is one of the interesting cameras with which Panasonic distinguish themselves thanks to the specifications. On paper these specifications look very promising. Time to find out how they turn out in practice. Besides the standard review, Karin Brussaard, our underwater photography specialist took the Panasonic TZ3 underwater for testing. That review will be published soon. First the Panasonic Lumix TZ3 review…

Sleek, sexy, stylish… not words you often hear when talking about compact digital cameras. But hear them you will if you take Samsung’s NV11 out to take pictures. Samsung’s NV line certainly looks good, and the NV11 looks just as stylish as its siblings in the line. How do the images that come out of it compare to its flashy exterior? Let’s take a look. The NV11 keeps the 10.1-megapixel output of its NV10 predecessor, with a new lens with extended zoom range and a fast f/2.8 maximum aperture. The $279 (street) compact features a 5X Schneider-Kreuznach zoom lens (38-190mm 35mm equivalent), ISO speeds from 80 to 1600, shutter speeds from 15 to 1/2000th sec., a 2.7-inch, 230,000-dot LCD display, and a stainless steel black-finish exterior. There are the usual Auto, Program, and scene modes for exposure control, as well as manual control with a few restrictions. Movie recording is quite capable at 30fps in VGA-size (640 x 480 px), saved in MPEG-4 format.

Olympus E-510 digital SLR camera review : Olympus is making waves with the digital SLR cameras. The models are quickly being improved and renewed. We still await the successor of the E-1 (Olympus E-3), but the Olympus E-510 D-SLR gives us a taste of what is to come. The Olympus E-510 is the successor of the E-500, which was released more than a year and a half ago. The changes made to the E-400 in the E-410 were minimal, but the Olympus E-510 digital SLR is truly different from its predecessor. Olympus E510 DSLR - LiveMOS image sensor An important change is the image sensor. Olympus uses a Panasonic sensor for the E-510 instead of a Kodak sensor. The CCD has been replaced with the LiveMOS. As the name suggests, the Olympus E-510 also has Live View, just like other Olympus models have. Live View is now definitively the future of the DSLR. Not only Olympus and Panasonic are applying this, but also Canon and Nikon have included Live View in their new DSLR products. At first Olympus and Panasonic were looked upon with pity when they first showed the Live View, but quickly it appeared to be a consumer advantage. Olympus E-510 - 10 Megapixel reflex camera Next to the new sensor the amount of pixels has increased. The Olympus E-510 now has ten Megapixels, the same amount as the E-410. This amount of resolution allows for large prints. The signal is processed differently than in the E-410, though, so that we can expect different results. Thanks to the SuperSonic Wave Filter placed in front of the sensor, you do not longer have to worry about having to retouch a lot of dust spots. This is great, because with ten Megapixels you can see almost every detail. The filter in front of the sensor shakes and the sensor itself can move as well. This has allowed Olympus to integrate a physical image stabilizer. You do not need special lenses in order to prevent blur from camera shake. Olympus Evolt E-510 - Compact camera body The dimensions have hardly changed at all. The camera is a bit wider and a bit thinner and longer as well. The prism housing has remained. The camera still has a lot in common with the legendary Olympus OM series. It is compact, yet stylish. The compact body is partly possible because of the FourThirds System, of which Olympus is one of the pioneers. The sensor format is half the size of a 35 mm film. The focal range has a factor of 2, so that a 14-45 mm lens behaves as a 28-90 mm lens would (on a 35 mm camera). The whole system is easy to carry with you. Olympus E510 D-SLR review The FourThirds System keeps expanding, not only with new cameras, but with new lenses, including a few real top models. While we tested the Olympus Evolt E-510, we also had a few lenses at our disposal, including the Zuiko Digital 7-14mm 1:4 ED. It is an ultra wide-angle lens, but not quite a fisheye. On a 35 mm camera it would be equivalent to a 14-28 mm lens. This is a very interesting range for photojournalists and landscape photographers. We have tested an Olympus E-510 and a few lenses for a while in our test lab. The results can be read in the next Olympus E-510 review.

The gunmetal grey Samsung L74 Wide (street, $240) is a slim 7.2-megapixel digital camera with a true wide angle 28-101mm f/2.8-5.6 (35 mm equivalent) lens, cool styling, and an easy-to-operate touchscreen interface. Throw in some fun extras and an entertaining (if not always 100% accurate) built-in Tour Guide and you’ve got the ultimate class-trip camera. Aimed at the youth market, the L74 Wide’s build is solid and stylish. But with a look that’s both modern and retro, the camera should appeal to both old school film shooters and the Web-savvy youths. Throw in a true 28mm equivalent wide angle lens and you’ve got the potential for a serious pocket-sized vacation camera. About that wide angle lens: it folds back, if not flush, into the body, and it’s a Samsung NV optic, not Schneider-Kreuznach optics like some of its siblings. The circular lens bump is a nice design element that extends from the body about as much as the finger grip’s vertical rubber strip.

Sigma’s long-awaited, second Optical Stabilizer (OS) lens ($549, street) is an 11.1X digital-only superzoom with one SLD and three aspheric elements. A 29-320mm equivalent, it follows Sigma’s first OS lens, an 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 ($999, street), by more than four years, and outdoes its predecessor with a sophisticated new autopanning sensor that detects extended lateral movement, then engages only the vertical stabilizer to allow blur where you want it. HANDS ON: Average in weight and size, the body is polycarbonate and the lensmount is metal. Focus and zoom rings are clad in ribbed rubber. The manual-focus action is somewhat underdamped, and the turning radius is unusually short — so short that the digits of the distance scales are jammed together and not easily deciphered. But the macro scale on the extended barrel is a snap to read. The zoom ring turns stiffly enough to make the zoom lock unnecessary. Autofocus is moderately fast and somewhat noisy on our test camera, the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT. The lens cast no shadow at any focal length when used sans hood with the Rebel’s built-in flash. IN THE LAB: SQF results showed Excellent sharpness and contrast at the four tested focal lengths. This beats most of the Sigma’s superzoom competition, which usually dips into the Very Good and Good ranges at the long end.