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Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, Sigma Roundup!

Josh — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:11:38 +0000

Yikes! How many cameras have been announced today and yesterday? Around 22 if you count the SD1 Merrill as a new camera, or 23 if you include the Pentax Optio WG2-GPS as a different camera to the WG2 without GPS…

Nikon
Nikon D800 and D800E, Full Frame 36.3mp Sensor, 4fps, 3.2inch screen, With or Without AA filter! Hands-On Review at ePHOTOzine.

Olympus
Olympus OM-D E-M5 (Hands-On) Micro Four Thirds Retro / Classic 16mp, 9fps, EVF, 3inch touchscreen, Black or Silver
Olympus Zooms:
Olympus SH-25MR with GPS – Full HD, Stereo Sound, 12.5x zoom.
Olympus SZ-31MR Pocket Zoom, 24x zoom, 16mp backlit CMOS sensor, Full HD video stereo sound.
Olympus Waterproofs:
Olympus Tough TG-820 – 10m waterproof, Full HD Video, High resolution 3inch screen, 12mp backlit CMOS
Olympus Tough TG-620 – 5m waterproof, 12mp backlit CMOS, Full HD video.

Pentax
Pentax Optio WG2, WG2-GPS – 12m Waterproof, one with GPS, one without, crazy design!

Sigma – same sensor as DSLR introduced into compacts
Sigma DP1 Merrill – NEW DP1, 46mp Foveon X3 Sensor (or 14mp), 3inch 920k screen, VGA video, 28mm wide angle
Sigma DP2 Merrill – NEW DP2, 46mp Foveon X3 Sensor (or 14mp), 3inch 920k screen, VGA video, 45mm wide angle
Sigma SD1 Merrill, the SD1 renamed, repriced, 46mp/14mp Foveon X3 Sensor

Canon:
Canon IXUS Compacts 510 and 240: 12x, 5x optical zoom, 10/16mp, Wi-Fi
Canon Powershots: All 16mp, all 5x optical zoom, 28-140mm (apart from A4000), all 720p video
Canon Powershot A810, AA batteries, Budget Model
Canon Powershot A1300, Optical viewfinder, AA batteries
Canon Powershot A2300, Lithium-Ion
Canon Powershot A2400 IS, Lithium-Ion
Canon Powershot A3400 IS, Lithium-Ion
Canon Powershot A4000 IS, 8x zoom, Lithium-Ion
Canon Travel Zooms:
Canon Powershot SX240, SX260 HS (GPS): 20x optical zoom, 12mp backlit CMOS, Full HD
Canon Waterproof:
Canon Powershot D20, 10m waterproof,

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Opinion: Go Mirrorless Or Go Home…

Josh — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:49:09 +0000

If you’re not making a “mirrorless” / “compact system camera” (CSC) (or ILC*) then you’re not making / growing profit, and you’re not going to get very far in the digital camera market… particularly in Japanese or UK style markets (Europe for example).* see notes on Canon.

Lets look at some of the digital camera companies, and some of the things that have been happening over the last 12+ months:

Olympus: Ignoring all the bad stuff, they have grown to be the biggest selling Mirrorless camera company in Japan for 2012 (and possibly Europe / Germany – or at least Micro Four Thirds combined). Strengths in waterproof compacts. Extremely good range of mirrorless cameras this year – catching up with Panasonic for focusing speeds.

Panasonic: Growing Mirrorless market, particularly strong in the UK. The combined forces of Panasonic and Olympus on Micro Four Thirds (M43) makes M43 the most compelling mirrorless system, with sales in Japan for 2011 for Mirrorless 1. Pana, 2. Oly, and 2012 for Mirrorless 1. Oly, 2. Pana.

Nikon: Growing market share thanks to competitive DSLR products, and entry into Mirrorless market. Entry level mirrorless said to be selling increasingly well. Increasingly popular Coolpix range of compacts (year on year growth).

Sony: Bought Konica Minolta’s DSLR business, then launched the Sony A100, they said they were going to challenge Nikon and Canon for the top spot, and considering they came from nowhere, they’re now No. 3 in DSLR sales, it’s pretty impressive and something I didn’t expect if I’m honest. Extremely innovative with traditional DSLR, then the ultra fast “Translucent Mirror” SLT / SLRs with electronic viewfinders. Also No. 3 in Mirrorless after Olympus / Panasonic / Micro Four Thirds. Some would say leaders in the image sensor business (selling sensors to Apple for the iPhone, APS-C to Nikon/Pentax, Backlit CMOS sensors to everyone etc)

Pentax / Ricoh: Profitable DSLR business, fresh investment from Ricoh should inject new life into this area, and additional mirrorless APS-C camera should improve business further (with the potentially game changing camera). Ricoh are more of a niche market with premium GR Digital series (with cult following in Japan), and Leica M mount GXR (with APS-C sensor). Ricoh are profitable with a very successful print/copier business that is used in corporate and government environments for things like sending out mailings to 40,000+ people etc Serious stuff. Pentax / Ricoh combined could be a very interesting company to watch over the next 12 months. I expect growth. Pentax Q has some success in Japan as the smallest mirrorless camera.

Kodak: Ouch (recently filed for bankrupcy protection). Here is the perfect example that backs up the following statement: You don’t make profit from cheap “and cheerful” me too style point and shoot cameras. Sold sensor business (doh!).

Minox: Recently announced they aren’t going to make “cheap and cheerful” point and shoot cameras. Instead they’ll keep making those interested “Spy cameras” and “retro classics“.

Agfa/Vivitar/HP: See Kodak.

CASIO: Recently decided to close the Casio Exilim division in the UK (still available to buy through European distributers). Some innovation in High Speed cameras, but it’s very difficult to make profit from point and shoot cameras. Strong in Japan though. A mirrorless camera would really help you grow! (Why not bring high speed sensors and image processing to Micro Four Thirds?)

*Canon: Recently the CEO stepped down as profits aren’t growing as quickly as expected. Canon are being challenged by Nikon on all DSLR fronts, and then also challenged by Mirrorless cameras. So whilst DSLRs was (and is) a profitable area, Mirrorless is challenging both compact cameras, and entry level DSLR. And at the bottom end of point and shoot, this is being challenged by smartphones with decent(ish) cameras. A mirrorless camera would really help your profits!

Fujifilm: Making a market for itself by selling premium compact cameras, X100 (selling like hotcakes, in the 100k region!), X10, X-S1 (Premium Ultra Zoom Bridge camera), X-Pro1 Mirrorless, and strong in Bridge / Ultra Zoom cameras that look like mini-DSLRs. Strong in waterproof market as they can undercut competitors on price, and presumably still make profit from it?

Samsung: Sells the NX mirrorless system, with a decent range of lenses and good image quality. Not sure how well it is doing worldwide, but a good system, that can often undercut competitors on price. Compact cameras seem to be leading the way for features: WiFi, App / Phone style GUI. Samsung don’t seem to be rated in Japan though, rest of world, yes. Compact cameras can undercut competitors, making them a popular buy.

Leica: Premium ILC / Mirrorless cameras, with a premium price – growing and profitable (as far as I’m aware). “Me Too” Panasonic cameras. Really they should get back into “bed” with Fuji and make “Me Too” (premium compacts) products from the Fujifilm X series (X10, X100, X-S1,X-Pro1) or join Micro Four Thirds

Others? BenQ / Aigo / GE / Polaroid / Rollei / Praktica : – see Kodak, see Casio, unless you have an extreme niche (Ricoh) and are popular in your home market (Casio/Japan), or make a mirrorless camera then how will you grow?

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Canon Powershot S95 Sample Photos

Josh — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:30:25 +0000

We’ve just uploaded sample photos from the Canon Powershot S95, from Las Vegas. The Canon Powershot S95 is a compact camera with an f/2.0 3.8x optical zoom lens with image stabilisation, 10 megapixel sensor and 3 inch screen – it’s available for £229 from Amazon UK.

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Canon Powershot G1-X IXUS 500 115 Announced

Josh — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 07:51:32 +0000

Canon Powershot G1-X Announced – Large 14.3 MP CMOS sensor, DIGIC 5, HS System, 4x zoom 28-112mm f/2.8; Intelligent IS, 3.0” tilting screen, Optical viewfinder, Manual, RAW

Canon IXUS 500 HS (Canon re-using the same name again – it’s called the ELPH 520 HS in the US) – 12x optical zoom ultra compact, micro SD card! 10mp CMOS, 3inch screen, shown above.

Canon IXUS 125 HS – Compact, 16mp CMOS, 5x zoom, 3inch screen.

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Canon Powershot S95 only £229 from Amazon UK

Josh — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 11:16:19 +0000

Amazon UK are selling the Canon Powershot S95 for only £229, with further offers available on Boxing Day, as part of it’s boxing day sales, or if you can’t wait, they also have the Panasonic Lumix FS16 in black for only £69!

“Boxing Day Deals Week will begin at 00.01 am on Monday, December 26 and run until Sunday, January 1, 2012, and will include daily ‘Lightning Deals’, a limited quantity of a products being offered at a discount for a limited period of time, Editors’ Picks and many other offers including end of year stock clearances.”

ePhotoZine and The Online Photographer has reviewed the new Canon Powershot S95 – an update to the S90 – it features the HS System and f/2.0, 3.8x optical zoom lens, a High-sensitivity 10.0 MP CCD, 28 mm wide angle, Hybrid IS, Lens Control Ring, Full Manual controls and RAW, 3″ screen, 720p HD movies, High Dynamic Range mode, Smart Auto, Multi-Aspect Shooting, and ISO3200. Canon has published some sample photos. We had a look at the camera at Photokina 2010. The Canon Powershot S95 is available for £229.

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Canon Cashback Offers £50 Off A Digital SLR

Josh — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 10:17:45 +0000

Canon are offering Cashback on a range of cameras and printers, including £40 cashback on the Canon EOS 550D, and £50 cashback on the Canon EOS 600D (read a review at ePHOTOzine), as well as up to £30 off certain Canon Powershot and Canon IXUS digital cameras… more details, and links below:

The products included in the Canon Winter Cashback are:
* Canon EOS 550D – £40 cashback
* Canon EOS 600D – £50 cashback
* Canon IXUS 115 HS or IXUS 220 HS – £20 cashback
* Canon PowerShot SX150 IS – £20 cashback
* Canon PowerShot SX220 HS – £30 cashback

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Canon IXUS 1100HS Review

Josh — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 19:43:55 +0000

ePHOTOzine has reviewed the new Canon Digital IXUS 1100 HS – it features a wide angle 12x optical zoom lens, 3.2inch touch screen, 12 megapixel backlit CMOS sensor for high speed shooting, and a compact metal body available in silver, black and red. The Canon IXUS 1100 HS is available from Amazon UK.

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Canon IXUS 230 HS Review

Josh — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 08:56:47 +0000

ePHOTOzine has reviewed the new Canon IXUS 230 HS – a compact digital camera with an 8x optical zoom lens, 12 megapixel backlit CMOS sensor, 3 inch screen, metal body, full HD video, image stabilisation, and slow motion video. The Canon IXUS 230 HS is available from £206 in a number of colours.

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Canon EOS 1D X Digital SLR Announced

Josh — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 19:39:27 +0000

Canon has announced the new Canon EOS 1D X – full frame Digital SLR – it features an 18 megapixel sensor, 12/14fps shooting, ISO up to 512,400, Full HD video, 3.2inch screen, dual DIGIC 5 processors, and ethernet port built in! Full press release at ePHOTOzine, and more information at Canon. The camera will be available in March next year with a “tentative” RRP of £5299 including VAT.

“The EOS-1D X combines speed with image quality, to create the next generation camera for professionals. Full frame 18 megapixel sensor with Dual “DIGIC 5+” processors sets the standard, and up to 12 frames per second shooting takes it beyond.”

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Canon Powershot SX40 HS Announced

Josh — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 09:15:36 +0000

Canon has announced the Canon Powershot SX40 HS – an ultra zoom with a 35x optical zoom lens, 12 megapixel backlit CMOS sensor, image stabilisation, 2.7inch tilting/swivelling screen, Full HD video, 10fps high speed continuous shooting, and DIGIC 5 processor. The camera will be available in October priced at £459, and can be pre-ordered from Amazon UK.

“The PowerShot SX40 HS offers an “all in one” solution which bridges the gap between digital still cameras and digital SLRs. It showcases Canon’s optical expertise with an incredible, ultra wide-angle 35x optical zoom lens, whilst Canon technologies such as the HS System ensure premium image quality and optimum user experience.”

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