The MOTOZINE ZN5, combine Motorola wireless communication technology with Kodak’s imaging technology to produce a device with a 5 MP integrated camera and features like autofocus, Xenon flash, optimized settings for low-light photography, and the ability to accommodate up to 4 GB of external memory.

“Kodak Imaging Technology combines Kodak’s unparalleled experience in imaging science with easy connectivity to the company’s vast portfolio of products and services,” said John Blake, General Manager, Digital Capture and Imaging Devices Group, Vice President, Eastman Kodak Company. “We have redefined the quality, convenience and connectivity of mobile imaging devices. We have worked closely with Motorola to create a device that not only delivers Kodak-quality pictures, but allows consumers to explore a wide range of options for sharing their photos with friends and family around the world.”

The camera phone will include various photo capture modes, like multi-shot and panorama; and the ability to automatically upload images to an online Kodak Gallery via a dedicated Gallery Link. Using ShoZu, customers can also upload images to a number of popular social networking Websites. With Bluetooth technology, users can also wirelessly transfer photos; or print them via compatible Kodak all-in-one printers and picture kiosks. The ZN5 will ship with Kodak EasyShare software for easily managing and editing captured images.

In addition to the photo features, the ZN5 boasts Motorola’s patented CrystalTalk technology to enhance the caller’s voice; and GSM and WLAN compatibility for robust connectivity on-the-go.

While its specific availability in the Canadian market has not yet been announced, the ZN5 will be available in China this month, and is expected to roll out “around the globe” throughout the remainder of the year.

While Sony Ericsson is arguably the only company to have successfully created camera phones that rival entry-level point-and-shoot digital cameras with its mobile phone/Cyber-shot camera hybrid devices, the Motozine ZN5 could give the company a serious run for its money with the involvement of Kodak technology. From Kodak’s end, the entrance into this ever-growing market is a smart-move. Camera phones are becoming increasingly popular, if only as secondary devices to dedicated point-and-shoot digital cameras. As they become more and more advanced, however, these devices could very well take a considerable chunk out of the entry-level digital camera market.

With the popularity boom of digital photography, and digital cameras, more and more people are getting serious about it this art and the technology that goes along with it. People are looking to get their first digital cameras, and in order to bring about excellence, as far as the photos themselves go, you simply can’t go wrong with an SLR digital camera.

This is the type of camera that most professionals and extremely enthusiastic photographers use since it creates superior photos, and gives the photographer complete control over the images that he or she produces.

It’s been said over and over that the most crucial element of any camera whatsoever is the lens. Basically the digital camera, just like the regular film camera, is only as good as the lens is.

In fact this is the main reason that most people decide to buy an SLR digital camera - is because of the notion that they can interchange the lenses in order to be more creative and versatile with their photography. Actually, this is the one variable of the digital SLR or D-SLR (Digital SLR) camera purchase that you have to be weary of. Many cameras on the market are labeled as D-SLR, yet some of them actually have a fixed lens. This drastically limits the photographer and therefore you must be cautious before the purchase, and know what you’re actually getting.

Now perhaps if you’re not as avid a photographer as some might be, but still want to take higher quality photographs, then a D-SLR might be the way to go. This actually may be exactly the camera for you…but if you’re becoming serious about your digital photography and your wants and needs dictate, then you should get the D-SLR that allows for the lens to be interchangeable.

It’s very important that you look at the available selection of lenses prior to purchasing your digital camera. Make sure that the variety of choice is substantial enough, and includes the type of lenses that you’re looking for.

That leads nicely into the next point. Before you purchase any digital camera it’s important that you know what you’re looking to use it for, and how much power and resolution you’ll need etc. It’s important that you assess this before you start looking around for your camera because it will decrease a lot of the confusion and it will help you to get exactly what you want.

The size of the prints that you’ll be creating falls directly into this part of the decision. The size of quality prints that you’re able to create depends on the number of megapixels that your camera has. So for instance — if you’re looking to create large prints of 8 X 10 or more then it’s probably to your benefit to get an SLR digital camera with no less than 8 megapixels.

This is all pretty much determined by the size of the image sensor. The image sensor ultimately is in direct correlation to how many pixels a camera has…and the count size of those pixels. Basically the larger the pixel count the better your camera gathers light giving you an enhanced low light performance with high ISO. The image sensor is also responsible for giving you a wider dynamic range.

Also important is the fact that the size of the image sensor makes a significant difference in how wide an angle of view your lens provides.

Here’s how it works.

A smaller sensor will see a smaller segment of the image produced by the lens. If you’ve got a D-SLR camera with a full-frame image sensor, this means that you’re getting the same size as a full 35mm film frame (36×24mm). Essentially, many digital photographers look to get as close to this as possible in order to have photos that are comparable to the ones that they’ve been able to achieve with their original film 35mm camera.

There are also other things to consider such as the LCD screen and its size, plus how many extra features that the camera has (if you want extra features). If you’re more of a beginner with the SLR’s and you like the idea of a little automation and extra help from your camera, then it’s good to know that some entry-level and mid-range D-SLRs come equipped with subject modes. These will automatically set the camera for shooting subjects like close-ups, portraits, landscapes, action and many more. It’s important to know that the more top line and professional level D-SLR’s don’t have this. This is why it’s also a good idea to honestly establish your expertise level with digital photography

In a nutshell, if you stick to the major brands then you really can’t go wrong, because nearly all of them have very high quality SLR cameras that will give you what you want and then some. So now you don’t have to worry about how to choose the right SLR digital camera anymore. Now it’s time to go and get one.

Canon digital cameras have been upfront in their designs, user friendly menus and innovative technology. Be it a simple point and shoot digital camera or a high end digital SLR (Single Lens Reflex), Canon’s expertise has justified every need and pocket. They are constantly on the lookout for path breaking advancements that serve your imaging needs.

Canon has well above 1000 patented digital technologies and is seeking extended innovation each year. Most of the Canon digital cameras have a 9- point AiAF, i.e. providing true auto-focus. The screen is divided into 9 parts and the focus is captured with finesse. This is unique from the traditional 5- point auto-focusing methodology. Canon also developed the popular multi face detection technology that enables to detect up to 9 faces in its lower end digital cameras and up to 35 faces in its higher end cameras. This feature is also extended to its video shooting function. The video capturing mode has this feature extended by incorporating ‘face select and tracking’ which enables you to track a face among a crowd.

Canon’s digital SLR’s sports the ground breaking ESO technology. This technology has an integrated cleaning system which functions to remove the dust particles on the lens and on the image. It has inbuilt hardware to shake off the dust particles from the lens and software to remove the sticky dust grains from the image. Thus it aims at providing the best possible image by removing all faults. They have also initiated the anti-noise processing which takes care that no dots or white lines are formed in the image unlike other cameras which remove the noise after the image is taken which might result in distortion of the image.

Some of the highly rated canon digital camera include PowerShot, IXUS and EOS. The PowerShot is aimed at the simple point and shoot user, the price is affordable and it features cameras below 10 mega pixels available in varied colour options and designs. The IXUS series is the mid-range digital camera offering that are more advanced and bit pricey. The ESO series offers digital SLR’s that are meant for professional photographers and photography enthusiasts. These SLR’s are available with different range lenses. Canon has roped in Sachin Tendulkar as their brand ambassador for marketing of their popular product line. Canon has emerged as a pioneer in its design, technology, and usability thus becoming a name synonymous to photography.

In the growing world of digital photography new cameras with various high-tech features and settings appear on the market every day. For lovers of fast, easy photography it’s a virtual paradise — if you can manage to sift through the many choices and find a digital camera that’s right for you.

Most people with even a mild interest in digital photography are aware that SLR cameras are the cream of the crop. Digital SLR is a shortened version of the term digital single lens reflex, which means utilization of a mirror positioned behind the cameras lens to direct light toward the viewfinder as you’re composing a photo. When the shutter is released, the mirror moves out of the way allowing light from the lens to travel to the sensor and black out the viewfinder for a moment. The viewfinder employs a prism that turns the image around and bounces it onto the screen where it can be seen by the photographer.

SLR’s allow the photographer better and tighter control over the images that are produced in ways that a point and shoot digital camera cannot. With an SLR one is able to control shutter speed, utilize a wide variety of different lenses, enjoy an overall faster performance, and have access to great flexibility. Read the rest of this entry »

The Nikon Coolpix P80 is the digital camera I wish I could have bought five years ago, but cameras with these features did not exist, and if they did, the prices would have been out of reach for the casual photographer.

This compact digital SLR has an astounding 18x zoom lens, 10 Megapixel resolution, a large LCD screen and a bright through-the-lens viewfinder. In addition to several photo resolutions, the user can choose from several different aspect ratios–16:9 TV, 3:4 TV, different computer screen sizes, and 1:1 square, great for online auction photos.
Read the rest of this entry »

After owning an Olympus C-3030 for a few years and getting several comments on the excellent photo it produced, I was ready to upgrade to something with more features, zoom, resolution and compatibility.

I first purchased a Canon A650-IS bundle for Christmas and was immedaitely displeased with the graininess of indoor shots without the flash. I know Canon makes good digicams, but in the megapixel race, I felt they just crammed too many pixels onto the sensor to produce quality low-light images. So, back it want.

Now, the SP-570UZ is not the ‘be all and end all’ in prosumer-level digital cameras, but for what it is designed to do, it does, for the most part, pretty darned well. The range of the lens alone is fantastic. I can get excellent wide-angle shots and wonderful zoomed close-ups. Perfect for a typical consumer wanting decent quality shots of kid’s sports, snapshots and outdoor landscape photos. The various preset scene modes are fairly good and I’ve done well with sunset/sunrise shots. Read the rest of this entry »

Canon Digital Rebel XSI 12MP Digital SLR Camera is a nice camera. We’ll start with what this camera is NOT:

1) It’s NOT a full-frame camera. That means it’s smaller, lighter, and of course the 1.6x crop factor is important to remember if you have EF lenses already. But, because it’s smaller, it’s cheaper and offers less features. These are, for the most part, obscure features nobody will ever use anyway. These factors make it easier to use at the expense of being slightly less functional.

2) The XSi is NOT a point-and-shoot digicam. Don’t expect it to do videos, sound, or to incorporate all kinds of convenient uber-automation. While ‘cool’, this automation usually just keeps you from controlling what you want to do yourself. Most of the time, this camera will stay in “P” or “program mode” for me. There is a green setting for point-and-shoot operation, but all this does is disable most of the features that you buy the camera for.

2a) Live View is NOT the same as the LCD viewfinder on point-and-shoot digicams. Don’t expect it to focus fast or provide the same functionality. Live View is intended for a camera mounted on a tripod or held steady. It is a GREAT way to get perfect focus when you need it. You just zoom in to 10x magnification and manually focus or let the contrast detection do it for you. But, it is NOT an LCD viewfinder. As long as you don’t think it will be (I was stupid enough to think that way) then you know before you buy.

The bad: (in all fairness, these are true of most modern DSLR’s)

1) The battery is improved, yes, but it’s REALLY expensive. I bought a generic battery for a backup. Keeping the Canon battery fully charged, of course, and only using the generic when the Canon is charging. Read the rest of this entry »