A new era of digital imaging begins today with the launch of the Olympus E-P1. The world’s smallest 12.3-megapixel interchangeable lens system camera blends the high-quality still images of a digital single lens reflex (DSLR) with High Definition (HD) video, stereo Linear PCM audio recording and In-Camera Creativity within an ultra-portable body. The easy-to-use E-P1 expands your creative horizons and its diverse multimedia features offer something for everyone. Built for today’s visual generation who lead active lives online and offline, the E-P1 will make you rethink what you can do with a camera.

Capture More of the Life You Live
Shooting spontaneous images of your daily life usually means snapping small, grainy images with your cell phone or using a point-and-shoot if it’s handy. A DSLR delivers incredible image quality, but most aren’t compact enough to roam with you. Now, the E-P1 changes the game with a compact body that delivers the professional quality images of a DSLR without the bulk. Moreover, its sharp HD video capture and stereo audio helps you live a better-documented life because you’re carrying one portable camera rather than a DSLR, an HD camcorder and a high-end audio device.

You can share more of your life with the world when the E-P1 travels with you. Make your Facebook, MySpace, Flickr, YouTube, Twitter and personal blog postings unique by capturing and sharing more videos and photos. You can chronicle more of the life you actually lead, rather than just special occasions you prepare for, like weddings, holidays and birthday parties. Since it’s the only camera to offer in-camera art filters for both still photography and videos with high-end audio, even your everyday activities will look and sound amazing!

“The E-P1 is designed for the mobile, visual generation that lives active lives online and off, and its portability ensures that it will go with you wherever life takes you,” said John Knaur, senior marketing manager, Digital SLR, Olympus Imaging America Inc. “As someone who has shot with an SLR most of my life, I’m excited that SLR-quality images can be captured with a camera this compact and portable. The E-P1 truly allows you to capture it all with the highest still photo image quality blended with HD video, high-end audio, multiple exposure and creative art filters in one small, stylish camera.”

Source: http://forums.steves-digicams.com/olympus-dslr/156390-olympus-announces-new-micro-4-3-model-accessories.html

SPECIFICATIONS AND REVIEW

NO LIMITATIONS

• 21.1 megapixel Canon-developed CMOS sensor captures superb image quality with low noise and natural colour
• New DiG!C 4 Processor means faster processing and new features such as Live Face Detection AF Mode
• Able to capture Full HD Movies with new Live View movie mode
• 9-point AF and 6-point Assist AF for ultra sharp images. You can manually select any of the 9 points to ensure correct sharp focus
• Continuous shooting speed of 3.9 fps
• Now with new Live Face Detection AF mode, you’ll never miss a sharp portrait in Live View
• Auto Lighting Optimizer automatically corrects images for optimal brightness and contrast
• 3.0″ (920,000 dots) LCD screen with anti-reflection & anti-smudge coating for clear photo previews
• EOS Integrated Cleaning System prevents & automatically removes tiny dust particles resulting in cleaner images
• Incredibly fast 0.1 second start up time so you are always ready to capture spontaneous shots
• Print stunning professional quality photos from your EOS 5D mk II

A 35mm full-frame Canon-developed CMOS sensor with 21.1 megapixels, DiG!C 4 Image Processor and ISO speeds expandable to 50-25600 combine to deliver outstanding images with low noise and natural colour reproduction. Offering key new features such as automatic image correction tools (Auto Lighting Optimizer and Peripheral illumination correction), with Live View stills & movies Live View stills (with Live Face Detection) and Live View movies recorded in Full HD. With the ability to capture up to 3.9 fps in incredible 14-bit colour, the EOS 5D Mark II is the clear choice for the digital SLR photography enthusiast.

High Quality Images

Source: www.canon.com.au

Pentax have released their latest DSLR - the Pentax K7. The digital SLR camera is aimed toward the middle range DSLR photographers - suiting those who have experience, but are not of a professional standard. The camera is a vast improvement on their previous DSLR, and takes a spectacular photo.

The Pentax K7 has been given a make-over; it’s outer appearance now sleek and smooth, however still maintaining a traditional SLR shape. And, as mentioned, not only has the outside changed. Whilst the mega pixel count has not altered from Pentax’s previous DSLR, it’s other jamor components and functions have changed dramatically, providing a new, creative and exciting DSLR.

The headlining changes include:

• 720p/1080i HD video recording
• Smaller magnesium/steel alloy body
• Revised viewfinder (less magnified but with greater coverage)
• Updated sensor with four-channel readout
• 3.0″ VGA (920,000 dot) LCD
• New shutter mechanism with 1/8000th shutter speed
• Faster continuous shooting (up to 5.2 fps)
• 77 segment exposure metering sensor
• Revised autofocus algorithms
• AF illumination lamp
• New dust removal system
• HDMI output

These are purely the major and immediately noticeable changes, and beneath those lie more minor alterations, providing a big kick in the final result of your photos.

The Pentax K7 provides photographers with a large range of on-screen functions and options, it is simple to use and has well-improved traditional abilities. Come on in to Kirk’s Cameras Ringwood and our staff will demonstrate the Pentax K7 just for you!

Source: Digital Photography School Website

Every piece of technology has a life span - some cameras will last years and years without a glitch, others will die within a few months or years. Accidents do happen as well, all it takes is a glass to be knocked over and liquid to infiltrate the insides of your camera. The question is, do you repair or buy new?

It is very dependent on the damage done to the camera. To repair a camera which has been internally damaged can be an expensive and risky procedure, it will always be unclear as to whether your camera will regain the quality it once had. Repairing a camera with a slight minor glitch can certainly be worth your while, particuarly if the price was originally low. Of course, this is also a consideration in itself - if you have bought yourself a reasonably inexpensive camera and it is damaged, you may be better off spending that money on a brand new camera. Buying a camera new may enable you to update your technology, and perhaps give you more options and functions.

Your best option is to have your damaged camera assessed, and obtain a quote. Feel free to come in and get some assistance from our staff at Kirk’s Cameras!

Unlike decades ago, it is now possible to purchase a digital camera or ‘digicam’ that can fit in the palm of your hand. They are light weight, thin and attractive, coming in many colours shapes and styles. But what enthralls most of Kirk’s Cameras photographers is the digicam’s vast array of funtions.

Our team are commonly quizzed the efficiency of a digital camera’s video filming abilities. The prospects of owning one camera to take both images and video footage are endless - it is simplicity in its finest form. However, we tell our customers that whilst this is a great convenience, it is important to understand that in spending a little more on your digicam and its accessories you can obtain the results of owning both a sole digital camera and camcorder, all in one.

Do your research prior. Make sure you read reviews and know your specifications. It is also useful to be aware of what you are going to generally be capturing on your digicam - whether you need something light weight, or something with higher megapixels. Most importantly, if you wish to purhase a digicam to capture a lot of video footage, you will need a fast and good quality memory card. A San Disk 2, 3 or higher will give you the best video results, and despite its price, it will last you for a long period of time. Our friendly team at Kirk’s Cameras are more than happy to see customers come in with a list of questions, so come on in and ask away!