Posts in Digital Cameras

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Conventions shattered: Higher resolution = lower noise levels

Leonard Goh | Nov 28, 2008

Traditionally, a higher pixel count in a sensor would naturally result in higher noise levels. However, French company DxO Labs, which specializes in benchmarking digital imaging equipment, has refuted that idea. In fact, it proposes the opposite: More resolution equals minimum noise level.

Higher resolution = less noise? (Credit: Canon)

DxO Labs' rationale is that when a sensor contains more pixels, the amount of light that is distributed to each cell is lesser. Therefore, the signal-to-noise ratio will drop as well and theoretically, this creates less digital artifacts.

However, I have a point to add. The image processor in each camera plays an important role in reducing the noise levels, too. If DxO Labs' theory stands, and when a high-res sensor is coupled with a good imaging engine, the resulting picture will be free of noise. If a sub-standard processor is used, few things could be done to reduce the noise in-camera.

As we've always advocated: Resolution isn't the only thing to look out for when buying a camera. There are other factors such as the lens and image processor to consider, too. For most consumers, a 12-megapixel image is more than sufficient to print an 8R photograph. Unless you need to make A1-sized (59.5cm x 84cm) printout, there are few reasons to lust after a high-res camera.

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What do you do with 20GB worth of flash cards?

Leonard Goh | Nov 27, 2008

What will you do with 20GB of memory cards? (Credit: CNET Asia)

When I go on a trip, I usually carry no more than 4GB worth of memory cards. This is to ensure I don't get trigger-happy and end up with thousands of photographs to sift through after my vacation.

At the ongoing SITEX, which is taking place at the Singapore Expo, Olympus was spotted giving out up to 20GB worth of flash cards when you purchase its cameras. Other manufacturers such as Nikon, Canon, Fujifilm were also offering high-capacity memory media with their cameras.

Honestly, will you ever shoot 20GB worth of pictures when you go on a holiday? Share with us here.

Filed under: Digital Cameras
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You speak and ShutterVoice listens

Eric Franklin | Nov 27, 2008

"Computer..." (Credit: Scott Forman)

Scott Forman may or may not be a Star Trek fan, but when I watch his ShutterVoice demo in action, all I can think of is Jean Luc Picard on the Enterprise, in his quarters, editing photos, with some Earl Gray and Macbeth at his side. Editing photos?!

ShutterVoice, created by Forman, is a Windows-only application that allows you to completely control Canon's EOS utility--which enables you to remotely operate your camera through the computer, strictly through voice command. What made me giddy as a fanboy was that you seemingly have to say "computer" before each command. Uber-geeky, I know.

The software will be available in December 2008 for US$30. Check out the movie below for a full demo.
Read more »

Filed under: Digital Cameras, PC & Peripherals
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Photoshop supports 5D Mark II, camera profiles

Stephen Shankland | Nov 27, 2008

Adobe Systems on Monday updated its RAW-image processing software for Photoshop CS4 with support for Canon's higher-end EOS 5D Mark II camera and building in support for the camera profiles that can give images more realistic colors.

The camera profiles, which I strongly recommend people employ, let you change image tones and colors to better match camera settings such as neutral, portrait, and landscape. They'd been released on the Adobe Labs site, but now are officially built into the Adobe Camera Raw 5.2 software and an accompanying utility, DNG Converter for changing cameras' proprietary RAW files into Adobe's Digital Negative format.

The support for Canon's new 5D Mark II SLR is arriving just in the nick of time for the camera itself. Photographer and blogger Rob Galbraith, citing the company, Canon will begin shipping the new cameras to US dealers on Tuesday. The US$2,700, 21-megapixel camera, with a full-frame sensor the size of a frame film and a 1080p high-definition video mode, will help Canon counter Nikon's increasingly competitive models, and it's a hotly anticipated model.

The new RAW software also supports several higher-end compact cameras: Canon PowerShot G10, Panasonic DMC-G1, Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX150, Panasonic DMC-FZ28, Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3, and Leica D-LUX 4, Adobe said. Additionally, people can save adjustment settings for future use.

The software (for Mac OS X or Windows) can be downloaded from Adobe's Web site.

Via CNET News

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Canon EOS 5D Mark II available now

Leonard Goh | Nov 26, 2008

Some associates of mine have been waiting for the successor to the EOS 5D forever. One of them even made weird sounds like the Hulk to express his frustration: Well, the wait will soon be over as a quick check on the Web shows that this full-frame dSLR is already available in some regions.

Canon's EOS 5D Mark II will be available in your region soon. Picture credit: Canon

Engadget reported the shooter being spotted in Shanghai last week but did not mention how much it was retailing for. Members of photo enthusiast forum ClubSNAP said they received calls from vendors telling them that the Canon is in stores and that the kit lens bundle will set them back S$5,342 (US$3,823.09). For body-only, the EOS 5D Mark II will cost S$4,299 (US$3,076.65).

It was reported on ClubSNAP, too, that Hong Kong has already begun sales of this camera. Members are saying the shooter is selling for S$3,850 (US$2,755.31) for just the body.

Check back with us real soon for a review of the EOS 5D Mark II and to see how well its the full-HD video-recording feature performs.

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