New 5D Mark II firmware enables manual exposure in video mode

Canon today announced a firmware upgrade which will enable EOS 5D Mark II users to have manual exposure control while recording videos. While the dSLR has garnered praise for its mix of high-end functions and affordable price, shutterbugs have been lamenting the lack of exposure setting controls while recording movie clips. The new firmware, which will be available on Canon Europe's Web site for download on June 2, will let photographers tweak the aperture, shutter speed and ISO sensitivity settings when shooting video.

As with any firmware upgrade, do pay special attention to the instructions before updating the software for your camera. Click here for more information on this update.

For Olympus, the proof is in the videos

It's always nice when a company is willing to put up its products against its marketing claims. In this case, the strengths of Olympus' Tough series of digital cameras.

Earlier this year, Olympus stopped designating its series of shock- and waterproof cameras with a mere SW and started calling them Tough, since the cameras were also dustproof, crushproof, and freezeproof. To prove just how much punishment they can take, it turned over a bunch of Tough-series cameras to some kids and let them have at 'em in a series of tests, which Olympus made videos of and posted to YouTube.

The "best of" video is above while the nine individual trials--including Tricycleproof and Icecreamproof--are after the break.
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Digital microscope snaps low-res pictures

The macro function on most point-and-shoots typically gets you as close as 1cm to the subject. Canon recently dished out several point-and-shoots with 0cm macro to get some really closeup shots. But even that probably won't beat the Extech MC108, a digital microscope capable of magnifying tiny objects up to 108 times (using both optical and digital zoom).

While the MC108 comes with a built-in camera, it will probably serve better as a microscope than a digital camera because its sensor can capture only 320 x 240-pixel images. There is also a 1.8-inch TFT LCD for previewing snaps and navigating menus. A scroll wheel at the side of the device allows for adjusting the magnification range as well as focusing. Illumination is provided by three white LEDs with varying intensities.
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Olympus' Micro Four Thirds camera

Last week, Sony announced three entry-level dSLRs (with two more speculated to be more on the way). We also reviewed the second Micro Four Thirds camera, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1. While these cameras are great if you want the flexibility of changing lenses, I still prefer to have something much smaller and lighter. That said, I am reminded of Olympus' mockup design of its Micro Four Thirds camera showcased last year. The shooter's retro aesthetics and compact footprint seem promising, and some shutterbug pals of mine are eagerly anticipating its release. Personally, I hope the camera's design will be revolutionary enough to inject a breath of fresh air into the industry. I'll wager that it'll look like the Olympus Pen, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. What do you think?

Sony's new dSLRs leaked, again?

Sony just announced three dSLRs last week and the trio was leaked on the Web way before launch. Now, it appears that the Japanese company is still having some difficulties keeping a tight lid on its upcoming products.

On Sony Canada's Web site for registering products, we realized the dropdown field has two Alpha models which are not on the market. The DSLR-A500 and DSLR-A550 are in between the A380 and A700, which gives the impression that they may be midrange models targeted at serious enthusiasts.
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