Sony has introduced the A450 DSLR camera. It holds the position between the A500 and the A550, featuring the same 14.2 megapixels of resolution and CMOS image sensor as the latter.

At the same time the camera loses Sony’s clever fast-AF live view system as well as the tilt and flip LCD screen. Instead it is equipped with a small 2.6″ Clear Photo LCD display with Live View function. There’s also a bright optical viewfinder with generous 95% field of view for framing and composition of the photos.

At the heart of the camera lies the powerful BIONZ image processor that helps it deliver highly detailed and ultra-low noise images. It also provides for high-speed continuous shooting at up to 5 fps. Moreover, in Speed Priority mode (with AF and AE set at start of burst) this increases to 7 fps.

The A450 is powerful but at the same time easy-to-use and perfect as your first DLSR camera. It features a lot of creative options for beginners as well as Auto HDR mode that creates (right in the camera!) a detail-packed HDR image with bright highlights and dark shadow details out of two successive frames shot at different exposure values.

The camera’s performance is also enhanced by SteadyShot INSIDE™ in-body image stabilization that offers up to 4 steps of anti-shake correction. At the same time sensitivity extends right up to ISO 12800, allowing you to shoot handheld images in low light without flash.

Sony DSLR-A450 - Specifications:

• 23.4 x 15.6 mm APS-C Type CMOS Exmor Sensor
• 14.2 Megapixels (3:2, 16:9)
• Maximum Image Size: 4592 x 3056
• File Formats: RAW (.ARW), RAW + JPEG, JPEG
• CCD-Shift ‘SteadyShot Inside’ Image Stabilization
• 2.7″ Clear Photo LCD Monitor with 230,400 dots
• Viewfinder: 95% Frame Coverage
• Live View: 100% Frame Coverage
• Auto Focus: TTL CCD Line Sensors (9-points,with center cross sensor)
• AF Area Selection: Wide AF area, Spot AF area (center), Focus area selection (any of 9)
• Shooting Modes: Programmed AE, Aperture & Shutter priority AE, Scene Selection
• Sensitivity: ISO 200- ISO 12800
• Shutter Speed: 30 to 1/4000 sec, Bulb
• Metering Modes: Multi-segment (40 segment Honeycomb pattern), Center-weighted, Spot
• AE Lock , Focus Lock
• Dynamic Range Optimizer
• Continuous Shooting: approx 5 fps
• Built-in Pop-Up Flash: Guide Number 12
• Storage: SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro HG Duo
• Availability: February 2010

Canon introduced the next addition to the EOS 1D series, the EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR camera. The camera was called “high-speed multimedia performance monster” with its 16-megapixels, fast 10 fps continuous shooting and full HD video capabilities.

The EOS-1D Mark IV employs Dual DIGIC 4 Image Processors for full 14-bit A/D conversion at 10 fps. The 14-bit per channel conversion provides smoother tonalities in final images. It is also responsible for the Highlight Tone Priority feature that helps preserve detail in highlight areas of the image.

The camera’s remarkable autofocus system starts with 45 AF points offering 39 high-precision cross-type AF points. Moreover, it features a redesigned AI Servo II AF predictive focusing algorithm to keep fast-moving objects in focus in a variety of shooting conditions.

The camera makes a breakthrough in low light shooting. It features ISO speed settings from 100 to 12,800 in standard mode. Furthermore, ISO can be expanded up to 102,400. The manufacturer promises good low-noise image quality even at ISO 12,800 thanks to the camera’s High ISO Noise Reduction.

The camera offers Canon’s Peripheral Illumination Correction function which corrects darkening in the corners of images when lenses are used at their largest apertures.

The EOS-1D Mark IV also acts as a professional video camera, recording Full HD video at 1920 x 1080 at 24p/25p/30p and 720p video at either 50p or 60p. For sound there’s an internal monaural microphone in the camera or you can as well connect optional external microphones.

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR – Specifications:

• 27.9 x 18.6 mm CMOS sensor (1.3x crop factor)
• 16.1 Megapixels
• Maximum Image Size: 4896×3264
• Eye-level Pentaprism Viewfinder with 0.76x magnification
• 3 inch LCD Live View with 920,000 dots
• Dual DIGIC 4 Image Processor
• EOS Integrated Cleaning System
• 45-point TTL Auto focus
• Focus modes: One shot AF, AI Servo AF, Manual
• Exposure modes: Program, Aperture-priority, Shutter-priority, Manual, Bulb
• 63 Zone Metering linked to all AF points
• Metering Modes: Evaluative, Partial, Spot
• AE Lock: Auto, Manual
• Sensitivity: ISO 50-102400
• Shutter Speed: 30 - 1/8000 sec, Bulb
• High-speed Continuous Shooting: 10 fps
• Memory: Compact Flash Type I or II, SD/SDHC
• Movie Mode: 1920 x 1080 @ 30fps
• Canon EF Lens Mount
• Body material: Magnesium alloy
• Dimensions: 156 x 156.6 x 80 mm (6.2 x 6.2 x 3.1 in)
• Weight: 1180 g
• List Price: $4999 (US)

Official Information: usa.canon.com.

Mamiya has announced the availability of its new DM22 and DM28 medium format cameras. They are the perfect choice for photographers when 35mm-sized DSLRs are not good enough.

Priced at $9,995 for the body and kit lens, DM22 is one of the cheapest medium format cameras. It offers 22 megapixels of resolution, a 48 x 36 mm sensor, true 16 bit/channel RAW files, dynamic range of 12 f stops and an ISO range of 25-400.

The DM28 features 28 megapixels, a larger 44 x 33mm sensor and an ISO range of 50-800. It is priced at $14,990 for the body and kit lens.

Both cameras come with the sharp Mamiya 80mm f/2.8 D Series lens, focal plane shutter, and are fully compatible with any Mamiya AF focal plane series lens. They can also be used with older 645MF and Hasselblad lenses in stop-down mode via #310-244 adapter.

They feature Mamiya’s new Guaranteed Trade-Up Program. Images are stored either on a CF card or via FireWire™.

Mamiya Product Marketing Manager Mike Edwards says: “We recognize photographers’ need to deliver exceptional quality photographs, along with an impression of professionalism, which a 35mm-sized DSLR cannot present”.

Mamiya DM22 & DM28 Medium Format Cameras- Specifications:

• Camera Type: M645AFDIII
• Sensor Size
  • DM22: 48 x36mm
  • DM28: 44 x 33mm
• Image Resolution
  • Dm22: 22 megapixels
  • DM28: 28 megapixels
• Maximum Image Size
  • DM22: 5356 x 4056
  • DM28: 6144 x 4622
• 3.5″ (6 x 7cm) LCD Screen
• Sensitivity
  • DM22: ISO 25-400
  • DM28: ISO 50-800
• RAW File Attributes
  • File Type: Leaf Mosaic HDR-type
  • Color Depth: 16 bits/channel
  • Dynamic Range: 12 f-stops
• Storage: CF Card (Portable Mode), FireWire 800 (Tethered Mode)
• Optional Camera Interfaces: Mamiya RZ67 ProIID, 4×5 Graflock
• Compatible lenses
  • Mamiya AF focal plane series lenses
  • Mamiya 645 MF lenses without adapter (stop down mode)
  • Hasselblad V-series lenses (stop down mode via optional Mamiya #310-244 adapter)
• Price
  • DM22: $ 9995
  • DM28: $ 14,990