Canon has announced that it has developed a 52MP APS-H sized sensor, the highest resolution to date in a sensor its size. But don’t get too excited yet–the technology is only a prototype right now, and while the company says the prototype has produced images, it is not expected to be found on any DSLR any time soon.

While Canon won’t say what kinds of cameras they expect the new sensor to appear on, engineers mentioned surveillance cameras and industrial-use inspection equipment as possible applications. However, a 52MP sensor in a traditional digital SLR may be very appealing to studio photographers.

According to an abstract published by Canon, the new CMOS design uses borrows concepts that have already brought higher-resolution still and video cameras. They claim that despite the small pixel size, the image reproduced using their experimental sensor showed “splendid high resolution.”

The sensor measures 31.6×23.1mm. Canon’s designers say they’ve reassessed the structure of the pictures and redesigned them in a way that, they claim, maintains sensitivitiy, dynamic range, and low color blending. They also claim leakage to neighboring pixels, which can cause problems with image quality, has been improved by about 10 percent.

Canon is one of a few camera companies that make their own sensors, which has helped give Canon an edge over many of its competitors, who must buy sensors from their cameras from outside sources such as Sony.

Most people wouldn’t consider the jungle as being the most ideal or scenic location to indulge in photography. After all, the recent heatwave and the fear of constant attacks from mosquitoes and bugs are enough to put off any budding photographer.

However that didn’t stop Olympus from taking a few journalists to take test drive with their new Evolt E410 DSLR camera in the rainforests of Malaysia. Here’s the conclusion: “Overall, the Olympus Evolt E410 is a good entry-level DSLR for beginners – it has a good user interface and well-labelled buttons that make it really easy to use for first time users.

However, the E410 suffers from dynamic range problems. Also, the camera’s slow autofocus in Live View mode makes it impractical for point-and-shoot photography. While it may not be for everyone, the E410 may just be the camera you are looking for if you intend to get your feet wet in the DSLR world.

Pros: Lightweight; good user interface; Live View mode; dual format card support.

Cons: Problems with dynamic range; slow autofocus speed in Live View mode.”

Website : Olympus E-410 Review by StarOnline in Malaysia Jungle

According to the analysis of user trend in Japan for the most popular camera sales ranking from 6/4 to 6/10. The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-TZ3 took the number one spot for a continuous of 6 weeks. This camera is the latest members of the award-winning Lumix TZ family of digital cameras, which is renowned for packaging a remarkable 10x optical zoom in a compact, stylish body. To further add to their appeal, the TZ3 go one step further to feature a 28mm wide-angle Leica DC lens (equivalent to 28-280mm on a 35mm film camera) for wide-angle shooting.

Ricoh “Caplio R6” advanced rapidly from previous rank 6 up to the second ranking. Replacing the previous number 2 rank, Olympus Camedia SP-550UZ. Ricoh Caplio R6 features a 7.1x zoom and Ricoh’s CCD-shift vibration correction, adding a larger 2.7-inch LCD and face-detection technology.

Number 3 continued to be the Canon IXY Digital 900IS, US name of Canon PowerShot SD800 IS Digital ELPH. This camera offers a focal length range of 28 – 105mm (35mm equivalent), and a 3.8x optical zoom lens allows photographers to capture wider panoramas, architectural photos and group shots. The lens incorporates Canon’s optical Image Stabilizer to counteract the effects of camera shake for steadier performance in low light, at full zoom or when shooting from moving vehicles.

Interestingly, the Pentax K10D, the only DSLR camera on the list, went up to number 6 from the 10th ranking. New entry at number 10 is the Sony “Cyber-shot DSC-W200″. It features a CCD of 12.1 Megapixel and a high-definition component output with full 1080 photo-viewing. Here’s the top 10 ranking between 6/4 - 6/10 in Japan:

1. Panasonic LUMIX DMC-TZ3
2. Ricoh R6 DIGITAL
3. Canon IXY DIGITAL 900IS
4. Olympus CAMEDIA SP-550UZ
5. Nikon COOLPIX P5000
6. Pentax K10D
7. Fuji FinePix F31fd
8. Olympus μ770SW
9. Ricoh R5 DIGITAL
10. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W200

Website : Japan Most Popular Camera Ranking - June 4 to June 10

Pentax K10D was selected as the winner of the Camera Grand Prix 2007 award in Japan. Pentax is celebrating this award by releasing a limited edition Pentax K10D DSLR camera.

The Camera Grand Prix is held annually under the sponsorship of the Camera Journal Press Club (CJPC), a group of photography writers from Japan’s 11 leading photo and camera magazines. This is one of the most prestigious camera awards in Japan, as it recognizes what the group sees as the most distinguished of all new still cameras introduced to the Japanese market from April 1 to March 31.

This Limited Edition Pentax K10D has a limited production of 5,000 sets worldwide, which includes:

• PENTAX K10D Camera Body
• PENTAX Battery Grip D-BG2
• Grand Prix Strap O-ST55

Website : Pentax announced Limited Edition K10D

The pros and cons of working as an event photographer were recently explored in the periodic feature “Pay Grade” in The Wall Street Journal. According to two photographers interviewed in the feature, the pay for this job can range anywhere from a flat rate, which may be dependant on amount of images sold to a publication, to about $10 to $25 an hour, depending on experience.

Gerry Waite, owner of All Sports Action Photography in Ventura, Calif., says his own earnings range from $70,000 to $200,000 a year, while he pays his five full-time photographers and 20 stringers $10 to $25 an hour, says the article. The hours working as an event photographer also vary for each person. In addition to time spent shooting certain events, photographers spend time on production work, including cropping, correcting color, printing, and transferring images to CD or DVD, says the article.

[MORE]

An interesting perspective from the user of Canon 30D, here’s the hands-on user review of Canon 30D: “I really liked using the Canon EOS 30D. It’s a solid camera with a great sensor that produces quality images, with unmatched low light sensitivity in its class. Its magnesium alloy body feels great and grips very well. Its controls are well-placed and easy to use. Its speed is also unmatched in its class, and its battery life exceeded my expectations. Overall, the camera was a pleasure to use, and inspired a sense of being well made and reliable. Would I purchase one if I were in the market? Absolutely. Given its features and price, you can’t go wrong with this camera.I leave you with another photo I got with the 30D. As a reminder, you can view all of photos I’ve taken with the 30D and published in the following Zooomr set and Flickr tag set.”

Website : Canon User Review of Canon 30D

This unique manual is better than the manual that comes with your camera in several important ways:

• It’s organized according to efficient workflow, so you can get the most out of your Sony A100 quickly and with the least amount of bother. You can find what you’re looking for interactively: by using the interactive Table of Contents, choosing one of the questions in the Quick Answers section, or by following any of the convenient links we’ve placed throughout the document.
• It’s not a book (unless you want it to be). It’s a PDF that you can read on your computer or on a PDA that fits into your camera bag. It is laid out on an 8.5 x 11-inch “page” so if you want to print, you won’t have to waste paper or spend time configuring your printer.
• Because it’s a PDF, you can find subjects you’re looking for by searching electronically. Typing Cmd/Ctrl-F brings up the familiar search dialog. So all you have to do to jump straight to all the references to a particular part or feature is to enter its name. (No reliance on a mindreading indexer.)
• The PDF is photographically illustrated so you can see exactly which combination of buttons, knobs, wheels, and menu choices will help you make the magic you are hoping for.
• In addition to teaching technically correct procedures, this document offers valuable hints for taking photographs in some of the toughest situations.

Website : Sony Alpha DSLR A100: A Better Manual at $9.99

PopPhoto reviewed the Sigma SD14, one that equipped with a second-generation Foveon X3 sensor, which has a 1.7X lens factor, boasts 14.1 megapixels, and is promoted as a color-accurate, detail-obsessed, low-noise alternative to the CMOS and CCD sensors used in other DSLRs. Here’s the conclusion from the article: “Our image quality tests came down in favor of RAW files over JPEGs. In JPEG mode at ISO 100, the SD14 captures detail on par with an 8MP DSLR such as the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT. Combined with an Extremely High color accuracy (9.9 Delta E), JPEGs earn an Extremely High image quality rating.

But in RAW, also at ISO 100, the SD14 performs more like a good 10MP DSLR, capturing about 10 percent higher resolution and Excellent color, earning it an Excellent image quality rating. Still, NEF RAW files from the $920 (street) 10.2MP Nikon D80 show higher detail. So this is not what you’d expect from a camera billed as having 14.1 megapixels.

…Apparently, the SD14’s internal image processor has a hard time converting high-ISO RAW data into JPEG form, while the supplied computer software handles the job more efficiently. The image processor also takes a glacial 8 to 10 sec to clear the buffer for another shot after a burst sequence of up to a mere six frames at 3 fps. That’s not even in the same ballpark as the burst rate and capacity of competitive DSLRs.

In all, the camera handles well, opens creative doors with IR, and is technologically unique. But the promise of 14.1MP doesn’t pay off. And given what you can find in today’s DSLR market for $1,600, we see the virtue in shopping around.”

Website :  Sigma SD14 Review by PopPhoto