There have been a few rumours about this recently, it was about time for Canon to update their entry level model with the new Digic III processor and the Live View technology they have put into their other cameras like the 1D MKIII and the EOS 40D.

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

Ah finally a proper review of the long awaited mid range Sony dSLR the A700!

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

Finally a real replacement for the F31d, one of my favourite compact cameras! And at last Fuji is starting to put real CCD shift image stabilizers in their cameras.

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.