2014 Compact Camera Of The Year

2014 has been a good year for my photo blog!

Most of my blog followers realised that I am mainly interested in testing point n shoot compacts, I still believe strongly that the heavy, bulky DSLR days are numbered ;)

Among the memorable compacts I had a chance to try out...

The very impressive Lumix LX100.

The Lumix TZ60 with a whopping 30X Leica DC Vario-Elma 24-720mm in 35mm equivalent zoom.

      The smallest compact with interchangeable lens, the incredible Lumix GM1.

                      The versatile and just as compact Sony RX100-3.

                  The slightly larger but able to change lens, the Sony A6000.

                                 The bulky Canon G1X Mkll.

Out of these SIX compacts, which one do you think I will pick as my COMPACT CAMERA of 2014?

Do All 24mm (equivalent) Kit Lens Vignette?

For those that don't know, what is vignette or vignetting?

"In photography and optics, vignetting (/vɪnˈjɛtɪŋ/; French: "vignette") is a reduction of an image's brightness or saturation at the periphery compared to the image center.

Vignetting is often an unintended and undesired effect caused by camera settings or lens limitations. However, it is sometimes deliberately introduced for creative effect, such as to draw attention to the center of the frame."  - Wikipedia

In general, a good lens should not vignette or at least show minimum darkening of the image corners.

G1 X Mark II - Did Canon Nail It?

The Power Shot G1X Mk2! There has not been so much excitement over a new compact point n shoot for a while, wait! It is NOT even NEW, it is Canon REPLACEMENT for the lacklustre G1 X, Mk none ;)

In my last posting, I concluded with "May be, finally; Canon have got their compact act together?"

"Well, DID THEY?"

G1X Mark II, Canon finally got it right?

Two years ago, Canon launched their point n shoot with a large 14MP 1.5" CMOS sensor and called it the G1X.

Canon thought they had the enthusiast photographer section sussed, after all; this is a ‘take anywhere’ camera that has DSLR-like handling and image quality! The sensor is SIX times larger than their very popular G12, for goodness sake!

Well, Canon was wrong!

As far as I am concern, the G1X is just a larger version of the G12! Apart from the large sensor, the auto focus is just as slow...

I believe sales of this glorified point n shoot, like Canon's EOS-M was lackluster!

But that was two years ago!

Canon came back with a vengeance!

Canon G7 G9 Loose Screws Fiasco!

Fiasco [fɪˈæskəʊ]n pl - a complete failure, especially one that is ignominious or humiliating!

If you have been following my blog, you will know I WAS a sucker for Canon G series of compact cameras.

According to Wikipedia:

The PowerShot products are a line of consumer and prosumer grade digital cameras, launched by Canon in 1995. The PowerShot line has been successful for Canon, and is one of the best-selling digital camera lines worldwide.

The Canon PowerShot G is a series of digital cameras released by Canon. The G series cameras are Canon's flagship models aimed at prosumer photography enthusiasts desiring more flexibility than a point-and-shoot without the bulk of a digital single-lens reflex camera.

Konnichiwa こんにちは Canon G15

Say sayonara to my G12 and konnichiwa to the new G15 :)

Prima Facie - Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II

Three days ago, my colleague Martyn received his spanking new Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II lens! I was the first person he show the 1.6 KG, NZ$ 4,000.00 chunk of glass to ;)

Alright Martyn, I don't have one :)  The fact is, I can't afford one!

Fondling this cold metallic wonder optics bring back memories of those great time I was with the papers, most of my news pictures were shot with a similar lens but WITHOUT the luxury of IS (Image Stabilizer).

Canon launch their first generation EF 70-200 f/2.8 L in March 1995, rapidly the versatile zoom became the "must have" of all EOS totting pros.

In September 2001 Canon delivered the same lens with an advance image stabilizer and priced it 3 times more than the non IS version.

Canon claimed their version two IS zoom have a three stops advantage over the non IS, what they meant was if you are able to shoot a shake free shot with your non IS at 1/125 (@ 200mm), you will be able to do the same at 1/15 with the IS lens!  A bit of exaggeration, but possible ;)

Samples From New Canon EOS M Mirrorless

By now you must have read lots of preview of the new Canon EOS M mirrorless wonder, me? I am not very impress, then I discovered Canon actually posted some sample images taken by this point & shoot. Lets take a look ;)

Out of the 9 images they put up, only 4 are actually ready; the others are "coming soon".

The New Canon EOS-M Mirrorless, REALLY??

If you believe what the rumor mill are harping about, this is the REAL leaked picture of the NEW Canon EOS-M mirrorless wonder!

If the rumor is true (we will know tomorrow), me and thousands of Canon fans will be disappointed! Look at the picture below where the EOS-M is placed beside the Nikon V1.

The front of the EOS-M showed very little hand-held space, it look like there isn't a build in flash; but what is that slot on the right? Could that be a flash release slide? It is also obvious that the EOS-M is a pure point-and-shoot offering, lacking an EVF like the V1.

Is This The NEW Canon Mirrorless Camera?!

Photo from digicame-info

According to Japanese web site digicame-info this is the NEW, much talk about Canon MIRRORLESS camera!

The "EOS M" have a 22mm F2 (41mm eqv if camera came with a 1.5" sensor) mounted.

Don't get too excited though, personally I don't think their "info" is credible.

Ultra-Wide WC-E75 G12 @ Martinborough Fair

Every year, for twice a year; on the first Saturday of February and March, since 1977; Martinborough  hold her famous fair which attracts ten of thousands visitors to this sleepy small town.

The Fair was scheduled for Saturday 3rd March but due to the Weather Bomb was cancelled for the first time in 35 years. Due to overwhelming demand it is being rerun on the first Saturday in May.

Martinborough is a town in South Wairarapa, a district in the Wellington region on the North Island of New Zealand. It is 65 kilometres east of Wellington and 35 kilometres south-west of Masterton. The town has a population of about 1300 full-time inhabitants.      - Wikipedia

How Canon Fix 5D Mark III Light Leak!

Last month Canon received some pretty bad press on their 5D Mark III’s light leak issue — granted a minor flaw where light from (or through) the top LCD panel can affect the camera’s exposure readings in very dark environments.

Canon finished investigating the issue last week, and reported that only 5D Mk III cameras with a certain range of serial numbers are affected. They also confirmed that the company has implemented a fix for newer bodies.

Canon also announced that service centers would be providing free “inspections” for owners concerned about this issue.

After the announcement 5D Mk III were wondering what high tech fix Canon has came up with ;)

Canon Explained 5D Mark III Light Leak Fiasco

After two weeks of rumors, speculations; yesterday Canon finally released their second product advisory regarding the 5D Mk III light leak issue.

To Users of the Canon EOS 5D Mark III Digital SLR Camera:

Thank you for using Canon products.

Concerning the EOS 5D Mark III digital SLR camera, when the LCD panel illuminates in extremely dark environments, the displayed exposure value may change. Canon has concluded the investigation of this phenomenon, and this announcement informs you of our findings as described below.

5D MkIII Light Leak, the Plot Thickens!

Way back in 2007 Canon was the undisputed DSLR KING, their super fast; accurate 1D MkI followed by MkII were outclassing all the other pro DSLR!

Then came the MkIII, with their "better" revamped AF system; has so many problem that left hundreds of irritated loyal Canon users cursing.

With the pending Beijing Olympics and the newly launched, virtually flawless Nikon D3; pro shooters left in droves for the "Dark Side" and the rest is history.

From 2007 Canon lost its dominance of the DSLR!

Canon 5D MkIII Light Leak Issue!

I was skeptical when my contact told me that the spanking new, much desired Canon 5D MkIII suffered from light leak; 

Canon? 

Come on! And April 1 was 14 days ago!

Well, yesterday Canon issued a product advisory:

To Users of the Canon EOS 5D Mark III Digital SLR Camera-  Thank you for using Canon products.

The phenomenon described below has been confirmed when using the Canon EOS 5D Mark III Digital SLR Camera.

Memory... Canon EOS D2000 in the Rain!

The Canon EOS D2000 (a Canon branded Kodak DCS 520) is a 2-megapixel digital single-lens reflex camera developed by Kodak on a Canon EOS-1N body. It was released in March 1998.

It features a CCD sensor and can shoot at 3.5 frames per second.

Many enthusiasts regard the D2000 as Canon's first truly usable Digital SLR. It was released in tandem with the Canon D6000 (a rebranded Kodak DCS 560), a 6-megapixel model. -Wikipedia


My experience with this RM 70,000 (NZ$ 28,000) digital SLR in Y2K...

Surprised?  Yes, that was how much the camera cost in 1999!!

Canon G1-X advert Made a Boo Boo!

 

Singapore magazine “TODAY” on Friday March 9 posted a Canon G1 X advertisement (see on top), that boast about their humongous CMOS sensor in their G1-X compared to the much much smaller Micro Four-Third!

Take a look at the size comparison diagram in the ad ;)

Stunning Samples From Canon 5D Mklll !

Canon Japan has posted a number of stunning full-resolution sample photos taken with their new EOS 5D Mark III DSLR camera.

The sample pictures were taken at various ISO settings ranging from ISO 100/21° to ISO 3200/36°, using a variety of Canon L lenses.

The first sample shot of a Aurora was taken with a EF35mm F1.4Llens @ ISO 800 f2.8 and 8 full second.

A 100% crop of the top picture, those are the stars; NOT dead pixels! Duh!

Canon 5D Mark III Has Landed!

Johnny Come Lately, the DSLR that started video film making FIVE years ago has been replaced; finally!

Canon Press Release

Creativity, redefined – Canon unleashes the EOS 5D Mark III

United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, 2nd March 2012 – Canon today announces the latest addition to its world-famous EOS range with the launch of the new EOS 5D Mark III. The EOS 5D Mark III builds on the performance of the legendary EOS 5D Mark II, offering improved speed, greater resolution, enhanced processing power and extended creative options for both stills and Full HD movies – providing unparalleled artistic freedom for the most demanding photographers.

They Shoot Possum With G12 Don't They?

This happen 15 minutes ago, we heard a noise at our back door; Le General went to investigate, she turn on the back door light and saw this possum sitting there staring at her. :)

After seeing the big eye marsupial, I went and get my Canon G12 and the Sunpak RD2000 flash.