Finally a new king in the 1-D series from Canon and what a monster it is with 10fps and dual Digic processors.

What a beast!

It makes me really wonder what Nikon is going to come out with this year…D3x, D300? D3h?

Specifications

• World’s fastest AF DSLR with approximately 10 fps continuous shooting in One-Shot AF or AI Servo AF
• Maximum burst (JPEG Large, compression level approximately 110 shots; RAW, approximately 30 shots (based on Canon’s testing standards)
• Dual DIGIC III Image Processors for fine detail, natural color reproduction and high-speed performance
• ISO 100-3200 with ISO speed extension, L= 50, H = 6400
• Live View in camera and remote, wired and wireless
• New 45-point Area AF sensor with 19 high-precision, cross-type points (f/2.8 compatible), 26 standard-precision AssistAF points
• New AF point selection methods
• AF micro-adjustment (fine adjustment of AF point of focus)
• New methods of AF point expansion during manual AF point selection

• New 10.1-megapixel CMOSsensor, APS-H size
• Professional EOS Integrated Cleaning System with Self-Cleaning Sensor Unit, Dust Delete Data acquisition
• RAW, sRAW (new SmallRAW), RAW+JPEG, sRAW+JPEG, JPEG+JPEG simultaneous recording
• Increased shutter durability of approximately 300,000 cycles
• Large and bright 3.0-inch LCD monitor with 230,000 pixels and wide viewing angle
• Selectable noise reduction for high ISO images, 50% less shadow noise for all images
• Ships this spring for $3999 (body only)

So price here should be around RM14,000.

Related Reading

1. Canon Press Release
2. Full res sample images from Canon
3. High iso sample images from Canon
4. More info from Canon USA

Basically looks a Nikon D200 with SuperCCD technology, effectively 12 megapixels but the images will only be 6 megapixels.

The S5 Pro features the same SuperCCD SR design sensor although now called ‘SR Pro’, it features 6.17 million ‘S photodiodes’ (normal DR) and 6.17 million ‘R photodiodes’ (highlight DR) for a total photodiode count of 12.34 million. Other headline improvements are the new body (which is obviously based on the Nikon D200) and all that includes; better AF, i-TTL flash, metering, Lithium-Ion battery. Other improvements include better DR control, up to ISO 3200 sensitivity and LAN / WiFi accessories.

This is the beast everyone is looking for, solid body, high ISO, amazing lack of noise and a wider dynamic range than other cameras.

A lot of people are still using the Fuji S3Pro as a portrait camera due to the beautiful colours it gives and the fact they can use Nikon lenses.

I’m really glad manufacturers are stopping the megapixel race and concentrating on quality.

Nobody ever really needs more than 10-12 megapixels.

And the difference between 8-10mp and 10-12mp is negligible.

It’s strange there’s no reviews out for this camera yet, it’s set to be around RM8500 in Malaysia.

This is the camera I recommend most people to get if they have the budget, an excellent entry into the world of SLR and about 70% of a D200 (feature wise and build quality) for much less money. I think the D80 kit now is around RM4200.

We covered when the D80 was announced in August last year.

It’s a great camera, enough megapixels for anyone, good features, nice external controls, great image quality and the room to grow with support for plenty of pro quality lenses.

One thing I do recommend though, if you buy this camera don’t take the kit lens (the 18-135mm) as it’s not a great lens. Get the D80 body with the 18-70mm (Around RM650 second hand) lens from the D70s kit or get another lens completely like the 18-200mm VR (if you have the budget of around RM2500) or a third party lens like the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 (RM1550) or the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 (RM1800).

The D40 is ok for real beginners, but people with some good photography experience might find it limiting, also the lack of support for good but cheap lenses like the 50mm f/1.8D is not there.

The reviews are generally excellent, so here’ a summary for you:

Nikon D80 Review (DPReview)

The number of cons, and the fact that there are no serious ones, is a testament to the thought and work that has gone into the D80′s design. It’s one of those cameras which just feels ‘right and sorted’ from the moment you pick it up. Things just get better the more you use the camera, you will begin to discover the usefulness of major features like the customizable automatic ISO and the subtle touches like being able to tap the DELETE button twice to delete an image (sounds insignificant, but in use things like this make the D80 far more usable than other cameras).

Nikon D80 (Nikonians)

After following the speculation in our Nikon D80 Users Group forum at Nikonians I’d say Nikon has delivered on many fronts. It’s clear this new D80 DSLR can not be slotted simply as a straight replacement for either the Nikon D50 or the Nikon D70, but that’s not to say it isn’t. It’s shaping up to be a lot like a Nikon D50 in terms of size, but these comparisons can no longer be simply made.

Nikon D80 review (Photography Review)

Like the D100-200 upgrade before it, this upgrade from the D70 to D80 is a worthwhile step up, both in ability and performance. The jump in pixel count and autofocus ability alone warrants the change, but there are literally dozens of other tweaks as you delve further into the menus. The price also seems to be pitched about right, although market forces will soon see it settle into a slightly lower slot, which is all good news. Highly recommended.

DCRP Review: Nikon D80

The Nikon D80 is a fairly inexpensive digital SLR that packs spectacular performance and excellent (though somewhat soft) image quality into a well-built, solid camera. . For under $1000 you get quite a lot of camera, and it will certainly make people think twice about spending hundreds more on a D200. The D80 was a joy to use, and I’m certainly going to miss it when it goes back to Nikon. In other words, the D80 easily earns my recommendation.

Nikon D80 (Ken Rockwell)

When the D80 came out in mid-2006 I bought one immediately because it gave the same resolution as my D200 in a more portable package. My D80 is as small and light as my D70 with the same sensor as my D200. Whoo hoo!

Nikon D80 review (Camera Labs)

The Nikon D80 is without a doubt a very classy camera. It feels great, handles well, performs superbly and has one of the best viewfinders around. At times when rivals struggled with various lighting conditions, the D80’s metering remained unfazed and quite simply delivered great-looking images every time.

Once again I say if you have the budget, go for it, you won’t regret it.

And it’s very positive as I expected, I saw this as a great camera for beginners and those looking at bridge or ‘prosumer’ superzoom models like the FZ-50 or Canon S3 IS.

It’s only a few hundred RM more (Selling for around RM2150) and you get a good solid 6 megapixel SLR with a new improved 18-55mm kit lens.

In everyday use the D40 is just what it set out to be, a very capable, compact, lightweight and easy to use camera which makes a perfect first step for anyone wanting to get into digital SLR photography. It provides enough control and a large enough range of manual settings to enable you to experiment and learn but also helps you to take great pictures in the process. It’s one of those cameras you can just pick up and start shooting without fuss, that you can hand to a friend who’s never used an SLR and know they’ll be able to do the same. All of this and a pretty decent kit lens for $600, I’d say it’s a bit of a bargain.

You can find the full review at DPReview here:

Nikon D40 Review

Do you often find yourself wondering what lens you should take to an event?

Should you take a back-up body?

Should you take that extra flash? Do you need that long lens?

Well you want the answer? Just take every model, every lens, from every brand.

Yes I spotted both Canon and Nikon here..crazy!

Sorry for no updates lately, will get back on track soon, things have been a little mad.