It’s been a while since the Nikon D60 came out so the market is perhaps ripe for a newer slightly higher spec model.

Nikon D5000 Key Features

• 12.9 megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor (effective pixels: 12.3 million)
• 2.7″ tilt and swivel LCD monitor (230,000 dots)
• Movie capture at up to 1280 x 720 (720p) 24 fps with mono sound
• Live View with contrast-detect AF, face detection and subject tracking
• Image sensor cleaning (sensor shake)
• 11 AF points (with 3D tracking)
• IS0 200-3200 range (100-6400 expanded)
• 4 frames per second continuous shooting (buffer: 7 RAW, 25 JPEG fine, 100 JPEG Normal)
• Expeed image processing engine
• Extensive in-camera retouching including raw development and straightening
• Connector for optional GPS unit (fits on hot shoe)
• New battery with increased capacity
• 72 thumbnail and calendar view in playback

There are some interesting design choices, personally I’m not sure if I’d prefer a bigger higher spec screen – or this tilting kind the D5000 has and is generally seen on consumer cameras.

Quite a lot of the D90 features have been put into this camera though making it a formidable piece of kit.

Nikon D5000 vs D60: Key Differences

• 12.3 MP CMOS sensor (D60: 10.2 MP CCD)
• Tilt/swivel screen
• Live View with contrast detect AF
• Wider ISO range
• 11 point AF system with 3D tracking (D60: 3 point AF)
• Control of Active D-Lighting intensity
• Automatic correction of lateral chromatic aberration
• Choice of JPEG quality in RAW+JPEG shooting
• Faster continuous shooting
• Bracketing

I’m glad to see the inclusion of bracketing too for all the HDR freaks.

Preview is available here:

Nikon D5000 Hands-on Preview

The new Super CCD EXR provides superior picture quality, enabling a “3-in-1” sensor combination of “Fine Capture Technology” (High Resolution), “Pixel Fusion Technology” (High Sensitivity & Low Noise), and “Dual Capture Technology” (Wide Dynamic Range). With an innovative color filter array and image processing technology, the EXR ensures an advanced reproduction in imaging with exceptionally balanced quality.

It basically drops to 6 megapixels for low light or expanded dynamic range, which is plenty enough resolution for the majority of people and the same resolution as the excellent F31fd.

More about the new EXR technology here.

Features

• Super CCD EXR 12 megapixel switchable sensor (6MP in low-light and dynamic range modes)
• 5x (28-140mm equiv.) wide-angle optical zoom lens
• Dual Image Stabilisation
• 3” clear view LCD screen
• High sensitivity modes (ISO 6400 at 6MP resolution & 12800 at 3MP resolution)
• Manual controls (including aperture and shutter priority)
• EXR Auto mode selects sensor and scene mode (Portrait, Night, Macro, Landscape. Night portrait & Backlit portrait)
• Film Simulation mode (Provia/Standard, Velvia/Vivid, ASTIA/Soft, Black & White, Sepia)

I’ll be looking forwards to testing this out as I really love the output and colours of the Fuji SuperCCD and with this new EXR technology (apparently the auto mode works very well) it could be a joy to use even in dim conditions.

I just hope the flash is more powerful and it’d a little more responsive than the F31fd. There should be some comprehensive reviews hitting the net soon so I’ll keep you updated.

More here: Fujifilm Finepix F200EXR

It’s a good looking camera, the updates are expected with one inclusion which I don’t think anyone thought would be coming in a Nikon dSLR – Video!

Nikon D90 Key Features

• 12.9 megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor (effective pixels: 12.3 million)
• 3.0-inch 920,000 pixel (VGA x 3 colors) TFT-LCD (same as D3 and D300)
• Live View with contrast-detect AF, face detection
• Image sensor cleaning (sensor shake)
• Illuminated focus points
• Movie capture at up to 1280 x 720 (720p) 24 fps with mono sound
• IS0 200-3200 range (100-6400 expanded)
• 4.5 frames per second continuous shooting (buffer: 7 RAW, 25 JPEG fine, 100 JPEG Normal)
• Expeed image processing engine
• 3D tracking AF (11 point)
• Short startup time, viewfinder blackout and shutter lag
• Slightly improved viewfinder (96% frame coverage)
• Extensive in-camera retouching including raw development and straightening
• Improved user interface
• New optional compact GPS unit (fits on hot shoe)
• Same battery and vertical grip as D80
• Vignetting control in-camera
• 72 thumbnail and calendar view in playback

It also comes along with a new 18-105mm VR kit lens which is a pretty nifty range, hopefully it’ll be sharper and optically better than the 18-200mm.

Just up next will be Nikon D3x or whatever they are going to call it with the 24 megapixel beast of a sensor!

Nikon are really pulling ahead in the race now.

After the superb Nikon D3, now comes the well specced Nikon D700 a full frame camera in a D300 body. This will be making all of those waiting for the elusive Canon 5D MKII cry.

It’s a great move by Nikon and gives a lot of pro shooters a backup body without having to carry another heavy D3, for wedding shoots and those who don’t need the rugged build and high-speed of the D3 this is the perfect choice.

With the excellent new FX lenses from Nikon as well they are really leading the market now.

• 12.1 megapixel full-frame sensor
• Image Sensor Cleaning (vibration)
• ISO 200 – 6400 (with boost up to ISO 25600 and down to ISO 100)
• Also supports DX lenses, viewfinder automatically masks (5.1 megapixels with DX lens)
• 14-bit A/D conversion, 12 channel readout
• New Kevlar / carbon fibre composite shutter with 150,000 exposure durability
• Multi-CAM3500FX Auto Focus sensor (51-point, 15 cross-type, more vertical coverage)
• 95% coverage, 0.72x magnification viewfinder
• Auto-focus calibration (fine-tuning), fixed body or up to 20 separate lens settings
• 5 frames per second continuous with auto-focus tracking
• Optional MB-D10 Battery Pack (same as D300), increases burst rate to 8 fps
• 3.0″ 922,000 pixel LCD monitor
• Live View with either phase detect (mirror up/down) or contrast detect Auto Focus
• Virtual horizon indicates if camera is level (like an aircraft cockpit display)
• ‘Active D-Lighting’ (adjusts metering as well as applying D-Lighting curve)
• Magnesium alloy body with connections and buttons sealed against moisture

It adds sensor cleaning and the horizon tilt in Live View over the D3.

You can find a full Preview of the Nikon D700 here:

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/nikond700/

Some hands on testing from Joe Mcnally here:

http://www.joemcnally.com/blog/2008/07/02/rollin-with-the-pride-of-midtown/

Some Extreme Weather shots from the D700 here:

http://www.jimreedphoto.com/gallery.html?gallery=New%20Nikon%20D700

And some official test shots from Nikon here:

http://imaging.nikon.com/products/imaging/lineup/digitalcamera/slr/d700/sample.htm

The latest rumour on the block is a mid-range FX sensor body, something like the Nikon D300 body with the same sensor as the Nikon D3! This would be a direct competitor to the Canon 5D and whatever replaces it (7D or 5D MKII).

• 12.1 megapixels
• 14 bit A/D conversion
• 16 bit image processing
• 51 focus points
• A single Compact Flash slot
• Tough magnesium body.
• Compatible with MB-D10 Battery Grip

The big question is, is it real and will it come out before the much talked about Canon 5D MKII, which should be coming out soon too.

And people are still wondering about the Nikon D90 (the D80 replacement).

According to the rumours the D700 should be priced at US $ 2999.

There will be two kits, body only for $800 and one with a starter 18-55mm lens for $900

• 12.2 megapixel CMOS sensor
• SD/SDHC cards
• Larger viewfinder
• Live view mode, including contrast-detect AF
• Improved 9-point AF system
• Spot metering
• 3.0″ LCD monitor
• Continuous shooting at 3.5fps for up to 53 JPEG (6 RAW)

Finally Canon’s entry level cameras has spot metering! Something that has been missing (and rather important) for quite some time.

It’s also Canon’s first camera to use only SD cards (Supports SDHC).

Read the full release here:

Canon EOS 450D / Rebel XSi brief hands-on

A strong entry into the market firmly placed up there with the Nikon D300 and the Canon EOS 40D. With some extras the others don’t have like Super Steadyshot and dual memory card slots.

Features

• 12.2 effective Megapixel Sony “Exmor” CMOS sensor with on-chip noise reduction
• Support for Minolta and Sony lenses that use the Alpha mount
• Super SteadyShot image stabilization system
• Rugged, weather resistant body
• Dust reduction system
• Ultra high resolution 3-inch LCD display
• 5 frame/second continuous shooting
• Fully adjustable Dynamic Range Optimizer; user can bracket for DRO as well
• 11-point center dual cross autofocus system
• Dual memory card slots (CF + MS Duo), with the former supporting UDMA cards
• HDMI output

The DRO is very interesting getting some HDR like effects at the maximum setting.

With their Alpha DSLR-A700, Sony has created a midrange digital SLR that keeps up with the “big boys”. The A700 offers an excellent mix of photo quality, performance, features, and build quality — not to mention support for legacy Minolta lenses. Yes, it’s lacking the live view feature of its competitors, but I don’t really miss it, to be honest. While I don’t see Canon and Nikon owners rushing to eBay to sell their gear to buy the A700, it’s a great D-SLR for those with a collection of Minolta lenses. I enjoyed my time with the DSLR-A700, and can recommend it without hesitation.

Read the full review here:

DCRP Review: Sony Alpha DSLR-A700

I’ve just recently bought a F31d as it’s a bargain now at around RM800.

As for the F50fd it does indeed have a lot to live up to.

The F50fd takes quite a jump from the F31fd’s six megapixels, it now has twelve megapixels…this worries me somewhat and it makes me wonder if it will be able to match the F31fd’s high ISO performance. The F50fd also features a mechanical CCD-shift image stabilization system, improved face detection, ISO 1600 at full image size and a 2.7″ LCD monitor. The F50fd should be available in September at around $300USD.

Digital photographers looking for a top-of-the line compact digital camera can now take advantage of the latest in Fujifilm’s F-Series digital cameras with the 12-Megapixel FinePix F50fd. Following a long line of award winning F-Series models, the FinePix F50fd, like the FinePix F31fd and F40fd before it, offers consumers a super-compact digital camera that takes beautiful shots with the most advanced features and technology available, so that missing great shots is not an option.

Combining a 12-MegaPixel, 7th Generation Super CCD with a 3.0x optical zoom and a 2.7″; high-resolution 230,000 pixel wide angle view LCD, the FinePix F50fd is a compact powerhouse that incorporates all the features users have come to expect from Fujifilm’s more advanced digital cameras. With the addition of Dual Image Stabilization, Face Detection 2.0 Technology with Automatic Red Eye Removal function, and ISO settings of up to ISO 6400, the F50fd takes compact digital cameras to the next level, arming users with a host of new features and enabling them to take pictures never before possible.