Hard to imagine that one camera could really entice both enthusiasts with deep pockets and a desire to step up to the big time, and professionals looking for a lighter-weight, secondary camera to complement their existing top-of-the-line Nikon D3.

And yet, that’s exactly what the new Nikon D700 achieves. The D700, due out in late July, represents Nikon’s second FX-format camera. The first FX model, the Nikon D3, costs $5000; by comparison, the new D700 is a bargain at $3000 for the body only. Rival Canon also has a full-frame (the equivalence to the FX-format) camera, the Canon EOS 5D; however, that model has not been updated for several years.

The D700, meanwhile, boasts an impressive array of specs–all housed in a compact body (compact, at least, as compared with the Nikon D3 and Canon 1D Mark IIIs of the world). Nikon describes this model as being slightly bigger than its midrange D300; it’s also slightly heavier, too.

The D700 distinguishes itself by including so many of the high-end features of the D3–starting with the D3’s 12.1 megapixel FX-format CMOS sensor. Nikon says the sensor’s large pixel size promotes low signal-to-noise ratio and dynamic range. The D700 will also have the same ISO range (up to ISO 6400, and beyond, to 25,600), the same scene recognition system, Active D-Lighting in-camera editing, and the same 51 point autofocus system as found on the D3.

This model adds Nikon’s multi-pronged sensor cleaning system to reduce the build-up of dust on the sensor; the D3 lacked this feature. The D700 can shoot at up to 5 frames per second for full resolution JPEGs; the shutter carries a rating for 150,000 shots (the D3’s rating is double that).

The new D700 also has improved on the D3 and D300’s Live View functionality by adding a useful Virtual Horizon level indicator. The Virtual Horizon senses when the camera is off-axis and guides you through straightening the camera vis-à-vis the horizon.

Source:  blogs.pcworld.com

TOKYO, May 8, 2008—Four Canon products were recognized with “Best Product 2008″ awards by the prestigious Technical Image Press Association (TIPA), representing 30 photography and imaging magazines across 13 European countries.

The Canon PIXMA MP970 (PIXUS MP970 in Japan) inkjet all-in-one was selected as “Best Multifunction Photo Printer in Europe 2008.” Summing up the appeal of the PIXMA MP970 in just four words—”Photos and more besides!”—the judges highlighted the model’s use of seven inks in separate cartridges for “natural color rendition,” and Canon’s 9,600 x 2,400 dpi FINE printhead, which ensures “superb photo quality in terms of color reproduction, detail and sharpness.”

The judges crowned the Canon CanoScan 8800F as “Best Flatbed Photo Scanner in Europe 2008.” The TIPA jury noted that the 4,800 x 9,600 dpi CanoScan 8800F, capable of scanning up to twelve 35mm slides or negatives at a time, “provides consumers with a solution for all photo archiving needs.” The scanner also earned kudos for its Film Automatic Retouching and Enhancement (FARE) Level 3 technology, which corrects for the effects of dust, scratches, color fading and graininess, and high-luminance white LED lamp, which “virtually eliminates warm-up time and allows for scanning to begin instantaneously from its sleep mode.”

Winners of TIPA’s European Photo & Imaging Awards are selected annually from among the photo and imaging products launched in Europe during the previous 12 months from June to May. Canon products have been recognized for excellence with multiple awards spanning both input and output devices. An awards ceremony for the 2008 winners will be held on September 23 during this year’s Photokina fair in Cologne, Germany.

Source: canon.com