Digital Camera Magazine: Your Guide to Digital Imaging and Photography
Was I really going to use my iPhone as my main camera on a once-in-a-lifetime Scotland trip? I did. (by Carol Cotton)
Two weeks of touring Scotland. Two weeks of touring magical lands that until now had only been visions in my dreams. Two weeks living out of a suitcase. Two weeks of lugging gear from the tour bus to hotel rooms day after day. This meant packing light! Being a photographer, lugging along a big second bag full of cameras, lenses, batteries, chargers, tripods, and assorted gear is normal. But this trip would be different. I vowed to spend 14 days taking pictures and videos using only my iPhone.
See iPhone Goes to Scotland
COLUMN: Leo Heppner’s Photo Gadgetry
Photo gadgetry at the PhotoPlus Expo in New York
After a 5-year hiatus, Leo Heppner’s “Photo Gadgetry” column is back at Digital Camera! Leo promises to report on the latest and the greatest products ranging from simple lens caps to super-telephoto lenses, or from memory cards to the latest software every month! In his first new-era column, he reports on the coolest photo gadgetry at the PhotoPlus Expo in New York.
See Leo Heppner’s Photo Gadgetry
TRAVEL FEATURE: Lake Tahoe
Is Lake Tahoe still clear?
Lake Tahoe, nestled in the snow-capped mountains of the Sierra Nevedas, has a reputation as one of the clearest, bluest lakes in the world. To find out, we went up to Lake Tahoe for some scuba diving. Over the years our friends at ScubaDiverInfo.com reported on the ins and outs of high altitude diving in great detail, and so we won’t go into that again. This time, we wondered whether Lake Tahoe, 6,230 feet above sea level, was still as clear as it used to be.
read more…
Full OVERVIEW: The GoPro Hero3 platform
Good news for surfers, racers, divers, and just about everyone else
GoPro released the Hero3 with a slimmer, lighter body, integrated WiFi, a better lens, better audio and numerous other improvements. The Hero3 has a new flat-lens housing that’s compatible with all older mounting hardware. The Hero3 comes in three very different editions (white (US$199), silver (US$299), and black (US$399), so there’s now a GoPro camera for everyone.
Read full illustrated preview and specs of the GoPro Hero3.
TRAVEL FEATURE: Cancun
When it rains on a vacation trip…
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Vacations are expensive, and dive trips especially so, and you want to get in as much precious sightseeing, picture-taking and adventure as possible. You can’t wait to see the whale sharks and get the next 10 or 20 dives under your belt. But when you get there…. it rains.
Read of the Digital Camera Magazine team’s latest adventures
FULL REVIEW: SeaLife SL975 Fisheye Wide Angle Lens
Seeing more underwater
SeaLife’s SL975 Fisheye Wide Angle Lens (US$299) snaps onto any SeaLife DC-Series housing. Our pals at ScubaDiverInfo.com tested the lens during a recent scuba product review expedition in Honduras and came away impressed. Used with our review SeaLife DC1400 rig, the SL975 lens provided roughly 16mm wide angle, making spectacular shots possible. See our analysis of the SL975 and the kind of underwater images we shot with it.
See SeaLife Fisheye Wide Angle Lens review and image gallery
DETAILED PREVIEW: Nikon Coolpix AW100
Nikon’s first underwater camera since the Nikonos
The Coolpix AW100 represents Nikon’s first underwater camera since the fabled Nikonos ceased production back in 2001. A sleek, elegant 16-megapixel camera, the AW100 has a 33-foot depth rating, can handle 5-foot drops, is freeze and dustproof, can do 1080p HD video at full 30fps speed, has a bright 3-inch display, and includes powerful GPS capabilities. ScubaDiverInfo.com tested the US$349 Coolpix AW100 on intense dive trips in the Sea of Cortez and off Isla Mujeres.
Read full illustrated preview and specs of the Nikon Coolpix AW100.
DETAILED PREVIEW: Pentax WG-2
Is the 16MP/1080p Pentax WG-2 the toughest of them all?
The Pentax Optio WG-2 represents Pentax’s 13th generation of tough, waterproof cameras, and the maturity shows. Sporting a unique design, the 16-megapixel Optio WG-2 has a 40-foot depth rating, can handle 5-foot drops, is freeze and crushproof, can do 1080p HD video at full 30fps speed, has a wide-format 3-inch display, and is chuck-full of features and tricks. ScubaDiverInfo.com tested the US$349 Optio WG-2 on a week of diving and exploring in the Sea of Cortez.
Read full illustrated preview and specs of the Pentax WG-2.
DETAILED REVIEW:
Canon PowerShot D20
Finally: Canon’s second outdoor camera. Was it worth the wait?
Three years ago, Canon introduced its first waterproof compact, the PowerShot D10. It was a good camera, but had a few areas that needed improvement. Canon listened and fixed everything with the PowerShot D20, introduced this year. It’s a US$349 12-megapixel camera that is waterproof to 33 feet can handle 5-foot drops, temperature extremes, and can also shoot 1080p HD video. There’s a terrific 3-inch screen, good battery life, and logical controls. ScubaDiverInfo.com tested the PowerShot D20 on a week of diving and exploring in the Sea of Cortez.
Read full illustrated review and specs of the
Canon PowerShot D20.
RESOURCE: ScubaDiverInfo.com’s video page
Wanna see what underwater video can do?
Whenever we test underwater video cameras and still cameras that can do video (which is most by now), we compile and publish videos shot with those cameras. We usually upload them to YouTube for viewing there, but have now added our own video pages from where you can see most of the videos, sorted by camera.
See ScubaDiverInfo’s Video Page.
REVIEW: Fujifilm XP200
Fujifilm introduces rugged freezeproof XP200 camera with wireless, 1080p/60 video and 50 foot depth rating
With the 16-megapixel FinePix XP200, Fujifilm adds a most impressive offering to the rugged/waterproof camera space. Its 50-foot depth rating makes the camera truly useful for many dives, and is a definite and much appreciated step up from the 33 feet that was the maximum for these types of cameras for several years. And it’s freezeproof as well and can handle drops from more than six feet. Add to that 5X optical zoom, 1080p HD video at 60 frames per second, and the ability to wirelessly view and transfer pictures, all for a MSRP of US$299.
See See description, analysis and specs of the Fujifilm FinePix XP200.
FULL REVIEW: Panasonic Lumix TS20
At less than half the cost of a top-of-the-line ruggedized camera, this Lumix may be a great bargain, or fall short
For about half the cost of one of the top-of-the-line waterproof compacts, you can get the 16mp Panasonic Lumix TS20. It, too, can handle big drops, dust and icy water, but the depth limit is 16 feet, about half that of the more expensive waterproof cameras. And there are fewer features and no GPS. We gave the Lumix TS20 a good workout around and in the water. Are you saving money with this camera? Or will you regret not spending a bit more?
See full review of the Panasonic Lumix TS20
TRAVEL FEATURE: Florida
A few days of diving in Florida, and logistics
One thing that’s different about a week of meandering from dive spot to dive spot is logistics. When you fly somewhere and stay at a resort or liveaboard, you get to park your gear and be done with it. Not so when you move from place to place. Here’s how the ScubaDiverInfo.com team spent a few days of driving and diving and exploring in Northern Florida….
Read illustrated blog.
FULL REVIEW:
GoPro Hero2
And how much better is the GoPro Hero2
No sooner did we publish a big feature on GoPro and its tiny Hero high definition camera that’s taken the world by storm than GoPro released the Hero2. Is the new Hero really twice as fast and twice as sharp, as GoPro claims? And have some of the issues we had with the original Hero been fixed? We gave the tough little Hero2 a full workout, both above and under water.
Read full illustrated review and specs of the
GoPro Hero2.
FULL REVIEW:
GoPro Hero
The GoPro phenomenon: what the world-beating little 1080p vidcam can (and cannot) do
When we first got a GoPro, I was quite impressed with the small size of the camera (2.3 x 1.6 x 1.2 inches — about the size of a matchbox) and certainly with all the included mounting hardware, but the GoPro didn’t seem particularly elegant or high-tech. So, of course, I had to research this whole thing in more detail. The result is this rather lengthy report, and several dive trips that took us thousands of miles from home, and several hundred miles offshore.
Read full illustrated review and specs of the
GoPro Hero.
MILESTONEW:
Olympus E-PL1 with PT-EP01 Underwater Housing
Olympus reinvents the compact camera and offers an unbeatable combo to underwater photographers
In this review we’re looking at the US$599 Olympus E-PL1 camera and the optional PR-EP01 underwater housing that’ll set you back an additional US$599. That’s a lot by point & shoot camera standards, but not very much by digital SLR standards where a housing alone can cost you thousands. The pictures below are misleading because they make the camera look like a standard point & shoot, which it is not. Instead, the E-PL1 is an early representative of what’s for now, and for lack of a better term, is clumsily named a “mirrorless interchangeable lens camera,” or MILC, a moniker even Wikipedia quickly disqualifies as “terminology not yet standardized.” Instead, they call it a “micro,” a term that likely won’t stick either. So what is the EP01, and why do we think it’s so relevant?
Read full illustrated review and specs of the
Olympus E-PL1.
FULL REVIEW:
Panasonic Lumix TS2
Finally: Panasonic’s shockproof and dustproof 14-megapixel 720p video Lumix now waterproof to 33 feet
The Lumix TS2 is Panasonic’s follow-up on their first waterproof and ruggedized camera, the Lumix TS1. While the new model looks almost identical to the one it replaces, there are some subtle and not so subtle improvements that are certain to elevate Panasonic’s standing among manufacturers of waterproof and ruggedized compact cameras. The biggest news for divers is that the new model can now handle depths up to 33 feet, addressing the 10-feet rating that limited the TS1 to just snorkeling. Resolution has been bumped to a full 14.1 megapixel, the camera is more rugged yet, and you can still shoot glorious high definition video to play back on HDTV flatscreens.
Read full illustrated review and specs of the
Panasonic Lumix TS2.
FULL REVIEW:
Canon PowerShot D10 at Thunderdome
We’re giving Canon’s first waterproof, freeze proof and shockproof digital camera a hefty workout!
The PowerShot D10 is Canon’s first entry into the waterproof/rugged camera space where it joins offerings from the likes of Olympus, Pentax, Fuji, Panasonic and a number of specialty manufacturers. The somewhat playfully styled camera is is a bit on the bulky side, but is also well equipped to handle most of the abuse it may encounter outdoors. It can be used in freezing weather (down to 14 degrees Fahrenheit), it is dust and waterproof, and it can handle being dropped from up to four feet. Editors at the Digital Camera Magazine sister site ScubaDiverInfo.com gave the D10 a good underwater workout and illustrated this review with numerous stunning underwater pictures. The list price is US$329.
Read full illustrated review and specs of the
Canon PowerShot D10.
FULL DESCRIPTION:
Casio Exilim EX-G1
Casio unveils world’s slimmest waterproof, dustproof and shock-resistant camera
Given that Casio has been selling tough and rugged G-SHOCK watches for over a quarter of a century, one might wonder what took the company so long to enter the increasingly lucrative water/shock/dust/crush-proof segment of the digital camera market currently dominated by the likes of Olympus, Pentax, Canon and Panasonic. Whatever Casio’s reasons were, Casio now has a tough waterproof camera of its own, the new 12.1-megapixel Exilim EX-G1
Read full illustrated review and specs of the
Casio Exilim EX-G1.
FULL REVIEW:
Panasonic Lumix TS1
Panasonic offers a waterproof, shockproof and dustproof 12-megapixel digital camera that also records 720p high-definition video
After years of building Toughbook computers, Panasonic has entered the waterproof/shockproof/dustproof camera market with the 12.1-megapixel TS1, available in silver, green or orange. The camera has a terrific folding 28-128mm equivalent zoom, can do 720p high definition video, has a very bright and vibrant 2.7-inch LCD display that is large enough and can be seen from any angle, and excels in picture quality. Max depth is limited to 10 feet though and the TS1 is pricey.
Read full review and specs of the
Panasonic Lumix TS1.
MILESTONES:
Pure Digital Flip UltraHD
“Everyday camcorder” now with larger screen, high definition video, 8G storage, and HDMI interface
Inexpensive high definition video is here, and it is simpler than ever thanks to the new Flip UltraHD camcorder from Pure Digital. The pocket-size UltraHD has a larger 2-inch display, records in 1280 x 720 pixel 720p high definition format, and can now connect to HDTVs directly via an HDMI cable. 8GB of internal memory allow for a full two hours of recording. A rechargeable battery lasts about 2-1/2 hours. Add to that the onboard FlipShare software, and you have an absolutely unbeatable US$199.95 package.
Read full review and specs of the
Pure Digital Flip UltraHD.
MILESTONES:
Olympus E-620
Advanced entry-level 12.3-megapixel dSLR with swivel LCD and a wealth of fun features
The US$699 12.3 megapixel Olympus Stylus E-620 dSLR was introduced in February of 2009. It is representative of the digital imaging industry’s effort to make digital SLR cameras smaller, lighter and more advanced while at the same time adding the kinds of entertaining and useful features and functions that up to now have primarily been available in consumer point-and-shoot cameras. Consider it an advanced entry-level digital SLR with more than adquate resolution and some very nice features, among them the swivel LCD, the 7-point autofocus and the multiple aspect ratio shooting.
Read full description and specs of the
Olympus E-620.
FULL DESCRIPTION:
Fujifilm FinePix Z33WP
Fuji, too, launches a waterproof point-and-shooter
Everyone seems to be getting into waterproof cameras! The very small 10-megapixel FinePix Z33WP, available in four bright colors, is Fujifilm’s entry, joining Olympus, Pentax, Panasonic, Canon and a number of specialty manufacturers. The camera’s maximum depth rating of ten feet makes it suitable only for very shallow dives, but it’s great for snorkeling and other activities in and around the water. The Z33PW has a large and bright 2.7-inch LCD display, a 3x optical zoom, digital anti blur, and some fun features and functions. If the 10-foot depth limit or lack of ruggedness doesn’t cramp your style, the list price of US$199 makes this new Fuji a fun and very affordable choice among waterproof cameras.
Read full description and specs of the
Fujifilm FinePix Z33WP.
FULL DESCRIPTION:
Canon PowerShot D10
Canon’s first waterproof (33 feet), freeze proof and shockproof camera
The 12-megapixel PowerShot D10 is Canon’s first entry into the waterproof/rugged space. The camera is fairly large and heavy, but well equipped to handle most of the abuse it may encounter outdoors. It is dust and waterproof, and it can handle being dropped from up to four feet. Divers can take it down to 33 feet of depth, enough for many scuba adventures. The camera’s controls are large and arranged so you can operate it with a glove. Optical lens stabilization reduces blur. Thanks to Canon’s DIGIC 4 processor, the camera offers speedy operation, onboard image correction, and advanced face recognition modes. The list price is US$329.
Read full description and specs of the
Canon PowerShot D10.
FULL REVIEW:
Bonica Snapper HDDV
High definition underwater (and above) video camcorder system at a low price
Bonica offers a modular underwater high-definition video camera system that can record 1280 x 720 pixel video at up to 30 frames per second for very good 720p playback on a HDTV. A soft inner housing can be used for snorkeling and guards against flooding if the camera is used in its hard acrylic deepwater (180 feet) housing. Optional single or dual video lights have 30, 40 and 60 watt settings and can be easily adjusted via ball joints. The setup is very easy to use and can yield amazingly good video as well as decent still shots from its 5-megapixel CMOS imager. The inexpensive camera records on standard SD cards and needs about 2GB for each hour of video.
Read full review of the
Bonica Snapper HDDV high-definition underwater camcorder system.
DESCRIPTION:
Olympus Stylus Tough-8000
Tough, waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof flagship camera now with 12 megapixel, dual image stabilization
As part of its Winter 2009 lineup, Olympus introduced the 12-megapixel Stylus Tough-8000 as the new flagship of its renamed line of shockproof, freezeproof, crushproof, dustproof and waterproof (up to 33 feet) cameras. This is a camera you can truly take, and use, anywhere. Available in Black, silver and blue.
Read description and specs of the
Olympus Stylus Tough-8000.
DESCRIPTION:
Olympus Stylus Tough-6000
Tough, waterproof, freezeproof camera now with 10 megapixel, tap control, dual image stabilization
Like last year, Olympus offers cameras that are waterproof to 33 feet and thus suitable for diving, and others that are waterproof to 10 feet, but otherwise almost as tough. For 2009, the 10-foot slot is filled with the new Stylus Tough-6000, a modern 10-megapixel camera with an internal 3.6X optical zoom that starts wide, a terrific 2.7-inch LCD, dual image stabilization and a whole bag of features and tricks.
Read description and specs of
Olympus Stylus Tough-6000.
MILESTONES:
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom
Adobe creates a comprehensive digital image workflow suite
for professional and serious amateur photographers
In the olden days, the number of pictures we took was somewhat limited by the cost of film and making prints. Digital cameras eliminated that limitation as we can store hundreds of pictures on a small memory card and tens of thousands on a hard disk. How can anyone keep track of it all? Enter Adobe Photoshop Lightroom. It’s a tool for professional and serious amateur photographers to simplify photography from shoot to finish, and a whole lot more.
Read review of
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2.0.
MILESTONES:
Olympus Stylus 1030 SW
The perfect all-around camera for outdoors: 10 megapixel, shockproof, freezeproof and waterproof to 33 feet
The Stylus 1030 SW is the camera a lot of divers and outdoor lovers have been waiting for. It brings 10-megapixel resolution to scuba diving without the need of an underwater case. It’s also the most rugged Olympus Stylus camera yet, being able to survive huge drops from almost seven feet and freezing temperatures. We tested the 1030 SW during a week of diving on Roatan island, Honduras.
Read review of
the Olympus Stylus 1030 SW.
MILESTONES:
Nikon Coolpix S710
Advanced 14.5 megapixel Coolpix pushes the limits
Nikon introduced the Coolpix S710 as part of its Fall 2008 lineup. With this camera Nikon pushes the resolution limit available in inexpensive consumer cameras even farther. You now get 14.5 megapixel, a number almost unimaginable just a few years ago. Compared to the 12.1 megapixel Coolpix S700 it replaces, the S710 offers a bit more in almost every respect: You get a 3.6X zoom instead of just a standard 3X. The display has grown to 3.0 inches. As far as sensitivity goes, the S710 can go up to an insanely high ISO 12,800. And the S710 offers Program, Aperture, Shutter, and Manual exposure modes in addition to the usual scene modes. Add to that the latest tricks and features and the US$379 S710 is a compelling buy.
Read review of
the Nikon Coolpix S710.
MILESTONES:
Nikon Coolpix S60
3.5-inch touch screen and 5X optical zoom
Ever since the Apple iPhone hit the market, touch screens have made a comeback. Nikon joins the party with the new 10-megapixel Coolpix that has a terrific high-res 3.5-inch touch screen that replaces all the hardware controls. The Coolpix S60, which comes in five eye-catching colors, has an internal 5X folding optical zoom to bring things close. There is optical lens-shift image stabilization to reduce blur, and you can shoot at up to 3200 ISO. Like most new cameras, the US$349 S60 includes a wealth of in-camera goodies and technologies.
Read review of
the Nikon Coolpix S60.
DESCRIPTION:
Casio Exilim Z150
The thinnest camera with 4X wide-angle zoom
If you’re not spoiled enough to automatically pass on a new camera with a mere 8-megapixel resolution, the Exilim Z150 from Casio has a lot to offer. It is an elegant little shooter that comes in five colors (silver, black, red, pink and green), has a very useful 4X wide angle zoom, a large and terrific 3-inch LCD display, CCD-shift anti-shake, and it comes with a list price of just US$199 — a total bargain. Read description and specs of the Casio Exilim Z150 with 3-inch display and 4X wide zoom.
Read review of
the Casio Exilim Z150.
DESCRIPTION:
Pentax Optio W60
Waterproof Optio now shoots deeper and at colder temperatures
There are times when you don’t want to have to worry about getting your camera wet or dirty. Pentax designed the 10-megapixel Optio W60 with that in mind. It’s a tough but elegant camera with a fully internal 5X zoom that starts out wide and still gets you closer than 3X zoom models. The 2.5-inch display is sharp and very readable from all directions. The camera can record 1280 x 720 pixel movies. Best of all, the US$329 Optio W60 can handle up to 13 feet of water and you can use it even in freezing temperatures down to 14 degrees Fahrenheit.
Read review of
the Pentax Optio W60.
MILESTONES:
Olympus Stylus 850 SW and 1030 SW
Two new tough and rugged Olympus Stylus models
Olympus introduced two new cameras in its SW (Shock & Waterproof) series. The US$299 Stylus 850 SW is a 8-megapixel camera that’s waterproof to ten feet, can survive drops of five feet, and freezing temperatures. It’s designed for all sorts of outoors activities including skiing and snorkeling. The US$399 10-megapixel Stylus 1030 SW is tougher yet. You can go diving with it, down to 33 feet (and probably more), drop it from almost seven feet, subject it to extreme temperatures, dust, sand, whatever. It also has a terrific hi-res 2.7-inch LCD and a 3.6X 28-102mm optical zoom that enables wide angle photography.
Read review of
the Olympus Stylus 850 SW and the Olympus Stylus 1030 SW.
MILESTONES:
Casio Exilim Pro EX-F1
Superfast burst mode and movies in 12X zoom
Casio’s corporate slogan is “Expect the Unexpected,” but even so, few would have expected the Pro EX-F1 from the company famous for its attractive little ultra-slim cameras. What is the EX-F1? A fairly large 6-megapixel camera with a 12X optical zoom and, according to Casio, the world’s fastest burst shooting performance. How fast? Up to 60 frames per second in full resolution burst mode, and up to 1,200 frames per second in high-speed movies! And also 1920 x 1080 stereo movies at 60 frames per second.
Read review of
the Casio Exilim Pro EX-F1.
MILESTONES:
Eye-Fi wireless 2GB SD Card
Brings WiFi to all cameras!
There are cameras with built-in WiFi, but wouldn’t it be nice to be able to add wireless to any digital camera? You can do that with the amazing Eye-Fi card that combines 802.11b/g wireless with a nice 2GB of storage capacity. The bright-orange card looks just like a standard SD card and fits into any camera that uses the SD card format. The software loads automatically, has a browser-based interface, and you can upload to your PC or Mac and/or almost 20 photo sharing sites. How much does it cost? US$99.99 retail.
Read full review of
the Eye-Fi 2GB wireless SD Card.
