Sony Alpha A500 in the new DSLR camera form Sony featuring 12.3 megapixel CMOS sensor and 3.0 inch vari-angle 230k monitor.

At the heart of the camera is a new Exmor CMOS sensor that is said to ensure crisp low-noise images and provides for fast shooting speeds of up to 4 fps in Live View Mode and 5 fps with the optical viewfinder.

The enhanced BIONZ processor, in its turn, is responsible for detail-packed and low-noise images with high sensitivity up to ISO 12800. The SteadyShot image stabilization was also included into the camera to enhance its low-light performance.

The camera features an HDR high dynamic range function designed to rescue lost details in shadow areas of photos and severely backlit images. the result is images with the huge natural tonal range of human vision.

The A500 also offer the enhanced Quick AF Live View that captures fast-moving action, with Face Detection for beautiful portraits. And its Manual Focus Check Live View mode will do a good job in making it convenient to adjust focus and compose your shots.

Operation is simple thanks to a redesigned on-screen interface that provides easy access to functions and settings. A Graphic Display gives an intuitive indication of how shutter speed and aperture adjustments will affect the final image.

Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 - Specifications:

• APS-C Exmore CMOS Sensor
• 12.30 Megapixels
• Aspect Ratio: 3:2, 16:9
• File Format: RAW, JPEG
• Maximum Image Size: 4272 x 2848
• 3.0 inch LCD Variable-Angle Monitor with 230,400 dots (76,800 pixels)
• Live View
• Focusing System: 9-point TTL Phase Detection with Eye-Start AF; Wide, Spot, Local Modes
• Manual Focus
• Sensitivity: ISO 200 - 12800
• SteadyShot In-body Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
• Shutter Speed: 30 - 1/4000 sec
• Exposure Modes: Aperture, Shutter, Manual
• Scene Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset, Night Portrait/Night View
• Metering: 40-segment Multi Segment, Center-weighted, Spot; (1200 zone evaluative metering in Live View)
• D-Range Optimizer (Auto, Level 1-5)
• Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo Memory Cards
• Kit lens: 18-55mm f/3.5-f/5.6
• Lens Mount: Sony Alpha (Minolta A)
• Planned Price: $850

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Germano-Ukrainian specialist lens maker Hartblei creates a medium format camera designed with a 35mm lens mount. The Hartblei CAM, as it’s called, can mount any digital or film medium format back up to 4.5×6cm and will be available in Canon EF, Nikon F or Sony Alpha mounts.

Thanks to this camera many lenses with unavailable MF, such as large aperture super-teles, Fisheyes or other specialty lenses (Canon’s new 17+24mm TS-E for example) can now be used with high quality professional backs.

The company also plans to introduce other lens boards, with medium format mounts, allowing adapters for Mamiya 645, Contax or Hasselblad lenses. The system is particularly useful for wide-angle shooting and with Hartblei’s own medium-format-derived tilt-shift lenses.

The Hartblei CAM is designed to offer an inexpensive studio system that can be used with a vast range of lenses as many lenses, including the Zeiss 100mm F/2 Macro, Nikkor 17-35mm ED and 14-24mm G-ED produce large enough image circles to illuminate larger format sensors.

The camera extends the range of short focal length lenses down to 14mm giving an angle-of-view of about 135° with a Phase One p65+ back. Mounting the Nikkor 14-24mm F2.8, for instance, either on the native Nikon version on the EF mount version with an adapter gives a viewing angle of 135°.

Focusing can be conducted via live view, the built-in TTL prism finder, using a focusing screen or by fitting an optional external viewfinder. The built-in Blade shutter offers shutter speeds from 30sec to 1/2000sec.

The camera-back is moved back and forth by a motor slider with electronic position-sensor, a Spot TTL Prism Finder is included in the package.

Hartblei CAM – Features:

• Medium Format camera
• Built-in TTL Prism Finder
• Mounts Digital/film Medium Format Back up to 4.5×6cm
• Extends Focal Length down to 14mm
• Give135° Angle-of-View
• Shutter Speed: 30sec to 1/2000 sec
• 35mm Lens Mount
• Available Mounts: Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony Alpha

According to PhotographyBLOG.

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What’s new: The camera gained another review, this time at Photoreview.com.au!

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Nikon D300S is new Nikon’s DSLR announced together with the D3000 model. It is the successor to popular D300 and spots DX-format 12.3 megapixel CMOS sensor, 51-point autofocus system and EXPEED image processor in a compact body.

The D300S’s improvements over its predecessor are HD movie capability, a faster frame advance rate of (7fps) and dual CF and SD memory card slots.

The EXPEED image processing system delivers rich colors, smooth skin gradations, plenty of detail with the minimum of noise and lateral chromatic aberration for both still images and movies, and also manages high-speed processing and low power consumption.

The camera incorporates bright viewfinder with approximately 100% frame coverage and approx. 0.94x magnification and 3 inch 920K dot high definition TFT monitor with Live View function.

Alongside with full manual controls typical of DSLR cameras, this one features Scene Recognition System that makes it possible to shoot with accurate autofocus, right auto exposure and auto white balance control with ease.

Active D-Lighting restores the details in shadows and highlighted areas which are often lost in high-contrast lighting situations. Face Detection, in its turn will ensure faces are in focus as well as exposed properly.

Picture Control adjustment options let you modify the tone and colour of HD video clips with remarkable ease. Its options include Standard, Neutral, Vivid and Monochrome.

The D300S’s HD movie capture is enhanced by external stereo sound input, autofocus capability and in-camera movie editing.

The camera employs a strong yet lightweight magnesium alloy for its exterior cover, and will be available in two kit configurations: AFS DX NIKKOR 16-85mm f/3.5-4.5 VR and the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II.

Camera Reviews:

Cameralabs.com:
The camera’s image quality speaks for itself with a good balance between resolution and noise handling. But there’s no 1080p video or live histogram among camera features.

Digitalcamerareview.com:
The camera delivers fantastic image quality and performance as well as HD video capability and unbeatable build quality. But basically it is a minor update to the D300.

Photographyblog.com:
The majority of D300 owners aren’t likely to switch to the D300s, but everyone else in the market for a capable and high-quality DSLR should seriously consider this camera as it deserves really high praise.

Photoreview.com.au:
It is a solidly-built DSLR camera with a Live View system plus the ability to shoot HD video clips. But it can’t offer fast autofocusing and focus tracking in Live View mode as well as body-integrated image stabilization.

Sample Photo Galleries: cameralabs.com, photographyblog.com.

Alternatives/Rivals: Olympus E-620, Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1.

Nikon D300s – Specifications (Full Specs):

• 12.3 Megapixels
• Nikon DX Format 23.6 x 15.8 mm CMOS Image
• Maximum Image Size: 4,288 x 2,848
• 3-inch 920k-dot Monitor with 170° Viewing Angle
• Live View Function
• Sensitivity: ISO 200 - 3200
• 51-point AF
• Contrast-Detect AF
• Exposure Metering: 3D Color Matrix Metering II, Center-Weighted, Spot
• Exposure modes: Programmed Auto (P); Shutter-Priority Auto (S); Aperture-Priority Auto (A); Manual (M)
• Scene Recognition System
• Continuous Shooting: 7 fps
• Quiet Shutter Release
• Built-in flash with 16mm lens coverage
• Weight : Approx. 840 g/1 lb. 14 oz.)

Official Information: imaging.nikon.com.

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