The long-awaited replacement for the SD10 that was released in 2004, Sigma's new SD14 (average street price: $1599) retains the best features of its predecessor but benefits from improvements that make it more competitive with the latest cameras. These include higher resolution; a larger/brighter viewfinder; a faster, more versatile autofocus system; greater burst depth;...
Digital cameras with built-in shake compensating devices have been available for at least three years, but this feature is definitely increasing in popularity. At one time, an Image Stabilizer was considered to be necessary only with long telephoto lenses, but it's quickly making its way down the ranks. Today, you can find cameras with short 3x optical zooms that are...
Once every two years, the world's largest photographic trade show--photokina--is held in Cologne, Germany, in September. In those years (including 2000) we always find that camera manufacturers announce SLR models with entirely new technology. This year was no exception, with four major cameras announced...
Just as few people actually need a luxury car for transportation, they feel that getting there with impeccable performance in elegance and style greatly enhances the experience. For the same reason, some photographers own one of the luxurious titanium or other alloy-bodied lens/shutter 35mm cameras with...
The Adobe Photoshop series is the most popular among image-editing programs, and this software includes a vast range of image-enhancing features. While some of the available tools are quite easy to use, advanced image-correction techniques require sophisticated and time-consuming multi-step processes. These are...
Considering the overwhelming popularity of digital SLR cameras, it's understandable that all lens manufacturers are devoting their resources to this market. All of the new products--featuring entirely new designs--shown during PMA 2005 were exclusively for use with digital SLRs that employ the APS-C size sensor; these are not suitable for use with film-based...
The most prolific manufacturer of digital cameras, Sony was also one of the first to introduce a 5-megapixel model, the DSC-F707 in 2001, later replaced by the F717. The company's latest high-end 5-Mp camera, the DSC-V1, should become more popular, thanks to its smaller size and lighter...
Image Sensor: 23.6x15.8mm CCD with RGB filter array and low-pass filter; 10.2 million recording pixels; 1.5x field of view crop Recording Options: Various JPEG options, raw (SRF format), and raw+JPEG formats Sensitivity: ISO 100-1600; also, ISO 80 Low Key and ISO 200...
The first digital SLR from Sony, the Alpha A100 ($899, body; $999 with 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens) offers amenities from the Konica Minolta Maxxum 5D along with Sony technology. This first camera from the Konica Minolta/Sony collaboration announced in 2005 employs the Alpha designation that was previously used for the Maxxum line in Asia. More than a "re-badged Maxxum...
The first 10-megapixel entry-level digital SLR to reach the market, the Sony Alpha A100 raises the resolution bar in the sub-$900 category. While that makes the camera particularly newsworthy, it's interesting in several other respects. This model is a hybrid, combining the best of the Konica Minolta Maxxum 5D with entirely new Sony technology and features. As discussed in...