Many upgraded/improved pieces of digital equipment and software have recently come on the marketand I feel they should be mentioned. All are improved versions of the most popular digital cameras, accessories and programs. In fact the digital photographic world has changed drastically in the last six months (more bang for your buck). This is fantastic for persons wishing to get into digital photography or wishing to upgrade their equipment.
One problem starting to appear is that there are too many good items to choose from! This is were one needs to clearly define one’s true needs and desires, and that way picking out the right piece of equipment becomes easier. In fact if your current camera and equipment works and you are satisfied with your photo quality then maybe changing equipment is not what you need to do at this time. But when your camera isn’t working right and/or you are starting to have problems with its operation (either from over use or accidental dropping) it is time to look for a replacement.
If purchasing for the first time or replacing your old digital camera, I would suggest getting at least a 5 megapixel camera with at least a 4x zoom, and minimal shutter lag. Don’t save a few dollars by purchasing a camera that does not have all your desired features. What is now available for $500 is amazing. The same is true for computers. The average consumer can purchase a new fast computer for the same price they paid three years ago for a slow computer with no features. Below is a list of products that has just hit the market or are about to hit the shelves:
Price $899: (Great camera for a Semi-Pro/Advanced Amateur) This is the replacement for the “Canon 300D” (Digital Rebel). Canon has taken a so, so DSLR (Digital Through the Lens) camera and turned it into the camera for almost all advanced amateurs and semi-pro photographers. This camera gives you “Bang for your Buck” with a list price of $899 for the body and $999 for the body with a lens. Here are a few of the improvements over the “ 300D”: 8.0 megapixel CMOS sensor which is second generation, a new faster and improved processor (DIGIC II), instant power-on, faster shutter release and shorter blackout time, increase shooting speed (3 fps-frames per second), a buffer of 14 Jpeg photos, smaller body, lighter weight, E-TTL II flash, 9 custom functions, color or B&W photo setting, improved white balance, and much more. This camera works with most Canon lenses and even with the economic S lenses. Unfortunately at this time Nikon’s D70 (or new D70s or D50) are only 6.3 megapixel camera. For a full list of these improvements and to see the camera go to http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos350d/
Price $499: (Super zoom Point-Shoot Digital Camera) The successor to the popular PowerShot S1 IS with a high-powered lens and enhanced movie taking functions. This camera is equipped with a 5.0 megapixel, 1/2.5-inch Charge Coupled Device (CCD). Also, with "DIGIC II" (used in Canon’s latest D-SLR cameras), higher resolution and high-speed processing were achieved and the startup time and response time were shortened. This camera is equipped with a 12x optical zoom lens, which covers a 35 mm film equivalent focal length ranging from 36 mm to 432 mm, and has an f/2.7 to f/3.5 aperture. By incorporating a UD (Ultra Low Dispersion) lens into the lens element, the chromatic aberration was reduced. Same as PowerShot S1 IS, this model incorporates an image stabilizer, which reduces the effects of camera shake while shooting. In addition, the zoom lens's super-smooth, super-fast ultra sonic motor (USM) provides all the zooming speed you need. Many pro photographers use this camera to shoot their fun photos. For more information go to: http://web.canon.jp/Imaging/pss2is/index-e.html
Price $499: (Super zoom Point-Shoot Digital Camera) Like its predecessor the FZ5 sports a Leica-branded DC Vario-Elmarit zoom with a whopping 12x optical range (35-420mm equiv), though the larger sensor has resulted in a slightly slower F2.8-F3.3 aperture range. It also boasts the same newly-improved optical image stabilization system and the Venus II engine, which, according to Panasonic's documentation, is now equivalent to shooting at 3 or 4 shutter speed steps faster - (the figure for the FZ20 was quoted as 2 or 3 shutter speed steps). It now has a 5.0 megapixel sensor, orientation sensor, fast focus mode, and reduced shutter lag. For more information go to: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicfz5/
Price $109-$119 1GB CompactFlash: Imaging Storage media: New camera generations raise the demand for new forms of storage media and the SanDisk Extreme III memory card range doubles the speed of the previous incarnation (depending on camera read/write speed). It is powered by the ESP Technology (Enhanced Super Parallel Processing Technology) and enables transfer rates up to 20MB/s between camera and CF card, thus accelerating storage and viewing of digital photos with high-end, professional digital cameras. Their performance and rugged build make the San-Disk Extreme Level III memory cards - available with capacities up to 4 GB - a reliable choice for digital photo professionals. Extreme Level III technology is available for CompactFlash (CF), SD and Memory Stick PRO type memory cards. The price is different for each type of storage media. For more information go to: http://www.sandisk.com/retail/ext3-cf.asp
Price $549: (For the Advanced Amateur or Professional Photographer) a new Photo printer has just come out the “Epson Stylus Photo R1800 Printer”. This printer is similar to the “Epson Stylus Photo R800 Printer” (Great for amateurs to semi professionals) but prints a 13 inch wide Glossy or Matte Photo print that last 100-200 years. It uses UltraChorme Hi-Gloss™ eight-color pigment inks and a Gloss Optimizer that coats the photo. The list price is $549 and can use 4”x6” to 13”x19” size papers. For digital photographers that are worried if their prints will last, these are the printers for you! For more information go to: http://www.photo-i.co.uk/Reviews/interactive/Epson%20R1800/page_1.htm
Price $99 (Digital Photo Editing Software): This is a great program for the beginner to semi-pro photographer. Basically, it is a watered down version of the most popular photo editing software Adobe Photoshop ($599). In past versions of this program Elements 1 and 2 a lot of the Photoshop features were left out. But Adobe wised up and gave the program some kick! They did put in lots of handy and powerful new features:
Spot Healing Brush & Healing Brush: It’s the fast fix for picture flaws. Photo Browser: Quickly and easily organize your ever-expanding digital photo collection, and find the photos you want to use. Cookie Cutter Frame your picture in a heart, a puzzle piece, a variety of geometric shapes, and much more. Dynamic Slide Shows: Create dynamic, eye-catching slide slows in a few clicks with the Creation templates and your photos. If you look around you might be able to get the program at a reduced rate ($65 to $75). For more information go to: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/adobeelements3/
Price $599: Adobe Photoshop continues to lead as the uncontested image editing software of choice for professional photographers. Version CS2 adds many welcome additions, such as a much improved multi-image RAW converter, the amazing ‘Vanishing Point’ perspective cloning, image warp, colour fringing and lens aberration correction, and advanced noise reduction. HDR support makes it possible to combine multiple exposures into a single, 32-bit image with expanded range, preserving details from the deepest shadows to the brightest highlights. This is a program for the semi-pro to professional. For more information go to: http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/newfeatures.html
find it best to keep up on all the latest products even if I am not in the market to purchase. That way when I do have to purchase a new piece of equipment, I know what to get and if I’m being charged a fair price.
