Canon SD900 Digital Camera Review

The 10.0 megapixel PowerShot SD900 Digital ELPH takes the marriage of style and substance to a new level, by offering an array of user-friendly features along with faster response time and a new face detection autofocus system that keeps subjects in focus no matter where they appear in the frame. With its sinuous perpetual curve design elegantly clad in pure titanium, the PowerShot SD900 ELPH is visually arresting. But what’s inside is just as impressive: a powerful 10.0 megapixel CCD, 3x optical zoom and newly developed DIGIC III Image Processor.

DPReview have a fresh review up of the SD900. Here’s what they said about tit-

"The SD900’s biggest selling-point for us is simple; it offers some of the best (perhaps the best) image quality in this category, but if we’re being honest we’re not talking quantum leaps here, and the typical user of this type of camera, producing small prints, is unlikely to really see a significant advantage. If you like a touch of luxury (which the build and finish definitely give you) and want a ’point and shoot’ camera that offers reliably high quality output suitable for decent enlargements, the SD900 is certainly a worthy competitor. We just feel that in this, the most competitive and fastest-moving sector of the market, the SD900 will, for many users, have priced itself out of the running.

The SD900 comes as close as possible to a ’Highly Recommended’ (and if exclusivity and pixel level image quality is more important to you than features or price it probably deserves one), but for us it misses by a whisker."

Canon PowerShot SD900 Titanium 10MP Digital Elph Camera with 3x Optical Zoom

Featuring

10-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 18 x 24-inch prints 3x optical zoom; 2.5-inch LCD display Sleek titanium body and perpetual curve design; touch-control dial for increased usability Stores images on SD cards; powered by Lithium-ion rechargeable battery NB-5L ISO now ranges from 80-1600; now supports SDHC cards (Secure Digital cards with over 2 GB capacity)

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Suggested Accessories

Canon HF-DC1 High Power Flash for Canon Powershot Digital Cameras Canon ACK-DC30 AC Adapter Kit for SD700 IS Digital Camera Canon PSC-55 Soft Leather Compact Case for SD430, SD500, SD550, SD600, SD630, SD700 IS, SD800 IS & SD900 Digital Cameras Canon CB-2LX Battery Charger for SD700 IS Digital Camera Canon Digital Elph Accessory Kit for Canon SD700 IS, SD800 IS and SD900 Digital Cameras

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Related Items

Canon WP-DC7 WaterProof Case for Canon SD900 Digital Camera Canon NB-5L Equivalent Digital Camera/camcorder Battery Kingston 512 MB Secure Digital Card (SD/512) 4-Year Service Plan for Digital and Film Cameras $200 to $599.99 2-Year Service Plan for Digital and Film Cameras $200 to $599.99

Read the full review...

Panasonic Lumix FZ50

The LUMIX DMC-FZ50 with MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) features a powerful 12x optical zoom (equivalent to 35 mm to 420 mm on a 35 mm film camera) f/2.8 LEICA DC lens. It also boasts a 10.1-megapixel high resolution CCD for its image sensor and Venus Engine III for the image processing LSI, making it possible to record an image at a maximum ISO 1600 high sensitivity setting at full resolution. Furthermore, by dramatically reducing noise levels, the DMC-FZ50 is able to capture 10.1-megapixel full resolution images even in high sensitivity recordings.

TheImagingResource have reviewed the FZ50 and gave it a Dave’s pick rating. That’s good enough for me. But wait...It does almost everything right, but not quite-

"Despite some nagging issues, it’s hard not to like the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50. Any camera that pairs a high quality Leica-branded 12x optical zoom lens with Panasonic’s excellent MEGA O.I.S. is a great value and offers a myriad of uses. But with digital SLRs sinking so dramatically in price, is there still a viable argument for buying an all-in-one ultrazoom camera? With the Lumix FZ50, I would argue "yes." In addition to its great lens and optical image stabilizer, the camera offers an impressive 10 megapixels, solid sharpness, bright, punchy, colorful images, and a range of helpful top-flight features. Best of all, this camera is fun to use and makes taking sharp, zoomed-in images a snap for photographers of most skill levels. While some previous Panasonic models suffered from excessive luminance noise even at low ISOs, the Lumix FZ50 with its Venus Engine III LSI image processor seems to have solved those problems.

On the downside, the Panasonic FZ50 really struggles when shooting at higher ISO levels, producing images that are marred by excessive chroma noise. While this would seem to be a serious problem for people who like to shoot in low light without a flash, the Lumix FZ50 offsets these issues with its MEGA O.I.S. and the camera’s very fast (f/2.8- f/3.7) lens. Also a tradeoff is the camera’s design. While its bulky, tough-looking exterior will appeal to macho shooters, others might just find the camera imposing and be turned off by the fact that it’s bigger and heavier than most entry-level digital SLRs. Other issues are less forgivable including the early shutter penalty problem that jams up the camera if you press the shutter button too quickly after taking a picture. Very annoying."

Panasonic DMC-FZ50 10.1 MP Digital Camera

Featuring

10.1-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 18 x 24-inch prints 12x image-stabilized optical zoom; 2.0-inch free-angle LCD display Intelligent ISO Control (I.I.C.) reduces image blur from subject movement and low light Records full-size movies in wide-aspect VGA (848 x 480) at 30 frames per second Stores images on SD memory cards (32MB card included); powered by li-ion battery pack (battery and charger included)

FREE Online Photography Course

I just saw this item on Digg so thought I might feature it here. Jodies Coston's Free Online Photography Course

This course is free and open to the public. Lessons include the following:

Lesson 1:
Composition And Impact - It's A Beautiful Photograph, But Do You Know WHY It's Beautiful?

Lesson 2:
Aperture And Shutter Speed - How They Work Together.

Lesson 3:
The lens - choosing camera optics.

Lesson 4:
ISO, Grain, Transparency vs. Negative, Specialty Films

Lesson 5:
Fun Effects - Camera Filters, Soft Focus, Zooming And Panning

Lesson 6:
Landscape, Nature and Travel Photography

Lesson 7:
Portraits And Studio Lighting

Lesson 8:
Studio Lighting - Still Life and Product Photography

Lesson 9:
Tying It All Together

Lesson 10:
Special Requests

Jodie Coston is a freelance photographer who lives in northwestern Montana. She has exhibited her work in gallery exhibitions around the world and has won numerous international awards for her images.

Tips for Photographing Moving People

Two great articles can be found at Darren Rowse's digital Photography School website relating to photographing moving subjects-

The technical aspects of shooting motion are easy: a fast shutter speed (or the action or sports setting) will freeze motion, a slow one will introduce motion blur. Where you go from there makes the difference between a shot that merely documents and one that uses action to paint a scene or set a mood.

Up for some experimentation? We recommend you start with panning (as in golf, swing through the ball… er, click) and then try some nontraditional composition ideas. Our pals at DPS have a great post on each.

Mastering Panning
http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/mastering-panning-to-photograph-moving-subjects/

Nontraditional Motion Shot Composition
http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/leaving-space-behind-moving-subjects-composition/