In cooperation with Fotomanijak.com, we are able to present reviews of the latest digital cameras on the market. First preview from Fotomanijak labs is preview of the latest Canon’s EOS 7D DSLR.

Thanks to PCfoto.biz we have Canon’s latest, Canon EOS 7D digital camera on our test table. First impression, just WOW. Finally camera that fit so perfectly in hands – with every control that you can think of right where you expect it to be.

From the moment when Canon has released EOS 50D, we are using it our everyday work, when they had announced 7D, we didn’t thought that we need and upgrade. But after testing new 7D, o god how I was wrong.

After working with 7D, coming back to 50D is hard, you have a feeling that something is missing, button here, focus point groups… Viewfinder, after you had worked with 7D looking in 50D viewfinder is like a looking in the keyhole.

Here are some sample photos from 50D and 7D, made under identical controlled conditons with ISO 12800, photos are made directly in JPEG, with noise reduction off.

Packing up more megapiksels on optisal sensor, had a price, basicly noise increasing, to controle that additiona noise, 7D obvously has much more agressive noise reduction, even when the ISO noise reduction is OFF.

This is a short preview of EOS 7D, and comparison to the EOS 50D, stay tuned for the full review.

It’s a bit strange that Olympus has released their new PEN digital camera, knowing that the E-P1 PEN camera was presented just few months ago.

So, new Olympus E-P2 micro four thirds digital camera is here, it’s more like a face lifting then the real upgrade comparing to the E-P1. E-P2 got new port for additional electronically viewfinder or it can be used for external microphone. To distinct these two cameras more easy, E-P2 is coming in black finish, comparing to the silver E-P1.

From new features, there is a new auto-focusing system, which now allows tracking of a subject in frame, some changes in firmware i-Enhance ‘color-boosting’ function.

Both cameras will be available on the market, E-P2 kit will include plugin viewfinder, and with 17mm pancake lens or 14-22mm Zuico Zoom lens it will be sold for no less then $1100. Yes you had read it right $1100, if you ask me thats more then a price that I’m prepared to give, even for the peace of history that PEN camera is. It’s quite obvious that Olympus is targeting those eccentric but rich “photo artists” who are easy to spot on by their greasy long hair and their view glued to the distance.

Today Canon corporation has presented it’s new EOS- 1D Mark IV digital camera – long anticipated successor of the EOS 1D Mark III DSLR.

Main improvement, similar like on new Nikon D3S is totally brand new auto-focus system, with focus in 45 points. New auto-focus system, as Canon clams, should eliminate all the problems that users of 1D Mark III had. Besides the new auto-focus system, 1D Mk IV is featuring new CMOS optical sensor APS-H sized (1.3 crop) with 16.1 megapiksels. Besides over 50% resolution increasing, new sensor, has ability to capture video. Not just video, but FULL 1080p HD video – at maximal 30 fps. While in the smaller 720p HD resolution it can provide up to 60 fps.

Similar as the newly presented Nikon D3S, Canon EOS 1D Mark IV is moving boundaries in usable ISO range. New optical sensor allows ISO from ISO100 up to ISO12800. With ISO expansion, it can take photos on ISO50 up to the ISO102400. Guarantee the the ISO boost is not only marketing thing, but that the HI ISO values will be usable in everyday work is new optical sensor construction. Increased size of usable surface of every pixel allows “packing up” more usable pixels on the same size sensor surface, but still keeping color noise under control. At extremely high ISO values there is no way to prevent color noise, but it can be cleaned. For good cleaning there are two DIGIC IV processors. Two parallel DIGIC 4 processors was a must, in spite the 50% resolution increasing maximal burst speed remained at 10 fps.

Nikon has raised the bar with new D3S, response from Canon was more then expected. Judging by the feature lists Canon EOS-1D Mk IV overcomes new Nikon D3S, faster burst speed, higher video resolution are just few obvious things. But thats all just on paper, we will have to wait for both cameras and then listen the users to make a final judgement.

Official sample photos are available on Canon site.

Great video about new Canons 1D Mk 4 auto-focus system

By the name 7D the first assumption will be that newly presented camera is successor of the 5D(Mark II) camera. But instead, EOS 7D is a founder of a totally new Canon’s DSLR class, closer to the full-frame DSLR now more then ever – but still not full-frame. New EOS 7D is placed someware between existing EOS 50D DSLR body and fullframe 5D DSLR body class.

We can use just few words to describe this DSLR, it have all positive sides of a full-frame body, such as great viewfinder, except full-frame sensor. Instead it implements new Canon’s 18 megapixel resolution CMOS, APS-C sized optical sensor.

Some of the 7D’s key features are:

• new optical senzor – 18Mpix resolution CMOS, and APS-C sized (crop size)
• 8 fps burst mode – thanks to the Dual Digic IV image processors
• Full HD video mode – with all manual controls of aperture and frames per second
• New viewfinder 1x magnifying, 100% frame covering, by the quality it matches those viewfinders in 1D high-end professional cameras.

Basically, EOS 7D is a professional DSLR made for hard working professional. It’s quite obvious that this camera more then any before responses to almost all requests made by the photographers, finally! In 7D marketing material you can find that, before the actual designing process of 7D begun, Canon made a inquiry all around the word with more then 5000 professional photographers participating. They had asked them, simply “what do you want from you next camera”, as Canon claims EOS 7D is a response to their requests.

In general EOS 7D is the long lost link between two worlds of APS-C crop DLSRs and Full-frame DSLR cameras, even the price is a bit higher that we would expected – we are more then convinced that it will pays every cent invested in it.

By the name of this DSLR camera we can assume that Nikon is starting a completely new line in their DSLR lineup – DSLRs with the swivel LCD screens. Usually the LCD on the DSLR camera has been used only for reviewing already made photo. But today with LiveView available in almost every camera that trend has been changed.

Nikon is not the first DSLR manufacturer who have published DSLR with tilt LCD, we have saw that already on some Olympus and Sony models. Judging by that trend, I’m more then sure that we will see something similar coming from Canon soon enough.

In general Nikon D500 was made to cary on the battle in the entry level DSLR class with it’s main competitor Canon EOS 500D. While it has found it’s place somewhere in between the D90 and D60 in the Nikon’s DSLR lineup. Judging by the specs of the new Nikon we can see that it has the best qualities of  both of it’s siblings. Almost all advanced features from the D90 are here and still it’s quite compact like the D60.

Optical sensor with 12 mpix resolution, same like D90 is using, but now with more advanced airflow dust cleaning, taken from the D60. Thank you god, that Nikon dropped the 3 point auto-focus, which has been used on D60, and the new D5000 has, much better, 11 point auto focusing system taken from the D90 camera. Compromises were made on the kuplung system, so you wont be able to use older Nikon lenses with mechanical focusing system – D90 can drive such lenses, but that was expected this is the entry level DSLR, in the end.

Burst shooting speed – 4 fps, just in the middle tween the D90 and D60. Viewfinder is maybe not the best, taken from the D60, using pentamirror instead pentaprism – this is the sacrifice for body size. Pentaprism just can not fit that small DSLR body – and it’s cheaper in the end.

LCD display, 2.7 inch, again something in the middle, but with important difference it can swivel and tilt and that in combination with the improved LiveView mode – you will be able to shoot from some angles that no DSLR has been before. The downside of LCD is it’s resolution of just 230 000 pixels, comparing to the 3 inch LCD that D90 is using, this has almost four times less pixels.

As I was mentioned before LiveView has been improved, comparing to the D90 LV, now it can AF track the subject in the frame.

As the Nikon stated in their press conference, D5000 will be in the stores in May, with the price that will be around the price of it’s main competitor Canon EOS 500D.

The second block of technical opportunities intrigues much more: the advanced technology of recognition of persons now allows to make a picture when will find out in the staff two persons (function Love Timer), and the degree of romantic affinity is defined by the user (all it is accessible three variants of a distance). The model also will offer function Group Timer: the chamber does a picture only when will find out in the staff the set quantity of persons (from one up to four).

Other technical instants are those: support of cards of memory SD/SDHC and xD, stabilization of the image and the maximal photosensitivity up to 1600 units ISO. Date of release in Japan is already certain – on June, 7th, cost of the chamber will make $388.

Some limited information has appeared in the beginning of the year about alleged preparation of the new entry level Canon DSLR, but that kind of rumors are frequent and usually more reflecting users wishes then real information from manofacturers.

Canon has released the new version of the Digital Photo Professional software for working with RAW files from Canon’s DSLRs. Somewhere in the specs of the new 3.4 version of DPP there is an point that the this version is compatible with Digital Rebel XS / EOS 1000D digital camera. The only problem is that kind of camera does not exist, or it exists but still it’s not published.

Besides the name of the new DSLR EOS 1000D there are no other information. But from the model number we can draw few conclusions.

While they were produced in the 90′, Canon’s DSLR models with four numbers in their mark were the cheap entry level film cameras, while he professional class was caring only one number in the model name.

As the manufacturer has started to produce digital SLRs, flagship DSRL has stayed with only one number in the model name 1D, 5D, but Canon has created second prosumer class with two numbers in the model name.

That kind of prosumer class was/is aiming to the advanced/richer photo amateurs and professionals with limited budget, 10D, 20D, 30D, 40D.

With EOS 300D, Canon was recreating the DSLR history, 300D was the first DSLR under the magic $1000 price limit. That was the also the firstborn in the new entry level DSLR class, compact, too compact, plastic bodes, with out advanced functions, but extremely affordable.

After the presentation of the last DSLR in the entry level class EOS 450D, Canon was moving the bar much higher to the professional class. EOS 450D is the closest to the professional class as it can be.

Even after the new 450D was hit the stores, 400D and 350D were still avaliable, of course by the new lower price. The demand for 400D and 350D is still significant.

So based on all that, what we can expect from next EOS 1000D?

Too small compact plastic body, like 350D, previous generation optical sensor like that used 350D, but also some improvements probably in the internal image processing.

The price for EOS 350D body is about $400, and we can expect that the Canon will offer next EOS 1000D at some similar price, while the 350D will finally will be retired.

Today, Olympus company has officially released E-520, the successor of the E-510.

Olympus E-520 is more some kind of evolution, then the revolution. Main improvements are adding of contrast auto-focusing system. Also there is a bigger LCD and face detection. Also there are few new features that has came directly for the Olympus’s flagship E-3. Wireless commanding slave flashes, automatic shadow adjustment.

In addition to all those features, dynamic range of the E520 is increased comparing to the E510, so now it’s much closer to the Olympus flagship E-3.

The Olympus E-520 digital SLR – main features:

• Built-in image stabilizer – sensor based – so every lens the you can fit is stabilized
• Autofocus in Live View mode – new Contrast based autofocus
• Excellent dust reduction system – ultrasonic shaking is shaking of the dust from the sensor surface
• 2.7″ HyperCrystal II LCD
• 10 Megapixel Live MOS sensor – sensor has the same resolution as in the previous model, but Oly still claims that the dynamic range is increased
• 3.5fps with up to 8 images in RAW buffer – nice but still slower the the main competitors
• Built-in flash and wireless flash control – in this class only Sony’s DSLR has this kind of option
• ISO 100-1600 – this is the price of using smaller sensor
• TruePic III image processor – next generation of image processor, actually the main improvement

In general, there aren’t too much improvements to force the owners of E-510 to buy the successor, but are enough for E520 to become much seriously competitor on the DSLR market.

Other manufacturers had had a similar experiments, Canon with it’s PowerShot SD430 Digital Elph Wireless (Digital Ixus Wireless) released in 2005, Nikon also with Coolpix P1 and P2 also in 2005. It’s quite obvious, cause there where no new digital cameras with Wireless adapters from 2005 that that kind of concept was not accepted by the market.

What’s the difference tween 2005 and now with Panasonic new TZ50 wifi camera. First the timing, blogging and photo sharing has become not just normal thing but a must. It is not enough to make a photo but you have to share it with your friends fast – right away. Panasonic is offering one year use of T-Mobile’s Hot-spot service in the US. So basically you can make photos and share it this instant, via T-Mobile hot-spot using your Picassa gallery.

So maybe we are on the beginning of the new renesanse for digital cameras with Wi-Fi options.

Other that WiFi options, Panasonic’s new TZ50 digital camera is no diferent from previous TZ5 camera.

It’s brighest point are great 28-280mm equivivalent 10x zoom Leica DC Vario-Elmarit lens. A bit more megapixels ( comparing to the predecessor TZ3) now wit 9.1 megapixel optica sensor. This camera also implements Panasonics MEGA OIS image stabilization.

After WiFi experiments from two largest digital cameras manufacturers nobody else was brave enough to try. Panasonic is determined to gain bigger cut of the market, or at least media attention with their extraordinary digital cameras.

The Nikon corp has presented their first real ultrazoom digital camera – new Nikon CoolPix P80. Some Nikon’s digital cameras from the P ( Performance ) we had already met. Like P5100 or P50/P60 digital cameras that were really good but just a bit too expensive so they didn’t make it to the bestsellers chart.

Even this is the first ultrazoom coming from Nikon, they did their homework good, and the P80 is not inferior comparing to any other ultrazoom camera available on the market.

To fit the ultrazoom class camera should have at least some 12x zoom lens on it, Nikon P80 has 18x zoom lens. An i have to admit respectable 18X zoom lens, it’s starting from pretty wide 27mm and ends in telephoto area on the 486mm (both values are 35mm equivalents).

Optical stabilization has found its way even to the low cost part of the market. But, good optical stabilization is essential for ultrazoom cameras. First because you shot at long focal lengths, shaking of the camera becomes multiplied, so it’s nearly impossible to shot at full zoom without a tripod or a good optical stabilization like Nikon’s VR.

But in spite that Nikon is using lens based optical stabilization on their DSLR lenses, they have implemented other kind of stabilization sensor shift type on Nikon P80.

I think that the Nikon is the only manufacturer that uses both kinds of optical stabilizations on their digital cameras.

Nikon P80 is coming with new optical sensor with 10 megapixel resolution in combination with the EXPEED image processor, quarantining image quality and fast operation. Used optical sensor can provide up to ISO6400 – it would be quite enough for me that photos are usable on ISO800.

Real optical viewfinder is replaced with electronic viewfinder, so you can compose using that little LCD in the viewfinder or the nice large 2.7 inch diagonal LCD on the back side of the camera, with anti-reflection coating and a wide viewing angle.

With this camera Nikon is trying to get to those advanced photographers and photo enthusiasts, to do that full manual mode is implemented so you can, if you want, to take full control over process of making the shot. But if you don’t want, there is a full auto mode, and few other scene modes, that will offer you good results in all sort of situations. I have to notice that Nikon’s Auto mode is better from generation to generation.

Nikon P80 will be on the selfes in the end of the April, with start price about €450. With that price tag Im sure that P80 will share the faith of other cameras in the Nikon’s P series.