The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 is now listed as “IN STOCK” at B&H Photo. This is the 12 megapixel, 12x zoom compact from Panasonic that like the Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-HX5V, features the built in GPS. I’m a bit surprised to see this one in stock, as we all know how difficult Panasonic’s popular offerings have been to get in the past. Still I got the alert this morning, and for the moment it is in stock for $399.95.

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-ZS7 Digital Camera at B&H Photo Get the new Panasonic LUMIX DMC-ZS7 and support this site at the same time, by making your purchase through the links above at B&H Photo Video. Your purchases there made this and hopefully future articles possible . Panasonic LUMIX DMC-ZS7 at B&H Photo Panasonic LUMIX DMC-ZS7 at Amazon

Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-HX5V Now In Stock

The oh-so feature packed Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-HX5V is now in stock at B&H Photo. If you can’t recall the DSC-HX5V is the Cyber-Shot featuring the 10.2 megapixel EXMOR R CMOS sensor, 10 fps shooting rate, and yes — in-camera GPS. Thrown in for good measure, 1080i video recording. If all goes to plan, we’ll be reviewing the HX5V very soon, but if you can’t wait, grab your HX5V now while supplies last.

Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-HX5V Digital Camera at B&H Photo Get the new Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-HX5V and support this site at the same time, by making your purchase through the links above at B&H Photo Video. Your purchases there made this and hopefully future articles possible . Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-HX5V at B&H Photo Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-HX5V at Amazon

Leica M9 Firmware Update: Version 1.116

Leica has announced the release of a firmware update for the Leica M9. Version 1.116 brings a number of fixes, improvements, and a new ISO setting-related vignetting correction. The update can be downloaded directly from Leica’s website here.

Specifically, the version 1.116 addresses the following:

Camera Performance

• Faster zooming into the last picture taken.
• Speed of SD card formatting enhanced.
• Image quality of “thumbnail” pictures improved.
• SD Card compatibility improved
• Magenta colour shift correction for the following wide angle lenses improved:
  M 18mm/f3.8 ASPH. (11649)
  M 21mm/f2.8 ASPH. (11135)
  M 24mm/f3.8 ASPH. (11648)
  M 28mm/f2 ASPH. (11604)
  M 28mm/f2.8 ASPH. (11606)
• New ISO setting-related vignetting correction: strong correction at ISO 160, lowest ISO correction at 2500, interpolated for intermediate ISO steps.

Other Changes

• Transfer of large data amounts to a Mac in USB-Mass storage mode.
• Sensor cleaning mode with battery capacity <50%.
• Function “Deleting all images” while zoomed picture is shown on screen.
• Function “Deleting all images” from a SD card with non-M9 pictures on it.
• Interrupting a long exposure by switching off the camera.
• Zooming into pictures with “Vintage B+W” setting.
• “Max aperture value” in EXIF data corrected for the following lenses:
  M 35mm/f1.4 (11869, 11870, 11860)
  M 50mm/f0.95 ASPH. (11602)
  M 50mm/f1.2 (11820)
  M 135mm/f3.4 APO (11889)
  M 135mm/f4 (11851, 11861)

SDHC card compatibility
The choice of SD and SDHC cards in the market is very large and is constantly growing. Therefore, Leica Camera AG is not able to carry out comprehensive compatibility and quality testing with all available cards in the market. We recommend the card types in the list below. Using other card types will not damage camera or card, but as unbranded cards may not respect the full SD or SDHC standards, Leica Camera AG cannot warranty full function with other cards than in the list.

• extrememory 4GB SDHC
• Hama SDHC 4 GB
• Kingston SDHC 4GB class2
• Lexar Professional SDHC 4GB 133x class6
• Lexar Professional SDHC 8GB 133x class6
• Panasonic SDHC 8GB class6
• PNY SDHC 8GB
• SanDisk Video HD 16GB class4
• SanDisk Extreme III SD 2 GB
• SanDisk Extreme III SDHC 4 GB
• SanDisk Extreme III SDHC 4GB 30 MB/s
• SanDisk Extreme III SDHC 8GB 30MB/s
• SanDisk SDHC 4GB class2
• SanDisk SDHC 8GB class2
• SanDisk Ultra II 16GB class4
• SanDisk Ultra II SDHC 2GB 15 MB/s
• SanDisk Ultra II SDHC 32GB class4
• Toshiba 16GB SDHC class4
• Toshiba 4GB SDHC class6
• Transcend SDHC 16GB class6
• Transcend SDHC 1GB
• Transcend SDHC 32GB class6
• Ultron High Speed SD 512MB

PRESS RELEASE: Think Tank Photo’s Logistics Manager Lighting and Photographic Gear Rolling Case

Santa Rosa, Calif. – Think Tank Photo announces the release of the Logistics Manager™, its first rolling equipment case for lighting and photographic gear. The rolling case’s endless interior layout options adapt to numerous equipment combinations and help manage all of the logistics of transporting and using a lot of gear while on location.

Its roomy internal dimensions of 13.75″W x 27.5″H x 8.25-10″D (35 x 70 x 21-25.5 cm) allow it to hold multiple combinations of cameras and lenses, lighting gear such as strobes and reflectors, and accessories of all kinds. As there are many instances when photographers shooting on location must leave behind some or all of their gear, Logistics Manager offers a three-tier security system:

• A TSA combination lock to secure the main zipper.
• A rear security cable and combination lock allow the roller to be locked to immovable objects.
• A Security ID Plate with online plate registration allows lost gear to be identified and returned to the owner.

Its additional key features include:

• Extendable handle for easy transport and maneuverability and replaceable wheels within protective housings for greater longevity.
• Attachment points on both sides for tripods or light stands.
• A stretchable lower pocket in front that expands for cords, reflectors, and other grip items.
• Upper front pocket with built-in organizer and key loop.
• An organizer side pocket for secondary storage.
• Clear interior pockets for accessories.
• “No Rhetoric” lifetime warranty

“The Logistics Manager provides the answer to a question often asked by working photographers, which is, how can I transport all of my gear into the field, have quick access to it, and secure it from loss or theft,” said Doug Murdoch, Think Tank Photo president and lead designer. “We took the design and engineering principles we pioneered in our line-up of award-winning rolling camera bags and applied them to this very roomy pro photographer logistics solution.”

Specifications:
Internal Dimensions: 13.75″W x 27.5″H x 8.25-10″D (35 x 70 x 21-25.5 cm)
External Dimensions: 15.75″W x 30″H x 11.5″D (40 x 76x 29 cm)
Weight: 16 – 24.5 lbs (7.3 – 11.1 kg) depending on accessories used
List Price: $599.00

About Think Tank Photo
Think Tank Photo is a group of designers and professional photographers focused on studying how photographers work, and developing inventive new carrying solutions to meet their needs. By focusing on “speed” and “accessibility,” we prepare photographers to Be Ready “Before The Moment,” allowing them to document those historic moments that reflect their personal visions and artistic talents. We design products that help photographers travel easier, take pictures faster, and organize their gear more efficiently.

http://www.thinktankphoto.com/

This press release provide “as is”. At times Neutralday.com will provide press information un-edited and without editorial comment in order to provide further information without taxing additional endeavors (camera related reviews).

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Firmware Update: Version 2.0.3 brings 24 FPS and Audio Gain Control

Canon has just sent word that firmware version 2.0.3 is now available for download for the Canon EOS 5D Mark II. This long awaited firmware update brings variable frame rates for 1080p video, including 24 fps, in addition both the 30 fps and 24 fps settings are now NTSC compliant (29.97 fps and 23.976 fps). That’s not all the firmware brings, as in addition to variable frame rates the new update adds audio gain control, a bump in audio recording quality to 48KHz, shutter and aperture priority mode recording options, and adds the option to see a live histogram while recording.

Get the version 2.0.3 update directly from Canon’s website here.
Canon has an article up with more information here: http://www.usa.canon.com/dlc/controller?act=GetArticleAct&articleID=3287

Our Canon EOS Rebel T2i (550D) In Depth Review is Now Live
We’ve just posted our in depth review of the exciting Canon EOS Rebel T2i! This is a camera that a lot of folks are excited about because it seems be both feature packed, yes still relatively affordable. Find out our thoughts in our review of the brand new Rebel, right here.

Canon EOS Rebel T2i (550D) In Depth Review

The latest in the Rebel lineup, and its new flagship, the Canon EOS Rebel T2i offers entry level shooters some degree of professional level camera features in a compact, and more importantly, affordable camera body. The gap it bridges is that mysterious realm between the Rebel lineup and the more professional/prosumer-ish EOS 7D. In that gap it floats far more to the entry level than prosumer, especially when it comes to camera look and feel and overall camera performance. But with two features the Rebel T2i reaches right up to the Canon EOS 7D, it uses a very similar sensor design with the same resolution and offers the same full fledged video features. One more notable aspect, the new Rebel is graced with Canon’s latest and greatest LCD display, a beautifully crisp and clear 1040K LCD, with a 3:2 aspect ratio no less. The question for many photographers will be, is this new Rebel just a slight upgrade from the Rebel T1i, or is it a poor man’s EOS 7D?

Availability

Canon EOS Rebel T2i (body only) at B&H Photo Canon EOS Rebel T2i with 18-55m lens at B&H Photo Get the new Canon EOS Rebel T2i and support this site at the same time, by making your purchase through the links above at B&H Photo Video. Your purchases there made this and hopefully future articles possible .

Competitors

Of course some folks might be wondering how the newest Rebel stacks up to the actual competition. I find this a bit unfair, as at the time of this writing the T2i is brand new, and some of its would be competitors have drifted down in price, so that a camera like the Nikon D90 for instance is now in the same price range, while the Nikon D5000 is priced far less. In many respects though, Canon’s latest Rebel essentially competes with other Canon DSLRs, as many consumers interested in this particular model might be considering either it, or the now more affordable, but still quite competent, EOS Rebel T1i. So we’ve gathered key specifications for both cameras, as well as the Canon EOS 7D, so that you can see how the three roughly compare to each other.

Panasonic Unveils Lumix DMC-G2
Also for the Japanese CP+ tradeshow, Panasonic has unveiled the Lumix DMC-G2, which most prominently features a tilt and rotating touchscreen LCD. The G2 becomes the official replacement for the G1, but not the G1h which still remains in the G series lineup and is still the only G series camera capable of shooting 1080p video at the moment.

Additional Media

Press Release

Lumix DMC-G2, World’s First* Interchangeable Lens System Camera With Touch-Control Movable LCD

Panasonic LUMIX G2 Features a 3-Inch Touch-Screen, Allowing for Quick and Intuitive Setting Changes, such as Focus, with a Single Touch

Secaucus, NJ (March 7, 2010) – Panasonic today announces the LUMIX DMC-G2, the world’s first* digital interchangeable lens system camera with a movable LCD that allows for touch-control, and the successor to the award-winning and revolutionary LUMIX G1, which was the world’s first Micro Four Thirds digital camera. The intuitive touch-control shooting elevates the camera’s operability, letting the user adjust auto focus (AF) simply by touching the subject on the large 3.0-inch 460,000-dot high- resolution LCD. The LUMIX G2, also shoots 720p High Definition video using the AVCHD Lite format, and joins the LUMIX G10, also introduced today, as the latest models in the LUMIX G Micro System.

With the touch-screen operation, users can even snap a photo by touching the LUMIX G2’s screen. Additionally, the touch-screen operation excels not only for shooting but also during playback. Users can touch one thumbnail viewed among many to quickly and easily see the full size of the desired photo. Also, to view images one-by-one, photos can be dragged across the screen to browse as though flipping the pages of a book.

“With the LUMIX G2, Panasonic is pleased to continue to lead the evolution of the Micro Four Thirds platform and also be the first in the industry to offer a touch-screen interchangeable lens system camera,” said David Briganti, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. “Touch-operation is a user interface with which many consumers are both familiar and expect, and we think the LUMIX G2’s touch-operation makes it easier and quicker to take photos and videos that have professional-like effects.”

Using the touch-screen operation, once a user locks onto a subject, the LUMIX G2 enables AF Tracking and will track the subject as it moves within the frame. Then, with a touch on the screen, users can select the part and the size of AF area with the 1-area AF. The Multi-area AF sets a group of AF points according to the composition. While using the manual focus, users can enlarge a subject by touching it and then choosing to enlarge it by 1x, 5x or 10x and then smoothly moving the part by dragging it on the screen. With this touch operation, menu settings can be changed quickly; cutting the time it takes to navigate using standard cursors. However, all setting changes can still be done using the control pad, if preferred.

The LUMIX G2 records 1280 x 720 HD videos in the AVCHD Lite format, which increases recording capacity and is highly compatible with audio-visual equipment. With a dedicated video record button, users can easily start recording a video. To complement its high-quality video capabilities, the LUMIX G2 features advanced audio options, as sound is recorded with Dolby Digital Creator and an optional accessory stereo microphone can be attached. A Wind Cut function further enhances the sound as it helps reduce noise caused from background wind.

The 3.0-inch touch-operation LCD has a wide-viewing angle and rotates 180° from side to side and tilts 270° up and down, providing approximately 100% of field of view. This free-angle LCD with a touch-screen operation makes it possible to both view and touch the screen from any angle. The double Live-View function offered by the high-resolution, 460,000-dot free-angle Intelligent LCD and 1,440,000-dot 1.4x (0.7x) Live View Finder allows users to see the settings’ results before pressing the shutter.

The 12.1-megapixel Live MOS sensor featured in the LUMIX G2 offers the best of both worlds – the outstanding image quality of a CCD sensor, and the lower power consumption of a CMOS sensor. Advanced technology enables it to read four channels of data simultaneously, helping the LUMIX G2 to deliver 60 frames-per-second Full-time Live View images, while faithfully reproducing high-resolution images with fine detail and rich gradation. Plus, with the high-speed, high-performance Venus Engine HD II, which has been re-engineered to further improve image quality.

The new high-speed, high-performance Venus Engine HD II supports the new image processing technology Intelligent Resolution, which enables the recording of beautiful photo and HD video with high quality signal processing. With Intelligent Resolution technology, three areas – outlines, detailed texture areas and soft gradation – are automatically detected. The outline parts are enhanced effectively to give edges increased clarity, while simultaneously giving a moderate accentuation to the textured areas so they look finely detailed. For the soft gradation areas, the improved noise reduction system of the Venus Engine HD II is applied to achieve a smoother effect. Apart from the uniform enhancement of sharpness, the innovative technology Intelligent Resolution precisely performs signal processing pixel by pixel in the most effective way, resulting in images that are naturally clear.

For users looking for additional creative options for both photos and videos, the LUMIX G2 delivers. While shooting HD video, users can set the camera in “P” mode – to change the aperture for professional-like movie effects where the images blur into focus. For still photos, the LUMIX G2 features the My Color mode with a total of seven preset effects – Expressive, Retro, Pure, Elegant, Monochrome, Dynamic Art, and Silhouette while also keeping the Custom mode, which lets users manually set the color, brightness and saturation levels and save their favorite settings into memory.

On the other hand, for beginner users not yet ready for manual modes – the LUMIX G2 features iA (Intelligent Auto), a popular setting in the LUMIX point-and-shoots that automatically engages features and settings for optimal image quality by detecting the shooting environment. Panasonic iA is available in both still photo and video recording settings and a new dedicated iA button, which illuminates in blue when engaged, makes it even easier to use this handy feature.

Other features of the LUMIX G2 include:

*

Dust Reduction System: If dust or other foreign matter gets inside the camera when you’re changing lenses, it could cling to the image sensor and show up as a spot in your photos. The Dust Reduction System in the G2 helps eliminate this possibility by placing a supersonic wave filter in front of the Live MOS sensor. Vibrating vertically around 50,000 times per second, the filter repels dust and other particles effectively.
*

Included Software: PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.0 HD Edition makes it possible to sort and organize photos. Videos can be uploaded directly to YouTube using the built-in YouTube uploader – even in HD quality. It also lets you create a 360-degree rotation panorama file in .MOV files. The software is compatible with the Windows 7.

The Panasonic LUMIX G2 will come equipped as part of its kit, with the newly announced LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH/MEGA O.I.S. lens. The new lens offers a versatile zoom range of 14-42mm (35mm camera equivalent: 28-84mm), making it suitable for a wide variety of scenes, everything from dynamic landscape to portrait. Additionally, the LUMIX G2 is compatible with all Micro Four Thirds System lenses, allowing users even higher levels of performance in a digital interchangeable lens camera.

The LUMIX DMC-G2 and other LUMIX G Micro System digital cameras can use any interchangeable lens that complies with the Four Thirds standard via an optional mount adaptor DMW-MA1 and with the prestigious Leica M/R Lenses via DMW-MA2M or MA3R. Other accessories include external flashes, filters, a remote shutter, HDMI mini cables and a variety of stylish straps and bags. To learn about the Panasonic LUMIX Micro Four Thirds System and all the available accessories, visit www.panasonic.com/lumix.

* As of March 7, 2010.