Photo Club

Samsung has introduced two new point-and-shoots, the TL34HD and TL9. The 14.7-megapixel TL34HD features a 3.6x Schneider zoom lens with a 28mm wide angle (35mm equivalent), and a 3-inch, 460,000-dot touchscreen LCD. That model replaces Samsung’s NV24HD, and implements a new version of the Smart Touch interface that distinguished the NV series. Smart Touch 2.0 employs two sets of pressure-sensitive buttons located along the edges of the LCD to provide access to controls. Running a finger over a row of buttons lets you activate and navigate menus, or adjust settings with virtual sliders. The TL34HD also has an improved image processing engine. The 10-megapixel TL9 offers a 2.7-inch LCD, an internal 5x zoom lens, and the ability to play MP3s and videos. It has a 2.5mm headphone port, as well as an external speaker with SRS 3D acoustic technology. Both cameras offer a Dual Image Stabilization mode that combines optical and digital image stabilization.

Among the notable features that the cameras share are 13 automatic scene modes, face-detection autofocus and autoexposure, and a new Recycle Bin function that restores deleted photos. The two TL models also offer Smile Shot and Blink Detection modes, which respectively automatically snap a photo when someone smiles and alert the photographer when someone blinks. The TL34HD offers a shutter speed range of 1/1500 to 15 seconds and a light-sensitivity range of ISO 80 to ISO 3200, or ISO 4800 at a reduced 3-megapixel resolution. The TL9 has a shutter speed range of 1/2000 to 15 seconds and a light-sensitivity range of ISO 80 to ISO 1600. It also distinguishes itself with an unusual feature: two analog gauges that display remaining memory and battery life.

While both new cameras can capture 640×480 video with sound at a smooth 30fps, the TL34HD also offers a 720p, 30fps high-definition mode that saves footage in the H.264 format, and the TL9 has an MPEG-4 video mode that shoots 800×592-pixel MPEG-4 footage at 20fps. The cameras allow video capture to be paused and resumed during a single clip, and enable the optical zoom to function during video capture. Samsung sells an HDMI Consumer Electronics Control cradle that is compatible with the TL34HD for displaying hi-def video on an HDTV. When it’s connected to a Samsung HDTV, users can navigate the TL34HD’s menus with the TV’s remote.

The $329.95 TL34HD and the $279.95 TL9 will be available in September 2008.

Canon has announced the EOS 1000D, a new entry-level DSLR that slots into the model lineup beneath the 450D. The 10 megapixel digital camera, known as the Digital Rebel XS in the US, takes many of the new features of its big brother and presents them in a lighter, less expensive format that Canon hopes will re-shape the market in the same way as the first Rebel (300D) did. No word yet from Canon US about their intentions.

We’ve just got hold of an early sample and will bring you a preview as soon as we can.

Press release:

The EOS 1000D: gateway to full EOS power

Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 10 June 2008: Canon today announces its latest D-SLR, the EOS 1000D. Featuring a 10.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor, 7-point wide area AF system and up to 3fps continuous JPEG shooting until the memory card is full, the EOS 1000D represents a more affordable entry point to the world of EOS cameras – whilst taking full advantage of over 70 years of imaging expertise.

With the lightest body of any digital EOS camera, the EOS 1000D incorporates a range of technologies used in Canon’s professional EOS-1 series cameras, including the DIGIC III image processor, and Live View mode. For straight-from-the-box shooting, the EOS 1000D is available with a Canon EF-S 18-55mm IS lens – which includes 4-stop image stabilisation, ensuring superb performance even in low-light conditions.

“The EOS 1000D is a small camera with a big idea: the supreme adaptability and image quality of the EOS system, in an accessible, affordable package,” said Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging Europe. “For anyone ready to take the next step in creative photography, it offers the perfect entry point to the world of D-SLR.”

Features at a glance:

• 10.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor
• EOS Integrated Cleaning System
• 7-point wide-area AF system with f/5.6 cross-type centre point
• Up to 3 frames per second
• 2.5” LCD with Live View shooting
• DIGIC III image processor
• Compatible with SD and SDHC memory cards
• Compact and lightweight body
• Digital Photo Professional RAW processing software
• Fully compatible with all Canon EF and EF-S lenses and EX-series Speedlites

Designed to deliver more

As with all EOS models, key components for the EOS 1000D are designed and manufactured in-house to work with each other for the ultimate image quality. A 10.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor – with larger pixels for smooth, low-noise images – offers sufficient resolution to produce prints in sizes up to A4, even when cropping your image. To protect images against the effects of sensor dust, the EOS 1000D includes the EOS Integrated Cleaning System, which combats dust in three separate ways: reducing, removing and repelling.

The EOS 1000D also features a DIGIC III image processor, as used in Canon’s professional D-SLR models. This allows continuous shooting until the SD or SDHC memory card is full, at speeds of up to 3fps – with the number of shots limited only by the size of the card. DIGIC III also delivers superior image rendering, rapid operation and virtually instant start-up times.
Intelligent focus and flash

For shots where fast focusing is needed, the EOS 1000D features a 7-point wide area Auto Focus system, capable of locking onto a subject in a fraction of a second. A cross-type central focus point continues to operate effectively even when used in lower-light and lower-contrast settings. Also included is E-TTL II, Canon’s distance-linked flash exposure system found in professional EOS models.

Effortless ease

Weighing just 450g, the EOS 1000D is Canon’s lightest D-SLR to date, with a compact, ergonomic body designed for comfortable handling. A bright 2.5” LCD screen lets users instantly review images for composition, sharpness and focus – or, thanks to a wide viewing angle, instantly share shots with friends. The LCD also provides access to a fast, easy-to-read menu system, which uses tabs to avoid unnecessary scrolling. Inherited from the latest EOS models, the menu system includes direct control over external devices such as Speedlite flash units.

Photo quality in every situation is aided by 12 custom functions, including Auto Lighting Optimizer – which corrects brightness and contrast during image processing, while improving skin tones in portraits by ensuring correct exposure for faces. Photographers can also enable additional noise reduction for shots captured at high ISO speeds.

Live view

For shooting situations where using the viewfinder is impractical – or where a tripod is used – users can switch to Live View mode, which displays the scene as a smooth, 30fps video feed on the LCD. An optional grid line and histogram display can be selected to help with shot composition and exposure. Two AF modes are available for use with Live View: Quick AF, which momentarily flips the camera’s mirror to engage the AF sensor, and Live AF, which uses contrast information for compact camera-style focusing.

Software

The EOS 1000D is supplied with a comprehensive software suite that provides all the necessary tools for managing and processing images. This includes Digital Photo Professional (DPP), a powerful RAW converter that provides complete RAW image processing control. DPP also integrates with camera features such as Dust Delete Data and Picture Styles. The supplied Picture Style Editor software can be used to create custom Picture Styles for fine control over colour display. The camera also comes with EOS Utility, Image/Zoom Browser and Photostitch.

Canon EOS 1000D /Rebel XS/ Kiss F Specifications

List price (EU)	• Body only: €549 • Kit: €599 (with 18-55 mm lens) • Kit: €649 (with 18-55 mm IS lens)
International naming	• Europe: Canon EOS 1000D • Japan: Canon EOS Kiss Digital F
Body material	Plastic (Stainless Steel chassis)
Sensor	• 10.1 million effective pixels • 10.5 million total pixels • 22.2 x 14.8 mm CMOS sensor • RGB Color Filter Array • Built-in low-pass filter with self cleaning unit • 3:2 aspect ratio
Dust reduction	• Low-pass filter vibration at power-on (can be interrupted) • Anti-static coating on sensor surfaces • Software based dust-removal (camera maps dust, removed later)
Image sizes	• 3888 x 2592 (L) • 2816 x 1880 (M) • 1936 x 1288 (S)
Output formats	• RAW (.CR2) + JPEG Large/Fine • JPEG (EXIF 2.21) – Fine, Normal
Image processor	DIGIC III
Lenses	• Canon EF / EF-S lens mount • 1.6x field of view crop
Focus modes	• Auto Focus • Manual Focus (switch on lens)
Auto Focus	• 7-point CMOS sensor with F5.6 cross type at center • AF working range: -0.5 to 18 EV (at 23°C, ISO 100)
AF modes	• AI Focus • One shot • AI Servo
AF point selection	• Auto • Manual
AF assist	Flash strobe
Shooting modes	• Auto • Program AE (P) • Shutter priority AE (Tv) • Aperture priority AE (Av) • Manual (M) • Auto depth-of-field • Portrait • Landscape • Close-up • Sports • Night portrait • Flash off
Metering	• TTL 35-zone SPC • Metering range: EV 1.0 – 20 EV (at 23°C, ISO 100, 50 mm F1.4)
Metering modes	• Evaluative 35-zone • Partial 9% at center • Center-weighted average
AE Lock	AE lock button
AE Bracketing	• +/- 2.0 EV • 0.5 or 0.3 EV increments
Exposure compen.	• +/- 2.0 EV • 0.5 or 0.3 EV increments
Sensitivity	• Auto (100 – 800) • ISO 100 • ISO 200 • ISO 400 • ISO 800 • ISO 1600
Shutter	• Focal-plane shutter • 30 – 1/4000 sec (0.5 or 0.3 EV steps) • Flash X-Sync: 1/200 sec • Bulb
Aperture values	• F1.0 – F91 (0.3 EV steps) • Actual aperture range depends on lens used
White balance	• Auto  • Daylight  • Shade  • Cloudy  • Tungsten  • Fluorescent  • Flash  • Custom
WB Bracketing	• +/-3 levels • 3 images • Selectable Blue/Amber or Magenta/Green bias
WB fine-tuning	• Blue (-9) To Amber (+9) • Magenta (-9) to Green (+9)
Color space	• sRGB • Adobe RGB
Picture style	• Standard • Portrait • Landscape • Neutral • Faithful • Monochrome • User 1 • User 2 • User 3
Custom image parameters	• Sharpness: 0 to 7 • Contrast: -4 to +4 • Saturation: -4 to +4 • Color tone: -4 to +4 • B&W filter: None, Yellow, Orange, Red, Green • B&W tone: None, Sepia, Blue, Purple, Green
Drive modes	• Single • Continuous: 3.0 fps JPEG to card capacity 1.5 fps for5 RAW frames or 4 RAW+JPEG • Self-timer 10 secs (2 sec with mirror lock-up) • Self-timer continuous
Mirror lockup	Yes (custom function)
Viewfinder	• Pentamirror • 95% frame coverage • Magnification: 0.81x (-1 diopter with 50 mm lens at infinity) • Eyepoint: 21 mm • Dioptric adjustment: -3.0 to +1.0 diopter • Fixed precision matte
Viewfinder info	• AF information (AF points focus confirmation light) • Shutter speed • Aperture value • ISO speed (always displayed) • AE lock • Exposure level/compensation • Exposure warning • AEB • Flash ready • High-speed sync • FE lock • Flash exposure compensation • Red-eye reduction light • White balance correction • SD card information • Monochrome shooting • Maximum burst
DOF preview	Yes, button
LCD monitor	• 2.5" TFT LCD • 230,000 pixels • Wide viewing angle (160° horizontal and vertical) • 7 brightness levels • Up to 10x zoom playback
LCD Live view	• Live TTL display of scene from CMOS image sensor • 100% frame coverage • Real-time evaluative metering using CMOS image sensor • Best view or exposure simulation • Grid optional (thirds) • Magnify optional (5x or 10x at AF point) • Optional Auto-focus with mirror-down / mirror-up sequence • Two modes; normal and quieter • Remote live view using EOS Utility 2.0 (via USB) • Manual focus only
Camera settings display	• Shutter speed • Aperture • Sensitivity (ISO) • Exposure mode • Meter / Exposure compenation • Bracketing • Flash compensation • White balance & fine tuning • Metering mode • Custom function set • Auto focus mode • Drive mode • Auto focus areas • Black & white mode • Beep • Red-eye reduction • Image size / quality • Battery status • Frames remaining
Record review	• Uses last play mode • Magnification possible • 2 / 4 / 8 sec / Hold
Flash	• Auto pop-up E-TTL II auto flash • Guide number approx 13 • Modes: Auto, Manual Flash On/ Off, Red-Eye Reduction • X-Sync: 1/200 sec • Flash exposure compensation: +/-2.0 EV (0.3 or 0.5 EV steps) • Coverage up to 17 mm focal length (27 mm FOV equiv.)
External flash	• E-TTL II auto flash with EX-series Speedlites • Hot-shoe
Other features	• Orientation sensor
Auto rotation	• On (playback uses orientation data in file header) • Off
Playback mode	• Single image • Single image with info (histogram brightness / RGB ) • Magnified view (1.5 – 10x in 15 steps, browsable) • 4 and 9 image index • Auto play • Image rotation • Jump (by 10, 100 or date)
Custom functions	12 custom functions with 32 settings
Menu languages	• English • German • French • Dutch • Danish • Portuguese • Finnish • Italian • Norwegian • Swedish • Spanish • Greek • Simplified Chinese • Japanese • Traditional Chinese • Korean • Russian • Polish • Hungarian • Czech
Firmware	User upgradable
Connectivity	• USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed) mini-B • Video out (PAL / NTSC) • E3 type wired remote control
Storage	• SD / SDHC card
Power	• Lithium-Ion LP-E5 rechargeable battery (7.4 V, 1050 mAh) • Optional ACK-E5 AC adapter kit
Battery Grip	Yes, BG-E5
Direct printing	• Canon Selphy Printers • Canon Bubble Jet Printers with direct print function • Canon PIXMA Printers supporting PictBridge • PictBridge
Dimensions	126 x 98 x 62 mm (5.1 x 3.9 x 2.4 in)
Weight (with battery)	500 g (1.1 lb)
Software	• Zoom Browser EX / ImageBrowser • PhotoStitch • EOS Utility (inc. Remote Capture; Windows & Mac except Mac Intel) • Digital Photo Professional (Windows / Mac)

Just how much camera can you get for less than $200? A whole lot, it turns out. Our test case: the Kodak EasyShare Z885 ($166, street), which comes with 8.1MP capture (more than enough), a 5x zoom (a leap ahead of the usual 3x), and an ISO 8000 setting (holy cow!).

As for image quality, you also get a whole lot. At ISO 80 and 100, the Z885′s Certified Lab Test results were Excellent, with average resolution over 1700 lines, Very Low and Low noise, respectively, and Excellent color accuracy. At ISO 200 and 400 there was no significant drop-off in resolution, while the noise did bump up to Moderate.

By ISO 800, noise increased to the Unacceptable level — although not by much — with a mild drop of about 7 percent in resolution, to about 1590 lines, ranking Extremely High. At ISO 1600, additional noise reduction obviously kicked in, with resolution just squeaking into Extremely High at about 1500 lines. So the Z885 is still quite usable at ISO 800-1600, as long as you stay with moderate enlargement. (Compare it with other current compacts: Its noise performance at these ISOs is considerably better than the noise from the much pricier Canon PowerShot G7, Nikon Coolpix P5000, and Ricoh Caplio GX100.)