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After five years, Pentax finally came out with its much anticipated digital camera (645D medium format). The new digital camera is the very first from Pentax in the said format. The camera is amazing, with 40MP and compatible with all 645 system lenses, a CCD sensor (44 x 33) –consumers will never go wrong. The bad news is, it will initially be sold only in Japan and will be released in the US by May 2010 at a $9, 400 price tag. In conjunction with the release of the 645 medium format camera, Pentax also came out with with SDM AW (D FA 645 55mm F2.8) lenses. The lens is weather resistant and boasts a supersonic direct drive motor so you can switch from AF/MF instantly. The price tag for the lens is around $1, 100.

Canon developed a “Hybrid Image Stabilizer” around July of last year and has released during the last quarter of the same year, the first macro telephoto lens that will help users improve shots taken at closer distances (also known as macro-shooting).  The Hybrid IS technology optimizes image quality by preventing errors caused by camera shake.  Blurred images are thus minimized.

Canon EF 100mm F2.8L IS USM MACRO, primarily offers the Hybrid IS technology and from the term itself, a 100mm focal length, is ideal for close-up and macro shots.  Its other features are geared on helping photographers take shots in a smaller distance, even without the need of a tripod as the new technology should help minimize the errors caused by the camera shakes.

Reviews regard the Canon EF 100mm F2.8L IS USM MACRO as an optional investment.  While it gives exceptional results for most of the features the lens offer, it does not seem to do justice to the press release about the Hybrid IS Technology.  Seemingly a work in progress, we can only expect the best from the succeeding line of products from Canon.

Serious photographers will be glad to know that Ricoh has announced an addition to its recent GXR Camera System.  The GXR Camera System allows a photographer to mix and match camera units (lens, image sensor and image processing engine) and as the new system gains its popularity, Ricoh decides to further enhance and maximize the GXR Camera System’s potential.

Camera unit RICOH LENS P10 28-300 mm F3.5-5.6 VC

The unit primarily, offers a wide-angle zoom combined with 120 frame/second high-speed continuous shoot.  The addition of the back-illuminated sensor allows shooting from low light to bright light without sacrificing image quality.  Tentative release is summer 2010.

Camera unit GR LENS A12 28mm F2.5

This camera uses a combination of a specific CMOS sensor and GR ENGINE II image processing producing high definition pictures with smooth tone gradations.  It also offers a manual focus ring that is important in specific focus adjustments.  Tentative release is Winter 2010.

Final Note

RICOH LENS P10 29-300 mm F3.5-5.6 is going to be available for display from March 11 to March 14 in Tokyo, Japan.  Product names and specifications may change until final product release.  Reviews are available contrasting GXR System to that of SLR and DSLR Cameras.  The pros and cons are still immature for GXR is still relatively young in the photography scene.  The prices are high and may even be outrageous for some but the equipment is nothing short of excellent and only worthy of serious photographers who are not afraid to try something new.

Cameras are not only used by families nowadays, most of the time, digital cameras are used by individuals who do not only take photographs or videos for special events. Digital camera owners have now expanded the use of their camera and use them in all sorts of situations. People now want to take photos in dimly lit rooms while others want to capture subjects that are moving very rapidly. With this information, Sony developed its high-speed image sensor –the Exmor R CMOS.

Exmor R CMOS Image Sensors from Sony have achieved a rather dramatic increase in terms of performance. They are now highly sensitive, can capture in full-speed and are very quiet. Vignetting is improved with the Exmor and now it even has wafer thinning technology, a unique Sony photodiode structure and a sensitivity that performs better than any of those available in the market today.

Sony Semiconductor’s newest update gives an explanation of the black-illuminated 10.34 megapixels ½.3” Exmor sensor. The Exmor R CMOS is designed for those who are into taking photos in rather dimly lit conditions. The sensors have been integrated in many of Sony’s CMOS sensor equipped digital cameras which includes Ricoh CX3 compacts, Cyber-shot TX5 and the HX5.

With the development of the IMX050CQK that adopts to all existing CMOS (high-speed) image sensor technology and Sony’s sensitivity improving technology, photographers will never go wrong because the sensors do not only make photos look more stunning, they are also equipped to capture high-speed videos.

Digital camera manufacturer Olympus now has firmware for their Digital PEN model also known as the E-P 1. The new version offers a few improvements i.e.  resolving the issue in its former version the 1.2 level gauge display’s failure to move when in manual focus.

You can now update your firmware by going to the Olympus website. If you have an Olympus camera and Olympus lenses, you can get the newest firmware using your Olympus digital camera updater. If you do not have this, you should download it first and then proceed with the update. Make sure that you have your camera and your lenses when doing the update because it will not work without these two.

For those using an Olympus camera but use Panasonic lenses, you can download the update by using Olympus Studio or Olympus Master. If you are using Sigma lenses on your Olympus digital camera, the firmware can get its update by using the Olympus Digital Camera Updater.

Do you want a cheap yet effective flash bounce card? Here’s some good news folks, you can now make your very own flash bounce card –no need to buy it at the store. The people from the Los Angeles Digital Imaging Group also known as LADIG created a template that will help many budding photographers out there. This flash bounce card is something you can print out and just attach to your camera, cool ain’t it? How do you attach it? Well double sided tape will do but if you do not want to use double sided tape you can use a rubber band to attach the flash bounce card to your camera. To make the card sturdy, you would have to attach it to cardboard, simply paste it on cardboard and voila, you have a flash bounce car.

If you have been planning to buy a new camera, maybe you should research on the instant rebate program from Nikon. The program started last 28^th and you can still go to the store to buy a qualifying Nikon digital camera along with a qualifying lens you will be able to take advantage of an instant rebate.

If you are a Nikon lover and decide to buy a 70-200mm f/28 and a DSLR, you will be able to avail of a $400 rebate. Cool, eh? The program is expected to last the whole month of March so be sure to visit the shop nearest you.

Love Samsung? Samsung Digital Imaging Co., Ltd., recently unveiled its WB200. This high speed compact camera packs 10 megapixels with 1080P and is full HD video recording capable. Samsung’s newest offering can record at a speed of one thousand (1000) frames per second. It also has a burst mode that is capable of taking ten digital stills per second (full-size). The camera is taking high speed imaging to a whole new level making the brand more appealing to digital camera aficionados.

Apart from it being super-fast, it also has the capability to enhance digital imaging with its Advanced Panorama Shot (with Dual Capture mode and Object Tracking). Its dual capture mode allows owners of the camera to take pictures while recording a video. The camera was on display at PMA in the Anaheim Convention Center a few days ago.

For those using Samsung Digital Imaging and love it, here’s some good news. Samsung’s Digital Imaging has recently merged with its digital camera business maximizing synergy and making you, the camera and photo enthusiasts more efficient. Samsung Digital Imaging was spun off of Samsung about a year or so ago but the most recent news about the division is that it has merged with Samsung Electronics.

Samsung will definitely benefit a lot from this merger. Integrating the newest technologies developed by its electronics branches will help improve sales for the brand. Samsung’s OLED screen for Ice Touch for example can be a great addition for their digital cameras.

In other news Samsung recently announced its new durable compact cameras. The company and market leader added 2 digital camera (12 megapixel ones) to its lineup for 2010. These two cameras are the waterproof WP10 and the uber durable ES73. These two cameras will allow you to be more adventurous with your shots without having to worry about your camera.

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ss=MsoNormal>Samsung will definitely benefit a lot from this merger. Integrating the newest technologies developed by its electronics branches will help improve sales for the brand. Samsung’s OLED screen for Ice Touch for example can be a great addition for their digital cameras.