For photographers using long-heavy tele-zoom and telephoto lenses such as the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM lens, gravity is a problem. The lens puts stress on the lensmount and camera body as it pulls the camera in a downward direction–unless it is supported. Typically, this has meant photographers simply would hold the lens by its to take stress off of the camera body (if they remembered). Dowell Enterprises has come up with a clever solution: the Lens Cradle.

The Lens Cradle is designed to fit any lens with a tripod mount. It supports the camera and lens horizontally by utilizing the tripod mounting ring on the lens. Thereby, substantially reducing if not eliminating, the damage and stress that occurs to the camera body at the lens mounting junction. The Lens Cradle gives horizontal balance and stability that a camera strap alone does not provide. You no longer need to support the weight of a large lens with your hands. The natural horizontal position keeps the camera poised to be ready for the next elusive shot and prevents lens creep on push pull lenses. It is selling for $25.

Website :  LensCradle Support for long DSLR lenses

According to the analysis of user trend in Japan for the most popular camera sales ranking from 5/14 to 5/20. The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-TZ3 took the number one spot for a continuous of 3 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.

The Olympus Camedia SP-550UZ camera took the number 2 spot pushing the Canon IXY Digital 900IS down to number 3. The Camedia SP-550UZ is a digital camera with 18X optical zoom (28-504mm equiv.), a 7 Megapixel CCD sensor, 5.6x digital zoom, a 2.5-inch LCD display, ISO up to 5000 and anti-shake protection.

Number 3 is 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.

The Fuji FinePix F31fd dropped 4 ranking down to the 9th position, and the only DSLR camera that made it to the top 10 is Pentax K10D, at number 10 ranking. Here’s the top 10 ranking between 5/14 - 5/20 in Japan:

1. Panasonic LUMIX DMC-TZ3
2. Olympus CAMEDIA SP-550UZ
3. Canon IXY DIGITAL 900IS
4. Olympus μ770SW
5. Nikon COOLPIX P5000
6. Ricoh R6 DIGITAL
7. Kodak EasyShare V705
8. Ricoh GR DIGITAL
9. Fuji FinePix F31fd
10. Pentax K10D
    

Website : Japan Most Popular Camera Ranking - May 14 to May 20

PopPhoto hands on review on the newly announced Olympus E-510 and E-410, here’s a quick summary of the article, “The E-510 packs a significant advancement over the E-410 and all Evolt DSLRs: mechanical image stabilization. This chip-based system works like those on the Sony Alpha 100 and Pentax K10D. Unlike the lens-based IS systems from Canon, Nikon, and Panasonic (Leica), which charge a premium for each imagestabilized lens, the Olympus system works with all legacy Four Thirds Standard lenses.

…The E-410’s battery is plenty powerful: Olympus claims up to 400 shots without Live Preview, and up to 200 with Live Preview on for 50% of the shots….Internally, both camera bodies rely on a metal frame across the camera back and a stainless steel lensmount in front to improve durability…Both cameras have dual card slots for CF and xDPicture Cards, and can store RAW, JPEG, or RAW + JPEG (at several compression settings).

For just $100 more, we think the E-510’s sensor-based IS system (plus larger battery, more comfortable hand grip, and external controls) makes it the better choice for serious photographers. In turn, the E-410 will appeal to entry-level DSLR shooters looking for a smaller, lighter, and more affordable camera body.”

Website : Hands On: Olympus E-510 and E-410 by PopPhoto

The Olympus E-410 is an unusually small and light 10 Megapixel digital SLR aimed at compact or super-zoom owners who are looking to upgrade, along with enthusiasts who want a camera they can use in situations where a traditional DSLR would be too cumbersome. It’s the latest model to employ the maturing Four Thirds DSLR standard and while priced as an entry-level product, there’s currently no Four Thirds body with a higher resolution. Here’s the conclusion:

“Like its predecessor, the Olympus E-410 has a lot going for it: it’s very small and light without compromising comfort or usability, there’s quick and easy access to all the settings, the resolving power and noise levels are comparable to the best 10 Megapixel DSLRs, and the SSWF anti-dust system remains unmatched. And while some will question the usefulness or implementation of the Live View facility, we found it offered genuine benefits.

The biggest problem facing the E-410 though is undoubtedly the lack of viable anti-shake options. Olympus may officially hide behind the line third parties can make stabilised lenses for it, but the fact is only one has so far and it’s both pricey and hard to track down separately. Someone urgently needs to produce an affordable and widely available stabilised lens for the Four Thirds fit, not just for the E-410, but for all existing Olympus DSLR owners. Surely they’d clean up.

Ultimately if stabilised optics aren’t a priority, the E-410 is a great choice. The body is extremely portable without compromising handling or comfort, the control system quick and easy to use, the SSWF filter remains the best around, and the Live View facility is both fun and useful. As such we can Highly Recommend the E-410 to anyone who wants a small and light DSLR, although we’d advise close comparison with the forthcoming E-510.”

Website : Olympus E-410 Review by CameraLabs

When Olympus announced that their compact E-400 digital SLR would not be sold in the US, the collective groan could’ve been heard in space. Thankfully someone at Olympus was listening, and they brought the E-400’s replacement — the E-410 — to the America market. The camera include the following main features:

• Super compact body design (no handgrip). Modeled on the OM series of the 70’s. Retro looking
• 10 MP sensor, this time manufactured by Panasonic, called “Live MOS”
• Live view which allows you to use the LCD to view / compose / capture an image
• Supersonic Wave Filter for dust removal
• 2.5” LCD
• XD and CF card capabilities
• 3fps shooting speed. Up to 7 images for the RAW buffer. Capable of shooting RAW + JPG also
• ISO 100 to ISO 1600. Auto ISO also.
• Exposure compensation +- 5.0
• Capable of accepting any Four Thirds lens

Here’s the summary of the 5-part review by Lawrence Ripsher:

“In terms of use and what I’ll get out of it, I don’t think it’ll be of any surprise for me to say that the entry level E-410 is not about to replace my 5D as my primary camera. I do however feel that given its size and ability to perform, it’s going to be able to fill a much needed gap for a second body / system for me.

The extra depth of field that the Four Thirds sensor brings, and access to the fantastic E system lenses which are both competitively priced and typically either faster or smaller (or in some cases both) than their counterparts, are both two key benefits for me. As a result of using the E-410 for just a week, I’ve made the decision to adopt Olympus as a second system. …I’ll end with saying that this is an excellent choice for an entry level DSLR and if you anticipate becoming serious about your photography in the future, know that Olympus already has a lot of world class glass already out there for when you’ll need it. The E-410 is definitely able to compete head to head with its Nikon (D40X) and Canon (400D) counterparts and although it’s a close call between the three of them, there are definite advantages that the E-410 holds (such as Live View, a working dust cleaning system, size advantages, the excellent / great value 14-54 lens that you can upgrade to, etc).”

Website : Olympus E-410 Review by Lawrence Ripsher

According to the analysis of user trend in Japan for the most popular camera sales ranking from 5/7 to 5/13. The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-TZ3 took the number one spot. 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.

The number 2 ranking is the same as last time, 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.

The number 3 ranking is Olympus Camedia SP-550UZ camera, a digital camera with 18X optical zoom (28-504mm equiv.), a 7 Megapixel CCD sensor, 5.6x digital zoom, a 2.5-inch LCD display, ISO up to 5000 and anti-shake protection.

Interestingly, the only DSLR camera that made it to the top 10 is Nikon D200, at number 10 ranking. Here’s the top 10 ranking 5/7 - 5/13:

1. Panasonic LUMIX DMC-TZ3
2. Canon IXY DIGITAL 900IS
3. Olympus CAMEDIA SP-550UZ
4. Ricoh GR DIGITAL
5. Olympus μ770SW
6. FUji FinePix F31fd
7. Nikon COOLPIX P5000
8. Kodak EasyShare V705
9. Ricoh Caplio GX100
10. Nikon D200

Website : Japan Most Popular Camera Ranking - May 7 to May 13

E-410 is a 10-megapixel digital SLR packed into a remarkably slim body, selling for an impressively low price ($700 for body only, $800 for one lens, $900 including two lenses). The value proposition increases when you consider it includes Live View—the ability to get a video preview of your shot on the main LCD, á la point-and-shoot cameras. Here’s summary review from Gizdomo:

“My biggest complaint about the E-410 is that, using the Zuiko 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 lens that comes in the two-lens deluxe kit, I didn’t have a very good time shooting in low light without a flash. Automatic shutter-speed adjustment meant a slow, blurry exposure, even in ambient light that many point-and-shoots can negotiate. The Nikon D40, by comparison, performs admirably well in low light with its 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 Nikkor lens.

I know, you want me to tell you whether you should spend your hard-earned $800 on this for your mom’s Mother’s Day gift. If relative size and the Live View feature are important to Mommy dearest, then yes. Otherwise, spend a tad more on the slightly larger, better performing Nikon D40x. – Wilson Rothman”

Website :  Olympus Evolt E-410 Unboxed and Well Fondled

“There has never been a better time to buy a digital SLR as figures show the average price falling by over £100 in the past year.

In the first three months of 2007, the average selling price of a DSLR (body only) was £466, compared to £567 in the same period in 2006, according to figures released by market analysts at GfK.

That equates to a fall of around 18% in 12 months and 35% since the summer of 2005 when the average DSLR price stood at around £715 – around £250 more than now. However, the news prompted GfK to warn the UK industry: ‘We have seen volume sales grow quite significantly over the last six months but this, of course, cannot go on indefinitely and a decline in volume will likely be followed by a value decline.’

The value of the overall digital imaging market in Britain dropped by 8% in the first three months of the year, compared to the same quarter last year, despite the number of digital cameras sold rising by 3%. “

Website : Digital SLR prices tumble

Website : DSLR Camera for only $299?