In the two weeks ending Tuesday, Aug. 29, top searches in the DSLR category included “canon” and “nikon” and various model names for the two brands. PMA Marketing Research utilized eBay Marketplace Research tool to analyze the pricing trends of new, unopened units for some of the best selling DSLR models on eBay. (Note: While the terms “kits,” “packages,” “like,” and “used” were all excluded from the search criteria, some listings still included bundled or used items.)

Announcement coming up at the photo fest known as Photokina 2006, Sigma teases us with an evolutionary DSLR camera called SD14. The company is offering few details about the upcoming camera’s debut, other than it will be rolled out on September 26, the first day of this year’s Photokina. If you’re not familiar with Sigma, it’s the company that developed the Foveon X3, whose newest iteration is now called the Full Color Capture Direct Image Sensor. First introduced in its SD9 digital SLR in 2002, the groundbreaking sensor uses a special layered-grid technology that separates the three primary colors, offering significantly higher resolution and color clarity.

Website : Sigma DSLR SD14 with Full Color Capture Direct Image Sensor

About shooting in Italy - -

H (Hien): Iʼve long dreamed of shooting in Venice. As a photojournalist, I always strive to convey the moment just as I see it with my own eyes. This demands a great amount of footwork to get acquainted with the location, and the time to establish a rapport with the locals. Shooting early in the morning with the D80 left an immediate impression on me. There was limited light, and that was comprised of a mixture of natural and artificial light. A film camera in such a situation requires complicated use of filters, whereas the D80 was able to achieve accurate white balance and metering under mixed light sources and produce beautiful results.

Y (Yves): I believe shooting in the cafe allowed me to clearly express my feelings about the location. I am always exploring how best to express myself based on the inspiration I draw from the actual scene. And for me, the light is the inspiration. I like to control the light in each shot, which of course includes capturing the mood of the natural light, while at times also taking advantage of reflected light or using flashes. The D80 produced images just as I envisioned them, performing perfectly throughout the trip.

Images from the D80 are of the highest quality, and I can edit them freely after the shot. The D80 can even perform in-camera editing, which only adds to the creative possibilities and makes digital easier and more enjoyable for everyone.

First impressions of shooting with the D80 - -

H: All functions respond immediately. The camera is ready to shoot the instant I turn it on, shutter response is excellent, and autofocus is fast and precise. Speed is of the essence to my style of photography. Thatʼs why the remarkable speed of the D80 captured my attention right away. Anyone who takes photos understands the desire to capture precious moments the instant they unfold, and the need for a camera with the speed and precision to be always ready to shoot.

Y: I was also impressed by the speed and efficiency of operation. The placement and size of buttons and controls makes them easy to use. I also find the menus easy to understand, and intuitive to use. The solid feel of the camera body belies its compact size, it was easy to carry around and simple to use from the very beginning.

Download : Nikon D80 brochure (in PDF)

According to research company BCN about DSLR domestic sale share of July 3rd week in Japan, SONY recorded 35.4% market share. Although the pace has fallen, we are still seeing SONY in 5 weeks to August 3rd week, guaranteeing a good 24.2% market. Although not as good as CANON, who command a 34.6% market share, but took the second spot over the Nikon, who has 24% market. Panasonic high end camera is squeezed to the 1% market.

For SONY, the demand for the a100 camera is higher than supply. its popularity in Japan is due to the IS built-in function (CCD-based image stabilizer) as well as its capability to use old Minolta lens. Pricing is also attractive to existing Minolta users.

CANON announced on the 24th a new beginner’s class DSLR “digital X” model (substance 90,000 Yen “of EOS Kiss” series) it will begin selling on September 8th. Also Nikon new series “D80” (approximately substance 120,000 Yen) plans sale on September 1st. Effective picture prime is for the middle class person with the same as α100 10,200,000.

Website : Japan DSLR camera sales update - August 28 2006 (in Japanese)

According to the latest poll “Which L lens you most desperate to see next from Canon?”, this lens is the second most anticipated lens from canon fans at 19%. The EF70-200mm f/4L IS USM lens stands up to the rigors of professional use The lens is sealed from dust and moisture, and is equipped with the latest generation of Canon’s Image Stabilizer (IS) technology, making it an optimal everyday shooter. The image stabilization achieves three shutter speed steps of camera shake correction within 0.5 seconds after the shutter button is depressed halfway and yields correction for up to four full shutter speeds while handheld, providing a new level of performance. Users can also select two IS modes, one for stationary subjects and another for intentional panning.

The EF70-200mm f/4L IS USM lens is the same size as the EF70-200mm f/4L USM lens that remains in the EF lens line, but the new lens adds several valuable features. In addition to enhanced weather sealing and image stabilization, the EF70-200mm f/4L IS USM lens incorporates a circular diaphragm to create more natural looking background blur, and distance information to aid autofocusing and automatic flash exposure. The lens also suppresses flare and ghosting with advanced coatings and optimal placement of its 20 lens elements in 15 groups. One Fluorite element and two UD (ultra low dispersion) elements thoroughly suppress chromatic aberrations for crisp photos throughout the entire focal range. A ring-type Ultrasonic Motor (USM) provides fast and silent autofocusing, while the full-time manual focus function provides maximum control even when the lens is set for AF.

The compact and universal EF70-200mm f/4L IS USM will also be available in November for an estimated selling price of $1,249.**

Website : Poll : Which L lens you most desperate to see next from Canon?

According to the latest poll “Which L lens you most desperate to see next from Canon?”, this lens is the third most anticipated lens from canon fans at 15%. The new EF50mm f/1.2L USM lens complements full-frame cameras, while delivering beautiful results on APS-C/H sized sensor models as well. Every aspect of this lens exudes professional quality from its wide 72mm filter diameter to its dust and moisture sealed construction. A high refraction glass molded aspherical lens element helps to minimize spherical aberration, which is crucial in order to provide fine detail and maximum image quality from corner to corner, even when the lens is used wide open. Full frame digital camera users will especially appreciate the benefits of the 50mm focal length, when shooting waist-up portraits while maintaining appropriate subject distance at a wedding.

The large maximum aperture of f/1.2 allows this lens to produce shallow depth of field that softens the background and makes subjects “pop” out of a portrait. Photographers can also take advantage of higher shutter speeds to shoot in lower light and help prevent blurring caused by subject movement or camera shake. In addition to a large aperture, the new lens also has blazingly fast autofocus speed and response time, thanks in part to Canon’s ring-type Ultrasonic Motor (USM), which quietly drives the lens. A full-time manual focus feature allows photographers to fine-tune the sharpness of their images, even when the lens is set for autofocus.

The powerful and fast EF50mm f/1.2L USM lens will be available in November for an estimated selling price of $1,599**.

Website : Poll : Which L lens you most desperate to see next from Canon?

Canon today finally took the wraps off their new entry-level digital SLR, the Digital Rebel XTi (North America) / EOS-400D (elsewhere). Confirming that the previously reported rumor is indeed true. In stores mid-September, the EOS Digital Rebel XTi camera is offered in both sleek brushed silver patina and “pro” matte black finishes. It is available in two kit configurations: with and without Canon’s high quality EF-S 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom lens.

The EOS Digital Rebel XTi camera will be available for an estimated selling price $899* with the zoom lens kit, while the body only kit will carry and estimated selling price of $799*. In order to maintain an appropriate pricing structure, the Digital Rebel XT model will carry an adjusted estimated selling price of $799* with the zoom lens kit and $699* for the body only kit.No mere intermediate upgrade, this new EOS Digital Rebel XTi SLR continues Canon’s combination of imaging excellence, intuitive ease of use and affordability. Indeed the EOS XTi Digital SLR camera now leads the Digital Rebel revolution with such marquee features as its higher 10.1 megapixel resolution; refined and redesigned Canon CMOS sensor; larger, easier to read 2.5 inch display screen (along with simplified and streamlined menu navigation), and the remarkable EOS Integrated Cleaning System, a self-cleaning image sensor unit/dust removal system that is available on no other camera of any make, at any price.

Despite the addition of these and other imaging improvements – including Canon’s fast, high-precision 9-point autofocus system and a new maximum burst rate in large/fine and raw quality modes that – at three frames per second – is double the capability of the Digital Rebel XT SLR, The EOS Digital Rebel XTi SLR makes its debut at a price point that is $100 less than its top-selling sibling was at its introduction and hundreds of dollars less than other SLR cameras and camera kits in its class.

Website : Hands On: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi from PopPhoto

[MORE]

Could this be the new Canon DSLR camera coming up next month? There have been rumors flying around a while back about an entry-level 3000 model. Now that Sony and Nikon came up with attractive entry models to capture the boom in that market, it is expected that Canon will follow suit with thier own announcement very soon.

The EOS 400D rumors started with a Canon’s chinese site claiming that the new 400D camera is loaded with a new CMOS 10.1 effective megapixel image sensor, 2.5 inch LCD monitor, 9 point focus system, a DIGIC II processor, has an integrated ultrasonic dust removal system, and the Canon EF lens mount.

The 10.1 CMOS, EOS 400D will stand as the leading product for entry level SLRs with its incorporated APS-C (classic film format) of 22.2×14.8 mm, while providing a focal length of 1.6x in turn creating high resolution images of 3888 x 2592 pixels with an dynamic ISO range of 100–1600. The camera’s new integrated dust removal feature will offer three methods of cleaning. Ultrasound vibration will cleanse upon every startup, also with software through a calculation process and the obvious manual dust removal method where the mirror is locked and shutter curtain opens for blowing away any dust on the sensor.

The 2.5 LCD back monitor promises a brighter display with 230,000 pixels and program settings like portrait, landscape, neutral, etc. With captivity of 3 frames per second with a maximum of 27 JPEG or 10 RAW format photos, high performance is delivered. The shutter speed range is B + 30 - 1/4000 sec and the flash synchronization speed is 1/200 seconds. EOS 400D’s hi speed USB 2.0 interface offers a fast method for photo printing or distribution.

Could this be another fake announcement or this time for real? Only time will tell…

Website : Rumor about New Canon’s 400D 10.1 megapixel DSLR