Nikon D3200 hands-on preview with test samples

Preview based on a production Nikon D3200Nikon has updated its entry-level DSLR offering with the addition of a 24MP CMOS sensor. This makes it equal to Sony's A65, A77 and NEX-7 in offering the highest pixel count we've yet seen at the APS-C sensor size, and second only to the full-frame professional-grade D800 in Nikon's entire range. The significant thing, though, is that it does so at a starting price of $699 (the same launch price as the D3100 and Panasonic DMC G3, for comparison). It may not be revolutionary, but it promises a lot of camera for a competitive amount of money.Pixel-count aside, the changes from the D3100 are subtle but, with...

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In-depth Review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20/TZ30

Just published: Jeff Keller's in-depth review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 (TZ30 outside the US). The ZS20 is the slimmest 20x zoom camera on the market, with a lens covering a 24-480mm equivalent range and featuring the company's latest Power O.I.S stabilization. The 14MP high-speed MOS sensor allows the ZS20 to autofocus in as little as 0.1 seconds, and shoot at up to 10 frames per second (5fps with AF-tracking). It also has GPS and an updated mapping function to show photos on a map with greater detail. The ZS20 can capture 1080p60 movies in AVCHD or, in an interesting step for one of the creators of AVCHD, it can shoot 1080p30 in MP4 format.This...

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Adobe launches Photoshop Lightroom 4.1 Release Candidate 2

Adobe has released a second Release Candidate version of Lightroom 4.1, its Raw conversion and asset management software. The latest version adds support for 13 additional cameras, including the Nikon D3200, Olympus E-M5, Pentax K-01, Ricoh GXR A16 24-85mm and the three latest Samsung NXs. Interestingly, it also adds an improved 'defringe' option to reduce axial chromatic aberrations.The latest release candidate includes a series of bug fixes, that are detailed on Adobe's blog site, in addition to support for 16, 24 and 32-bit HDR TIFF files.The most interesting update, from our perspective, is the improved ability to remove the purple and green...

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Canon offers EOS 5D Mark III firmware v1.1.2

Canon has made the latest firmware (v1.1.2) for the EOS 5D Mark III available from its customer support websites. The update fixes a number of small bugs and adds compatibility with the GP-E2 GPS receiver. The file can be downloaded from your region's Canon support website.Click here for the download link at Canon ...

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Fujifilm provides modified-sensor X10 to address white-orb issue

We've just received an updated Fujifilm X10 featuring the revised, orb-resistant sensor, announced in March. We've rushed it straight into our studio to see how it performed, alongside the existing X10 we had been putting through our review process. We'll be doing more in-depth testing, to check whether the changes Fujifilm have made have had any other impact on image quality but, given the interest surrounding the issue, we thought we'd show our preliminary results. (Updated with image quality comparison)Jump to:'White Orb' testImage quality comparison'White Orb' testHere we've used a directed light source to show the large white discs, or orbs,...

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Nikon recalls batch of 1 V1, D7000, D800 and D800E batteries

This is an important announcement regarding the EN-EL15 battery which is used in the Nikon D7000, D800, D800E and Nikon 1 V1 cameras.While Nikon takes great measures to assure high quality products, it has come to our attention that a certain number of EN-EL15 batteries manufactured by one of our suppliers did not meet Nikon’s internal quality standards. In extremely rare cases, this may cause the battery to overheat and the exterior casing to become deformed. Batteries exhibiting this problem have only been confirmed in the Nikon manufacturing process. We have received no reports of this problem from the market. Therefore, in order to ensure...

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Just Posted: Nikon D3200 preview samples gallery

We've prepared a samples gallery using the D3200 - Nikon's latest entry-level DSLR. While many of the features are familiar from the D3100, the latest model incorporates a 24MP sensor, so we thought we'd see what the pictures look like. Given the kind of user it's aimed at, we decided to see what the D3200 could do using the 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 VR kit lens, at a various of ISO settings and in different lighting conditions.There's no Raw support for the D3200 yet, so all these images were shot with the camera's default JPEG settings (which has noise reduction and Active D-lighting on). The last nine images are JPEGs re-processed in camera, using...

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Fujifilm issues firmware for X-Pro1 and XF lenses to silence chatter

Fujifilm has updated the firmware of its X-Pro1 high-end mirrorless camera and the three X-mount lenses that go with it. The updates make a series of changes, including a promise to reduce the aperture 'chattering' that has been common when using the camera. It also adds parallax-correction of frame lines to the optical viewfinder in manual focus mode, along with a series of bug fixes.First impressions:Out initial tests of the latest firmware show that, while the aperture continues to constantly adjust when the camera is switched on, the lenses no longer make an obvious chattering noise when doing so.The addition of parallax correction to manual...

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Dpreview launches redesigned and improved on-site search (beta)

We've just launched a redesigned and improved on-site search feature. The search system, currently in beta, is designed to give more relevant results from all of dpreview's editorial and forums content. We've also redesigned the way results are presented, to make it easier to get to the information you wanted. We're looking for user feedback during the beta process to help fine-tune the system and how the results are provided, so there's a 'Feedback' link at the top of every results page, to let you report back to us.The rejuvenated search system is powered by Amazon's CloudSearch system, and should be more predictable and consistent than our...

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Extreme contrast edits in Lightroom 4 and ACR 7

With the launch of Lightroom 4, Adobe formally introduced a new version of the raw processing engine that powers both Lightroom and Photoshop's Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) 7 plug-in. Known as Process Version (PV) 2012, it represents quite a radical shake up in the way you can now process your Raw (and non-Raw) images.The new PV 2012 controls offer the ability to create an HDR-ike tonal range from a single image capture.Adobe has offered several reasons for this change. With earlier process versions - PV 2003 and PV 2010 - there was a degree of overlap between some of the Basic panel tone controls, not to mention confusion among users as to the most...

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Adobe announces Photoshop CS6 and CS6 Extended

London, UK — April 23, 2012 — Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced Adobe® Photoshop® CS6 and Photoshop CS6 Extended software, major releases of the undisputed standard for professional digital imaging. Packed with new features and enhancements, the software includes groundbreaking innovations and unparalleled performance breakthroughs that expand the frontiers of imaging science, and deliver new levels of creativity and increased efficiency. Photoshop CS6 Extended integrates the state-of-the-art editing, compositing, and graphic design capabilities of Photoshop CS6, as well as advanced tools for 3D design*, image and video...

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Mamiya Leaf announce Leaf Credo 80MP, 60MP and 40MP digital backs

New Hardware Design with Blazing Performance SpeedTEL AVIV, April 23, 2012– Mamiya Leaf, a leading provider of medium format camera equipment, today introduced a newly designed medium format digital camera back platform -- the Leaf Credo. Available in three different models, the Leaf Credo 80, Credo 60, and Credo 40 digital camera backs feature high-quality resolutions of 80, 60 and 40 megapixels respectively.Key platform features include:A large, high resolution (1.15 megapixel), multi-touch screen with excellent rendition of 16 million colors for quick and easy verification of focus and tonal accuracy;Fast, new dual-core microprocessor enables...

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CameraBag 2

A stalwart in the photo category of the iOS App Store for a while, CameraBag from Nevercenter has been popular with lo-fi photo fans for years, thanks to its simple interface and effective 'one shot' filters. A version for desktops, CameraBag 1 proved popular, but with CameraBag 2, Nevercenter has completely redesigned the app from the ground up. CameraBag 2 has proven a huge commercial success already, and after its release earlier this year the Mac version briefly became the highest-grossing non-Apple app in the Mac App Store. CameraBag 2 is intended to be an all-in-one editing tool with a plethora of vintage effects paired with what Nevercenter...

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645 PRO app for iPhone offers access to lossless camera output (but not Raw)

App developer Jag.gr has launched 645 PRO, a flexible photography and processing app that provides access to the lossless output of the iPhone's camera. The company grabs the processed camera output before the phone compresses it, and saves it as a TIFF file. These files, which it slightly optimistically calls 'Developed Raw,' can then be accessed via iTunes. The app also offers a series of features such as spot metering and exposure, focus and white balance lock, as well as a series of film simulation options and aspect ratio options, but it's the uncompressed output that is, as far as we are aware, unique.As well as uncompressed output, PRO...

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Dan Chung speaks to Canon's Chuck Westfall about 4K Cinema EOS cameras

DSLRnewsshooter's Dan Chung has been speaking to Canon USA Technical Advisor Chuck Westfall for more details about the company's 4K Cinema EOS offerings. Both the 500C and 1D C are skewed towards cinema and high-end television production, rather than documentary and news work, Westfall says, but hints that 'peaking' and 'zebra' focusing and exposure aids could be added to the 1D C if the market demands it.For those people still trying to work out why Canon is so interested in 4K video and who it thinks is going to be buying its kit, this nine-minute video is well worth watchi...

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Hands-on with Samsung NX20, heading refreshed lineup with NX210 and NX1000

Share life in perfect detail with the NX1000, NX20 and NX210 - the world’s first SMART compact system cameras with built-in Wi-Fi connectivityBEIJING, China – April 19, 2012 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies is breaking new ground with its award-winning NX series with three new compact system cameras (CSC) that pioneer built-in Wi-Fi connectivity: the NX1000, NX210 and NX20. Now professional quality images can be easily captured, shared and stored straight from your camera - wherever you are in the world. Introducing the NX1000, NX210 and NX20The innovative additions to Samsung’s...

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Wi-Fi and Samsung's 'Smart Camera Ecosystem

Today, Samsung has announced three new Wi-Fi-equipped NX models, all of which share the same 20MP CMOS sensor that was used in last year's NX200. Dpreview spent some time in Korea last month, and got some hands-on time with the new cameras as well as an exclusive opportunity to ask some senior executives about their vision for the future of the NX line, and for photography in general.The new NX lineup consists of three models - the NX20, which replaces the NX10, the NX210, which replaces last year's popular NX200, and an entirely new NX, the NX1000, which is aimed at beginner photographers and compact camera upgraders. As well as sharing the...

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Nikon updates entry-level DSLR with 24MP D3200 and optional WiFi

The Nikon D3200 Provides New D-SLR Shooters a Powerful Combination of Effortless Operation, 24.2-Megapixel High Resolution and Wireless Connectivity to Mobile DevicesMELVILLE, N.Y. (APRIL 19, 2012) – Today, imaging leader Nikon Inc. introduced the new 24.2-megapixel Nikon D3200 HD-SLR; a camera designed for photo enthusiasts ready to step up to a D-SLR or for the busy family memory keeper with an active lifestyle who demands a camera that can keep pace. From low-light to fast action, the D3200 delivers the amazing image quality Nikon is known for, either indoors or outside. Whether new to photography or upgrading from a point-and-shoot, the D3200...

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Nikon announces AF-S Nikkor 28mm F1.8 G full-frame wideangle prime

New NIKKOR Lens is the Latest Addition to Popular Series of FX-format f/1.8 Prime LensesMELVILLE, N.Y. (April 19, 2012) – Today, Nikon Inc. announced the wide-angle AF-S NIKKOR 28mm f/1.8G, a fixed focal length lens with a large maximum aperture to carry on the legacy of superior NIKKOR imaging technology for enthusiasts and professionals. With a large maximum aperture of f/1.8 and Nikon's exclusive Nano Crystal Coat to reduce ghost and flare, the 28mm FX-format lens offers stunning sharpness and versatility for both photos and HD video."This NIKKOR lens is the latest addition to the popular family of f/1.8 primes designed to give HD-SLR shooters...

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Olympus releases firmware v1.1 update for OM-D E-M5 Apr 18, 2012 a

Olympus has issued a firmware update for the OM-D E-M5, fixing a few minor issues. Operation with SDXC cards larger than 48Gb is now more stable and the display of the focal length for powerzoom lenses has been improved. The v1.1 update is available for installation immediately via the Olympus Digital Camera Updater.Click here to install the update via the Olympus Digital Camera Updater Olympus OM-D E-M5Add to: Login to add this item to your gear lists.Buy the Olympus OM-D E-M5 from AmazonOlympus OM-D E-M5 16MP Live MOS Interchangeable Lens Camera$1,299.00Olympus OM-D E-M5 16MP Live MOS Interchangeable Lens Camerawith 3.0-Inch Tilting OLED Touchscreen...

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2012 Pulitzer Prize photography winners announced

Columbia University has announced the 2012 Pulitzer Prize winners for photography. The prize for Breaking News Photography was awarded to Massoud Hossaini of Agence France-Presse for, 'his heartbreaking image of a girl crying in fear after a suicide bomber’s attack at a crowded shrine in Kabul.' The winner in the Feature Photography category is Craig F. Walker of The Denver Post, 'for his compassionate chronicle of an honorably discharged veteran, home from Iraq and struggling with a severe case of post-traumatic stress.' The annual awards include a cash prize of US$10,000. Information on this year's awards and the winning photographs can be...

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Corel releases Service Pack 1.0.1 for AfterShot Pro

Corel has announced Service Pack 1.0.1 for AfterShot Pro, the company's photo management, editing and raw processing solution. With this update Corel has added bug fixes, support for 20 new cameras and enhancements such as improved highlight recovery processing and a couple of new plugins.Press Statement:Corel Aftershot Pro users can download the Service Pack from Corel's support site.The update includes the following enhancements, bug fixes and support for new cameras:EnhancementsImproved Highlight Recovery processingTwo new plugins: Equalizer, for added color correction, and Nostalgia, for black-and-white and color film simulationIncreased...

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Blackmagic Designs announces Blackmagic Cinema Camera

NAB 2012, Las Vegas, USA - April 16, 2012 - Blackmagic Design today announced Blackmagic Cinema Camera, a revolutionary digital cinema camera design that includes powerful features such as super wide 13 stops of dynamic range, high resolution 2.5K sensor, built in high bandwidth SSD recorder, open file format support, color correction with full version of DaVinci Resolve and a built in LCD with metadata entry, all in an attractive compact design for only US$2,995.Blackmagic Cinema Camera will be demonstrated on the Blackmagic Design NAB 2012 booth at #SL220.Many current generation video cameras suffer from a "video look" due to a limited contrast...

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