CANON 7D

Canon's X0D series was, for many years, essentially the default choice for keen enthusiasts, professionals and aspiring-professionals who wanted top-level image quality and functionality without the bulk (or price) of a pro-level camera such as the 1D series. The 10D, 20D and 30D were hugely successful and popular cameras, and you didn't have to spend long shooting with them to understand why. However, like every other sector of the DSLR market, there are some very competitive rivals, in terms of both price and features. Cameras such as Sony's A700 and Nikon's D200 and 300 have meant the most recent X0D EOSs have been held to higher standards and have found it a little harder to stand-out.

CANON EOS 1D Mark IV

The Canon EOS 1D Mark IV is the fifth generation of Canon's speed-orientated range of professional DSLRs. It retains the two-grip form factor of the original, 4MP EOS-1D launched in September 2001 (itself building on the integrated grip of the film-era EOS-1N RS, also the first to offer 10fps shooting, albeit without AF between shots). And it's this consistency of design, which extends to the AF pattern and much of the control layout, that helps to explain the name - the Mark IV really is the current point in an evolutionary process, rather than a wholly separate model.

CANON EOS 1Ds Mark III

The EOS-1Ds Mark III is the seventh Canon professional EOS-1D series digital SLR, although only the third of the 's' suffix sub-category which indicates a full frame sensor. Three years since the last EOS-1Ds, the Mark II, the Mark III pushes digital SLR resolution over the twenty megapixel barrier with specifically twenty-one-point-one million pixels (5616 x 3744) on its 36 x 24 mm (full 35 mm frame) sensor. Canon also claims to have increased the 'light gathering efficiency' of the sensor by reducing the amount of (wasted) space between micro lenses, hence despite the resolution increase the Mark III still provides sensitivity up to ISO 3200 (with boost enabled).

As well as increasing resolution Canon has pushed continuous shooting up a step with five frames per second over the Mark II's four frames per second. This means that at full speed the two DIGIC III image processors are dealing with an impressive 185 MB/sec. Other improvements include the larger screen, Live View, a fourteen-bit A/D converter and fourteen-bit RAW files, UDMA Compact Flash support (up to 45 MB/sec) and a whole range of features (such as dual storage slots and Picture Styles) inherited from the EOS-1D Mark III.
From a build, function and usability point of view the EOS-1Ds Mark III is identical to the EOS-1D Mark III apart from the full frame (36 x 24 mm) sensor, (naturally) larger viewfinder and UDMA support for Compact Flash cards.

SONY a290

Sony has released the DSLR-A290 on Wednesday, 9 June 2010, its latest entry level digital SLRs. As suggested by the images leaked on the internet, the cameras essentially add a new grip design to the existing A230 and A380 models. The other major change is that both now get the image-stabilized 14.2MP CCD sensor seen in the A380. As with the previous models, the higher-priced A390 features the company's fast liveview system and a 2.7 tilting LCD, while the A290 has a fixed LCD, no liveview and larger viewfinder. The rest of the features are shared by both cameras including on-screen camera guides and HD outputs. The A390 and A290 will start shipping next month at a retail price of $600 and $500 in the US market and €500 and €450 in the European market.
    * Compact, stylish body with new grip design and revised button layout for comfortable handling
    * Quick AF Live View with tilt LCD (α390) for live image preview with fast, accurate autofocus
    * Friendly on-screen Help Guide and Graphic Display
    * HDMI output and BRAVIA Sync

Andy Warhol’s Polaroids

Happy Friday! Let’s reminisce a little, shall we? Here are some old Polaroids taken by Andy Warhol. The collection was part of Big Shots: Andy Warhol Polaroids of Celebrities. Also, check out a MossantParis.com post entitled, ‘Andy Got an iPhone‘ for some more of Warhol’s Polaroid photos.

Mashable’s iPhone Photos of Rainbows

Mashable posted ‘15 Fantastic iPhone Photos of Rainbows‘ and we spotted a couple ShakeItPhoto pics (including a sweet double rainbow shot taken by Dirk Dallas!). Take a peek at the article.photo from mashable.com

Food and Travel ShakeItPhoto Shots

Check out these insanely beautiful ShakeItPhoto images, taken by Andrea Gentl. Her iPhone shots can be found here, from her food + travel website, Hungry Ghost.