Canon PowerShot S40 4MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom Lowest Price!

August 17th, 2010 by trombley3450798

Canon PowerShot S40 4MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom

Canon PowerShot S40 4MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom Lowest Price!

Compare & Purchase Canon PowerShot S40 4MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom at Amazon by clicking here!

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Canon PowerShot S40 4MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom Description:

A whole host of impressive technical features opens up a sea of creative possibilities. And all wrapped up in an extraordinarily beautiful and robust metal case. Advancements include a new RGB color filter and digital signal processor, giving you richer more lifelike color, even when shooting under adverse conditions. Cut out the middleman with the Direct Print mode. Connect your PowerShot S40 directly to the Canon CP-10 card photo printer or the Bubble Jet S820D and enjoy brilliant, long-lasting color prints without the need for a PC. And when one image isn’t enough to tell the whole story, switch to movie mode to record short video clips – even with sound! With the PowerShot S40, you’re not just up-to-date, you’re a step ahead.

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #51098 in Camera & Photo
  • Size: Pocket Size
  • Brand: Canon
  • Model: S40
  • Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
  • Platforms: Windows 98, Mac, Windows NT, Mac OS X, Mac OS 9 and below, Windows 2000, Windows NT 3.5, Windows NT 4, Windows NT 5, PowerMac, Windows XP, Windows Me, Windows 2000 Server, Windows
  • Dimensions: 4.40″ h x 2.30″ w x 1.70″ l, .71 pounds
  • Memory: 16MB
  • Display size: 1.8

Features

  • 4.1 megapixel sensor creates 2,272 x 1,704 images for prints at 8 x 10 and beyond
  • 3x optical (plus 3.6x digital) zoom lens with autofocus
  • Included 16 MB CompactFlash card holds 13 images at default resolution; camera is Microdrive compatible
  • Uses proprietary NB-2L lithium-ion rechargeable battery (included)
  • Connects with Macs and PCs via USB port

Customer Reviews:

Compact, Sturdy, and Takes Beautiful Pictures5
(…) After looking at the Digital Elphs and the A-series cameras, I stumbled upon the S40. This camera has it all. Four mega-pixels, a sturdy metal body, complete control over almost every aspect of your shot, and all in a compact size to boot. The feature-set is based on the popular Canon G2, which is a professional grade digital camera, so you know it uses a fully field-tested, high-quality internal design.

I mostly use this camera in auto mode, in which it takes absolutely beautiful pictures. They are clear, beautifully saturated, and capture motion extremely well. Indoor and outdoor pictures are equally impressive, and I found the metering to be very intelligent. That is, highlights, shadows, and exposure levels are all handled very well.

The camera offers an amazing amount of control with 12 user-selectable modes in addition to the auto mode. (…) But, suffice it to say that anyone seeking a high-level of control over their settings will not be dissapointed by the S40.

A Little Advice:

1. If you are looking to spend a little less money and do not need a 4 mega-pixel camera, a 3 mega-pixel version is available in the S30.

2. If you are looking for a point-and-shoot camera only, you do not need to spend this kind of money. Look toward the Canon A-Series cameras instead. These are plastic and lack the high-level of user control, but they are also much easier on the wallet.

3. Although this is a very compact camera, it is not the smallest that Canon makes. If you want the ultimate in portability, look at their Digital Elph line.

4. The proprietary battery that comes with the S40 is extremely powerful and has an impressive life. The charger is also very compact and very fast. However, I highly recommend buying a spare battery from Canon’s website (for about $70).

5. Do not waste your money on the leather case for the S40 that Canon sells on their website. It is far too small for the camera and the lens cover slides open whenever you try to put the camera in it. I am not a big fan of sliding lens covers in the first place, and the leather case does nothing to win me over. Go buy yourself a generic camera case that fits the camera properly.

6. The included 16 MB CompactFlash card is embarrassing. Go buy a 128 MB card (at minimum). And while you’re at it, pick up a USB card reader. They are under $(…) and are far more convenient than using the direct camera hook-up (although the S40 software and connection is quite convenient compared to many other digital cameras).

7. Be careful when removing the label from the lens cover. You can actually pull the cover right off if you’re not careful. PEEL SLOWLY!

Conclusion:
Overall, this is a beautifully designed, well-built camera from an excellent company. As you can see by my review, Canon has won me over. In summary, the S40 matches the excellent picture quality of the finest Nikon and Kodak cameras available. The difference is, Canon does not skimp on the build of the camera by using cheap plastic parts. This, in my opinion, puts the S40 above the rest in this category.

Well Done Canon!

Quick test – nearly flawless5
I have had the camera for only a week now, but already taken it on a trip to California’s lost coast. Not only did the battery pack last over the whole 4 days and 70 pictures, but its features will be very intuitive to any SLR user such as me. I found especially helpful the zoom feature in replay mode that lets you pinpoint just how sharp the picture really is. The only things I will be missing is a shoe for external flash and the possibility to use regular batteries. Although the pack charges very quickly.

Nice camera from Canon.4
I’m a Canon guy and like most of what they put out, and this is no exception. It’s a very sleek little package. Four megapixels, 3x zoom, auto and manual modes, a fairly long lasting rechargable battery, all in a tiny metal body. I prefer this over the newer Nikon consumer digicams (the 775 and the 885) because the body is built better, the resolution is higher, and the Canon has manual modes. I only gave this camera four stars because of a couple reasons:

a. It’s visibly less sharp than other cameras in this resolution range. Not a lot less, but enough to notice. The color is great, but the pictures aren’t quite as sharp as the ones the S40′s big brother (the G2) produces.

b. The macro mode (or should I say lack thereof) isn’t very good. I find it odd that Canon hasn’t worked on improving this in their newer model cameras; pretty much all of the Nikons have *excellent* macro modes.

Other than that, it’s a sweet little package. I like the fact that the play-mode button is no longer part of the control dial. You no longer have to move the camera out of whatever record mode you’re currently in to get into the play mode. The play-mode is controlled by a little standalone switch on the back of the camera. Slide it across once, you go into play mode, slide it across again, you go into record mode. Another positive is the long lasting lithium-ion battery (which has a quick charge time and does not require draining before recharging).

Highly recommended for most users. If you think you’ll be making a lot of large sized prints with the camera (i.e. bigger than 8×10), you might check out the G2 instead.

Amazon.com Product Description
Canon’s S30 and S40 cameras fill a gap in the company’s digital lineup. Nestled between the ultra-tiny Elph models and the feature-packed PowerShot G and Pro models, the S30 and S40 combine most of the portability of the former with nearly every advanced feature of the latter.

With the exception of their CCD sensors (the S30 is a 3-megapixel model, while the S40 is 4-megapixel), the cameras are essentially identical. Each features a brushed aluminum body with a sliding clamshell lens cover, a 3x optical zoom Canon lens, and a 1.8-inch LCD on the back of the camera for previewing and reviewing shots.

For beginners, the cameras are point-and-shoot simple. Just twist the dial to Auto and start snapping pictures. For more experienced photographers, both models include aperture priority, shutter priority, and full manual modes, plus manual focus, exposure compensation, slow-sync flash, spot metering, and adjustable ISO (from 50 to 400 on the S40, and 50 to 800 on the S30).

Movie mode lets you capture video clips with sound. At 320 x 240 or 160 x 120 pixels, the movies aren’t camcorder quality, but they’re fun and convenient, and they’re perfect as e-mail attachments. The cameras also include an unusual voice-memo feature, which lets you record up to 60 seconds of audio with each image.

To provide maximum battery life in the smallest possible space, the cameras use a proprietary lithium-ion battery (both the battery and a charger are included). The battery charges quickly and holds a reasonably long charge, but if you’re planning to use the camera for extended outings, a spare battery is a good idea. A larger-capacity memory card is also advisable if you want to shoot more than a dozen photos at a time or really take advantage of the movie mode. The cameras use Type I or Type II CompactFlash cards, including the Microdrive. To print your photos at home, the S30 and S40 connect directly to Canon’s CP-10 and S820D printers for easy printing–you don’t even need a computer.

If you’re looking for a camera with the sleek, compact style of a point-and-shoot with the extensive manual controls of an advanced amateur camera, the S30 and S40 are both great choices.

From the Manufacturer
Introducing the new PowerShot S40: a sophisticated collaboration of modern design and state-of-the-art digital technology that delivers astonishing resolution and brilliance.

Superior image quality with high resolution CCD

The PowerShot S40 is equipped with a 1/1.8-inch 4 megapixel CCD – the highest pixel count of any camera in its class. So what does this mean in practical terms? The camera can create postcard-size images so densely detailed, the pixelation is invisible to the human eye. Now you can enjoy all the exciting options digital technology gives you, and get rich, radiant, film-like image quality.

Genuine 3x optical zoom lens and up to 11x digital zoom

From close-up snaps to panoramic vistas, the S40′s speedy, responsive zoom is right there to make your vision happen. A built-in digital tele-converter takes the 3x optical zoom lens (equivalent to 35 to 105mm in a 35mm camera) smoothly all the way up to 11x. Legendary Canon optics ensure a clear, brilliant shot every time.

Movie mode with sound and voice memo

Fun capabilities like Movie Mode and Voice Memo makes the PowerShot S40 portable entertainment. Shoot vibrant, sound-and-motion digital movies – 30 seconds long at the highest resolution or 2 minutes at the lower resolution. And now when you view your still images in replay mode, you can record up to one minute of commentary that will attach to the image – making photographic memories even more memorable.

Direct printing with CP-10 and new S820D Bubble Jet Printer

The S40 is fully compatible with Canon’s Direct Print System – just connect a cable from your camera to one of these printers – no computer necessary. In seconds, the Card Photo Printer CP-10 creates richly colored, high-resolution 300 x 300 dpi prints in a fun credit card size. Bordered, borderless and sticker options are perfect for sharing and easy to store. The highly advanced new S820D Bubble Jet printer prints direct two ways – with a cable connection to the PowerShot S40 or from a memory card. It can print 8 x 10 images in under 2 minutes and 4 x 6 images in under 1 minute at a resolution up to 2,400 x 1,200 dpi. Advanced MicroFine Droplet Technology creates long-lasting, gorgeously radiant images that print edge-to-edge at lightning speed. Using Direct Print Mode on the S40, you can easily crop and resize images, even add the date if you choose.

Customizable features with My Camera function

Make your new PowerShot S40 all your own by choosing the look of the start-up screen and the sounds it makes for start-up, shutter, self-timer and more with the new My Camera function. A Solution CD is supplied for lots of fun options, and you can even use your own digitally recorded sounds – your pet, a friend’s voice or your favorite music.

A full range of convenient accessories

The PowerShot S40 is equipped with the new, smaller, highly powerful NB-2L 7.4V/570-mA Li-Ion battery. Recharge for 80 minutes of shooting with the new CB-2LT battery charger. The new AC Adapter Kit ACK 700 let you plug the camera into any household outlet.

Videosecu 2″ to 6″ Universal Camera Mount with Ceiling Bracket MCB1w 1A2 Lowest Price!

August 16th, 2010 by trombley3450798

Videosecu 2

Videosecu 2″ to 6″ Universal Camera Mount with Ceiling Bracket MCB1w 1A2 Lowest Price!

Compare & Purchase Videosecu 2″ to 6″ Universal Camera Mount with Ceiling Bracket MCB1w 1A2 at Amazon by clicking here!

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Amazon Price: $6.78

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Videosecu 2″ to 6″ Universal Camera Mount with Ceiling Bracket MCB1w 1A2 Description:

Professional 2-6″ Camera Bracket, made of solid metal. All parts are interchangeable and can be customized into 12 different combinations! This neat little kit gives you a lot of versatility for creative indoor and outdoor mount applications, even around corners and near windows, etc… Works with ANY device with suitable standard female thread- including mini monitors, transmitters and a WIDE variety of CCTV cameras and camcorders. The included rail mount allows you to attach any camera (with a standard threaded female ‘tripod’ mount) to an acoustical drop ceiling along the metal rail, and then run the wiring unseen above the ceiling area. Each set includes two 2″ shafts, one 2″ X-base, one 1″ base extender, one 2 3/8″ round base, and one head. No special tools required, screw hardware included.This mount is all metal construction. If you received a mount which has plastic parts, and does not bear VideoSecu brand, please report that seller to Amazon.com immediately.

  • Brand: VideoSecu
  • Model: VideoSecu

Features

  • VideoSecu brand. If you did not see VideoSecu logo on box, please report to Amazon.com.
  • 180 degree tilt , 1/4″ / 20 threads throughout
  • All parts interchangeable. All metal construction.
  • Base plate 2 3/8″ diameter Weight Capacity: 10 lbs.
  • Each set includes two 2″ shafts, 2″ X-base, 1″ base extender, 2 3/8″ round base, 1 head

Customer Reviews:

Does all it says very well4
This is a nice little unit if the description fits what you’re looking for. The extension portions works very well – there are several smaller extenders which can be mixed and matched to find the right length.

It comes both with a pedestal that can also be screwed into the wall, and a special clip that will allow it to be connected to ceiling tile beams without any permanent wholes.

Weak Bracket2
Product needs to be better described. Will not hold the weight of camera that it was purchased for. Plastic circular bracket is chincy compared to the metal rods. May be able to use the bracket for another purpose.

Excellent Universal Camera Mount5
Product was excellent, strong, all metal , sturdy and I would recommend this product. Product is very durable!!!!

Wide And Telephoto Lens Kit for Canon A60 A70 A75 + More Lowest Price!

August 16th, 2010 by trombley3450798

Wide And Telephoto Lens Kit for Canon A60 A70 A75 + More

Wide And Telephoto Lens Kit for Canon A60 A70 A75 + More Lowest Price!

Compare & Purchase Wide And Telephoto Lens Kit for Canon A60 A70 A75 + More at Amazon by clicking here!

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Amazon Price: $37.99

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Wide And Telephoto Lens Kit for Canon A60 A70 A75 + More Description:

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #201503 in Camera & Photo

Customer Reviews:

Buy 4 Camera Economical Indoor System with 9612 Color Domes At Amazon!

August 15th, 2010 by trombley3450798

4 Camera Economical Indoor System with 9612 Color Domes

Buy 4 Camera Economical Indoor System with 9612 Color Domes At Amazon!

Compare & Purchase 4 Camera Economical Indoor System with 9612 Color Domes at Amazon by clicking here!

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4 Camera Economical Indoor System with 9612 Color Domes Description:


This 4 camera system comes with:

* 1 – 14″ Color Monitor (CT14) * 1 – 80 GB Hard Drive * 10 – BNC connectors (BNC to RCA)

  • Brand: CCTV

Features

  • 1 – 4 Channel DVR (DVR410)
  • 4 – Color Dome Cameras (9612)
  • 4 – Sets of 100ft vp cable
  • 4 – 12vdc 300ma Power Supplies
  • 1 – 5 ft RCA Cable

Customer Reviews:

Buy Lowepro Rezo 60 Camera Case Black At Amazon!

August 15th, 2010 by trombley3450798

Lowepro Rezo 60 Camera Case Black. Lowepro Rezo 60 Camera Case Black

Product: Buy Lowepro Rezo 60 Camera Case Black At Amazon!

List Price: $19.95

Amazon Price: $12.43
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Compare Prices on Lowepro Rezo 60 Camera Case Black

Compact, sophisticated and lightweight, Rezo pouches offer serious protection for digital cameras. With many of the same features found in larger bags, the Rezo 60 has 2 zippered compartments and inner pockets for memory cards, batteries or small accessories. The SlipLock attachment tab and adjustable shoulder strap offer carrying options.

  • Size: One Size
  • Color: Black
  • Brand: Lowepro
  • Model: REZO 60
  • Dimensions: 4.10″ h x 4.30″ w x 8.70″ l, .40 pounds

Features

  • Zippered NoDrop main compartment provides safe, easy access to your camera
  • Zippered front compartment with inner-mesh and laminated-mesh pockets for memory cards, batteries or small accessories
  • Compact design with durable, water-resistant outer fabric and stretchy gusset
  • Strap – Adjustable, removable metal clips for, SlipLock attachment tab and soft brushed-tricot lining
  • Fits – Large Digital or 35mm camera, memory cards and batteries or small accessories

OK, but not great2
I got the Lowepro Rezo Camera Case for a Canon G9, which fits in the case nicely. Not real snug but the camera strap on the G9 helps to keep the camera well seated. There is not a lot of extra room for accessories with the Rezo, barely fitting an extra battery and spare SD card. My biggest complaint with this case is the flap that fits over the accessory compartment. This is basically non-functional, having no real purpose other than to cover the accessory compartment. It would have been nice if the flap had a zipper pouch or something to hold more accessories. I am planning on cutting it off entirely.

Perfect!5
Perfect bag for my canon A650is, plenty of room for extras such as SD Cards and spare batteries.

Nice Bag but too big4
When i came to buy a case for my Fujifilm E550 there was only 2 option on this brand, Rezo 30 and 60. Since somebody said Rezo 30 was small for a Canon A70 (which i know is likely the size of the Fujifilm E550) i decided to buy the Rezo 60. When i got it on my hands i realised it was too big for my camera, at least 30% bigger. I really like the case to fit the camera like a glove, like the Rezo 20 did with my Fujifilm A303. This case will fit better on a SLR like camera, i suppose. Lowepro make quality products on a good price range. I recommend this brand, just be sure is the right size for your camera.

Fujifilm Finepix F50fd 12MP Digital Camera with 3 x Optical Image Stabilization Discount.

August 14th, 2010 by trombley3450798

Fujifilm Finepix F50fd 12MP Digital Camera with 3 x Optical Image Stabilization

Fujifilm Finepix F50fd 12MP Digital Camera with 3 x Optical Image Stabilization Discount.

Compare & Purchase Fujifilm Finepix F50fd 12MP Digital Camera with 3 x Optical Image Stabilization at Amazon by clicking here!

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Fujifilm Finepix F50fd 12MP Digital Camera with 3 x Optical Image Stabilization Description:

Fujifilm FinePix F50fd 12MP Super CCD, 3x Optical Zoom, 2.7″ LCD, New Dual Image Stabilization, Face Detection 2.0 with New Red Eye Reduction System, New Portrait Enhancer Mode, IR-Simple for sharing photos with friends, xD/SD/SD-HC Compatible Media Slot.

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #18885 in Camera & Photo
  • Color: Silver
  • Brand: Fuji
  • Model: FinePix F50fd
  • Released on: 2007-09-19
  • Original language: English
  • Dimensions: .90″ h x 2.30″ w x 3.60″ l, .50 pounds
  • Memory: 0KB
  • Display size: 2.7

Features

  • 12-megapixel Super CCD sensor
  • 3x optical zoom with Dual Image Stabilization; 2.7-inch LCD display
  • Face Detection 2.0 optimizes focus/exposure for up to 10 faces
  • Wirelessly transfer images to IrSimple-equipped devices, including other digital cameras
  • Stores images on xD or SD memory cards (not included); powered by lithium-ion battery (battery and charger included)

Customer Reviews:

I didn’t think I would, but I’m probably going to get one now…4
I must say that I was very negative about this camera when it was just announced. Why? I’ve got one word for you – Megapixels! I realize that for a regular consumer the more megapixels in a camera, means better picture quality. But if you know even just a little more about the digital technology and how it works, then you know that the above statement is nothing but simply a myth. The more megapixels on the same size sensor only means that you can blow up the picture that you’ve taken to a larger size. But what good does it do for you if the picture quality is actually worse?! By “worse” I mean that there is more digital noise present in photographs at higher ISO’s. Several months ago I actually considered getting an F30, and the only reason I didn’t was because it uses the stupid, and very slow xD card format. I have waited for Fuji to fix this “mistake” and implement the somewhat standard nowadays SD format, but they didn’t with F31fd. Then shortly thereafter came F40fd, and I almost wet my pants out of excitement when I found out that Fuji finally did include the support of SD, in addition to xD format. They did of course increase the number of megapixels from 6 to 8, but they also put a larger sensor in it, so that was actually not a bad thing. However, I was extremely disappointed when I found out that not only the picture quality slightly decreased for some reason (judging by the samples that I’ve seen), but also Fuji decided to eliminate the manual controls (shutter and aperture priorities) from it as well. Why, for crying out loud?! So my quest for the “perfect” compact digital camera continued, and I ended up with Panasonic LX2, which I’m still very happy with. However, since I’ve decided to replace my wife’s Casio S770, and always wanted to have something better for low-light situations, I kept my eyes open on Fuji’s line of F-cameras, which are considered to be the best in its class for that type of photography, mainly due to the Super CCD sensor that they use. And from what I’ve seen in the past, I wasn’t very surprised when I heard the announcement of a new F50fd camera soon. I was expecting more megapixels, but I was still a bit upset to see a jump to 12MP. Believe me, unless you’re printing poster size pictures, 6MP is more than enough! So my expectations of the camera were very low, despite the fact that Fuji kept the support of SD card format, and even brought back the manual controls! I was waiting for some samples/reviews to show up on the web, but up until now haven’t seen any, probably due to the fact that the camera hasn’t been sold anywhere yet (Amazon lists October 1st as a shipping date). So imagine my surprise when I saw it at a local Best Buy store this afternoon. I happened to have my SD card with me, so in it went into the camera, and half an hour later (I didn’t have more time as I was on my lunch break) I came out of the store having a card with a bunch of samples. After I came back to work, I loaded the sample images from the card onto my computer, and all I could say was WOW! Even at large magnifications, the pictures still maintained a good amount of clarity and detail. I was really amazed. I’ll break it down to Pros and Cons again for the ease of use:

PROS:
Ergonomics – Very well designed and solidly built. I don’t think I would add and/or subtract anything from it. The form, the lines, the button layout were certainly very well thought of by Fuji engineers, so the camera is easy and pleasant to use.

Display – The LCD is big and bright. It’s got the same number of pixels as previous models, but it’s slightly larger, 2.7″ vs. 2.5″, and it’s a welcome upgrade.

Image Stabilization – YES!!! Finally, Fuji decided to implement this very important feature in this model. It really helps if your hands are a little shaky, and/or when shooting in dim light.

Picture Quality – As I already mentioned, I didn’t expect this to be the case, but the picture quality is actually very, very good. I was really surprised to see an output like that from a tiny compact digital camera, especially considering the amount of megapixels that they’ve managed to squeeze into such a small sensor. The colors were very natural, the pictures looked very sharp all throughout, properly exposed, with good amount of detail, even when enlarged at 100%. Hats off to Fuji! However, if you are expecting to see less noise at higher ISO’s comparing to F30/F31fd models, you will be disappointed – it’s actually noisier. But no doubt that those who approach it with lower expectations will be delighted.

CONS:
Wide Angle – I’d love to see the lens that starts at more than just 35mm. I think it’s very much doable, and wouldn’t require a lot of effort on Fuji’s side. Why didn’t they do it? I don’t know. But it sure would be nice to take beautiful panoramic shots with this camera.

Zoom – 3x Optical Zoom just doesn’t cut it these days. We need more!

Menus – Perhaps I just got spoiled with Casio’s controls and navigation menus, but some of the ones that I’ve seen on this Fuji just didn’t seem very logical to me. It’s probably just a matter of preference and getting used to though, since I’ve never owned a Fuji camera before.

Megapixels – Yes, the picture quality is excellent. I could only imagine though how much better it would be if this was only a 6MP camera! Too bad, but I understand why they did it – market demands.

SUMMARY:
To summarize, I’m going to repeat myself here, but I didn’t expect much of this camera when it was announced. However, after I got a chance to evaluate it, I must say that my opinion has changed dramatically. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the picture quality that this camera is capable of producing is on par, and even better than most of the top point and shoots out there, and in competent hands will produce stunning results. However, I’d recommend to wait for some professional reviews, as well as compare samples so you can judge for yourself prior to making a purchasing decision.

a good camera, but a bit disappointed4
I’ve now played with my F50FD for about a week. It’s very easy to use, and I’m happy with it overall- it will serve me well as a extremely portable grab-n-go camera. (It fits in my jeans pocket *with* my cell phone and keys. It’s very thin!)

The user interface is clean, easy to use, with helpful on-screen reminders that manage not to get in the way. Other pluses: the battery charger is travel-friendly (no cord), and there’s no lens cap to lose. Autofocus performance is quite good– hugely better than my previous Optio 555.

But my expectations were high, and it hasn’t met them all. As we all feared, image quality above ISO400 is a disappointment. ISO800 is marginally useful, but at higher resolutions, the distinctive “oil painting”-style artifacts caused by their noise reduction algorithm become increasingly significant. At ISO1600+, your photo may be 12MP, but the effect of the noise reduction is that there’s probably only about 1MP of actual information in the photo. I would much prefer that Fuji allow us to save photos in RAW format, so that we could use better noise reduction algorithms ourselves. The higher ISO modes should be viewed as a novelty.

Flash performance is mixed: red-eye hasn’t been as bad as I feared, but the flash seems a bit weak. On sunny days, I could not coax the camera to adequately fill in the shadows on a subject’s face from a distance of about 7′. On the other hand, the camera seems to be able to reduce the flash power as needed, making it usable at close ranges without burning out the subject.

The image stabilizer was of course a big draw, and there’s definitely some improvement with it. There are no miracles here, but it’s good for an f-stop or two.

Other nits: movie mode disables the zoom (grr!), and I cannot imagine a use for the IR transfer feature.

Overall, it’s a fine camera and I’m happy with it. It didn’t live up to all my expectations, but this camera had a lot of (perhaps unrealistic) buzz to live up to.

Head of the class4
I own a Canon S2IS and was looking for something more compact and less complicated to use. The first camera I tried was the Fuji F40fd. It’s watercolor NR system and lack of a dual IS left me wanting more. Shortly after I purchased it the F50fd came out so I returned the F40 in favor of the F50.

I tried a few other compact cameras as well which are included in the following list but so far nothing has been able to nudge out the F50.

Sony Cybershot DSCW80 7.2MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom and Super Steady Shot (Silver)

Fujifilm Finepix F40fd 8.3MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3S 7.2MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Silver)

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ7S 7.2MP Digital Camera with 6x Image Stabilized Zoom (Silver)

In “blind” (not knowing which camera took what photos) tests, I asked family and friends to view, compare, and comment on images (both on the computer screen as well as prints), and the F50fd was consistently chosen as having the sharpest photos with the most “true” color representation among all the other cameras mentioned above. The F50fd is on par with the Canon S2IS in regards to image quality. It lacks the 12x zoom and the full manual controls of the S2IS but the F50fd is compact, easy to transport, handle, less complicated, takes much better low light and night shots than the Canon.

What I liked about the F50fd:

* Dual image stabilization.
* The noise reduction system is an improvement over the F40fd.
* The LCD on the F50fd is slightly larger.
* The F50fd is an excellent low light shooter.
* Face detection 2.0 is a definite improvement over the previous model’s fd system.
* Manual aperture or shutter control.
* A simple and intuitive menu system.
* Great battery life.
* Options for memory cards (XD, SD. SDHC).

What I didn’t like:

* The F40fd’s “auto” mode started @ ISO 100. Fuji changed the “auto” mode to a minimum of ISO 400 on the F50fd (?).
* Fuji removed the on screen histogram from the F40fd (?).
* Continuous shooting speeds are a very slow with both models.

Keeping the ISO @ 100 seems to be a growing theme these days among compacts. Anything above 100 and you get noisy fast or a NR system kicks in and blurs all your details away. Fuji’s “noise” is still easier to deal with than that of other camera manufacturers in my opinion. Sure you could use ISO 3200 but why would you want to? Even a DSLR would have noise issues at that speed. This camera isn’t a replacement for a DSLR. Its a fun, compact, good low light shooter. The ability to set either manual aperture or shutter speed along with the “night” mode and the “night” mode with “long exposure” makes for some amazing low light / night shots. I think that compared to other models in this price range the Fuji F50fd still manages to stay above the competition (Especially when you consider the $[...] rebate). The F50fd isn’t perfect but what is?

Manufacturer Description
Introducing the Finepix F50fd digital camera, featuring all the latest developments in face detection, image processing, and image stabilization into a compact digital camera

The newly developed Face Detection 2.0 chip adds the data of side-on faces and angled faces into the originally developed Face Detection chip, and greatly expands the camera’s ability to detect faces. Face Detection 2.0 detects up to 10 faces in as little as 0.05 seconds even though the subject may be turned sideways or is lying down. This next generation technology not only optimizes focus and exposure of detected faces but also enhances total quality by setting the ideal white balance to give stunning sets of photos.

Moreover, the FinePix F50fd employs clever red-eye correction software which, when combined with Face Detection 2.0 technology, instantly identifies and corrects red-eye, either as the shot is taken or in playback mode.

The FinePix F50fd incorporates a Fujinon 3x optical lens and the newly developed 7th-generation 12-megapixel Super CCD. This new 12-megapixel Super CCD gives exceptional resolution. Every photographer, from beginners to photo enthusiast, will marvel at the ability of the F50fd to distinguish small details like single strands of hair and to faithfully reproduce fine skin tones. The new 12.0-Megapixel sensor works closely in conjunction with the RP (Real Photo) Processor? and features several key improvements that increase the camera’s efficiency. Even at the highest ISO 6400 sensitivity, image quality is amazingly high with minimal noise interference.

In addition, this is the first time that CCD shift Image Stabilization has been introduced into a FinePix camera. Combining CCD shift Image Stabilization with high ISO sensitivity, the F50fd offers a synergistic effect of excellent anti-blur protection, called Dual Image Stabilization. Even in dark scenes and at night, the Dual Image Stabilization system gives crisp results every time. High sensitivity allows camera to increase shutter speed to freeze the action, while CCD shift Image Stabilization automatically compensates for camera shake.

Fujifilm FinePix F50fd Highlights

Face Detection 2.0 New Face Detection 2.0 by Fujifilm advances Face Detection technology to a whole new level. By combining our existing advanced Face Detection with new processing capabilities, Face Detection 2.0 delivers better recognition of faces, even at angles never able to be detected by other systems. Additionally, Face Detection 2.0 allows for other useful features to be added such as Automatic Red-Eye removal. The most advanced Face Detection technology available today!

Dual Image Stabilization The FinePix F50fd gives you the best of both worlds where image stabilization is concerned. With industry standard optical images stabilization, the photographers hand is steadied for a clearer, blur free shot. Add to that the addition of Fujifilm’s Picture Stabilization Technology, and increase clarity and sharpness is achieved, even in low light conditions or when shooting moving subjects. The combination of the two is the ultimate in stabilization technology.

Automatic Red-Eye Removal With the help of Fujifilm’s new Face Detection 2.0, the F50fd has sophisticated intelligent software algorithms that detect red-eye and correct it in-camera. More than just red-eye reduction–this is red-eye elimination, after the image has been captured, to assure every picture looks its best.

IrSimple wireless transfer Transfer your images quickly and easily from your FinePix F50fd to any IrSimple-equipped device. A fast infrared technology, IrSimple makes getting those photos out of your camera a breeze. Want to share with your friends? No problem, you can even transfer images to another IrSimple equipped camera too!

xD/SD-compatible slot The Finepix F50fd features an xD/SD compatible slot, allowing the use of either xD Picture Card or SD media to store and transfer your photos. This convenient and flexible capability assures compatibility with a wider variety of applications than ever before, and allows users to choose the media technology that is right for them.

What’s in the box

Fujifilm Finepix F50fd digital camera, Li-ion cattery NP-50, battery charger BC-50, strap, AV cable, USB cable, CD-ROM, owner’s manual

Buy Opteka Underwater Case/Housing for Nikon D700, D300, D300S, D3000, D5000, D90, D80, D70, D60, D50, D40, And D40x Digital SLR Cameras At Amazon!

August 13th, 2010 by trombley3450798

Opteka Underwater Case/Housing for Nikon D700, D300, D300S, D3000, D5000, D90, D80, D70, D60, D50, D40, And D40x Digital SLR Cameras

Buy Opteka Underwater Case/Housing for Nikon D700, D300, D300S, D3000, D5000, D90, D80, D70, D60, D50, D40, And D40x Digital SLR Cameras At Amazon!

Compare & Purchase Opteka Underwater Case/Housing for Nikon D700, D300, D300S, D3000, D5000, D90, D80, D70, D60, D50, D40, And D40x Digital SLR Cameras at Amazon by clicking here!

List Price: $179.00

Amazon Price: $79.95

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Opteka Underwater Case/Housing for Nikon D700, D300, D300S, D3000, D5000, D90, D80, D70, D60, D50, D40, And D40x Digital SLR Cameras Description:

The Opteka UC-SLR underwater housing will protect your digital SLR camera while swimming, boating, skiing, fishing, snorkeling and scuba diving (up to 30 feet). Features a secure clamp closure, accordion lens tube with two finger adjusters, UV coated lens cover, neck strap and deluxe carry case. Will work with any digital SLR camera up to 8″ X 8″ with lenses up to 80mm in diameter (The accordion lens tube can extend up to 5″)

  • Brand: Opteka
  • Model: OPT-UC-SLR-NIK

Features

  • Underwater housing for up to 30 feet depth
  • Secure thumb screw clamp closure system
  • Double-coated PVC Vinyl with UV Coated Lens Cover
  • Accordion style lens tube with two finger adjusters gives user full control
  • Dimensions: 10″ X 8″ X 6.5″ (L X H X W)

Customer Reviews:

A decent option for the occassional underwater photographer3
I’ll start the review by discussing the seller, as this item was not ship/sold from Amazon but instead 47th street photo. While the order took a day or two longer than Amazon itself usually requires all told from order to delivery was a little over a week. The product arrived in perfect condition so no complaints regarding the seller.

In terms of the product, it’s important to set realistic expectations for what you can do with it.

1. Take it underwater. Clearly this is the most important aspect of this product and I found that my camera was safe and secure for up to 20 feet underwater (the farthest I went) without any issues of leakage.
2. Fit. I have a Nikon D60 and used my standard 18-55mm lens to get the largest area for my shots. As a result the front of the case was not snug to the lens requiring I told it firm, or shots were nearly impossible to take. In the future I may use a longer lens or other means to fix this issue.
3. Picture control. In short, you need to set the camera on auto with a decently high ISO to get this to work. Between the plastic on the case, the finger controls only being adequate, and the difficulty of seeing the LCD underwater you cannot change settings on the fly. Not sure you’d need to, but something to make note of.
4. Focus. I had a really difficult time with getting my camera to focus. This could have been the result of somewhat murky water or the lens not butting up against the end of the case but for every 5 shots I tried to take I only got one or two. This was a bit frustrating to get out of the water and only discover you got 10 pictures and not 40 or so to choose from.
5. Air. The only other issue I encounter was getting enough air out of the bag. Because air was trapped it made it a little more challenging to work with under the water. Not impossible mind you, but a little difficult.

I’m sure over time I will get better at using the case and it does what it is meant to do – protect the camera from water. So if you’re looking to get some pics underwater this is a good option but it shouldn’t be confused with more expensive hard cases which will provide much more control over the settings and an overall more pleasurable experience. Still for $90 (on sale) I think it is a good interim step before buying a hard case or for the occasional underwater photographer.

it works but not perfectly3
I bought this housing for my Nikon D50 camera. I put it to the test during a Caribbean cruise where I snorkeled 3 times and took hundreds of photos underwater. In the same trip my wife used her Intova dive camera to take pictures during a scuba diving and 2 snorkeling trips. Here are the summary of my experience:
The housing did not leak so I was able to take photos at a much faster rate than the Intova point and shoot camera. Still it is a rather expensive plastic housing. Its useful lifetime will depend on how long the plastic will not become brittle.
My biggest problem was using the viewfinder. With my snorkeling mask it is difficult to look into the viewfinder to see what I am focusing on. One way to avoid this problem would be to get a newer Nikon with live-view in addition to a viewfinder. To get as much into the photo as possible I used a wide angle lens. However, it was difficult to zoom the lens in and out since it is difficult to rotate the lens.My wife’s Intova did not have this problem and can change the zoom easily.
Another problem I encounter is using the built-in popup flash. It is difficult to keep the flash pop up. Without the flash I have to rely on the sun and also cannot take photo of objects more than 10 feet below the sea level. Again my wife’s Intova with the built-in flash did better than me.
Overall, the underwater housing was cheaper than a new Intova camera and housing. It allows me to take advantage of the faster recycling time of a digital SLR. My best pictures are better than those taken with the Intova. But my percentage of good pictures are much lower than those of the Intova. It need a few improvements for this housing to maximize the advantage of a SLR over a point-and-shoot for underwater photography..

Worse Customer services ever.1
I order Splash bag, paid extra to have it delivered rushed and still the package arrived days after it was expected. I later called 47th st. photo to order another bag. They where un-willing to work with my situation, I wanted to place an order next day to the Cayman Islands, and where unable to give me options to make the order happen. For any professions needing quality service and products I suggest looking somewhere else. They are un-willing to provide services for customers in need.

Buy Canon E1 Hand Strap w/ Tripod Kit At Amazon!

August 13th, 2010 by trombley3450798

Canon E1 Hand Strap w/ Tripod Kit. Canon E1 Hand Strap w/ Tripod Kit

Product: Buy Canon E1 Hand Strap w/ Tripod Kit At Amazon!

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Amazon Price: $39.95
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Compare Prices on Canon E1 Hand Strap w/ Tripod Kit

The E1 Hand Strap adds security to hand-holding a camera, and was designed to be used only with cameras that have a built-in power booster or grip, or where an optional power booster or extension grip has been added. The strap attaches with one end to the eyelet at the top of the camera, and the other end to the eyelet in the base of the booster/grip.

  • Brand: Canon

Features

  • Canon E1 Hand Strap for EOS Cameras
  • Full Size 57-inch Tripod w/ Case
  • Lens Pen Cleaning Tool

Canon PowerShot SD780IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera Black + 4GB Accessory Kit Discount.

August 12th, 2010 by trombley3450798

Canon PowerShot SD780IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera Black + 4GB Accessory Kit

Canon PowerShot SD780IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera Black + 4GB Accessory Kit Discount.

Compare & Purchase Canon PowerShot SD780IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera Black + 4GB Accessory Kit at Amazon by clicking here!

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Amazon Price: $209.95

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Canon PowerShot SD780IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera Black + 4GB Accessory Kit Description:

It may be the slimmest Digital ELPH Canon has ever created, but the impact couldn’t be bigger. The PowerShot SD780 IS Digital ELPH captivates the senses with bold saturated colors and a daringly original design that matches the intensity of Canon’s most innovative camera technology. Plus, you’ve got an advanced DIGIC 4 Image Processor with evolved Face Detection Technology and the Face Detection Self-timer for extraordinary control and performance. This technology finds and tracks the faces of moving subjects until you’re ready to shoot, then delivers perfect focus. In addition, exposure, flash and white balance are compensated, so that faces exhibit natural skin tones and backgrounds are properly exposed. The camera also makes it easy to enjoy HD movies (and still photos) in beautiful high definition (1280 x 720 pixels) on your HDTV with a mini-HDMI connector for direct connection to a high-definition monitor. You’ll enjoy the HD experience with no degradation of image or audio in the signal, plus the ability to display up to 130 still images at once. So the shots you used to miss are the images you’ll now be sharing, and the movies you never took before will be HD unforgettable. Focal Length – 5.9-17.9mm f/3.2-5.8 (35mm film equivalent – 33-100mm) LCD Monitor – 2.5-inch TFT color LCD widescreen with wide viewing angle, Approx. 230,000 pixels ISO Sensitivity – Auto, ISO 80/100/200/400/800/1600 equivalent Continuous Shooting – Approx. 0.8 fps Compression Mode – Still Image – Exif 2.2 (JPEG); Movie – MOV (H.264) Card Number of Recording Pixels – Still Image – up to 4000 x 3000 (Large); Movie – High Definition – up to 1280 x 720 (30 fps) Video Output – NTSC/PAL Dimensions – 3.43 (W) x 2.15 (H) x 0.72 (D).
4GB Accessory Kit: 4 Gigabyte SD Memory Card – Memory Card Wallet – Compact Camera Carrying Case with Pocket and Strap – Lens Care & Cleaning Kit – Pack of LCD Screen Protectors – Flexible Legged Mini Table Tripod – BONUS!! FREE 25 Quality Prints.

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #114571 in Camera & Photo
  • Brand: Canon

Features

  • Canon PowerShot SD780IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-inch LCD – Black (Includes manufacturer’s supplied accessories)
  • 4 Gigabyte SD Secure Digital Memory Card – Universal Memory Card Wallet
  • Compact Digital Camera Carrying Case with Pocket and Strap
  • Lens Care & Cleaning Kit – Package of LCD Screen Protectors
  • Flexible Legged Mini Table Tripod – BONUS!! FREE 25 Quality Prints (Promo code# on invoice)

Customer Reviews:

Buy Opteka ILM15 Illusions Mirror 15-Inch Digital Picture Frame with 1GB Built-In Memory At Amazon!

August 11th, 2010 by trombley3450798

Opteka ILM15 Illusions Mirror 15-Inch Digital Picture Frame with 1GB Built-In Memory. Opteka ILM15 Illusions Mirror 15-Inch Digital Picture Frame with 1GB Built-In Memory

Product: Buy Opteka ILM15 Illusions Mirror 15-Inch Digital Picture Frame with 1GB Built-In Memory At Amazon!

List Price: $299.00

Amazon Price: $189.00
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Compare Prices on Opteka ILM15 Illusions Mirror 15-Inch Digital Picture Frame with 1GB Built-In Memory

When turned on, the new Opteka Illusions beautifully showcases digital images on its 15-inch real glass display. When turned off, the Opteka Illusions functions as an elegant mirror whether placed on a table or desk or mounted to a wall. In addition to high style, the new Opteka Illusions features 1GB of internal memory capable of storing up to 4,000 pictures.

This new digital picture frame is designed to keep memories alive by showcasing digital pictures in an automatic slideshow presentation giving precious digital memories new life. The Opteka Illusions enables you to highlight your special photographic moments and easily share them with family and friends. Easy to use buttons on the back of the frame support intuitive operation of all important functions. Also included with this model is a stand and wireless remote control unit for convenient operation from any location in a room.

To view images on the display, just insert your camera’s media card into the frame to transfer images to the frames internal memory or you can download digital image files from your PC or USB device onto the Opteka Illusions via the included USB cable.

Specifications
-15-inch (38.1 cm) color TFT LC display
-Aspect Ratio: 4:3
-Resolution: 1024 x 768 Pixel
-Viewing area: 12 inches (H) x 9 inches (W)
-Brightness: 350 cd/m2
-Contrast: 400:1
-Internal memory: 1GB
-Internal Li-Ion Battery-Supported Card Types: SD, SDHC, MMC, MS, MS Pro, CF, xD
-Additional connectors: USB OTG, USB 2.0
-File Formats: JPG
-Supported File size: up to 16MB
-Functions: Still, Thumbnail and Slideshow, various Transition effects, image rotation (+/- 90°), image zoom, integrated calendar and clock

In the box
-Illusions 15″ frame, 110/220 AC adapter, wireless remote, USB cable, stand, manual

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #10150 in Consumer Electronics
  • Brand: Opteka
  • Model: ILM15

Features

  • High quality 15″ digital picture frame and elegant mirror in one
  • 1GB of internal memory capable of storing up to 4,000 pictures
  • Easy to use buttons on the back of the frame support intuitive operation of all important functions
  • Functions: Still, Thumbnail and Slideshow, various Transition effects, image rotation (+/- 90°), image zoom, integrated calendar and clock
  • Frame stand and wireless remote control included

Not all it’s cracked up to be3
After ordering and return a few photo frames, I ordered the Opteka illuminations 15″.

First of all, it’s not “mirror” like as the image from the manufacturer has shown. When the frame is off, the interior rectangle is much darker than the exterior “mirror” rectangle.

The exterior rectangle is shown to be a light silver reflective surface. In fact it is reflective, but is actually dark silver/gray.

The frame is obviously reflective, and when there is a light on nearby and the frame is turned on there is a light reflection from almost every angle when looking at the frame. The angle of view isn’t that large. If the frame is used table top the reflection is unavoidable (due to the vertical angle not being parallel to the wall), when the frame is hung on the wall, there is still a reflection, but it could be avoided a little better.

The power dongle is HUGE. Not even remotely close to the size of the other power dongles provided by even Opteka themselves. It has a short cord coming from the frame and then the huge dongle and a longer cord going to the outlet. If you’re going to keep this frame, a new power cord needs to be bought.

The response time of the remote control is very slow, but not much slower than other photo frames that I’ve experimented with.

And like other Opteka frames, there is no random function on this frame.

There are no reviews online of this frame, and this might explain why. 47th street photo is the only store that sells it at this point on Amazon or anywhere on the internet.