Photography Magazine

Canon Digital IXUS 75 : Canon updates its Digital IXUS range with the 7.1 Megapixel Digital IXUS 75 (SD 750 Digital Elph). The ultra compact Digital IXUS 75 sports a metallic finish with a massive 3.0” PureColor LCD, offset by a distinctive circular accent around the lens. A touch sensitive control dial provides easy access to key camera settings. The Canon IXUS 75 camera also incorporates a clever Red-Eye Correction feature in Playback mode. The IXUS 75 offers superb response times and high-quality image rendering through Canon’s DIGIC III image processor. DIGIC III also powers Face Detection and Noise Reduction Technology, making it easier for users to capture sharp, well-exposed images in clubs, restaurants and other situations.

Canon IXUS 75 - Advanced functionality
“With its advanced functionality and bold design concept, this new Digital IXUS model goes beyond the conventional,” said Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging, Europe. “It’s this unfaltering pursuit of new technologies and new aesthetics that set the Canon IXUS range apart from the competition.”

Canon IXUS 75 - Features
• 7.1 Megapixels
• 3x optical zoom 35-105mm (35mm equivalent) with UA lens
• DIGIC III with Face Detection AF/AE/FE and Noise Reduction Technology
• Red-Eye Correction in playback
• 3.0” PureColor LCD
• ISO 1600 and Auto ISO Shift
• 17 Shooting modes plus My Colors photo effects
• 30fps VGA Movies and Time Lapse Movie function

Canon Digital IXUS 75 - Face Detection Technology
Canon’s DIGIC III processor introduces several advancements that reduce the risk of blurred or poorly exposed photographs. Face Detection AF/AE/FE automatically detects up to nine faces within a scene and optimises focus and exposure accordingly. Fast and highly accurate, the system has been enhanced on the IXUS 75 to control flash exposure (FE), and is now capable of detecting faces at greater distances. Face Detection Technology also enables Red-Eye Correction in playback. Users can quickly detect and remove red-eye in captured images directly in-camera, ensuring that people shots look natural and accurate. Noise Reduction Technology produces smooth images at up to ISO 1600, allowing for flash-free photography in dimly-lit areas such as parties and nightclubs. A new Auto ISO Shift function prevents blur by giving users the option to boost the ISO setting - and consequently shutter speed - with a single button press, whenever the camera predicts camera shake.

Canon Digital 75 - PureColor LCD screen
A range of enhancements has been made on the Canon Digital IXUS 75, based on feedback collected from users across the globe. The new Canon camera includes a new high resolution (230k pixels) PureColor LCD screen, which offers users a wide range of visual benefits. Colour tones have been enhanced by up to 30% for vibrant, true-to-life colour reproduction. The screen’s wide viewing angle is complemented by an anti-reflective coating, which makes it easy to compose and review images even in brightly-lit conditions. A scratch-resistant layer provides extra protection against knocks and scrapes.

Canon Digital IXUS 75 - Shutter speed & Aperture
Settings for shutter speed and aperture are now displayed on the LCD during shooting. When using Auto ISO and High ISO Auto, the LCD will also display the ISO speed. These camera settings are now recorded as EXIF data for review in playback. Users of the Digital IXUS 75 can instantly review captured images using a dedicated Playback button, which acts as a toggle between shooting and playback modes. The Print/Share button doubles as a customisable Shortcut button, providing one-touch access to frequently used functions, such as movie recording or white balance settings.

Canon Digital IXUS 75 camera - Shooting modes
A total of 17 shooting modes are provided, including a wide selection of Special Scene modes such as Portrait, Indoor and Night Snapshot. Digital IXUS 75 users can access modes via the Touch Control Dial. The camera further includes My Colors photo effects for creative experimentation before and after shooting.

Canon IXUS 75 digital camera - Movie function
A new Time Lapse Movie function allows users to capture changing scenes - such as drifting clouds, a blooming flower or a bustling city street - for accelerated playback as smooth VGA-quality movie clips. Captured at one-second or two second intervals, a scene of two hours’ duration can be condensed to a fluid eight minute or four minute movie file. Users can also record standard VGA movies with sound at 30fps and QVGA movies with sound at 60fps.

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3 March 2008 - Kodak’s latest M-series model is the stylish little M863, a small snapper that features face detection AF and Perfect Touch technology. So, it looks nice and has some nice features but is it any good? Let’s find out.

Kodak’s range of new models grows apace and the Kodak EasyShare M863 represents the mid-range in its M-series of compact models. Available in three liveries: red, black and silver, it is small and stylish to look at and hits the shop shelves at an attractive £99.99.

It is standard fare otherwise, with an 8.2-megapixel sensor and Face Detection AF, which certainly works well enough on those directly facing the camera, but I found it struggled with faces in profile for example. However, the AF system as a whole is actually rather good using five selectable zones, a 5-zone multi setup or you can pick just the central AF zone for subjects that prove slightly more challenging, such as when shooting macro subjects.

However, it’s quite slow, particularly in macro mode but once focused it proved reliable in most situations. Only low contrast and very busy subjects, such as cluttered fencing or tree branches, for example, caused it to hesitate or refuse to play ball.

In terms of overall handling though, the camera’s small size makes it very portable and it’s light weight, chiefly achieved through the camera’s predominantly plastic build, means it’s very pocketable.

However, the mode dial on the top plate is tiny, almost impossible to use with gloves, as the knurled edges are so small. The dial is used to select the camera’s main shooting options such as auto, scene (or subject program) modes of which you get 18 modes in all and that include all the usual suspects: portrait, landscape, fireworks, text and museum modes, to name a few. There’s a macro mode (for subjects closer than 28cm) and you get to the digital anti-shake mode here too.

The latter simply bumps up the ISO to the top ISO 1600 setting, so watch out for image noise, more on this later. The shutter and flash buttons sit next to the mode dial while on the back a small lens zoom switch moves the optics through the 3x 34-102mm focal range. A fast F2.8 to F5.2 maximum aperture range looks good but the aperture control is a simple two-step affair – you either use F2.8 or the minimum F5.1 setting.

The camera’s menus are large and simple to follow, each set of menus is separated into three tabs and the large 230k-pixel screen makes both the menu size nice to use and of course the quality of image playback when you’re snapping. The so called “indoor/outdoor” LCD is sharp and colourful and is surprisingly nice to use, even outdoors but it has a reflective surface which can become frustrating at times in direct lighting.

Start up takes around 2 seconds, then another second for the camera system to “wake up” so all average so far. The camera’s sluggish AF system compounds the slight shutter lag problem, which takes a while to get used to, once there though, you can work around it but again, at this level of the market, this is not overly bad.

In terms of other controls, there is a modicum of manual settings such as exposure compensation (in auto modes but not in scene modes) of +/-2EV, the usual array of semi-automatic white balance (WB) settings (tungsten, daylight, etc.) as well as a fully auto WB mode of course.

Sensitivity settings are comprehensive with an ISO 64 to ISO 1600 range, metering provides a TTL, centre-weighted and spot options, so providing a useful amount of controllability in varied or difficult lighting conditions.

Controls on the back include a circular four-way jog button that can toggle the screen’s display (you can have framing guides, shot images and the like displayed – or not) and you also get a central “OK” button to select a choice in a menu or to display an image if browsing within the thumbnails view.

A handy direct delete button does exactly that, while menu and playback buttons also slip in alongside the display. A Share button allows you to email the image, print or mark it as a favourite image to display when you pick the favourites option on the small mode dial on the top plate.

Image quality is actually rather good at lower ISOs although colour performance is oddly vivid, even at the default settings; colours are very bright indeed, too bright. Noise at higher ISOs makes its presence felt above ISO 400 while detail is also quickly stripped away by the image processing as Picture Perfect Technology kicks in.

At lower ISOs, things are much better with both Picture Perfect and noise processing not having such an impact. Detail is much better and overall, below ISO 400, the Kodak makes the most of its eight million pixels.

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Olympus E-420 digital reflex camera : Olympus announces the extremely portable E-420 digital SLR. The Olympus E420 is perfect for everyone who wants to step up to the power and performance of a digital SLR (single lens reflex), yet enjoy the ease of use and ability to compose images on the LCD common to point-and-shoot cameras. The lightweight 10-megapixel E420 DSLR offers heavyweight technologies. Weighing a mere 380 grams (13.4 ounces), the Olympus E-420 is 20 to 40 percent lighter than competing DSLRs. Good things come in this small package, including Live View, which enables users to hold the camera away from their faces and interact with their subjects - ideal when capturing photos of children, for example.

Olympus E-420 Live View LCD screen
The 10-megapixel Olympus E420 offers heavyweight technologies, including a bigger, more viewable 2.7-inch LCD and consumer-friendly fast On-Screen Autofocus, Face Detection, Shadow Adjustment Technology and Perfect Shot Preview to get the most out of the Live View experience. Additionally, when it comes to Live View, not all LCDs are created equal. At 2.7-inches, the portable Olympus E-420 LCD is large enough for users to compose and review images without squinting. The small camera’s LCD is not just larger, it is part of a camera with technologies intelligent enough to take advantage of the Live View photography experience.

Olympus E-420 digital SLR technologies
The innovative technologies include:
• On-Screen Autofocus works as seamlessly as a point-and-shoot to display subjects in focus on the LCD the instant the shutter is pressed half way
• Face Detection Technology targets and locks on up to eight faces to ensure they are in focus and crystal clear for amazing portraits
• New and Improved HyperCrystal II Technology delivers twice the contrast and better viewing in extreme lighting conditions, a broader range of color detail, and a wider angle of view on the LCD so you and your friends can see it up to 176 degrees off-center
• Shadow Adjustment Technology captures detail in the bright areas of a frame and opens up detail in the shadows that other cameras would render too dark or underexposed
• Perfect Shot Preview enables you to view and select your favorite effect right on the LCD, and see how the image will look before you even capture it, so you know that what you see is what you get.

Professional image quality with the Olympus E420
“The Olympus E-420 delivers the professional-grade image quality of a digital SLR with the simple operation of a point-and-shoot camera,” said John Knaur, senior marketing manager - DSLR, Olympus Imaging America Inc. “Thanks to the camera’s small size and lightweight body, users can take the Olympus E420 everywhere, and they will never miss another shot because the of the camera’s straightforward controls. Additionally, our innovative technologies help consumers get more from Live View.”

Small size & Lightweight body
A camera designed to be held away from the face lets you take great photographs without weighing you down. The Olympus E-420 is small enough to fit into a purse or a jacket pocket and light enough to shoot with comfortably all day. Measuring 5.1 inches by 3.6 inches by 2.1 inches (excluding protrusions), it is the world’s smallest digital SLR. And at a featherweight 13.4 ounces, only its predecessor (E-410) weighs less. The Olympus E-420’s new ergonomic grip on the front of the body allows for easier one-handed operation and ensures a secure hold in the most challenging shooting conditions.

Olympus E-420 SLR lenses
The world’s smallest DSLR deserves a similarly compact lens, and Olympus has it: the ultra compact Zuiko 25mm f2.8 digital specific lens. This 0.9 inch-thick lens offers a fixed 50mm equivalent angle of view. Together with the E-420, the Zuiko 25mm f2.8 lens will offer the ultimate combination of ease of use and portability. Photographers can also purchase the Olympus E420 in a kit with a compact, Zuiko Digital 28-84mm equivalent (ED 14-42mm Four Thirds) f3.5-f5.6 lens that perfectly matches the imager so light strikes the sensor directly to ensure rich, accurate colors and edge-to-edge sharpness. Both lenses (Zuiko 25mm f2.8 and 28-84mm f3.5-f5.6) are part Olympus’ expanding line of 100 percent digital lenses - designed specifically for digital photography. Unlike other camera companies, Olympus does not rely on old film lenses, which often result in images with soft edges or other imperfections.

Live View LCD on the Olympus E420
Olympus was the first to bring Live View to a consumer DSLR (the E-330 in 2006), and Live View has revolutionized DSLR photography. Anyone who has photographed young children knows that you get the best reactions when you hold the camera away from your face and maintain eye contact and an engaging smile. If you have tried to take photos high above the heads in a crowd or low near the ground, you will appreciate that it is easier to use a swivel LCD screen than to climb a ladder or lie on your stomach. The Olympus E-420 solves these problems with its Live View LCD, which enables photographers to hold the camera away from their faces and at angles they just cannot reach by using the optical viewfinder alone. The E-420’s new Live View autofocus functionality now simplifies the process by working just like a point and shoot. By simply pressing the shutter button halfway, your subjects come into focus on the LCD, so when the perfect moment occurs it is easy to capture sharp images.

Olympus E-420 HyperCrystal II LCD display
A viewable LCD is where a great Live View experience begins. Few things are more annoying for a photographer than squinting to see an image on an LCD screen in bright sunlight or a dimly lit room. The Olympus E420 solves this problem with its large, bright 2.7-inch LCD display that incorporates new HyperCrystal II technology. This display offers twice the contrast for better viewing in extreme light conditions (i.e. when the sun is at your back), a broader color gamut that displays a greater range of color detail, and a 176-degree viewing angle.

Olympus Face Detection technology
A camera this consumer-friendly is perfect for taking portraits of friends and family while out and about. The Olympus E-420’s Face Detection feature distinguishes between people’s faces and the background. It tracks up to eight faces within the image area and automatically focuses and optimizes exposure for sharp, brilliant portrait pictures. Even if your subjects are moving, the camera continuously tracks their faces.

Olympus Shadow Adjustment Technology
Shooting scenes with shadows can be tricky because of the extreme contrast between dark and bright areas. The Olympus E-420 addresses this challenge with Shadow Adjustment Technology that compensates for extreme contrast when shadow areas are underexposed and lack visible detail. Now users can preview and capture images with the same fine contrast they see with their own eyes.

Olympus E420 Pre-set scene select modes
With 18 pre-set scene-select modes for every imaginable shooting scenario and full manual controls, the Olympus E-420 offers a world of possibilities to photographers. Additionally, Perfect Shot Preview enables users to preview and select various photographic effects on a live, multi-window screen on the LCD before snapping the shot. This feature shows photographers what their images will look like beforehand under various settings, ensuring that they capture exactly what they want. It is an ideal way for novice users to learn about the effects of different photography techniques, such as exposure compensation, white balance and metering.

Olympus E-420 Live MOS image sensor
Capturing, enlarging and displaying amazing images on your wall is a snap thanks to the Olympus E420’s 10 million pixels for high-resolution photos. The 10-megapixel sensor gives users the flexibility to enlarge prints to the sizes supported by many of today’s printers, or crop the image to print only a part of the image that is important to them. The high-performance Live MOS image sensor in the Olympus E420 delivers excellent dynamic range for accurate color fidelity and a new state-of-the-art amplifier circuit dramatically reduces noise and captures fine image details in the highlight and shadow areas.

Olympus E-420 White balance
Many digital SLR users want to focus their attention on things other than white balance while they are on the move. As a result, the Olympus E-420 features an improved automatic white balance performance with a new algorithm for more accurate color.

Olympus TruePic III Image Processor
Olympus’ TruePic III Image Processor produces crystal clear photos using all the pixel information for each image to provide the best digital images possible for every photo with accurate color, true-to-life flesh tones, brilliant blue skies and precise tonal representation in between. TruePic III also lowers image noise by one step to reduce graininess in images shot at higher ISO settings, enabling great results in low-light situations. Worried about missing the winning goal at the soccer game? The image processor on the Olympus E420 enables it to shoot up to 3.5 frames per second in sequenced shooting mode, which means that photographers will be able to capture fast-paced action as it happens.

Olympus E-420 Dust Reduction system
Life moves too fast to spend time worrying about dust ruining your images. Olympus’ proven Dust Reduction System produces spot-free photos with the exclusive Supersonic Wave Filter. The patented ultrasonic technology vibrates to remove dust and other particles from the front of the image sensor and captures it on a special adhesive membrane every time the camera is turned on. These spot-free photos liberate users from hours spent retouching photographs at the computer or sending their cameras back to the manufacturer to remove dust trapped inside.

Flash memory for the Olympus E420
Accepting both CompactFlash Type I & II, Microdrives, and xD-Picture Cards, the Olympus E-420 provides a choice of data storage options for enhanced flexibility, and it is possible to transfer image files from one card to the other right inside the camera.

Wireless electronic flashes compatibility
If you decide to venture into the arena of advanced lighting, the E-420 is ready to meet the challenge. The Olympus E420 is compatible with the Olympus FL-50R and FL-36R wireless electronic flashes that are designed exclusively for digital photography. When these flashes are used in combination with the E-420, wireless multi-flash photography is possible. The Olympus E420 can control up to three wireless flash groups independently, with several flash units per group.

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Kodak announces the Kodak EasyShare C613 zoom digital camera. The new zoom camera comes with a price as stunning as its pictures; it has the same impressive resolution, quality zoom lens and ability to capture steady, crisp shots as you’d get with a more expensive camera. If you’re looking for amazing value and incredible quality pictures, look at the compact and stylish Kodak C613. The only thing missing is a hefty price tag. The Kodak EasyShare C613 is an all-purpose solution for users who seek compact design and exceptional value, 6.2 Megapixel resolution, 3x optical and 5x digital zoom, large 2.4-inch LCD display, 15 fps VGA with audio capture, and a wealth of on-camera picture-enhancing features.

Kodak EasyShare C613 - Features
• Possibility to reduce blur caused by camera shake or subject movement with digital image stabilization
• Ability to capture the details in low light conditions and fast situations with high ISO
• Record life in motion with TV quality VGA video (640×480 at 15 fps) featuring audio capture and playback, on-camera editing, and prints from video (4, 9, 16-up)
• Create better, brighter more vivid pictures right on camera using
Kodak Perfect Touch technology
• Get great shots time after time with 16 programmed scene and
3 color modes
• On-camera picture enhancing features: auto-picture rotation,
cropping, blurry picture alert, and undo-delete
• Works with optional Kodak EasyShare printer docks, photo printers, and camera docks

Kodak C613 - Specifications
• Sensor type : 1/2.5″ CCD
• CCD total pixels : 6.2 MP (2872×2160)
• Effective pixels : 6.16 MP (2864×2152)
• Lens : 36-108 mm (35 mm equiv.)
• Aperture : f/2.7-4.8, 2 step aperture
• Lens barrier : built-in lens barrier
• Zoom : 3X optical; 5X continuous digital with LCD preview
• Zoom : 0.2X increments, combined zoom 15X
• Image stabilizer : digital
• Shutter speed : 0.5-1/1400 second
• LCD : 6.1 cm (2.4″) indoor/outdoor color display
• Storage : SD/MMC card expansion slot, SDHC support
• Internal memory : 16 MB

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