Canon EOS 7D gets high marks all around

Canon EOS 7D gets high marks all around

Canon's EOS 7D is a pretty grandiose piece of image-recording equipment, whether you're talking about its size, features or price. You're probably aware of the 18 megapixel APS-C sensor and dual DIGIC 4 processors already, but we've all had to be a bit more patient than usual in waiting for the pro reviews to come out. Dpreview doesn't disappoint though, with a thoughtful 31-page tome awaiting the keen reader, and we've also got more digestible video reviews from DPhoto Journal for the less patient among you. If you're after direct comparisons against competing models, such as the Nikon D300s, you'll find those sprinkled in among the reviews as well, with Cameratown throwing in a direct head-to-head with Canon's own 5D Mark II. The 7D was found to produce 'virtually no visible noise' all the way up to ISO 1600, and scored further points for its gorgeous 100 percent frame-covering viewfinder and fast 19-point AF. With a weather-sealed, highly ergonomic body design, ridiculously fast processing and a sensor so good that 'in most situations the lens, rather than the camera, is likely to be the limiting factor,' the only thing reviewers could criticize was the somewhat uncompetitive pricing, but that's likely to soften with time anyway. Read on... if you dare.

(Via Engadget Digital Cameras.)

Samsung NX-10 specs and release date

Samsung NX-10 specs and release date

Samsugn NX-10 Launching Show Models in PMA2009, originally uploaded by samsungimaging.

The latest rumor is that Samsung NX will be announced on December 10th, 2009 (the previous rumors pointed to an early 2010 release). Those are the expected Samsung NX specs from photofan.jp:

• Mount: Samsung NX


• Sensor: 23.4 x 15.6mm APS-C CMOS 14.6 mega pixels (1.5x)


• Body: polycarbonate sealed against dust and moisture


• Image stabilization: Optical Image Stabilization system (OIS)


• Processor: DRIM image processor


• Format image: JPEG, DNG, JPEG-DNG


• Video: FullHD 1080p/30fps


• Recording format: H.264 HD


• Recording quality: SF, F, N


• Audio: Built-in real stereo


• Audio format: AAC


• Focus system: Contrast Autofocus with 16 AF areas, face detection and tracking mode, manual focus (focus by wire)


• Shutter: mechanical shutter, bulb, 30s-1/6000, 4.5fps


• Sensitivity: ISO 100-3200 (50-6400)


• Viewfinder: Electronic Viewfinder 1080p/260Hz, 100% coverage, 1X magnification


• Main screen: AMOLED 3″, 921.000 dots, 120Hz


• Flash: Pop-up, GN12


• Connectivity: HDMI, USB 2.0, Video/Audio out, BlueTooth, WiFi


• Storage media: SD/SDHC

(Via Photo Rumors.)

The RED Digital Film Cameras' Spec Lists Are As Big As Their Prices

The RED Digital Film Cameras' Spec Lists Are As Big As Their Prices

We've drooled over accessories for RED's digital still and motion cameras, but now we've got specs for the actual DSMCs. No release dates yet, but looks like the EPIC-X with it's $28,000 price will come first. Updated:: Lotsa pictures.

The first of the two models we're being teased with is the incredibly high-end EPIC-X which will be released in four stages, beginning with a pre-production model dubbed TATTOO and ending with the wide-spread final release model. The details explain the $28,000 price tag:

* New MYSTERIUM-X 5K sensor

* 5K (2:1) at 1-100fps

* 4K (2:1) at 1-125fps

* Quad HD at 1-120fps

* 3K (2:1) at 1-160fps

* 2K (2:1) at 1-250fps

* 1080P (scaled from full frame) at 1-60fps

* Increased Dynamic Range, reduced noise

* Time Lapse, Frame Ramping

* REDCODE 250

* ISO 200-8000

* New FLUT Color Science

* Completely Modular System, each Module individually upgradeable

* Independent Stills and Motion Modes (both record full resolution REDCODE RAW)

* 5 Axis Adjustable Sensor Plate

* Multiple Recording Media Options (Compact Flash, 1.8' SSD, RED Drives, RED RAM)

* Wireless REDMOTE control

* Touchscreen LCD control option

* Bomb-EVF, RED-EVF and RED-LCD compatible

* Multiple User Control Buttons

* Interchangeable Lens mounts including focus and iris control of electronic RED, Canon and Nikon lenses (along with Zoom data)

* 'Touch Focus Tracking' with electronic lens mounts and RED Touchscreen LCDs

* LDS and /i Data enabled PL Mount

* Rollover Battery Power

* Independent LUTs on Monitor Outputs

* Independent Frame Guides and Menu overlays on Monitor Outputs

* Monitor Ports support both LCD and EVF

* True Shutter Sync In/Out and Strobe Sync Out

* 720P, 1080P and 2K monitoring support

* Gigagbit Network interface and 802.11 Wireless interface

* 3 Axis internal motion sensor, built in GPS receiver

* Enhanced Metadata

* Full size connectors on Pro I/O Module. AES Digital Audio input, single and dual link HD-SDI

* Support for RED, most Arri 19mm, Studio 15mm, 15mm Lite, Panavision and NATO accessories

* Dimensions- Approx. 4'x4'x5.5'

* Weight (Brain only)- Approx. 6 lbs (2.72kg)

The other temptress is the Scarlet 2/3-inch, which is 'more akin to current video-shooting DSLRs, though it doesn't have a full frame sensor.' As with the EPIC-X, there's no release date given. There are some great specs though:

* Increased REDCODE data rates

* New FLUT Color, Gamma and Sensitivity Science. Now same as EPIC.

* More extensive modular system integration.

* Interchangeable Lens mounts including focus and iris control of electronic RED, Canon and Nikon lenses, along with Zoom data (Scarlet 2/3' Interchangeable)

* 'Touch Focus Tracking' with electronic lens mounts and RED touchscreen LCD's (Scarlet 2/3' Interchangeable and 8x Fixed)

* Two independent microphone level channels, balanced input circuits, 48V Phantom Power, digitized at 24-bit 48KHz.

* GigaBit Ethernet port

* Scaled 1080P at 60fps

Update: Now we've got a bunch of pictures of the gadgets to drool over (or mock):

Word is that there'll be more information at the end of the month, but that won't stop us from already fantasizing about what to do with the cameras.

(Via Gizmodo: Cameras.)