What’s new: The camera got a review at Photographyblog!

The new Olympus E-600 digital SLR was announced as a lower-cost version of the existing E-620 model.

Estimated street pricing for the E-600 is $600 for a kit including Olympus‘ ED 14-42mm f3.5/5.6 zoom lens, and it’s 100$ cheaper than the E-620’s street price $700 with the same lens.

Price is reduced due to the removal of three “art filter” modes which were offered in the E-620 - Pale & Light Color, Light Tone, and Grainy Film. Two-shot multi exposure mode, and the aspect mask control are also absent. If you don’t need these features, it’s sensible for you to buy a cheaper camera.

Like the E-620, the Olympus E-600 12-magapixel resolution, Live MOS image sensor, and accepts Four Thirds-mount lenses. And the Supersonic Wave Filter dust reduction system, which helps control the effects of dust on the image sensor.

Exposure modes include Program Auto (with program shift capability), as well as both Aperture- and Shutter-priority and a fully Manual mode. There are also 18 scene modes to keep things approachable for beginners, and a Scene Program AE mode that automatically selects from a subset of five scene modes.

Three Art Filter modes are still available - “Pop Art”, “Soft Focus” and “Pin Hole.”

The E-600 ships from November 2009.

Camera Reviews:

Photographyblog.com:
The camera is not the E-620 ‘proper’, but since you’re basically getting a user-friendly mid-range camera for an entry-level price, there’s little about the Olympus E-600 that can be faulted.

Sample Photo Galleries: photographyblog.com.

Alternatives/Rivals: Canon EOS 500D/Rebel T1i, Nikon D3000, Olympus E-450, Olympus E-620.

Olympus E-600 – Specifications:

• N-MOS Four Thirds Image Sensor
• 12.3 Megapixels
• Sensor-shift Stabilization
• Maximum Image Size: 4032 x 3024
• No Movie Mode
• Kit Lens: Olympus 14-42mm f3.5/5.6 ED Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens
• Auto Focus: 7 points twin AF sensor with the phase-difference detection; 5 points twin cross, 2 points twin
• Manual Focus
• Eye-level Pentamirror Optical Viewfinder with 95% coverage
• 2.7 inch LCD Monitor with 230,000 pixels
• Sensitivity: ISO100 - 3200
• Shutter Speed: 60 - 1/4000, Bulb
• Metering Modes: 49-zone Digital ESP, Center Weighted Average, Spot (2% with Highlight/Shadow mode)
• Shooting Modes: Program AE, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Full Manual Exposure, Creative Exposure Mode (18)
• Burst shooting: up to 4 fps
• Built-in Flash + Hot Shoe for External Flash
• Weight: 16.8 oz/475 g
• Retail Price: $599.99 (Cost reduced E-620)

The Pentax DA 17-70mm ƒ/4 AL [IF] SDM standard zoom lens is designed for exclusive use with Pentax digital SLR cameras.

It features a 4.1X zoom ratio covering wide-angle to moderate-telephoto ranges, and covers a focal-length range from 26mm to 107mm in the 35mm format, a minimum focusing distance of 11 inches (0.28 meters) over the entire zoom range, and Inner-Focus (IF) optical design.

The 17-70mm f/4 offers the Pentax-original SDM system that is driven by a built-in supersonic motor for smooth and quiet autofocus. Note that the system works with the K20D, K200D, K100D Super and later Pentax DSLR camera bodies. When mounted on other camera bodies, the focus mode is automatically switched to manual.

The lens has no controls on its surface except from zoom and focus rings as auto / manual focus operation is controlled by the camera, and autofocus results can be overridden via the quick-shift system. This system allows instant switching from auto to manual focus with a turn of the focus ring.

As to its optical design, the 17-70 mm f/4 incorporates two hybrid aspherical (AL) optical elements to assure exceptional image quality while effectively compensating for various aberrations.

The lens also features Pentax SP (Super Protect) coating that protects it and repels dust, water and grease.

Lens Reviews:

Slrgear.com:
It’s decently sharp even wide open; light falloff and distortion aren’t much to be concerned about. Outside of the middle of the zoom range, the numbers for chromatic aberration are a little high.

Pentax 17-70mm ƒ/4 AL IF SDM SMC DA Standard Zoom – Specifications:

• Image Circle: APS-C
• Focal Length: 17 - 70mm
• Focal Length APS Equivalent: 25.5 - 105mm
• Max Aperture: ƒ/4
• Min Aperture: ƒ/22
• 7 Diaphragm Blades
• Lens Construction: 17 elements in 12 groups
• Diagonal Angle of View (Based on image circle): 79 to 23 degrees
• Internal Focus; SDM with Quick-shift Focus System
• No Front Element Rotation
• Rotary Zoom System
• Closest Focus: 0.28m / 0.92 ft.
• Magnification Ratio: 0.31x / 1:3.2
• Filter Size: 67mm
• Dimensions (Length x Diameter): 93.5mm x 75mm / 3.7 in. x 3.0 in.
• Weight: 485g / 17.1 oz (without hood)
• Included Accessories: Lens Hood
• Typical Online Price: US$600

What’s new: Digitalcamerainfo has recently reviewed this camera!

Nikon has unveiled the world’s first compact camera with an in-built projector – the Coolpix S1000pj. It features 12.1-megapixel sensor, wide angle 5x zoom lens and 2.7 inch LCD screen.

The camera can project images up to 40 inches in size with a VGA resolution and a maximum distance of 2 meters. It is supplied with a stand for ease of use and a remote control using which you can wirelessly operate both the projector and usual camera functions.

The S1000pj promotes carefree shooting with its Scene Auto Selector and Smart Portrait System. The latter includes Face Detection of up to 12 faces in the frame, Smile Timer, Blink Warning and In-Camera Red-Eye Fix. The camera also features Skin Softening function that adjusts smoothness subject’s skin.

Nikon added its Optical lens shift and Electronic VR image stabilisation systems into this camera to help it produce blur-free images. You can also make use of High ISO 6400 capability, Motion Detection and the BSS (Best Shot Selector) function to achieve sharp images.

Other interesting features include Subject Tracking function that keeps focus on the moving subject, and Quick Retouch that enhances contrast and saturation of your photos.

Camera Reviews:

Cameras.co.uk:
The camera is very easy to use; it produces good colors and overall picture quality, though images sometimes could be sharper. As it is expensive due to the inclusion of a projector, buy it if you really need one.

Photographyblog.com:
An integrated projector makes the camera completely unique in the current digicam market, but in use, it does not really disappoint, producing dull colors. As to the camera itself, it delivers so-so image quality, has no proper manual control, and not great video mode.

Digitalcamerareview.com:
The camera has a sharp lens with minimal distortion and a nice “wow” factor in the form of a projector. Its still image quality is generally good, but pictures are noisy at ISO 400 and up.

Digitalcamerainfo.com:
The Nikon Coolpix S1000pj is a decent point & shoot camera with a neat trick up its sleeve: a built in projector. But if you don’t need the projector, you’d be better off with a camera that has a wider range of features.

Sample Photo Galleries: cameras.co.uk, photographyblog.com, digitalcamerareview.com, digitalcamerainfo.com.

Alternatives/Rivals: Samsung TL225, Panasonic DMC-TZ7 aka ZS3, Sony T900.

Nikon Coolpix S1000pj - Specifications:

• 1/2.3″ CCD Sensor
• 12.1 Megapixels
• Maximum Image Size: 4000 x 3000
• 2.7-in TFT LCD Monitor with 230,000 dots and anti-reflection coating
• 5x Optical Zoom
• Focal length Equivalent: 28-140mm
• Aperture Range: f/3.9-5.8
• Optical image stabilization
• Macro Mode: 3cm
• Sensitivity: ISO 80-6400
• Scene Auto Selector
• 16 Scene Modes
• Subject Tracking
• Smart Portrait System
• D-Lighting
• Auto Sort and Favorite Pictures Functions
• 36MB Internal Memory + SD / SDHC card
• Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL12

Projector:

• Brightness: up to 10 lumens
• Image Size: 5 to 40 in.
• Throw Distance: 26cm to 2m (10 in. to 6 ft. 6 in.)
• Endurance (Battery Life): approx. 1 hour
• Resolution (Output): VGA equivalent

Official Information: nikon-coolpix.com.