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Android app tethers handsets to Canon cams, live view fanboys rejoice (video)

Dante Cesa — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 04:43:00 EST

We're living in a post-pc world, folks. High time you got with the program and junked that heavy and outmoded relic called the computer. But how does one take tethered snaps from a Canon, sans EOS Utility? Meet DSLR Controller, an Android app from Chainfire that turns your little green robot into an external live view monitor, and gives you complete control over your shooter's finer sensibilities. It lets you tweak exposure, aperture, shutter, white balance and focus with sensuous swipes of your fingertip. To make the whole shindig work, you'll need an Android device packing a USB host port and an "on-the-go" USB cable -- which lets your handset wear the pants in the phone / DSLR relationship. We should also warn you that the $8.51 application is currently still in beta and thus streams video in live view mode at a less than optimal 15fps. Those and other foibles may be remedied by the final release, but if you're looking to practice your tethering voodoo immediately, hit the source below, and watch a vid of your photographic future after the break.

Continue reading Android app tethers handsets to Canon cams, live view fanboys rejoice (video)

Android app tethers handsets to Canon cams, live view fanboys rejoice (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 06 Aug 2011 04:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ContourGPS Connect View app hands-on

Tim Stevens — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 16:45:00 EST

The $350 ContourGPS sits among the top-tier of consumer-friendly helmet cams, but it's always posed one major problem: you can't really tell where it's pointing. Sure, it shoots a pair of wicked lasers out of the front, but it's always a challenge to gauge the extents of its 135 degree lens. We knew there was a secret trick in there waiting to be unleashed, which we got to play with at CES, and now here it is. Contour has released its Connect View functionality for iOS, letting you view live footage from the camera right on your phone. Keep reading for our full impressions.

Gallery: Contour Connect View

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ContourGPS Connect View app hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 03 Apr 2011 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Ericsson LiveView update is here, promises improved connections and Bluetooth compatibility

Richard Lai — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 09:23:00 EST

Good news, fellow Bluetooth watch fanatics! Just as promised, Sony Ericsson's finally doled out a major update to cure the LiveView once and for all. With this patch, users should now be seeing much better stability and compatibility with non-SE phones, as well as being able to install up to 30 plug-ins. We had a quick go on our refreshed LiveWatch and noticed that it now auto reconnects much better as well, and hopefully the same applies to everyone else. To get the update, simply use the SE Update Service for Windows (sorry, no Mac support) and follow the instructions -- download link available below if you're new to this.

Sony Ericsson LiveView update is here, promises improved connections and Bluetooth compatibility originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 Jan 2011 09:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MegaReader brings true multitasking to the iPhone, lets you walk and read at the same time (video)

Vlad Savov — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 06:51:00 EST

Galaxy S owners will already be familiar with the awesome power of overlaying text on a live view of their phone's camera feed, but now their iPhone counterparts get to join in the fun as well. MegaReader, an e-reading app that's survived the cutthroat App Store waters long enough to reach version 2.1, has just added a "Heads Up Display" feature to its list of attributes. Its function is to make your iPhone appear transparent, which is achieved by relaying camera images of what's behind the phone to its front. A real life saver, a mere gimmick, or a golden opportunity for a hilarious promo video? Why not all three?

Continue reading MegaReader brings true multitasking to the iPhone, lets you walk and read at the same time (video)

MegaReader brings true multitasking to the iPhone, lets you walk and read at the same time (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 06:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Ericsson LiveView getting much needed January update

Thomas Ricker — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 05:59:00 EST

Good news for those early adopters burdened by an underperforming Sony Ericsson LiveView: help is on the way. According to the official Sony Ericsson Product Blog, the company will roll out an update via its SE Update Service in January that should address connection issues between the wrist-worn display / remote control and Android phones. Other "minor issues" will be solved with updates to the LiveView Application in the Android Market, though SE isn't clear on when those might be made available -- hopefully soon because we can't wait for this device to finally achieve its potential.

Sony Ericsson LiveView getting much needed January update originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 05:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Ericsson LiveView review

Richard Lai — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 15:13:00 EST

This isn't the first time that Sony Ericsson's dabbled in the field of spy-like Bluetooth wrist accessories, but as we all know, extortionate prices and limited functionality meant these old timers never really took off. But now, things may be different: SE's freshly baked LiveView promises to offer a generous set of features -- alongside your Android 2.x device -- while going a little easier on your wallet. It sure sounds tasty, but before you grab your virtual shopping cart, be double sure to read our full review first... right after the break.

Gallery: Sony Ericsson LiveView review

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Sony Ericsson LiveView review originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Dec 2010 15:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Ericsson LiveView now available in Europe; if you had a LiveView, you'd know that already

Paul Miller — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 16:01:00 EST

Look, the future is in hyper-informed wrist accessories. If you don't know that by now, what do you know? Not that, assuredly. Sony Ericsson's Android-augmenting, Bluetooth-tethered LiveView accessory is now available in some European countries, including some fan faves like the UK, Germany, and France. Prices seem to vary from country to country, with a UK version going for £48.97 (about $79 US), France getting a €59 shot at it (about $80 US), and Germany swooping in with an über-low €42 tag (about $57 US). All three disparate prices seem a small amount to pay to place the future on your wrist / other clippable surface, but maybe that's just us.

[Thanks, Jason]

Sony Ericsson LiveView now available in Europe; if you had a LiveView, you'd know that already originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Nov 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Ericsson's LiveView Android device plays nice with an FCC ruler, gets rumored price and date

Tim Stevens — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 15:10:00 EST

We're still trying to decide if a postage stamp-sized secondary display for your Android smartphone that you can wear as a wristwatch is a piece of genius or just a misguided widget that became a real gadget when it got kissed by a fairy in a dream. It's looking like we'll get to find out soon, as Sony Ericsson's little LiveView remote/watch has just hurdled over the FCC's measuring device and, according to Le Journal du Geek, will be shipping in November with a price of 59 euros. That's right around $80, which could either be an awful lot or only slightly dear depending on how useful it turns out to be.

Sony Ericsson's LiveView Android device plays nice with an FCC ruler, gets rumored price and date originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 09 Oct 2010 15:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Ericsson LiveView acts as a 1.3-inch remote control for your smartphone, requires Android 2.0

Vlad Savov — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 04:14:00 EST

You've been asking for someone, anyone, to please kick out a tiny remote control display that can save you from having to whip your smartphone out for every little thing and Sony Ericsson, it seems, has listened. The 1.3-inch OLED screen above is a new Bluetooth accessory for Android 2.x phones that's said to function very much like a desktop widget. There's an app you can install on your phone that'll get it to communicate with the 128 x 128 pixel grid, which can then be used to read messages, find your phone, control music playback, and receive those precious social networking updates from your friends. We know by now you'll be crying foul over Sony Ericsson releasing an Android 2.0 accessory when its handsets are stuck somewhere below that marker, but the plan is to dish this "micro display" out in the last quarter of the year, after that messianic Android 2.1 update has arrived. Fingers crossed.

Gallery: Sony Ericsson LiveView press images

Continue reading Sony Ericsson LiveView acts as a 1.3-inch remote control for your smartphone, requires Android 2.0

Sony Ericsson LiveView acts as a 1.3-inch remote control for your smartphone, requires Android 2.0 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Sep 2010 04:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Alpha A390 and A290 DSLRs hands-on

Richard Lai — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 19:53:00 EST

While Sony may have its pricey NEX-VG10 camcorder sucking up the limelight at yesterday's showcase, let's not forget the electronic giant's more humble photographic devices. Just a few steps away we stumbled upon these near-identical Alpha A390 and A290 entry-level DSLRs, with the former donning a tilting LCD and live view capability to live up to its bigger price tag. We can't comment on picture quality due to the lack of sample shots, but we were certainly impressed by both cameras' build quality -- kudos to Sony for the much improved grip, and we also liked the firm chassis (plus its various knobs and flaps) that didn't feel cheap despite sounding hollow. On a similar note, the 2.7-inch LCD looked sharp and served us well for all purposes, although we didn't get to test it outdoor. What really bewildered us was the lens continuously auto-focusing while the camera remained stationary -- that couldn't be good for the battery, and we'd like to see how battery life fares in upcoming reviews. Anyhow, enjoy our hands-on photos.

Gallery: Sony Alpha A390 and A290 DSLRs hands-on

Sony Alpha A390 and A290 DSLRs hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Jul 2010 19:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony's value-minded A290 DSLR gets official, drags big bro A390 on stage

Tim Stevens — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 07:18:00 EST

Sony's A290 DSLR may not have been the hottest of this summer's Vietnamese leaks, but nevertheless it was about a month ago that the entry-level shooter was spied over there, and now we know when it'll be coming over here -- roughly, at least. Sony has made the 14.2 megapixel A290 official, along with its A390 sibling. Both offer Memory Stick and SDHC storage, HDMI output, and 2.7-inch LCDs, but only the A390's does that groovy tilt and swivel thing. Also, the A390 is the only one that can do live view, letting you free yourself from squinting through the viewfinder. Other than that, the two share identical specs, and while their price surely won't be the same, Sony's not quite ready to tell us what that will be. Both are set to release this summer, which, you know, is right about now. Full PR details after the break.

Gallery: Sony A290 and A390 DSLRs

Continue reading Sony's value-minded A290 DSLR gets official, drags big bro A390 on stage

Sony's value-minded A290 DSLR gets official, drags big bro A390 on stage originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Jun 2010 07:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic leaks own G2 and G10 Micro Four Thirds cams in macro fashion

Thomas Ricker — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 03:40:00 EST

Whoopsadaisies. Seems Panasonic "accidentally" posted specs and images of its upcoming G2 and G10 Micro Four Thirds cameras to its web site just long enough to be snagged by a few different photog sites. While there's no denying that the incident occurred (the pics are certainly legit), there's some speculation at 43rumors that the specifications are still "work in progress" and should be considered only partially correct. Nevertheless, let's go with what we've got keeping in mind that some of this might change. Both cams are said to feature a 12.1 megapixel sensor, touchscreen with touch shutter and touch MF Assist, and ISO 100 to 6,200 sensitivity. The G2 differs with its one-touch AVCHD Lite movie mode (1,280 x 720, 60p) and 3-inch articulating display with live view. The G10 then, offers a "double live view" (LCD and live view finder) glimpse at the action while recording 1,280 x 720p motion JPEG videos at 30fps. However, the leaked spec sheet inconsistently mentions an AVCHD Lite recording format for the G10 as well... so who knows. Panasonic is expected to make an announcement on March 7th; surely you can wait you a few days?

Gallery: Panasonic leaks own G2 and G10 Micro Four Thirds cams in macro fashion

Panasonic leaks own G2 and G10 Micro Four Thirds cams in macro fashion originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Mar 2010 03:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pixel LV-WI Wireless Live View Remote Control: look out, family self-portraits

Paul Miller — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 22:02:00 EST

We've been live viewing our photos on our fancy new-gen DSLRs for a couple years now, even piping that live sensor data into our computer with a first party app, or, gasp, shooting video our magical newfangled cameras. But we haven't done this yet. Pixel Enterprise Limited has just announced its new LV-W1 Wireless Live View Remote Control, which beams a live DSLR view over that well-worn 2.4GHz channel to a handheld remote with a 3-inch 960 x 240 LCD. It seems like a great idea, and while the future might make even fancier dreams come true -- like a live WiFi 2, The Sequel-beamed image to our Windows Phone 8 Series handset, for instance -- but for now this $335 kit should provide for some pretty spectacular Canon or Nikon moments.

Pixel LV-WI Wireless Live View Remote Control: look out, family self-portraits originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 20 Feb 2010 22:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nikon D300S review roundup: it's awesome, but D300 is better value

Vlad Savov — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:30:00 EST

You'll know from our Canon 7D review roundup that these semi-pro DSLR reviews tend to take a little while longer to cook than ones for, say, the world's latest, fastest graphics card. That means we're looking at analyses of a shooter that's been out for a while, but boy are they thorough. The D300S (our unboxing can be found here) is Nikon's gentle massaging of the D300 formula for success -- with added 720p video recording and an extra frame for a 7fps burst mode -- and that's borne out by the reviews. You're still getting an outstanding 12.3 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, 51-point AF, and a sturdy weather-proofed body, but question marks remain as to whether the new additions offer enough of an upgrade from the D300. The HD video recording is hamstrung by a mono mic and a frankly silly 5 minute maximum clip length (a limitation not present on direct competitors from Canon and Pentax), but the addition of a second memory card slot (now offering SD as well as CF storage) and a dedicated Live View button along with purportedly improved noise performance could just make the difference for new buyers. Hit the links below for more, including comparisons against the Canon 50D and 7D, as well as the Pentax K-7.

Read - dpreview
Read - Camera Labs
Read - Photography Blog
Read - Trusted Reviews
Read - Tech Radar
Read - ePHOTOzine

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Nikon D300S review roundup: it's awesome, but D300 is better value originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Olympus grabs for entry-level DSLR dollars with $600 E-600

Darren Murph — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 09:21:00 EST

We had some pretty overwhelming evidence that Olympus' entry-level E-600 was more than just some fancy Photoshop, and sure enough, the outfit has today made things official for us. Designed as a low-cost E-620, the 12.3-megapixel shooter drops only the backlit buttons, a trio of 'art filter' modes, aspect mask control and the two-shot multi exposure mode from an otherwise heralded device. If you can live without those, you'll find a delectable $599.99 price tag that includes a 14-42mm f3.5/5.6 Zuiko zoom lens, a 2.7-inch swiveling Live View LCD, in-body image stabilization, a dust reduction system, sequential shooting at four frames per second and the ability to accept CF, UDMA and xD memory cards (sorry, SD lovers). It'll be available from respectable camera outlets this November -- just in time to satisfy that nagging need on the forthcoming holiday gift list.

[Via Electronista]

Gallery: Olympus grabs for entry-level DSLR dollars with E-600

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Olympus grabs for entry-level DSLR dollars with $600 E-600 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 09:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Alpha 380 gets lukewarm reviews, must be someone's perfect bowl of porridge

Vlad Savov — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 08:02:00 EST

The leading model of Sony's "upper entry level" trifecta of Alpha-branded shooters, the 14.2 megapixel DSLR-A380, has been hitting test benches lately and we've rounded up the results for your perusal. The consensus appears to be that Sony has focused on bringing fans of compact cams up to the big time, with its uniquely responsive Live View and straightforward usability. Alas, ease of use is not the only thing brought up from the little leagues, with comparatively poor output at ISO 400 and above, lack of any video recording (which can be found on the Canon EOS 500D and Nikon D5000, its nearest competitors) and unsatisfying viewfinder ergonomics. Conclusion? If you were looking for a point-and-shoot on steroids, your search is at an end, young hobbit -- but photography enthusiasts should probably look elsewhere.

Read - DP Review
Read - CNET review
Read - Camera Labs review
Read - Photo Review

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Sony Alpha 380 gets lukewarm reviews, must be someone's perfect bowl of porridge originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Aug 2009 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pentax gets official with 14.6MP K-7 DSLR: HD movies, HDR mode

Darren Murph — Wed, 20 May 2009 10:00:00 EST

After digesting loads of scuttlebutt here lately, we're elated to see that Pentax has finally come clean with its new K-7 DSLR. The 14.6 megapixel shooter packs a rugged magnesium alloy body and arrives with an HD movie mode that captures video at 640 x 416, 720p (1,280 x 720) or 1,536 x 1,024 -- all at 30fps. Needless to say, that's more than the D90 and D5000 offer (both top out at 720p), and while Canon's T1i does 1080p, it does so at just 20fps. There's also an HDMI port, a 3-inch Live View LCD, in-camera lens correction, shake reduction and an improved dust reduction system. The real kicker, however, is the High Dynamic Range (HDR) capture mode, which snags a trio of images, then combines them in-camera to widen the exposure gamut. The body alone should ship in July for $1,299.95 -- which is notably more expensive that recent wares from Canon, Nikon and Sony -- and you can peek the full slate of specifications just past the break.

Gallery: Pentax K-7 DSLR

Continue reading Pentax gets official with 14.6MP K-7 DSLR: HD movies, HDR mode

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Pentax gets official with 14.6MP K-7 DSLR: HD movies, HDR mode originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 May 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Canon patent application offers solution for Live View autofocus issues

Donald Melanson — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 16:33:00 EST

Canon's Live View implementation may not be a deal-breaker for most DSLR users, but there's certainly plenty of room for improvement, and a recent Canon patent application suggests that the company could possibly be aiming to do just that. The short of it is that the company seems to have found a way to overcome the inherent problems of employing so-called phase-difference autofocus in Live View, which is caused in part by the physical limitations of the mirror and the AF sensor (hit up the read link for some more background). Canon's solution, it seems, is to place the phase-difference AF sensor below the image sensor instead of above it, and make use of a semi-transparent mirror that'd allow for simultaneous transfer of light to the image sensor and the AF sensor. The average user would see the changes in the form of three new shooting modes, including a Standard Viewfinder Mode, a Fast AF Live View Mode, and a Full Live View mode, which each shift the position of the mirrors for the task at hand. What's more, while the patent application doesn't address it specifically, it would seem that this same method could also bring autofocus to DSLR video or, at the very least, video recorded via Live View.

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Canon patent application offers solution for Live View autofocus issues originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Feb 2009 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nikon D700 gets tweaked to shoot video via live-view

Donald Melanson — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:04:00 EST

Some Canon die-hards have already managed to coax their DSLRs to record video via live-view, and it looks like Nikon aficionados are now able to do the same, albeit not quite as easily just yet. That's because the mod requires both access to Nikon's SDK for the D700 and the necessary skills to actually do something with it, in this case capturing video from the live-view feed via USB. The good news is that the modder responsible for the hack, Olivier Giroux, is planning to "productize" the software and make it publicly available, but until then, you'll have to make do with the sample video after the break which, while not quite 480p, still looks pretty decent, all things considered.

[Via MAKE:Blog]

Continue reading Nikon D700 gets tweaked to shoot video via live-view

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Nikon D700 gets tweaked to shoot video via live-view originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hack provides Liveview Canon EOS DSLRs with video recording

Darren Murph — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 21:38:00 EST

If you're just now starting to come to grips with the fact that Canon's utterly succulent EOS 5D Mark II is just way, way out of reach, here's a little something to lessen the impact of your inferiority complex. An enterprising young buck with a passion to bring video capture abilities to other EOS cameras figured out a way to enable that very capability on all Liveview EOS DSLRs. Of course, there's still the whole "manual focus" requirement -- which means that the bulk of your captures will be way out of focus -- but it's a new feature for your existing camera nonetheless. Now that the cat's out of the bag, why don't you just push out an official update to add this into more cams, Canon? We mean, can you imagine the look on Nikon's face if you really came through?

Read - The hack
Read - Video capture from a Canon EOS 40D

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Hack provides Liveview Canon EOS DSLRs with video recording originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 25 Jan 2009 21:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Olympus fills the E-520/E-3 gap with the E-30 DSLR

Tim Stevens — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 08:02:00 EST

If you're looking for an Olympus DSLR but don't have the bank for a $1,499 E-3, yet couldn't be seen with a pedestrian $599 E-520, Olympus is about to fill your niche with the upcoming $1,299 E-30, a shooter that sits neatly betwixt the two in most stats despite actually having a higher megapixel sensor than either. (We all know that doesn't necessarily mean more quality, right?) Like its higher and lower cousins it too offers in-body image stabilization and Live View, borrowing the 2.7-inch LCD from the E-520 while snagging the 11-point auto-focus function from the E-3. It also nets a built-in level that displays roll and pitch, plus an integrated wireless flash receiver, making it sound very much like a prosumer model -- though it has enough consumery shooting modes like "Grainy Film" and "Pop Art" to make any would-be-photog cringe. Best of both worlds or unwanted offspring? We'll wait for the first round of reviews when it launches in January before being too judgmental.

Update: As it turns out crave was perhaps a wee bit premature in announcing the E-30, but it's all good now, as Olympus has made the cam officially official.

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Olympus fills the E-520/E-3 gap with the E-30 DSLR originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Nov 2008 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic's Micro Four Thirds Lumix DMC-G1 reviewed: only knock is the price

Darren Murph — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 22:34:00 EST

The question has been on your mind since we first got wind of this so-called "Micro Four Thirds" concept back in August: how will it stack up? Now that Panasonic's Lumix DMC-G1 is filtering out to the world, we're able to kick back and digest a mammoth review of this here camera thanks to the fine folks at Digital Camera Resource. Without going into dissertation-level detail in this space, we'll tell you that the biggest issue critics had with the G1 was its price. Not the image quality. Not the size. Just the price. In other words, Panny has delivered a superb camera that offers up "very good quality photos, an unmatched live view shooting experience and a nice collection of both automatic and manual controls." Deemed the first to "truly offer a point-and-shoot experience on an interchangeable lens camera," the DMC-G1 looks to be a real winner if you've got $800 to blow.

[Via 1001 Noisy Cameras]

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Panasonic's Micro Four Thirds Lumix DMC-G1 reviewed: only knock is the price originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 01 Nov 2008 22:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nikon D90 unboxing and hands-on

Darren Murph — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 16:18:00 EST

Here she is -- the world's first DSLR to capture 720p HD movie footage. But let's be honest, the high-def action is just a cherry on top of Nikon's D90 ($1,299 kit; $999 body only), as the expansive Live View LCD, high ISO options and heralded image quality are the real draws. You've already heard what the experts in the field had to say, but if you're just lookin' for some old fashioned gadget glamour shots to get your weekend started right, take all the time you need in the gallery below.

Gallery: Nikon D90 unboxing and hands-on

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Nikon D90 unboxing and hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Oct 2008 16:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Canon's EOS 5D Mark II gets painstakingly detailed

Darren Murph — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 09:56:00 EST

Canon went a bit berserk this morning, but without a doubt the looker from the crowd is the 21-megapixel EOS 5D Mark II. Make no mistake, this bad boy is bringing all sorts of new and revamped technology to the game, and thanks to the good folks over at DPReview, you don't have to waste your day trying to piece it all together. Linked below is a 13-page "preview" that dishes out more details on the specs, changes, operation, design, menus and favorite date spots than you could ever fathom. Being the DSLR freak that you are, however, we know you've already ventured off and are onto page 2. No hard feelings, though.

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Canon's EOS 5D Mark II gets painstakingly detailed originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Sep 2008 09:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How would you change Nikon's D700?

Darren Murph — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:30:00 EST

The phrase "full frame" brings a smile to the face of anyone remotely familiar with photography, and the term "D700" is likely to do the same for shooters with three large to plunk down on a new body. Still, even with its long list of drool-worthy features, we're certain that anyone who dropped the aforementioned dough on this beauty has a few things to say about it. Are you satisfied with the live view implementation? Any problems with its reliance on CompactFlash? Oh, and is the image quality alright? Sound off below!

Filed under: Digital Cameras

How would you change Nikon's D700? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Olympus' 10MP EVOLT E-520 DSLR gets reviewed

Darren Murph — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:39:00 EST

Although we were able to take an all-too-brief peek at Olympus' EVOLT E-520 late last month, the results weren't exactly indicative of what this thing is capable of -- you know, considering the unit in question was defective. The cats over at PhotographyBLOG managed to secure a fully functional unit, and results were much, much improved. Although reviewers didn't go quite so far as to call it the perfect camera, it sure came close in their eyes. Aside from the depressingly small viewfinder and the low quantity of AF sensors, critics found the unit quite hard to bash. Overall, it managed to snag a stellar 4.5 out of 5 rating, and better still, it was said to be just the thing for "beginners and enthusiasts alike." Taking Olympus more seriously in your search for a suitable DSLR just might be in order.

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Olympus' 10MP EVOLT E-520 DSLR gets reviewed originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hands-on with Sony's new a300 and a350 DSLRs

Steven Kim — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 14:58:00 EST

Just in case you thought that Sony was, you know, making up those snazzy new alpha DSLRs with articulating, live-view LCDs, we're here with a plethora of hands-on shots to prove that they're the real deal. Since you already know the specs by now -- 10.2 megapixel (a300) or 14.2 megapixel (a350) sensors, 2.7-inch screen, ISO up to 3200, and traditional CF slots -- we'll just let you get right to the eye candy below.

Gallery: Hands-on with Sony's new a300 and a350 DSLRs

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Hands-on with Sony's new a300 and a350 DSLRs originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 Jan 2008 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony A300 and A350 DSLRs with swivel-screen and live view leaked

Nilay Patel — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:03:00 EST

With just days to go until PMA, it looks like security's starting to slip a little bit -- a little creative sonystyle.com URL trickery led Beline at the Dyxum forums to images of those Sony A300 and A350 DSLRs we'd heard about. The A300 is an update to the A200, adding in live preview and a flip-out swivel screen, while the A350 looks like it'll be a 14.2 megapixel unit and probably includes live preview and the swivel screen as well. We're hearing that an A900 is also in the works, but that's a just a whisper -- looks like there might be some surprises in store this week after all.

Update: Tons more pictures here, for the curious.

[Thanks, Mike]

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Sony A300 and A350 DSLRs with swivel-screen and live view leaked originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Olympus' E-3 DSLR gets reviewed

Darren Murph — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 12:21:00 EST

As seems to be the case with most new DSLRs these days (regardless of manufacturer), there was quite a bit of buzz behind the E-3. On paper, Olympus' latest big boy was fairly impressive, but we all know it's the real-world results that matter. Thankfully, the kind folks over at PhotographyBLOG grabbed hold of the admittedly hefty shooter and put it through a few paces to see how it stacked up. Design wise, it was deemed a "chunky monkey," and if too many buttons have a tendency to overwhelm you, we'd suggest stopping here and looking elsewhere. Performance wise, however, the E-3 seemed to be a winner. The built-in image stabilization, Supersonic Wave Filter and general speed of operation were all highly praised, and the "true-to-nature" image results were also smiled upon. Overall, we'd say the 4.5 out of 5 star rating pretty much sums it up, but we noticed enough quirks to recommend that you still give the read link a look before buying blind.

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Olympus' E-3 DSLR gets reviewed originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 12 Jan 2008 12:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nikon D3 full frame DSLR unboxed

Evan Blass — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 12:24:00 EST

So it looks like the first lucky individuals have started receiving their Nikon D3s in the mail -- lucky not just because they're the proud new owner of a 12.1 megapixel full frame DSLR with 6400 ISO, 51-point autofocus, two CF slots, HDMI, and a 3-inch live view LCD, but lucky because, you know, they can afford to spend $5,000 on a camera. For those of us who can only aspire to possess such luxuries, there are always a bunch of nice unboxing shots to really help flesh out our weird gadget fantasies. You can check out another such pic after the break, before hitting the Read link for an entire D3 gallery including a few images of those new AF-S NIKKOR lenses...

[Thanks, Andrew]

Gallery: Nikon D3 unboxing

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Nikon D3 full frame DSLR unboxed originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Dec 2007 12:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Olympus E-410 EVOLT DSLR gets reviewed

Darren Murph — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 14:50:00 EST

It's tough to not get all worked up about a live LCD on a DSLR, but if you've managed to hold off until a thorough review came your way, your patience has paid off. The discerning folks over at DPReview were able to crack the whip on the E-410 EVOLT, and after the dust settled, it seemed like a pretty good buy. Initial praises included its light weight, outstanding out-of-the-box results, effective dust remover, low noise across the ISO spectrum, and the speedy auto focus / shutter performance. Notably, the list of digs was rather puny compared to the cheers, as the disappointing dynamic range performance and counterproductive Noise Filter were the only major qualms that reviewers felt were worth mentioning in detail. Overall, it seems the E-410 should fit the bill quite nicely if you're looking for a relatively advanced entry-level DSLR, but be sure and visit the read link to make absolutely sure this is where you want your $800 or so to go.

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Olympus E-410 EVOLT DSLR gets reviewed originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 Jun 2007 14:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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