Ultra Cool Gadgets

For stunning photography with point and shoot ease, look no further than Canon’s EOS Rebel XSi. The EOS Rebel XSi brings staggering technological innovation to the masses. It features Canon’s EOS Integrated Cleaning System, Live View Function, a powerful DIGIC III Image Processor, plus a new 12.2-megapixel CMOS sensor and is available in a kit with the new EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens with Optical Image Stabilizer. The EOS Rebel XSi’s refined, ergonomic design includes a new 3.0-inch LCD monitor, compatibility with SD and SDHC memory cards and new accessories that enhance every aspect of the photographic experience.
Canon’s CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) sensor captures images with exceptional clarity and tonal range, and offers the most pixels in its class. It offers many of the same new technologies to maximize each pixel’s light gathering efficiency that were first seen with the professional EOS-1D Mark III model. It’s an APS-C size sensor (22.2 x 14.8mm), and there’s an effective 1.6x increase in the lens’s marked focal length when attached. Canon’s DIGIC III Image Processor dramatically enhances image quality and speeds up all camera operations for intuitive operation. It works in concert with the EOS Rebel XSi’s sensor to achieve unprecedented levels of performance in all lighting situations.

Product features:

# 12.2-megapixel CMOS sensor captures enough detail for poster-size, photo-quality prints
# Large 3.0-inch LCD display; includes Canon’s EF-S 18-55mm, f3.5-5.6 IS zoom lens
# DIGIC III image processor provides fast, accurate image processing; improved Autofocus and framing rate
# EOS Integrated Cleaning system, plus Dust Delete Data Detection in included software
# Stores images on SD/SDHC memory cards
# Auto Optimization
# Excellent performance with 3.5 fps continuous shooting, up to 53 full-resolution JPEGs or 6 RAW images in a burst
# See the image in large LCD with Live View Function
# Fast 9-point AF system, and two types of AF during Live View Function

Powerful, versatile and simple to use, the Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 takes photography to the next level for customers stepping up from point-and-shoot cameras. The Alpha DSLR-A200 expands creative horizons with 10.2-megapixel imaging, high-speed processing, high sensitivity, advanced noise reduction and special features like D-Range Optimizer and Creative Style settings. Super SteadyShot in-camera image stabilization works with every lens in a superb optical system — including new Sony DT zoom lenses, advanced Sony G-Series lenses, Carl Zeiss lens designs and a two-decade legacy of Minolta Maxxum a-mount lenses.
A large built-in screen with anti-reflective coating makes it easy to read camera setup menus even in bright sunlight and improves image quality when you check your shots. The Alpha DSLR-A200 can also create high-resolution thumbnail images for viewing on a Sony Bravia HDTV in optimized PhotoTVHD mode, with image format adjustable for standard 3:2 or widescreen 16:9 display. To quickly review your photos, the Alpha DSLR-A200 can display 4, 9 or 25-frame index views — or present automatic slide shows with fade-in/fade-out effect.

Product features:

* 10-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 18 x 24-inch prints
* Kit includes 18-70mm lens
* Expanded ISO sensitivity
* Dynamic Range Optimizer
* Anti-dust technology
* Flexible, accurate exposure control
* Super Steadyshot image stabilization; Bionz image processor
* 2.7-inch ClearPhoto LCD; Eye-Start autofocus system
* Powered by lithium-ion battery (supplied); stores images on CF I/II and Memory Stick Pro Duo cards

The Pentax K20D is the highest-resolution camera in the advanced photo enthusiast category and allows more experienced photographers, who demand complete control, to fully customize the camera. The most significant features in the K20D include:

* A newly-developed CMOS image sensor to bring out the optimum performance of Pentax interchangeable lenses. Featuring 14.6 effective megapixels and the latest noise-reduction technology, the sensor assures superb image quality.
* Custom Image functions that allow users to select between six preset options and further adjust image processing, including saturation, hue, contrast and sharpness. The K20D also offers an Expanded Dynamic Range function that allows users to gain more contrast and detail in bright settings.
* A Live View that allows users to see the full image area to confirm composition, focus status and lighting on the large, 2.7-inch LCD monitor. A grid display may be engaged to help assure the perfect arrangement of an image and Auto focus may be activated by simply pressing the AF button on the back of the camera. Further fine tuning of the image can be confirmed with the 4x or 8x zoom option.
* An improved Dust Reduction system that features the new Dust Alert function to pinpoint the exact location of dust particles for the photographer to remove.
* A weather and dust-resistant body that allow photographers to keep shooting even in harsh conditions.
* A PC sync socket for more advanced photographers who use studio lighting.

Additional Features:

* A PC Sync socket for shooting with studio lights. The camera remains weather and dust sealed even when the PC socket cap is removed.
* Choice of 16-segment multi-pattern metering, center-weighted metering and spot metering to accommodate various photographic applications
* Reliable, durable shutter unit assuring more than 100,000 shutter releases
* High-rigidity stainless-steel chassis
* 36 custom functions to personalize camera operations
* Universal-type X-sync socket
* RAW button for single-action image-file switching
* Digital Preview for verifying camera settings
* Optional Battery Grip (D-BG2) for extended shooting sessions
* Nine digital filters to add creative and artistic touches
* In-body RAW data development for image filing in JPEG and TIFF formats
* Compatibility with SDM equipped lenses for quiet, extra-smooth autofocus operation
* Pentax PHOTO Laboratory 3, RAW data processing software, Pentax PHOTO Browser 3, browser software and Pentax REMOTE Assistant 3, camera control software, included on the accompanying CD-ROM

The DMC-TZ3 boasts 7.2 megapixels and a large, 3.0-inch LCD, and goes a step beyond their predecessor by featuring a 28mm wide-angle Leica DC Vario-Elmar lens. While the 10x zoom lets you take close-up shots even when you cannot move closer to your subject, the wide-angle lens is helpful in situations where you cannot step back or move away from the subject. With the TZ3, you can capture portraits of people with expansive scenery or large structures in the background, and you can zoom in or out to magnify a distant subject when desired. Able to shoot from 28mm at the wide end to 280mm telephoto, this fit-in-your-pocket camera is fully equipped for any photo shooting situations you are likely to encounter on a journey. The TZ3 also incorporate the Intelligent Image Stabilization system, which comprises two features, Mega O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) and Intelligent ISO Control, that together make it easy to capture beautiful photos every time you shoot. Mega O.I.S. compensates for the effects of hand-shake, making it possible to capture clear, crisp photos indoors, at night, or when taking macro close-ups or using high-powered zooming — situations in which hand-shake is most likely to be a problem.

Product features:

* 7.2-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 15 x 20-inch prints
* 10x image-stabilized optical zoom; 3.0-inch 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/SDHC/MMC memory cards

Customer feedback:

1. This is a superb little camera, definately five stars! I also have the TZ1, which showed promise, but has limitations. In my review of the TZ1, I noted it had lots of “noise” and pictures shouldn’t be printed much beyond 4×6 inches if they were to be sharp. I also wanted more manual controls. The TZ3 fixes and improves almost everything about the TZ1 and adds some new, very useful features. The noise has been drastically reduced, the lens is better, the sensor is bigger, and the processor is not only faster, but produces better pictures. The TZ3 adds a very handy “function” button – or I should say function capability – the number of buttons is the same – which gives immediate access to five or so “most used” settings without having to go into the menues – of which there are several.
The TZ3 keeps the Mega Optical Image Stabilization and adds Intelligent ISO, increases the sensitivity without adding noise,(I have not tried the 3200 setting yet.), increases the size of the viewing screen, etc., etc. The TZ3 is a “well-rounded,” and very capable camera. There is simply no comparison between the TZ1 and the TZ3 as far as the quality of the pictures. The TZ3 wins hands down. In my opinion it also beats some big name, higher priced digicams – a couple of which I own – rather handily.
2. Panasonic has taken the original TZ1 and made it even better. There’s not much missing from this camera. 28mm wide angle lens. 10X optical zoom. 3″ high resolution screen, excellent Image Stabilization, etc. All this in a fairly compact camera. Panasonic has also improved the “noise” on higher ISO’s. Low light performance is better than on previous Panasonic models. The most important this is, the camera takes great pictures. Panasonic did take one step back in video mode on the TZ3. Unlike on the TZ1, you can not “zoom” while taking video. You can zoom before you start taking the video. This doesn’t bother me, but some people find it important. Overall, this is the best compact camera I’ve ever owned.