August 28th, 2008 by 
Photo-John
High-Def Video In Your Pocket
Sony has done a lot of market research about what people want from their digital cameras. They discovered that point-and-shoot photographers would like more powerful video functionality in their compact digital cameras. They want better quality and longer videos without having to go to a dedicated digital video camera. The new 10-megapixel Sony Cybershot DSC-T500 places the emphasis on video with 720p high definition video capture at 30 frames-per-second and stereo sound. It uses the MPEG4 AVC/H.264 compression codec for smaller file sizes and can record up to 10 minutes of continuous video. The T500 also has zooming capability while capturing video as well as a dual photo and video capture mode so you can capture still images while video is being recorded.
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With the bi-annual Photokina tradeshow just a month off, the camera announcements are starting to come fast and furious. We’ve had a whole slough of compact camera announcements from Sony, Olympus, Panasonic, Nikon, and Canon. And yesterday it started with the digital SLRs. 
Today, Nikon announced the D90, a digital single lens reflex (SLR) camera. Building on the success of the wildly popular D80, the D90 delivers stunning image quality, advanced Scene Recognition System, intuitive creative controls, blazing fast performance and the industry-first ability to create HD movie clips at 720p in the new D-Movie mode. The Nikon D90 features a 12.3 megapixel resolution and a large 3-inch 920,000-dot high-resolution LCD screen which allows photographers to easily compose stunning images using the Live View Mode. Pair the D90 with Nikon’s new 
Nikon today introduced a new addition to an existing Nikon DX-format D-SLR system and the ideal counterpart to the D90 Digital SLR camera, the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens. The new lens is compact, affordable and offers photographers remarkable versatility, a broad focal range and the benefit of Silent Wave Motor (SWM) and Vibration Reduction (VR) Image Stabilization technology. The AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens continues the tradition of NIKKOR precision optics to provide photographers with sharp, high-resolution images. 
Today, SanDisk introduced the Extreme III 30MB/s Edition line of SDHC Cards and set a new speed record of 30 megabytes per second for SD flash memory. It has a 50-percent speed boost from previous 20MB/s cards which allows you to record 39 images in continuous shooting mode at 4.5 frames per second with a file size of 6.0 MB JPEG L Fine per image. The SanDisk Extreme III 30MB/s is designed to deliver peak performance when used with the new digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera, Nikon D90, which is the first DSLR camera to support SanDisk Extreme III 30MB/s Edition SDHC cards at increased performance. It will be available in 4-gigabyte (GB), 8GB and 16GB capacities. 
Sigma announced the 50-150mm F2.8 EX DC HSM II lens for the Pentax mount. Its compact, lightweight body provides freedom of movement and versatility. The F2.8 large aperture telephoto zoom lens is designed exclusively for digital SLR cameras with APS-C size sensors and the super multi-layer coating reduces flare and ghosting and ensures sharp images throughout the entire zoom range. The 50-150mm F2.8 EX DC HSM II lens will be available in stores early September. 
Today Adobe announced two major upgrades to its digital photo and video software, Adobe Photoshop Elements 7 and Adobe Premiere Elements 7. The products will be available separately or as a bundle and the integration between the two desktop products allows for instant access to the best photo and video options to create cinematic slide shows, dramatic freeze-frame effects, and unique themed creations. With the launch of Photoshop.com, customers will have the option to sign-up for one year of membership, extending the capabilities of the software by providing helpful templates and creative tutorials delivered on a regular basis. Other benefits include: automatic online backup and storage of photos and videos, access to photos and videos from virtually anywhere, and interactive options to share photo memories with great impact. 
In a clear answer to Nikon’s recent high ISO digital SLRs, today Canon announced the 15.1-megapixel EOS 50D, with a maximum sensitivity of ISO 12,800 and a new DIGIC 4 processor. The EOS 50D is not the expected full-frame 5D replacement. Rather, it’s an APS-C sensor step up from the 10-megapixel EOS 40D digital SLR. A surprisingly significant upgrade, actually.
Today in the UK, Canon announced a new compact, telephoto zoom lens, the EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS. It has an equivalent focal length of 29-320mm and offers an 11x zoom range. The EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS is a powerful, lightweight alternative to carrying multiple lenses. The lens is designed exclusively for use with EOS cameras featuring an EF-S lens mount – including the new EOS 50D, EOS 1000D, EOS 450D, and earlier models. 
Canon announced its new digital camera, the PowerShot E1. Stylish and easy-to-use, the Canon PowerShot E1 is targeted to the teen and tween markets. It features a 10-megapixel resolution, 4x Optical Zoom-lens; with Optical Image Stabilization, Canon’s Face Detection Technology and Easy Mode which makes taking photos with a “BFF” at a slumber party, snapping shots while watching a hot band perform or capturing cap-and-gown moments for a scrapbook or brag book easy to do. The PowerShot E1 has just the right combination of intuition and style with its rounded and curvy, yet trendy form factor and a price tag of $199. 
Canon announced three new digital cameras to its PowerShot line. Two affordable A-series digital cameras, the PowerShot A1000 IS and PowerShot A2000 IS, and one new ultra-zoom digital camera, the PowerShot SX110 IS, to its SX-series of ultra-zoom cameras. The PowerShot A1000 IS features 10-megapixel resolution, 4x Optical Zoom lens, DIGIC III Image Processor and comes in four stylish, two-toned colors. The PowerShot A2000 IS also has a 10-megapixel resolution, as well as DIGIC III Image Processor and is equipped with a 6x Optical Zoom lens, and a 3-inch LCD screen. The PowerShot SX110 IS digital camera features a 9-megapixel resolution, DIGIC III Image Processor, 3-inch LCD screen and 10x Optical Zoom lens. 
