The Canon 5D MKII leaked specs weren’t quite accurate, but the more information got leaked towards the actual release date the more accurate it became.

One thing most people didn’t expect was full HD video (1080P)!

Features

• 21 megapixel CMOS sensor (very similar to the sensor in the EOS-1Ds Mark III)
• Sensor dust reduction by vibration of filter
• ISO 100 – 6400 calibrated range, ISO 50 – 25600 expansion (1Ds Mark III & 5D max ISO 3200)
• Auto ISO (100 – 3200) in all modes except manual
• 3.9 frames per second continuous shooting
• DIGIC 4 processor, new menus / interface as per the EOS 50D
• RAW and SRAW1 (10 MP) / SRAW2 (5 MP)
• RAW / JPEG selection made separately
• Permanent display of ISO on both top plate and viewfinder displays
• AF microadjustment (up to 20 lenses individually)
• 98% coverage viewfinder (0.71x magnification)
• 3.0″ 920,000 dot LCD monitor with ‘Clear View’ cover / coatings, 170° viewing angle
• Automatic LCD brightness adjustment (ambient light sensor)
• Movie recording in live view (1080p H.264 up to 12 minutes, VGA H.264 up to 24 mins per clip)

Most people find the frame rate a little slow, but then it can’t be faster or it’d be eating into the Canon EOS 1Ds MKIII section of the market! It’s already full frame and with the same resolution, it’s a dangerous move by Canon..

Much like what Nikon have done with the new Nikon D700 Full Frame dSLR.

There was an awesome video shot by Vincent Laforet here, but it’s been taken down as Canon can’t handle the bandwidth! How crazy is that.

There some more preview stuff here, some high ISO shots here and plenty of other info popping up all over the web.

I have to say even has a Nikon user, this is a fantastic camera!

Full preview here:

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Hands-on Preview

Now this is somewhat unexpected, everyone was thinking the next thing from Nikon would be the heralded (and already much leaked) Nikon D3x with the Sony 24.4 megapixel full-frame (FX) sensor.

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.

Canon is hitting the market with a new entry level dSLR to compete with the Nikon D40x and Nikon D60 offerings from Nikon and other entry level models like the Sony A200 and the Olympus E-420.

Features:

• 10.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor
• EOS Integrated Cleaning System
• 7-point wide-area AF system with f/5.6 cross-type centre point
• Up to 3 frames per second
• 2.5” LCD with Live View shooting
• DIGIC III image processor
• Compatible with SD and SDHC memory cards
• Compact and lightweight body
• Digital Photo Professional RAW processing software
• Fully compatible with all Canon EF and EF-S lenses and EX-series Speedlites

It looks like Canon might be shifting their line-up a little to compete more evenly with Nikon.

This camera is lower spec than the 450D, means the next 4xxD series might be more in line with D80/D90 when it comes out and the next 40D/50D will shift up a gear to be more in line with the D300.

That leaves the 1000D series to compete with D40/D60/E-300/A200 etc.

It’s certainly an interesting development.

If they can someone hooked on the Nikon or Canon system by offering a competitive dSLR at only slightly more than a high end prosumer compact or bridge camera….they will make a lot more in the long run selling lenses, accessories, upgrade bodies etc.

It’s a slippery slope once you’ve started and now they’ve realised that they are pouring resources into the very bottom of the market.

This is good for us too in the long run, the more people using low end cameras means cheaper sensors for us and more money for R&D, whatever new tech they develop will go in the high end cams first.

This is definitely an interesting move from Olympus – beating the Nikon D40 and Nikon D40x as the smallest/lightest dSLR for the consumer market, especially combining it with a pancake prime lens. The camera and lens combo really can fit in your pocket!

The lens is a 25mm f/2.8 (50mm equivalent) and it’s replacing the which replaces the Olympus EVOLT E-410.

This lightweight 10-megapixel DSLR offers heavyweight technologies, including a bigger, more viewable 2.7-inch LCD and consumer-friendly fast On-Screen Autofocus, Face Detection, Shadow Adjustment Technology and Perfect Shot Preview to get the most out of the Live View experience. Additionally, when it comes to Live View, not all LCDs are created equal. At 2.7-inches, the portable E-420 LCD is large enough for users to compose and review images without squinting. The small camera’s LCD is not just larger, it is part of a camera with technologies intelligent enough to take advantage of the Live View photography experience.

Read the full release here:

Little wonder: Olympus launches E420

A first look review at the D60 shows pretty much what we expected, some minor technical upgrades from the D40x but no major differences.

Active D-lighting is a good addition for an entry level camera and the image quality is already shown to be great. High ISO performance may be slightly improved.

The new 18-55mm VR kit lens looks pretty nifty too.

I’m looking forward to the D80 replacement we are all still waiting for with CMOS censor, live view and super handling!

Whether Nikon will be as successful with the D60 as with the other models will not depend on the quality, for the quality is excellent. It will depend more on the answer of the competition to this winning concept. Will there be an attack on the price, or will the competition be able to equip their entry-level model with even more features? While working on this review, Canon introduced the EOS 450D and my first impression is that the battle for the most successful entry-level model is an ongoing one.

Read the full review here:

Nikon D60 | Digital Camera Review