photo, originally uploaded by pincolatino.

photo, originally uploaded by pincolatino.

photo, originally uploaded by pincolatino.

photo, originally uploaded by pincolatino.

Nikon D300s

  

 

100% crop 24mm AFD 1/15  f5  iso 1600 sharpened

 

Dual card SD/CF slot 

The function of the second card can be defined by user

second card can also be allocated to video clips (in video menu)

In Quiet mode  the shutter is not rearmed until pressure is removed from the shutter button

Mike plug

 

 

To get matrix metering with most manual lenses

     

Info menu

 

Virtual horizon from menu or in Live view

     

Samsung EX-1/TL-500

This camera is heavily benchmarked on the the Lumix LX-3, a sign of the soundness of the concept developed by Panasonic: a bigger small sensor coupled with a wide fast lens (and IS).

By sporting a fully rotating LCD, Samsung may also try to lure G10/11 owners looking for a more compact camera with wider and faster lens but retaining high degree of control.

Feature highlights

• A  f/ stop to max 1.8
• The zoom reaches a little bit over 70mm
• The major plus is the screen which is high def, AMOLED and movable (Canon Powershot G style)
• Has a rubber grip
• Some more control options, incl.

1. A selector control index wheel in front
2. two mode dials which are flush with top cover
3. A click wheel on back (similar to Canon and Olympus EP-1)

The minuses are that camera dimensions do not make it exactly compact and it is roughly the same size of the Lumix  (actually a couple of mm bigger here and there).

The lens has a rubber ring but it is not a custom control ring as in the Canon S90, rather it covers the ring for attaching optional lens complements that can enlarge the lens angle of view to a 18mm equivalent.

And the lens cap is separate and can be attached to the camera via a piece of string (same as lamented by almost every single LX-3 user - or is it another piece of retro design…?).

Main characteristics

• 10 Megapixels
• 3x  zoom / ultra-wide 24mm f/1.8 lens Schneider Kreuznach
• 3.0” swiveling AMOLED high def LCD screen
• RAW mode
• 11,4 x 6,3 x 2,9 cm

While interesting the Samsung offering will probably not have LX3/D-Lux-4 owners rushing to switch/upgrade.

Also with Panasonic possibly upgrading the LX-3 this year, and the S90 around, the EX-1 will need to demonstrate some serious advance in term of image quality compared to its direct competitors or, as usual to out cheap them.

The f/1.8 advantage is partly annulled by the size of the 1.7” sensor which has much more depth of field than a bigger sensor. So if someone hopes to use this camera for super defocus (bokeh) rendition, they may have to lower their expectations. Although, the fast lens may actually come handy in shooting in low light situations.

In terms of camera body design also improvements could be made. While this is not Sigma-sort of “East-Germany was fun” style, the shape is still a bit bulky and lines a bit too complicated (in an attempts to lightens the ensemble perhaps).

Also don’t like blue light around power switch when camera is on.

The rubber grip, while  probably functional, does not match very well the dark polished metal front, in my opinion.

Exist in black or gun metal color finish.

Finally, the marketing Dept is lagging behind in promoting the new camera – still nothing (so far) on their global site.

From the conceptual point of view, Samsung basically took the LX-3 and simply added a movable LCD screen (I am oversimplifying). Now LCD screens are certainly one of Samsung’s strong points. But the more I think about it the more I wonder whether it was not a mistake to include a fully articulated  screen in such a compact camera. For the following reasons: first the AMOLED screen has already an better angle of view, second, it makes the camera bulkier and compromises pocketability, third it is more a video cam sort of option and here apparently video is not really the priority (no HD).

Or maybe Samsung’s idea is actually to position the EX-1/TL-500 between the LX-3 and the G-11.

They could have made such a better product by building on the Lumix concept and improving its weak points (high iso performance, lens cap, controls, pocketability, etc…) and then price it lower to attract a larger audience, basically those tired of lugging DSLR around and that are looking for good image quality in a compact package for everyday situations.

To be released in May 2010 for 450 Eur/$

Nikon Picture Control

 

NPC is an utility which is now part of View NX (1.5.2.), and allows to  modify and apply a set of image styles to NEF/Raw pictures.

It can be used for editing the profiles included in cameras with Picture control (D3/700/300(s)/90/5000/3000).

See Nikons answer on how to modify Picture control.

Some interesting information can be found here or here

What I think is interesting is the ability offered by View NX utility to correct color fringes, to apply D-lighting or D2x styles

D2XMODE1
This optional Picture Control simulates color reproduction at a D2X/D2XS Color mode setting of I.
Skin tones and gradations are reproduced naturally with rich reproduction of tones.

D2XMODE2
This optional Picture Control simulates color reproduction at a D2X/D2XS Color mode setting of II.
This optional Picture Control is suited to images that will be extensively processed or retouched.

D2XMODE3
This optional Picture Control simulates color reproduction at a D2X/D2XS Color mode setting of III.
Choose for nature or landscape shots. Greens and blues are vividly reproduced.

*To achieve a level of brightness similar to that of images captured with the D2X/D2XS, set Picture Control Brightness to -1. Color reproduction precisely the same as that achieved with D2X/D2XS Color mode settings I, II, and III is not guaranteed with the three D2XMODE1, D2XMODE2, and D2XMODE3 optional Picture Controls.

*D2XMODE1-3 optional Picture Controls must be registered with the camera before custom Picture Controls, based on D2XMODE1-3, can be created using Capture NX or ViewNX and registered with the camera.

 

A whole set of presets simulating classic film rendition (Velvia, Sensia, Kodachrome, etc.) can be found here.