News

Panasonic has introduced the DMC-GH1, the newest member of the company’s LUMIX G Micro System. Compatible with the Micro Four Thirds System standard, the new LUMIX GH1 features advanced video photography functions, such as the ability to record High Definition (HD) AVCHD 1080p/24p video.  In addition, the new LUMIX GH1 comes with a newly developed long-zoom interchangeable lens – the LUMIX G VARIO HD 14-140mm/F4.0-5.8 ASPH./MEGA O.I.S.  This lens was specifically designed to support HD movie recording and features a silent motor and continuous auto focusing (AF) capability; two features which distinguish the LUMIX GH1 from DSLRs that offer HD video recording capabilities.

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Nikon Inc. has introduced the D5000, a digital SLR camera with a 12.3-megapixel sensor, a versatile 2.7-inch Vari-angle LCD monitor, Nikon’s revolutionary D-Movie Mode and expanded automatic Scene Modes. Photographers can easily compose images on the Vari-angle LCD monitor that they can view in a normal position fitting securely within the camera back, or swung out to be rotated or tilted. The monitor can also be stowed with the LCD panel tucked against the camera back to protect the screen when not in use.

This freedom of movement, along with four Live View autofocus shooting modes, affords users the opportunity to shoot from a multitude of imaginative angles. Easy one-button Live View activation now features Subject Tracking autofocus (AF), which automatically locks onto a moving subject.  Even if the subject leaves the frame and returns, Subject Tracking AF maintains focus. In addition to Subject Tracking AF in Live View, the D5000 features Face Priority AF, which automatically detects up to five faces in a scene and focuses on the closest subject; Wide Area AF, which offers a large AF area for optimal hand-held shooting; and Normal Area AF, which provides pinpoint accuracy when shooting with a tripod.

The D5000’s D-Movie Mode allows users the ability to record HD movie clips (1280 x 720) at a cinematic 24 frames per second with sound. Additionally, the D5000 is compatible with a comprehensive assortment of AF-S NIKKOR interchangeable lenses to provide users with the ability to capture perspectives not possible with typical consumer video recording devices. When using any NIKKOR VR lens, D-Movie clips benefit from Nikon VR image stabilization, which automatically activates during recording to deliver added sharpness and image stability. VR image stabilization also extends the D5000’s performance in low-light situations. D-Movie clips are recorded onto an inserted SD or SDHC memory card and saved as Motion JPEG AVI files for easy editing with widely available video editing software.

19 automatic Scene Modes are said to free users to capture beautiful images without having to manually adjust camera settings. The broad range of automatic Scene Modes includes Sports, Portrait, Candlelight, Silhouette, Autumn Colors and more, The D5000 also incorporates a comprehensive set of in-camera editing features to make the most of captured images without the need of a computer. The D5000 also introduces several new Retouch features, including a Soft Filter effect, which applies a smooth appearance to faces or the entire image; Perspective Control, which helps correct distortions in perspective often encountered in photographs of architecture; and Color Outline, which creates monochrome outlines of objects in images by eliminating color and tonal gradations. The D5000 saves each of these edited images as a separate JPEG file, ensuring the original image is left unmodified.  With Nikon’s exclusive Picture Control Settings, photographers can quickly select various image appearance profiles that include Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome, Portrait and Landscape settings.  In addition, Picture Control provides the ability to create and store up to nine user-defined custom profiles to reflect each user’s personal preferences for hue, color saturation and image sharpening.

Extensive playback options allow users to review their photos in groups of four, nine, or 72 thumbnail images. Alternatively, users can select the Calendar View to easily group and select images by date. These playback features can be viewed either on the Vari-angle LCD or an HDTV with HDMI connectivity available via a dedicated HDMI port on the camera.

The D5000’s normal ISO range extends from ISO 200 to 3200, allowing for superior shooting in low-light conditions. Additionally, the D5000’s ISO range can be expanded to a Lo 1 setting of ISO 100 or a Hi 1 setting of ISO 6400, furthering the opportunities for previously impossible shots.

Nikon’s exclusive 3D Color Matrix Metering II, in conjunction with the EXPEED image processing system, contributes to the D5000’s ability to capture quality images by instantly evaluating the exposure elements of each scene and comparing it to an onboard database of information from more than 30,000 images. These split-second calculations allow the D5000 to ensure the right exposure—even when conditions are extreme.  To push creative boundaries even further, the D5000 allows picture-takers to also use Center-Weighted and Spot metering for added personal control.

The D5000’s 11-point auto focus system utilizes Nikon’s exclusive Scene Recognition System with Face Detection to help create the best possible images in a variety of shooting environments. Nikon's 11-point AF offers best-in-class speed and accuracy, helping to ensure sharp focus, shot-after-shot. Single-point AF is suggested for static subjects, Dynamic-area AF for moving subjects, Auto-area AF for spontaneous shooting and 3D-tracking with 11 AF points for maintaining accurate focus on a subject moving throughout the frame.

Paired with Nikon’s AF-S NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR image stabilization lens and the ability to shoot at four frames per second, the D5000 easily captures moments other cameras miss. Nikon’s VR image stabilization lenses reduce the blurring in images due to camera shake, allowing photographers to shoot hand-held at as many as three full stops slower than would otherwise be possible.

The new D5000 also features the innovative Integrated Dust Reduction System, which offers both an electronic sensor cleaning when the camera is powered on and/or off and the Airflow Control System, which directs dust away from the sensor with every snap of the shutter. These functions work to clear image-degrading dust from the sensor’s optical low-pass filter, helping to ensure spot-free images. In addition, the D5000 features a Quiet Release Mode that reduces the mirror cycling noise for discreet shooting in sensitive situations, such as weddings and other ceremonies.

Photographers can also appreciate the D5000’s system expandability, as the camera can work in conjunction with a variety of Nikon accessories including a broad assortment of NIKKOR AF-S interchangeable lenses.  While the D5000 offers a versatile built-in flash, the camera is also compatible with Nikon’s Creative Lighting System and capable of Advanced Wireless Lighting when using the SB-900 Speedlight or the SU-800 Wireless Commander. For those looking to document their photo excursions with geo-tagging, the D5000 is compatible with the optional GP-1 GPS Unit, which automatically records latitude, longitude, altitude and time information when a picture is taken.

The D5000 also works seamlessly with Nikon’s powerful Capture NX 2 image editing software (available for purchase separately), for more advanced photographers seeking greater control over their post-capture images.  Capture NX 2 simplifies the path to beautiful images with easy-to-learn editing tools and a highly versatile and elegantly simple interface, which streamline editing procedures.

Price and Availability
The D5000 outfit, which includes the AF-S NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens, will be available at Nikon Authorized dealers beginning in late April 2009 at an estimated selling price of $849.95.  For consumers who want to configure their D5000 system or for photographers who need an additional D-SLR body for an existing system, the D5000 will also be offered as a body only for an estimated selling price of $729.95. For more information, please visit www.nikonusa.com.

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HiTi Digital, Inc. has introduced its complete wireless printing solutions and services, including HiTi WFT510, the world’s first Wireless Foto Transmitter designed to be applied to any PictBridge compatible digital camera, and HiTi P510Si, the 6-inch standalone roll-type photo printer with direct wireless printing capability.

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M-ROCK announced it is introducing a new line of fully-featured rugged camera bags designed specifically for outdoor/adventure photographers and travel enthusiasts who need functional cases. M-ROCK’s new Adventure series bags offer a variety of solutions including laptop compatible backpacks and gadget bags with detachable roller trolleys; sling bags-turn-backpacks, several DSLR Gadget and top load holster bags; point-and-shoot digital camera bags; and attachable lens pouches for additional carrying capacity.  In addition, every bag in the Adventure line is constructed with water resistant materials and includes a weather jacket and water resistant zippers to further protect contents from moisture, dust and dirt. M-ROCK camera bags are constructed with dense closed cell foam and plastic paneling for extra shock absorption and soft non abrasive internal lining to prevent scratches when carried or stored.

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JOBO AG announced two new portable image storage devices – the GIGA Vu SONIC and the GIGA one SONIC. For professionals that need high-end secure back-up of their digital images, the new GIGA Vu SONIC portable image storage device features an ultra quick download speed of up to 1 GB of data in 30 seconds, TRUE RAW decoding of numerous RAW image files, four hard disc capacities up to 250 GB, a large high resolution 3.2” color display and numerous picture functions.

For the more budget-minded digital photographer, the affordable new JOBO GIGA one SONIC features extremely fast picture storage (transfers up to 1GB of data in less than one minute), a long-lasting battery, four hard disc capacities up to 200 GB, a 1.8” LCD display and convenient operation via five easy-to-use buttons.

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Panasonic has developed an Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera (ILDC) that’s not a single lens reflex model.

Like cameras in cell phones (and vice versa) and MP3 players in everything, the new Canon EOS 5D Mark II can be thought of as another item in the multimedia trend.